WTO Deputy Director-General Concludes Regional Trade Policy Course for English-Speaking African Officials

A regional trade policy course for government officials from English-speaking African countries recently concluded, marking the end of an eight-week training program. The course, which involved participants from 15 African nations, covered a broad spectrum of topics related to multilateral trade agreements. The closing ceremony featured a video message from WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang, who addressed the participants: “I hope that the knowledge and skills you take home will help each of you in your own jobs, ensuring that the WTO delivers for the lives and livelihoods of people in your countries.”

Ambassador Vishwakarma Mungur, Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, also attended the ceremony. DDG Zhang acknowledged the University of Mauritius, the partner institution, for its role in the success of the training course: “I have no doubt that much of the success of this training course is due to the commitment and professionalism of our partner, the University of Mauritius.” This iteration marked the fourth and final regional trade policy course in a series initiated in 2018 with the University of Mauritius.

The training included detailed modules, case studies, and practical exercises on various aspects of WTO trade agreements. Additionally, participants engaged with regional experts to understand how the disciplines of multilateral trade agreements could align with and support their countries’ development goals. The closing event was also attended by notable figures from the University of Mauritius, including Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council Preaaduth Chitamun, Pro-Vice Chancellor Mohammad Santally, Dean of Faculty of Law and Management Boopendra Seetanah, and Head of the WTO’s Regional Trade Policy Courses Unit, Vonai Muyambo.

The WTO regional trade policy courses are intermediate-level training designed for generalists and delivered by the WTO Secretariat. These courses target members from developing and least-developed countries as part of a comprehensive learning strategy. This strategy allows participants to advance to higher levels of learning, with this course representing the apex of such training.