(Yaoundé) – On the sidelines of the 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Government of Japan deepen their partnership through an official exchange of letters on a project supporting conflict-impacted Palestinians, as part of a new package of initiatives funded by Japan to advance inclusive trade and economic stability.
This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to empowering vulnerable communities and facilitating the integration of developing countries into the global economy and marketplace. The newly funded initiatives focus on supporting conflict-affected regions and the digital transformation of trade, ensuring that small businesses can navigate changes in global trade and challenges in accessing global markets.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton and H.E. Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, marked this latest phase of cooperation with a signing ceremony.
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: “In conflict-affected regions, small businesses play a key role in keeping the economy flowing. We’re partnering with Japan to invest in entrepreneurs’ digital skills and ability to access markets, and also working with governments to strengthen the regulatory environment, so entrepreneurs can access opportunities in global trade, even in challenging conditions.”
H.E. Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, said: “This contribution marks Japan’s commitment to the economic independence of Palestine and the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus Approaches.”
Under this partnership, ITC launches a project supporting conflict-impacted Palestinians, focusing on inclusive digital resilience. By establishing a virtual learning space, the initiative connects local talent—including youth, women, and persons with disabilities—to the global digital economy through specialized training in high-demand fields such as UI/UX design and digital marketing. This intervention builds upon a proven model that has created jobs and raised incomes.
In Ukraine, ITC’s intervention addresses inclusive recovery by enhancing the employability of conflict-affected individuals, especially women and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The project further strengthens the capacity of government institutions and business support organizations to support business-oriented development, including by facilitating businesses’ access to international markets. The aim is to reach around 1,500 Ukrainians, increasing the resilience of the Ukrainian economy and supporting adaptation in wartime disruptions.
Across African countries, Japan’s support extends to strengthening the regulatory capacity of WTO Members involved in the Agreement on Electronic Commerce to implement the Agreement and to build an enabling policy environment in their countries. This initiative combines analytical assessments with practical training to facilitate deeper participation in the global digital economy.
Furthermore, a dedicated project in Cameroon will support the national standards body in establishing ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management) certification services, enabling processed food exporters to formally demonstrate their compliance with international standards, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in international markets.
Japan has supported ITC’s mission over the years, with total contributions exceeding $9 million since 2017. Beyond the aforementioned projects, Japan is also funding an ITC project supporting Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO and the SheTrades initiative, which promotes women’s economic empowerment through trade.
About the International Trade Centre – ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
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Office of the Executive Director
International Trade Centre