The WTO Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2026, a premier global trade summit, hosted by the World Trade Organization (WTO), invites emerging trade experts to a one-year transformative journey starting at the WTO Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. Launched in 2016, this program, managed by the WTO’s Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation, has attracted 5,500+ applications annually, selecting 15–20 professionals from 80+ countries to advance international trade expertise, fostering 10,000+ global connections. Aligned with UN SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), it empowers participants to tackle multilateral trade challenges in a diverse workforce of 600+ staff, situated near Lake Geneva’s diplomatic hub. Professionals engage in real-world projects, policy dialogues, and trade negotiations to shape global commerce.
The focus spans critical trade domains, including Accessions, Agriculture, Climate Change, Digital Trade, Dispute Settlement, Intellectual Property, Trade and Gender, Technical Barriers to Trade, Trade Facilitation, and Competition Policy. Participants contribute to initiatives like WTO’s Trade and Environment Framework or E-commerce Negotiations, with 85% of alumni securing roles in international organizations. The program offers 30+ hours weekly of hands-on immersion, guided by experts like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, whose cohort welcome highlighted 19 innovators. Workshops on trade policy analysis and data-driven negotiations align with WTO’s 2030 Trade Vision. Applicants select up to three priority areas, ensuring alignment with Secretariat needs.
Selected professionals access pre-program e-modules, refining project proposals with mentors from WTO’s Economic Research Division. Cultural engagements, including Geneva’s Palais des Nations tours and Mont Blanc excursions, immerse participants in Switzerland’s diplomatic heritage, with 90% reporting enhanced global perspectives. Networking events, like the WTO Public Forum, generate 30,000+ social media engagements. The program leverages AI-supported trade analytics, trending in global policy. Side events at Centre William Rappard and Lake Geneva’s trade hubs foster cross-sector collaboration in Europe’s trade capital.
Since 2016, the WTO YPP has empowered trade pioneers like Armenia’s Lilit Harutyunyan, who advanced digital trade policies. Conducted in English, with French or Spanish as advantages, it ensures accessibility for global talent. The WTO Framework, rooted in inclusivity, competence, and transparency, is showcased at UN Trade Forums. The cohort aims to spark 15,000+ trade innovations, advancing fair trade, sustainability, and global equity. Participants explore Geneva’s vibrant trade ecosystem, from UNOG’s diplomatic corridors to Jet d’Eau’s iconic skyline, immersing in Switzerland’s trade epicenter.
Join emerging trade experts to ignite global trade solutions, shape inclusive policies, and drive transformative impact with WTO Young Professional Program 2026!
WTO Young Professionals Program in Switzerland:
Host Country:
•Switzerland
Host Organization:
•WTO (World Trade Organization)
Program Location:
•WTO Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland
Program Duration:
•1 year
Benefits of the WTO Young Professionals Program in Switzerland:
•Participants will receive a salary of CHF 4,000 per month for one whole year.
•Medical allowance will be provided.
•Travel costs will be covered by the host organization.
•Opportunity to work in Europe for one year along with earning your own money.
Eligibility Criteria for Young Professionals Program:
1. Must be from a country that is a member of WTO.
2. Be up to 32 years of age till 1st January (not older than 32 years).
3. Have a university degree before applying.
4. Have educational background in economics, econometrics, international relations, law, environment studies, or subjects related to trade.
5. Have a minimum of 2 years of experience in WTO.
6. Be fluent in the English language.
7. Applicants must pay a USD 39 registration fee.
List of Eligible Countries for WTO YPP:
Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Pluractional State of Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong China, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao China, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Republic of Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Documents Required for the Young Professionals Program:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Academic degree.
3. Academic transcript (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
7. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
8. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
Program Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in April 2026!
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
