Geneva: Ana Maria de Oliveira, Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, has emphasized Angola’s active participation in the Franco-Irish Permanent Missions Program (FIMIP). This program is recognized for enhancing the capabilities of officials from developing countries.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the remarks were made during a ceremony that marked the completion of Victor Tchipongue Manuel’s professional internship focused on the multilateral trading system, negotiation processes, and Angola’s involvement with the World Trade Organization (WTO). De Oliveira pointed out that developing and vulnerable nations often struggle with financial and technical challenges, which can impede their effective representation in global organizations.
“Angola sees this program as a tangible form of support and aspires for greater participation from its citizens in the future. This would bolster the country’s capabilities and contribute to its sustainable development initiatives,” the ambassador stated.
Victor Tchipongue Manuel, a senior official from Angola’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, expressed his intention to utilize the skills and insights gained from the program. He aims to apply these directly to enhance Angola’s engagement with the WTO, assisting the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and related national bodies on international trade issues.
“My goal is to significantly strengthen Angola’s WTO participation by supporting national institutions in the monitoring of multilateral negotiations, preparing notifications, addressing technical inquiries, and meeting Angola’s commitments under multilateral agreements,” Manuel explained.
He further indicated his plans to aid in developing national stances, perform technical analyses, and compile reports, thereby promoting a more proactive and informed Angolan presence in international forums. Manuel emphasized the importance of integrating Angola into the multilateral trading system and ensuring the practical application of international decisions within the national framework.
The ceremony was overseen by Bridget Chilala, director of the WTO’s Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (IFCT/ITTC), and attended by representatives from the program’s donor countries. France was represented by its ambassador in Geneva, Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durant, and Ireland by its ambassador in the Swiss capital, Noel White.