RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/1 92 
7 December  2020 
(20-8755) Page: 1/2 
   
 
  
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 20 20 OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET,  
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
1.1.  In accordance with the procedures for an annual overview of World Trade Organization (WTO) 
activities, adopted by the General Council on 15  November 1995 (WT/GC/M/8, item 11), a report 
on the activities of the Committee  on Budget, Finance and Administratio n (CBFA)  in 2020 is hereby 
submitted.  
1.2.  In 20 20, the CBFA  held 7 formal and 2 informal meetings  and submitted  seven reports1 to the 
General  Council. The CBFA reviewed and took note of regular items such as the quarterly  reports on 
the financial and extra-budgetary situation of the Organization ; the 2020 WTO Salary Survey and 
Dependency Allowances; updates from the Chair person  of the WTO Pension Plan Management 
Board; the Report on the Status of the Implementation of the External Audit Recommendations; an 
update on the WTO Medical Insurance Plan and ASHI; the 2018 and 2019 Annual Report on Grading 
Structure in the WTO Secretariat, the Annual Strategic Facilities Plan; the Report of the Office of 
Internal Oversight for 2019 -2020; the Annual Report on Diversit y in the WTO Secretariat for 2019 
as well as an Update on WTO Secretariat's Training in Standards of Conduct . 
1.3.  The CBFA  took note of  outstanding contributions from Members and Observers  and invited the 
General Council to urge Members and Observers under Adm inistrative Measures to  liquidate their 
arrears.  Furthermore, the Chairman of the CBFA read out the list of Members and Observers under 
Administrative Measures at every General Council meeting. In related matter, t he CBFA considered 
a proposed Payment Plan  for Niger to address its arrears and to suspend applicable Administrative 
Measures and submitted a recommendation to the General Council for approval.  
1.4.  The CBFA discussed a proposal for a Financial Regulation that would enable continuation of 
operations pending the approval of the budget.  This was not concluded upon.  
1.5.  The CBFA took note of the Reports of the Office of Internal Oversight on the status of the 
implementation of the Internal Audit Recommendations and on the review of Appellate Body 
Members' and Panellists' fees. 
1.6.  The CBFA  reviewed the 2019 WTO Audited Financial Statements and the External Auditor's 
Report and recommended that the General Council appro ve the 201 9 WTO Audited Financial 
Statements . In addition, t he CBFA  proposed that the  General Council approve transfers between 
budgetary sections as outlined in the 2019 WTO Financial Performance Report.  
1.7.  The CBFA  submitted a recommendation to the General Council to approv e the transfer of the 
2019 budgetary surplus to the Working Capital Fund .  
1.8.  The CBFA  examined the budget proposals of the International Trade Center (ITC) and the WTO  
for 2021  and recommended them for approval by  the General Council . 
1.9.  Other topics discussed and noted by the CBFA were C oherence in the Establishment and 
Management of WTO Trust Funds; Enhancing Strategic Planning and Horizontal Coordination in the 
 
1 WT/BFA/1 85/Rev.1  covering the meeting held on 9 March  2020; WT/BFA/1 86 covering the meeting of 
3 June 2020, WT/BFA/ 187 covering the meeting s of 23 June and 7 July 2020, WT/BFA/1 88 covering the 
meeting of 17 September 20 20; WT/BFA/1 89 covering the meeting of 5 October 20 20, WT/BFA/1 90 covering 
the meeting of 22 October and WT/BFA/191 covering the meeting of 19 November 2020 . WT/BFA/192  
 
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  WTO;  Enhancing Output Reporting ; the amendment to Staff Rule 103.1 ; and the planned update of 
the online document platform.  
1.10.  Regular updates of the outcomes of the WTO Secretariat Health Task Force regarding the 
COVID -19 situation were given.  
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