Mar 25
2026
Yaoundé
Cameroon
WTO MC14: High-Level Launch of EIF Phase Three
EIF Phase Three launched at WTO MC14 in Yaoundé
EIF Phase Three was officially launched on 25 March 2026 during a high-level event held on the margins of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé. Co-organized by Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates and the EIF Executive Secretariat, the event brought together ministers, development partners and representatives from international organizations, regional institutions and the private sector.
Running until 2031, the launch marks the beginning of a new six-year phase of the EIF partnership, focused on helping LDCs harness trade and investment as drivers of inclusive, resilient and sustainable prosperity.
A renewed focus on partnerships and impact
The discussions highlighted the challenging global context facing LDCs, including structural vulnerabilities, debt pressures, climate change and economic uncertainty, alongside emerging opportunities for growth, diversification and job creation.
In his keynote address, H.E. Mr Muhammed B.S. Jallow, Vice-President of The Gambia, emphasized the importance of collective ambition and the need to mobilize increased political and financial support for Phase Three. WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala underscored the importance of strengthened partnerships to support LDCs in addressing these challenges and opportunities.
Opening remarks by co-organizers H.E. Mrs Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia, and H.E. Mr Abdelsalam Mohamed A. Al Ali, Minister Plenipotentiary and Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the WTO, highlighted the EIF’s role as a global partnership supporting LDCs through trade and investment.
Strong early momentum with new pledges
Several partners announced new contributions to the EIF Trust Fund, including:
- The United Kingdom: GBP 5 million
- Norway: NOK 40 million
- Switzerland: CHF 2.5 million
- Germany: EUR 1.7 million
- Liechtenstein: CHF 50,000
These contributions build on support already announced in 2025 by Denmark, the European Commission, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Liechtenstein, providing early momentum for Phase Three.
A multi-year programming approach
EIF Phase Three introduces a shift from stand-alone projects to multi-year country programming aimed at strengthening national trade and investment ecosystems. The approach focuses on building trade capacity, mobilizing additional financing and strengthening partnerships across governments, development institutions and the private sector.
Priority areas include digital trade, services, green value chains and regional integration, with the objective of supporting LDCs to better integrate into the global trading system.
Photos from the High-Level Launch: / can be found here (Flickr)