The Netherlands has announced a significant extension of its partnership with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), pledging CHF 1.3 million (approximately $1.59 million USD) over two years, starting in 2025, to enhance food safety and trade capabilities in developing economies. This crucial contribution aims to strengthen compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, benefiting value chain participants globally.
The announcement was made at a signing ceremony attended by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mark Jacobs, Director for International Trade Policy and Market Regulation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala expressed deep gratitude for the Netherlands' continued generosity. "The Netherlands’ contribution will help advance STDF projects and programmes to improve the ability of farmers and small businesses in developing economies and least-developed countries to access global and regional markets, contributing to higher incomes, better health and better livelihoods," she stated. She further emphasised that by focusing on SPS improvements, the STDF addresses critical cross-border trade, development, and sustainability issues that directly impact well-being and the environment.
Mark Jacobs, signing on behalf of the Dutch government, highlighted the central role of agricultural trade for the Netherlands. "Many developing countries are among our closest trading partners. Food safety systems contribute to mutual trust and are crucial for sustainable trade relations in agrifood," Mr. Jacobs remarked. He added that the Netherlands highly values the STDF's support in fostering safe food trade, which "generates and stabilises income, improves access to markets and strengthens food security, both in developing and developed countries." The Netherlands has been a steadfast donor to the STDF since its inception, contributing over CHF 12.5 million (approximately $15.24 million) to date.
The STDF will strategically utilise the new funds to pilot innovative SPS capacity development projects across various developing economies, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States. These initiatives are designed to help these nations gain and maintain market access, promote safe and inclusive trade, foster sustainable economic growth, alleviate poverty, and enhance food security, all while addressing broader global challenges such as climate change and gender inequality.
Since its establishment in 2004, the STDF has financed over 250 projects worldwide, with a significant 62% of funds directed towards LDCs. Developing economies and LDCs are encouraged to apply for Sthe TDF project and project preparation grants, with the next deadline for eligible proposals set for August 1, 2025, for consideration by the STDF Working Group in November 2025.
The STDF is a collaborative initiative of key international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the WTO, which manages the STDF Trust Fund and houses its Secretariat.