RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
27 November 2023  
(23-8014) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  Original: English  
 
UPDATED SECRETARIAT WTO 2024 -2025 BUDGET PROPOSAL  AND 
DISPOSITION OF THE 2021 BUDGET SURPLUS  
In this document, the Secretariat updates its budget proposal from the versions circulated as 
WT/BFA/W/ 643 and WT/BFA/W/654  and proposes the disposition of the 2021 surplus . 
 
1  BUDGET PROPOSAL  
1.1.  The updated budget proposal is based on a 3.6% increase in the WTO regular budget, an 
increased contribution to the WTO Pension Fund of CHF 4.4 million  as recommended by the Pension 
Manage ment Board , and an increase of CHF 0.73 million for the International Trade Centre . The line -
by-line detail is presented in Table 1.  
1.2.  In addition, the Secretariat's budget proposal includes the use of CHF 2 million of the 2021 
surplus and the credit of the remaining CHF 4 million against Member contributions for 2024, as 
described in Table 2.  
Table 1 Budget 2024 -2025 (in kCHF)  
Part Section  Line 2023 
(ZNG)  2024 
Inc/Dec  2024 Stream -
lined 
Secre - 
tariat 
Proposal 
for 2024  2025 
Inc/Dec  2025 Stream -
lined 
Secre - 
tariat 
Proposal 
for 2025  
A Staffing 
Resources  1. Staff 
Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  88,520  3,250  91,770  95,525  1,600  93,370  97,125  
    ii) Staff Pension & Post -
Employment Benefits  23,480  4,400  27,880  27,880    27,880  27,880  
    iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  6,894  500 7,394  7,394  160 7,554  7,554  
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  10,871  250 11,121  11,121    11,121  11,121  
    v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  1,800  400 2,200  2,200    2,200  2,200  
  2. 
Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff 
(including interpreters)  9,850  -280 9,571  11,121    11,300  9,571  
    ii) Consulting  6,724  1,730  8,454  8,954  0 6,724  8,454  
    iii) Panellists  1,000    1,000  1,000    1,000  1,000  
A Staffing Resources Total  149,140  10,250  159,390  165,195  1,760  161,150  167,455  
B Other 
Resources  3. General 
Services  i) Telecommunication & 
Post 541   541 541   541 541 
    ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance  11,613  1,000  12,613  12,613    12,613  12,733  
    iii) Energy & Supplies  1,966  550 2,516  2,516    2,516  2,576  
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  1,458  100 1,558  1,558    1,558  1,558  
    v) Other / 
Miscellaneous  48   48 48   48 48 
  4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  7,393  0 7,393  8,143    7,393  8,143  
    ii) Hospitality  214   214 214   214 214 
  5. 
Implemen -
ting Partners  i) Implementing 
Partners  213   213 213   213 213 
  6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets  2,555    2,555  3,555  200 2,755  3,055  
    ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  540   540 540   540 540 WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Part Section  Line 2023 
(ZNG)  2024 
Inc/Dec  2024 Stream -
lined 
Secre - 
tariat 
Proposal 
for 2024  2025 
Inc/Dec  2025 Stream -
lined 
Secre - 
tariat 
Proposal 
for 2025  
  7. Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  880 -500 380 380   380 380 
    ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200    1,200  1,200    1,200  1,200  
B Other Resources Total  28,621  1,150  29,771  31,521  200 29,971  31,201  
C 
Operating 
Funds 
and ITC  8. Contribu -
tions to ITC 
& Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to ITC  18,243  725 18,968  18,968    18,968  18,968  
    iii) Ministerial 
Conference Operating 
Fund 600   600 600   600 600 
    iv) Building Renovation 
Fund 600   600 600   600 600 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total  19,443  725 20,168  20,168    20,168  20,168  
Grand Total    197,204  12,125  209,329  216,884  1,960  211,289  218,824  
-6.10%  -0.90%  
1.3.  The Secretariat acknowledges and agrees with the concerns raised by some Members that the 
actual expenditure for short -term staff is too high and expenditure for regular staff is too low within 
the overall staffing budget allocation. This imbalance is driv en by the tremendous budget uncertainty 
that the Secretariat faces with zero nominal growth budgeting, due to increased mandatory 
expenditures for regular staff and reductions in contributions actually paid by Members, which 
contributes to the increased us e of short -term staff. Despite this uncertainty, the Secretariat has 
already taken aggressive steps to reduce short -term staff. In that regard, in just one year, the 
Secretariat reduced the actual spending on short -term staff by 23% in 2023 compared to 202 2. 
1.4.  If Members see fit to minimize this budget uncertainty through adoption of the Secretariat's 
updated proposal in full, the Secretariat commits to further deeply reduce its spending on short -
term staff while increasing its spending on regular staff to be co nsistent with the budget allocations. 
The Secretariat's objective is to reach a level of expenditure for short -term staff in the next biennium 
that corresponds to routine short -term needs only, not functions that should be performed by regular 
staff. Membe rs will be able to see through quarterly reporting the Secretariat's progress in 
implementing this transition and meeting this commitment.  
2  DISPOSITION OF THE 2021 SURPLUS  
2.1.  In 2021, the Secretariat's budgetary result was a CHF 6 million surplus due to unders pending 
because of the continued effects of the pandemic  and sound management . The Secretariat's budget 
proposal includes the u se of the 2021 surplus for certain non -recurring expenses as well as the 
return of the lion's share of that surplus to Members as  a credit against their 2024 contributions.  
2.2.  Table 2 presents the proposed disposition of the 2021 surplus, which is comprised of certain 
non-recurring expenditures to be incurred in 2024 (CHF 1.5 million), certain non -recurring 
expenditures to be incurred in 2025 ( 0.5 million), and the credit of the remaining surplus to Members 
against 2024 Member contribution s (CHF 4 million).  
2.3.  The Secretariat hopes that this credit of the surplus to Members will help address the decline 
in the exchange rate experienced by many Members.   WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
- 3 - 
 
  Table 2 Disposition  of the 2021 Surplus  
Item  kCHF  
Credit to Members against 2024 contributions  4,000 
Non-recurring expenditures to be funded from the surplus in 2024  
Consultants on HR competency framework, skills gap analysis, benchmarking, job -families  
Security Equipment  
Software (Reform by Doing)  500  
700  
300  
Non-recurring expenditures to be funded from the surplus in 2025  
IT Consultants (Reform by Doing)  500  
Total  6,000  
 
3  SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2024  
Table 3 presents the updated scale of contributions for 2024 based on the Secretariat's budget 
proposal detailed above  in Table 1 , plus the credit of CHF 4 million against Member contributions in 
2024. As always, a Member's contribution is based on that Member's share of global trade, which 
may change from year to year.1  
  
 
1 See Financial Regulation 12.  WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
- 4 - 
 
  Table 3 Scale of Contributions for 2024  
Members  2023 
Contribution  
CHF 2023 
Contribution  
% 2024 
Contribution  
CHF 2024 
Contribution  
% Credit 
Surplus 
2021 for 
2024 
CHF 2024  
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Afghanistan  37,145  0.019%  37,350  0.018%  -720 36,630  
Albania  44,965  0.023%  47,725  0.023%  -920 46,805  
Angola  240,465  0.123%  238,625  0.115%  -4,600  234,025  
Antigua and Barbuda  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Argentina  637,330  0.326%  649,475  0.313%  -12,520  636,955  
Armenia  44,965  0.023%  47,725  0.023%  -920 46,805  
Australia  2,531,725  1.295%  2,682,975  1.293%  -51,720  2,631,255  
Austria  1,943,270  0.994%  2,062,550  0.994%  -39,760  2,022,790  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  224,825  0.115%  217,875  0.105%  -4,200  213,675  
Bangladesh  420,325  0.215%  460,650  0.222%  -8,880  451,770  
Barbados  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Belgium  3,626,525  1.855%  3,863,650  1.862%  -74,480  3,789,170  
Belize  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Benin  33,235  0.017%  35,275  0.017%  -680 34,595  
Bolivia, Plurinational 
State of  87,975  0.045%  89,225  0.043%  -1,720  87,505  
Botswana  60,605  0.031%  62,250  0.030%  -1,200  61,050  
Brazil  2,111,400  1.080%  2,288,725  1.103%  -44,120  2,244,605  
Brunei Darussalam  52,785  0.027%  62,250  0.030%  -1,200  61,050  
Bulgaria  340,170  0.174%  371,425  0.179%  -7,160  364,265  
Burkina Faso  39,100  0.020%  43,575  0.021%  -840 42,735  
Burundi  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Cabo Verde  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Cambodia  168,130  0.086%  188,825  0.091%  -3,640  185,185  
Cameroon  62,560  0.032%  66,400  0.032%  -1,280  65,120  
Canada  4,658,765  2.383%  4,878,325  2.351%  -94,040  4,784,285  
Central African 
Republic  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Chad 31,280  0.016%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Chile 662,745  0.339%  722,100  0.348%  -13,920  708,180  
China  21,031,890  10.758%  23,196,425  11.179%  -447,160  22,749,265  
Colombia  459,425  0.235%  479,325  0.231%  -9,240  470,085  
Congo  64,515  0.033%  51,875  0.025%  -1,000  50,875  
Costa Rica  172,040  0.088%  178,450  0.086%  -3,440  175,010  
Côte d'Ivoire  109,480  0.056%  118,275  0.057%  -2,280  115,995  
Croatia  244,375  0.125%  263,525  0.127%  -5,080  258,445  
Cuba 101,660  0.052%  95,450  0.046%  -1,840  93,610  
Cyprus  154,445  0.079%  172,225  0.083%  -3,320  168,905  
Czech Republic  1,460,385  0.747%  1,552,100  0.748%  -29,920  1,522,180  
Democratic Republic of 
the Congo  125,120  0.064%  141,100  0.068%  -2,720  138,380  
Denmark  1,554,225  0.795%  1,668,300  0.804%  -32,160  1,636,140  
Djibouti  33,235  0.017%  37,350  0.018%  -720 36,630  
Dominica  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Dominican Republic  173,995  0.089%  182,600  0.088%  -3,520  179,080  
Ecuador  199,410  0.102%  215,800  0.104%  -4,160  211,640  
Egypt  502,435  0.257%  545,725  0.263%  -10,520  535,205  
El Salvador  80,155  0.041%  85,075  0.041%  -1,640  83,435  
Estonia  181,815  0.093%  199,200  0.096%  -3,840  195,360  
Eswatini  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
European Union  0 0.000%  0 0.000%  0 0 
Fiji 29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
- 5 - 
 
  Members  2023 
Contribution  
CHF 2023 
Contribution  
% 2024 
Contribution  
CHF 2024 
Contribution  
% Credit 
Surplus 
2021 for 
2024 
CHF 2024  
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Finland  854,335  0.437%  910,925  0.439%  -17,560  893,365  
France  7,387,945  3.779%  7,625,625  3.675%  -147,000  7,478,625  
Gabon  46,920  0.024%  47,725  0.023%  -920 46,805  
The Gambia  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Georgia  74,290  0.038%  78,850  0.038%  -1,520  77,330  
Germany  14,058,405  7.191%  14,844,550  7.154%  -286,160  14,558,390  
Ghana  189,635  0.097%  199,200  0.096%  -3,840  195,360  
Greece  629,510  0.322%  688,900  0.332%  -13,280  675,620  
Grenada  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Guatemala  142,715  0.073%  153,550  0.074%  -2,960  150,590  
Guinea  43,010  0.022%  49,800  0.024%  -960 48,840  
Guinea -Bissau  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Guyana  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Haiti 29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Honduras  76,245  0.039%  83,000  0.040%  -1,600  81,400  
Hong Kong, China  5,501,370  2.814%  5,751,900  2.772%  -110,880  5,641,020  
Hungary  1,057,655  0.541%  1,126,725  0.543%  -21,720  1,105,005  
Iceland  86,020  0.044%  87,150  0.042%  -1,680  85,470  
India 4,576,655  2.341%  4,969,625  2.395%  -95,800  4,873,825  
Indonesia  1,626,560  0.832%  1,745,075  0.841%  -33,640  1,711,435  
Ireland  3,669,535  1.877%  4,110,575  1.981%  -79,240  4,031,335  
Israel  907,120  0.464%  979,400  0.472%  -18,880  960,520  
Italy 4,940,285  2.527%  5,197,875  2.505%  -100,200  5,097,675  
Jamaica  50,830  0.026%  51,875  0.025%  -1,000  50,875  
Japan  7,411,405  3.791%  7,652,600  3.688%  -147,520  7,505,080  
Jordan  152,490  0.078%  153,550  0.074%  -2,960  150,590  
Kazakhstan  432,055  0.221%  473,100  0.228%  -9,120  463,980  
Kenya  123,165  0.063%  128,650  0.062%  -2,480  126,170  
Korea, Republic of  5,350,835  2.737%  5,654,375  2.725%  -109,000  5,545,375  
Kuwait, the State of  512,210  0.262%  531,200  0.256%  -10,240  520,960  
Kyrgyz Republic  33,235  0.017%  35,275  0.017%  -680 34,595  
Lao People's 
Democratic Republic  56,695  0.029%  58,100  0.028%  -1,120  56,980  
Latvia  170,085  0.087%  186,750  0.090%  -3,600  183,150  
Lesotho  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Liberia  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Liechtenstein  66,470  0.034%  70,550  0.034%  -1,360  69,190  
Lithuania  318,665  0.163%  356,900  0.172%  -6,880  350,020  
Luxembourg  1,059,610  0.542%  1,153,700  0.556%  -22,240  1,131,460  
Macao, China  230,690  0.118%  230,325  0.111%  -4,440  225,885  
Madagascar  33,235  0.017%  35,275  0.017%  -680 34,595  
Malawi  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Malaysia  1,837,700  0.940%  1,927,675  0.929%  -37,160  1,890,515  
Maldives  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Mali 41,055  0.021%  43,575  0.021%  -840 42,735  
Malta  158,355  0.081%  180,525  0.087%  -3,480  177,045  
Mauritania  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Mauritius  50,830  0.026%  47,725  0.023%  -920 46,805  
Mexico  3,935,415  2.013%  4,245,450  2.046%  -81,840  4,163,610  
Moldova, Republic of  39,100  0.020%  43,575  0.021%  -840 42,735  
Mongolia  64,515  0.033%  70,550  0.034%  -1,360  69,190  
Montenegro  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Morocco  381,225  0.195%  406,700  0.196%  -7,840  398,860  WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
- 6 - 
 
  Members  2023 
Contribution  
CHF 2023 
Contribution  
% 2024 
Contribution  
CHF 2024 
Contribution  
% Credit 
Surplus 
2021 for 
2024 
CHF 2024  
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Mozambique  60,605  0.031%  64,325  0.031%  -1,240  63,085  
Myanmar  136,850  0.070%  136,950  0.066%  -2,640  134,310  
Namibia  43,010  0.022%  43,575  0.021%  -840 42,735  
Nepal  62,560  0.032%  68,475  0.033%  -1,320  67,155  
Netherlands  5,778,980  2.956%  6,135,775  2.957%  -118,280  6,017,495  
New Zealand  465,290  0.238%  483,475  0.233%  -9,320  474,155  
Nicaragua  52,785  0.027%  53,950  0.026%  -1,040  52,910  
Niger  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Nigeria  523,940  0.268%  551,950  0.266%  -10,640  541,310  
North Macedonia  66,470  0.034%  72,625  0.035%  -1,400  71,225  
Norway  1,178,865  0.603%  1,257,450  0.606%  -24,240  1,233,210  
Oman  304,980  0.156%  332,000  0.160%  -6,400  325,600  
Pakistan  373,405  0.191%  402,550  0.194%  -7,760  394,790  
Panama  220,915  0.113%  222,025  0.107%  -4,280  217,745  
Papua New Guinea  60,605  0.031%  70,550  0.034%  -1,360  69,190  
Paraguay  109,480  0.056%  120,350  0.058%  -2,320  118,030  
Peru 422,280  0.216%  454,425  0.219%  -8,760  445,665  
Philippines  871,930  0.446%  904,700  0.436%  -17,440  887,260  
Poland  2,537,590  1.298%  2,705,800  1.304%  -52,160  2,653,640  
Portugal  817,190  0.418%  863,200  0.416%  -16,640  846,560  
Qatar  633,420  0.324%  659,850  0.318%  -12,720  647,130  
Romania  834,785  0.427%  910,925  0.439%  -17,560  893,365  
Russian Federation  3,210,110  1.642%  3,496,375  1.685%  -67,400  3,428,975  
Rwanda  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Saint Lucia  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Samoa  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom 
of 1,839,655  0.941%  1,931,825  0.931%  -37,240  1,894,585  
Senegal  48,875  0.025%  49,800  0.024%  -960 48,840  
Seychelles  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Sierra Leone  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Singapore  4,885,545  2.499%  5,289,175  2.549%  -101,960  5,187,215  
Slovak Republic  795,685  0.407%  838,300  0.404%  -16,160  822,140  
Slovenia  342,125  0.175%  371,425  0.179%  -7,160  364,265  
Solomon Islands  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
South Africa  856,290  0.438%  902,625  0.435%  -17,400  885,225  
Spain  3,753,600  1.920%  3,915,525  1.887%  -75,480  3,840,045  
Sri Lanka  179,860  0.092%  180,525  0.087%  -3,480  177,045  
Suriname  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Sweden  2,023,425  1.035%  2,141,400  1.032%  -41,280  2,100,120  
Switzerland  3,763,375  1.925%  3,992,300  1.924%  -76,960  3,915,340  
Chinese Taipei  3,014,610  1.542%  3,247,375  1.565%  -62,600  3,184,775  
Tajikistan  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Tanzania  80,155  0.041%  80,925  0.039%  -1,560  79,365  
Thailand  2,387,055  1.221%  2,465,100  1.188%  -47,520  2,417,580  
Togo 29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Tonga  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Trinidad and Tobago  78,200  0.040%  78,850  0.038%  -1,520  77,330  
Tunisia  172,040  0.088%  178,450  0.086%  -3,440  175,010  
Türkiye  1,978,460  1.012%  2,116,500  1.020%  -40,800  2,075,700  WT/BFA/W/ 659 
 
- 7 - 
 
  Members  2023 
Contribution  
CHF 2023 
Contribution  
% 2024 
Contribution  
CHF 2024 
Contribution  
% Credit 
Surplus 
2021 for 
2024 
CHF 2024  
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Uganda  60,605  0.031%  64,325  0.031%  -1,240  63,085  
Ukraine  523,940  0.268%  581,000  0.280%  -11,200  569,800  
United Arab Emirates  2,963,780  1.516%  3,025,350  1.458%  -58,320  2,967,030  
United Kingdom  7,274,555  3.721%  7,579,975  3.653%  -146,120  7,433,855  
United States of 
America  22,808,985  11.667%  23,708,950  11.426%  -457,040  23,251,910  
Uruguay  125,120  0.064%  130,725  0.063%  -2,520  128,205  
Vanuatu  29,325  0.015%  31,125  0.015%  -600 30,525  
Venezuela, Bolivarian 
Republic of  404,685  0.207%  302,950  0.146%  -5,840  297,110  
Viet Nam  2,107,490  1.078%  2,373,800  1.144%  -45,760  2,328,040  
Yemen  62,560  0.032%  39,425  0.019%  -760 38,665  
Zambia  72,335  0.037%  76,775  0.037%  -1,480  75,295  
Zimbabwe  46,920  0.024%  47,725  0.023%  -920 46,805  
TOTAL  195,500,000  100.0000%  207,500,000  100.000%  -4,000,000  203,500,000  
 
4  MISCELLANEOUS INCOME  
4.1.  Table 4 presents Miscellaneous Income for 2024 -2025. 
Table 4 Miscellaneous Income  2024 -2025  
Item  Projected Misc. Income 
2024  Projected Misc. Income 
2025  
Contributions of Observer Countries  620,000  640,000  
Sale of Publications & Royalties  250,000  250,000  
Trust Fund - Participation to direct costs  190,000  190,000  
Refund of prior year's expenditure  200,000  200,000  
Rental of meeting rooms & office space  100,000  140,000  
Other  468,900  468,900  
Total  1,828,900  1,888,900  
 
 
__________