Establishment of WTO non-resident facilities in Geneva
The Secretariat strongly promotes the participation of small states in negotiations by providing assistance to regional organisations to establish a physical presence for 'non-residents' in Geneva, and by facilitating dialogue for consensus building.To find out more about the Secretariat's assistance to Inter-Governmental Organisations from the Pacific and the Caribbean, please click here.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is also concerned by the difficulties facing African countries without Geneva-based Missions to the WTO and is therefore preparing an initiative for the establishment of a similar facility in Geneva to serve Africa. After in-depth study and extensive discussion with these African countries and the regional economic integration institutions, the Commonwealth Secretariat undertook further research and feasibility studies and devised a mechanism for concretely addressing their needs.