RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
30 October 2015  
(15-5765)  Page: 1/43  
Committee on Trade and Development    
 
  BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN 
2016–17 
Table of Contents 
ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................... 2  
1   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 4  
2   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 6  
3   IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2014-15 TA PLAN .............................................................. 6  
3.1   Key achi evements ..................................................................................................... 7  
3.2   Lessons learnt ........................................................................................................... 8  
4   TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PRIORITIES ......................................................................... 9  
5   STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN 2016-17 ............................ 11  
5.1   Managing for Results St rategy .................................................................................... 11 
5.2   Focus on the implementation of the WTO Agreements .................................................... 13 
5.3   TPR Fo llow-ups ........................................................................................................ 14 
5.4   Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS) ............................................................................ 15 
5.5   Interactive Training Methods ...................................................................................... 16 
5.6   e-Learning Strategy .................................................................................................. 16 
5.7   Approach to Partnership ............................................................................................ 17 
6   EXPECTED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE KEY RESULTS .................................................... 18  
6.1   Key Result 1: Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and making 
full use of Memb ers' rights ................................................................................................ 19 
6.2   Key Result 2: Acceding governments are participating in accession negotiations, in 
line with WTO accession pr ocesses and procedures ............................................................... 26 
6.3   Key Result 3: Members are accessing and using the most recent and relevant WTO-
related information and data enabling them to better enforce their rights and obligations ........... 27 
6.4   Key result 4: MPs, journalists and civil society interacting with WTO; and students 
or academic institutions supported by WTO are dealing with trade policy and WTO-related 
subjects ...................................................................................................................... ... 28 
7   FUNDING ................................................................................................................... 30  
7.1   Regular Budget for TA ............................................................................................... 31 
7.2   Extra-budgeta ry funds for TA ..................................................................................... 33 
ANNEX 1 - WTO TRTA  LOGFRAME ................................................................................... 35  
ANNEX 2 - ACTIVITY MATRIX ......................................................................................... 41  
 
  WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 2 - 
 
  ACRONYMS 
AFT Aid for Trade 
AIP Accessions Internship Programme ATPC Advanced Trade Policy Course BTOR Back-to-Office Report CBFA Committee on Budget, Fi nance and Administration 
CD-ROM Compact Disk – Read Only Memory CEECAC Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Caucasus CHF Swiss Francs CTD  Committee on Trade and Development CTS Council for Trade in Services DDA Doha Development Agenda DDAGTF Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund DS Dispute Settlement DSA Daily Subsistence Allowance DSB Dispute Settlement Body DSU Dispute Settlement Understanding E English EU European Union F French GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GPA Government Procurement Agreement GTF Global Trust Fund HR Human Resources IMF International Monetary Fund ITPC Intermediate Trade Policy Course ITTC Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LDCs Least developed countries M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MIP French & Irish Mission Internship Programme MP Member of Parliament MTS Multilateral Trading System NAMA Non-agricultural Market Access NGO Non-Governmental Organization NTP Netherlands Trainee Programme ODA Official Development Assistance PhD Doctor of Philosophy PLS Progressive Learning Strategy RB Regular Budget RBM Results-Based Management RCI Regional Coordinator Internship RCs Reference Centres RTAs Regional Trade Agreements RTPC Regional Trade Policy Course WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 3 - 
 
  SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound 
S Spanish SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary TA Technical Assistance TAME Technical Assistance Monitoring & Evaluation unit TBT Technical Barriers to Trade 
TF Trust Fund 
Trade Facilitation 
TFA Trade Facilitation Agreement 
TFAF Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility TPC Trade Policy Course TPR Trade Policy Review TRIMS Trade-related Investment Measures TRIPS Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights TRTA Trade-related Technical Assistance USAID United States Agency for International Development WCP WTO Chairs Programme 
WTO World Trade Organization 
YPP Young Professionals Programme WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 4 - 
 
  1  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
1.  The WTO Trade-Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) is a major component of the WTO work 
and contributes to the Aid for Trade (AFT) initiative.  Its main purpose is to enhance the human and institutional capacities of beneficiaries to take full advantage of the rules-based Multilateral 
Trading System (MTS), deal with the emerging ch allenges and enforce their rights and obligations 
as Members.  The Technical Assistance Plan (TA Pl an) defines the strategy and priorities that will 
be followed by the Secretariat in this domain in 2016-17.  It is for the most part a policy 
framework identifying priorities, anticipated results, mechanisms for implementation and sources 
of funding. 
2.  Since TA is now managed by the WTO on the ba sis of results, the TA Plan has been structured 
around the following four key results th at TA should contribute to achieve:
1 
 Government officials are implementing WT O Agreements and making full use of 
Members' rights; 
 Acceding governments are participating in accession negotiations, in line with WTO 
accession processes and procedures; 
 Members are accessing and using the most recent and relevant WTO-related information 
and data enabling them to better enforce their rights and obligations; and 
 MPs, journalists and civil society are interacting with WTO; and students or academic 
institutions supported by WTO are dealing with trade policy and WTO-related subjects. 
3.  The TA Plan explains how these key results w ill be pursued taking into account the changing 
needs of the Members and the outcome of the 10th Ministerial Conference.  The achievement of 
these key results will be monitored on the basis of a number of performance indicators identified in 
the TA Plan, for which targets have been defined.  The approach entails moving further away from systematically offering regional seminars across al l regions on every subject to instead respond to 
the specific needs of Members.  In line with the Doha Declaration, the least developed countries 
(LDCs) and Africa will continue to be gi ven priority in the overall TRTA programme. 
4.  The TA Plan has been developed in a challenging economic context for many Members, which 
imposes downward pressure on TA resources.  Whilst the WTO Regular Budget (RB) remains 
frozen at its 2009 level, extra-budgetary resources generously provided by donors, which used to 
finance three quarters of the TA, have been going down fast with earmarked amounts increasing according to donors' priorities.  Overall, the TA Plan for 2016-17 assumes that the TA resources 
will be stable during the next biennium, allowing the WTO to maintain approximately the same 
level of activity in this domain as over the la st three years (in 2014 for example, the Secretariat 
delivered 273 TA activities, both in Geneva and in various Members and acceding countries, 
benefiting a total of close to 15,000 participants). 
5.  To that effect, the Secretariat will strive to identify ways of improving cost efficiency and focus 
on quality as opposed to quantity to achieve the ex pected key results.  To decide on how best to 
employ TA resources and maximise their return for the beneficiaries of the WTO TA, the 
Secretariat has been guided by the following three fa ctors: the results achieved by TA over the last 
three years; the lessons learnt during that period; and the TA priorities identified by the beneficiaries for the next biennium.  Each of thes e three factors is analysed in the TA Plan and 
leads to the introduction of various strategies wh ich will guide the TA offered by the Secretariat 
during the next biennium.  These strategies are the following: 
a. TA will be increasingly managed on the ba sis of its capacity to produce meaningful 
results.  A simple and effective M&E framework has been developed to measure the 
results of the WTO TA and report them.  Efforts to fully implement this M&E framework will continue throughout the next biennium.  
                                               
1  In this TA Plan, the terms "key result " and "Outcome" are used interchangeably. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 5 - 
 
  b. TA results are maximised when the activities  focus on the implementation of the WTO 
Agreements or on some of their provisions, as pioneered in certain areas like SPS or TBT, where participants have prepared Action Plans to address key national SPS or TBT implementation challenges.  The Secretariat plans to replicate a similar approach in 
other areas during the biennium. 
c. On demand, the Secretariat will also support more systematically follow-up on TPR 
recommendations, in particular in LDCs, as recommended in the fifth appraisal of the 
TPR mechanism, since this can be very effective in supporting the national reform 
process. 
d. The training offered by the WTO is designed to  progressively take government officials to 
higher levels of knowledge and skills in trade-related areas.  Further efforts are needed 
to translate this principle into reality and provide generalists and specialists with a truly 
progressive learning path, so they can make the most efficient use of their time. 
e. To increase the effectiveness of the training it provides, the Secretariat will promote the 
use of an interactive pedagogy in all of its TA activities.  This will increase participants' 
knowledge retention rate and make a more efficient use of the time available.  A programme of Training of Trainers (ToT ) will be developed to that effect. 
f. The availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week of a large e-Learning programme 
covering most of the WTO subjects has been critical in keeping the WTO TA offer at the 
same overall level in the face of shrinking TA resources since 2009.  The e-Learning offer will be further enriched and improved during the biennium. 
g. Cooperation with partners to deliver TA has allowed the Secretariat to leverage its 
human and financial resources in many ways by adding value to the substance of the activities, sharing costs or the logistics burden, or allowing the WTO to reach different 
audiences.  The Secretariat will promote those partnerships which add the most value to 
its TA activities, in particular as far as substance is concerned, in order to maximise the benefits for participants. 
6.  To support the full implementation of thes e various strategies and the achievement of the 
identified key results, the TA Plan proposes to adjust the structure of the regular budget dedicated 
to TA.  The current budget structure was defined immediately after the launch of the DDA and does not correspond fully to today's TA needs and priorities.  By aligning the WTO regular budget 
and strategy for TA, and by restoring a minimum leve l of flexibility in the use of the budget when 
implementing the TA Plan, the Secretariat will be able to use the funding made available to it to the fullest extent possible to maximise the returns for beneficiaries. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 6 - 
 
  2  INTRODUCTION 
7.  The main purpose of the WTO TRTA progra mmes is to enhance the human and institutional 
capacities of beneficiaries to actively participate in the rules-based MTS and take full advantage of it, deal with the challenges emerging from it and enforce their rights and obligations.  The WTO 
efforts in this domain are an important part of its work and also contribute to the AFT work 
programme.  As such, they contribute to the broa der spectrum of ongoing bilateral, regional and 
multilateral efforts to enhance the delivery of  AFT and substantially improve their impact on 
beneficiaries. 
8.  TRTA has a role to play in contributing to enable countries' trade opening, which in turn should 
translate into growth, development and jobs.  To  this end, several key multilateral agencies 
involved in the provision of TRTA, including regional organizations and development banks in their 
respective areas of competence, are collaborating with the WTO, where feasible.  Effective trade 
capacity building requires the invo lvement of all stakeholders at ev ery stage of the process.  This 
ensures a sense of ownership and accountability by all parties to achieve the targeted results. 
9.  The quality and relevance of WTO TRTA depends on adequate needs assessments and 
consultations with a wide range of beneficiaries.  However, there are clear limits to the capacity on the part of some of the relevant stakeholders to  define priorities, and of the beneficiaries to 
participate actively in the design of TRTA activiti es.  In a bid to address some of these limitations, 
the Secretariat keeps working with beneficiaries to assist them to more accurately articulate their needs in order to ensure that the WTO TRTA addresses them.  Consultations were held at the beginning of the summer with Members in preparation of the TA Plan for 2016-17.  They were 
conducted on the basis of the replies received to the TRTA questionnaire circulated by the 
Secretariat.  The result of these consultations is contained in Chapter 4 below. 
10.  On the basis of the outcome of the consulta tions and lessons learned during 2014-15, various 
strategies have been developed to promote better TA results, improve the progressivity and 
interactivity of training, support Members' efforts to implement WTO Agreements and develop the e-Learning offer.  A number of programmes have  then been identified to address Members' 
priorities, building on the institutional TA that the WTO will continue to offer in the next biennium 
(e.g. TPCs for generalists, online course, etc.).  These are outlined in detail in Annex 2.  In addition, the Plan identifies the targeted key re sults and explains how these key results will be 
achieved and measured.  The changing needs of th e Members will determine the kind of TA that 
the WTO provides, particularly at national level.  This also implies moving further away from 
systematically offering regional seminars across al l regions on every subject to, instead, following 
a n  a p p r o a c h  t h a t  r e s p o n d s  t o  s p e c i f i c  i d e n t i f i e d  n e e d s .   T h e  A f r i c a n  r e g i o n  a n d  t h e  L D C s  w i l l  
continue to be given priority in the WTO TRTA programmes. 
11.  The TA Plan starts with a brief review of the main results and lessons learnt during the 
2014-15 TA Plan, before discussing the TA priorities identified by Members during the 
consultations.  Chapter 5 presents the various strategies followed by the Secretariat to respond to 
Members priorities, taking into account past results and lessons learnt.  The concrete actions that will be taken to address Members' priorities are explained in Chapter 6, which also includes the 
key results (Outcomes) and Outputs expected from the delivery of this TA Plan.
2  Lastly, Chapter 7 
outlines the funding requirements in order to implement the new TA Plan. 
3  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2014-15 TA PLAN 12.  The 2014 Annual Report on TA  and Training (WT/COMTD/W/209) analysed the TRTA provided 
by the WTO during the first year of the 2014-15 biennium and assessed its main results.  The 
report shows that, in the areas for which results could be measured, the Secretariat achieved most of the main Outputs and Outcomes that had been assigned by the TA Plan 2014-15 for that year.  
The implementation of the TA Plan continues in 2015, but these initial results are encouraging and 
have been taken into account in designing this TA Plan.  Several lessons have also been learnt during that year and before, which will guide the future action of the Secretariat in this domain. 
                                               
2  In this TA Plan, the terms "key result " and "Outcome" are used interchangeably. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 7 - 
 
  3.1  Key achievements 
13.  Overall, the Secretariat undertook 273 TA activities in 2014, in Geneva and in various 
Members and acceding countries, training close to 15,000 officials originating from more than 130 different Members or Observers.  In total, the WTO organised approximately 2,000 days of 
training during the year.  A similar level of activi ty is expected in 2015.  Approximately half of the 
participants are now trained online, in constant progression for many years.  This and a tighter management of face-to-face activities have allowed the Secretariat to reach an ever increasing 
public (+ 7% in 2014), in spite of the signific ant reduction of the TA resources since the 2008 
financial crisis (- 21% in 2014, - 40% since 2009).  Many face-to-face activities were organised in partnership with other international and regional organizations. 
14.  Three quarters of the face-to-face activities were held at the national level and one quarter at 
the regional/global level.  The analysis of the information on the expenses related to TRTA 
activities confirmed that regional/global activities were comparatively more expensive than national ones, and that face-to-face activities were significantly more expensive than e-Learning 
ones, which trained 52% of the participants in 2014 at less than 5% of the total TA direct costs.  
The topics at national level are usually not specifically identified in the TA Plan but rather through the national request made during the period.  In 2014 as in the previous year, the activities most 
in demand at national level were those with a general remit covering several if not all WTO 
subjects or Agreements, and Trade Facilitation (TF) needs assessments, as Members were busy 
preparing for the ratification and implementation of the Agreement approved in Bali.  Standards-
related activities (SPS, TBT) were also very popular. 
15.  In line with the Doha Declaration, facilitating the integration of LDCs into the MTS continued 
to be one of the main priorities of the TRTA prov ided by WTO.  The LDCs were invited to 58% of 
the activities organised in 2014, as in 2013.  So me global activities such as the three-week 
Introduction Course for LDCs or the thematic course  for LDCs are specifically designed for them.  A 
third of the participants in e-Learning activities originated from LDCs.  Geographically speaking, Africa remained the first beneficiary of both face-to-face and online activities. 
16.  Around 60% of the TA was provided in Engl ish and 17% in Spanish and French each, in line 
with beneficiaries' language preferences.  To foster effective adult le arning, in face-to-face 
activities the pedagogy combined practical exer cises, quizzes and simulations in pursuit of 
interactivity.  For the first time in 2014, the shar e of the total training time dedicated to lectures 
shrank well below 50%. 
17.  In 2014, the balance of participants between the three PLS levels (introduction, intermediate, 
advanced) was 24%, 50%, 16%, and 10% of the participants took part in activities which could 
not be given a specific level (e.g. mainly in the academic programme).  Generalists represented 
38% of the participants and specialists 52%.  The introduction of true progressivity in the WTO training remained work in progress and efforts are still needed to transform the content of a 
number of activities in order to offer a truly progressive training path across three successive 
levels, whether to generalists or specialists.  In 2014, the relative importance of advanced activities was inflated by the massive programme of needs assessments conducted on TF in preparation for the entry into force of this agreement. 
18.  Overall, the proportion of women amongst pa rticipants was stable.  In the face-to-face or 
online activities it was 45% but, as in previo us years, that average hid important differences 
depending on the regions. 
19.  The monitoring and evaluation efforts showed that measuring immediate results was much 
easier to achieve with e-Learning courses than with most face-to-face activities.  This is due to the fact that the transfer of knowledge is monitored regularly by the use of a set of interactive 
activities and quizzes, and assessed at the end for each participant through a final exam.  Beyond 
online courses, a final exam was introduced so far only in the RTPCs. 
20.  Even if the success rate in e-Learning course s has been going down over the last three years, 
at 61% in 2014 it remained fairly high by industry standards.  However, the total number of 
successful participants grew by 17% in 2014 compar ed to the previous year, as the overall growth 
of participation in online courses outweighed th e lower success rate.  In RTPCs, the success rate WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 8 - 
 
  was 97%, which is remarkable given that 2014 was the first year ever in which all seven TA 
regions were covered.  In other face-to-face activities, success was measured mainly on the basis of the opinion of the participants, who gave on av erage a 4.6 mark out of 5 to the achievement of 
the immediate objectives.  The use of more objective performance indicators to measure the 
success of these activities should still be encouraged. 
21.  The measurement of the longer-term results of WTO TRTA remained a challenge, for both 
methodological and practical reasons.  Since 2009, the Secretariat has committed to measure the 
contribution to some of the higher level results in the domains in which it provides TRTA to 
beneficiaries.  But, since most of the data on results has to come from beneficiary countries, this cannot be performed without their contribution and commitment.  A first pilot in two African countries in 2012 showed that some limited resu lts could be measured, although this was not 
necessarily easy.  In 2014, the Secretariat could not secure the participation of any beneficiary 
country in its efforts to assess the long-term results of the TRTA provided.  Anecdotal evidence was presented in the annual report concerning th e longer-term results of the assistance provided: 
to acceding countries; for the production of im proved services statistics; in support of the 
notification of category A measures for TF; and under Article 27.2 of the DSU.  These examples 
demonstrate that in a variety of situations, the TA provided by the WTO is producing valuable 
results, sometimes after a number of years. 
3.2  Lessons learnt 22.  A number of relevant lessons were drawn fr om the implementation of the 2014-2015 TA Plan 
and earlier ones.  These will contribute to improved performance in 2016 and 2017. 
23.  The 2008 financial crisis led to a significant re duction of the TA resources, both in the regular 
budget and from voluntary contributions (see Section 7).  This forced the Secretariat to do more with less by increasing the efficiency of its existing programmes and developing online courses.  
However, year 2014 showed that cutting expenses was reaching its limit in several areas in which 
the Secretariat had difficulties in fully responding to  Members' requests or needs, or required much 
longer to do so, due to a lack of sufficient human resources (e.g. implementation of the RBM 
methodology, TA related to TBT or dispute settlement). 
24.  Approximately half of the participants in the WTO TA programmes are now reached through 
online courses.  This has been critical in increasi ng the overall scale of the TA provided by the WTO 
to beneficiaries at a time of decreasing resources.  But, whilst e-Learning has the potential to 
continue to grow, whether in terms of subject coverage, level of learning or pedagogy, there are 
intrinsic limitations to what can be achieved through online courses.  This should lead to: 
a. refocusing face-to-face activities on those aspects of TA which cannot be satisfactorily 
achieved online, such as implementation issues; 
b. developing further the WTO e-Learning offer to complete its subject coverage, continue 
improving the quality of its pedagogy and restructure its training material to make them 
more flexible and digestible for participants; 
c. a more coherent combination of face-to-face and online training in the TA provided to 
respond to the identified needs of beneficiaries. 
25.  Another lesson learnt over the recent past concerns the PLS.  A clearer understanding of the 
knowledge, concepts or principles that have to be acquired at each of the three levels is needed.  
The pedagogy of the courses should also be adapte d so as to build on what has been acquired at 
the previous level instead of merely repeating th e very same content successively at each of the 
three levels. 
26.  A new TA Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system was adopted in December 2012 in order to 
introduce RBM for TA activities.  A significan t amount of time was then dedicated by the 
Secretariat to the implementation of the system.  Although its implementation remains work in 
progress in several respects, it started producing some useful information in 2013 and 2014.  These first years of experimentation with RBM have taught the Secretariat several lessons: WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 9 - 
 
  
a. The Secretariat is ill-equipped to measure long term results, given the evaluation 
complexity this entailed.  The relevant data have to be collected in beneficiary countries, which do not have the resources to do so and where the relevant data are not organised o r  s t r u c t u r e d  s o  a s  t o  b e  e a s i l y  r e t r i e v a b l e .   R B M  t o  m a n a g e  T A  i s  n o n - e x i s t e n t  o r  
under-developed in some beneficiary countries.  This has a bearing on the functioning of 
the RBM system of the WTO at the end of th e chain and can prevent it from producing 
the expected data.  Evidence in this domain will consequently remain anecdotal, unless 
information is collected from the TPR process. 
b. BTORs and TAME on-site evaluations have confir med that most of the time the quality of 
the TA provided is satisfactory, as it responds to the needs of the participants and achieves the expected immediate results (Output).  However, measuring these Outputs 
on the basis of sufficiently objective indicators remains a real challenge in many cases. 
c. There is resistance to spending an increasing share of the Secretariat time on measuring 
the results of TA activities instead of perf orming them.  The general feeling across the 
Secretariat is that RBM mainly increased TA complexity and transaction costs.  
Compared to the pre-RBM situation, the Secr etariat continued to provide approximately 
the same kind and volume of TA, but each activity now takes more time to implement, 
as the administrative requirements imposed on the Secretariat have become more 
demanding. 
d. The last five years saw a growing propensity of  donors requesting that their TA voluntary 
contributions be earmarked, making the WTO TA increasingly donor-driven instead of 
demand-driven.  This goes against the decision taken by Members in 2001 to consolidate 
the funding of WTO TRTA in one single global un-earmarked trust fund. 
e. Demand for training on the WTO Agreements re mains very strong amongst beneficiaries.  
However, for several years the Secretariat diversified its TA offer by also proposing 
activities designed more specifically to a ssist Members in the implementation of the 
Agreements (e.g. workshops on agriculture notifications, advanced programme on SPS 
or on TBT, TF needs assessment programme, et c.).  Ex-post and on-site evaluations of 
these latter programmes have demonstrated that they tended to produce more significant and concrete long term results for the beneficiaries, which more than justified their marginally higher costs. 
27.  The consequences of these lessons are far-re aching.  Together, they call for an evolution of 
the strategy of the Secretariat in the area of TA to keep maximizing beneficiaries' return given the current limitations imposed on resources.  These lessons have been taken into account when 
preparing the TA Plan 2016-17. 
4  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PRIORITIES 
28.  According to past practice, the Secretariat held 
consultations with beneficiaries and donors in order 
to identify their priorities for the 2016-17 TA Plan.  A questionnaire in the three working languages of the WTO was circulated to WTO Permanent Missions 
inviting feedback on their TA priorities, their 
expected output and their suggestions for the next biennium.  The responses received were analysed 
and used as a basis for consultation at the 
beginning of the summer of 2015. 
29.  In total, the Secretariat received a response 
from 75 countries, representing approximately half 
of total potential beneficiaries.  This means that the information gathered through the questionnaire can be considered as fairly representative of the views 
of the beneficiaries concerning TA priorities and desired outputs for the next biennium. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 10 - 
 
  
30.  A majority of respondents connected their TA priorities with some targeted results.  The main 
expected outputs mentioned were to deepen know ledge on WTO Agreements and negotiations and 
to gain expertise. 
31.  The consultations showed that in their responses beneficiaries had assumed that the current 
institutional TA offer of the Secretariat (i.e. trade policy courses for generalists at each of the three 
PLS levels and e-Learning courses) would remain available during the next biennium.  The priorities identified should consequently be interpreted as complementing this institutional offer.  
Nine topics out of the 25 listed in the questi onnaires represented 70% of the replies: trade 
facilitation, services, SPS, TBT, TRIPS, trade reme dies, agriculture, general capacity building and 
NAMA.  This is entirely consistent with the pattern observed in the recent past.
3 
 
32.  To respond to the needs of beneficiaries for TA in the field of trade facilitation, which they 
identified as their top priority in the next biennium , the Secretariat will also rely on the support of 
the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF)  operating under the authority of the Trade 
Facilitation Committee (currently the Preparatory Committee until the TFA enters into force giving 
effect to the permanent committee), to compleme nt its more traditional training programmes. 
33.  There was general support for the involvemen t of other stakeholders (e.g. business, MPs, 
academics, journalists) in the activities when feasible, in order to share the knowledge on WTO 
issues more widely inside the countries.  Most responses considered that e-Learning courses were best suited to provide an introduction to a particular subject and much less so to go deeper into the substance, which is consistent with the comments generally made by participants who followed 
an activity combining an online prerequisite with a face-to-face course.  There was a similar 
consensus on the suitability of Geneva as a venue for more advanced activities but, given the current training room capacity constrains in the WTO headquarters, many such activities would 
also have to be held elsewhere. 
34.  Other suggestions made for the 2016-17 TA Plan included the following: 
 Reinforcing e-Learning programme; 
 Strengthening and refining the progressivity of the training provided by the WTO; 
 Offering specific programmes for Geneva-b ased delegates and acceding governments, 
and providing post-accession support; 
                                               
3  See section 4.4 in documents WT/COMTD/W/205 and 209 for an illustration. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 11 - 
 
   Increasing the use of interactive training methods such as case studies, exercises, 
quizzes, etc.; 
 Strengthening the links between TPRs and TA, in particular for the assessment of the TA 
needs of the beneficiaries; 
 Cooperating closely with local partners in the delivery of TA to increase its relevance and 
better tailor the geographic scope of regional activities to take the diversity of local context and interests into account; and 
 Reversing the no-DSA policy implemented over the last few years for regional activities 
and providing new funding for national activities. 
35.  The above-mentioned priorities and suggestions will be taken into account in the organization 
and delivery of TA during the next biennium, within the limits of the human and financial resources 
available to the Secretariat and according to the rules defined by Members to monitor the use of 
these resources.  At the national level, the ev olving TA needs of Members and Observers will 
continue to be assessed through the online nation al activity requests that Members and Observers 
can present to the Secretariat.  Global trade developments, including but not limited to possible 
evolutions at or after the Nairobi Ministerial Confer ence will also guide the activities delivered at 
the regional and global level. 
5  STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN 2016-17 
36.  The TA Plan has been developed to respond to the TA priorities identified in the consultations 
with Members, taking the lessons learnt during the current biennium into account.  It builds on the experience accumulated by the Secretariat in this field over the years, whilst tailoring the WTO TA 
offer to the current MTS circumstances. 
37.  The TA Plan assumes that the TA resources,  both human and financial, will remain stable 
during the next biennium.  While using these resources to the fullest extent possible, the 
Secretariat will not try to do more than it did during the 2014-15 biennium.  Instead, it will aim to 
maintain a stable level of output and to improve the quality and effectiveness of its TA activities by focusing on those programmes and activities that have the highest potential to produce relevant 
results for the beneficiaries. 
38.  As in the 2014-15 biennium, this general approach will rely on the result-based management 
(RBM) of TA, implemented since 2013 to measure the results of the TA activities in the short and 
longer term; on the Progressive Learning Strategy  (PLS), implemented since 2010 to better tailor 
WTO training to the actual needs of government officials; and on the e-Learning strategy, 
implemented since 2013 to offer a large array of quality online courses.  In 2016-17, four new elements will complement this general approach: favour activities which support Members' efforts 
to implement WTO Agreements, encourage Members to follow-up on their TPR, promote the use of 
interactive training methods and adopt a more focused approach towards partnerships. 
5.1  Managing for Results Strategy 
39.  RBM is an approach to management designed to maximise the results that can be generated 
with the resources available.  It was adopted by  the Secretariat to improve planning, decision-
making, transparency and accountability.  The RBM framework was endorsed by the CTD in March 2013.  As a consequence, the TA Plan is now structured around the Outcomes and Outputs that 
should be achieved and which become the ma in drivers of the WTO TA.  Each and every 
TA programme or activity offered under the Plan ha s been retained for its capacity to produce the 
intended results. 
40.  As in the 2014-15 TA Plan, four main Outcomes or key result areas have been identified, each 
with their respective Outputs.  These are detailed in Chapter 6.  The cooperation of the Secretariat with beneficiary governments, donors, partner institutions, will be essential for the achievement of 
these Outcomes. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 12 - 
 
  41.  The logframe in Annex 1, which provides a foundation for work planning and performance 
monitoring, contains the indicators, baselines and targets which will be used to monitor and evaluate progress towards the expected results when  implementing the TA Plan.  This is essential 
to promote the efficient utilisation of resources.  The indicators were developed in order to be as 
SMART
4 as possible.  The TA Monitoring & Evaluation (TAME) Unit in ITTC will coordinate the M&E 
activities and support TRTA quality assurance. 
42.  However, as noted in section 3 above, the initial years of experience with RBM and the 
lessons learnt on that occasion have confirmed that the following caveats should be taken into 
account when implementing RBM for the WTO TA programmes and activities: 
a. Although the logframe also identifies for the sake of comprehensiveness and coherence 
the Impact (the highest-level and long-term expected results) to which the TA provided 
by the WTO aims to contribute over time, it cannot be realistically assumed that the 
Secretariat will ever be in a position to make a causal link between the training it 
provides to Members and Observers and any result that may be observed in the 
countries at the Impact level.  As the WTO essentially provides training to government 
officials, it has no mandate from its Members to intervene in national trade policy matters.  Any change that may occur in the areas in which the WTO provides TA will 
primarily and mostly result from the policy and actions of the government itself.  The 
literature on RBM has abundantly documented what it calls the attribution dilemma in which the WTO is trapped, as many others.  It would consequently be unwise to nurture 
any expectation of ever establishing th e Impact of the WTO TA, given the huge 
assumptions this would require.  Instead, emphasis will be placed on measuring the 
Secretariat contribution towards Outcomes (key results). 
b. RBM is a technic initially developed to manage projects.  In most cases, projects have a 
beginning, a middle and an end, which means that evaluators can compare a before with 
an after to assess the difference the project made.  The WTO (and the GATT before it), on the other hand, has been providing training to successive generations of government 
officials for sixty years and it is not foreseen that this mandate should come to an end 
soon, making the comparison called for by RBM fairly difficult.  Therefore, RBM will 
essentially be used by WTO to improve planning, decision-making, transparency and accountability. 
c. WTO TA is composed every year of several hundreds of independent activities on a large 
variety of subjects and with no apparent link between them.  These activities benefited in 2014 close to 15,000 individuals in more than 130 different countries.  On the basis of 
such a dispersed sample, gathering reliable an d representative data on possible results 
will always remain a challenge. 
d. Data on potential longer-term results can mainly be found in beneficiary Members, which 
have no dedicated resources to gather them and make them available.  Furthermore, the 
way in which such data are generally organised or stored makes it difficult to exploit or 
retrieve them for RBM purposes. 
e. In the WTO, RBM only applies to TA.  The many  other activities of the Secretariat are not 
subjected to this management technique.  As a result, RBM remains alien to the culture 
of the Secretariat for the most part.  Three years down the line, getting the many divisions which implement TA to adhere to the RBM philosophy remains an uphill battle. 
43.  These caveats and the limited resources ava ilable for RBM implementation have prompted a 
simple but effective M&E system providing useful information for measuring results and managing the quality of TA.  The methodology, depth and frequency of data collection differ depending on 
the component of the system illustrated in the diagram. 
                                               
4 SMART stands for Specific, Measurable , Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 13 - 
 
  Monitoring Evaluation 
Outputs 
Monitoring  
Activity 
Plan Outcome 
Evaluation  Annual 
Review/ 
Report, 
BTORs, 
Progress 
of Activity 
Plans TA Needs 
Assessment, 
TA Plan 
Evaluation, 
Ex-post/ 
Thematic 
Evaluation Needs 
Assessment  Monitoring & Evaluation 44.  Monitoring, which will be 
conducted by the programme managers, organisers and trainers, will focus on the 
immediate results or Outputs 
of the various TA activities.  The relevant data will be 
collected mainly through the e-
BTORs.  These data will be shared and monitored on a continuous basis throughout 
the year. 
45.  Internal evaluation, which 
will be conducted by TAME, will 
focus on higher level results: 
Outcomes or key results.  The assessment of the WTO TRTA 
contribution to the realization 
of Outcomes will be undertaken annually.  Ex-post or thematic evaluations will be conducted, as 
and when needed, and will include in their design the effectiveness and efficiency of TA.  If and 
when the opportunity presents itself, these evaluations will be complemented with an assessment 
of the longer-term results of the WTO TA at the level of particular countries.  Finally, at the 
initiative of several donors, an external evaluation of the WTO TA  will be performed in 2016.  Its 
results and recommendations will be presented to the CTD for consideration. 
46.  The results and recommendations stemming from these evaluations will be regularly taken 
into account when organizing TA activities during the biennium, in order to improve them and fix their shortcomings as early as possible.  More fundamental or systemic recommendations will then 
be addressed when preparing the TA Plan for 2018-19. 
5.2  Focus on the implementation of the WTO Agreements 47.  As noted in section 3 above, ex-post and on-s ite evaluations of the activities designed more 
specifically to assist Members in the implemen tation of the Agreements (e.g. workshops on 
agriculture notifications, advanced programme  on SPS or on TBT, TF needs assessment 
programme, etc.) have demonstrated that they tend  to produce more significant and concrete long 
term results for the beneficiaries.  Consequently, during the next biennium, the Secretariat intends 
to promote a comparable approach in a wider range of areas. 
48.  The most effective amongst the activities designed to address implementation issues have 
been those in which, with the support of coac hes, participants were groomed for action on 
precisely identified problems through the preparation of Action Plans.  As all areas may not easily 
lend themselves to this approach, the intention is not necessarily to replicate it as such in other domains, but rather to extend the use of the key components behind the significant success harvested by these programmes.  These key success factors can be summarised as follows: 
a. Problem identification .  In most cases, Members are faced with a multiplicity of 
implementation difficulties.  Success generally depends on a proper prioritization of these difficulties and requires narrowing the focus of the participants down to one of 
them only.  As each national situation is specific, this can only be usefully done at the 
individual country level. 
b. Action Plan .  Participants develop an Action Plan addressing the identified problem and 
take responsibility for implementing it in their country.  This means that the plan should 
be ambitious enough, concrete, realistic and implementable with the means available to the participants. 
c. Leadership .  As things rarely work as initially planned, success in the implementation of 
the Action Plan depends on the capacity of th e participants to be true leaders of change WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 14 - 
 
  in their own country in order to overcome the unavoidable difficulties.  This also has a 
bearing on the selection of the participants. 
d. Coaching .  At every stage of the process – identi fication of a problem, development and 
implementation of an Action Plan – professional  coaching is provided to the participants.  
By pushing them out of their comfort zone, coaches lead participants to give the best of 
themselves whilst remaining realistic. 
e. Follow-up .  Implementing an Action Plan takes time.  A regular follow-up of the 
participants provides them with both support and an incentive to soldier on and 
implement their Action Plan as fully as possible. 
49.  These factors work best when combined together in one activity or programme, but it might 
nevertheless be possible to retain some of them only.  This approach requires that a sufficient 
number of competent coaches be available (one person can coach up to five or six participants at 
the same time).  Whilst continuing to rely on outside coaches to get around unavoidable conflict with Committee work and similar commitments, the Secretariat will also undertake to internalise 
this new competence during the biennium.  A training programme for the staff will be designed to 
that effect. 
5.3  TPR Follow-ups 
50.  Activities designed to follow-up on the fi ndings and recommendations of TPRs have been 
organised on an ad-hoc basis by the Secretariat for many years, at the request of some individual Members.  Indeed, the TPR exercise is a unique opportunity for the Member concerned to reconsider in a holistic way the many components of its trade policy, which may each have been 
developed independently to respond to the specific pressure of the moment.  A TPR represents a 
very significant intelligence gathering investment from the Organization and the government of the 
Member under review.  Whilst transparency is the main objective of the exercise, a marginal 
additional investment can help produce other very profitable results for the country when the 
government, having taken stock of the situation, intends to reform certain aspects of its policy. 
51.  During the fifth appraisal of the TPR mechanism conducted in 2013, 
Members also considered it important to enhance, where required, the role of the 
TPRM in making available technical assistance to developing-country Members, and in particular to LDC Members (in accordance with Annex 3D).  Members agreed that 
there could be further follow-up to reviews of those Members, at their request.  This 
follow-up could involve a workshop/seminar to discuss and disseminate the results of 
the review, as well as to identify the trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building needs of the reviewed Member(s).
5 
52.  The first TPR follow-ups organised by the Secr etariat were designed to disseminate the results 
of the review to all national stakeholders (e.g. private sector, other ministries, national institutions, parliament, academia, etc.).  Their main objective was to share the facts gathered 
during the review and the analysis made by the Secretariat as widely as possible in order to 
develop a critical mass of shared common knowledge, which would then facilitate and support future reforms.  The Follow-up was also a tool to identify the TA needs of the country in support of the implementation of the WTO obligations, as recommended by Members during the fifth 
appraisal.  This approach remains most relevant for developing countries. 
53.  A second more ambitious type of TPR follow-up was tested early 2015 in Myanmar.  In 
addition to the national stakeholders already mentioned above, it also involved a number of 
bilateral donors (EU, JICA, USAID, etc.) and other IGOs (World Bank, IMF, etc.).  It required a 
more significant preparation.  Out of 25 policy areas in need of reform identified during the TPR, the follow-up activity focused on six retained as pr iorities by the authorities.  In these six areas, 
the activity went further than disseminating the results of the TPR and paved the way for actual 
reforms with the pointed support of designated bilateral donors and IGOs, including the WTO.  All 
                                               
5  Paragraph 2.4 in document WT /MIN(13)/5 approved by the 9th Ministerial Conference. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Generalists  Specialists  
Advanced Level 
ATPC 
Geneva  
Intermediate Level 
RTPCs, e-Learning Advanced Level 
THEMATIC 
Geneva , Region, e-Learnin g 
Intermediate Level 
THEMATIC 
Geneva, Region, e-Learning 
Introductory Level 
e-Learnin g / Geneva-based for LDCs  the parties involved in this first experiment found it highly effective.  This kind of more elaborated follow-up would be best suited for LDCs. 
54.  The synergies between the TPR exercise and subsequent national reforms are both obvious 
and significant, as acknowledged during the fifth TPRM appraisal and during the consultations for 
the preparation of this TA Plan.  However, to be successful, TPR follow-ups have to remain 
demand-driven since any trade policy reforms w ill eventually be led by the government.  
Nevertheless, to respond to Members' call in MC9, it is the Secretariat's intention during the next 
biennium to accommodate such TPR follow-ups more systematically, as they may lead to a better 
assessment of their TA needs and significant results in the medium term. 
5.4  Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS) 55.  The Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS) adopted in 2010 structures the WTO training 
activities around three successive levels - introductory, intermediate and advanced - available 
either for generalists or for specialists.  Moving to a PLS had become necessary to better tailor the 
WTO training offer to the evolving needs of Member s in the face of the increasing complexity of 
the MTS.  By segmenting the training by level and by  type of public (generalists or specialists), the 
PLS allowed the WTO to formally move away from th e one-size-fits-all approach followed until then 
in order to better service a more diversified public.  For example, the PLS made it possible for 
government officials who needed to deepen thei r knowledge and expertise in a particular area, 
without unnecessarily burdening those who had more basic needs which could be satisfied at a lower level.  The PLS also catered for the needs of the many officials - such as Geneva-based delegates - who are required to have a broad knowledge of many WTO subjects to conduct their 
work, without really specialising in anyone of them in particular, whilst recognising as well that 
they too needed to be offere d some progressive training. 
56.  In addition, as the effects of the 2008 financial crisis on TA resources started to be felt, the 
PLS became an instrument to improve the effectiv eness and efficiency of the training offered by 
the WTO.  One of the effects of the PLS has been  to ensure that the level of knowledge of the 
participants to an activity on a given subject is more homogenous.  In turn, this allowed the 
trainers to make a better use of the time available during the activities.  Whereas before the way 
to accumulate more knowledge on a subject was to repeat the same training several times, hoping to retain each time more, the PLS endeavours to build on the pre-existing knowledge of the participants in order to progressively take them to a higher level of understanding, knowledge or 
skills, leading to a more efficient use of the resources available. 
57.  The introductory level delivers to both generalists and specialists basic knowledge about the 
WTO and MTS, their principles and functioning; it should provide the participants with the 
minimum knowledge of the system to work on basic WTO-related issues and on which to build at 
the next level, whether when specialising in a subject or not.  For generalists, the intermediate 
level will provide a 
comprehensive 
understanding of the main provisions of the WTO 
Agreements and 
negotiations; the advanced level will 
then address 
horizontally 
important trade 
policy issues on 
which one or several WTO Agreements may 
have a bearing.  
The need to cover a large number of 
Agreements or 
issues means that courses for WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 16 - 
 
  generalists will frequently have a long duration (e.g. 8 weeks).  For specialists, the intermediate 
level will offer a thematic approach focusing on one WTO Agreement (or on a limited number of related ones); the advanced level may then propose to specialise on one sub-sector or one aspect of the Agreement, or to concentrate on one or se veral implementation issues.  The duration of the 
courses for specialists is generally 1 or 2 weeks in most cases. 
58.  A first set of guidelines on the substantive co ntent of each of the three training levels, subject 
by subject, was developed at the end of 2013 to de fine the core substantive elements that should 
be mastered by generalists and specialists at the en d of each of the three levels of training.  Since 
then, the Secretariat is progressively adjusting the programme of its training courses in order to provide beneficiaries with a truly progressive traini ng path, both for generalists and specialists.  
The evaluations conducted in 2014 showed that further improvements were needed to achieve 
that objective.
6  Translating the principles and philosophy of the PLS into reality will consequently 
remain one of the priorities of the TA Plan during  the 2016-17 biennium.  In particular, instead of 
merely repeating the content of the previous level, intermediate and advanced level activities will 
need to engineer new effective and efficient ways  of building on the knowledge acquired at the 
previous level through an initial revision or review, before taking the participants through the new elements belonging to the intermediate or advanced level. 
5.5  Interactive Training Methods 
59.  For more than 15 years, the Secretariat has been paying attention to the use of interactive 
training methods in its TA activities.  In the field of adult training, research has demonstrated that, compared to traditional lectures, the use of interactive training methods makes it possible for the 
participants to acquire and retain more knowledge and skills during a given period.  These 
methods are an essential tool to make training activities more effective and hence more efficient.  This is the reason why it has been a constant recommendation in the evaluation of WTO TA to 
increase the share of interactive training methods in the TA activities.  Since 2012, the successive 
annual reports on TA have monitored the use of the various training methods used by the Secretariat when delivering TA.
7  The most recent evolution seen in 2014 on this front was positive 
and needs to be supported and reinforced through a concerted approach in this domain. 
60.  During the 2016-17 biennium, the Secretariat will design and implement a programme of 
training of trainers (ToT) to educate staff members delivering TA more systematically on the development and use of interactive pedagogy and training methods.  The last such systematic 
programme took place more than a decade ago and training in this domain had been left to the 
individual initiative of staff members since then.  Facts show that only a handful of them used that opportunity every year. 
61.  To be effective the ToT programme will need to  be systematic and to have a sufficiently large 
scale so as to cover the entire population of trainers over a short period of time (2 to 3 years).  It will target in priority those who never followed such  a ToT and will be tailored to the specificities of 
the training courses offered by the WTO. 
5.6  e-Learning Strategy 62.  For several years, e-Learning has been playing a critical role in the TRTA provided by the 
WTO.  It offers 24 hours a day and seven days a week a rich array of online courses on almost all 
WTO subjects in the three official languages of  the organization, something the WTO would never 
be capable of offering through traditional face-to- face TA activities.  Online courses are also an 
extremely lean way of training large numbers of  individuals dispersed all around the globe: 
development costs are absorbed by the Secretariat for the most part, as the courses are mainly 
produced internally, and a small team in Geneva can serve large numbers of participants in a multiplicity of different courses.  At a time when  TA resources are going down, e-Learning played a 
critical role in allowing the WTO to maintain and even increase the number of individuals it could 
train annually.  Finally, when combined with face-to-face activities, e-Learning helps to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of such activities , which can then focus on aspects best addressed 
in situ. 
                                               
6  See sections 3.3.3 and 5.2 in document WT/COMTD/W/209. 
7  See section 3.3 in document WT/COMTD/W/197, 3.3.5 in document WT/COMTD/W/205 and 3.3.4 in 
document WT/COMTD/W/209. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 17 - 
 
  63.  During the biennium, the e-Learning courses will continue to function both as a training and 
selection tool to advance to higher levels of training, complementing or replacing more traditional training programmes as necessary.  This will be supported by the implementation of the five-year 
e-Learning strategy adopted in 2012, which outlined four main objectives: 
i. develop, maintain and enhance the new e-Learning platform called e-Campus; 
ii. expand the catalogue of e-Learning courses while augmenting flexibility by 
developing tailor-made curricula using a multi-modular course-builder; 
iii. enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of e-Learning through a greater interactivity 
with a greater involvement of divisions in the delivery of e-Learning courses; and 
iv. increase outreach, both geographically and to specific groupings, through 
partnerships with selected organizations/institutions which can relay trade-related 
online courses to their own public. 
5.7  Approach to Partnership 64.  For many years, the WTO entered into partnerships when delivering TA.  The principle was 
that partnerships were adding value to the subs tance of its TA activities, were leveraging its 
human or financial resources or allowed it to reach a wider public.
8  A f t e r  s o  m a n y  y e a r s  o f  
partnership with so many other institutions during which increasing the total number of 
partnerships seemed to be the main objective, it  was decided when preparing the TA Plan to start 
analysing these partnerships in more detail. 
65.  To that effect, the following four main parameters have been identified: 
a. Substance : whether the cooperation is mandated by a WTO Agreement or not, the 
partner adds value to the content of the TA  activities by bringing on board their 
specialised knowledge on a particular subject, a local context or the institutional role it plays in an area.  Such partnerships would typically involve a joint preparation and 
delivery of the programme of the activity, or of part of it. 
b. Cost-sharing : the partners share the costs associated with the organization of a 
particular TA activity.  The contribution of the partner may be limited to some of these 
costs, defined in terms of percentage of the total or as a lump sum. 
c. Field support / Logistics : the partner takes care of part of the logistics related to the 
TA activity.  This may involve the identification of a venue for the activity (conference room), booking the hotel, preparing travel itineraries, sending invitations, organizing 
interpretation or local transportation, reproducing documents, providing support staff on 
site, setting up and maintaining a virtual classroom, distributing the DSA to participants, where applicable, etc. 
d. Outreach : cooperation with certain institutions may give the WTO an access to a 
different public or may increase its visibility in non-traditional circles. 
66.  These categories are not mutually exclusive and the same partner may actually contribute to 
an activity under several of these headings.  When the WTO finances the costs associated with the 
participation of the partner in a TA activity, thes e extra costs have to be more than compensated 
by the contribution of the partner in the other three domains. 
67.  A first – partial – assessment of existing partnerships against these criteria was performed 
when preparing the TA Plan.  It showed that in  13% of the 56 TA activities sampled the partner 
added limited value under any of the four cate gories.  The substantive contribution of the 
partner(s) was: in 20% of the activities, comparable to WTO's contribution; in another 18% of the 
activities, approximately a quarter of the total; in 34% of the activities, more limited; and in the 
                                               
8  The cooperation with other institutions is also mandated by some of the WTO Agreements (e.g. SPS, 
TBT, TRIPS, etc.). WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 18 - 
 
  remaining 28%, negligible or nil.  In half of the activities, the partner shouldered at least half of 
the costs (frequently much more) and did not shar e any cost in 21% of the cases.  In a large 
majority of the activities (82%), the partner took ca re of part of the logistics.  Finally, in 36% of 
the activities the partner allowed the WTO to reach out to a different public. 
68.  In 2016-17, the detailed analysis of the parameters of each partnership for each activity will 
continue.  Once the characteristics of existing partnerships will be known in more detail in the above-mentioned four areas, it will become possible in a second step to promote those 
partnerships that add most value to the TA programmes or to favour certain types of contributions 
over others (e.g. to substance rather than outrea ch), depending on the most pressing needs of the 
Secretariat and TA beneficiaries. 
6  EXPECTED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE KEY RESULTS 
69.  WTO being an intergovernmental organization financed by its Members, its TA has 
government officials as its main target group.  Enhancing their capacities in terms of knowledge 
and skills will ensure effective Member participation in the core areas of the WTO work and its 
respective Bodies; support the implementation of Members' WTO obligations; and enhance 
Members' ability to defend their rights.  TA wi ll be provided to government officials through a 
mixture of online training and face-to-face activities organised at national, regional and global 
level.  Global level activities in the three official WTO languages will be held in Geneva, taking into 
account the proportion of Members and Observers using each language for their work at the WTO.
9  
To the extent that they may help reinforce the results of the TA provided to governments and 
subject to the availability of sufficient human and financial resources, other publics (MPs, private 
sector, academics, journalists, etc.) may also be targeted, in particular in national face-to-face 
activities. 
70.  The changing needs of Members will continue to determine the type and substance of the TA 
provided.  At national level this will be accommodated through national activity requests.  Global 
trade developments, including but not limited to possible evolutions at or after the Nairobi Ministerial Conference will also guide the TA activities delivered at regional or global level.  
Keeping the TA relevant will be the main priority of the Secretariat. 
71.  The TA Plan for 2016-17 has been designed to  pursue the achievement of four key results: 
a. Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and making full use of 
Members' rights; 
b. Acceding governments are participating in accession negotiations, in line with WTO 
accession processes and procedures; 
c. Members are accessing and using the most recent and relevant WTO-related information 
and data enabling them to better enforce their rights and obligations; and 
d. MPs, journalists and civil society are interacting with WTO; and students or academic 
institutions supported by WTO are dealing with trade policy and WTO-related subjects. 
72.  Achieving the above long-term results will entail a series of concerted efforts targeting a 
range of Outputs described in the subsequent sectio ns of this Chapter.  The targeted key results 
will guide the TA offer.  It is expected that capacity will be strengthened at the systemic, 
institutional and individual levels in the following areas (i) trade policy formulation and 
implementation; (ii) assessing and complying with WTO obligations; (iii) exercising WTO rights; 
and (iv) WTO-related trade negotiations. 
73.  The logframe presented in Annex 1 provides de tails on indicators and targets which will guide 
the implementation of the TA Plan and help me asure the achievements.  As discussed in section 
5.1 above, although the logframe also identifies  some possible Impact of the WTO TRTA for the 
sake of comprehensiveness, the emphasis has been  placed on measuring Outcomes (key results) 
and Outputs. 
                                               
9  In 2014, the proportions were the following : 70% English, 18% French and 12% Spanish. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 19 - 
 
  6.1  Key Result 1: Government officials ar e implementing WTO Agreements and making 
full use of Members' rights 
74.  The expected key result envisions that, based on the identified needs of the Members and 
enhanced knowledge obtained from TA, Governments will be better equipped to comply with the 
WTO Agreements and make full use of their rights.  The goal is to ensure that government officials 
have enhanced knowledge about the WTO Agreements and trade issues, and are able to participate effectively in the MTS with a view to strengthening it and stimulating economic 
development.  To achieve the expected results, th e Secretariat will work closely with missions and 
capital-based focal points responsible for WTO issues. 
75.  To achieve the key result, two main Outputs will be targeted by the Secretariat.  It will be 
responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency  with which these Outputs are achieved, while 
accountability for achieving Outcome 1 will be shared with TA beneficiaries and donors. 
76.  Time and resources will be allocated to designing relevant course curriculum and new courses 
on the basis of identified needs and PLS guidelines .  It is expected that a total of approximately 
CHF 12.9 million in 2016 an d CHF 12.8 million in 2017 will be available to implement the planned 
activities contributing to this key result. 
77.  The achievement of the expected results also re quires the full support from beneficiaries, such 
as measures taken to retain trained participants in appropriate functions, the ability to impart the 
knowledge acquired across relevant ministries, as  well as effective communication between the 
missions in Geneva and the capitals. 
78.  To achieve this key result, the efforts will focus on increasing the participation of beneficiaries 
in WTO work and a decrease in the number of outstanding notifications.  However, a number of 
factors could affect and limit the achievement of these targets such as lack of political support to WTO-related work; trained staff not retained in the right positions; lack of well-defined training 
strategies by beneficiaries and lack of sufficient resources to implement planned activities. 
Indicators: Compliance of Members with the WTO Agreements, number of documents submitted 
by developing and LDC Members, number of outstanding notifications of beneficiary 
Members and availability of trade policy information and documents on beneficiary 
Members' website. 
6.1.1  Output 1.1: Government official s have enhanced knowledge about the WTO 
Agreements, formulation of trade policie s and conduct of trade negotiations 
79.  This is historically the main key output of  the WTO TA.  As in the past, a majority of the 
TA activities and programmes will be undertaken to continue to achieve this result for the current generation of government officials.  It is expected that junior to senior level government officials 
from eligible Members will have enhanced WTO-related knowledge from the general or specialised 
and targeted assistance received.  The TA activiti es contributing to the realization of the planned 
output will be structured in four groups, depending on the medium used to impart the desired 
knowledge and skills: e-Learning, face-to-face activities, internships and young professionals. 
Indicators: As the PLS has been designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of 
participants' learning, one indicator used to measure the achievement of this output will be the proportion of participants co mpleting each of the three PLS levels of 
training.  In 2014, the proportion was as follows: 24% for introduction level, 50% 
for intermediate level, 16% for advanced level and 10% unspecified.  The target during the next biennium will be to incr ease the proportion of participants who 
progress to the highest level of learning (i.e. advanced). 
 Overall number of participants trained through the different types of activities 
(e-Learning, face-to-face, internships, young professionals).  In 2014, that total was 
close to 15,000.  It should remain stable during the next biennium. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 20 - 
 
  6.1.1.1  e-Learning 
80.  Although more recent than the trade policy courses for generalists, the online courses are 
another important component of the institutional WTO TA offer.  Since 2002 they have been progressively developed to cover most, if not yet all, major WTO areas in each of the three WTO 
working languages.  Today, e-Learning forms one of the pillars of the institutional training offer of 
the WTO.  When articulating their TA needs, Members generally assume that the current offer of online courses will remain available throughout the year or will even be developed further.  The 
details of the WTO e-Learning offer can be consulted under http://ecampus.wto.org/ .  At the 
moment, in addition to the Tailored Course which includes modules from any of the other online 
courses, it is comprised of the following: 
Level Generalists Specialists 
Introduction Introduction to WTO (E, F, S) 
WTO in 10' (E, F) 
Intermediate Multilateral Trade Agreements (E, F, S) Accession to WTO (E, F, S) 
Legal Underpinnings (E, F, S) Agriculture (E, F, S) 
Trade Economics  - Theory & Policy  (E, F, S)  Copyright (E) 
 Dispute Settlement (E) 
 Made in…: understanding Rules of 
Origin (E, F, S) 
 Market Access for Goods and NAMA 
negotiations (E, F, S) 
 Regional Trade Agreements (E, F, S) 
 Short trip through TRIPS (E, F, S) 
 SPS Measures (E, F, S) 
 TBT (E, F, S) 
 Trade & Development (E, F, S) 
 Trade & Environment (E, F, S) 
 Trade Finance (E, F, S) 
 Trade in Services (E, F, S) 
 Trade Remedies (E, F, S) 
 TRIPS (E, F, S) 
 Transparency – Notifications (E, F, S) 
 WTO Market Intelligence (E, F, S) 
 
81.  The e-Learning modules will contribute to strengthening the knowledge and understanding of 
the WTO Agreements and an array of other WTO-related subjects.  Using e-Learning as an open, flexible and cost-efficient training and selection tool with a wide outreach, an increasing number of 
government officials will steadily move to higher levels of learning.  The online Introduction Course 
offers the basic training required to understand th e structure and functioning of the WTO, provides 
an overview of the WTO main legal principles an d exceptions, and an introduction to the various 
WTO Agreements and their scope.  The online Introduction Course is also used as a prerequisite 
for participation in more advanced online or face-to-face activities (e.g. ITPCs).  Government 
officials participating in intermediate level e-Learning courses will be able to enhance their understanding of the WTO Agreements and the MTS, in the generalist path, or acquire expertise on 
particular Agreements or WTO topics in the specialist path. 
Indicators:  The number of participants attending WTO online courses should stay stable during 
the biennium (7,600 participants in 2014).  This assumes that the security concerns 
that arose in 2015 are satisfactorily mitigate d, leaving enough time to deal with this 
volume of participants and that e-Learni ng resources are kept at their 2014 level. 
 The four indicators traditionally used to monitor e-Learning courses' results have 
been: average success rate, drop-out rate, rate of correct answers and distinction 
rate.  During the biennium, the target will be to maintain the current average rate of 
these indicators: success rate above 61%; stable drop-out rate of 17%; rate of correct answers above 85%; and distinction rate of at least 35%. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 21 - 
 
  82.  The e-Learning courses are available on differe nt subjects in the e-Learning website, the WTO 
e-Campus (https://ecampus.wto.org/).  Over the next biennium, the website will continue to be maintained and upgraded to increase its user-fri endliness and ease of use.  In 2015, the website 
suffered a major breakdown after a security breach.  This showed how critical the security of the 
e-Learning platform is to the smooth operation of the online courses. 
Indicators:  A high degree of satisfaction (70%) of pa rticipants with the user-friendliness of  
e-Campus and the rate of availability of the website throughout the year (target 
100%) will be monitored. 
83.  To maximise knowledge transfer, existing onli ne courses will also continue to be updated to 
include most recent developments and improve didactic methodologies, multimedia content and the interactivity in the courses.  Online courses are monitored by WTO tutors.  Participants will 
benefit from reinforced social and blended learni ng with a large number of interactive activities 
such as live webinars, chat sessions and online discussions in dedicated fora. 
Indicators:  The target will be to increase the interactive and multimedia components of existing 
courses at a faster rate than between 2011 and 2014 (+55/year for multimedia and 
+100/year for interactive components), and to maintain the same high level of chat sessions (45/year) and news forum discussions (80/year). 
84.  During the next biennium, the e-Learning programme will include a larger selection of courses 
on WTO and trade-related subjects at different levels for both generalists and specialists.  New shorter courses to raise awareness and enhance familiarity with specific subjects will be 
introduced.  For example, one immediate objective is to release as soon as possible an online 
course on the new TFA.  Other subjects under preparation include import licensing procedures, 
trade in services statistics, etc. 
Indicators:  The target will be to introduce at least three new courses per year. 
85.  A blended approach combining face-to-face and online sessions in a training event will be 
developed to enhance the effectiveness of the teac hing methodology.  This approach could mean 
incorporating sessions delivered through webinars with  specific experts in face -to-face activities, or 
online exercises or tests, as well as proposing online follow-up courses and refresher modules to 
be used before a face-to-face activity.  The obje ctive would be to maximise the efficiency of the 
traditional TA activities.  Meanwhile, e-Campus will assist applicants in the identification of their needs and of a corresponding learning path to help them map their way up the PLS ladder and 
achieve their particular learning objectives. 
86.  The achievement of these targeted e-Learning outputs will require Secretariat-wide support 
amongst divisions (substance, translation, website support and maintenance, etc.), the 
contribution of partners in the development of course material, and appropriate human resources. 
87.  The above-mentioned indicators and some others and the corresponding targets are included 
in the logframe in Annex 1. 
6.1.1.2  Face-to-face training 
88.  Face-to-face training will be provided at na tional, regional or sub-regional and global levels, 
and at any of the three PLS levels depending on the specific needs of beneficiaries so as to provide 
them with a truly progressive learning path for both generalists and specialists.  The objective is to 
increase their effectiveness and efficiency through the use of a more interactive pedagogy. 
Indicators:  Share of the various interactive training methods (e.g. exercises, case studies, 
simulations, Q&A, presentation by participants, participation in Committee meetings, 
etc.) in each activity.  Section 3.3.4 of the annual report on TA for 2014 presented 
the current situation.  The target will be to further reduce the share of the time dedicated to pure lectures. 
89.  Members considered that the institutional of fer is comprised of the various courses designed 
for generalists at each of the three levels of progressive learning (introductory, intermediate and WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 22 - 
 
  advanced).  These trade policy courses are held in Geneva or in the regions.  Such courses have 
been offered by the WTO (and by the GATT before it) for sixty years and have trained successive generations of government officials almost since th e origin of the MTS.  Their aim is to provide a 
strong general knowledge of the MTS and of the main provisions of the WTO Agreements, which 
enables their participants to subsequently work in a large variety of WTO-related areas and on the 
basis of which they can then develop a more specialised expertise if need be. 
90.  Other programmes also considered by Member s as forming part of the WTO institutional TA 
offer include the Geneva Weeks for non-resident Members and Observers (i.e. without a 
permanent representation in Geneva). 
91.  In terms of general objectives, national TA will contribute to building sustainable trade-related 
national capacities, and each national TA activity will be guided by its own specific objectives 
addressing the priority needs of the beneficiaries.  To better target the assistance to be delivered, 
beneficiaries will base their requests on a needs' identification, using a national TA request form available online.  Budgetary provisions are ma de for implementing approximately 135 national 
activities per year, depending on demand. 
92.  Regional or sub-regional seminars will be  held for capital-based officials, mostly at 
intermediate level.  They will focus on the areas id entified as priorities by the countries concerned.  
To that effect, commonality of interests or situations, instead of geography, could be used as the 
deciding factor to include a country in a region or sub-region.  Where useful and relevant for participants' learning experience, such activities will be conducted in collaboration with partner institutions or regional secretariats to ensure that concrete local realities are incorporated into the 
training.  Budgetary provisions are made for implementing 40 regional seminars per year. 
93.  The Secretariat will continue to offer each and every Member and Observer the opportunity to 
register every year participants having the required profile in an intermediate level 8-week Trade 
Policy Course (ITPCs) for generalists.
10  Such courses will be held in the regions or in Geneva, 
depending on the circumstances.  The ITPCs will be addressed to government officials working on 
trade-related issues who have already co mpleted an introductory WTO training.11  The Secretariat 
will select the most suitable candidates for ITPCs amongst the applicants respecting this 
prerequisite.  ITPCs will deliver a comprehensive curriculum covering the MTS and the various WTO Agreements.  Their main objectives will be to deepen participants' knowledge of the main 
provisions of the WTO Agreements; and to strengthen participants' autonomy when utilising WTO 
resources and when conducting WTO-related work.  When held in a region, ITPCs will be organised 
in collaboration with a local academic institution.  The teaching methodology will include a variety of didactic methods and formats to assist effective learning: presentations, co-lecturing, 
simulations, case studies, debates, team and individual written exercises and presentations, 
revisions, etc.  The ITPC curriculum will be revi sed to build on the knowledge already acquired by 
participants in the introduction level and harmonise its content across all ITPCs.  Participants' 
progress will be regularly monitored by the organisers throughout the course, which will conclude 
with a mandatory graded examination.  Participation during the ITPC will also be taken into account to define each participant's final grade. 
Indicators:  Changes introduced in the curriculum of ITPCs to build on participants' pre-required 
knowledge and harmonise its content across all ITPCs. 
 In those face-to-face training activities  where participants' acquired knowledge is 
tested at the end, the Secretariat will aim to achieve a 90% success rate (that rate 
was 97% in 2014). 
94.  Demand for Geneva-based introduction le vel courses for LDCs has been progressively 
declining for several years, as many participants now seem to prefer to use online courses to start 
the WTO curriculum.  The Secretariat will closely monitor the level of demand for such Geneva-
based introduction courses during the next biennium and will adjust its offer accordingly.  Activities 
                                               
10  ITPCs is the new name of the 8-week Trade Poli cy Courses regularly orga nised for certain regions 
(previously known as RTPCs) as, in the context of the PLS, it is more relevant to refer to the level of such 
courses than to a possible geographical scope.  This new denomination is consistent with the way the other two 
PLS levels have traditionally been identified (Intro ductions Courses or Advanc ed Trade Policy Courses). 
11  Commensurate professional experience in the area  concerned can also be taken into consideration. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 23 - 
 
  at the intermediate level, whether for generalists or specialists, will continue to be mainly 
organised in the countries, as discussed above.  As a result, Geneva-based activities will focus on the most advanced level of training.  The course s held in Geneva will include 8-week Advanced 
Trade Policy Courses (ATPCs), the most advanced training for generalists, and a number of 
advanced courses for specialists on most of the WTO subjects (Agriculture, SPS, TBT, Services, 
TRIPS, RTAs, etc.).  Some symposia or seminars will also be held in Geneva at the request of WTO Committees. 
95.  The reform of the ATPC initiated during the 2014-15 biennium will be continued in order to 
build on the knowledge acquired previously by the participants, and to reinforce the horizontal nature of the course when addressing trade policy issues.  A new module will be developed to revise the content of the intermediate level in an effective and efficient manner at the beginning of 
the ATPC.  The main trade policy issues will be addressed through case studies spanning a number 
of inter-related issues and a variety of WTO Agreements (e.g. on trade in health-related products, distribution of agricultural products, the use of NTMs  to regulate the flow of foreign goods, etc.).  
It is anticipated that three 8-week ATPCs will be held annually in 2016 and 2017. 
96.  The Secretariat will continue to offer in Geneva a comprehensive range of advanced thematic 
training activities.  Taking the lessons learnt in previous years into account, some of these 
activities will focus more specifically on the implementation difficulties of Members with certain 
Agreements, as has been done for a decade in the field of SPS and more recently for TBT.  This may involve in particular the development of ac tion plans that participants would have to 
implement in their countries, subsequent follow-up over a year and professional coaching of the 
participants throughout the period.  Budgetary provisions are made for implementing 17 advanced 
thematic activities per year. 
97.  Geneva-based courses will be evaluated by the organisers in the e-BTOR on the basis of 
indicators such as participation in the interactive activities, quality and relevance of the 
contribution made by participants in the case st udies, exercises, round table discussions, etc.  
Participants' knowledge may also be tested at the end if relevant. 
Indicators:  Participants' satisfaction with the content and results of the courses will be 
measured.  In 2014-15, the average rate of top marks (e.g. excellent) was 64% in ATPCs and 52% in advanced thematic courses.  The target is to show an increase in 
excellent marks during the biennium. 
 Number of modules and case studies revised in ATPCs: the target will be to revise at 
least two per year.  The volume of new training material developed for the courses will also be taken into account. 
 Number of participants trained on trade negotiating skills. 
 Number of advance thematic courses focusi ng on implementation difficulties.  The 
target is to offer one new cour se of that kind every year. 
For those activities focussing on WTO Ag reements' implementation issues through 
the development of an action plan, the target will be to reach an implementation rate of the action plans of 60% within 12 months. 
98.  In order to ensure the effectiveness of the PLS and to make it possible to build in the higher 
levels on the knowledge and skills acquired at the previous level, a rigorous competitive selection 
process is needed to retain the best suited participants amongst the various application received.  Respecting the predetermined prerequisites (in the form of e-Learning, other face-to-face training 
activities and/or commensurate knowledge or professional experience) should be obligatory to 
secure participation in more advanced level activities.  The Secretariat will continue to explore creative solutions to address Members' interests about the language of delivery of TRTA, within 
human and financial resource available. 
99.  The Geneva-based training programme will be rounded out by the Geneva Weeks and Focus 
Activities.  The Geneva Weeks held twice a year are for Members and Observers without a permanent representation in Geneva.  They are designed to allow their representatives to get WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 24 - 
 
  regularly up to speed about the work of the WTO and its various Committees.  Focus Activities are 
intended for Geneva-based delegates, NGOs, WTO staff members, interns working in the Secretariat and interested officials from other international organizations.  They allow for the dissemination of information about the WTO, its basic principles, its functioning and current issues, 
as well as about ways to access WTO-related information through the WTO Library and Internet.  
Based on long-standing and increasing demand from Geneva-based WTO delegates, Focus Activities may be designed to target particular WT O Agreements or issues, and to allow for more in 
depth focus and exchange of views and perspectives, as well as networking. 
6.1.1.3  Internship Programmes 100.  The WTO operates four long-term internship programmes: the Accession Internship 
Programme (AIP), financed by China; the French & Irish Mission Internship Programme (formerly 
known as Mission Internship Programme - FIMIP), financed by France and Ireland; the Netherlands 
Trainee Programme (NTP), financed by the Netherlands; and the Regional Coordinator Internship programme (RCI), financed through the DDAGTF. 
101.  The beneficiaries of the AIP are students from LDCs and developing Members.  The 
participants in the other three internships are mid-level public officials from LDCs, low income countries and small and vulnerable economies.  The internships provide them an opportunity to 
learn hands-on about matters dealt with in the WTO.  It is expected that the participants in the 
internship programmes will acquire in-depth knowledge on WTO matters with the guidance of WTO staff members or the permanent missions.  The internships are an opportunity to effectively "learn-by-doing". 
102.  The specificities of each programme can be summarised as follows: 
a. AIP Interns will work primarily on accessions issues in the Accessions Division of the 
Secretariat under the supervision of one staff me mber of that division.  Up to five interns 
will be recruited annually for a period of ten months maximum. 
b. FIMIP  I n t e r n s  w i l l  b e  p o s t e d  i n  t h e  G e n e v a - b a s e d  m i s s i o n  o f  t h e i r  c o u n t r y  a n d  w i l l  
work under the supervision of the permanent representative to the WTO.  The number of 
interns recruited annually will depend on the resources available and the internship will 
be for a period of ten months maximum.  The programme targets primarily Members 
with a small mission whose capacity to follow WTO matters is very limited. 
c. NTP Interns will be posted in the Secretariat.  They will work directly for a division 
under the supervision of a staff member, in areas of interest to the intern.  Up to 
15 interns will be recruited annual for a period of ten months maximum. 
d. RCI Interns will be posted in the Geneva-based mission of a country acting as 
coordinator of a regional grouping, and will work under the supervision of the head of 
the mission.  Up to 8 interns will be recruited annually for a period of six months, which can be extended according to the terms of the tenure of the country as group 
coordinator. 
103.  Under the FIMIP and RCI, interns are employ ed in a Geneva-based mission where they work 
as delegates.  The main challenge is to make sure that they actually work essentially, if not exclusively, on WTO matters, given the many demands on small Geneva-based missions' time.  
Their work should be evaluated by the head of th e mission at the end of their internship, based on 
the objectives agreed at the beginning of their internship, according to a four-grade scale (unsatisfactory, Partly Satisfactory, Fully Sati sfactory and Significantl y Exceeding Performance 
Requirements). 
104.  The Secretariat will host two types of intern s under the AIP and NTP.  The intake of interns 
under the AIP is adjusted annually according to the workload of the Accessions division.  Under the 
NTP, the challenge over the recent past has been to get the interns involved in the work of the 
Secretariat.  As noted in the annual report on TA  for 2014, the time when NTP interns participated WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 25 - 
 
  in the work of the Secretariat to actually learn by doing was limited.12  T o  s o m e  e x t e n t ,  t h i s  
resulted from absorption limitations in the various divisions of the Secretariat.  Excluding the Administration, HR, Informatics and Language divisions, which are support divisions, and the Accessions divisions which is already hosting the AIP interns, a dozen of divisions may be able to 
host and supervise interns.  Depending on their size and workload, the current total absorption 
capacity of the Secretariat for both the NTP and Y PP (see section 4.5 below) is unlikely to exceed 
20 interns or professionals per year. 
105.  In the next biennium, NTP interns will be provided with an opportunity to directly participate 
in the work of the WTO in Geneva through exposure to on-going activities of the Secretariat, in order to enhance their understanding of the functi oning of the WTO and MTS.  Whilst in Geneva, 
interns may continue to be offered some occasional training (exclusively face-to-face), as a 
complement to the main internship objective of learning by doing.  Having the interns involved in 
the work of one division for the full duration of  t h e  i n t e r n s h i p  w i l l  b e  p r o m o t e d  a s  m u c h  a s  
possible.  To guarantee a real involvement of th e intern in the work of the division under an 
appropriate level of supervision, the number of interns working for the same division will be 
calibrated according to its size and workload.  The intake of interns under the NTP and of professionals under the YPP will be adjusted annua lly according to the positions available in the 
divisions. 
106.  AIP and NTP interns will be evaluated by their supervisor based on the objectives set 
individually at the beginning of the internship. 
Indicators:  Number of interns hosted annually under each of the programmes.  The target is to 
host 5 AIPs, 15 FIMIPs, 15 NTPs and 8 RCIs per year. 
 Evaluation of the work of the interns by their supervisor.  The target is to reach 
100% of Fully Satisfactory performance or better. 
107.  The achievement of these objectives assumes that the Members concerned remain 
interested in the internship programmes and that the Secretariat divisions remain committed to welcoming and supervising interns. 
6.1.2  Output 1.2: Effective partnerships result in substa ntive contributions of human 
and financial resources, for e-Learni ng and face-to-face activities 
108.  During the biennium, the WTO will be favouring the partnerships adding the most value to its 
TA activities according to the four parameters defined in the new effective partnership strategy 
(substance, cost-sharing, logistics and outreach). 
Indicators:  Proportion of regional activities benefitting from the involvement of a partner.  The 
target is to increase the share of the partne rships adding real value to the activities.  
In 2014-15, approximately 85% of the partnerships added a significant or very 
significant value to the TA activities. 
 Proportion of partnerships in which the partner makes a substantive contribution to 
the TA activities.  The target is to increase that proportion.  In 2014-15, 
approximately one third of the partners made a significant contribution to the substance of the TA activities. 
109.  The realization of this obje ctive assumes that the selected or ganizations or institutions are 
interested in a similar partnership approach and have the human resources to complement WTO 
expertise or financial resources to co-fund activities with the WTO. 
6.1.3  Output 1.3: Members' needs an d priorities are identified annually 
110.  The annual assessment of TA needs of benefici aries is essential to ensure that the WTO TA 
offer continues to meet their priorities.  Consultations with beneficiary Members - either formally through the CTD or informally - will ensure that TRTA targets the priorities and takes into account 
                                               
12  See section 5.4 in document WT/COMTD/W/209. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 26 - 
 
  the changing needs of the beneficiaries.  The us e of the National TRTA Request Form available 
electronically will complement the needs assessments at the national level. 
111.  Comprehensive needs assessments will be conducted periodically, either independently or as 
part of the TPR exercise, with a view to identify ing the current needs and matching these with the 
most effective and efficient TA product.  Periodic needs assessment consultations will be carried 
out informally and formally on an  individual or regional basis. 
112.  The successful identification of TRTA need s and effective response to address these needs 
is dependent upon Members'/Observers' ability to identify and prioritise their needs. 
Indicators:  Number of needs assessments conducted annually, either independently or as part 
of a TPR. 
6.2  Key Result 2: Acceding governments are participating in accession negotiations, in 
line with WTO accession processes and procedures 
113.  Accessions-related activities remain a strategic priority for the WTO, as 21 governments are 
still at various stages of the accession process.  Acceding governments have traditionally used the 
accession negotiations as an instrument to establish a long-term agenda for domestic reforms, 
attract investors (domestic and foreign) and, foster  their regional and global trade integration.  
The objectives of acceding governments which TA is designed to support also include economic 
diversification, modernization and raising domestic standards to the levels of global best practices 
in ways that are WTO-consistent.  Integration into the MTS and trade governance are consequently major parts of the rationale for acceding to the WTO. 
114.  In this context, the TA provided to acceding governments by the Secretariat is designed to: 
(i) enhance their understanding of WTO rights and obligations; (ii) support a WTO-relevant 
domestic policy and legal framework; and (iii) facilit ate the accession process.  It is expected that 
a total of approximately CHF 0.6 million will be  available both in 2016 and 2017 to implement the 
planned activities contributing to this key result.  These targets will be achieved as long as the 
accession negotiations remain active and the acceding governments submit required inputs to their Working Parties. 
115.  The agenda set out by the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001 identified 
accession of LDCs as a priority for the Membersh ip.  The "China Programme" aims, inter alia, to 
assist acceding LDCs in joining the organization through the following three pillars:
13 (i) Accessions 
Internship programme (AIP); (ii) Annual WTO Accession Round Table Meeting; and (iii) LDCs' 
participation in WTO meetings. 
Indicators:  Number of acceding governments, including LDCs, with a formal or informal Working 
Party meeting held.  In 2014, 5 formal and 6 informal meetings were held.  The 
target during the next biennium will be to maintain a similar level of activity. 
6.2.1  Output 2.1: Acceding governments have expertise on WTO rules, accessions 
negotiating best practices and co re accession obligations acquis 
116.  As far as the enhancement of government officials' knowledge about the WTO Agreements, 
formulation of trade policies and conduct of trade negotiations; reaching out to other key stakeholders; and using effective partnerships are concerned the objectives and indicators identified under key result 1 for Members are equa lly relevant here and should consequently guide 
the TA provided by the Secretariat. 
117.  The indicators retained under key result 1 w ill identify specifically the share related to the 
TA benefiting acceding governments. 
118.  To support more specifically acceding govern ments, the Secretariat will work with them on 
the design of accession-specific start-up roadmaps and endgame plans, depending on the stage 
                                               
13  The fourth pillar of the programme which suppo rts the follow-up to the TPR of LDCs, was already 
addressed in the TA Plan in relation to key result 1. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 27 - 
 
  reached in their accession process.  The Secretariat also made available the following tools that 
acceding governments use as they see fit: 
 Accession commitments database (http://acdb.wto.org/tabs.aspx); 
 Register of Register of bilateral market access agreements; 
 Accession templates for legislation and negotiating inputs; 
 Accession Intelligence Portal (to be launched on 30 September 2015); 
 Templates for stakeholders' engagements (executive cabinet or parliament presentation 
of draft accession package). 
Indicators:  Number of roadmaps and endgame plans designed, and use of the Secretariat's 
advice and accession tools. 
6.3  Key Result 3: Members are accessing an d using the most recent and relevant WTO-
related information and data enabling them to  better enforce their rights and obligations 
119.  The main objective of the Reference Centre (RCs) Programme is to provide beneficiaries with 
a modern and practical medium to access the most  relevant and up-to-date information and data 
on the WTO, whether via the WTO Internet site, on CD-ROMs, in print or in electronic format.  
RCs are established or upgraded mainly in LDCs, non-resident Members and targeted developing countries.  The government should designate one of its officials to serve as RC manager.  
RC managers will be trained on the management, organization and access to WTO information 
(including websites and trade-related software) and on accessing "Documents Online" and WTO technical databases.  The RC facility is design ed primarily for government officials and should 
facilitate and support their work on WTO-related matters.  It could also be used by other 
stakeholders in the country.  For several years, RCs have increasingly become hubs where online 
courses can be followed.  It is expected that a total of approximately CHF 0.3 million in 2016 and CHF 0.4 million in 2017 will be available to implement the planned activities. 
120.  The Secretariat also supports Members' efforts to develop and maintain the most relevant 
data and tools for monitoring and analysing trade fl ows and trade policy.  This is particularly the 
case for trade in services statistics and supply-use tables that broaden the coverage of the 
database on trade in value added.  Services statistics are of direct relevance to trade negotiations 
under the GATS and supply-use tables to the analysis of trade, jobs and investment flows. 
Indicators:  Members' satisfaction with the availabilit y of WTO information, data and documents. 
6.3.1  Output 3.1: The WTO RCs network is operational in targeted Member/Observer 
economies 
121.  Since the launch of the RC programme in 1997, hundreds of RCs have been installed or 
upgraded in developing countries.  In 2010, the target of the programme was refocussed on the 
Members and Observers most in need of this fac ility.  However, this WTO investment in building 
their capacity to access relevant information and data will only make sense if the RC network remains operational in the targeted countries. 
Indicators:  Rate of operational RCs, especially in the target countries.  In 2012, that rate stood 
at 64%.  The target is to see that rate increase by the end of the biennium. 
6.3.2  Output 3.2: RCs are used by the various stakeholders to access WTO-related 
information and data or to follow online courses 
122.  RCs are a tool at the disposition of government officials who deal with WTO issues, and of 
other interested parties in general.  The proof of its usefulness will consequently be in the actual use of this facility by the various stakeholders in the country. 
Indicators:  Number of requests made or visits to the RCs (by government officials, MPs, 
journalist, NGOs, academics, etc.) per year, and type of needs (WTO official documents, database extraction, online course s, etc.).  This is entirely dependent on 
the RCs' manager willingness to record and transmit these numbers.  As this did not WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 28 - 
 
  materialise in the recent past, the target during the biennium will be to gather this 
evidence. 
6.3.3  Output 3.3: Trade in services statis tics and supply-use tables are developed and 
used by the various stakeholders to monitor WTO-related trade developments 
123.  Trade in services statistics and supply-use tables are statistical tools at the disposition of 
government officials who deal with WTO issues and of other interested parties in general.  The proof of their usefulness will be in an improved analysis of trade developments for policy making, 
especially in a global value chain context, and the definition of trade negotiating positions.  In 
cooperation with other international organizations, work will focus on Africa to extend and improve the analysis of trade in value added in global value chains. 
Indicators:  Improvement of the availability of de tailed trade in services statistics and 
broadening of the coverage of international databases on trade in value added. 
6.4  Key result 4: MPs, journalists and civ il society interacting with WTO; and students 
or academic institutions supported by WTO are dealing with trade policy and WTO-
related subjects 
124.  The WTO aims to increase the involvement of other key stakeholders such as MPs, 
journalists, civil society and academic institutions in trade policy and WTO-related issues by 
supporting the development of their understanding and institutional capacities and promoting their 
contribution to trade policy making.  These other key stakeholders can complement and reinforce the results of the TA provided by the Secretar iat directly to Members and their officials. 
125.  The existing programme to reach out to MPs, the media and civil society will continue during 
the next biennium, in collaboration with the WTO traditional partners in this domain.  It is 
expected that a total of approximately CHF 0.6 million will be available in each year of the biennium to implement the planned activities. 
126.  In the next biennium, the TA activities for the academic world will be restructured around 
the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) and its three pillars: research, curriculum development and outreach activities.  Other activities with the ac ademic world will be organised depending on their 
merit and the availability of resources.  The Secretariat will continue to support a limited number 
of PhD students and the annual European Law Students Moot Court Competition by providing technical support through the participation of WTO staff as judges; and hosting the competition at WTO, thereby giving students an opportunity to interact with those working on WTO issues.  The 
WTO will also launch a new Young Professional Programme (YPP).  It is expected that a total of 
approximately CHF 0.9 million will be available in  each year of the bien nium to implement the 
planned activities. 
127.  Seven academic institutions were selected in 2014 to host a WTO Chair for a maximum 
duration of four years.  WTO support to th e WCP holders will be implemented through the 
provision of an annual grant of up to CHF 50,000 an d close monitoring by the Secretariat of their 
performance under each of the three pillars of th e programme.  The WCP Advisory Board will assist 
the Secretariat on decisions regarding the functi oning of the programme and the assessment of 
the performance of the WTO Chairs in the implemen tation of their projects.  It has been assumed 
that the Chair holders would adhere to the guidel ines of the Secretariat and WCP Advisory Board. 
128.  The current four-year WCP should conclude in  2017.  An evaluation of the programme will be 
performed during that year in order to assess the results achieved by the various Chairs and their sustainability over time once the WTO financial support is withdrawn.  The evaluation will assess 
more specifically the effectiveness and efficiency of the programme, taking into account the time 
and budgets consumed.  It will make recommendat ions on future TA to the academic community. 
Indicators:  Exposure of MPs, media and civil society to WTO-related issues and work; articles, 
discussions and positions on WTO-related matters. 
 Chairs' contribution to their country's trade policy formulation and sustainability of 
these results. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 29 - 
 
  6.4.1  Output 4.1: Improved understanding  by MPs, journalists, civil society and 
businesses of WTO issues and trade policies 
129.  Reaching out to other key stakeholders will result in a better understanding of trade-related 
issues and favour sounder trade policies.  In the consultations with beneficiaries, there was a 
broad consensus on the need to raise the understanding about trade-related issues of a wider 
group of key stakeholders beyond government officials who are usually the priority beneficiaries of the TA and training of the WTO.  To that effect, th e Secretariat will continue to deliver TA activities 
specifically targeting MPs, civil society representatives and the media.  The initiative is important 
for achieving a broader pool of WTO knowledge and awareness across all national players, as this 
could eventually support the development of sounder  trade policies.  A number of eight activities 
benefiting MPs, media and civil society will be delivered in 2016 and 2017. 
Indicators:  Key stakeholders reached during the year amongst decision makers (MPs) and 
opinion formers (NGOs, journalists).  The target is to maintain the same level as during the current biennium. 
6.4.2  Output 4.2: Research on trade polic y and WTO-related matters generated by WTO 
Chairs and PhD students through provision of grants 
130.  Research is widely viewed as an engine of knowledge and capacity building, and has the 
potential to influence trade developments and policy.   A share of the grant provided to the Chairs 
will support deserving research initiatives.  The programme intends to increase the quality, 
relevance and quantity of the research produced by the Chairs.  In terms of quality, the Chairs will 
be encouraged to publish their most prominent papers in internationally peer-reviewed journals or 
m o n o g r a p h s .   I n  t e r m s  o f  v o l u m e ,  t h e  d i f f i c u l t y  w i l l  b e  t o  i d e n t i f y  t h e  r e s e a r c h  p r o j e c t s  
attributable to the programme, as the WCP is not the only resource of most Chair holders in this domain.  The Secretariat will guide the Chairs' choice of research to make sure that WTO topical 
subjects are adequately researched.  It may also request the Chairs to contribute case studies on 
specific subjects for its TPCs. 
Indicators:  Number of publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals.  The target is to 
see an increase compared to the pre-WCP situation.  Papers produced on the 
subjects identified by the Secretariat will also be taken into account. 
 Overall number of research papers produced by the Chair.  The target is to also seen 
an increase over the duration of the WCP. 
131.  The PhD Support programme of the Secretariat aims to promote WTO-related research of 
doctoral students from developing countries.  The fellowships will be offered to selected students from developing countries who will conduct resear ch at the WTO for a period of up to 6 months 
during the final phase of their doctoral thesis.  With assistance from a WTO mentor, the fellow 
residents will increase his expertise in the resear ch topic of the thesis and deliver a presentation 
towards completion of the assignment.  Six students per year are planned to participate in the 
fellowships. 
Indicators:  Number of PhD students benefiting from the scheme and successfully completing 
their PhD. 
6.4.3  Output 4.3: Academic courses on WT O-related subjects introduced and updated 
with WTO support 
132.  The objective of the second pillar is to enco urage Chair holder to train the future generations 
of trade policy experts.  Part of the grant sh ould support the introduction and updating of 
academic courses and degree programmes on WTO-related subjects.  To that effect, the Chairs will 
have access to the Secretariat didactic materi al, including e-Learning, and expert advice. 
Indicators:  Number of students participating in and completing a WTO-related course or degree 
offered by the academic institutions.  The target is to see these numbers increase 
compared to the pre-WCP situation. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 30 - 
 
  6.4.4  Output 4.4: Outreach activities on trade policy and WTO-related matters organised 
by WTO Chairs through the provision of grants 
133.  The objective of the third pillar of the WCP is to increase the visibility and influence of 
academic research and reach out to decision makers.  Ultimately this could influence them by 
providing a sounder knowledge of the facts, sugges ting potential ways forward and analysing their 
respective merits and drawbacks.  Interaction with policy makers may also feed back into the research performed by the Chairs and make it more relevant to the political agenda of the day.  
Dissemination of research may take the form of seminars, conferences, roundtables, etc.  In 
addition, each Chair will be expected to upload the results of its research on its website or a dedicated webpage.  The primary target of the Chairs should be national (and regional) stakeholders involved in the trade policy debate and formulation.  The aim is to raise the quality 
and relevance of the interaction as much as increase its volume. 
Indicators:  Number of outreach event organised annually by each Chair and level of involvement 
in such event of key decision-makers, such as ministers, other high-ranking 
government officials, private sector senior figures, etc. 
 Availability of a public website for each Chair holder, quality of its content, number 
of visitors and downloads. 
6.4.5  Output 4.5: Young professional un der the Young Professional Programme are 
exposed to WTO issues and work 
134.  The new Young Professional Programme (YPP) will be launched in the next biennium.  It will 
be financed through the DDAGTF.  It will target  young professionals with graduate degrees in 
international trade and trade policy (instead of ci vil servants).  Recruitment for the YPP will be 
through a competitive process and will be based on merit.  On this basis, during the initial years of the programme, priority will be accorded to young professionals from LDC and developing 
Members that are not currently represented at profe ssional level in the Secretariat.  Details on the 
YPP have been presented to Members in document INT/SUB/DDG/3. 
135.  YPP recruits will be posted for a period of one year maximum in one of the divisions of the 
Secretariat and will work under the supervision of one staff member.  The number of young 
professionals recruited annually will depend on the absorption capacity of the Secretariat. 
136.  As YPP recruits will be assimilated in their daily tasks to Secretariat officers, their work 
should be evaluated following the same procedure and same rules as for staff members, according 
to the same four-grade scale (unsatisfactory, Partly Satisfactory, Fully Satisfactory and 
Significantly Exceeding Performance Requirements). 
Indicators:  Number of young professionals hosted annuall y by the Secretariat.  The target is to 
host a minimum of 5 YPPs per year. 
 Evaluation of the work of the young profe ssionals by their supervisor.  The target is 
to reach 100% of Fully Satisfactory performance or better. 
137.  The achievement of these objectives assu mes that the Members concerned and Secretariat 
divisions remain interested in welcoming and supervising young professionals. 
7  FUNDING 138.  The implementation of the TA Plan is funded through the Regular Budget (RB), extra 
budgetary funds coming from voluntary contributions of some Members and cost-sharing 
arrangements with some of the WTO partners (see section 5.6 above). 
139.  Detailed information on the budget per key result and main activities and programmes is 
provided in Annex 2, with a summary in the tables below at the end of this section. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 31 - 
 
  7.1  Regular Budget for TA 
140.  The WTO has been operating under a zero nominal growth of its RB for a number of years.  
In the meantime, in spite of recurring budgetary su rpluses, the pressure to reallocate resources to 
absorb the increasing workload resulting from the explosion in the volume of cases filed with the 
DSB, and a need to finance the extra costs associ ated with the renovation and completion of the 
WTO campus and the statutory growth of certain budgetary lines led to several budget cuts.  TA 
has been one of the budget lines affected by su ch cuts.  Between 2009 and 2011, the share of the 
RB dedicated to TA was cut by CHF 1.1 million or 20%.  Since then, the RB resources dedicated to 
TA have stabilised at this level and stand at CHF 4.5 million per year in the current biennium.  The 
TA Plan 2016-17 has been prepared under the assumption that no further cut to this part of the RB would be implemented in the next biennium. 
141.  Meanwhile, what was kept in the RB to finance TA became significantly more difficult to use, 
as a result of stricter rules of engagement and a breaking up of this envelope into an increasing level of detail, activity by activity, and for each ac tivity budget line by budget line.  In addition, the 
current structure of the budget for TA dates back  to the launch of the Doha Round in 2002, at a 
time when the WTO did not offer any online course and any progressivity in its training.  Together, these two factors made it too complex for the Secretariat to fully use the RB for TA compared to 
the DDAGTF, as budget allocations were increasingly at odd with actual TA needs.  In the next 
biennium, the intention is to reverse this situation and to set up the RB for TA in a way which would allow the Secretariat to use it to the fullest extent possible at the service of beneficiary Members and Observers. 
142.  Two combined steps should be taken to that effect: (i) redefining the part of the TA Plan that 
should be financed by the RB; and (ii) restorin g some flexibility in the use of the RB for TA. 
7.1.1  What to finance through the Regular Budget? 
143.  Back in 2002 when the current RB structure for the funding of TA was defined by Members, 
it was agreed that the RB would finance in priority the Geneva-based activities, which were considered as constituting the core of the TA prov ided by the WTO.  These activities included the 
three-month Trade Policy Courses (TPCs) for generalists, introduction courses for LDCs, Geneva 
Weeks for non-resident Members and Observers, a limited number of thematic courses and the TA 
provided under Art 27.2 of the DSU.  Added to this was the line for national missions, which had historically been financed by the RB and an envelope  for some activities in favour of universities.  
However, following the very same logic today would lead to a somewhat different mix of 
programmes and activities. 
144.  With the development of a very substantial and diversified e-Learning offer, the pressure on 
Geneva-based courses receded.  More than half  of those benefiting from WTO TA now do so 
through online courses.  With the permanent availability of online courses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the increasing penetration of internet in developing countries, this progressively 
became the mode of training preferred by an increasing number of persons.  The consequence 
today is that demand for certain Geneva-based co urses, like the Introduction course for LDCs, has 
been down for a while, leading either to their canc ellation in the most extreme cases, or to their 
reduced efficiency when only half of their seats were filled and when most of their participants had 
already followed the equivalent introduction online course.  Whilst the WTO is committed to 
responding to the specific needs of LDCs, the intr oduction face-to-face course may no longer be 
the best way of doing so today: this programme may need to evolve to continue to produce the 
expected results.  Pending a review of the be st way to respond to LDC needs, the amount 
corresponding to this course has been kept in the RB for the next biennium. 
145.  With the implementation of the PLS, the mono lithic TPCs for generalists have been split into 
three levels.  In turn, this led to the shortening of the duration of the newly created intermediate 
and advanced level courses from 12 to 8 weeks.  Whereas TPCs used to be entirely financed by the RB, the funding of the new cursus for generalists is now split between the RB and the DDAGTF: the 
introductory and advanced levels are financed th rough the RB and the intermediate level through 
the DDAGTF.  The three levels toge ther constitute the core institutional training offer of the WTO 
for generalists.  The part of it not held in Gene va for the moment is not financed through the RB. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 32 - 
 
  146.  An ever increasing number of Members an d Observers have established a Geneva-based 
mission over the last decade.  Whilst the Geneva Weeks for non-residents remain highly appreciated by those delegations still without permanent representation in Geneva, their public has been shrinking fast, leading to recurring underspending.  Their budget should be adjusted 
accordingly. 
147.  As explained at the beginning of section 6 and under key result 4 above, since activities for 
the academic community will be restructured around the WCP financed by earmarked voluntary 
contributions, and since the budget line for national missions can finance some visits to 
universities, there is no need to maintain a separate envelope for an academic programme in the RB. 
148.  Finally, building an RBM culture takes time and can be the most difficult aspect this strategy.  
The value of RBM has to filter through all the relevant sections of the Secretariat involved in the 
delivery of WTO TRTA.  It also requires the development of policies, procedures, tools and technical systems, and training in the use of these tools and systems.  As a result, some additional 
resources would be necessary to facilitate and accelerate the process.  Experience has shown that 
absorbing the related workload with the current staff was slow and did not always produce the intended results. 
7.1.2  Restoring some flexibility in the use of the RB for TA 
149.  A fuller use of the budget available requires that savings registered on any of the activities 
during the year be redirected to finance other TA  programmes included in the TA Plan.  This is 
much easier done inside bigger envelopes designed to finance a well-defined category of activities 
– as is currently done for national activities – than if the RB is sliced thinly activity by activity, as 
tended to be increasingly the case recently.  To restore the minimum level of flexibility required to 
make the best possible use of the approved budget, it is proposed to regroup the RB for TA around 
four main envelopes: 
a. Geneva-based activities for generalists.  They would include the ATPCs, Introduction 
courses for LDCs, Geneva Weeks for non-residents, some activities for Geneva-based 
delegates and any other training activity with a general scope that may be held in 
Geneva.  It is proposed to allocate CHF 1.7 million to these activities. 
b. Geneva-based thematic activities.  They woul d include the current activities in the field 
of DS, the numerous thematic advanced courses held in Geneva (TRIPS, SPS, TBT, 
Agriculture, Trade policy analysis, etc.), the projected thematic activities for LDCs, etc.  
It is proposed to allocate CHF 1.9 million to these activities.  Depending on progress in the implementation of the Geneva-based thematic activities, some Geneva-based 
symposia or workshops organised by WTO Committees in relation with a particular 
aspect of their work may also be financed as part of this envelope.  Such events are held with a variety of objectives defined by Members, such as sharing experience and lessons 
learnt, exploring options, taking stock, etc. 
c. National activities.  This general envelope for national activities requested by Members 
and Observers already exists in the RB.  Its amount would simply be adjusted to better r e f l e c t  t h e  c u r r e n t  l e v e l  o f  d e m a n d  f o r  s u c h  a c t i v i t i e s .   I t  i s  p r o p o s e d  t o  f i x  i t  a t  
CHF 0.7 million. 
d. Miscellaneous.  This would include the funding of the advisory role under Article 27.2 of 
the DSU, limited funds to donate WTO publications to universities, support for the 
implementation of RBM and development of e-Learning courses, and a limited travel 
budget for M&E.  Altogether, it is proposed to set aside CHF 0.2 million for these various purposes. 
150.  To complement this reorganization of th e RB for TA, the budget line for hiring external 
experts would no longer be sliced in advance between the many activities which may need to employ them, but managed as a pool and distribu ted more fairly where required.  Whilst keeping 
the level of the RB for TA at the very same level as in the current biennium, the measures 
proposed above would restore the capacity of the Se cretariat to make the best possible use of this WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 33 - 
 
  resource and, hence, maximise the return for bene ficiary countries.  This should be pursued by 
virtue as much as by necessity, as the significant shrinkage of extra-budgetary resources since 2009 has increased the strategic significance of the RB for the funding of the WTO TA in the next 
biennium. 
7.2  Extra-budgetary funds for TA 
151.  As has been the case for many years, the ma in proportion of the implementation of the TA 
Plan will again be funded through extra-budgetary funds in 2016-17.  The DDAGTF will continue to 
play a central role in this regard, as it is the main channel through which donors' contributions 
support the TA provided by the WTO. 
152.  The DDAGTF was established by Members in December 2001, pursuant to the commitment 
contained in paragraph 40 of the Doha Declaration, to finance TA programmes and training 
activities for developing countries and LDCs as well as economies in transition in order to receive 
extra budgetary contributions from Members to fina nce the implementation of the annual TA Plans.  
One of the main purposes for creating a global fund was to consolidate the extra-budgetary funds 
into one single un-earmarked fund, so as to provide a solid and stable financial basis for the 
delivery of a global programme.  The DDAGTF is op erated against periodic benchmarks and closely 
supervised by the CBFA and CTD.  As in previous years, it will continue to be the main source of 
funds for WTO TRTA: about 63% of TA resources will be from voluntary contributions to the 
DDAGTF, with 24% coming from the Regular Budg et and 13% from other earmarked Trust Funds. 
153.  In recent years, there has been a slight decline on the timeliness of the contributions, a 
reduction in the number of Members contributing to the DDAGTF and an increase in requests to 
earmark contributions.  The increase in the contribution of some donors was also more than 
neutralised by the rise of the Swiss Franc against most other national currencies.  This led to a progressive decrease of the contributions to the DDAGTF from an annual average of CHF 19 million 
between 2005 and 2009 down to less than CHF 8 million in 2014.  As explained in successive 
annual reports on TA,
14 the Secretariat was able to shrink TA expenses even faster between 2009 
and 2012, leading to a progressive build-up of the year-end balance in the DDAGTF.  As a result, 
the DDAGFT balance carried forward in the last three years was sufficient to guarantee a smooth 
implementation of the TA Plan.  The stability and predictability this provided to the WTO TA activities is all the more important given that a portion of the TA-related expenses corresponds to fixed-term staff on L posts who implement or support the implementation of TA programmes.  The 
Secretariat highly appreciates and values the very generous support that donors have provided to 
the DDAGTF throughout the difficult years that followed the 2008 financial crisis.  The TA Plan for 2016-17 has been prepared under the assumption that this generous support would continue 
during the next biennium, allowing the Secretariat to maintain approximately the same level of TA 
activity and expenses as during the last three years. 
154.  Taking these elements into consideration, it is proposed to set the target amount for the 
DDAGTF in 2016 and 2017 at CHF 12 million. 
                                               
14  See section 3.1.1 in documents WT/COMTD/W/197, 205 and 209. WT/COMTD/W/211 
 
- 34 - 
 
  Summary: Costs by Outcome (In Thousand Swiss francs) 
Key results Budget Line - 2016 
Regular 
Budget DDAGTF Other TF Total 
Key result (Outcome) 1:  Government officials are 
implementing WTO Agreements and making full use of Members' rights 4,335 6,910 1,655 12,900
 
Key result (Outcome) 2:  Acceding governments are 
participating in accession negotiations, in line with WTO accession processes and procedures 80 15 485 580
 
Key result (Outcome) 3:  Members are accessing and 
using the most recent and relevant WTO-related information and data enabli ng them to better enforce 
their rights and obligations - 250 - 250
 
Key result (Outcome) 4:  MPs, journalists and civil 
society interacting with WTO; and students or academic institutions supp orted by WTO are dealing 
with trade policy and WTO-related subjects 10 1,360 - 1,370
 
Other programmes costs 123 2,117 - 2,240  
Total 4,548 10,652 2,140 17,340  
Overheads (13%) - 1,385 275 1,660  
Grand Total 4,548 12,037 2,415 19,000  
 
Key results Budget Line - 2017 
Regular 
Budget DDAGTF Other TF Total 
Key result (Outcome) 1:  Government officials are 
implementing WTO Agreements and making full use of Members' rights 4,345 6,790 1,655 12,790
 
Key result (Outcome) 2:  Acceding governments are 
participating in accession negotiations, in line with WTO accession processes and procedures 70 15 485 570
 
Key result (Outcome) 3:  Members are accessing and 
using the most recent and relevant WTO-related information and data enabli ng them to better enforce 
their rights and obligations - 350 - 350
 
Key result (Outcome) 4:  MPs, journalists and civil 
society are interacting with WTO; and students or academic institutions supp orted by WTO are dealing 
with trade policy and WTO-related subjects 10 1,370 - 1,380
 
Other programmes costs 123 2,127 - 2,250  
Total 4,548 10,652 2,140 17,340  
Overheads (13%) - 1,385 275 1,660  
Grand Total 4,548 12,037 2,415 19,000   
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 35 - ANNEX 1 - WTO TRTA LOGFRAME 
 Results Indicators Baseline Target Evidence Assumptions 
Impact1 Developing and LDC 
Members secure a 
share in the growth in 
world trade commensurate with 
the needs of their 
economic development Share of developing 
Members' total trade 
(imports and exports) in 
world trade 41.93% (2012) > 41.93% WTO Statistics (from 
ERSD) Commitment to the 
MTS of Members 
Financial crises 
contained 
ODA and AFT stay at 
current levels 
Commodity prices 
stable Share of LDC Members' 
total trade in the world 
trade 1.16% (2012) > 1.16% WTO Statistics (from 
ERSD) 
Outcome 1: Government 
officials are implementing WTO Agreements 
and making full use 
of Members' rights Compliance with WTO 
Agreements To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium WTO Documents 
Online database 
Minutes of WTO 
body meetings Political support for 
WTO-related measures 
Trained staff 
retained in relevant 
positions 
Human and financial 
resources available Number of documents 
submitted by developing and LDC Members in WTO Bodies 145 documents 
submitted to WTO Bodies in 2012 Increase in 
participation/ submissions of documents 
Number of outstanding 
notifications of TA 
beneficiaries Members 2,973 in 2013 (25 on 
average) 5% decrease 
of outstanding 
notifications Notifications 
database 
Publication of trade 
policies on Member's website To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Member's website 
TPRs 
Output 1.1: Government 
officials have 
enhanced knowledge 
about the WTO Agreements, 
formulation of trade Number of participants at 
each PLS level In 2014: 24% 
introduction, 50% 
intermediate, 16% 
advanced Increased % of 
participants in 
advanced training by 
end of 2017 TRTA Database WTO negotiations 
remain active 
Trained staff 
retained in relevant positions 
Sufficient demand 
Number of participants in 
WTO TRTA activities In 2014: 15,000 
participants Stability during the 
biennium TRTA Database 
                                               
1 In accordance with the RBM approach, the impact is the highest level result to which WTO contributes jointly with other stakeh olders. It is not an exclusive attribution to 
WTO TA, but an indication of the contribution the WTO TA is making to a common impact.  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 36 -  Results Indicators Baseline Target Evidence Assumptions 
policies and conduct 
of trade negotiations Interactive training 
methods' share of time In section 3.3.4 
WT/COMTD/W209  Increase during the 
biennium BTORs for trainings 
Members present 
suitable candidates Geographical spread of participation in face-to-face and e-Learning 
courses In e-Learning, 33% 
of LDC participants in 2014 Stability during the 
biennium TRTA database 
Large geographical 
spread in 2014 Geographical balance 
during the biennium 
Changes in 8-week ITPCs' curriculum To be collected for 
2015 Implementation of the 
2014 
recommendations BTORs 
Success rate in 8-week 
ITPC final exam 97% in 2014 90% during the 
biennium BTORs 
Quality of participation in 
interactive parts of advanced activities To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium BTORs 
% of participants giving an 
excellent rating to ATPCs' 
and advanced thematic courses' overall content and results In 2014-15: 
- ATPCs: 64% 
- adv thematic 
courses: 52% Increase during the 
biennium BTORs 
Revised modules or case 
studies in ATPCs Two in 2015 Two per year BTORs 
Number of participants 
trained on trade 
negotiating skills In 2014: 588 Increase during the 
biennium BTORs 
Advanced thematic 
courses focused on implementation Two in 2015 Three in 2016 and 
four in 2017 BTORs 
Implementation rate of 
Action Plans within 12 
months 60% in 2013 Stability during the 
biennium BTORs  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 37 -  Results Indicators Baseline Target Evidence Assumptions 
Number of interns in 
FIMIP, NTP and RCI In 2014: 9 RCI, 16 
FIMIP, 15 NTP Per year: NTP: 15; 
RCI: 8; FIMIP: 15 BTORs 
TRTA Database 
Final evaluation rate of 
each intern None in 2014 100% fully 
satisfactory Evaluation by the 
supervisor 
  New online courses 
released each year 3 in 2015 3 courses/year Courses open for 
registration Divisions timely 
contribution to 
course material 
Appropriate 
e-Learning resources 
Timely translation of 
course material 
Absence of external 
disturbance in  
e-Campus % of participants rating 
the balance between 
theory and practice as 
good or excellent in online courses 60% in 2014 70% during the 
biennium Participants 
Feedback form 
% of participants rating the quality of the online 
course content as good or 
excellent 60% in 2014 70% during the 
biennium Participants 
Feedback form 
  e-Learning success rate 61% in 2014 Increase during the 
biennium TRTA database 
BTOR Participants 
Feedback form Participants' internet 
access is sufficient 
Supervisors' support 
for participant’s 
course attendance 
Adequate e-Learning 
platform 
Absence of major 
e-security incident 
Appropriate  
e-Learning resources 
Absence of external 
disturbance in  
e-Campus 
  e-Learning drop-out rate 17% in 2014 Stability during the 
biennium 
e-Learning rate of correct answers in the exam 85% in 2014 Stability during the 
biennium 
e-Learning distinction rate 35% in 2014 Stability during the 
biennium 
  Total participation in  
e-Learning courses 7,600 in 2014 Stability during the 
biennium TRTA database  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 38 -  Results Indicators Baseline Target Evidence Assumptions 
Output 1.2: Establishment of 
effective partnerships resulting in 
substantive 
contributions % of activities held with a 
partner adding value In 2014, 87% of 
partners added value
 Increase during the biennium BTORs 
e-Activity Requests Potential partners 
are interested and have the required 
resources 
% of partnerships 
contributing to the substance of the TA 
activities Partners' 2014 
contribution: 20% high, 18% average 
and 62% low Increase substantive 
contributions during the biennium 
Output 1.3: Members' needs 
and priorities are identified annually Number of needs 
assessments conducted To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Reports 
TPRs Members can 
identify and prioritise their needs 
Outcome 2: Acceding 
governments 
participate in 
accession negotiations Number of acceding 
governments, including 
LDCs, with a Working 
Party meeting held 11 meetings (2014) Stability during the 
biennium DG Annual Report 
on Accessions Accessions are 
active 
Governments submit 
required input to their Working Parties 
Output 2.1: Acceding 
governments are 
familiar with WTO 
substantive and procedural matters Share of acceding 
governments in Outcome 1 
indicators To be collected for 
2015 Stability during the 
biennium BTORs 
TRTA Database Trained staff 
retained in relevant 
positions 
Sufficient demand 
for Secretariat support 
Willingness to use 
available tools Roadmaps and endgame 
plans To be collected for 
2015 Stability during the 
biennium 
Use of Secretariat advice and accession tools To be collected for 
2015 Stability during the 
biennium 
Outcome 3: Members are 
accessing and using WTO-related data 
to better enforce 
their rights and obligations  Members' satisfaction with 
data availability To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Annual reports of RC 
coordinators 
Communications 
from beneficiaries Members' 
willingness to use available WTO data 
sources 
Committed RCs 
managers 
Output 3.1: WTO RCs 
network is operational 
in targeted countries Rate of operational RCs 64% (2012) Increase during the 
biennium Annual reports of RC 
coordinators Commitment of the 
institution hosting 
the RC  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 39 -  Results Indicators Baseline Target Evidence Assumptions 
Output 3.2: RCs are used by 
stakeholders to access WTO-related 
data or online courses Requests or visits to the 
RCs during the year by category of stakeholders 
and type of needs To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Annual reports of RC 
coordinators Commitment of the 
institution hosting the RC 
Output 3.3: Improved 
analysis of trade 
developments for policy making Availability of detailed 
trade in services statistics 
and broader coverage of databases on trade in 
value added One African country 
covered in 
OECD/WTO database in 2015 Increase during the 
biennium Members Members are using 
the statistical tools 
available 
Outcome 4: MPs, journalists 
and civil society are 
interacting with WTO; and students 
or academic 
institutions supported by WTO 
are dealing with 
trade policy and WTO-related subjects Chair's contribution to 
their country's trade policy 
formulation 
Sustainability of results To be collected in 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Chair holders annual 
reports 
WCP final evaluation Advisory Board Stakeholders stay 
interested in trade 
issues 
Exposure of MPs, media and civil society to WTO-
related issues and work To be collected in 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium BTORs 
Articles, discussions and 
positions on WTO-related matters To be collected for 
2015 Increased quality 
during the biennium Press reports and 
publications, when available 
BTORs 
Output 4.1: Improved 
understanding by MPs 
of WTO issues and trade policies MPs reached during the 
year In 2014: 
80 MPs Stability during the 
biennium BTORs 
MPs' statements, 
when available MPs stay interested 
in WTO issues 
Partners interested 
in trade issues 
Output 4.2: Improved 
understanding by 
journalists, civil 
society and businesses of WTO issues and trade 
policies Journalists and civil society 
members reached during 
the year In 2014: 
56 journalists 
24 from civil society Stability during the 
biennium BTORs 
Media reports, when 
available 
NGOs' statements, 
when available Journalists and civil 
society stay 
interested in WTO 
issues 
Partners interested 
in trade issues  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 40 -  Results Indicators Baseline Target Evidence Assumptions 
Output 4.3: Research on 
trade policy and WTO-related matters 
generated by WTO 
Chairs and PhD students through 
provision of grants Number of publications in 
internationally peer-reviewed journals 
Number of research papers 
per year To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Publications 
Chair holders annual 
reports 
WCP final evaluation Compliance with 
programme guidelines 
Number of PhD students per year To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium BTOR 
Completion of their PhD by 
the students To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Student report 
Output 4.4: Academic 
courses on WTO-
related subjects 
introduced and updated Number of students in 
WTO-related courses or 
getting a degree per year To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Chair holders annual 
reports 
WCP final evaluation Compliance with 
programme 
guidelines 
Output 4.5: Outreach 
activities on trade 
policy and WTO-
related matters organised by WTO 
Chairs through 
provisions of grants Number of outreach events 
per year 
Involvement of key 
decision-makers 
Availability of a Chair 
public website 
Content of the Chair 
website 
Number of visitors to and 
downloads from the Chair website To be collected for 
2015 Increase during the 
biennium Chair holders annual 
reports 
WCP final evaluation Compliance with 
programme 
guidelines 
Output 4.6: YPPs are exposed 
to WTO issues and 
work Number of YPPs enrolled 
per year None in 2015 No less than 5 per 
year BTORs 
TRTA Database Suitable applications 
are received 
Final evaluation rate of each intern N/A 100% fully 
satisfactory Evaluation by the 
supervisor  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 41 - ANNEX 2 - ACTIVITY MATRIX 
Key result (Outcome) 1: Government offi cials are implementing WTO Agreements and making full use of Members' rights. 
Level Path Lan-
guage Title Region Estimated cost 2016 (KCHF)  Estimated cost 2017 (KCHF) 
RB DDAGTF Other TF  RB DDAGTF Other 
TF 
Introduction Generalist E/F/S Geneva-bas ed Courses for LDCs - Introduction and 
Focus Activities - Geneva weeks Global 507    507   
Advanced Generalist E/F/S Applied Advanced Trade Poli cy Courses Global 1,200    1,200    
Intermediate Generalist E/F/S Intermediate level activities for:  Africa; Middle East; 
Asia-Pacific; Caribbean; CEECAC; Latin America All 
regions  3,206    3,210   
Advanced Specialist  E/F/S Geneva-based  topic specific symposia for Capital-
based officials Global  424   450  
Advanced Specialist  E/F/S Ad visory Role on Legal Issues (Art. 27.2 of DSU) Global 60    60   
Intermediate Generalist E/F/S Regional and/or sub-regional general capacity-
building activities All 
regions  540   540  
Intermediate / Advanced Specialist  E/F/S Advanced Thematic Cour ses and advanced workshops Global 1,908
 160  1,918    
Intermediate 
/ Advanced Generalist 
/ Specialist  E/F/S National seminars and workshops – Assistance to 
needs assessment All 
regions 660 40  660 40  
Intermediate Specialist E/F/S 30 (sub) regional topic-specific seminars, including 
Trade Negotiations Skills All 
regions  2,330    2,340   
  E/F/S China's LDCs and Accessions Programme:  
Participation of LDCs in WTO meetings; LDCs TPR follow-ups; and, South-South Dialogue All 
regions   Under 
Outcome 
2   Under 
Outcome 
2 
Advanced Generalist E/F/S Internships in the framework of the Netherlands 
Trainee Programme Global   875   875 
Advanced Generalist E/F/S Regional Coordi nator Internships Programme (RCI) Global  210   210  
Advanced Generalist E/F/S Fr ench-Irish Mission Internship programme (MIP) Global   780   780 
Introduction Generalist E/ F/S Online course:  Introduction to WTO Global  x     x    
Intermediate Generalist 
/Specialist  E/F/S Online courses: Multilateral Trade Agreements; Trade 
Economics: Theory and Policy; Legal Underpinnings; Trade and Development; Trade Finance; WTO Market Access Databases; Notification Requirements in the WTO; RTAs and the WTO;  TBT; DSU; Trade and 
Environment; Market Access for goods and NAMA Negotiations; Trade Remedies; Agriculture; TRIPS; SPS; Trade in Services; Dispute Settlement System Global  x 
    x    
  Generalist 
/Specialist  E Online course:  My Co urse - Create your own  
e-Learning Courses Global  x     x    
   Sub-total  4,335  6,910  1,655  4,345  6,790  1,655 
   Overheads @13%  -  900 215 - 885 215 
   Total  4,335  7,810  1,870  4,345  7,675  1,870  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 42 - Key result (Outcome) 2: Acceding governme nts are participating in accession negotiat ions, in line with WTO accession processes and 
procedures. 
Level Path Lan-
guage Title Region Estimated cost 2016 ( KCHF)  Estimated cost 2017 ( KCHF) 
RB DDAGTF  Other TF  RB DDAGTF  Other TF 
Intermediate 
/ Advanced Generalist 
/Specialist E/F/S National semi nars and workshops on Accessions All 
regions 80 15  70 15  
  E WTO Accession Round Table meetings Global   395   395 
Introduction Generalist E/F/S Accessio ns Internship Programme (AIP) Global   90   90 
Intermediate Generalist E/F/S Online course:  Accession to the WTO Global  x     x    
   Sub-total  80  15 485 70 15 485 
   Overheads @13%  -  2 60 - 2 60 
   Total  80 17 545 70 17 548 
 
Key result (Outcome) 3: Members are accessi ng and using the most recent and relevant  WTO-related information and data enabling them to 
better enforce their rights and obligations. 
Level Path Lan-
guage Title Region Estimated cost 2016 ( KCHF)  Estimated cost 2017 ( KCHF) 
RB DDAGTF  Other TF  RB DDAGTF  Other TF 
Introduction Generalist  E/F/S Establishmen t or upgrade of 10 Reference Centres Global  250   250  
Intermediate Generalist  E/F/S Refere nce Centres managers' meeting Global     100  
   Sub-total   250   350  
   Overheads @13%   30   45  
   Total   280   395  
  
  WT/COMTD/W/211  
 
- 43 - Key result (Outcome) 4: MPs, journalists an d civil society are interacting with WTO; an d students or academic institutions supp orted by WTO 
are dealing with trade policy and WTO-related subjects. 
Level Path Lan-
guage Title Region Estimated cost 2016 ( KCHF)  Estimated cost 2017 ( KCHF) 
RB DDAGTF  Other TF  RB DDAGTF  Other TF 
    E/F/S Outreach for MPs, Civil Society and the media Global  600   600  
    E/F/S WTO Chairs programme: Grants of CHF 50'000 max 
to seven WTO Chairs; WCP Annual meeting; and, Academic support to WTO Chair holder institutions All 
regions  470   480  
    E/F/S WTO publications for Un iversities and groups of 
scholars; and, support programme for doctoral  students (6 students over 6 months each) Global 10
 65  10 65  
    E/F/S Missions to Academic Institutions Global Under  
Outcome 
1   Under  
Outcome  
1   
Intermediate Specialist E/F/S WTO Young Professionals' programme (YPP) Global   225    225  
   Sub-total  10  1,360   10 1,370   
   Overheads @13%   180   180  
   Total  10 1,540   10 1,550   
Other programmes' costs: Programme staff and Monitoring & Evaluation. 
Level Path Lan-
guage Title Region Estimated cost 2016 ( KCHF)  Estimated cost 2017 ( KCHF) 
RB DDAGTF  Other TF  RB DDAGTF  Other TF 
   L-Posts and other Sh ort-Term Contracts     2,117      2,127   
   Monitoring & Evaluation   50     50    
   Implementation of RBM and development of  
e-Learning courses   73     73    
   Sub-total  123  2,117   123 2,127   
   Overheads @13%   273   273  
   Total  123 2,390   123 2,400   
Summary Grand Total 
   Title Region Estimated cost 2016 ( KCHF)  Estimated cost 2017 ( KCHF) 
RB DDAGTF  Other TF  RB DDAGTF  Other TF 
   Sub-total  4,548  10,652  2,140  4,548  10,652  2,140 
   Overheads @13%   1,385  275  1,385  275 
   Total  4,548  12,037  2,415  4,548  12,037  2,415 
 
 
__________