Ireland is giving EUR 200,000 to support the Standards and Trade Development Facility to help developing countries build stronger food safety and plant health systems, according to a press release. The money will help the global partnership carry out its new strategy for 2025-2030 which focuses on making trade safer and more inclusive. This brings Ireland’s total contributions to the STDF since 2007 to over CHF 3.8 million (EUR 4.07 million). The funding will support efforts to improve food safety systems across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The STDF works to strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary capacity in developing countries so they can meet international trade standards and reduce export barriers. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thanked Ireland for the contribution, saying it will help farmers and producers meet international standards and connect to global markets. The support will lead to higher incomes, healthier communities and more sustainable trade practices. Ireland’s Minister Neale Richmond said supporting the STDF is an investment in safer food systems and more inclusive trade.
The STDF’s work matches Ireland’s development priorities on strengthening food systems, improving health and promoting gender equality to achieve UN goals. The organization has a Gender Action Plan that promotes approaches benefiting both women and men equally across agricultural value chains. In Senegal, one project is adding gender considerations into capacity development, letting women actively participate in boosting export potential. The STDF has funded more than 260 projects helping developing countries since it started.
Climate change, conflict and insecurity continue making people more vulnerable around the world, so strengthening capacity for safe trade offers hope for communities. The STDF is a global partnership established by the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank Group, World Health Organization and the WTO. The WTO houses and manages the partnership which promotes safe and inclusive trade worldwide. The partnership responds to changing needs while driving inclusive trade practices.
The funding comes at a time when developing countries face growing challenges in meeting international food safety standards needed for exports to major markets. Many producers struggle with limited resources and technical knowledge to comply with strict requirements from importing nations. Ireland’s contribution will help bridge this gap by providing training, equipment and technical assistance to build local capacity. The STDF partnership model brings together multiple organizations to coordinate efforts and deliver effective results across different regions.
