The Government of the Republic of Korea has contributed US$ 200,000 to the LDC Trust Fund to support UNCTAD´s activities in implementing the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance for Least Developed Countries (IF). In doing so, the Republic of Korea has joined the Governments of Finland, France, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) in making financial contributions to enhance UNCTAD´s role in the implementation of the IF.
The Korean contribution will enable UNCTAD to expand its efforts at the country level. In particular, it will support activities for developing practical approaches for mainstreaming trade into development plans; for enhancing country ownership of IF programmes; and for strengthening national institutions and human resources in the field of trade.
Created in 1997, the Integrated Framework is a multi-partner initiative (United Nations Development Programme, International Monetary Fund, International Trade Centre, World Bank, World Trade Organization and UNCTAD) aimed at making trade an essential element of national development plans and coordinating the delivery of trade-related technical assistance to LDCs which are members of the IF. The contribution of the Government of the Republic of Korea is yet further recognition of UNCTAD´s value added to IF implementation.