RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
9 November  2020 
(20-8002) Page: 1/20 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021 WTO BUDGET PROPOSAL1 
Revision  
 
 
 
  
 
1 Due to rounding of figures in various tables and summary charts, minor differences can result between 
subtotals and totals.  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  4 
2   BUDGET PROPOSAL 2021  ................................ ................................ ...........................  4 
2.1   Miscellaneous Income  ................................ ................................ ...............................  6 
2.2   Assessed Contributions from Members  ................................ ................................ .........  6 
3   WTO CONSOLIDATED BUDGE T PROPOSAL BY SECTION  ................................ ............  10 
3.1   Part A - Staffing Resources  ................................ ................................ ......................  10 
3.1.1   Staff Expenditure  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 10 
3.1.2   Staff Remuneration  ................................ ................................ ..............................  10 
3.1.3   Other Staff Expenditure  ................................ ................................ ........................  12 
3.1.4   Temporary Assistance  ................................ ................................ ..........................  12 
3.1.5   Consulting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  13 
3.1.6   Panellists  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  13 
3.2   Part B - Other Resources  ................................ ................................ .........................  14 
3.2.1   General Services  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 14 
3.2.2   Telecommunication and Post  ................................ ................................ .................  14 
3.2.3   Contractual Services and Maintenance  ................................ ................................ .... 14 
3.2.4   Energy and Supplies  ................................ ................................ .............................  15 
3.2.5   Documentation and Publications  ................................ ................................ .............  15 
3.2.6   Other/Miscellaneous  ................................ ................................ .............................  15 
3.2.7   Travel and Hospitality  ................................ ................................ ...........................  15 
3.2.8   Implementing Partners  ................................ ................................ .........................  16 
3.2.9   Capital Expenditure  ................................ ................................ ..............................  17 
3.2.10    Financial Expenditure  ................................ ................................ ..........................  18 
3.3   Part C - Operating Funds & ITC  ................................ ................................ .................  18 
4   BUDGET BY OUTPUT CHAPTER  ................................ ................................ ..................  19 
4.1   2021 Budget Proposals by Output Chapter  ................................ ................................ . 19 
4.2   Facilitating Negotiations  ................................ ................................ ..........................  19 
4.3   Administering Agreed W TO Rules  ................................ ................................ ..............  19 
4.4   Monitoring Trade Policies  ................................ ................................ .........................  19 
4.5   Settling Disputes  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 19 
4.6   Capacity Building  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 19 
4.7   Assisting Accessions  ................................ ................................ ................................  20 
4.8   Conducting Research  ................................ ................................ ..............................  20 
4.9   Reaching Out  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  20 
 
  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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TABLES AND FIGURES  
 
TABLE 1 2021 BUDGET ESTIMATES  ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
TABLE 2 2021 BUDGETED INCOME  ................................ ................................ .....................  4 
TABLE 3 2021 PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED WTO BUDGET  ................................ ......................  5 
TABLE 4 2021 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME BUDGET  ................................ ................................  6 
TABLE 5 SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2021  ................................ ................................ .... 6 
TABLE 6 SECTION 1: STAFF EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................ ........  10 
TABLE 7 STAFF PENSION AND POST -EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS  ................................ ..............  10 
TABLE 8 STAFF HEALTH AND INVALIDITY INSURANCE  ................................ ........................  11 
TABLE 9 STAFF FAMILY AND INTERNATIONAL BENEFITS  ................................ ......................  11 
TABLE 10 OTHER STAFF  EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................ .............  12 
TABLE 11 SECTION 2: TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE  ................................ ................................  12 
TABLE 12 SHORT -TERM STAFF  ................................ ................................ .........................  12 
TABLE 13 CONSULTING  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 13 
TABLE 14 PANELLISTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 13 
TABLE 15 SECTION 3: GENERAL SERVICES  ................................ ................................ ....... 14 
TABLE 16 SECTION 4: TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY  ................................ ..............................  15 
TABLE 17 SECTION 5: IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS  ................................ ..............................  16 
TABLE 18 SECTION 6: CAPITAL EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................ ... 17 
TABLE 19 SECTION 7: FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................  18 
TABLE 20 SECTION 8: CONTRIBUTIONS TO ITC A ND SPECIAL RESERVES  ..............................  18 
TABLE 21 BUDGET PROPOSALS 2021 REVISED BY OUTPUT CHAPTER  ................................ .... 19 
 WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION   
1.1.  As Members may recall, having been presented with the 2020/2021 budget in 2019, the 
General Council approved the 2020 WTO Budget and took note of the 2021 WTO Budget. It was  
agreed that the 2021 budget would be subject to finalization in 2020.  
1.2.  In keeping with the decision of Members, the Director -General is presenting the budget of the 
WTO for 2021.  
1.3.  The 2021 budget retains the zero nominal growth budget approach that has been  in place since 
2011.  Some adjustments have been made to the 2021 budget allocations that were noted by 
Members in December 2019. These adjustments take expenditure patterns in 2020 into account 
including in the context of the ongoing effects of the COVID -19 pandemic and the cessation of active 
Appellate Body proceedings.  
1.4.  In view of the above, the tables for 2021 have been modified to show adjustments made to 
the 2021 budget figures that were presented to Members in late 2019.  
1.5.  As in previous periods, the financial situation will continue to be closely assessed and necessary 
measures taken to exercise prudent and diligent management and stewardship of the Secretariat . 
2  BUDGET PROPOSAL 2021  
2.1.  The Director -General hereby submits the budget  proposal for the income and expenditure of  
the World Trade  Organization (WTO) for the year 2021. The budget proposal has been prepared in 
accordance with the Financial Regulations of the WTO  (WT/L/156/Rev.3).  
Table 1 2021 Budget Estimates  
(in thous ands of Swiss Francs)  
Secretariat  2021 Consolidated Budget  
WTO 178,961  
ITC 18,243  
Grand Total  197,204  
 
Table 2 2021 Budgeted Income  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Income  2021 Budgeted Income  
Contributions from WTO Members  195,500  
Miscellaneous Income  1,704  
Grand Total  197,204  
 
2.2.   The proposed  budget amount of CHF 19 7,203,900 for 2021 is  to be funded as  follows:  
a. By contributions from Members amounting to CHF 19 5,500,000; and  
b. By miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,703,900.  
 
2.3.  Members' contributions are assessed on the basis of annually updated trade statistics, in 
accordance with Financial Regulation  12. Contributions from Members are considered due and 
payable in full on 1  January 2021. 
2.4.  Table 3 presents the budget for 2021 that was presented to Members in 2019 in column D , 
adjustments made are shown in column E; and the Restated  Proposed 2021 WTO Budget is shown 
in column F.  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  Table 3 2021 Proposed Consolidated WTO Budget  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Part 
(Column 
A) Section  
(Column B) Budget Line 
(Column C) 2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  
(Column D) Adjustments  
(Column E) Restated 2021  
Budget 
(Column F) 
A Staffing 
Resources  1. Staff 
Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  88,520  0 88,520  
    ii) Staff Pension & Post -
Employment Benefits  23,230  150 23,380  
    iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance  6,794  0 6,794  
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  10,971  0 10,971  
    v) Other Staff Expenditure  1,900  0 1,900  
  2. Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  9,850  0 9,850  
    ii) Consulting  5,818  306 6,124  
    iii) Panellists2 1,606  -306 1,300  
A Staffing Resources Total   148,690  150 148,840  
B Other 
Resources  3. General 
Services  i) Telecommunication & Post  641 0 641 
    ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance  11,163  450 11,613  
    iii) Energy & Supplies  2,066  0 2,066  
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  1,458  0 1,458  
    v) Other / Miscellaneous  48 0 48 
  4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  7,393  600 7,993  
    ii) Hospitality  214 0 214 
  5. 
Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing Partners  213 0 213 
  6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets  1,455  800 2,255  
    ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  640 0 640 
  7. Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest Charges  580 0 580 
    ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  0 1,200  
B Other Resources Total    27,071  1,850  28,921  
C 
Operating 
Funds and 
ITC 8. 
Contributions 
to ITC & 
Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to ITC  18,243  0 18,243  
    ii) Appellate Body Operating 
Fund 2,000  -2,000  0 
    iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund  600 0 600 
    iv) Building Renovation Fund  600 0 600 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total   21,443  -2,000  19,443  
Grand Total     197,204  0 197,204  
 
 
 
 
  
 
2 For details please refer to Table 14.  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  2.1  Miscellaneous Income  
Table 4 2021 Miscellaneous Income Budget  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Item  2021 
Budget  
Contributions of Observer Countries  600 
Sale of Publications & Royalties  270 
Trust Fund - Allocation from Program 
Support Fund3  190 
Refund of prior year's expenditure  180 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space  125 
Other  339 
Total  1,704  
 
2.5.  The miscellaneous income for 2021 is projected to be CHF  1,703,900.  
2.2  Assessed Contributions from Members  
2.6.  The proposed assessed contributions from Members amount to CHF 19 5,500,000 for 202 1. The 
following draft scale of contributions has been prepared based on a minimum possible contribution 
of 0.015% of the total budget as per Financial Regulation  12. 
Table 5 Scale of Contributions for 2021 
(in Swiss Francs)  
Member  2020  
Contribution  
CHF 2020  
Contribution  
% 2021  
Contribution  
CHF 2021  
Contribution  
% 
Afghanistan  44,965  0.023%  41,055  0.021%  
Albania  41,055  0.021%  43,010  0.022%  
Angola  379,270  0.194%  326,485  0.167%  
Antigua and Barbuda  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Argentina  719,440  0.368%  692,070  0.354%  
Armenia  39,100  0.020%  41,055  0.021%  
Australia  2,553,230  1.306%  2,521,950  1.290%  
Austria  1,917,855  0.981%  1,927,630  0.986%  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  238,510  0.122%  230,690  0.118%  
Bangladesh  365,585  0.187%  391,000  0.200%  
Barbados  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Belgium  3,663,670  1.874%  3,587,425  1.835%  
Belize  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Benin  29,325  0.015%  31,280  0.016%  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  101,660  0.052%  99,705  0.051%  
Botswana  72,335  0.037%  68,425  0.035%  
Brazil  2,287,350  1.170%  2,189,600  1.120%  
Brunei Darussalam  62,560  0.032%  54,740  0.028%  
Bulgaria  318,665  0.163%  324,530  0.166%  
Burkina Faso  33,235  0.017%  35,190  0.018%  
Burundi  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Cabo Verde  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Cambodia  129,030  0.066%  140,760  0.072%  
Cameroon  68,425  0.035%  66,470  0.034%  
 
3 Programme Support Costs are charged at a rate of 13% of the direct costs incurred by Trust Funds 
administered by the WTO. The amount is transferred to the Progra mme Support Fund (PSF).  The WTO may 
allocate a portion of the Programme Support Costs to Trust Funds that it manages with implementing partners.  
Subsequently, 10% of the flows into the Programme Support Fund are transferred to the regular budget as a 
contribution to overheads incurred .  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  Member  2020  
Contribution  
CHF 2020  
Contribution  
% 2021  
Contribution  
CHF 2021  
Contribution  
% 
Canada  4,838,625  2.475%  4,779,975  2.445%  
Central African Republic  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Chad 39,100  0.020%  39,100  0.020%  
Chile 703,800  0.360%  684,250  0.350%  
China  20,142,365  10.303%  20,419,975  10.445%  
Colombia  531,760  0.272%  502,435  0.257%  
Congo  70,380  0.036%  70,380  0.036%  
Costa Rica  158,355  0.081%  162,265  0.083%  
Côte d'Ivoire  109,480  0.056%  107,525  0.055%  
Croatia  230,690  0.118%  232,645  0.119%  
Cuba 129,030  0.066%  121,210  0.062%  
Cyprus  123,165  0.063%  136,850  0.070%  
Czech Republic  1,405,645  0.719%  1,431,060  0.732%  
Democratic Republic of the Congo  113,390  0.058%  119,255  0.061%  
Denmark  1,515,125  0.775%  1,509,260  0.772%  
Djibouti  29,325  0.015%  31,280  0.016%  
Dominica  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Dominican Republic  168,130  0.086%  172,040  0.088%  
Ecuador  218,960  0.112%  213,095  0.109%  
Egypt  490,705  0.251%  496,570  0.254%  
El Salvador  80,155  0.041%  80,155  0.041%  
Estonia  175,950  0.090%  175,950  0.090%  
Eswatini  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
European Union4 0  0.000%  0  0.000%  
Fiji 29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Finland  862,155  0.441%  850,425  0.435%  
France  7,466,145  3.819%  7,458,325  3.815%  
Gabon  66,470  0.034%  64,515  0.033%  
The Gambia  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Georgia  70,380  0.036%  72,335  0.037%  
Germany  13,976,295  7.149%  14,031,035  7.177%  
Ghana  168,130  0.086%  172,040  0.088%  
Greece  631,465  0.323%  635,375  0.325%  
Grenada  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Guatemala  148,580  0.076%  142,715  0.073%  
Guinea  29,325  0.015%  31,280  0.016%  
Guinea -Bissau  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Guyana  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Haiti 29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Honduras  76,245  0.039%  78,200  0.040%  
Hong Kong, China  5,548,290  2.838%  5,575,660  2.852%  
Hungary  1,008,780  0.516%  1,024,420  0.524%  
Iceland  80,155  0.041%  86,020  0.044%  
India 4,455,445  2.279%  4,510,185  2.307%  
Indonesia  1,673,480  0.856%  1,657,840  0.848%  
Ireland  2,619,700  1.340%  2,955,960  1.512%  
Israel  856,290  0.438%  860,200  0.440%  
Italy 5,075,180  2.596%  5,034,125  2.575%  
Jamaica  50,830  0.026%  52,785  0.027%  
Japan  7,673,375  3.925%  7,599,085  3.887%  
Jordan  168,130  0.086%  164,220  0.084%  
 
4 The European Union is not subject to contributions. However, its 27 members are assessed 
individually. The total share of members of the European Union represents 30.45 % of the total assessed 
contributions for 202 1. WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  Member  2020  
Contribution  
CHF 2020  
Contribution  
% 2021  
Contribution  
CHF 2021  
Contribution  
% 
Kazakhstan                               508,300  0.260%  461,380  0.236%  
Kenya  125,120  0.064%  123,165  0.063%  
Korea, Republic of  5,669,500  2.900%  5,577,615  2.853%  
Kuwait, the State of  594,320  0.304%  568,905  0.291%  
Kyrgyz Republic  37,145  0.019%  35,190  0.018%  
Lao People's Democratic Republic  46,920  0.024%  52,785  0.027%  
Latvia  160,310  0.082%  164,220  0.084%  
Lesotho  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Liberia  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Liechtenstein  64,515  0.033%  62,560  0.032%  
Lithuania  322,575  0.165%  310,845  0.159%  
Luxembourg  999,005  0.511%  1,018,555  0.521%  
Macao, China  258,060  0.132%  256,105  0.131%  
Madagascar  33,235  0.017%  33,235  0.017%  
Malawi  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Malaysia  1,923,720  0.984%  1,896,350  0.970%  
Maldives  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Mali 35,190  0.018%  35,190  0.018%  
Malta  148,580  0.076%  152,490  0.078%  
Mauritania  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Mauritius  56,695  0.029%  54,740  0.028%  
Mexico  3,802,475  1.945%  3,884,585  1.987%  
Moldova, Republic of  35,190  0.018%  37,145  0.019%  
Mongolia  54,740  0.028%  56,695  0.029%  
Montenegro  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Morocco  361,675  0.185%  371,450  0.190%  
Mozambique  66,470  0.034%  64,515  0.033%  
Myanmar  127,075  0.065%  134,895  0.069%  
Namibia  48,875  0.025%  48,875  0.025%  
Nepal  50,830  0.026%  56,695  0.029%  
Netherlands  5,732,060  2.932%  5,741,835  2.937%  
New Zealand  465,290  0.238%  467,245  0.239%  
Nicaragua  56,695  0.029%  54,740  0.028%  
Niger  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Nigeria  586,500  0.300%  543,490  0.278%  
North Macedonia  56,695  0.029%  60,605  0.031%  
Norway  1,348,950  0.690%  1,282,480  0.656%  
Oman  365,585  0.187%  342,125  0.175%  
Pakistan  357,765  0.183%  369,495  0.189%  
Panama  252,195  0.129%  242,420  0.124%  
Papua New Guinea  62,560  0.032%  60,605  0.031%  
Paraguay  113,390  0.058%  113,390  0.058%  
Peru 416,415  0.213%  418,370  0.214%  
Philippines  768,315  0.393%  821,100  0.420%  
Poland  2,228,700  1.140%  2,326,450  1.190%  
Portugal  787,865  0.403%  803,505  0.411%  
Qatar  746,810  0.382%  703,800  0.360%  
Romania  725,305  0.371%  766,360  0.392%  
Russian Federation  3,657,805  1.871%  3,407,565  1.743%  
Rwanda  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Lucia  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Samoa  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  Member  2020  
Contribution  
CHF 2020  
Contribution  
% 2021  
Contribution  
CHF 2021  
Contribution  
% 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  2,162,230  1.106%  2,037,110  1.042%  
Senegal  48,875  0.025%  50,830  0.026%  
Seychelles                               29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Sierra Leone  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Singapore  4,744,785  2.427%  4,803,435  2.457%  
Slovak Republic  780,045  0.399%  783,955  0.401%  
Slovenia  310,845  0.159%  324,530  0.166%  
Solomon Islands  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
South Africa  936,445  0.479%  905,165  0.463%  
Spain  3,714,500  1.900%  3,782,925  1.935%  
Sri Lanka  181,815  0.093%  187,680  0.096%  
Suriname  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Sweden  2,056,660  1.052%  2,037,110  1.042%  
Switzerland  3,687,130  1.886%  3,573,740  1.828%  
Chinese Taipei  3,286,355  1.681%  3,165,145  1.619%  
Tajikistan  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Tanzania  93,840  0.048%  87,975  0.045%  
Thailand  2,404,650  1.230%  2,389,010  1.222%  
Togo 29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Tonga  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Trinidad and Tobago  107,525  0.055%  97,750  0.050%  
Tunisia  191,590  0.098%  183,770  0.094%  
Turkey  2,009,740  1.028%  2,050,795  1.049%  
Uganda  52,785  0.027%  54,740  0.028%  
Ukraine  561,085  0.287%  508,300  0.260%  
United Arab Emirates  3,102,585  1.587%  3,059,575  1.565%  
United Kingdom  7,399,675  3.785%  7,473,965  3.823%  
United States of America  22,855,905  11.691%  22,949,745  11.739%  
Uruguay  138,805  0.071%  130,985  0.067%  
Vanuatu  29,325  0.015%  29,325  0.015%  
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of  568,905  0.291%  559,130  0.286%  
Viet Nam  1,583,550  0.810%  1,757,545  0.899%  
Yemen  80,155  0.041%  78,200  0.040%  
Zambia  86,020  0.044%  80,155  0.041%  
Zimbabwe                                 52,785  0.027%  50,830  0.026%  
TOTAL  195,500,000  100.0000%  195,500,000  100.000%  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3  WTO CONSOLIDATED BUDGET PROPOSAL BY SECTION  
3.1.  The Budget  is divided into three parts: Part A - Staffing Resources ; Part B - Other Resources ; 
and Part C - Operating Funds & the International Trade Centre ( ITC). Part C  comprises the WTO's 
contribution  to the  budget of the  ITC as well as the funding of the  Ministerial Conference Operating 
Fund and the  Building Renovation Fund.  In the following  sections , the adjustments made to the 2021 
WTO Budget , which  was presented to Members in 2019 , to arrive at the restated 2021 WTO Budget , 
are explained.  
3.1  Part A - Staffi ng Resources  
3.2.  Staffing resources  comprise s the expenditure for staff funded through the regular budget. This 
includes salary, pension, health insurance, death and invalidity insurance, staff benefits,  and 
expenditure related to travel on recruitment or sepa ration, removal and installation. Expenditure for 
short-term staff, consultants and panellists  also fall under  this part of the budget.  
3.1.1   Staff Expenditure  
Table 6 Section 1: Staff Expenditure  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2021 Budget 
Presented  in 
2019  Adjustment s Restated 2021 
Budget  
1. Staff 
Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  88,520  0 88,520  
  ii) Staff Pension & Post -
Employment Benefits  23,230  150 23,380  
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance  6,794  0 6,794  
  iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits  10,971  0 10,971  
  v) Other Staff Expenditure  1,900  0 1,900  
Grand Total    131,415  150 131,565  
 
3.1.2   Staff Remuneration  
3.3.  Staff Remuneration covers the expenditure for salaries of regular staff as well as overtime paid 
to fixed -term staff and outstanding leave payments at separation from service. There are 
645.5  approved posts to be funded from the regular budget. This number  of posts has remained 
unchanged since 2012.  
3.4.  The allocation u nder Staff Remuneration  is based on the established salary methodology 
(WT/GC/M/63) and the provision for the Performance Appraisal System (WT/GC/M/80) amounting 
to 2% of the budgeted base salar y. A minimum vacancy rate of 6% of overall posts is required in 
order to stay within budget . This budget allocation also allows for recruiting temporary staff as a 
replacement for vacant posts. The recruitment process for filling a post is quite long, invo lving an 
expression of interest, followed by an internal vacancy and afterwards an external vacancy, which 
can take between five and nine months before the new staff member is on the post. This budget 
allocation is to be cross -referenced with paragraph 3.1 0 under Temporary Assistance.  
3.1.2.1   Staff Pension and Post -Employment Benefits  
Table 7 Staff Pension and Post -Employment Benefits  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account 
Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 2019  Adjustment s Restated 2021 
Budget  
ii) Staff Pension & Post -
Employment Benefits  Staff / Pension  19,355  0 19,355  
  Staff / Retiree Health 
Insurance  3,875  150 4,025  
Grand Total    23,230  150 23,380  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3.5.  Staff Pension and Post -Employment Benefits relates to the WTO's pension contribution s for 
regular staff as well as to the health insurance contributions for retired staff. The WTO pension 
contributions amount to 23.7% of the pensionable remuneration. Of this, staff members contribute 
7.9% and Members contribute 15.8%.  
3.6.  The evolution of the health insurance premiums for retirees is driven by two elements: the 
actual increase of the premium and the increase in the number of retirees.  The initially projected 
increase in the health insurance premium for retirees was 7%.  Due to the COVID -19 crisis and the 
projected increase in the number of retirements in 2021, the allocation to the premium has been 
revised upwards by  15% over 2020 , an amount of  CHF 150,000.  
3.1.2.2   Staff Health and Invalidity  Insurance  
Table 8 Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2021 Budget  
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 Budget  
iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  Staff / Health Insurance  6,297  0 6,297  
  Death and Invalidity 
Insurance  497 0 497 
Grand Total    6,794  0 6,794  
 
3.7.  Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance relates to the health insurance contributions for 
fixed-term staff and their dependents; death and invalidity insurance premiums; and insurance 
premiums for service -incurred accidents . No changes are projected compared to the budget 
presented in 2019.  
3.1.2.3   Staff Family and International Benefits  
Table 9 Staff Family and International Benefits  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 2021 
Budget  
iv) Staff Family & 
International 
Benefits  Staff / Child Allowance  3,311  0 3,311  
  Staff / Spouse Allowance  1,609  0 1,609  
  Staff / Secondary 
Dependence Allowance  340 0 340 
  Staff / Education Grant  4,062  0 4,062  
  Staff / Home Leave  1,336  0 1,336  
  Staff / Rental Subsidy  314 0 314 
Grand Total    10,971  0 10,971  
 
3.8.  Staff Family and International Benefits include  child allowance, spouse allowance and 
secondary dependence allowance, as well as  rental subsidy, home leave and education grant for 
eligible staff members.  No changes are foreseen under this item.  
  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3.1.3   Other Sta ff Expenditure  
Table 10 Other Staff Expenditure  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 2021 
Budget  
v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  Staff / Travel and Removal  474 0 474 
  Staff / Installation Grant & 
Medical Examinations  285 0 285 
  Staff / Separation Grant  652 0 652 
  Staff / Negotiated 
Termination Indemnity  140 0 140 
  Staff / US Taxes  350 0 350 
Grand Total    1,900  0 1,900  
 
3.9.  Other Staff Expenditure includes the following elements for eligible staff: installation grant; 
negotiated termination indemnities; separation grants; expenditure for travel and removal at 
appointment and termination; and expenditure linked to a methodolog y differential on 
reimburseme nt of US taxes for staff liable to US taxes.  No changes are foreseen under this budget 
line. 
3.1.4   Temporary  Assistance  
Table 11 Section 2: Temporary Assistance  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2021 Budget 
Presented in 2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 Budget  
2. Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  9,850  0 9,850  
  ii) Consulting  5,818  306 6,124  
  iii) Panellists  1,606  -306 1,300  
Grand Total    17,275  0 17,275  
 
3.1.4.1   Short -Term  Staff  
Table 12 Short -term Staff  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 
Budget  
i) Short -Term Staff  Short -Term Staff / Salary  2,191  0 2,191  
  Short -Term Staff / Pension  725 0 725 
  Short -Term Staff / Health Insurance  200 0 200 
  Translators / Daily and Monthly  2,434  0 2,434  
  Translators / Special Service Contract  2,029  0 2,029  
  Interpreters  1,755  0 1,755  
  Interns  516 0 516 
Grand Total    9,850  0 9,850  
 
3.10.  Short -Term Staff  comprises gross salary of temporary staff as well as related pension and 
health contributions, untaken leave at termination and overtime  and the remunerations for 
translators, interpreters and interns . No changes are foreseen under this it em. 
 WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3.1.5   Consulting  
Table 13 Consulting  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 2019  Adjustments  Restated 2021 
Budget  
ii) Consulting  Consulting Firms & 
Employment Agencies  2,653  0 2,653  
  Special Service Agreement  1,009  306 1,315  
  Translators / External 
Translator Contract  2,156  0 2,156  
Grand Total    5,818  306 6,124  
 
3.11.  Consulting includes temporary assistance provided by companies such as employment 
agencies and consulting firms, special service agreements with individuals and external translator 
contractors paid by the word translated.  
3.12.  The allocation to Consulting Firms & Employment Agencies mainly includes the budget for IT 
consultants, the budget  for the Human Resources Training  Program and for the Technical Assistance 
related Activities.  The allocation is not changed . 
3.13.  The appropriation under Special Service Agreement mainly includes individual consultants for 
Technical Assistance related training courses, the Human Resources Tra ining Program , medical 
consultants  and IT consultants . It is increased for 2021 in order to provide funds for specific IT 
projects such as the Open Trade Data Initiative, the Human Resources information system , the 
implementation of virtual platforms for m eetings and the development of Extensible Markup 
Language (XML) based translation tools.  
3.1.6   Panellists  
Table 14 Panellists  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 2021 
Budget  
iii) Panellists  Panellist Fees  815 485 1,300  
  Appellate Body Member 
Fees 791 -791 0 
Grand Total    1,606  -306 1,300  
 
3.14.  The budget for Panellist  Fees includes special service agreements with panellists  and related 
experts. Since the previous budget proposal was approved for 2020 , the workload of the Legal Affairs 
and the Rules Divisions has continued to reflect the elevated level of dispute settlement activity 
apparent in 2018 and 2019. As of mid -May 2020, there were 38 ongoing panel and arbitration 
proceedings at the WTO. In addi tion, WTO Members requested consultations in 19 new disputes in 
2019, seven of which have already led to active panel proceedings  in 2020 . Over the past 12 months, 
panels have been composed in 13 disputes, including one compliance panel . In addition , there is an 
arbitration going on pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU. A further five requests for the establishment 
of a panel are pending before the Dispute Settlement Body.  
3.15.  Because the current workload of the Rules and the Legal Affairs Divisions is similar t o that 
witnessed in 2019, similar levels of expenditure  are expected  to arise from panel  and arbitration  
proceedings over the next 12 months. However, panels' projected schedules may extend further 
into 2021 than originally planned as a result of the disru ptions to travel resulting from the COVID -
19 pandemic. While panels and arbitrators are continuing their work, some meetings had to be 
postponed. Over half of the panels that are currently underway are still to hold a substantive 
meeting . Panels and Articl e 22.6 arbitrators are consulting with parties to explore options in response 
to this situation. In some cases, for example, parties have been prepared to consider substituting a 
physical hearing with a written procedure. It can be expected that the soluti ons will differ in individual 
cases, also considering  the different stage s that work has reached in the respective proceedings. It WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  seems apparent, however, that certain panels that initially planned meetings in coming weeks and 
months in 202 0 have to delay  their meetings until late r in the year or into 2021. This could well lead 
to a situation of more panel meetings in Geneva in 2021 than were initially envisaged, which would 
consequently increase the expenditure on  panellis ts' fees for the 2021 budget year.  
3.16.   The increased allocation for 2021 also takes into account that the expenditure in 2019 on 
panellists' fees exceeded  the amount budgeted for by 29%. This is  not only due to the large number 
of ongoing cases, but also  reflects the wish of the Members/par ties to avail themselves of  non-
governmental officials as panellists . 
3.2  Part B - Other Resources  
3.17.  Part B of the budget relates to expenditure for general services, travel and hospitality, 
activities jointly funded by the WTO and third parties, as well as capi tal and financial expenditure.  
3.2.1   General  Services  
Table 15 Section 3: General Services  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 
Budget  
3. General 
Services  i) Telecommunication 
& Post  Telecommunication  324 0 324 
    Post & Freight  317 0 317 
  ii) Contractual 
Services & 
Maintenance  Contractual Services  7,509  150 7,659  
    Equipment Maintenance  2,012  300 2,312  
    Building Maintenance  1,433  0 1,433  
    Insurance  194 0 194 
    Rental of Premises  15 0 15 
  iii) Energy & Supplies  Electricity  570 0 570 
    Water  54 0 54 
    Gas & Fuel  461 0 461 
    Supplies  981 0 981 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication  Books  15 0 15 
    Subscriptions  385 0 385 
    Printing  140 180 320 
    Publications  618 -180 438 
    Media & Public Relations  300 0 300 
  v) Other / 
Miscellaneous  Membership and 
Registration Fees  15 0 15 
    Advertising  20 0 20 
    Other / Miscellaneous  13 0 13 
Grand Total     15,376  450 15,826  
 
3.2.2   Telecommunication  and Post  
3.18.  Telecommunication and Post includes expenditure relating to fixed and mobile phones and 
postal and freight services. No changes are projected in this area . 
3.2.3   Contractual Services and Maintenance  
3.19.  Contractual Services refers to outsourced service contracts rel ated to buildings, plant and 
equipment , the cleaning contract (CHF  0.9 million), the contract for the outsourced security provider 
(CHF 3.6  million), the contribution to the International Computing Centre (CHF  1.97 million) and the 
IT Service Desk (CHF  1.1 million). The allocation for the contribution to the International Computing 
Centre is increased by CHF 150,000.  This amount covers the allocation for the additional WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  infrastructure for working remotely. Following the COVID -19 situation the capacity had to  be 
increased from 100 virtual desktops to 700 virtual desktops.  It also covers projects already started 
in 2020 such as the Public Key Infrastructure Service (PKI), the Security Awareness Service and the 
Skype for Business Telephony Service.  
3.20.  Equipment mai ntenance includes expenditure allocated for  repair s and upkeep not related to 
the building such as IT equipment, security equipment, conference equipment and documents 
reproduction equipment.  
3.21.  The allocation under IT equipment maintenance is increased by CHF 300,000  for various 
planned IT projects  detailed in the section on capital equipment  (please see Chapter 3. 2.9). 
3.22.  Building maintenance relates to the contracts for the maintenance and servicing of 
installations (maintenance of lifts, coolin g units, fire detection etc.), various repair work such as 
painting, flooring, plumbing, the maintenance and servicing of the heating system and the electrical 
installations, and the maintenance of the green spaces within the WTO security perimeter.  
3.23.  Insura nce includes all building, vehicle, IT equipment, inventory and third -party insurance 
expenditure.  
3.24.  The line rental of premises, relates to the rental of offices, conference rooms and storage 
facilities.  
3.2.4   Energy and Supplies  
3.25.  This line includes electricity, gas, fuel, water expenditure and supplies for documents 
reproduction, IT and office supplies.   
3.2.5   Documentation  and Publications  
3.26.  Documentation and Publications relates to the purchase of books, subscriptions to magazines 
and newsfeed, the interna l production of publications, the outsourced printing arrangements for 
publications,  editing of publications,  the cost of sales for publications and expenditure linked to the 
rental of photography and filming services.  
3.27.  In the area of publications , the pri nting and the publications budget lines are re -aligned with 
actual and projected expenditure.  
3.2.6   Other/ Miscellaneous  
3.28.  Other/Miscellaneous includes expenditure for advertising for recruitment, membership and 
registration fees for staff training events and other  expenditure of a general nature.  
3.2.7   Travel and Hospitality  
Table 16 Section 4: Travel and Hospitality  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 Budget  
4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  Air & Rail Transportation  4,878  600 5,478  
    Other Travel Related 
Expenditure / Out of 
Pocket  2,295  -1,400  895 
    Accommodation / Hotel / 
Meeting Facilities  0 1,400  1,400  
    Insurance / Participants  220 0 220 
  ii) Hospitality  Hospitality & Meeting 
Refreshments  214 0 214 
Grand Total      7,607  600 8,207  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3.29.  Travel includes the cost of transportation, per diem and travel insurance for official missions, 
technical missions, trade -related technical assistance, as well as travel related to the 
Human  Resources Training Program, travel for panellists , recruitment and external auditors.  
3.30.  The increase of CHF 600,000 under Travel is entirely dedicated  to Technical Assistance Related 
Training Activities . This increase aims at making up in 2021 what could not be implemented in 2020 
due to the COVID -19 pandemic. Members and the WTO are facing an unprecedented situation, both 
with respect to measures adopt ed to address the immediate health aspects of the pandemic and to 
the measures necessary to bolster economic recovery. In this context, the Secretariat feels that 
WTO-related technical assistance and capacity building have a special role to play in support ing 
efforts undertaken by beneficiary countries .  
3.31.  As a result, the Secretariat has been exploring how best to reschedule the planned face to 
face activities once things get back to some normality. Apart from postponing some activities, the 
Secretariat is p iloting virtual delivery of training activities starting with national activities. Therefore, 
in preparing for the delivery of such activities, potential beneficiaries have been consulted regarding 
delivery modes, format and content of virtual training act ivities. During the consultation, it has 
become evident that there is a preference for face to face delivery leading to having to postpone 
some activities to 2021. This would entail increasing the funding available for 2021 TA activities 
funded from the re gular budget.  
3.32.  Based on the indications received so far, several Geneva -based courses funded from the 
regular Budget and postponed to 2021 would entail increasing the number of participants in such 
courses or increasing the number of such courses in 2021. T hese include the annual Advanced trade 
Policy Courses; the Joint WIPO -WTO Advanced Course on IP for Government Officials; the Advanced 
Course on RTAs and WTO; the Course on Economic Analysis of Trade Policy; and, the Course on 
Import Licensing Notification s plus some 32 national activities postponed to 2021. Part of these 
activities are proposed to be funded by the additional allocation of CHF 600,000.  
3.33.  Also in the area of the technical assistance related activities , the allocation under Other Travel 
Related  Expenditure and Accommodation/Hotel/Meeting Facilities  is re-arranged in order to align the 
expected expenditure under the Technical Assistance related training courses with the budget.  
3.34.  Insurance/Participants relates to the travel insurance for WTO staff on mission.  
3.35.  Hospitality covers the divisional hospitality budget as well as hospitality related to Technical 
Assistance training courses and the Human Resources Training Program.  
3.2.8   Implementing  Partners  
Table 17 Section 5: Implementi ng Partners  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 Budget  
5. Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing 
Partners  Implementing 
Partners  213 0 213 
Grand Total      213 0 213 
 
3.36.  Implementing Partners covers activities or events partly or jointly funded by the WTO and 
executed by a third -party organization. Examples are the WTO's contribution to the running costs of 
the International Labour  Organization Administrative Tribunal, the  International Service for 
Remunerations and Pensions of the Coordinated Organizations and the UN Joint Purchasing Unit, the 
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the publishing of the ISO/WTO Directory of 
Standardizing Bodies Accepting the WTO Code of Good Practice, certain professional networks, the 
WTO Essay award and the contribution to the WTO Staff Assistance Fund. No changes are projected  
under this line.  WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3.2.9   Capital  Expenditure  
Table 18 Section 6: Capital Expen diture  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2021 Budget 
Presented  in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 Budget  
6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement 
of Fixed Assets  Office Furniture and 
Equipment  75 0 75 
    Computing Hardware  630 0 630 
    Computing Software  300 800 1,100  
    Audio Visual & 
Telecommunication 
Equipment  250 0 250 
    Security Equipment  180 0 180 
    Reproduction 
Equipment  0 0 0 
    Vehicles  20 0 20 
  ii) Rental & 
Leasing of 
Equipment  Rental and Leasing of 
Equipment  640 0 640 
Grand Total      2,095  800 2,895  
 
3.37.  Capital Expenditure includes  the purchase of audio -visual and telecommunication equipment, 
computing hardware and software, office furniture, security equipment  and other equipment  as well 
as reproduction equipment.   
3.38.  The allocation for Computing Software is increased by CHF 800,000  to fund the development 
and implementation costs  for the H uman Resources  Information System, the implementation of a 
tool to hold virtual meetings with inter pretation serv ices (such as Interprefy which was used during 
the first virtual General Council) . It is also designated for the extensible mark-up language  (XML), a 
machine -based translation and publishing tool  to provide services to Members , and to bring develop 
and/or implement cross -divisional programs leveraging technology . These include:  
i. the Open Trade Data Initiative , which  will improve how trade data is collected , 
processed and disseminated. This will contribute to transparency and cons istency .  
ii. Artificial Intelligence , which  will be piloted  to improve the work of Committees. In 
addition, remote interaction and collaborative platforms will be made available on the 
Web and on mobile phones and there will be rapid Cloud development.   
3.39.  With respect to the extensible mark -up language -based  (XML)  translation and publishing tool , 
it can be highlighted that the current process of authoring and publishing documentation at the WTO 
is done with the use of MS Word templates; and the processing, trans lating, formatting and 
publishing is still a print -centric approach. The only output is currently an MS Word and a static PDF 
with no accessibility features. Most work  in the process in terms of quality checks is performed 
manually, is very repetitive in n ature and therefore ripe fo r automation. The indexing is also currently 
done manually, is incomplete and makes the retrieval of information a cumbersome task giving 
incomplete results.   
3.40.  Introducing XML -based tools will improve services to Members in that t he production process 
for documents will be faster, certain mistakes will be permanently avoided because of automated 
checks, and the documents will be available in different formats (from different PDF profiles to ePUB 
and HTML). Other benefits include a significant reduction of manual interventions in the workflow, 
for instance multiple cataloguing steps, seamless integration of content into translation tools, 
resulting in an exclusively electronic, paperless workflow.  
 WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  3.2.10   Financial Expenditure  
Table 19 Section 7: Financial Expenditure  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 
Budget  
7. Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  Bank charges  580 0 580 
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  0 1,200  
Grand Total      1,780  0 1,780  
 
3.41.  Financial Expenditure includes bank fees and negative interest charged by the banks  as well 
as the reimbursement of the interest -free building loan  of CHF 60 million over 50 years . 
3.42.  The allocation s remain unchanged . 
3.3  Part C - Operating Funds & ITC  
3.43.  Part C of the WTO Secretariat budget is related to the contributions to the International Trade 
Centre , the Ministerial Conference Operating Fund and the Building Renovation F und. 
Table 20 Section 8: Contributions to ITC and Special Reserves  
(in thousand Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2021 Budget 
Presented in 
2019  Adjustments  Restated 
2021 
Budget  
8. Contributions 
to ITC & Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to 
ITC Contribution to 
ITC 18,243  0 18,243  
  ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  2,000  -2,000  0 
  iii) Ministerial 
Conference 
Operating Fund  Ministerial 
Conference 
Operating Fund  600 0 600 
  iv) Building 
Renovation Fund  Building 
Renovation 
Fund 600 0 600 
Grand Total      21,443  -2,000  19,443  
 
3.44.  The allocation to the budget of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO is in accordance 
with a decision taken by the contracting parties on 22  November  1967 (SR.24/14) and 
Resolution  2297 (XXII) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 12  December  1967, 
effective 1  January  1968, to the effect that the ITC would be operated jointly by UNCTAD and GATT 
on a continuing basis. The WTO has since assumed the responsibilities of the GATT in this respect 
(WT/GC/M/3, item 6). Details of the ITC budget proposal for 2021 are prepared by the I TC and 
considered in a separate document by the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration.  
3.45.  The Appellate Body Operating Fund is not replenished in 2021  and the amount of CHF 2 million 
that was initially allocated to it has been reallocated to other needs as indicated in earlier sections 
of this document . If a division of the Appellate Body can be established to hear an appeal, resources 
may be allocated from other budget lines which have been underspent . 
3.46.  The Ministerial Conference Operating Fund (MOF) was established in 1999 (WT/BFA/44) to 
even out the budget allocation for costs associated with a ny given  Ministerial Conference.  
3.47.  The Building Renovation F und (BRF) was established at the end of 2015 in order to provide 
for the renovation costs for buildings and infrastructure over the medium - and long - term. The 
necessary annual allocation estimated by the FIPOI (Fondation des Immeubles pour les 
Organisatio ns Internationales) amounts to CHF 2.5  million. According to the guidelines of the WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  Building Renovation Fund, a part of the savings realised on other budget lines can be used to increase 
the yearly allocation with the objective to reach CHF 25 million after  10 years of its establishment.  
4  BUDGET BY OUTPUT CHAPTER  
4.1  2021 Budget Proposals by Output Chapter  
4.1.  Members may recall that the Secretariat presented its first budget by Outputs in the biennium 
2016-2017. The budget for 2021 represents the 6th budget by Output Chapter.  
4.2.  The expenditure for the 8 main Output Chapters is projected as follows:  
Table 21 Budge t Proposals 2021  revised  by Output Chapter  
(in thousand s of Swiss Francs)  
Output Chapter  2021 Budget Presented in 
2019  % of 
total  Restated 2021 
Budget  % of 
total  
1  Facilitating Negotiations  9,500  5% 9,500  5% 
2  Administering  Agreed WTO 
Rules  44,500  23% 46,500  24% 
3  Monitoring Trade Policies  28,000  14% 28,000  14% 
4  Settling Disputes  39,000  20% 37,000  19% 
5  Capacity building  42,000  21% 42,000  21% 
6  Assisting Accessions  5,000  2% 5,000  2% 
7  Conducting Research  15,500  8% 15,500  8% 
8  Reaching out  13,704  7% 13,704  7% 
Grand Total  197,204  100%  197,204  100%  
 
4.2  Facilitating Negotiations  
4.3.  This output chapter includes all committees and negotiating groups related to Negotiations 
such as the Trade Negotiations Committee and other negotiating bodies. The projected expenditure 
amounts to CHF  9.5 million for 2021.  
4.3  Administering  Agreed WTO Rules  
4.4.  This output chapter includes the Ministerial Conference, all committees related to the General 
Council and it s Bodies, committees related to the Council for Trade in Goods and its Bodies, 
Committees related to the Council for Trade in Services and its bodies, and the Council for Trade -
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property. The expenditure is estimated at CHF 4 6.5 million for 2021. 
As a Ministerial Conference is planned for 2021, an increase of expenditure compared to 2020 is 
expected, as the expenditure is traditionally higher in a ministerial year . 
4.4  Monitoring  Trade Policies  
4.5.  This output chapter mainly comprises  expenditure related to the WTO Trade Policy Review 
Body, Trade Policy Reviews and Trade Policy Monitoring, as well as Notifications on WTO Agreements. 
The expenditure is projected to be CHF 28  million for 2021.  
4.5  Settling  Disputes  
4.6.  This output chapter includ es the Dispute Settlement Body, as well as pre -dispute activities, 
panels, appeals and arbitrations. The expenditure  is estimated at a lower level than originally 
estimated in 2019 for 2021 , due to the re -distribution of the funds for the Appellate Body Operating 
Fund. 
4.6  Capacity  Building  
4.7.  This output chapter comprises all activity related to capacity building courses and training, the 
Aid for Trade work program, trade and gender activities, the development and monitoring of the TA WT/BFA/W/523/Rev.1  
 
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  Plan. In ad dition, the contribution to the International Trade Centre is included under this Chapter. 
The expenditure is estimated at CHF  42 million.  
4.7  Assisting  Accessions  
4.8.  This output chapter includes all activities related to accessions. The expenditure is estimated 
at CHF 5  million for 2021, which is in line with previous years . 
4.8  Conducting  Research  
4.9.  This output chapter relates to the WTO's publications such as the World Trade Report, the WTO 
Annual Report and other kinds of research reports and papers produced, trade statistics and 
monitoring, as well as the support of WTO publications. The projected expenditure  amounts to  
CHF 15.5 million for 2021.  
4.9  Reaching  Out 
4.10.  This output chapter includes all outreach activities of the WTO, such as general press relations, 
general ou treach to Members and the private sector, key outreach events such as the Public Forum , 
the Open Day  and the Aid for Trade Work Program, as well as  work done with other international 
organizations. The expenditure is projected at CHF 13.7 million for 2021.  
 
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