In 1997, a High-Level Meeting on "Integrated Initiatives for Least Developed Countries´ Trade Development" convened by the World Trade Organization (WTO) resulted in the establishment of the "Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries" (IF). The IF has been supported by the International Monetary Fund, the International Trade Centre, UNCTAD, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the WTO.

The two major objectives of the IF are:

1. to facilitate the coordinated delivery of trade-related technical assistance to LDCs in the light of the identified needs of these countries; and
   
   
2. through this technical assistance, to mainstream trade into the national development plans, and in relevant cases, into the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers of recipient countries. This essentially implies action to strengthen supply capacities and enable LDCs to make the best possible use of the multilateral trading framework.