RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/200  
 
11 November 2021 
(21-8547) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
 
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 NOVEMB ER 2021  
The Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (CBFA) met on 4 November  2021. Her 
Excellency Ambassador Bettina Waldmann, German Ambassador to the WTO , welcomed Members 
to the meeting.  
1  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
The Chair noted that the agenda for the meeting had been released on 25 October, with the 
reference WTO/AIR/BFA/4 9, together with the annotated agenda bearing the reference JOB/BFA/5 7. 
The Chair stated that the aim  of the me eting was for Members to reach  a decision on the budgetary 
surplus for 2020 and to endorse the 2022 -2023 WTO Budget Proposal . 
The agenda , as set out in document WTO/AIR/BFA/4 9, was adopted . 
2  ORAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF THE CBFA ON ONGOING WORK  
The Chair informed the Committee that , since the previous meeting of the CBFA , she had 
informally  met with some delegations  in an effort  to make progress regard ing the 202 2-2023 budget 
proposal and the subject of the 2020 budgetary surplus.  
The Chair said the consultation s had  confirmed the importance that several delegations attach 
to the subject of long -term liabilities pertaining to pension and After Service Health Insurance, 
adding that this matter would  be included as a priority item in the work of the Com mittee in 2022. 
A Member t hanked the Chair for her comments and noted that  the External Auditor s had 
pointed out, in previous C BFA meetings, that there is an overall deficit due to increasing long -term 
liabilities . 
The Member said that a s of 31 December 2020 , the WTO's financial statements showed total 
negative equity of CHF 836 million.  She stated that t his reflects t he large structural imbalance 
between the WTO's assets and liabilities  and added that this  is an important issue for the  financial  
management of the Organization . She  called for s olutions  to be found  to address these increasing 
long-term liabilities . She said that this  should be a priority in the work plan of the CBFA in 2022.  
3  PROPOSED UTILIZATION OF THE 2020 BUDGETARY SURPLUS – WT/B FA/W/565 /REV.1  
The Chair introduced the topic by recalling that , ahead of the Committee meeting that took 
place on 23 September 2021, the Secretariat had prepared an updated version of the Director -
General's proposal regarding the 2020 budgetary surplus  bearing the reference  
WT/BFA/W/565/ Rev1. The Chair mentioned that a  Member had proposed further changes to the 
document at the meeting of the Committee held on 22 October and these were not taken on board, 
pursuant to the discussions that ensued.  
The Chair stated that the document remained , therefore , unchanged and expressed the hope 
that the Committee would  be in a position to endorse the recommendation  contained  therein . 
As no Member requested the floor, the Chair thank ed Members for their constructive 
engagement and their flexibility leading up to the endorsement of the proposal.  
The Committee endorsed the recommendation contained in paragraph 3.5. below.  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 2 - 
 
  
The Committee on  Budget, Finance and Administration recommends to the General 
Council  that the WTO budgetary surplus as at 31 December 2020, amounting to 
CHF 11,771,979 , be utilized as follow s: CHF 9.8 million to be applied against Members' 
contributions for 202 2; and CHF 1,971 ,979 to be transferred to the Working Capital Fund . 
The recommendation is linked to the pandemic and does not create a precedent for future 
recommendations pertaining to the budgetary surplus  and is not a de facto lowering of  
future asse ssed contributions.  
4  WTO 2022 -2023 BUDGET PROPOSAL – WT/BFA/W/556  
The Chair recalled that the WTO  2022-2023 budget proposal has been on the agenda of the 
Committee since 22 June . She said that, on  22 October , a delegation had expressed the need for a 
little mor e time to review the proposal. She added that there had been no objections to the proposal 
itself.  
The Chair, therefore , propose d that the Committee  endorse the recommendation to be made 
to the General Council  regarding the 2022 -2023 WTO Budget.  
The Commi ttee endorsed the recommendation.   
Subsequent to the endorsement of the recommendation, a Member asked for the floor. The 
Member thanked  the Chair for her good work on the important decisions that had been taken during 
the meeting. He thanked the Committee  for having demonstrated mutual understanding, 
cooperation and compromise . He said that the Committee could inspire other  areas of  work over the 
next days and lead to positive MC12 results . 
The Member suggested that, after MC12, the  Committee could have a discussion on the future 
work for early 2022. He stated that, before the summer, the Committee had listened carefully to the 
suggestions  made by  the Director -General . He said his delegation  prefer s that Members ha ve a look 
at the outcome of MC12  before Summer 2022 . He said this would not have any effect on the  2022 
budget  but could have a bearing on  that of  2023.  
A Member congratulate d the Chair and the Secretariat  team for having made the endorsement 
of the 2022 -23 budget possible.  
The Chair thanke d the Members  that had taken the floor for their compliments and said  the 
endorsement of the budget ahead of MC12 was a collective success , to which everyone had 
contributed . 
The Chair then reminded the Committee of the different budget -related elements th at had been 
endorsed during the past few months. These are specific recommendations for the approval of the 
2022-2023 ITC budget; the budgetary aspects of the Biennial Technical Assistance Plan for 2022 -
2023; and the 2022 -2023 WTO Budget. She said these re commendations would be recorded in the 
report of the CBFA meeting. The recommendations are contained in paragraphs 4.9, 4.1 1 and 4.1 2 
below.  
The General Council,  
HAVING CONSIDERED  
The guidelines on biennial budgeting (WT/BFA/W/105/Rev.1) approved by the General 
Council through document WT/GC/M/82; and  
The 2022 -2023 WTO Consolidated Budget, which amounts to CHF 197,203,900 for 2022 
and 2023, respectively, as set forth in Tables 1, 2, and 3 annexed to this report  
RESOLV ES that  
The 2022 -2023 WTO Consolidated Budget, be financed as follows:  
a. Contributions from Members in the amount of CHF  195,500,000; and  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 3 - 
 
  b. Miscellaneous income of CHF 1,703,900.  
In implementing the recommendation regarding the budgetary s urplus for 2020, as per 
paragraph 3.5 above, the 2022 Member contributions of CHF 195,500,000 will be funded as follows , 
in 2022 : (a) CHF 185,700,000 through Member contributions ; and ( b) CHF 9,800,000 from the 2020  
budgetary surplus.  
The Committee recommends to the General Co uncil that the budget for 2022 -2023 
of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO be approved in the amount of CHF 
36,686,250. With miscellaneous income being estimated at CHF 200,000, the amount to 
be provided by the WTO to the International Trade Centre, UNCTAD/WTO budget for 2022 
and 2023, shall be CHF 18,243,125 per year.  
Pursuant to paragraph 40[1] of the Ministerial Declaration adopted at the Fourth 
Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference, the Committee recommends to the General 
Council that:  
(1) Secure and predictable financing be provided for the implementation of 
the 2022 -2023 Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan, as approved 
by the C ommittee on Trade and Development;   
 
(2) The target level of extra budgetary resources intended to fund the TA Plan 
include CHF 13,992,000 for 2022 and CHF 13,992,000 for 2023 to come from 
the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) and CHF 
2,554,000 for 2022 and CHF 2,554,000 for 2023 from other Trust Funds;  
 
(3) Members be reminded that, on 19 -20 December 2001, the General Council 
approved the following periodic benchmarks for contribution receipts to the 
DDAGTF:  
 
(i) by December of the year preceding the funds' revolving annual  target 
period, 25 per cent of the annual total should be in the bank;  
 
(ii) by 31  March, another 50 per cent for an overall 75 per cent of the total;  
 
(iii) by 30  June, 100 per cent of the funds;  
 
(4) In this context, Members be informed that the project ed year -end balance 
of the Fund is likely to be sufficient to cover the 25 per cent of the target 
amount; and  
 
(5) Governments be urged to make financial contributions in a manner which 
would preserve the global nature of the programme and facilitate the 
management and reporting with a view to greater transparency (i.e. making 
un-earmarked contributions) and pledge multi -year contributions to create 
more predictability in terms of financing.  
 
The Chair reiterated her gratitude to Members for their construc tive and result -oriented spirit 
throughout the whole process and for having  endorsed the recommendation of  the budget  to the 
General Council ahead of MC12. She expressed the hope that the constructive spirit demonstrated  
at the CBFA would go on until MC12 and beyond.  
DDG Ellard thanked Members for working well with the Secretariat. She said that there were 
many different issues and concerns that were brought to the table in a very constructive way. She 
also thanked the Chair for how she led the discussions and the good outcome.  
DDG Ellard said the Member whose views are reflected in  paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 ma de a 
very good point about the need to talk about budget issues as early as possible. She also 
acknowledged the remarks of the Member reflected in  paragr aphs 2.3 and 2.4, with respect to the 
long-term liabilities. She said this is a very important issue  that ought to be discussed , noting her 
commitment to do so . WT/BFA/200  
 
- 4 - 
 
  
DDG Ellard further thanked the Secretariat team their work over the last several months in 
preparing the budget  and added that it has been a pleasure to work with them and with the Chair.  
The Chair thanked DDG Ellard for her comments.  
5  CLOSING REMARKS  
The Chair thanked Members for participat ing in the meeting. She said that there is a meeting 
scheduled for 16 November, and that the Committee would be updated  as to whether it would take 
place. 
  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 5 - 
 
  ANNEX TO THE REPORT  
 
Table 1 2022 -2023 Consolidated WTO Budget  
(in thousand Swiss Francs)  
Part Section  Line 2021  2022  2023  Inc/ 
Dec 
2022  Inc/ 
Dec 
2023  
A Staffing 
Resources  Staff 
Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  88,520  88,520  88,520  0 0 
    ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment 
Benefits  23,380  23,430  23,480  50 50 
    iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  6,794  6,794  6,894  0 100 
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  10,971  10,921  10,871  -50 -50 
    v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  1,900  1,900  1,800  0 -100 
  Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  9,850  9,850  9,850  0 0 
    ii) Consulting  6,124  6,424  6,724  300 300 
    iii) Panellists  1,300  1,000  1,000  -300 0 
A Staffing Resources Total   148,840  148,840  149,140  0 300 
B Other 
Resources  General 
Services  i) Telecommunications 
& Post  641 541 541 -100 0 
    ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance  11,613  11,613  11,613  0 0 
    iii) Energy & Supplies  2,066  1,966  1,966  -100 0 
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  1,458  1,458  1,458  0 0 
    v) Other / 
Miscellaneous  48 48 48 0 0 
  Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  7,993  7,693  7,393  -300 -300 
    ii) Hospitality  214 214 214 0 0 
  Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing 
Partners  213 213 213 0 0 
  Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets  2,255  2,555  2,555  300 0 
    ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  640 540 540 -100 0 
  Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  580 880 880 300 0 
    ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  1,200  1,200  0 0 
B Other Resources Total   28,921  28,921  28,621  0 -300 
C 
Operating 
Funds and 
ITC Contributions 
to ITC & 
Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to ITC  18,243  18,243  18,243  0 0 
    ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  0 0 0 0 0 
    iii) Ministerial 
Conference Operating 
Fund 600 600 600 0 0 
    iv) Building Renovation 
Fund 600 600 600 0 0 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total   19,443  19,443  19,443  0 0 
Grand Total     197,204  197,204  197,204  0 0 
 
  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 6 - 
 
  Table 2 2022 -2023 Estimated Miscellaneous Income  
(in thousand Swiss Francs)  
 
2021  2022  2023  Inc/ 
Dec 2022  Inc/ 
Dec 2023  
Contributions of Observer Countries  600 600 600 0 0 
Sale of Publications & Royalties  250 250 250 0 0 
Trust Fund - Participation in Direct Cost 190 190 190 0 0 
Refund of  Prior Year's Expenditure  200 200 200 0 0 
Rental of Meeting Rooms & Office Space 125 125 125 0 0 
Other  339 339 339 0 0 
Total  1,704  1,704  1,704  0 0 
 
Table 3 Scale of Contributions for 2022  
(in Swiss Francs and with a minimum contribution of 0.015%)  
Member  2022  2022  Credit for 
2020  
Budgetary 
Surplus  Net 
Contribution 
for 2022  
CHF Contribution  Contribution  CHF 
CHF %  
Afghanistan  39,100  0.020%  -1,960  37,140  
Albania  43,010  0.022%  -2,156  40,854  
Angola  273,700  0.140%  -13,720  259,980  
Antigua and Barbuda  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Argentina  670,565  0.343%  -33,614  636,951  
Armenia  43,010  0.022%  -2,156  40,854  
Australia  2,525,860  1.292%  -126,616  2,399,244  
Austria  1,927,630  0.986%  -96,628  1,831,002  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  226,780  0.116%  -11,368  215,412  
Bangladesh  412,505  0.211%  -20,678  391,827  
Barbados  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Belgium  3,560,055  1.821%  -178,458  3,381,597  
Belize  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Benin  31,280  0.016%  -1,568  29,712  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  93,840  0.048%  -4,704  89,136  
Botswana  62,560  0.032%  -3,136  59,424  
Brazil  2,107,490  1.078%  -105,644  2,001,846  
Brunei Darussalam  50,830  0.026%  -2,548  48,282  
Bulgaria  332,350  0.170%  -16,660  315,690  
Burkina Faso  35,190  0.018%  -1,764  33,426  
Burundi  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Cabo Verde  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Cambodia  158,355  0.081%  -7,938  150,417  
Cameroon  64,515  0.033%  -3,234  61,281  
Canada  4,721,325  2.415%  -236,670  4,484,655  
Central African Republic  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Chad 33,235  0.017%  -1,666  31,569  
Chile 666,655  0.341%  -33,418  633,237  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 7 - 
 
  Member  2022  2022  Credit for 
2020  
Budgetary 
Surplus  Net 
Contribution 
for 2022  
CHF Contribution  Contribution  CHF 
CHF %  
China  20,593,970  10.534%  -1,032,332  19,561,638  
Colombia  488,750  0.250%  -24,500  464,250  
Congo  68,425  0.035%  -3,430  64,995  
Costa Rica  166,175  0.085%  -8,330  157,845  
Côte d'Ivoire  107,525  0.055%  -5,390  102,135  
Croatia  240,465  0.123%  -12,054  228,411  
Cuba 113,390  0.058%  -5,684  107,706  
Cyprus  142,715  0.073%  -7,154  135,561  
Czech Republic  1,442,790  0.738%  -72,324  1,370,466  
Democratic Republic of the 
Congo  121,210  0.062%  -6,076  115,134  
Denmark  1,520,990  0.778%  -76,244  1,444,746  
Djibouti  33,235  0.017%  -1,666  31,569  
Dominica  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Dominican Republic  177,905  0.091%  -8,918  168,987  
Ecuador  205,275  0.105%  -10,290  194,985  
Egypt  502,435  0.257%  -25,186  477,249  
El Salvador  82,110  0.042%  -4,116  77,994  
Estonia  173,995  0.089%  -8,722  165,273  
Eswatini  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
European Union  0 0.000%  0 0 
Fiji 29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Finland  844,560  0.432%  -42,336  802,224  
France  7,464,190  3.818%  -374,164  7,090,026  
Gabon  50,830  0.026%  -2,548  48,282  
The Gambia  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Georgia  76,245  0.039%  -3,822  72,423  
Germany  13,997,800  7.160%  -701,680  13,296,120  
Ghana  183,770  0.094%  -9,212  174,558  
Greece  633,420  0.324%  -31,752  601,668  
Grenada  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Guatemala  142,715  0.073%  -7,154  135,561  
Guinea  33,235  0.017%  -1,666  31,569  
Guinea -Bissau  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Guyana  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Haiti 29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Honduras  78,200  0.040%  -3,920  74,280  
Hong Kong, China  5,561,975  2.845%  -278,810  5,283,165  
Hungary  1,038,105  0.531%  -52,038  986,067  
Iceland  87,975  0.045%  -4,410  83,565  
India 4,574,700  2.340%  -229,320  4,345,380  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 8 - 
 
  Member  2022  2022  Credit for 
2020  
Budgetary 
Surplus  Net 
Contribution 
for 2022  
CHF Contribution  Contribution  CHF 
CHF %  
Indonesia  1,644,155  0.841%  -82,418  1,561,737  
Ireland  3,362,600  1.720%  -168,560  3,194,040  
Israel  881,705  0.451%  -44,198  837,507  
Italy 4,991,115  2.553%  -250,194  4,740,921  
Jamaica  52,785  0.027%  -2,646  50,139  
Japan  7,487,650  3.830%  -375,340  7,112,310  
Jordan  162,265  0.083%  -8,134  154,131  
Kazakhstan       435,965  0.223%  -21,854  414,111  
Kenya  125,120  0.064%  -6,272  118,848  
Korea, Republic of  5,430,990  2.778%  -272,244  5,158,746  
Kuwait, the State of  537,625  0.275%  -26,950  510,675  
Kyrgyz Republic  35,190  0.018%  -1,764  33,426  
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  56,695  0.029%  -2,842  53,853  
Latvia  164,220  0.084%  -8,232  155,988  
Lesotho  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Liberia  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Liechtenstein  64,515  0.033%  -3,234  61,281  
Lithuania  303,025  0.155%  -15,190  287,835  
Luxembourg  1,008,780  0.516%  -50,568  958,212  
Macao, China  252,195  0.129%  -12,642  239,553  
Madagascar  35,190  0.018%  -1,764  33,426  
Malawi  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Malaysia  1,859,205  0.951%  -93,198  1,766,007  
Maldives  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Mali 35,190  0.018%  -1,764  33,426  
Malta  154,445  0.079%  -7,742  146,703  
Mauritania  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Mauritius  54,740  0.028%  -2,744  51,996  
Mexico  3,964,740  2.028%  -198,744  3,765,996  
Moldova, Republic of  37,145  0.019%  -1,862  35,283  
Mongolia  60,605  0.031%  -3,038  57,567  
Montenegro  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Morocco  377,315  0.193%  -18,914  358,401  
Mozambique  62,560  0.032%  -3,136  59,424  
Myanmar  138,805  0.071%  -6,958  131,847  
Namibia  46,920  0.024%  -2,352  44,568  
Nepal  60,605  0.031%  -3,038  57,567  
Netherlands  5,739,880  2.936%  -287,728  5,452,152  
New Zealand  467,245  0.239%  -23,422  443,823  
Nicaragua  54,740  0.028%  -2,744  51,996  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 9 - 
 
  Member  2022  2022  Credit for 
2020  
Budgetary 
Surplus  Net 
Contribution 
for 2022  
CHF Contribution  Contribution  CHF 
CHF %  
Niger  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Nigeria  537,625  0.275%  -26,950  510,675  
North Macedonia  62,560  0.032%  -3,136  59,424  
Norway  1,219,920  0.624%  -61,152  1,158,768  
Oman  322,575  0.165%  -16,170  306,405  
Pakistan  373,405  0.191%  -18,718  354,687  
Panama  236,555  0.121%  -11,858  224,697  
Papua New Guinea  60,605  0.031%  -3,038  57,567  
Paraguay  111,435  0.057%  -5,586  105,849  
Peru 424,235  0.217%  -21,266  402,969  
Philippines  866,065  0.443%  -43,414  822,651  
Poland  2,408,560  1.232%  -120,736  2,287,824  
Portugal  815,235  0.417%  -40,866  774,369  
Qatar  658,835  0.337%  -33,026  625,809  
Romania  801,550  0.410%  -40,180  761,370  
Russian Federation  3,235,525  1.655%  -162,190  3,073,335  
Rwanda  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Saint Lucia  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Samoa  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  1,933,495  0.989%  -96,922  1,836,573  
Senegal  50,830  0.026%  -2,548  48,282  
Seychelles           29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Sierra Leone  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Singapore  4,824,940  2.468%  -241,864  4,583,076  
Slovak Republic  785,910  0.402%  -39,396  746,514  
Slovenia  332,350  0.170%  -16,660  315,690  
Solomon Islands  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
South Africa  879,750  0.450%  -44,100  835,650  
Spain  3,792,700  1.940%  -190,120  3,602,580  
Sri Lanka  189,635  0.097%  -9,506  180,129  
Suriname  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Sweden  2,007,785  1.027%  -100,646  1,907,139  
Switzerland  3,681,265  1.883%  -184,534  3,496,731  
Chinese Taipei  3,055,665  1.563%  -153,174  2,902,491  
Tajikistan  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Tanzania  84,065  0.043%  -4,214  79,851  
Thailand  2,420,290  1.238%  -121,324  2,298,966  
Togo 29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  WT/BFA/200  
 
- 10 - 
 
  Member  2022  2022  Credit for 
2020  
Budgetary 
Surplus  Net 
Contribution 
for 2022  
CHF Contribution  Contribution  CHF 
CHF %  
Tonga  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Trinidad and Tobago  87,975  0.045%  -4,410  83,565  
Tunisia  177,905  0.091%  -8,918  168,987  
Turkey  2,003,875  1.025%  -100,450  1,903,425  
Uganda  56,695  0.029%  -2,842  53,853  
Ukraine  506,345  0.259%  -25,382  480,963  
United Arab Emirates  3,032,205  1.551%  -151,998  2,880,207  
United Kingdom  7,380,125  3.775%  -369,950  7,010,175  
United States of America  23,149,155  11.841%  -1,160,418  21,988,737  
Uruguay  130,985  0.067%  -6,566  124,419  
Vanuatu  29,325  0.015%  -1,470  27,855  
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic 
of 488,750  0.250%  -24,500  464,250  
Viet Nam  1,941,315  0.993%  -97,314  1,844,001  
Yemen  72,335  0.037%  -3,626  68,709  
Zambia  76,245  0.039%  -3,822  72,423  
Zimbabwe      50,830  0.026%  -2,548  48,282  
TOTAL  195,500,000  100.000%  -9,800,000  185,700,000  
 
 
 
__________