Tajik young specialist Komron Rajabiyoyn is among 13 participants of WTO Young Professionals Program selected from more than 1,100 candidates after a competitive, merit-based selection process.

According to the World trade Organization (WTO) website, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo welcomed the third cohort of WTO young professionals on February 6. The 13 participants of the Young Professionals Program were selected from more than 1,100 candidates after a competitive, merit-based selection process.

They reportedly started working in the WTO in early 2019 and will spend one year in the WTO Secretariat to learn about the organization's work and to contribute to its activities.

The WTO Young Professionals Program was launched in 2016 as an opportunity for qualified young professionals from developing and least-developed countries that are members of the WTO to enhance their knowledge regarding WTO and international trade issues. The program aims to attract professionals from under-represented countries who can consequently improve their chances of being recruited by the WTO and/or other regional and international organizations.  The Program is part of the Secretariat's efforts to increase diversity and broaden the representation of the membership.

Recall, Tajikistan became the 159th member of the WTO on March 2, 2013.  Tajikistan was the second Central Asian country to be admitted.  Kyrgyzstan became a WTO member in 1998.

Switzerland supported Tajikistan throughout the entire accession process with a focused trade-related technical assistance.  This, in particular, included a number of infrastructure projects, private sector development programs, aid in the financial sector and trade promotion projects.