RESTRICTED  
  
G/TFA/TFAF/ W/3 
 
15 September  2023 
(23-6220) Page: 1/11 
Committee on Trade Facilitation   
 
 
 
DRAFT TFAF WORKPLAN 202 4 
CURRENT TFA IMPLEMENTATION STATE OF PLAY1 
The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA ) entered into force on 22 February 2017, when more 
than two -thirds of the WTO Membership had ratified the Protocol of Amendment  to the WTO .2 No 
additional  ratification s were received in 202 3 giving  a total of 156 WTO Members ' ratification  
representing 95 .1% of the total WTO membership.  
In terms of notifications under Section II of the TFA, eighty -seven developing country Members  
(97%) have presented their Category ABC designations. Over 95% of developing Members have 
presented notifications of definitive dates for the implementation of t heir Category B and C 
designations, and details on their technical assistance and capacity building (TACB) needs required 
to implement their Category C designations.  
Thirty -two LDC Members  (91%) have presented their Category ABC designations. Twenty -nine 
LDC Members (91%) have presented all of their TACB requirements. Ninety -seven percent have 
presented definitive dates for the implementation of Category B and 84% for Category C 
designations.  
A full and up -to-date analysis of all ratifications and notifica tions can be found on the TFA 
Database.3 These notifications inform the TF Committee, the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility 
(TFAF) and trade facilitation stakeholders -at-large of Members' TFA implementation progress, 
anticipated timelines and assistan ce needs.  
 
The implementation rate , measured by the definitive dates submitted with the notifications,  is 
currently 7 7% globally with developed countries implementing at a rate of 100%, developing 
Members implementing at a rate of 80%, and least developed  countries (LDC) implementing at a 
rate of 44%.4  
The majority of the implementation dates notified for categories B and C are spread out over the 
next five years.  Supporting Members to identify implementation support for the se impending  
category C notified definitive dates  is therefor a clear focus for the work of the Facility in the 
coming years.  
 
1  WORK PLAN OVERVIEW  
1.1.  The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF  or Facility) is operated by the WTO Secretariat 
and funded by WTO Members on a voluntary basis.  Its primary goal is  to support the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Committee's work in relation to assisting developing Members and LDCs in implementing 
the Agreement . In line with the Framework for the Management and Operation of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement Facility (document G/TFA/3) , this draft document sets out the work plan for 
the Facility for the year 202 4. 
 
1 All implementation statistics are correct as of 19 September 202 2 on http://www.tfadatabase.org .   
2 The Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization done at 
Geneva on 27  November 2014 (WT/L/940).  
3 https://www.tfadatabase.org/notifications -matrix . 
4 Based on notifications provided to date.  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  Preparation of the plan was carried with the TF Committee both via its direct inputs and via the 
representative group of Members that is made up of 1 4 representatives of 11 WTO Members. The 
participating Members include Botswana  (on behalf of LLDC Group) , Canada, China, Ecuador, EU  
(2 representatives) , Mozambique  (on behalf of LDC Group), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 
(on behalf of the OECS Secretariat ), Peru, Togo , US (3  representatives)  and Zimbabwe.  
1.2.  It was drawn up based on:  
a. Modes of delivery as set out in the Operational Guidelines and Framework ; 
b. Priorities identified by the Committee as conveyed during a formal meeting held before 
mid-year, under a specific agenda item entitled "The Facility Work Plan" ; 
c. Follow-up meetings with the representative group of Members ;  
d. Trade facilitation needs identifi ed in the biennial Institute for Training and Technical 
Cooperation (ITTC) survey of Members' technical assistance needs as well as needs 
identified in Category C notifications ; and 
e. Activities proposed by partner organi zations.  
1.3.  The biennial survey identifie d very broad priorities relating to trade facilitation,  continuous 
request across all regions for technical assistance needs relating to the TFA. Discussions are on -going 
with the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) to enhance the next survey 
with more focused questions on TF to capture  emerging TFA needs.  
1.4.  This draft workplan will be discussed during the annual dedicated session on assistance and 
capacity building of the CTF to be held on 5 October, under point 4. Members of  the Committee, will 
have the opportunity to comment on the priorities and activities proposed in this draft and to propose 
additions.  Following these discussions. t he TFAF will prepare an updated draft and submit it to the 
representative group of Members  for approval/endorsement . The final document will be issued by 
the deadline of end November.  
1.5.  In addition to the proposed activities foreseen in section 3 of this workplan, the TFAF will also 
accept activity request s5 to be submitted throughout the  year by Members . These requests are  dealt 
with by the TFAF team in line with the procedures described in JOB/TF/231 . This allows for a needs -
driven approach to emerging issues .  
1.6.  Any Member that has requested6 a username and password for the online activity tracker has 
access to the activity request form . An email is sent to these Members to inform them when a new 
activity is posted. Members are generally given two weeks to comment on the request before TFAF 
can commit to conduct the activity.  
1.7.  Details on all  upcoming activities and feedback on recently completed tasks, whether foreseen 
in this workplan, or proposed via the activity request form, are communicated to stakeholders via 
regular updates throughout the year; notably in regular reports to the WTO Tra de Facilitation 
Committee and in a comprehensive annual report.  
1.8.  To make progress towards these goals, in 202 4 the Facility , in cooperation with development 
partners , will deliver activities and outputs through its four modes of delivery:  
Modes of Delivery  
a. Grant Program me: The Facility administe rs a grant program me. The procedures of the 
grant program me are established in its Operational Rules7, and more information is 
available on its website . 
b. Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: The Facility respond s to requests from 
developing Members and LDC Members for technical assistance and capacity building on 
the Agreement.  
 
5 TFAF-TA -Activity Request Form - Formstack   
6 Via email request to TFAF@WTO.org . 
7 https://www.tfafacility.org/assistance -grants/tfaf -grant -program . G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  c. Engagement with Annex D and Development partners: The Facility maintain s close contact 
with Annex D and Development part ners so as to share information and allow for 
coordination and non -duplication of efforts on trade facilitation.  
d. Maintain the Facility website: The TFAF maintains and further develops its website to 
ensure that it constitutes a comprehensive information s haring/exchange platform.  
 
1.9.  The TFAF pays special attention and prioritizes the needs of LDC Members. In line with 
development partners' priorities, it also endeavours to enhance the participation of women in all 
TFAF-organized activities.   
1.10.   The activities  carried out by the TFAF will be conducted respecting the Paris Principles of Aid 
Effectiveness, namely ownership, alignment, harmonization, managing for results and mutual 
accountability, see section 5 below for details.  
2  PRIORITIES FOR 202 4 
2.1.  The representative group of TF Committee Members identified  the following  topics that should 
be considered as priorities in 202 4: 
i. Transit . 
ii. Capital -based officials' participation in dedicated session , emphasi zing donor engagement 
and coordination.  
iii. Issues id entified in the context of the 5th Anniversary of the TFA event and 4 -year review 
of the TFA . 
iv. Top 5 measures for implementation in 2024-25 (as identified by notified definitive dates 
of implementation) .8 
v. National Trade Facilitation Committees: Incorporati ng strategies for private sector 
engagement.  
vi. Support for regional coordination .  
 
2.2.  Inclusion of priorities in this workplan should not be understood as a commitment by TFAF to 
ensure implementation of the related TFA articles. TFAF does not have the mandate  to be an 
implementation partner. Some priorities will be supported through the delivery of directly associated 
activities (see Table in Section 3.7), while others will be supported by TFAF through its website, 
coordination of partner efforts and by monito ring and reporting to the Committee.  
2.3.  As activities are proposed by Members throughout the year via the activity re quest form, they 
will be asked to identify contributions to the priorities.  
2.4.  Experts engaged to deliver support through the TFAF Grant Programme are also prompted to 
identify alignment of their work with the priorities.  
2.5.  Activities and grants will be monitored throughout the year to measure their contribution. When 
the annual repor t for 202 4 is prepared, a section will identify the specific outputs of TFAF activities 
that have contributed to making progress on the priorities.   
3  ACTIVITIES  
3.1.  The following activities , in line with the four modes of delivery, will be organi zed in 2024 : 
Grant program me 
3.2.  The grant programme9 provides for  project preparation and project implementation grants for 
Members that are unable to find the assistance needed to implement provisions designated in 
Category C. The first step of the process is the submis sion of an Expression of Interest (EoI) form 
detailing the assistance needs and steps taken to seek support. This information is circulated to 
 
8 Due Implementation commitments by dates | TFAD - Trade Facilitation Agreement Database 
(tfadatabase.org)  
9 TFAF Grant Program | TFAF (tfafacility.org)  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  development partners to attempt to find implementation support and to avoid duplication with 
existing assistance programmes. If no partner offers to assist with implementation, the applicant is 
eligible to apply for a TFAF grant.  
3.3.  Further work will take place throughout 2024, to strengthen the grant program me's 
responsiveness to TFA implementation needs. To increase the awareness and understanding of the 
grant program me's application procedures presentations on these topics will be included at events 
organi zed and attended by TFAF throughout 2024.   
3.4.  The TFAF will provide updates on the grant program me at each meeting of the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Committee.  
Technical assistance and capacity building  
3.5.  The TFAF TACB activities relate to the following outcomes  from the TFAF logframe  (Annex 1) : 
identifying implementation assistance, ratification of the Agreement, notificati ons under the 
Agreement, and strengthening the operation of National Trade Facilitation Committees. Activities in 
2024 are divided between those that are priority -driven  (identified in Section 2 above) and those 
stand -alone activities that are not directly  associated to a specific priority, but that contribute to 
TFAF's overall mandate . For example s on the likely duration and scale of activities, please see 
Annex  2. These proposed activities are included in the draft budget (in Section 6 below).  
Priority  Activity  
Transit  Build on recommendations from 2023 workshop to design a  follow -up 
workshop  covering transit facilitation. Additional topics to be explored 
include  cooperation on A uthori zed Operators  along transit corridors, and  
donor coordination on transit issues . 
Back-to-back with dedicated session on transit  and with the participation 
of capital -based officials . 
Transit -related i ssues may be raised in the dedicated session on 
assistance and capacity building that should also be picked up.  
Capital -based officials' 
participation in dedicated 
session  
 TFAF to fund capital -based officials to attend the TFC meeting with 
dedicated session on technical assistance and support for capacity 
building.   
 
Additional workshops will be planned throughout the week on non -TFC 
meeting days  to discuss best practice sharin g on d onor coordination and 
Members' engagement with donors  and development partners . 
Issues identified in the 
Anniversary event and 
4-year review  Follow -up activity workshop(s) exploring  digitalization , implementation 
of smart border management , connectivity and narrowing the digital 
divide  in the context of implementation of the TFA.  
Top 5 202 4-25 
(Definitive  Dates)  No specific activity identified for 2024.   
 
Also need to investigate what are medium and long -term 
implementation goals.  
Support to National Trade 
Facilitation Committees  Cooperating with development partners on support to and tools for 
enhancing the role of national trade facilitation committees  and 
strengthening private sector en gagement , through capacity building, 
data collection on status of NTFC , and best-practice  sharing.  
Support for regional 
coordination  SADC Region indicated initial interest and will explore . 
 
Stand -alone activities  
3.6.  No stand -alone activity proposals received  to date.  
 G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  Engagement with Annex D and Development partners  
Activity  Detail  
Upon invitation, TFAF will 
participate in sessions 
hosted by partner 
organizations  Based on lessons learned, the aim of this participation will be to 
strengthen  the coordination of TFA implementation efforts. Participation in 
external events has proven to be a cost -effective method to widen the 
TFAF's reach to deliver an accurate, consistent and aligned message on 
the TFA and the Facility, without the need to ded icate the necessary 
resources to organize and host national and regional events in all 
locations globally.  
Co-host activities with 
partner organizations  As above, when appropriate, TFAF  will co -host activities with partners in 
order to bring together the appropriate expertise according to the needs 
of Members and to achieve cost -efficiencies compared to hosting alone.  
 
3.7.  In 2024, TFAF will continue to organize meetings with the Annex D an d other development 
partners to strengthen coordination of TFA implementation efforts, avoid duplication, and ensure 
that partners deliver an accurate, consistent, and aligned message on the TFA.   
3.8.  The TFAF will participate in TFA -related events organized by other international or regional 
organizations, national governments, and private sector associations; virtual participation is 
prioritised where possible . Transparency over activity requests is important. I suggest we add a 
sentence on this under TACB a s this is where they come into play.  
Website  
3.9.  The TFAF website has a key role in to disseminat ing information on the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and its requirements. The TFAF will continue a wareness raising on website  streamlined 
in TFAF organi zed activi ties. TFAF will explore venues to collect user feedback in view of enhanced 
functionalities.  
 
  
  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
- 6 - 4  MONITORING AND EVALUATION  
4.1.  This diagram shows the activity and reporting cycle of the TFAF.  
 
 
Evaluation
(Did activity deliver 
objectives/priorities -
participants)
Back to Office Report 
(BtOR)
(Did activity deliver 
objectives/priorities -
trainers)
Activity log
(Record outcomes 
with evidence from 
Evaluation and BtOR)
Review and develop 
requests (in line with 
work plan priorities)Post to TFAF online 
activity tracker 
(notification to 
Members)
15 daysDelivery
Annual 
Report  
ACTIVITY REQUEST  
Including objectives and 
2024 priorities (from work 
plan and  log frame)  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  5  RISKS  
5.1.  In 202 3, the highest impact risk was  low engagement due to  the continued impact of the 
COVID -19 pandemic that had severely limited direct contact with Members. This risk was managed 
throughout the course of the year through a combination of engaging directly with Members 
particularly through the relaunch of a full programme of in -person activities.  
5.2.  Natural disasters and climate impacts are ongoing risks for many Members and they are a 
persistent risk to the implementation and technical assistance.  
5.3.  A risk register will be maintained for all activities in 2024, with lessons and mitigations 
measures identified for the subsequent annual report.  
  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  6  DRAFT BUDGET  
ACTIVITY  NUMBER  UNIT  
AMOUNT  
IN CHF  
(Avg.)  
Delivery Mode A: Operation of TFAF grant funding program me 
- Project preparation grants  
28,000  (Max.  per application ) Accurate estimates 
cannot be made as to 
the number of 
applications to be 
received in 2024 and 
therefore the exact 
amount of funding that 
will be distributed 
under the grant 
program me.  
Delivery Mode A: Operation of TFAF  grant funding program me 
- Project implementation grants    
188,000 (Max. per article)   
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
National workshops  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  1 + activity requests  20,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
Regional (or sub -regional) Workshops  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  1 + activity requests  200,000 
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
National needs assessments  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  1 + activity requests  20,000  
Delivery Mode B: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 
Dedicated thematic workshops  
(Cost estimate is based on in -person delivery)  
 
Transit meeting (40 capital -based officials)  
 
Dedicated session (70 capital -based officials)  3 + activity requests  
 
 
 
1 
 
1 25,000   
(75,000 total)  
 
 
175,000  
 
270,000  
Delivery Mode C: Engagement with Annex D and 
Development partners  
 
Participation in events outside Geneva  
(Cost estimate is based on travel commencing again)  5 + activity requests  6,500  
(32,500 total)  
Delivery Mode D: TFAF Website   15,000  
Staff Member at grade 7 position  
Monthly salary, insurance, and pension  
 
Staff Member at grade 9 position  
Monthly salary, insurance, and pension  
 
Internship for Graduate Student  
(Cost estimate is based on possibility to host intern)  1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
1 175,000  
 
 
 
200,139 
 
 
5,000  
TOTAL (estimates for proposed  costs. Not including 
additional grants and activity requests)   1,187,639  
 
Note:  Interested Members will be notified of activity requests and expressions of interest for the TFAF 
grant program me, as submitted throughout the y ear, and can therefore monitor ongoing 
expenditure beyond that foreseen in this budget.  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  Annex 1 – Example activity types  
EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITY TYPES, OR ACTIVITY SESSIONS  WHICH CAN BE REQUESTED 
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR VIA THE REQUEST FORM  
Matchmaking  
As the majority of developing and LDC  Members have completed their Category C notifications, 
the need to find development partners in order to implement their Category C provisions by their 
notified dates of implementation remains a clear priority.  
Matchmaking sessions can take place as stan d-alone events, or as part of other activities 
described below.  
The WTO Secretariat assists Members to find assistance for the implementation of these 
Category  C provisions through the following methods:  
• Making the notifications available on -line to provi de easy access to the notified 
implementation dates and implementation assistance needs.   
• Providing profiles for each developing and LDC Member with information on 
implementation assistance and development partners. (For example, information 
extracted fro m Article 22 notifications).  
• Encouraging notification of assistance arrangements and progress and making information 
available on how to complete these notifications, in order to enhance transparency of 
fulfilled and unfulfilled assistance needs.  
• Conducti ng events featuring available assistance programmes.  
• Regular meetings with partners to enhance coordination and cooperation.  
• Work with donors on the notification of provision of technical assistance.  
UPON REQUEST:  
• Helping individual Members find assista nce through direct matchmaking with partners. 
This occurs in response to a direct request from a Member and is the first step in the grant 
application process.  
• Organi sing meetings between developing or LDC Members and development partners.  
• Identification  of support needs and development partner matchmaking is also facilitated 
through national and regional workshops as described below.  
National Workshops  
WTO developing country Members can request national workshops to address specific training 
needs on the TF Agreement and its implementation. In this regard, the programmes for national 
seminars are elaborated by the requesting Member in consultation with t he TFAF team, and will 
be tailor made to their needs, objectives, level of knowledge and experience of the participants.  
Up to 50 participants from the national trade facilitation committee for 3 -5 days.  
Based on the priorities identified for 2024 in sect ion 2 above, national workshops will be available 
upon request, in the following areas:  
• workshops for Parliamentarians and ratification bodies in countries that have not ratified 
the Agreement (all WTO Members must ratify).  
• activities with national authori ties to assist with outstanding TFA notifications;  
• support for the strengthening of national trade facilitation committees (NTFCs);  
• National workshops will be conducted by WTO Staff and experts from international or 
regional organi zations and/or national c ustoms administrations as appropriate.  
• To increase complementarity with efforts on matchmaking and funding, TFAF will aim to 
work with in -country and regional development partners when organizing events.  
Regional and Sub -regional Workshops  
Regional and sub-regional workshops are organi zed at the request of Members through their 
regional organi zations and groupings. As at the national level, the programmes for regional 
workshops rely on close cooperation with the beneficiaries and are designed according t o their 
TFA-implementation needs and normally include sessions on notification requirements and 
identifying development partners.  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
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  Approximately two -three  representatives of each Member's national trade facilitation committee 
would travel to a regional wor kshop for 5 days.  
While incorporating similar fundamental elements, regional workshops seek to go beyond the 
scope of national workshops and incorporate peer -to-peer learning between Members, reinforcing 
regional bodies with TFA capacity to support longer term planning and to overcome issues related 
to staff turnover in national administrations.  
Regional workshops systematically involve international organizations and / or their regional 
representatives avoiding duplication, increasing coordination and a h armonized approach to TFA 
implementation. Regional and sub -regional workshops are therefore more than the combination 
of a number of national workshops.  
Over recent years, the TFAF has organized several regional or sub -regional workshops on border 
agency cooperation. Besides being a requirement in its own right, border agency cooperation is 
crucial for a well -functioning national TF committee and for the implementation of many provisions 
of the TF Agreement. The TFA is often thought of as a customs agreeme nt. These workshops aim 
to enhance awareness of the importance of full engagement in other border agencies.   
Regional events will also aim to include a segment dedicated to outreach with development 
partners. This will support the matchmaking activities d escribed above.  
National needs assessments  
A total of 98 needs assessments were conducted under the second round of the WTO needs 
assessment programme. Further needs assessments have been conducted separately by other 
partner organizations. Since most Members have already conducted a needs assessment further 
requests will be limited, but their availability to those who have not yet done so has proven to 
remain an important contribution to the ratification and notification process.  
 
Up to two expert s would travel for five-seven  days to carry out the needs assessment, working 
with members of the national trade facilitations committee.  
Dedicated thematic workshops  
At Members' or groups request, workshops can be organi zed around specific issues, for example 
the specific TFA implementation challenges facing LDC Members.  
Often organized in Geneva for a global audience, one participant from Members' NTFC would travel 
to participate, with priority given to LDC participants.   
  G/TFA/TFAF/W/3  
 
- 11 - Annex 2 - The TFAF Log frame  
 
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