The internship programme is a key component of China’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Accessions Programme, established in 2011 to bolster LDCs’ participation in the multilateral trading system and support acceding governments in joining the WTO.
Each year, the programme hosts ten interns, five of whom focus on developing expertise in WTO accession processes and the rules-based trading system, preparing them for careers in trade law, international economics and international relations. The other five interns work in various WTO divisions, developing skills to help them address global trade challenges.
In addition, other pillars of the China Programme facilitate the Annual China Round Tables on WTO Accessions, the South-South dialogue on LDCs and development, the LDCs’ Trade Policy Review follow-up Workshops and the LDCs’ Experience Sharing Programme, as well as LDCs’ participation in selected WTO meetings.
In his welcome remarks, China’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, LI Chenggang, highlighted the positive impact of the internship programme over the past 13 years. “So far, the WTO China Programme has sponsored internship opportunities for 58 young professionals from more than 39 developing countries, including 16 LDCs,” he said. This underscores China’s long-standing support for capacity building in developing economies, he added.
“DG Ngozi has often said the WTO is for the people. For the WTO to better deliver for LDCs and other developing members, one of the keys is people like you if you could bring what you have learnt during the internship to better serve your motherland, your people and humankind,” Ambassador LI emphasized.
During the visit, the participants held in-depth discussions with China’s senior delegates and experts specializing in WTO topics, such as accessions, dispute settlement, investment facilitation for development, trade and development, trade in services, and e-commerce.
Representatives of the WTO’s Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) also attended. They expressed the WTO Secretariat’s appreciation for the excellent collaboration and support provided by China, which continues to show its commitment to strengthening capacity building efforts and fostering an inclusive multilateral trading system.
Speaking about his experience, Raul Mammadov from Azerbaijan, said: “This programme is providing me with first-hand experience of my country’s WTO accession process. It has been an important opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to our countries while gaining a broader perspective of multilateral trade by working within an international organization.”
Milzat Salime from Comoros emphasized the relevance of the programme to her career aspirations: “With a background in international relations and peace, I am particularly interested in exploring the intersection of trade, peace and development. Supporting Comoros’ post-accession work has also been a highlight of this experience.”
Saniya Khanna, from India, said: “I have been working specifically on e-commerce, digital trade, and WTO trade reports. This experience has been truly eye-opening, particularly in understanding China’s perspective on e-commerce.”
Diyora Shukurova, from Uzbekistan, highlighted the transferable skills she gained during the programme: “I am involved in developing training courses for government officials as part of the WTO Technical Assistance Programmes, and I look forward to applying these skills in my home country.”
Share
Reach us to explore global export and import deals