WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
18 February 2004  
 
 (04-0678) 
Committee on Trade and Development  
   
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN 
2004 
 
Revision
 
 
Table of contents  
Paragraphs 
 
I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................1- 6 
II. KEY FEATURES OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING 
PLAN 2004...................................................................................................................... ......7-11  
III. THE PRODUCTS ..............................................................................................................12-84  
IV. PARTNERSHIPS AND OU TSOURCING....................................................................85-103  
V. MONITORING AND EV ALUATION ........................................................................104-109  
VI. FUNDING.......................................................................................................................1 10-111  
ANNEX  
 WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
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I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The Technical Assistance and Training Plan for th e year 2004 (the Plan) is designed to enable 
the WTO Secretariat to pursue in a coherent and cost effective fashion key objectives mandated by 
Members.  These are to enhance institutional and hu man capacity in beneficiary countries to address 
trade policy issues and concerns, 'mainstreaming'  trade into national development and poverty 
reduction policies and facilitating a fuller participat ion of beneficiaries in the Multilateral Trading 
System (MTS) and effective participation in the ne gotiations.  It reflects the principles and priorities 
laid down in basic documents, including the Strategy for WTO Technical Cooperation and the Ministerial Declaration adopted at the fourth Ministerial Meeting in Qatar in November 2001 (the Doha Development Agenda).  Emph asis is put on fully integrating training and technical cooperation 
and maximizing potential synergies between the two, which was one of the main purposes of 
establishing the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC).   
2. The Doha Development Agenda recognizes that technical assistance and capacity building are 
core elements of the development dimension of th e MTS.  A well planned, targeted and coordinated 
delivery of such activities will not only assist resour ce constrained Members to adjust to WTO rules 
and disciplines, implement obligations and exercise the rights of membership, but will also support 
domestic efforts to mainstream trade into nationa l plans for economic development and strategies for 
poverty reduction.  Thus, consistent with the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the development 
dimension will be fully reflected both generically and in specific modules of the Plan. 
3. The Plan features a range of products which can be used in the delivery of technical 
assistance and training.  All the products, whether in  Geneva or in the field, are geared towards 
achieving the same general objective.  The products can  be applied individually or in combination.  
Moreover, the Plan is designed in such a way that all eligible Members and Observers can 
systematically benefit.  In light of their pressing trade development needs, priority will be given to 
least-developed countries (LDCs).  This priority will be articulated through specially designed events 
and, for beneficiaries of the Integrated Framewor k (IF), activities will be linked to their processes of 
mainstreaming trade into their national development plans.  The main challenge for the WTO is to 
assist LDCs to integrate into the MTS and to benefit from progressive trade liberalization in world trade.  Another main challenge is to assist LDCs to participate fully in the negotiating process of the 
Doha Development Agenda.  In the light of the Secretariat's experience, one way of addressing these 
challenges is to identify and put in place appropria te cost-effective mechanisms that the Secretariat 
can deploy to encourage LDCs to take advantage of the full range of technical assistance and training 
programmes, including national seminars. 
4. The ITTC, as well as the Technical Assistance Management Committee (TAMC), play a 
central role in coordinating the implementation of the activities contained in the Plan.  The 
implementation of the Plan will involve virtuall y all WTO Divisions, as well as partner institutions, 
regional development banks and other agencies. 
5. The Plan is structured as follows:  Chapter II discusses the key features of technical assistance 
and training for the year 2004, followed by a presen tation in Chapter III of the products and the 
objectives they are meant to achieve.  Chapter IV provides information on partnerships and 
outsourcing.  Chapter V addresses monitoring and eval uation, and Chapter VI covers the issue of 
funding. 
6. The Annex provides practical information with regard to technical assistance and training 
activities.  It also proposes a new way of acc ounting for TA activities, in terms of output 
(participant/days), to permit a more realistic monitoring of implementation. 
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
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II. KEY FEATURES OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN 2004 
7. The key features of the Plan are: 
• quality-oriented :  while it is important to ensu re that Members are offered an 
appropriate number of activities, it is even more important to ensure high quality;   
• product-oriented :  the Plan is centred around the delivery of products.  For each of 
these there are well defined specific objectiv es. These products include trade policy 
courses of varying duration, which can be he ld in Geneva or in the field, regional 
seminars, workshops, national activities,  including trade policy clinics etc.; 
• development-oriented :  in keeping with the thrust of the Doha Development Agenda, 
special emphasis is given to the developmental dimension in all aspects of the Plan; 
• impact-and results-oriented :  the Plan lays emphasis on activities that have been 
proven to build, or to be likely to build , sustainable human and institutional capacity.  
The Plan is intended to "leave a trace"; 
• geographically balanced :  there is a considerable reliance on regional activities so as 
to ensure an equitable coverage of beneficiaries; 
• broad and deep in coverage :  to ensure that all the WTO Agreements and the 
negotiating issues of the Doha Development Agenda are addressed, with the appropriate degree of detail;  
• simple and flexible :  the Plan is simple, transparent and flexible.  It plans what is 
plannable (core activities, whether in Gene va or for regions) and leaves room to 
address priority needs and to accommodate sp ecific requests from beneficiaries;  it 
will particularly take into account th e needs of LDCs, small and vulnerable 
economies, as well as of non-residents; 
• designed to build and strengthen strategic partnerships and coherence : 
 
o with the beneficiaries, i.e. in-country cooperation and capacity building, 
designed to create conditions which w ill allow transfer of ownership and 
responsibility for training progressively  to the beneficiary over time, and 
through a participatory approach, iden tify needs and establish priorities for 
technical assistance and training; 
o with the donor community, to achieve greater coherence among providers of 
technical assistance and training, avoid overlap and duplication in activities and enhance efficiency; 
o with regional training institutes, bodies and other international organizations, 
to share responsibility and take full  advantage of complementarities and 
available expertise; 
o with academia, to sensitize the academ ic community to local needs and 
requirements and build their capacity in teaching and  research. 
 
8. This plan has been developed not de novo, but building on previous years' experience, with a 
view to making it even more effective as the blue print for the delivery of training and technical 
assistance.  In this regard monitoring and evaluation h as been particularly relevant in the design of the 
Plan.  The methodology of feeding back the lessons  learned and relevant information resulting from a 
systematic process of monitoring and evaluation into  activities of the Plan is discussed in Chapter V 
of this document.  The findings that were pres ented to the Members in the Technical Cooperation 
Audit Report for 2002 (WT/COMTD/W/111, 28 Ma rch 2003) have been taken on board.  For 
example, the report notes that the very short dur ation of many TA activities, and the often great 
number of participants, allow more for dissemina tion of information, sensitization or awareness 
creation rather than real skill development and capacity- building.  It is stated that the short duration of 
activities and the great number of participants in so me individual TA activities is more suited to a 
policy the main purpose of which is to reach the maximum number of persons possible, without due WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 4  
 
account being taken of the depth of the training.  Capacity-building can be achieved through a series 
of short training activities oriented towards the same  target groups, but in that case they have to be 
seen as building blocks, and designed as a systema tic and coherent capacity-building programme.  
Thus, the three-month trade policy courses (TPCs), both in Geneva and in the regions, as well as 
large-scale TA programmes such as JITAP, have greater potential and an explicit objective of 
bringing about substantial increases in human and institutional capacity.  As will be discussed below, 
the TPCs have been expanded, both in Geneva a nd in the regions.  Separately, JITAP has been 
broadened to cover a larger number of countries. 
9. The report states that WTO TA activities could more effectively contribute to building lasting 
capacity if they were planned and designed on th e basis of a thorough assessment of the Members' 
needs and problems.  Assessing needs is generally  recognised as an essential element in designing a 
Technical Assistance and Training programme.  The Secretariat has, however, never been requested 
to undertake country by country needs assessment.   There are, nevertheless, various sources of 
information that have contributed to making such ass essments in the past and assisted in designing the 
Plan:  the Secretariat interacts with Members in various ways, e.g. through direct contacts with 
Geneva-based delegations, with vi siting officials, including high leve l officials attending the Geneva 
Week, during missions, in the course of regional and national seminars/workshops, during the trade 
policy courses, held either in Geneva or in the field.   Trade policy clinics, at least as initially devised, 
are essentially diagnostic in nature, i.e. they aim to determine trade policy-related needs in specific 
circumstances (see III (d) below).  Moreover, as part of the activiti es to be undertaken jointly with 
UNIDO, and following the signature of a MOU betw een the two organizations, a preliminary 'needs 
assessment' is proposed through roundtable meetings  to be held with beneficiary countries, which 
would provide the basis for the projects to be undertaken subsequently. 
10. In the course of committee meetings and consu ltations, which are regularly held in ITTC and 
with operational Divisions and donors and potential be neficiary countries or groups of countries, the 
Secretariat has an opportunity to shape the programme  of activities.  The analyses contained in Trade 
Policy Review (TPR) reports are helpful in assisting the Members and Secretariat to identify suitable 
issues for TA.  It should also be noted that certa in institutional mechanisms  exist, such as the IF, 
which includes a phase of diagnostic study of countr y needs.  Finally, through the back-to-office 
reports, a better appreciation can be obtained as to the requirements for follow-up activities.  
Operational Divisions have a particular role to play because of their in-depth knowledge of each 
country's situation with respect to each Agreement.  More generally, if "demand" (which is not always 
coterminous with "need") is to be accurately  assessed and usefully channelled, canvassing of 
requirements, as defined by Members, is particular ly important.  So, while there is no structured 
institutional mechanism in place to conduct in depth needs assessment, various sources can and have 
been used for designing this Plan. 
11. Ways could be further explored to undertake a more fundamental assessment of the needs of 
beneficiary countries, taking into account the existin g level of resources and mechanisms to identify 
such needs, including the IF, the TPR process, Tr ade Policy Clinics, the relevant WTO committees 
and bodies.   
III. THE PRODUCTS 
12. The products set out in this section are designe d to ensure a "doable" number of high quality 
activities, with expected durable effects.  Each product comes with clearly identified objectives. In 
this way outcomes become measurable, making ev aluation more meaningful.  Moreover, the key 
features discussed above are reflected in the design  of the products and related technical assistance 
and training activities, and in their implementation.  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 5 
 
 
(a) Trade Policy Courses  
13. Trade policy courses are held in Geneva and in  the regions.  They last 12 weeks.  They 
consist of a series of presentations on the WTO, its  historical background, its rules and procedures, 
and its functioning.  All Agreements and issues are c overed.  The purpose is not to form specialists in 
each area of activity of the WTO but rather to ensu re that participants are thoroughly exposed to all 
WTO-related issues, and develop practical skills as well as an extensive network of contacts.  This 
kind of overall exposure is critically important in  countries where the human resources devoted to the 
MTS are insufficient to permit a high degree of specialisation.  They also serve as a general introduction for those who may later specialise. 
14. In terms of objectives to be reached, both fo r Geneva-based and regional trade policy courses, 
it is expected that at the end of the courses the participants will have:   
• developed a good understanding of all aspects of the WTO, including the 
Agreements;  
• learned to use effectively the relevant  information and documentation on specific 
issues;  
• improved analytical and negotiating skills; 
• strengthened capacity to work in an international environment;  and, 
• established and/or strengthened a networ k of contacts with each other and the 
trainers/experts. 
15. For the Trade Policy Courses organized by the Ins titute in Geneva and in the field, a selection 
process of participants is conducted, levels of know ledge are tested and at the end of the course an 
evaluation made to assess the impact of the course on each participant.  This information is fed back 
into the process of designing and constantly impr oving the quality of the course per se.  A selection 
committee is constituted to conduct the process of  selection which includes such elements as the 
eligibility of candidates, their qualifications, geogr aphical balance etc.  Also, levels of knowledge 
before and after the courses are assessed in a systematic manner, using different methods, including 
self-assessment tests, exercises, etc.   
16. The other courses, including the Introduction Cour se and the Specialized Courses, also have 
their own selection procedures. 
17. Extending the selection process to activities other than Trade Policy Courses and other 
Geneva-based activities, as has been suggested, woul d require careful consideration.  The additional 
burden this would represent for the Secretariat in th e preparatory process of such activities raises real 
questions of resources and cost-benefit, and they  undermine the notion that Members too have a 
responsibility to ensure appropriate par ticipation (see also paragraph 33 below). 
(i) Geneva-based Trade Policy Courses 
18. Four trade policy courses are organized annually at  Headquarters.  They comprise a series of 
modules covering all the areas of work of the WTO.  They also include visits to other international 
organizations active in trade-related matters as well as attendance at selected meetings of WTO 
bodies.  Regular briefings on WTO work-in-progress ar e an integral part of the trade policy courses. 
Computer classes are offered on an optional basis and contacts with WTO experts and experts from 
other international organizations are also a common feature. WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
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19. The trade policy courses are organized by the ITTC, and call on experts from various 
operational divisions and the specialized support of outside consultants.  Guest speakers from other 
organizations, in particular from ITC, UNCTAD, WI PO and the World Bank are regularly invited.  
20. Government officials from developing a nd LDCs, economies in transition and acceding 
countries are eligible to participate in the trade policy courses.  Between 25 and 30 participants are 
selected for each course.  These are officials, usua lly but not necessarily, from the Ministry of Trade.  
The selection process seeks to ensu re an equitable distribution among eligible countries over a cycle 
of six courses:  four in English, one in French a nd one in Spanish.  In 2004, the following courses will 
be held in Geneva: 
• the 27
th and 28th Trade Policy Courses for English-speaking officials will be held 
simultaneously;  
• the 29th Trade Policy Course for French-speaking officials;  and, 
• the 30th Trade Policy Course for Spanish-speaking officials. 
21. The training methods used put emphasis on in teractive learning, simulations, practical 
exercises, case studies and debates.  Standardi zed training material, including background material, 
visual supports, exercises, simulation and re ference documents, is being consolidated. 
22. The costs incurred for the organization of Geneva-based trade policy courses, including 
fellowships for the participants covering travel, lo dging and insurance, are covered by the regular 
budget of the WTO. 
(ii) Regional Trade Policy Courses 
23. Regional trade policy courses (RTPC) are built on the same model as Geneva-based trade 
policy courses, with the objective of attaining a co mparable level of excellence.  The courses are  
co-delivered by lecturers from the WTO Secretar iat and academics and trade policy specialists from 
the region.  There is a natural complementarity between the WTO expertise and regional expertise 
which renders this type of training not only more  comprehensive but also better adapted to local 
needs.  Trainees benefit not only from authoritative explanations of WTO provisions and the workings 
of the institution from WTO lecturers, but from l ectures and discussions involving specialists from the 
region, with a strong emphasis on regional concerns.  Regional specialists a dd relevance and context 
that are generally more difficult for WTO officials to  supply, and that are not generated to the same 
extent in Geneva courses, where participants may be from several regions. 
24. While the key objectives of RTPCs are the same as for the Geneva-based courses, in addition 
they are expected to: 
• expand the supply of training for governme nt officials up to now accessible only in 
Geneva; 
• build institutional partnerships at the regi onal level for capacity building activities; 
• establish joint lecturing arrangements at the regional level with academics and 
specialists for training government officials;  and, 
• create academic networks with in stitutions of higher learning. 
25. The institutional partnerships can by definition on ly be forged with a single institution within 
a region at any one time, but the co-lecturers are drawn from institutions of higher learning and other sources from throughout the region.  Thus, linkages are established and/or reinforced with the 
academic community as part of an integrated approach  for sustainable capacity building.  To this end,  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 7 
 
 
the programme provides for briefings for teaching pa rtners from the regions (see paragraph 67 (ii)).  
This integrated approach is developed further in sections below.  Moreover, the regional courses adapt 
to regional specificities in terms of number of pa rticipants from countries, and of frequency of the 
courses.  A selection of candidates is undertaken in collaboration with the partner institution.  
26. The partnership between the regional institution and the ITTC should evolve over time, with 
the regional partner assuming a growing share of th e responsibility for the courses.  The organization 
of these courses will thus be closely related to the efforts of the WTO Secretariat to reinforce its 
linkages with the academic community in developi ng countries.  The Secretariat would reduce its 
involvement and continue with the partnership on this basis.  The le vel of involvement would have to 
be sufficient to ensure quality control and to a llow the WTO to continue to lend its name to the 
courses, while leaving most aspects of organizing an d running the courses to the partner.  The speed 
with which the relationship changes will have to be worked out with the partner on the basis of 
experience, and with a view to ensuring sust ainability.  Measurable progress should be made, 
however, as the courses proceed.   
27. It is envisaged to organize four of these courses in 2004:  
• for the Caribbean (University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica); 
• for English-speaking Africa (University of Nairobi); 
• for French-speaking Africa (University Mohammed V (Souissi), Rabat);  and, 
• for Asia/Pacific (Hong Kong University). 
It is in our plans to hold RTPCs in regions not yet covered from the year 2005, such as Arab and 
Middle East Countries, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus. 
28. The costs incurred for the organization of RTPC s, including fellowships for the participants 
covering travel, lodging and insurance, are covere d by the Doha Developm ent Agenda Global Trust 
Fund (GTF).   
(b) Regional Seminars 
29. As a result of the regional seminars and workshops the beneficiaries:  
• will be equipped with practical knowle dge and improved understanding of the 
agreements and issues of negotiation, and ad equate skills to solve specific problems, 
as needed; 
• will have shared information and experiences;  and, 
• placed and analysed the various issues in a regional context. 
30. The main advantage of regional technical assist ance and training seminars and workshops is 
that they allow WTO to reach a broad audience inte rested in the same subject matter;  they are 
therefore cost effective, it being clear that it w ould be impossible to address every issue in every 
country on a national basis.  It thus facilitates th e exchange of information sharing of experiences and 
networking among participants.  While  this approach may be suitable for many WTO-related topics, it 
may be less appropriate for some areas, which ra ther require a more focused national approach. 
31. These seminars will be conducted in  some or all regions and groups  of countries, in the most 
practical and homogeneous way:  
1. African countries, Anglophone, WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
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2. African countries, Francophone, 
3. Arab and Middle East countries, 
4. Asia and the Pacific, 
5. the Caribbean, 
6. Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, 
7. Latin America. 
32. In some cases, and for pragmatic reasons, ther e may be additional regional or sub-regional 
seminars which are therefore not included in the Plan, because for example further explanations are 
required on a specific issue, which cannot be anticipat ed.  The duration of such seminars can vary per 
subject and is likely to be between two and five da ys.  Moreover, such regional seminars will, when 
appropriate, and as much as possible, be conduct ed in partnership with  other international 
organizations, agencies and bodies with whom the WT O normally cooperates.  Likewise, in order to 
make efficient use of resources and avoid duplicatio n of training and technical cooperation activities, 
the WTO will participate in activities organized by partner institutions, when requested.  The 
activities of other organizations are not always known prior to the calendar year and at the stage of 
planning. 
33. Regional seminars cover the Uruguay Round Ag reements, as well as other WTO-related 
topics.  While each of the seminars will be desi gned according to the specifics of the field covered, 
such seminars will, in much as possible, take in to account different levels  of knowledge and degrees 
of specialization, in some cases tailored to experts a nd 'technicians', e.g. for some of the workshops in 
the area of Rules, Dispute Settlement, Market Acce ss, SPS and TBT.  The level of expertise required 
(target audience) will always be specified in the lette r of invitation;  it is the primary responsibility of 
the beneficiaries to ensure that their representative has the right level of knowledge and expertise to 
participate fully and productively in the activity.  Moreover, the format and relatively short duration 
of most regional seminars would not justify conduc ting a selection process.  As to testing levels of 
knowledge, increasingly seminars include self-assessment  exercises and/or simulations as part of the 
training, which to some extent, allow participants to 'measure' whether the in formation has been fully 
absorbed.  It should also be kept in mind that  regional seminars increasingly are moving away from 
providing basic explanations to more advanced levels of training. 
34. Seminars that will be conducte d at the regional level include: 
 (i) Agriculture; 
 (ii) Dispute Settlement; 
 (iii) Government Procurement and Transparency Provisions; 
 (iv) Non Agriculture Market Access (NAMA); 
(v) Other Market Access-related issues: 
a) Customs Valuation, Rules of Origin, 
b) Trade Facilitation; 
 (vi) Rules (Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and CVDs, Safeguards, State Trading); 
 (vii) Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures (SPS);  (viii) Services negotiations and GATS; 
(ix) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); (x) Textiles and Clothing;  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
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(xi) Trade and Competition Policy; 
(xii) Trade and Development, including:  Sp ecial and Differential Treatment and Small 
Economies; 
(xiii) Trade and Environment; (xiv) Trade and Investment; 
(xv) TRIPS (e.g. geographical indications, TRIPs and public health, 
biotechnology/traditional knowledge/b iodiversity, enforcement); 
(xvi) Regional Trade Agreements. 
35. The proposed work programme on some issues particularly those relating to the Doha 
Development Agenda, and more specifically the Sing apore issues, may need to be reviewed in the 
light of action to be taken at the senior officials'  level no later than 15 December 2003, as provided for 
in paragraph 4 of the Ministerial Statement a dopted on 14 September (document WT/MIN(03)/20).  
The identification of particular TA needs in the area of the Singapore issues also depends on 
continuation of work in the existing working gr oups dealing with these issues.  In any case, 
continuation of TA activities in these specific ar eas will depend on the broader Agreement to be 
reached by Members by mid-December. 
36. As for the venue for the regional seminars, as in  the past this will be decided in consultation 
between the Secretariat and the Members, to en sure a reasonable geographical distribution of 
activities, taking account also of practical consider ations (ease of access, conference facilities, etc).  
Such consultations would involve th e regional coordinators in the ITTC, the operational Division that 
will undertake the activity and countries in the regi ons where the activity would be undertaken.  When 
and where appropriate, such activity could also be hosted by a partner institution, including a regional 
development bank, a training centre or a regional secretariat;  when that happens the venue is 
determined by the partner institution. 
37. There are several other technical assistance and training products discussed later in the Plan, 
which will also be delivered at the regional leve l.  This would include e.g. Short Trade Policy 
Courses, Partnerships for Training and Capacity Building, Trade Negotiation Techniques, etc.  
Altogether, there are some 20 distinct products deliv ered regionally, thus cove ring all areas, and all 
Members and acceding countries.  If all are executed , the total of anticipated regional seminars would 
be close to 120.  They will be financed from th e GTF, other trust funds, and from the regular budget 
for TA. 
(c) National technical assistance and training activities 
38. The main objective of national activities is essentia lly to address specific issues at the national 
level that, in terms of priority needs and depth of treatment, cannot be adequately covered in the 
regional seminars and in the trade policy cour ses.  This includes such areas as "Accessions", 
"Mainstreaming", assisting countries in the Servi ces negotiations (including in particular the  
request-offer process), assisting countries in the impl ementation of the IDB notification requirements, 
the TRIPS Agreement, preparations for trade polic y reviews, establishment of reference centres.  
National seminars and technical workshops will be  conducted as a complement to the trade policy 
courses and regional seminars.  The national demand w ould thus mainly be a function of what cannot 
be dealt with efficiently in the other traini ng and assistance provided including through regional 
seminars and ipso facto , cannot always be anticipated. 
39. Contrary to past practice, requests for nati onal activities can be made at any time, as 
flexibility in matching available resources in speci alised WTO Divisions with national demands is 
required.  Members will be informed of this new approach in writing, which will essentially explain WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 10  
 
the steps to be taken for obtaining national t echnical assistance activities and as discussed in this 
document.  This new approach means that reque sts for national technical assistance and training 
activities can be made to the Secretariat, either directly (in writing) or through the respective WTO 
Bodies.  Such national activities will therefore not specifically be listed in the Plan, but will be 
registered in a data base and managed by the ITTC.  Their execution by the WTO will depend on a 
number of considerations and criteria, including: 
• the specificity of the request and the prio rity/relevance of the issue in terms of 
domestic policy making and/or multilateral trade negotiations; 
• whether the request could be or has been addressed in a regional seminar, previous 
national training course or under a jo int programme (e.g. JITAP, IF); 
• the Secretariat capacity to undertake the activity;  and, 
• scope for meeting the request through a partner agency and/or donor (e.g. 
outsourcing). 
 
40. It is the responsibility of the beneficiary country  making a request to ensure that this request 
reflects a national priority.  This is particular ly important, as individual departments sometimes 
approach the Secretariat directly for assistance.  Therefore, Members are urged to address their 
requests for national activities to the Secretariat th rough the established official channels.  Also, a 
geographical balance needs to be maintained.  This  implies that the Secretariat will ensure that 
national activities will be conducted in all regions and in equal proportion, of course mainly 
depending on demand.  Given the limitations in WTO resources, the number of demands that can be met in respect of a beneficiary country will be limited,  but by this approach the Secretariat will be in a 
better position to adapt the technical assistance to Me mbers' demands as they are identified.  This can 
only lead to more focused and relevant assistan ce.  The Secretariat is prepared to undertake 
approximately the same number of national activities that were conducte d in recent years, i.e. 250, 
and relevant  budgetary provisions have been made to that effect .  Given the number of potential 
beneficiaries, this would amount to an anticipated average of about two nati onal activities per country.  
This figure is indicative and should ensure that a disproportionate allocation of national seminars to 
the same beneficiary would not occur.  The 'first-c ome first-served approach' will not be applicable.  
LDCs would a priori be able to have up to three national ac tivities, based on their specific requests. 
41. The allocation of national seminars is mainly  a function of the demand and all requests will 
be given serious and equal consider ation.  Regional Coordinators in the ITTC will be pro-active, and 
in dialogue with the beneficiary, the relevant WTO Divisions and possibly donors and other agencies, 
will consider how the request can best be met.  Me mbers are thus encouraged to contact the ITTC and 
particularly the Regional Coordina tors, who will guide them further in the process regarding their TA 
requests.  Should the Secretariat not be in a positio n to execute the activity within a reasonable time 
frame, e.g. because of capacity constraints, it w ould consider and suggest possible alternatives in 
consultation with the beneficiary country.  For exampl e, the request may be redirected to one of the 
agencies/institutions with which the WTO has cooperative arrangements.  The OECD/WTO Trade 
Capacity Building Data Base may provide guidance in that regard.  In any case, priority will be given 
to the most urgent requests, particularly fr om LDCs and from small and vulnerable economies. 
42. National activities for LDCs would be over and above technical assistance and training 
activities inscribed in joint programmes, including JITAP and IF, to the extent that they do not 
overlap.  Also, such activities would be in addition to  'trade clinics' that may be held and for which 
terms and criteria have been defined separately (see  next section).  It should also be noted that a 
relatively large number of LDCs do not utilise their right to request national seminars.  The reasons 
for this can vary, e.g. lack of awareness, lack of capacity to identify and prioritise needs or a shortage 
in capacity to host a national event.  The Secretariat will consider ways to fully associate all LDCs to 
all aspects of the Plan.  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 11 
 
 
43. National activities will be financed from the regular budget and from trust funds. 
(d) Trade Policy Clinics1 
44. The purpose of trade policy clinics is to help  respond to trade-policy issues identified by 
Members and provide diagnosis and practical re commendations on how they might be addressed.  
Clinics will make it possible to identify gaps in planned technical assistance and answer the types of 
questions that are not covered by WTO's present ac tivities.  As clinics will be demand-driven, they 
will be tailored to meet the specific concerns of the requesting Member.  A clinic could explore to 
what extent the Member is able to identify its stra tegic trade interests effectively in the light of its 
overall development strategy or to manage the po licy process domestically and internationally.  It 
could also help the Member with a preliminary assessment of its technical cooperation and capacity 
building needs.  Diagnosis and recommendations from clinics, where appropriate, will be fed into the 
WTO regular training/technical assistance process.  In each instance, other relevant organizations will 
be associated with the clinic to bring to bear their expertise. 
45. Trade policy clinics are a new product, a form of national activity, and, as discussed in the 
note by the Secretariat, they can be applied to coun tries in different situations.  One such situation 
relates to countries that emerge from crises or co nflicts, which need to start from 'ground zero' in 
developing their trade regime.  A first trade polic y clinic was thus launched in Sierra Leone in 
August 2003.  This clinic was conducted by th e WTO Secretariat, including various Divisions 
(Development, ITTC, Trade Policies Review) and in association with ITC, UNDP, UNIDO, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.  Other organizations we re invited to participate, including UNCTAD and 
the World Bank.  The mission lasted three days and led to a first identification of needs and 
requirements, thus providing the basis for follow-up ac tion by relevant agencies.  The number of such 
clinics likely to be requested, or that can be carried ou t in practice, cannot be anticipated at this stage.  
The Secretariat's response to a trade clinic request  will depend on the resources available.  In some 
cases a regional approach can be adopted if sever al Members in the same region share similar 
concerns.  For budgetary purposes they w ill be accounted for as national activities. 
(e) Doha Development Agenda Short Trade Policy Courses 
46. As a follow up to the series of Advanced Trai ning Courses for Senior Government officials, 
which where conducted in the course of the year s 2002 and 2003, similar courses, but mainly of 
shorter duration (five days), will be held in each region.  The Advanced Training Courses for Senior 
Officials addressed all the key issues of the Doha De velopment Agenda and were meant as a part of 
the preparatory process for Cancún.  The courses are meant as a follow up to the previous courses, in 
light of the outcome of the Fifth Ministerial Confer ence held in Cancún.  The main objectives of these 
courses are to: 
• assess the state of play of the Doha Development Agenda in light of the Fifth 
Ministerial Conference held in Cancún;  and, 
• facilitate a dialogue between senior official s from the region with other stakeholders 
on how to advance the process of negotiations. 
 
47. These courses will be financed from trust funds and the regular budget. 
(f) Specialized Courses 
48. Specialized courses focus on one or a group of WT O-related topics, usually last one or two 
weeks and are organized at Headquarters.  Briefing on WTO work progress in the topics concerned is 
                                                     
 
1 The concept of Trade Policy Clinics is discussed in more detail in a document prepared for the 
Committee on Trade and Development, WT/COMTD/W/117, 16 June 2003. WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 12  
 
an integral part of the specialized courses.  Th e training methods used put emphasis on interactive 
learning, practical exercises, case studies and debates.  Simulation exercises are often used to transfer 
skills to participants.  
49. In terms of objectives, it is expected that at th e end of the courses the participants will have:   
• acquired a more in-depth understanding of  the specific issues concerned;  and, 
• improved practical skills to enhance thei r country's participation in the WTO, 
including in the context of current negotiations. 
50. The specialized courses are organized by the I TTC in cooperation with experts from various 
operational divisions and sometimes with the ad ho c support of outside consultants or professors.  
Guest speakers from other organizations active in th e specific area of work concerned may also be 
invited to co-train.  
51. Government officials from developing count ries and LDCs, economies in transition and 
acceding countries are eligible to participate in th e specialized courses.  Government officials from 
developed countries can also be invited to some  courses, e.g. specialized courses on Dispute 
Settlement Rules and Procedures, which are organized pursuant to Article 27.3 of the DSU. 
52. The following specialized courses are scheduled for next year: 
• 8
th (Specialized) Dispute Settlement C ourse (for Spanish-speaking officials); 
• 9th (Specialized) Dispute Settlement Course (for English-speaking officials); 
• 10th (Specialized) Dispute Settlement C ourse (for English-speaking officials); 
• Specialized Course (topic to be determined) (for English-speaking officials);  and, 
• 5th Specialized Course on Trade Negotiati on:  from Theory to Practice (for  
French-speaking officials). 
53. The costs incurred by the organization of specia lized courses held in Geneva differ depending 
on the activity.  For the (specialized) Dispute Se ttlement Courses, the participation of a limited 
number of LDCs is covered by the GTF, while the other participants are self-financed.  For the other 
Specialized Courses, the costs are covered by the regular budget. 
(g) Introduction Courses  
54. The main purpose of introduction courses is th e dissemination of gene ral information about 
the WTO, its basic rules and disciplines and its func tioning.  The courses usually last three weeks, and 
are held at Headquarters.  Briefings on overall WTO wo rk progress are an integral part of the courses.  
When participants all come from one region or one gr oup of countries, a particular focus is placed on 
the problems and challenges relati ng to that region.  The developm ent dimension regularly constitutes 
an important module in the programme of introduc tion courses.  The courses are often conducted with 
the participation of representatives of ITC, UNCTAD, WIPO and the World Bank. 
55. In terms of objectives to be reached, it is e xpected that at the end of the courses the 
participants will have:   
• developed a general understanding of the historical development of the MTS; 
• acquired general knowledge about the basi c principles of the WTO and the legal 
structure of the Marrakesh Agreem ent and more recent developments;  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 13 
 
 
• learned to access relevant information and documentation on WTO-related issues, 
and to use the WTO legal texts and related background material; 
• acquired analytical and practical tools to pl ace a particular trade-related issue in the 
proper WTO context;  and, 
• established and/or strengthened a network of useful contacts between participants and 
with WTO experts from the Secretariat. 
56. The introduction courses are organized by the I TTC in cooperation with experts from various 
divisions.  Guest speakers from other organizations ac tive in the specific area of work concerned may 
also be invited to co-train.  
57. Normally, only government officials from LDCs  are eligible to participate in the two 
introduction courses organized annually.  However, in certain cases government officials from other 
developing countries are also invited to participate. 
58. The training methods used put emphasis on inte ractive learning, practical exercises and case 
studies.  Exercises are used to transfer skills to participants.  
59. The courses for 2004 are: 
• 5th Introduction Course for French-speaking officials from LDCs;  and, 
• 6th Introduction Course for English-speaking officials from LDCs. 
60. The costs incurred by the organization of in troduction courses are covered by the regular 
budget. 
(h) WTO Introduction Days 
61. WTO Introduction Days are usually held three to four times a year in Geneva and are 
intended for delegates newly arrived in Geneva, n on-governmental organizations, journalists, new 
WTO staff members, interns working in the S ecretariat and interested officials from other 
international organizations.  Other interested dele gates and staff members are also welcome to attend 
the presentations.   
62. In terms of objectives to be reached, it is expected  that at the end of the day the participants 
will have:   
• acquired a general understanding of the WTO, its functioning and fundamental 
principles; 
• learned how to access WTO-relevant resour ces through information technology;  and, 
• been updated on WTO negotiations. 
These courses are organized by the ITTC in coopera tion with experts from other divisions and mainly 
consist of a presentation on the WTO, the historical background of the MTS, the WTO basic 
principles, the functioning of the Organization, as well as the different ways to access WTO-relevant 
information.  The courses are held at Headquarter s.  There are no direct costs for these activities. 
(i) Geneva-based Support 
63. A variety of different products are provi ded directly in Geneva, which include: WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 14  
 
• the "Geneva Week" for Non-Residents, which is funded through the regular budget of 
the WTO.  In order to meet the special ch allenges faced by the Non-Residents and to 
enhance their participation in the MTS, the WTO organises the "Geneva Week", during 
which representatives of Non-Residents from capitals and from Europe-based missions are invited to Geneva.  Two "Geneva Weeks" are scheduled in 2004.  The costs relating 
to "Geneva Week" are met from trust funds.  By  the end of the week the participants:   
o will become familiar with the state of pl ay of work and work processes in the 
WTO and the range of technical assistance on offer;  and, 
o will have benefited from opportunities – dur ing their stay – to be involved in 
the work of WTO bodies;  and from interaction with officials from other Geneva-based agencies and delegations. 
• stand-alone workshops on specific topics (e.g. accessions, competition, TBT) or back 
to back with Geneva-based committee meetings , which then become part of the activity 
for the participants.  As in 2002 and 2003 , one such workshop will be held on a 
services-related topic.  The costs of these will be met from trust funds; 
• ad hoc assistance;  such assistance is provided to visiting delegations, for whom 
specialized programmes, lectures, briefing sessions are designed and meetings organized;  equally, delegations frequently  seek direct support from WTO Divisions on 
specific WTO Agreements (no direct costs); 
• briefing sessions through video-conferencing:  regularly the Secretariat organizes 
meetings with beneficiary countries through vi deo-conferencing, to inform them about 
a specific issue.  Many countries can be c onnected simultaneously through these means 
with Headquarters, so as to ensure an inte ractive dialogue.  Such conferences are very 
cost effective (generally cost-rela ted to video/telephone connection); 
• servicing Regional Groups:  increasingly the S ecretariat provides assistance to regional 
groupings in support of their meetings and organizes briefings on specific WTO-related 
topics in light of negotiations; 
• advisory role on legal issues:  the Secretariat has, since the conclusion of the Uruguay 
Round, provided legal advice in accordance with the requirement in DSU Article 27.2 to any developing country which so requests in  the event of that country being involved 
in dispute settlement (costs c overed by the regular budget). 
(j) Partnerships for Training and Capacity Building:  An Integrated Approach 
64. The ITTC has engaged in a process of developi ng partnerships between the WTO Secretariat 
and the trade policy related academic community in Member countries.  These partnerships are 
designed to promote "joined up" capacity building,  simultaneously enhancing the capacity of the 
WTO to train government officials, building ins titutional and human capacity for such training in 
developing countries, contributing to the devel opment of WTO-related curricula in academic 
institutions of higher learning, and promoting WTO- relevant research intended to strengthen national 
and regional negotiating capacity.  The partnershi ps build on various activities already being 
undertaken by the WTO Secretariat.  They will e volve over time, with certain activities increasingly 
becoming the responsibility of partners.  
65. This integrated approach has four inter-linki ng elements.  Each of these elements can in 
principle stand alone, but natural synergies favour  their integration and increase prospects for 
sustainability.  The four elements of this integrat ed approach to partnerships for capacity building 
encompass the following:  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 15 
 
 
(i)  training government officials; 
(ii) building institutional partnerships at th e regional level for capacity building activities; 
(iii) establishing joint lecturing arrangement s at the regional level with academics and 
specialists for training government officials; 
(iv) creating academic networks with ins titutions of higher learning; these academic 
networks have several elements  on which to build, including: 
• curriculum development; 
• increasing knowledge through training; 
• development of didactic material; 
• information exchange; 
• encourage joint research by academics from developing countries and the 
WTO; 
• develop a programme for support of doctoral studies; 
• establish arrangements for short-term research visits to the WTO by 
academics; 
• enhance a broader public access to WTO -related information in universities.  
66. Costs for these activities will be met principally from the GTF, unless otherwise indicated. 
67. Activities geared towards building partnerships for Training and Capacity Building include: 
(i) Regional Trade Policy Courses  
As discussed in section (a)(ii), Regional Trade Policy Courses form a key component in 
building such partnerships, the main objective be ing to transfer and enhance local ownership 
and to build capacity at the regional level. 
(ii) Workshops for university professors on WTO matters  
Workshops will be organized on a periodic basis to solidify and advance partnerships with 
academics.  They are essential for adequate coordination and networking.  These events address different components of our joint activities involving teaching and research, all of which aim to increase the capacity of Members to participate effectively in the WTO.  
Elements for discussion include curriculum deve lopment, teaching materials and literature, 
information exchange, evaluation of joint teach ing activities aimed at government officials, 
and joint research.  Furthermore, these meetings  are used to update the academic partners on 
progress in the WTO negotiations and work pr ogramme, and equally serve to prepare for 
regional trade policy courses organized by the Secretariat in the regions. 
 
The workshops last three days and each one in volves up to 30 academics from each region.  
The Secretariat aims at delivering five of these workshops in 2004.  
(iii) Support programme for doctoral studies  
The main objective of such a support programme would be to contribute to a continuing 
renewal and enlargement of academic WT O expertise in developing countries. 
 
The Secretariat would finance and assist doctoral students from developing countries to 
conduct research at the WTO for periods between three and six months, and to provide them WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 16  
 
with mentoring/advice in close collaboration with  the students' academic supervisors.  Since 
this is likely to be a highly effective mean s of engaging young academics in WTO-related 
research of direct policy relevance to governme nts, the intention is to accommodate up to 
twelve students at any one time.  In 2004, however, this would be a pilot programme 
involving up to six doctoral students.   
 
(iv) Programme for visiting academics  
The Secretariat will facilitate visits of up to  six months by practising academics who are 
working on WTO-related issues.  This will allow the academics to interact with the Secretariat 
and the trade policy community more generally , and maximise the WTO relevance of their 
work.  Visiting academics would be self-financed. 
 
(v) Research collaboration  
The main objective of research collaboration is to develop joint research initiatives on  
WTO-related matters with academics from deve loping countries.  Such collaboration will 
increase engagement by the scholarly community in WTO-relevant research, to increase the 
supply of region- and country-based analysis of WTO-related policy issues.  The cost of planned joint research programmes in 2004 will be met from the regular budget. 
 
(vi) Document Dissemination Pr ogramme for Universities  
The main objective of the document dissemination programme is to contribute to the creation 
and/or strengthening of a WTO "library" at  universities from developing countries with a 
view to facilitating access to this information by the student population.  The WTO disseminates, on a yearly basis, a set of WTO publications, in both hard copy and 
electronic formats to groups of universities fro m developing countries.  Collaboration for a 
possible global project has been discussed with  the United Nations University.  The cost will 
be met from the regular budget.  
(k) Distance Learning and Information Technology 
68. The main objectives of the distance learning programme and information technology are to: 
• take full advantage of information technolog y and the Internet as an alternative and a 
complement to traditional training programs; 
• enhance WTO outreach to academic instituti ons and individual students. Distance 
should not matter anymore when someone wants to learn the basics of the MTS;  and, 
• develop WTO-related training material which would not require simultaneous 
presence of the trainees and trainers in Geneva or in the regions. 
 69. To that effect, the Secretariat will continue to develop computer-based training modules 
(CBTs) on WTO Agreements/Issues to be used es sentially for self-training. Modules on the use of 
WTO on-line resources, the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, the Agreement on Sanitary and 
Phyto-Sanitary Measures, the General Agreement on Trade in Services are al ready available, while 
modules on Customs Valuation, Trade-Related As pects of Intellectual Property Rights, WTO 
Notifications, and Market Access will be developed in 2004.   
70. Moreover, the use of internet-based distance learning will be intensified.  The module on 
WTO Basic Principles will be offered on the platfo rm already available.  Contacts have been 
established with the Institute of Advanced Studi es of the United Nations University for future  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 17 
 
 
cooperation on distance learning through the UNU Virt ual University Network.  In addition, a new 
approach to distance learning which consists of blending CD-ROM based materials with  
video-conferences in the delivery of trade-relate d technical assistance will be tested in 2004.  
71. The cost of the distance learning programme for the year 2004 will be met from the regular 
budget. 
(l) Reference Centres 
72. The basic objective of the WTO Reference Ce ntre programme is to enable government 
officials, as well as the business and the academic co mmunities, to have access directly to relevant 
trade-related information, in particular on the WTO.   
73. The establishment of a WTO Reference Centre consists of three elements:  (i) creation of a 
local "library" with documents and publicati ons on the WTO, including CD-ROMs and other 
machine-readable materials;  (ii) access to the Internet, in particular to the WTO web-site;   
(iii) hands-on training in usi ng relevant software, the web br owser, hyperlinks, and e-mail to 
communicate with the WTO.  Electronic versions of the website on CD-ROMs are also provided.  Moreover, DVDs are currently being developed.  In addition, in the case of the LDCs, the WTO 
provides a computer and additional equipment need ed to operate the Reference Centre and when 
technically feasible, access to WTO's website
2 over the Internet at no cost to the LDCs.   
74. It is envisaged to undertake some 25 missions for the establishment (15) and upgrading (10) 
of Reference Centres, to be financed through the GTF. 
(m) Trade negotiations techniques 
75. The objectives of the seminars, workshops and t ools relating to trade negotiations techniques 
are to improve the analytical negotiation capacity of trade negotiators to enable them to participate 
effectively in trade negotiations.  These activ ities will take different approaches, going from 
theoretical comprehension of previous and present negotiations, enhancement of  skills and techniques, 
simulations, case studies and use of data extracted from existing databases. 
76. Some of the products proposed have been deve loped by the WTO and others in collaboration 
with academia and regional or  international institutions: 
a) negotiating Trade Agreements:  strategies, ta ctics, and simulations.  Simulations are 
mainly related to tariffs and services;   
b) the Integrated Data Base (IDB) and the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) 
database, with the software applications to  allow the extraction, analysis and use of 
data:  the IDB Internet Analysis Fac ility, the IDB CD-ROM and the IDB Reporting 
Tools;  
c) "Toolkit for Negotiators and Training":  prepar ation and analysis of lists of offers or 
requests, and comparison, analysis and prep aration of proposals on WTO disciplines;  
and, 
d) provisions to develop or enhance existing products: 
• enhancement of the IDB and CTS software tools;  and, 
                                                      
2 In order to enhance reliability and speed, Refere nce Centres are being connected to the WTO via the 
Société Internationale de Télécomm unications Aéronautique (SITA).  Currently, 27 countries are already 
connected to the SITA network. WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 18  
 
• enhancement of the Toolkit for Trad e Negotiators and Development of 
Services' module. 
77. The target audience for a) is officials with  good knowledge of the WTO Agreements and who 
will serve as their government negotiators in regional  or international trade negotiations.  The target 
audience for b) and c) is negotiators with computer sk ills.  Participants will be trained in the use of the 
tools and will take part in practical exercises wher e they can apply IDB/CTS data or their own data.  
The costs will be met from trust funds and the regular budget. 
(n) Trainee programmes and internships 
78. As part of the efforts to build human capacity in a hands-on, entirely practical way, the 
internship programme has been expanded.  In addition to the regular WTO internships for young graduates, many of whom are from developing countri es, to work for a maximum of three months in a 
division, the programme provides for: 
• the Dutch internship system of up to tw o years' assignments in the Secretariat; 
• interns assigned to the missions of coor dinators of regiona l groups;  and, 
• interns assigned to selected developing country missions. 
 79. In all of these internship arrangements, the a dvantage is proximity to the heart of WTO work, 
as is the opportunity to work, as it were, in "real-time"  on the issues of the day.  The costs will be met 
from trust funds and the regular budget. 
(o) Technical assistance within the TPRM framework 
80. The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) is a valuable forum for achieving transparency 
in, and understanding of, the trade policies and pract ices of Members.  TPRs of developing and LDCs 
Members have increasingly performed a technica l assistance function and have been useful in 
increasing understanding of the trade policy struct ure in place and its relationship with the WTO 
Agreements, playing an important part in "cap acity building and mainstreaming".  The main 
objectives of the reviews are: 
• to enhance understanding in these countri es of the WTO Agreements, enabling better 
compliance and integration in the MTS;  and, 
• to enhance interaction between government agen cies, also facilitated by the reviews.   
 
81. The Secretariat reports' wide coverage of Members' policies enables them to identify any 
shortcomings in policy and specific areas where further technical assistance may be required. 
82. Since 2000, the review process for LDCs and a number of other developing countries has 
included a two-to-four-day seminar for their official s on the WTO and, in particular, the TPR exercise 
and the role of trade in economic policy, including  a presentation by the participants from the country 
under Review on the experience from trade liberalization efforts and round tables.3  The Secretariat 
report for an LDCs review, as well as other less de veloped countries, includes a section on technical 
assistance needs and priorities, as identified in coop eration with the Member concerned, and with a 
view to feeding this into the IF process.  For LDCs , the Secretariat also work s closely with the World 
Bank on the trade component of the latter's Diagnos tic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS), with the 
Reviews being an integral part to the framing of the DTIS.  In addition, the TPRM has an important 
                                                      
3 Such seminars have been held for the OECS, Ug anda (2001); Burundi, Haiti, Honduras, Lesotho, 
Malawi, the Maldives, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal a nd Zambia (2002); Gambia, Guyana, Rwanda and the 
SACU (2003).  For 2004, this process is envisaged for Belize, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Suriname.  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 19 
 
 
role in the new Trade Policy Clinics (paragraph 5 and 6 of WT/COMTD/W/117, 16 June 2003).  These activities are assimilated to national activities,  and the costs covered from both regular budget 
and trust funds. 
(p) Attendance at international meetings, conf erences, workshops, seminars and symposia 
83. WTO's participation in and representation at in ternational meetings, conferences, seminars 
and symposia, either at the technical or at the poli tical (ministerial) level, is increasingly solicited.  
Such meetings can in most instances not be antic ipated but past experience shows that the WTO 
attends annually between 80 to 100 such events.  WT O's participation in such meetings is considered 
indispensable for a variety of reasons:  it can be  essential for co-ordinating and defining effective 
policies with other agencies, as well as for ensuring policy coherence;  it provides opportunities to 
brief stakeholders on the state of play in the nego tiations or address and clarify any specific issues 
regarding the WTO;  it can be critical for engagi ng in policy dialogues with outside communities, 
including the private sector, Parliamentarians and NGOs.  Moreover it is important for the WTO to be represented particularly in meetings  held with other international or ganizations, and to provide input 
to the debate that carries the WTO brand. 
84. The costs of these activities will be met from the regular budget. 
IV. PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTSOURCING 
85. In order to build and strengthen local cap acity in beneficiary countries and enhance 
ownership, emphasis will increasingly be put on partne rships.  Such partnerships can relate to the 
design and execution of specific programmes, including the IF and JITAP, as well as to the cooperation with other agencies and organisa tions.  Basically, in each geographical region 
partnerships are built and used for training purposes and for conducting joint activities.  The nature of 
the partnerships varies widely among partner ins titutions, depending on the institution itself, the 
contents of the MOU when it exists, and on the ag reed objectives in the partnership arrangements.  
86. The main objectives of these relationships are: 
• to enrich the quality of training and tec hnical assistance activities by using existing 
capacity, expertise and faciliti es, where available, at the regional level and/or in 
Geneva.  Moreover, such cooperation w ill facilitate the delivery of technical 
assistance and the dissemination of WTO training programmes; 
• to achieve greater coherence among providers  of WTO-related training and technical 
assistance; 
• to gradually transfer owne rship and building partnerships on technical assistance;  
and, 
• to stretch the resources available. 
87. Two particular mechanisms/programmes designe d in joint cooperation between particular 
institutions, donors and recipients and geared towa rds assisting beneficiary countries with a fuller 
participation in the MTS relate to the IF and Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme 
(JITAP) as discussed below. 
(a) Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme (JITAP) 
88. JITAP as a multi-country, multi-agency capacity  building programme, implemented by WTO, 
UNCTAD and ITC, is an integral part of the Pl an.  The second phase of JITAP, which was launched WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 20  
 
in February 2003, covers sixteen African countries
4 selected on the basis of criteria determined jointly 
by the implementing agencies and the donors to the programme. 
89. The JITAP aims at building capacity and st rengthening national knowledge base in the 
beneficiary countries on the MTS with a view to contributing to their:   
(i) more effective participation in th e trade negotiations, implementing the WTO 
agreements, and formulating related trade policies; 
(ii) improved supply capacity and market  knowledge of exporting and export-ready 
enterprises, to derive benefits from business opportunities resulting from better market access under the MTS. 
90. JITAP II's key features and programme strategy are: 
• Partnership among the executing organizati ons, the participating countries and the 
donor community with involvement of othe r providers of trade-related technical 
assistance (TRTA); 
• Building networks and synergies among par ticipating countries and extensive use of 
existing national capacities; 
• Self-implementation of programme modules b ased on generic tool kits provided by 
the agencies; 
• Pooling of resources in a Common Trust Fund and coordination with other TRTA 
programmes; 
• Selection of partner countries and their commitment based on criteria, notably (i) 
allocation of counterpart resources to s upport programme activities, (ii) setting up a 
National Steering Committee (NSC) and creation/institutionalisation of an  Inter-Institutional Committee on MTS, (iii) mainstreaming of trade as an engine for poverty reduction;  and, 
• Results-based Management, and particular  attention to gender issues and poverty 
reduction. 
91. As part of the expanded JITAP activities scheduled for the year 2004, a programming 
exercise was launched at inception of the new phase  of the programme.  This programming exercise 
involves the preparation of country-specific project  documents for each beneficiary country, and the 
organization of launching workshops  in the eight new JITAP countries.
5  The country project 
documents will entail, among other elements, an im plementation plan for each country spelling out 
the detailed activities to be undertaken.   
92. The total costs for the implementation of JITA P II are to be covered by JITAP Trust Fund. 
(b) The Integrated Framework for trade-related assistance to LDCs  
93. The main objectives of the IF for trade-related assistance to LDCs are:  
• to enhance economic growth and devel opment capacities of LDCs, through the 
combined efforts of six international or ganizations, the IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, 
                                                      
4 Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, 
Mozambique, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Senegal and Zambia. 
5 Botswana, Cameroon, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal and Zambia.  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 21 
 
 
the World Bank and the WTO, as well as with  the full participation of development 
partners and the donor community; 
• to ensure that national trade policies are integrated into the overall development and 
poverty-reduction strategies for each country;  and, 
• to coordinate trade-related technical assistance provided by the various agencies and 
other (bi- and multilateral) development part ners, each in its own area of competence 
and funded from its own resources.  
94. While the IF initially covered three countries on a pilot project basis, in 2003 the IF was 
extended to fourteen LDCs, which ar e at varying stages in the process.6  In addition, five countries 
benefit from follow-up activities resulting from trade -related Round Tables meeti ngs which were held 
under an earlier phase of the IF.7 
95. The activities to be undertaken in the year 2004 will relate both to the design, management 
and implementation of current and new IF activities.  These will thus include: 
• participation in meetings of the IF management structure such as the Integrated 
Framework Working Group (IFWG) and th e Integrated Framework Steering 
Committee (IFSC).  Although normally held at the headquarters of one of the six IF core Agencies, some meetings of the IFWG  in 2004 are likely to be held in the 
beneficiary countries, to bring the IF closer to the realities "on the ground";  and, 
• participation in IF-related seminars and conferences, as well as in the workshops for 
the implementation of the IF, such as Validation Workshops and Implementation 
Workshops with a country's donor community.  The Secretariat will also participate in the execution of TA projects. Moreover, consideration is currently given to the extension of the IF to other LDCs, subject  to the outcome of the second evaluation of 
the IF, that is currently being undertaken.  The Secretariat will participate in technical 
assistance activities resulting from any such extension.   
96. As most of the anticipated activities will rela te to WTO's involvement in national workshops 
and seminars in beneficiary countries, as well as in m eetings of the management structure, they will 
for budgetary purposes be accounted for as part  of national activities (see section III (c)). 
(c) Regional Partnerships 
97. Partnership arrangements have been establishe d at the regional level, and by way of 
illustration, these include the following: 
• Institutional cooperation for training for count ries in Central and Eastern Europe and 
Central Asia takes mostly place with the Join t Vienna Institute (JVI).  The WTO will 
have six slots of a total of seven weeks for conducting seminars and training courses;  
in addition, the Secretariat undertakes training through the so-called Applied 
Economic Policy Course, which is held twice a year at the JVI. 
• In Latin America and the Caribbean, the bulk of regional activities are undertaken in 
close partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), in particular 
its Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL).  Every 
year a joint programme is defined and co-fi nanced by both Institutions.  Within the 
framework of the IADB/INTAL cooperati on, partnerships exist with regional 
                                                     
 
6 Burundi, Cambodia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Lesotho, Mali, Malawi, Madagascar, 
Mauritania, Nepal, Senegal, Yemen. 
7 Bangladesh, The Gambia, Haiti, Tanzania, Uganda. WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 22  
 
integration secretariats such as the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), 
the Andean Community, SIECA and Mercosur, as well as with the Organization of American States. In the Caribbean, coopera tion exists with the CARICOM Secretariat 
and the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, as well as the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and the Association of Caribbean States. 
• In Africa, many training and technical  cooperation activities are undertaken in 
partnership with the United Nations Ec onomic Commission for Africa, the African 
Development Bank (AFDB), the Economic  Community of West African States 
(ECOWAS), the NEPAD Secretariat, COMESA, SADC, WAEMU etc.  The "Agence internationale de la francophonie" will also be a partner in this region. 
• In Asia and the Pacific there is coopera tion with the United Nations Economic and 
Social Commission for Asia and the Paci fic (UNESCAP), the Forum Secretariat 
(FORSEC), and with the Asian Development Bank.   
• In the Middle East, following the signing of MOUs, close cooperation is undertaken 
with the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), th e Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the 
United Nations Economic and Social Co mmission for Western Asia (UNESCWA). 
(d) Other Partnerships 
98. The Secretariat is always seeking to stre ngthen and expand cooperation with other 
international organizations, regiona l bodies and institutions.  In the Spring of this year, an MOU was 
signed with the UNCTAD Secretariat.  Moreover, an MOU has been concluded with UNIDO, which 
was signed at Cancún. 
99. One partnership arrangement is proposed for execution in joint cooperation with the 
University of Adelaide, which would require a fi nancial contribution by the WTO of CHF 250,000.  
This research project would include a series of ca se studies that could be used in capacity building 
projects.  The project would document aspects of WT O Members' management of participation in the 
MTS, offering material based on the perspectives of  governments, industry and civil society groups.  
The project report would provide an introduction to the case studies and draw out some general 
observations from the data. 
100. Another such partnership arrangement is th e Standards Trade and Development Facility 
(STDF).  The overall objective of the STDF is to strengthen the capacity of developing countries in 
meeting SPS standards for market access of food a nd other agricultural commodities.  This will be 
achieved by strengthening collaboration between five relevant institutions in related activities (FAO, 
OIE, World Bank, WHO and WTO), including through the development of joint institutional projects, 
and provision of STDF funding in developing countri es.  The STDF has been established on the basis 
of a grant from the World Bank and a contribu tion by the WTO from the GTF.  The executing 
institution to administer the STDF is the WTO, which would make a cont ribution of CHF 100,000 
from the GTF, as in 2003, to complement the grant financing offered by the World Bank. 
101. While in some instances there ar e costs associated with partnerships, in most cases it is the 
partners who make a contribution to the activities, either in cash or in kind. 
(e) Outsourcing 
102. With regard to outsourcing, a note by the Secretariat was prepared and circulated to Members, 
contained in document WT/COMTD/W/116 (16 June  2003), which provides the basis for WTO's 
policy on outsourcing.  This note serves to institution alise a practice that has in fact been applied for 
several years.  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
 Page 23 
 
 
103. The Secretariat has recently sent a letter to Members on this issue, and more particularly with 
regard to the establishment of the Outsourcing Roster.  It is recalled that experts to be considered for 
the Roster will be former trade o fficials, ex-delegates, former GAT T/WTO staff members, academics, 
recognized experts in a specific field, trainers a nd officials from other international organizations.  
They will be drawn from all regions.  Because of resource constraints, and the hope that the number 
of experts that are put forward remains manageable , for the time being the scheme is being organised 
through Members;  this can be reviewed in the light of experience.  Th ese experts would be relied 
upon for basic-level instruction on the WTO architectur e, its rules and theoretical underpinnings.  It is 
expected that having resort to such experts woul d reduce some of the pressure on the Secretariat.  
Specialized expertise may also be relevant for c onsidering the outsourcing of any activity.  As for 
process, a Supervisory Committee will be established.   Chaired by the DDG responsible for training 
and technical cooperation, it will include the ITTC and the Human Resources Section.  The Roster 
will be administered by the Human Resources Section of the Administration and General Services Division, and jointly managed with the ITTC.  A new database will be created in which selected 
consultants will be included, and which will allow for reporting on the operation of the Roster.  
Finally, administrative procedures have been est ablished to guide the process of applications, 
selection and implementation of ou tsourcing of activities by divisi ons, as well as for the process of 
evaluation of performance of resour ce persons and reporting.  It is expected that the use of experts 
will procure added value by bringing recognised out side expertise to complement and enhance the 
work of the Secretariat.  It should nevertheless be recalled that the primary responsibility for the delivery of technical assistance and capacity build ing activities remains with the Secretariat.  The 
Roster is expected to be fully operational in 2 004.  Costs will be met from the GTF and the regular 
budget. 
V. MONITORING AND EVALUATION  
104. The Plan has been designed in such a way that facilitates systematic monitoring and 
evaluation.  The design of the individual TA activiti es will be guided by the objectives set out in the 
Plan under the relevant products.  The product ob jectives are generic in nature and should be 
perceived as higher-level, programme objectives to which the individual activities are expected to 
bring a contribution.  In support of the product-le vel objectives, efforts will be made to identify 
performance indicators and targets. 
105. The activities will not only set out their own specific objectives that are realistic and 
achievable but also formulate indicators to measur e the achievement of the objectives.  Both the 
specific objectives and the related indicators will be  formulated prior to the delivery of the TA. 
106. The current M&E system and procedures, includi ng the quarterly reports, have proved to be 
useful, and through the systematic self-assessment of  the TA activities by their providers, and through 
the internal evaluations by Technical Cooperation Audit (TCA), generated va luable information on 
effects and impact.  Thus it has contributed to th e improvement of the quality and the organisation of 
the activities.  During the planning period the regula r M&E will continue to aim at ensuring that the 
activities included in the Plan are implemented e fficiently and its products achieve the desired 
outcome.  In this process TCA will render regular se rvices to the TA providers with a view to help 
them set out realistic, measurable  and time-bound objectives as well as indicators which measure their 
achievement. 
107. The recommendations and lessons learned throug h such evaluations will be systematically 
followed up and disseminated as appropriate.  Pending on the availability of resources, more internal 
evaluations are foreseen and other forms of evalua tion, e.g. ex-post and product-oriented thematic 
evaluations will also be experimented with.  Furthe rmore, efforts will be made to reflect in TCA's 
Annual Report for 2004 the effects and impact of t echnical cooperation activities at the product level. WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 24  
 
108. It is expected that the monitoring and evaluati on results will continue to provide an important 
source of knowledge and contribute to refining an d updating the products and tools of training and 
technical assistance.  Furthermore, they are to ge nerate feedback regarding the usefulness of the new 
approach to TA planning.  The regularity of eval uations and the quality of the feedback information 
will help TA providers and manage rs to perceive evaluation as an integrated management function 
and ask for and apply evaluative information in their operational, programme and policy decisions. 
109. In accordance with the established procedures Me mbers will continue to be informed, through 
quarterly reports and through the Annual TCA Re port, about the main findings, conclusions, 
recommendations and lessons learned from the eval uations conducted during the planning period. 
VI. FUNDING 
110. Pursuant to the commitment contained in paragr aph 40 of the Doha Declaration, the General 
Council approved on 20 December 2001 the creation of the Doha Development Agenda GTF and 
defined its terms of reference.
8  One of the main purposes of the GTF was to consolidate the 
numerous extra-budgetary resources of the WTO in one single un-earmarked fund, so as to provide a solid and stable financial basis for WTO technical as sistance and capacity buildi ng.  This is the reason 
why the terms of reference of the GTF provide a monitoring mechanism for the pledges and for the 
payment of the contributions.  The General Council also increased substantially the share of the 
regular budget dedicated to technical assistance, but the GTF is now the main source of funding for technical assistance.  
111. According to the terms of reference of th e GTF, the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration will have to recommend to the Gene ral Council a target amount for the GTF in 2004.  
The target amount will correspond to the estimated value of the 2004 TA Plan as determined by the 
Committee on Trade and Development, taking into account the resources available for technical assistance in the regular budget for 2004, and resour ces contributed by partner institutions in respect 
of shared activities.  A separate paper on this issue has been submitted by the Secretariat for 
consideration by the membership. 
 
  
 
                                                     
 
8 See document WT/BFA/56, and in particular its paragraphs 13 to 22 and its annexes A and B.  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 25ANNEX 
 
 
I GENEVA-BASED TRAINING 
 
  
Description of the Activity/ 
Dates  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of  
participants x days9 
27th Trade Policy Course (English) 
12 January - 2 April   ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO, World Bank (30x60) 
1800  
28th Trade Policy Course (English) 
12 January -2 April   ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO, World Bank (30x60) 
1800  
29th Trade Policy Course (French) 
26 April -16 July   ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO, World Bank (30x60) 
1800  A. Trade Policy 
Courses 
 
30th Trade Policy Course  
(Spanish) 20 September – 10 December   ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO, World Bank  (30x60) 
1800  
B. Specialized 
Courses 8th (Specialized) Dispute Settlement Course,  
19-23 April (Spanish) ITTC, Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat 
 (30x5) 
150 
 9th (Specialized) Dispute Settlement Course, 
27 September - 1 October  
(English) ITTC, Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat  (30x5) 
150 
 10th (Specialized) Dispute Settlement Course, 
13-17 December (English) ITTC, Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat 
 (30x5) 
150 
 4th Specialized Course  
(topic to be determined) 
11-22 October (English) ITTC, WTO Divisions 
 (30x10) 
300 
                                                      
9 These figures are estimates based on past experience and projectio ns.  The aim is to have a more precise implementation measur e.  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 26  
I GENEVA-BASED TRAINING 
 
  
Description of the Activity/ 
Dates  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of  
participants x days9 
 3rd Specialized Course (Tra de Negotiations:  from 
Theory to Practice), 8-19 November (French) 
 ITTC (30x10) 
300 
C. Introduction 
Courses 
 5th Introduction course for LDCs, 
24 May -11 June (French) 
 ITTC, WTO Divisions,  
UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO, World Bank  
 (30x15) 
450 
 6th Introduction course for LDCs, 
12-30 July (English) ITTC, WTO Divisions,  
UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO, World Bank (30x15) 
450 
D. Introduction 
day 9th, 10th and 11th Introduction Days 
(English/French/Spanish) ITTC, WTO Divisions  N/A 
E. Geneva Week First semester 
 Development Division and other WTO Divisions 
  (70x5) 
350  
 Second semester Development Division and other WTO Divisions 
 (70x5) 
350 
 
F. Partnership for 
Training and 
Capacity Building Workshop for university professors on WTO 
matters 
Geneva-based workshops for university professors 
on WTO matters, developed in collaboration with 
regional academic institutions, regional academics and governments: ITTC, Economic Research and Statistics Division, 
other Divisions 
 
 
Cooperation with:  
  
 
  
 
 1. for English-speaking Af rica University of Nairobi , regional academics (30x3) 
90 
 
 2. for French-speaking Africa University Mohammed V (Souissi), Rabat (30x3) 
90 
 
 3. for Asian countries Hong Kong Un iversity, regional academics (30x3) 
90 
  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 27 
I GENEVA-BASED TRAINING 
 
  
Description of the Activity/ 
Dates  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of  
participants x days9 
 4. for Caribbean countries University of  the West Indies and regional academics 
 (30x3) 
90  
 5. for Latin America IADB/INTAL, re gional academic in stitutions (30x3) 
90 
 
 Support programme for doctoral students Economic Research and Statistics Division, operational 
divisions (6x180) 
1080 
 Programme for visiting academics Economic Re search and Statistics Division, operational 
divisions N/A 
 Research collaboration:  joint research activities 
with academics from developing countries Economic Research and Statistics Division N/A 
 Document Dissemination Programme for 
Universities:  the donation of a basic set of WTO 
publications to groups of 20 universities from each 
region. ITTC, 
regional academic institutions N/A 
Sub-total I   11380  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 28  
 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
A. Regional Trade 
Policy Courses  Africa 
(Anglophone) Based on the same model as Geneva-based 
TPC, regional courses ar e co-delivered with 
academics and specialists from the region 
 ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
Partnership with the University of Nairobi (25x60) 
1500 
 Africa 
(Francophone) Based on the same model as Geneva-based 
TPC, regional courses ar e co-delivered with 
academics and specialists from the region  ITTC, WTO Divisions 
Partnership with University Mohammed V 
(Souissi), Rabat  (28x60) 
1680 
 Asia/Pacific Based on the same model as Geneva-based 
TPC, regional courses ar e co-delivered with 
academics and specialists from the region  ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
Partnership with Hong Kong University 
 (33x60) 
1980 
 Caribbean Based on the same model as Geneva-based 
TPC, regional courses ar e co-delivered with 
academics and specialists from the region 
 ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
Partnership with the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus, Jamaica) (30x60) 
1800 
B. Doha Development 
Agenda Short Trade 
Policy Courses Africa 
 3rd WTO/ADB/ECA Trade Policy Course for 
African countries ITTC, 
ADB, ECA  (53x10) 
530 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries DDA Short Trade Policy Course ITTC (19x5) 
95 
 Asia WTO/UNESCAP Trade Policy Course on 
WTO Agreements and the DDA negotiations 
 ITTC, 
ADB, ASEAN, FORSEC, SAARC, 
UNESCAP 
 (23x5) 
115 
 Asia Pacific WTO/FORSEC Trade Policy Course on WTO 
Agreements and the DDA negotiations 
 ITTC,  
FORSEC (14x5) 
70 
                                                      
10 The dates and venues of activities will be determined through co nsultations and with a view to resource considerations and the  spread of activities over the year and 
geographically.  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 29 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Caribbean 
 Multilateral and Regional Trade Issues for the 
Americas:  The Doha Development Agenda 
and the FTAA process  ITTC, 
OAS (25x5) 
125 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus  DDA Short Trade Policy Course ITTC (30x5) 
150 
 Latin America  Multilateral and Regional Trade Issues for the 
Americas:  The Doha Development Agenda and the FTAA process ITTC, 
OAS (25x5) 
125 
C. Regional 
Seminars/Workshops     
(i). Agriculture (Ag) 
 Africa 
(Anglophone) Regional Workshop Agriculture and Commodities Division, 
FAO (25x3) 
75 
 Africa 
(Francophone)  Regional Workshop Agriculture and Commodities Division, 
FAO (28x3) 
84 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Regional Workshop Agriculture and Commodities Division, 
FAO (19x3) 
57 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific Regional Workshop 
 Agriculture and Commodities Division, 
Joint WTO/ UNESCAP activity; 
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC (37x3) 
111 
 Caribbean  Regional Workshop Agriculture and Commodities Division, 
FAO (14x3) 
42  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 30  
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus  Regional Workshop Agriculture and Commodities Division (30x3) 
90 
 Latin America 
 Regional Workshop Agriculture and Commodities Division (20x3) 
60 
(ii). Dispute 
Settlement 
(DSU) 
 Africa 
(Anglophone) Special Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement 
 Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat 
 (25x4) 
100 
 Africa 
(Francophone)  Special Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat (28x4) 
112 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries  Special Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement 
 Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat (19x4) 
76 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Workshop on DS procedures and practices and 
DSU negotiations Joint WTO/UNESCAP activity; 
Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat,  ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC (37x4) 
148 
 Caribbean  Special Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat,  
INTAL-IADB (14x4) 
56 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Special Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat, 
JVI (30x4) 
120 
 Latin America 
 Special Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement Legal Affairs Division, Appellate Body 
Secretariat,  INTAL-IADB (20x4) 
80  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 31 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
(iii). Government 
Procurement 
and 
Transparency 
Provisions 
 Africa 
(Anglophone) Workshop on Transparency in Government 
Procurement Intellectual Property Division (50x3) 
150 
 Africa 
(Francophone)  Workshop on Transparency in Government 
Procurement Intellectual Property Division (56x3) 
168 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Workshop on Government Procurement and 
Transparency Provisions  Joint WTO/UNESCAP activity 
Intellectual Property Division,  
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC (37x3) 
111 
 Caribbean  Workshop on Transparency in Government 
Procurement Intellectual Property Division (28x3) 
84 
 Latin America  Workshop on Transparency in Government 
Procurement 
 Intellectual Property Division (40x3) 
120 
(iv). Non-Agriculture 
Market Access 
(NAMA) 
 
 Africa 
(Francophone) Workshop on Market Access Negotiations  Market Access Division, Economic 
Research and Statistics Division (28x3) 
84 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Workshop on Market Access Negotiations  Market Access Division, Economic 
Research and Statistics Division 
 (19x3) 
57 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Workshop on Market Access Negotiations 
 
  
 Joint WTO/UNESCAP activity 
Market Access Division, Economic 
Research and Statistics Division,  ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC 
 (37x3) 
111 
  
 
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 32  
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Caribbean  Workshop on Market Access Negotia tions Market Access Division,  
Economic Research and Statistics Division 
 (14x3) 
42 
(v). Other Market 
Access-related 
issues 
 
(a) Customs 
Valuation, 
Rules of 
Origin Africa 
(Anglophone) 
 Workshop on Customs Valuation incl. Trade 
Facilitation and Rules of Origin Market Access Division,  
WCO (25x4) 
100 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific Workshop on Customs Valuation incl. Trade 
Facilitation and Rules of Origin 
 Market Access Division,  
WCO (37x4) 
148 
 Caribbean  Workshop on Customs Valuation incl. Trade 
Facilitation and Rules of Origin 
 
 Market Access Division,  
WCO (14x4) 
56 
 
 Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Customs Valuation incl. Trade 
Facilitation and Rules of Origin 
 Market Access Division,  
WCO (20x4) 
80 
(b) Trade 
Facilitation  
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Workshop on Trade Facilitati on Market Access Division, 
WCO, UNCTAD, UNECE 
 
  (38x3) 
114 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Trade Facilitati on Market Access Division, 
WCO, UNCTAD, UNECE 
  
 
  (60x3) 
180  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 33 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
(vi).   Rules  
(Anti-Dumping, 
Subsidies and 
Countervailing 
Duties, Safeguards, 
State Trading) Africa 
(SADC) Workshop on Safeguards Rules Division 
 (30x3) 
90 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific Workshop on Trade Remedies Investigation 
Procedures Rules Division (30x4) 
120 
 Caribbean  Workshop on Anti-dumping Rules Division (24x4) 
96 
  
 
 Latin America  Workshop on Trade Remedies Investigation 
Procedures Rules Division (20x4) 
80 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, 
Central Asia and Caucasus  Workshop on Anti-dumping Rules Division 
 (24x4) 
96 
(vii). Sanitary and 
Phyto-sanitary 
Measures (SPS)  Africa 
(Anglophone) Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division (46x3) 
138 
 Africa 
(Francophone) Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division (36x3) 
108 
 Arab and 
Middle East Countries Applied Training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division (48x3) 
144  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 34  
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Asia 
 
  Applied training in the SPS Agreement  
 
  Joint WTO/ UNESCAP activity; 
Agriculture and Commodities Division, 
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, Codex/IPPC/OIE, FORSEC (20x3) 
60 
  
 
 Asia Pacific Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division 
 (36x3) 
108 
 Caribbean Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division 
 (32x3) 
96 
 Central 
America Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division (32x3) 
96 
 Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia 
and Caucasus Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division (28x3) 
84 
 South America Applied training in the SPS Agreement Agriculture and Commodities Division 
 (32x3) 
96 
(viii).  Services;  
GATS 
 
 Africa 
(Anglophone) Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling 
issues;  rule-making; developmental issues  Services Division (25x3) 
75 
 Africa 
(Francophone)  Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling 
issues;  rule-making; developmental issues Services Division (28x3) 
84 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling 
issues;  rule-making; developmental issues Services Division,  
UNESCWA (19x3) 
57 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling 
issues;  rule-making; developmental issues 
  Joint WTO/UNESCAP activity 
Services Division,  
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC (37x3) 
111  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 35 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Caribbean  Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling 
issues;  rule-making; developmental issues  Services Division (14x3) 
42 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus  Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling 
issues;  rule-making; developmental issues  Services Division (30x3) 
90 
 Latin America  Developments in the ongoing services 
negotiations;  requests and offers;  scheduling issues;  rule-making;  developmental issues Services Division (20x3) 
60 
(ix). Technical 
Barriers to 
Trade (TBT)  
 East and West 
Africa 
 Workshop on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement and other selected TBT-related 
issues Trade and Environment Division, 
COMESA (84x3) 
252 
 Asia  Workshop on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement and other selected TBT-related 
issues Trade and Environment Division, 
APEC (69x3) 
207 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, 
Central Asia 
and Caucasus  Workshop on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement and other selected TBT-related 
issues 
 
 Trade and Environment Division, 
Relevant international and regional bodies (90x3) 
270 
 Latin America  Workshop on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement and other selected TBT-related issues 
 Trade and Environment Division, 
IADB/INTAL (60x3) 
180  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
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II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
(x). Textiles and 
Clothing 
(ATC) Africa 
 Post-ATC Environment and DDA Market 
Access Outcomes for selected African 
countries  
 Textiles Division (38x3) 
114 
 Asia  
 Workshop on International Trade in Textiles 
and Clothing,  Post-ATC Environment and DDA Market 
Access Outcomes 
 Textiles Division,  
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB (23x3) 
69  
 Central 
America Post-ATC Environment and DDA Market 
Access Outcomes for Central American 
countries and the Dominican 
Republic Textiles Division (18x3) 
54 
 South America 
 Post-ATC Environment and DDA Market 
Access Outcomes for ALADI Textiles Division (25x3) 
75 
(xi). Trade and 
Competition 
Policy 
 Africa 
(Anglophone) Intensive course 
on Trade and Competition Policy Intellectual Property Division,  
UNCTAD 
 (50x6) 
300 
 Africa 
(Francophone)  Intensive course 
on Trade and Competition Policy Intellectual Property Division,  
UNCTAD 
 (56x6) 
336 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Workshop on Trade and Competition Policy Intellectual Property Division,  
UNCTAD 
 (74x3) 
222 
 
 Latin America Workshop on Trade and Competition Policy 
 
 Intellectual Property Division,  
UNCTAD (40x3) 
120 
(xii). Trade and 
Development Africa 
(Anglophone) Workshop on Special and Differential 
Treatment and Small Economies Development Division (25x3) 
75 
 Africa 
(Francophone) Workshop on Special and Differential 
Treatment and Small Economies Development Division (28x3) 
84  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 37 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Workshop on Special and Differential 
Treatment and Small Economies Development Division (19x3) 
57 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific Workshop on Special and Differential 
Treatment and Small Economies Development Division (37x3) 
111 
 Caribbean Workshop on Special and Differential 
Treatment and Small Economies Development Division (14x3) 
42 
 Latin America Workshop on Special and Differential 
Treatment and Small Economies Development Division (20x3) 
60 
(xiii).  Trade and 
Environment 
 Africa 
(Francophone) Back-to-back Works hop on Trade and 
Environment (following Workshop on Market 
Access Negotiations) 
 Trade and Environment Division (28x1) 
28 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Back-to-back Works hop on Trade and 
Environment (following Workshop on Market 
Access Negotiations) 
 Trade and Environment Division (19x1) 
19 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Back-to-back Works hop on Trade and 
Environment (following Workshop on the 
implementation of the TBT Agreement) 
 Trade and Environment Division (37x1) 
37 
  Workshop on Trade and Environment 
Negotiations.  Back-to-back event with UNEP Trade and Environment Division,  
MEAs (68x1) 
68 
 Caribbean  Back-to-back workshop on Trade and 
Environment (following Workshop on Market Access Negotiations) 
 Trade and Environment Division (14x1) 
14 
 Latin America  Negotiations;  Committee on Trade and 
Environment Work Programme  Trade and Environment Division, 
MEAs, UNEP, IADB (40x2) 
80  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 38  
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
(xiv).  Trade and 
Investment 
 Africa 
(Anglophone) Implementation of Doha mandate 
 Trade and Finance Division 
 (25x2) 
50 
 Africa 
(Francophone)  Implementation of Doha mandate 
 Trade and Finance Division (28x2) 
56 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries Implementation of Doha mandate 
 Trade and Finance Division (19x2) 
38 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific  Workshop on Trade and Investment in the 
WTO  Joint WTO/UNESCAP activity 
Trade and Finance Division,  
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC 
 (37x2) 
74 
 Caribbean  Implementation of Doha mandate Trade and Finance Division (14x2) 
28 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus 
 Implementation of Doha mandate Trade and Finance Division (30x2) 
60 
 Latin America  Implementation of Doha mandate 
 Trade and Finance Division (20x2) 
40 
(xv). TRIPS Africa 
(Anglophone) TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, 
biotechnology/ 
traditional knowledge/ 
biodiversity, enforcement)  Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (50x3) 
150 
 Africa 
(Francophone) TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, 
biotechnology/ traditional knowledge/ 
biodiversity, enforcement) Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (56x3) 
168  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 39 
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Arab and 
Middle East 
Countries TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, 
biotechnology/ traditional knowledge/ 
biodiversity, enforcement) Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (38x3) 
114 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, biotechnology/ 
traditional knowledge/ 
biodiversity, enforcement) Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (74x3) 
222 
 Caribbean TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, 
biotechnology/ 
traditional knowledge/ biodiversity, enforcement) Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (28x3) 
84 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, 
biotechnology/ traditional knowledge/ 
biodiversity, enforcement) Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (60x3) 
180 
 Latin America TRIPS Agreement (e.g. geographical 
indications, TRIPS and Public Health, biotechnology/ 
traditional knowledge/ 
biodiversity, enforcement) Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO and other IGOs as appropriate (40x3) 
120 
(xvi).  Regional 
Trade 
Agreements Africa 
(Anglophone) 
 WTO rules on RTAs Trade Policies Review Division, 
Regional Secretariats (25x4) 
100 
 Africa 
(Francophone) WTO rules on RTAs Trade Policies Review Division, 
Regional Secretariats (28x4) 
112  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 40  
II REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING10 
 
 
Subject/ 
Programme  
Region/ 
Sub-region  
Description of the Activity  
WTO Divisions Cooperation with other 
Bodies/Organizations 
  
No. of participants  
x 
days 
 Asia WTO rules on RTAs Trade Policies Review Division, 
Regional Secretariats 
 (25x4) 
100 
 Asia Pacific WTO rules on RTAs Trade Policies Review Division, 
Regional Secretariats 
 (25x4) 
100 
 Caribbean WTO rules on RTAs for CARICOM Trade Policies Review Division, 
Regional Secretariats  (25x4) 
100 
 Latin America WTO rules on RTAs Trade Policies Review Division, 
Regional Secretariats 
 (20x4) 
80 
D. Trade Negotiation 
Techniques Africa 
(Anglophone) Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 ITTC (25x5) 
125 
 Africa 
(Francophone) Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 ITTC (28x5) 
140 
 Arab and 
Middle East Countries Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 ITTC (19x5) 
95 
 Asia and Asia 
Pacific Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 Joint WTO/UNESCAP activity; 
ASEAN, SAARC, ADB, FORSEC (37x5) 
185 
 Caribbean  Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 ITTC (14x5) 
70 
 Central and 
Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 ITTC (30x5) 
150 
 Latin America Workshop on Trade Negotiating Skills 
 ITTC (20x5) 
100 
Sub-total II    18632  
  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3
 Page 41 
 
III GENEVA-BASED WORKSHOPS AND SYMPOSIA 
 
 
Topic  
Description of the Activity 
Dates  
WTO Divisions 
Cooperation with other bodies/organizations 
  
No. of participants 
x 
days  
Trade and Environment  Public Symposium for Geneva-based delegates Trade and Environment Division, Market Access 
Division, Rules Division,  
UNCTAD, UNEP  
 Workshop for African (English and French) and 
Arab and Middle East Countries Trade and Environment Di vision, Market Access 
Division, Rules Division,  Multilateral Environmental Agreements;  and 
Intergovernmental Organizations (65x6) 
390 
TBT Special Meeting on Proc edures for Information 
Exchange for capital-based delegates Trade and Environment Division (120x4) 
480 
Services  Mode-, sector-, and/or rule-related issues of 
particular relevance to developing countries;  for 
capital-based delegates Services Division (149x3) 
447 
TRIPS  Training seminar for University professors from 
developing countries on TRIPS issues Intellectual Property Division,  
WIPO (25x10) 
250 
Accession Accession Process to the WTO for capital-based 
delegates Accessions Division (30x3) 
90 
TRIPS  Geographical Indications for Geneva-based 
delegates Intellectual Property Division  
Competition Policy Symposium on Competition Policy for Geneva-
based delegates Intellectual Property Division  
RTAs Seminar on RTAs for Geneva-based delegates Trade Policies Review Division  
Trade Remedies Trade Remedies for Developing Countries Heads of 
Remedies Units Rules Division (20x3) 
60 
Rules Rules for selected Developing Countries Rules Division,  
UNCTAD (20x3) 
60 
Sub-total III   1777 
GRAND TOTAL   31789  WT/COMTD/W/119/Rev.3 
Page 42  
 
IV OTHER PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS11 
 
 
Region  
Partner  
Institutions/ 
Organizations 
  
Venue  
Description of the Activity   
WTO Divisions 
Cooperation with other bodies/organizations 
 
Arab and Middle 
East Countries IsDB  Trade Policy Courses for OIC Member Countries 
- French-speaking 
- English-speaking ITTC, WTO Divisions, 
other organizations experts 
Asia and  
Asia Pacific International 
Development Law Organization 
(IDLO)  Asia-Pacific Public International Trade Law Courses ITTC, WTO Divisions,  
other organizations experts 
Latin America Latin American 
Integration Agreement 
(ALADI)  Fourth Short Trade Policy Course for ALADI 
Members ITTC, 
Government of Spain 
Africa and Latin 
America International 
Centre for 
Advanced 
Mediterranean Agronomic Studies 
(CIHEAM)  The WTO and its impact on international agricultural 
marketing ITTC, 
CIHEAM 
Joint Vienna Institute (JVI)  First Applied Economic Policy Course Economic Research and Statistics Division; 
World Bank Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia and 
Caucasus Joint Vienna 
Institute (JVI)  Second Applied Economic Policy Course  Economic Research and Statistics Division; 
World Bank 
 
__________ 
 
                                                      
11 In addition to the activities listed in the Annex and which are mostly executed in partnership with other bodies and organizat ions, the WTO Secretariat regularly 
cooperates in the delivery of TRTA with its partners under specific partnership arrangements (e.g. MOUs) and which are containe d in this table.