JOB/TC/16  
 
19 December 20 19 
(19-8833)  Page: 1/7 
    
 
 
 
WTO TRAINING ACTIVIT IES IN GENEVA AND THE REGIONAL TRADE POLIC Y 
COURSES (RTPC)  IN 20 20: DATES AND OTHER IN FORMATION  
 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.   This communication sets out information on the Global Training Activities in Geneva and the 
eight-week long Regional Trade Policy Courses  (RTPCs)  to be conducted in 2020. Its aim is to 
facilitate the planning of government officials' participation in the trade -related training activities to 
be conducted by the WTO in 2020. The training calendar outlined below in cludes both face -to-face 
and activities available through eLearning  courses. It will be subject to revisions as circumstances 
change during the year or supplementary information becomes available.  This information will be 
made available on the page of the WTO website corresponding to  Building Trade Capacity – Technical 
Assistance and Training .1 
1.2.   Detailed information on course  titles, delivery language and dates are provided in annexes I , 
II, and III  included at the end of this communication. Annex I lists t he activities available to 
"generalists" (see below) at different levels of learning through face -to-face courses held in Geneva 
and in the regions for the eight -week long trade policy courses or through the eLearning  platform .2 
Annex II contains similar i nformation for learning activities aimed at "specialists"  and held in Geneva . 
Annex III lists eLearning  activities that are outside of the Progressive Learning Strategy framework.  
1.3.   For courses organised per region, other than the eight -week long trade policy courses, details 
will be published as they become available on the page s of the WTO website corresponding to 
Technical Assistance and Training . 
1.4.  The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation ( ITTC) encourages government officials 
from benefici aries of WTO Trade -related Technical Assistance to take advantage of the wide range 
of training opportunities planned for their benefit during 2020. For each training activity, in 
accordance with existing procedures, an announcement will be made online and/or a letter of 
invitation will be sent out to the Permanent Missions of the targeted beneficiaries detailing the 
activity's title, delivery language and dates, application requirements and other relevant information . 
2  WTO'S PROGRESSIVE LE ARNING STRATEGY  
2.1.   The WTO training activities are structured around WTO's Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS). 
The PLS seeks to promote increasing levels of learning and the development of participants' 
autonomy in order to build and sustain long -lasting human and  institutio nal capacities in beneficiary 
Members. This in turn aims to allow beneficiary Members to participate more effectively in  the 
rules-based Multilateral Trading System. In 20 20, the PLS will continue to play a key role in  ensuring 
that government officials an d other stakeholders progressively build their knowledge about the WTO 
Agreements and related obligations, formulation of trade policies, and the conduct of trade 
negotiations.3 
2.2.   Taking into account the spectrum of beneficiaries, the PLS foresees two learn ing paths - one 
for "generalists" and another for  "specialists":  
 
1 Available at https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm . 
2 Available at https://wtolearning.csod.com . 
3 Further details on the PLS may be found in the Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2020–
2021, WTO document WT/COMTD/W/ 248/Rev.1, 1 November 2019 . JOB/TC/16  
 
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  • "Generalists" are officials that require a broad knowledge of the WTO to conduct their work 
and have general responsibility for WTO issues.  
• "Specialists" are officials that require in -depth k nowledge in a specific WTO area 
or Agreement and are working on or dealing with related specific issues.  
2.3.   The generalist learning path  consists of three PLS levels (see Annex I):  
• PLS Level 1 (basic). This level offers generalists an initiation to the role,  structure and 
functioning of the WTO, as well as to its economic and legal underpinnings. eLearning  courses 
are the mainstay for training at level 1, especially the online course "Introduction to the 
WTO". However, in view of the particular needs and inte rests of LDCs, a face -to-face 
"Introductory Trade Policy Course for LDCs" is also offered in Geneva.  
• PLS Level 2 (intermediate). This level provides a comprehensive understanding of the main 
provisions of the WTO Agreements and negotiations. The main face-to-face training offered 
to generalists at this level take s the form of Regional Trade Policy Courses (RTPCs). These 
are eight -week long courses organised by region and include revision segments and 
mandatory graded examinations. They cover the WTO Ag reements and regional trade policy 
issues and focus on strengthening participants' autonomy through their ability to use WTO 
information resources, in particular the WTO Legal Texts. Alternatively, generalists may take 
advantage of level 2 eLearning  course s, in particular the online course "The Multilateral Trade 
Agreements".  
• PLS Level 3 (advanced). This level addresses horizontally trade policy issues on which one 
or several WTO Agreements  may have a bearing. The one course available to generalists at 
this level is the face -to-face Advanced Trade Policy Course (ATPC). The ATPC is the most 
comprehensive advanced WTO training product available under the PLS.  It includes a series 
of interactiv e sessions focussing on case studies, simulations and exercises, and roundtable s 
that foster the sharing of experiences and best practices as well as debating present -day 
trade topics.  
2.4.  The specialist learning path  consists of the following PLS levels (see Annex II):  
• PLS Level 1 (basic). Specialists also take advantage of the courses offered to generalists at 
level 1, as described above.  
• PLS Level 2 (intermediate). For specialists, this level offers a thematic approach focusing on 
one WTO Agreement (or o n a limited number of related ones). At this PLS level, participants 
may take part in one of the several specialized courses available through the eLearning  
platform . 
• PLS Level 3 (advanced). This level is proposed to specialise on one sub -sector or one a spect 
of a single WTO Agreement, or to concentrate on one or several implementation issues. All 
activities for specialists currently planned at level 3 are face -to-face and include several 
courses on specific topics in Geneva.  
3  OTHER WTO TRAINING A CTIVITIES  
3.1.   In addition to the courses listed in Annexes I , II, and III, the WTO also offers other training 
activities ranging from PLS levels 1 to 3 in Geneva and the regions. The courses in Geneva include 
Introduction and Focus Activities, intended for Geneva -based delegates, non -governmental 
organizations, WTO  staff members, interns working in the Secretariat and interested officials from 
other international organizations. Based on demand from Geneva -based WTO delegates, 
Introduction Activities may  be designed to  target particular WTO Agreements or issues, and to allow 
for more in -depth focus and exchange of  views and perspectives, as well as networking.  
3.2.   The eLearning  programme also includes courses outside of the PLS framework, such as "The 
WTO in 10' " and " Agriculture Express ", which provide basic training on the WTO and the Multilateral 
Trading System using a learning -by-doing approach.  JOB/TC/16  
 
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  4  KEY CONSIDERATIONS T O BENEFIT FROM WTO T RAINING  
4.1.   The ITTC wishes to remind beneficiaries of the vital importance of meeting th e criteria spelt 
out for a specific WTO training activity , where applicable, to qualify to take part in it . Among others, 
such criteria may require that a completed application form be signed by both the candidate and the 
nominating national authority and submitted via the relevant mission to the WTO. Compliance with 
any stated application deadlines is of the utmost importance.  
4.2.   In order to ensure the effectiveness of the PLS, candidates are selected based on the principle 
that prerequisites are obligatory to move through the levels of PLS activity. Prerequisites reflect the 
pedagogical needs of each training activity and may take the form, for example, of having previously 
taken certain WTO courses and/or  having specific knowledge or professional experience . Meeting 
the relevant prerequisites is essential but not sufficient for a candidate to be selected to take part in 
face-to-face training activities. As the number of applicants typically exceeds the places available 
for such activities, it is often not po ssible to retain all qualified candidates. In these cases, a selection 
process is carried out to piece together a well -balanced group of participants taking into 
consideration both the backgrounds of individual candidates as well as systemic considerations . 
4.3.   It is important to note that eLearning  training activities function both as a training tool and as 
a selection tool, with successful participants in these courses becoming eligible to attend certain 
face-to-face training activities.  
4.4.   All eligible candid ates may benefit from the training activities offered through the eLearning  
platform, with no limit on the number of participants who may enrol in a particular course. eLearning  
material may be freely obtained through the eLearning  Course Catalogue, with p articipants able to 
start their course at their convenience and to organize their study pace according to what fits them 
best. However, participants must submit a nomination form in order to register in the eLearning  
platform, access the eLearning  Course Catalogue , participate in monitored course s, take the course 
exams, and obtain a WTO certificate. On ce registered in the eLearning  platform,  participants can 
access the eLearning  courses , which are  open throughout the year4. 
4.5.   As in the past, due co nsideration will be given in 20 20 to offering when appropriate additional 
places to participants from all Members on a self -funded basis. In line with the Biennial Technical 
Assistance and Training Plan 2020–2021, efforts will be made to continue expand ing the availability 
of course -offerings in all three WTO languages in activities held in Geneva . As a result, the delivery 
language of an activity may vary from that indicated in Annexes I , II, and III . 
5  ANNEXES5 
5.1.  The annexes incorporate a selection of key act ivities and are not comprehensive; in particular, 
they do not include requests related to regional seminars for specialist s and to national technical 
assistance. In going through the annexes, these additional points should be kept in mind:  
• Dates shown for face-to-face courses are tentative and may change.  
• Face-to-face courses are delivered in English, French or Spanish, as indicated.  
• eLearning  courses are available at any time throughout the year and, thus, they are not 
associated with particular dates.  
• All eLearning  courses are available in English, French and Spanish except as noted.  
5.2.  Finally, please also note that t he WTO Secretariat may modify, postpone or cancel any of the 
activit ies in the annexes in cases such as event s of force majeure, if funding cannot be secured in 
time, if an insufficient number of eligible candidates register for participation, or for any other 
reason s that render the execution of the activity impracticable.  
 
_______________  
 
4 Available at https://wtolearning.csod.com . 
5 Information on  all training activities is available on the WTO website at: 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/train_e/course_details_e.htm . JOB/TC/16  
 
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  ANNEX I  
2020 Training Calendar for Generalists*  
 
LEVEL 3  
 
Face -to-face:   
• Advanced Trade Policy Course (E), 27 January  – 20 March  
• Advanced Trade Policy Course ( E), 15 June – 7 August  (TBC) 
• Advanced Trade Policy Course ( S), 5 October –27 November  (TBC)  
 
 
 
 
LEVEL 2  
 
Face -to-face:  
• RTPC for French -Speaking Africa: Côte d'Ivoire (F), 3 February – 27 March  
• RTPC for English -Speaking Africa: Mauritius (E), 20 April – 12 June 
• RTPC for the Caribbean:  Trinidad and Tobago (E) , 1 June – 24 July 
• RTPC for Latin America: Mexico  (S), 13 July – 4 September  (TBC) 
• RTPC for Arab and Middle East countries : Switzerland (E), 10 August – 2 October  
• RTPC for CEECAC countries: Kazakhstan (E), 31 August – 23 October  (TBC) 
• RTPC for Asia -Pacific (E) ( TBD) 
eLearning : 
• The Multilateral Trad e Agreements  
• The WTO and Trade Economics: Theory and Policy  
• Legal Underpinnings  
 
 
 
 
LEVEL 1  
Face -to-face:  
• Introductory Trade Policy Course for LDCs , 20 April – 8 May (TBC)  
• WTO Information Seminar on International Trade Policy  for Journalists (TBC) (TBD) 
eLearning : 
• Introduction to the WTO  
 
 
 
* E = English, F  = French, RTPC  = eight-week long Regional Trade Policy Course, S  = Spanish, 
TBC = to be confirmed, TBD  = to be determined.  JOB/TC/16  
 
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  ANNEX II  
2020 Training Calendar for Specialists*  
 
LEVEL 3  
 
Face -to-face:  
• Workshop on the Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement (E), 4 -6 February  
• Joint WIPO -WTO Advanced Course on Intellectual Property  for Government Officials (E),  
16-27 March  
• Trade and Environment Thematic Workshop for LDCs (E), 23 -27 March  
• Course on Trade in Value Added and Global Value Chains (E), 8-12 June  
• WIPO -WTO Co lloquium for IP teachers (E), 15 –26 June  
• Follow -up to the 201 9 Advanced Thematic Course on SPS ( E), 17-26 June  
• Advanced Workshop on Agriculture Notifications  (E), 6 -10 July  
• Advanced Course on the Economic Analysis of Trade Policy (E), 23-31 July  
• Advanced Thematic C ourse on GATS (E), 1 4-18 September  
• Advanced Thematic Course on Regional Trade Agreements and the WTO ( F), 
21–25 September  
• Advanced Course on Import Licensing Procedures  and Notifications  (E), 
28 September  – 2 October  
• Advanced Global Workshop on Government Procurement (E), 26-30 October  
• Advanced Thematic Course on SPS ( F), 26 October – 13 November  
• Workshop on non -tariff measures for ITA participants  (E), 28 -29 October  
• Thematic Workshop on Trade and  Public  Health  (E), 9 -13 November (TBC)  
• TBT Transparency Seminar (E), 23 -27 November (TBC)  
• Advanced T hematic Course on WTO Dispute Settlement ( E), 30 November  – 4 December  
• Advanced Course on Trade and Environment (E) (TBD)  
• Seminar on IP and Knowledge Flows in a Digital Era  (E) (2 days, TBD)  
• Symposium for IP Judges  (E) (4 days, TBD)  
• Seminar on Competition Policy, Trade and Development  (E) (3 days, TBD)  
 
• SPS Committee Thematic Session (E/F/S), 17 March  
• SPS Thematic Workshop (E/F/S), 22 -23 June  
• SPS Committee Thematic Session (E/F/S), 3 November  
• WTO Agriculture Symposium (E/F/S), 2 -3 December  
• Trilateral Symposium on Trade and Health Themes  (E/F/S ) (TBC) (TBD)  
 
 
  JOB/TC/16  
 
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LEVEL 2  
 
Face -to-face:  
• Course on WTO Accessions and Agriculture (E), 12–16 October  
eLearning : 
• Agriculture Information Management System  
• A Short Trip to TRIPS  
• CITES and the WTO: Enhancing Cooperation for Sustainable Development  
• Copyrights in the WTO  
• Documents Online E -Subscriptions  
• Mainstreaming Trade: The Fundamentals  
• Mainstreaming Trade in Action  
• Made in ...: Understanding Rules of Origin  
• Market Access for Goo ds and Non -Agricultural Market Access Negotiations  
• Patents in the WTO  
• Regional Trade Agreements and the WTO  
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
• Technical Barriers to Trade in the WTO  
• The WTO Dispute Settlement System  
• Trade and Environment  
• Trade and Develop ment 
• Trade Facilitation Agreement  
• Trade Finance and the WTO  
• Trade in Services in the WTO  
• Trade Remedies and the WTO  
• Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights  
• Transparency and the WTO: Notifications Obligations  
• WTO Accession (revised version)  
• WTO Market Access Intelligence Online  
 
 
 
 
LEVEL 1  
Face -to-face:  
• Introductory Trade Policy Course for LDCs  (E), 20 April–8 May (TBC)  
eLearning : 
• Introduction to the WTO  
 
* E = English, F  = French, S  = Spanish, TBC  = activity to be confirmed/decided, TBD  = dates to be 
determined (possible time period between parentheses)  
  JOB/TC/16  
 
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  ANNEX II I 
2020 Training Calendar (Other)  
 
eLearning : 
• WTO in 10'  
• The Agriculture Express  
 
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