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16 July 2004
WTO TRAINING COURSES

29th WTO Trade Policy Course ends

Mr Rodrick Abbott, Deputy Director-General of the WTO, chaired on 16 July 2004 the closing ceremony of the 29th Trade Policy Course (TPC) which put an end to three months of training dedicated to the multilateral trading system, its rules and its procedures. Twenty-five government officials from developing countries and economies in transition were awarded Diplomas in recognition of their dedication and active participation during the 12 weeks of training at WTO headquarters.

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Mr Abbott noted the vast range of topics addressed during the course. Participants went through a full cycle of lectures, interspersed with "hands-on" training and simulation exercises. They also attended various meetings of WTO bodies. The Deputy Director-General stressed the importance of simulation exercises as a means of becoming acquainted with the dispute settlement system. Participants also played an active part in a round of negotiations - fictitious but none the less highly animated. Mr Abbott did not fail to draw a parallel between this exercise and the negotiations begun in 2001 under the "Doha Development Programme", now at a particularly important stage.

The Trade Policy Course affords a unique opportunity to enhance understanding of the way the multilateral trade system works and to get to know the mandate, structure, rules and procedures of the WTO from the "inside". Mr Abbott noted that all participants would be able to offer a substantial contribution to their governments. In conclusion, he stressed the importance of the network of contacts that had been created between participants and the members of the WTO Secretariat and of partner international organizations, and between the participants themselves.

Speaking on behalf of the participants in the 29th Trade Policy Course, Mr Elisée Djacouré (Côte d'Ivoire) expressed his gratitude to the WTO senior management, the staff of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation who had taken charge of the group for the duration of the course, and all the experts who had spared no effort to pass on their knowledge to participants. Mr Djacouré underlined the importance of reinforcing the institutional and human capacity of the beneficiary countries, some of which suffer from a lack of experts in trade. Hence the importance of these training courses, "whose objectives coincide perfectly with those of our respective capitals". He drew attention to the positive repercussions for their countries of globalization and the expansion of the WTO mandate, but noted that if they are to reap the benefits, those countries will have to take up some major challenges.

The 29th Trade Policy Course was held in French. It took place from 26 April to 16 July 2004. The organization and conduct of WTO trade policy courses falls within the mandate of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation to strengthen the capacities of the developing countries, economies in transition and countries in accession. The next WTO trade policy course will be held from 20 September to 10 December 2004 in Spanish.

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29th Trade Policy Course