RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/347  
 
27 January 2015  
(15-0598)  Page: 1/8  
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
 OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS 
1  INTRODUCTION 1.1.  This memorandum summarizes the situatio n with respect to Members' and Observers' 
contributions as at 31 December 2014. It also provides information and recommendations 
regarding the situation of Members and Observ ers subject to Administrative Measures and 
Members following a payment plan as at 23 January 2015. 
2  MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2014 
2.1.  The collection of Members' contributions has been satisfactory in 2014. The WTO has 
received a total amount of 198.3 MCHF from Members in 2014.  
Total Annual Receipts 
In MCHF 
 
 
Receipt per Contribution year MCHF 
2014 contributions representing 94% of assessed contributions 183.8 
2013 outstanding contributions 12.5 
Prior to 2013 contributions 2.0 
Total 198.3 
 
2.2.  The outstanding Members' contributions a m o u n t  t o  1 9 . 3  M C H F  a t  t h e  e n d  o f  2 0 1 4 ;  
decreasing by 12% compared to one year ago. Th e amount of outstanding Members' contributions 
has reached the lowest level ever. 182.5190.3 192.0196.4198.8 198.3
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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  Members' Outstanding Contributions at year-end 
In MCHF 
26.8
24.631.5 31.3 31.0
27.6
25.3 25.4 25.9
23.725.925.1
22.0
19.3
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
 
 
 One new Member acceded to WTO in 2014: Yemen; 
 104 Members have no outstanding balanc e at year-end (65% of Members); 
 56 Members have outstanding balances amounting to a total of 19.3 MCHF: 
 11.4 MCHF by 39 Members including: 
 6.7 MCHF from United States of America (30% of 2014 contribution); 
 0.8 MCHF from Argentina (100% of 2014 contribution); 
 0.8 MCHF from Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (100% of 2014 contribution); 
 0.8 MCHF from Nigeria (100% of 2014 contribution); 
 0.6 MCHF from the State of Kuwait (100% of 2014 contribution). 
 3.8 MCHF by 8 Members subject to a payment plan; 
 3.3 MCHF by 9 Members subject to Administrative Measures; 
 0.8 MCHF is a long outstanding amount connected to Yugoslavia (not WTO Member). 
 3  OBSERVERS CONTRIBUTIONS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2014 
3.1.  The WTO has received a total amount of 735 kCHF from Observers in 2014. 
Receipt per Contribution year kCHF 
2014 contributions representing 71% of assessed contributions  509 
2013 outstanding contributions 122 
Prior to 2013 contributions 104 
Total 735 
 
3.2.  The outstanding Observers' contributi ons amount to 517 kCHF at the end of 2014; 
decreasing by 8% compared to one year ago. WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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  Observers' Outstanding Contributions at year-end 
In MCHF 
0.550.580.670.83 0.840.891.131.24
1.041.16
1.07
0.98
0.560.52
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 
 
 One Observer became Member during 2014: Yemen; 
 15 Observers have no outstanding balance (62% of Observers); 
 Nine Observers have outstanding balances amounting to a total of 517 kCHF including: 
 306 kCHF from Sao Tomé and Principe representing more than 10 years of outstanding 
contributions (59% of the total Observer's outstanding); 
 Sao Tomé and Principe is an Inactive Observer  since 2013, therefore its annual contribution 
is suspended. 
4  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2014 4.1.  9 Members were subjected to Administrative Measures as at 31 December 2014 for a total 
amount outstanding of 3.3 MCHF representing 17% of the total amount outstanding. 
4.2.  Central African Republic and Mauritania have a total of 2.0 MCHF of outstanding 
contributions. They did not comply with their payment plans in 2013 and were again subject to 
Administrative Measures in Category III. 
4.3.  Vanuatu, which acceded in 2012, was subject to Administrative Measures in Category II but 
move to Category I after its first payment since its WTO accession. 
Cat. I (2) Cat. II (2) Cat. III (5) 
Cameroon Antigua and Barbuda Central African Republic* 
Vanuatu The former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia Dominica 
  G r e n a d a  
  Guinea-Bissau 
   Mauritania* 
* Members not complying with payment plan terms. 
 
 WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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  Evolution of Members subject to Administrative Measures 
1995-2014 
9.512.3 12.2 12.513.412.814.313.817.1 16.8
14.2
12.813.3 13.6 13.4
7.5
5.6
3.52.33.32627
25 252423242830
28
20192122
19
11
9
6109
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total Outstanding  for Members  subject to Administrative  Measures  in MCHF
Number of Members  subject to Administrative  Measures
 
 
5  OBSERVERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2014 
5.1.  Sao Tomé and Principe was the only Observer subject to Administrative Measures as at 31 
December 2014 for a total amount outstanding of 307 kCHF, representing 59% of the total amount outstanding. Annual contribution is suspended for Inactive Observer. 
Cat. I (0) Cat. II (0) Cat. III (1) 
   Sao Tomé and Principe 
 
6  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AS AT 23 JANUARY 2015 
6.1.  At the start of every year, the list of Members subject to Administrative Measures is updated 
with the annual assessed contributions. 
6.2.  32 Members (20% of Members) are subject to Administrative Measures as at 23 January 
2015 with a total amount outstanding of 13.0 MCHF. It includes: 
 One Member who acceded to WTO in the last three years (Vanuatu in Category II); 
 One Member whose payment plan was cancelled as the terms were not complied with for 
a period of three years (Mauritania in Category III); 
 Five Members who did not comply with their payment plans to liquidate their arrears are 
in Category III. WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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  6.3.  The Director-General is writing to Minister of all Members subject to Administrative Measures. 
Cat. I (19) Cat. II (2) Cat. III (11) 
Argentina Cameroon Antigua and Barbuda 
Benin Vanuatu Central African Republic* 
Cabo Verde  Djibouti* 
Democratic Republic  
of the Congo  Dominica 
Dominican Republic  The Gambia* 
Gabon  Grenada 
Jamaica  Guinea-Bissau 
Kuwait, the State of  Mauritania 
Lesotho  Niger* 
Malawi  The former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia 
Mongolia  Togo* 
Nigeria   
Paraguay   
Rwanda   
Saint Vincent  and the Grenadines   
Suriname   
Tanzania   
Venezuela, Bolivarian  
Republic of   
Zambia   
* Members not complying with payment plan terms. 
 
7  OBSERVERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AS AT 23 JANUARY 2015 
7.1.  At the start of every year, the list of Observ ers subject to Administrative Measures is updated 
with the annual assessed contributions. 
7.2.  7 Observers (29% of Observers) are subject to Administrative Measures as at 23 January 
2015 with a total amount outstanding of 719 kCHF including 2015 contributions. 
7.3.  The Director-General is writing to Minist er of all Observers subject to Administrative 
Measures. 
Cat. I (6) Cat. II (0) Cat. III (1) 
Equatorial Guinea  Sao Tomé and Principe 
Iran   
Lebanese Republic   
Libya   
Sudan   
Syrian Arab Republic   
 
8  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO PAYMENT PLANS 
8.1.  The General Council can suspend the application of Administrative Measures for Members in 
Category III which agree to, and abide by, a defined schedule of instalment payments aimed at liquidating all arrears. 
8.2.  The General Council had approved payment plans for 13 Members in the last six years. Three 
Members settled their payment plans in anticipa tion in the last three years: Gabon (in 2012), 
Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo (i n 2013). Two Members, Central African Republic WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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  and Mauritania, have not complied with the pa yment plan in 2013 and have been subject to 
Administrative Measures in 2014. 
8.3.  Mauritania has not complied with the payment plan since 2012. Its payment plan has been 
cancelled as at 1st January 2015. 
8.4.  The eight remaining Members following a payment plan have total arrears amounting to 
3.8 MCHF at the end of 2014.  
0.44.76.97.4
5.2
3.8
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Total Outstanding  at year‐end for Members
subject to Payment Plans 
in MCHF
171012
9
8
04812
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Number of Members  subject to 
Payment Plans at year‐end
 
 
8.5.  As at 23 January 2015, four Members are co mplying with their payment plans as they have 
cleared their 2014 contributions. There are also five Members that are not complying with their 
payment plans as they have amounts due for 2014: Central African Republic, Djibouti, The 
Gambia, Niger and Togo.  
Members
Swiss FrancsPlan 
duration
in yearsEnd of planLast 
payment
receivedAmount due
before 
payment planAmount of 
payment planAmount 
Outstanding
for 2015Total Outstanding 
ContributionsAdvance
Burundi 20 31/12/2030 18-Apr-13 1,189,888 892,747 -                          521,489 25,418
Chad 15 31/12/2026 28-Sep-12 1,460,410 1,163,269 53,754 906,819 -                          
Côte d'Ivoire 10 31/12/2019 30-Oct-14 828,578 828,578 107,616 459,178 -                          
Sierra Leone 15 31/12/2025 16-Oct-14 1,265,259 968,118 93,866 768,622 -                           
Total 4 Members 255,236 2,656,108 25,418  
 
8.6.  Letters have been sent in December 2014 to all Members under payment plans. Those not complying with the payment plan have been informed that Administrative Measures would be reinstated as of 1
st January 2015 if no payments were received.  
9  RECOMMENDATIONS 
9.1.  The Committee recommends that the General Council urge Members and Observers 
under Administrative Measures to liquidate their arrears.  
9.2.  Members and Observers settling their arre ars before the next General Council will be 
removed from the list provided by the Chai r of the Committee to the General Council. 
 
_______________ 
  WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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  ANNEX 1 
ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS IN ARREARS 
 
Category Administrative Measures 
I After one but less than two full year's  assessed contributions remain outstanding at 
the end of the year: 
1. Representatives of Members will not be nominated to preside over WTO bodies  
2. Documentation will not be posted to delegations in Geneva nor to the Members' 
and Observers' capitals. 
3. At the beginning of each year, the Direct or-General will notify the Ministers of 
the Members and Observers responsible for the WTO of the applicable administrative measures. 
4. The Director-General will contact annually the Minister of the Members' and 
Observers' responsible for the WTO, or any other official at the appropriate 
level emphasizing the question of arrears. 
5. The Secretariat will report annually to the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration on the implementation of administrative measures. 
6. Members and Observers will be subject to specific reporting  at the General 
Council meetings.
1 
II After two but less than three full year's  assessed contributions remain outstanding 
at the end of the year, in addition to the measures of Category I: 
1. The access of the WTO Members' web site will be discontinued.2 
2. The ability of Members to act on the recommendations by the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration to the General Council on financial matters 
will be removed. 
3. Observers will be denied access to training or technical assistance. 
4. The Chairs of the accession working group of Observers will remind the 
delegation of Observers, during their wo rking group meeting, of their financial 
obligations. 
III After three full year's  assessed contributions remain outstanding at the end of the 
year, in addition to the measures of Categories I and II: 
1. Members and Observers will be designated as Inactive Members and Inactive 
Observers, respectively. 
2. Inactive Members will be denied access to  training or technical assistance other 
than that necessary to meet their WTO Article XIV-2 obligations. 
3. The accession working groups do not meet either formally or informally.  
WTO will suspend its request for annual contributions from Inactive Observers.  
Request for annual contributions will resume the year the Observers are not 
anymore designated as Inactive.3 
4. Inactive Members and Observers taking th e floor in the General Council will be 
identified as such. 
 
                                               
1 See General Council procedures.  
2 Applicable to Members and Observer s. Under current policy, Observer s have a differentiated access to 
documents posted on the Members' Website.  
3 To be enforced starting 1 January 2013.  WT/BFA/W/347 
 
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GENERAL COUNCIL PROCEDURES FOR MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS 
SUBJECT TO ADMINIST RATIVE MEASURES 
 
 
At the beginning of each calendar year,  the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration will notify to the General Council the list of Members and Observers under 
Administrative Measures, with a recommendation that these Members and Observers be urged to 
liquidate their arrears.  
At the end of each meeting of the General Council , the Chairman of the Committee 
on Budget, Finance and Administration will provide information with regard to which Members and 
Observers are under Administrative Measures. The Chairman of the General Council will request Members and Observers in Categories II and III to inform the Secretariat as to when the payment 
of arrears may be expected. 
 
Each year  the Director General will report on the results of his contacts with Members’ 
and Observers’ authorities on the issue of arrears. 
  
* * * * * * * 
 
 
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE SUSPENSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES  
FOR INACTIVE MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS
4 
 
 
The General Council can suspend the application of Administrative Measures for Members 
in Category III which agree to, and abide by, a de fined schedule of instalment payments aimed at 
liquidating all arrears.5 
 
Those Members with pre-1988 arrears that were assessed at the minimum contribution 
may benefit from a reduction in those arrears to the level of the 1989 minimum contribution. For each full payment of an annual contribution between 1988 and 1994, any contracting party with 
pre-1988 arrears may cancel an equal number of assessments for 1987 and earlier years upon 
payment of the 1989 minimum contribution amou nting to CHF 19,137. The difference between a 
pre-1988 assessment and the payment of CHF 19, 137 would be funded by the Miscellaneous 
Income of the WTO.
6 
 
The General Council can suspend the application of Administrative Measures for Observers 
that are in Category III on 1 January 2013, which agree to, and abide by, a defined schedule of 
installment payments aimed at liquidating all arrears.  
  
__________  
  
                                               
4 Notwithstanding the WTO Financial Regulations (WT/L/156/Rev 2). 
5 Amend earlier decisions of the General Council in 1988 (C/M/226) and 1994 (C/M/273) to reflect the 
reduced number of categories. 
6 As approved by the General Council in 1994 (C/M/273).