RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/297  
 
20 March 2013  
(13-1556)  Page: 1/9  
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 2012. It also provides information and recommendations 
regarding the situation of Members subject to Administrative Measures and those following a Payment Plan as at 15 March 2013. 
2  MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2012 
2.1.  The collection of Members' contributions ha s been very satisfactory in 2012. The level of 
receipts has reached his highest amount ever. The WTO has received a total amount of 196.4 MCHF from Members in 2012.  
Total Annual Receipts 
In MCHF 
177.8182.5190.3 192.0196.4
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 
 
Receipt per Contribution year MCHF 
2012 contributions representing 93% of assessed contributions 181.5 
2011 outstanding contributions 11.8 
Prior to 2011 contributions 3.1 
Total 196.4 
 
2.2.  The level of outstanding contributions at ye ar-end has decreased by 3% compared to 2011 to 
reached 25.1 MCHF .  
 
 WT/BFA/W/297 
 
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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
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 
 
 Four new Members accessed to WTO in 2012 (Montenegro, Russian Federation, Samoa and 
Vanuatu) 
 97 Members have no outstanding balance at year-end (62% of Members) 
 60 Members have outstanding balances amounting to a total of 25.1 MCHF: 
 13.4 MCHF by 42 Members including: 
 4.7 MCHF from USA (20% of 2012 contribution) 
 2.4 MCHF from Spain (50% of 2012 contribution) 
 1.4 MCHF from Russian Federation (100% of 2012 pro-rated contribution) 
 1.0 MCHF from Greece (100% of 2012 contribution) 
 7.4 MCHF by 12 Members subject to a Payment Plan 
 3.5 MCHF by 6 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 2012 
3.1.  The WTO has received a total amount of 0.9 MCHF from Observers in 2012.  
Receipt per Contribution year kCHF 
2012 contributions representing 66% of assessed contributions  560 
2011 outstanding contributions 140 
Prior to 2011 contributions 230 
Total 930 
 
3.2.  The level of Observers' outstanding contribu tions at year-end has been satisfactory in 2012. 
The outstanding balance is essentially connected to 2 Observers with long outstanding arrears (Sao Tome and Principe and Sudan).  
 
 WT/BFA/W/297 
 
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  Observers' Outstanding Contributions at year-end 
In MCHF 
 
0.55 0.580.670.83 0.840.891.131.24
1.041.16
1.07
0.98
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
 
 Four Observers became WTO Members during 2012 (Montenegro, Russian Federation, 
Samoa and Vanuatu) 
 16 Observers have no outstanding balance (60% of Observers) 
 12 Observers have outstanding balances amounting to a total of 1.0 MCHF including: 
 Sao Tome and Principe and Sudan representing each more than 10 years of 
outstanding contributions for a total amount of 650 kCHF (66% of the total Observer's outstanding) 
 Vanuatu which is now a WTO Member has not settled its 2012 Observer's pro-rata 
contribution for an amount of CHF 18,765 
 4  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2012 
 6 Members were subjected to Administrative Measures as at 31 December 2012 for a total 
amount outstanding of 3.5 MCHF of which 2. 6 MCHF from the Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela 
 Represents 14% of total outstanding amount at year-end 
 Lowest number of Members subject to Administrative Measures 
 13 Members have accepted a Payment Plan in the last 4 years that suspended 
Administrative Measures 
 
Cat. I (2) Cat. II (1) Cat. III (2) Cat. IV (1) 
Antigua and Barbuda Grenada Dominica Guinea-Bissau 
Papua New Guinea   Venezuela, Bolivarian Rep. of   
 
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  Total Arrears from Members subjec t to Administrative Measures  
as at 31 December 2012 
In MCHF 
 
0.1 0.12.7
0.5Cat. I (2)
Cat. II (1)
Cat. III (2)
Cat. IV (1)
 
 
 
Evolution of Arrears Outstanding 
1995-2012 
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
3.52627
25 252423242830
28
20192122
19
11
9
6
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Amount Outstanding  Members  in MCHF
Number of Members  in Category I ‐ IV
 
 WT/BFA/W/297 
 
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  Evolution of Arrears Outstanding 
1995-2012 
7.611.0 10.9 10.610.0 10.411.0 11.4 11.613.6
12.0 12.413.2 13.1 13.0
7.4
3.4 0.5131721
19
151618 18 1821
17 171817
15
9
4
1
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Outstanding  Members  Category IV in MCHF
Number of Members  in Category IV 
 
5  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATI VE MEASURES AS AT 15 MARCH 2013 
 At the start of every year, the list of Members subject to Administrative Measures is updated 
with the annual assessed contributions 
 As of the 1st January 2013, a new list of Administrative Measures is in place with 3 
categories 
 20 Members are subject to Administrative Measures as at 15 March 2013 
 5 Members not complying with the payment plan to liquidate their arrears are subject to the 
Administrative Measures in category III 
 Total amount outstanding of 9.9 MCHF including 2013 contributions 
 
Cat. I (10) Cat. II (2) Cat. III (8) 
Benin Antigua and Barbuda Central African Republic* 
Guinea Grenada Democratic Republic of the Congo* 
Malawi   Djibouti* 
Mali   Dominica 
Nigeria   Guinea-Bissau 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines   Mauritania* 
Senegal   Niger* 
The former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia   Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 
Uganda     
Vanuatu     
      
* Members not complied with Payment Plan terms 
 
   
 
  WT/BFA/W/297 
 
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  Total Arrears from Members subject to  
Administrative Measures as at 15 March 2013 
In MCHF 
2.1
0.27.6
Cat. I (10)
Cat. II (2)
Cat. III (8)
 
 
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela moves to the new category III with arrears amounting to 
3.4 MCHF. 
 6  OBSERVERS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AS AT 15 MARCH 2013 
 As of the 1
st January 2013, Administrative Measures are in place for Observers  
 5 Observers are subject to Administrative Measures as at 15 March 2013 
 Total amount outstanding of 0.9 MCHF including 2013 contributions 
 
Cat. I (2) Cat. II (1) Cat. III (2) 
Equatorial Guinea Liberia Sao Tome and Principe 
Syrian Arab Republic       Sudan   
Total Arrears from Observers subject to  
Administrative Measures as at 15 March 2013 
In MCHF 
0.10.20.7
Cat. I (2)
Cat. II (1)
Cat. III (2)
 
 
7  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO PAYMENT PLANS 
 As at 31 December 2012, 12 Members have a Payment Plan with total arrears amounting to 
7.4 MCHF 
 The Payment Plan of Gabon has ended in 2012 as all its arrears have been settled 
 The savings applied against Members amounted to CHF 971 kCHF in 2012 
 5 Members are not complying with the Paymen t Plans and are subject to Administrative 
Measures in category III WT/BFA/W/297 
 
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   As at 15 March 2013, 7 Members have a Payment Plan representing a total outstanding 
amount of 4.1 MCHF . 
Members
Swiss FrancsPlan 
duration
in yearsEnd of planLast payment
receivedAmount due
before payment 
planAmount of 
payment planAmount 
Outstanding
for 2012Amount 
Outstanding
for 2013Total Outstanding 
ContributionsAdvance
Burundi 20 31/12/2030 28-Nov-12 1,189,888 892,747 -                            -                            608,512 11,315
Chad 15 31/12/2026 28-Sep-12 1,460,410 1,163,269 --                           824,709 183,458
Congo 5 31/12/2014 06-Dec-12 1,112,836 815,695 -                            206,884 370,019 -                            
Côte d'Ivoire 10 31/12/2019 15-Feb-12 828,578 828,578 -                            190,383 707,661 -                            
The Gambia 10 31/12/2019 29-Aug-12 995,455 698,314 -                            93,062 512,052 -                            
Sierra Leone 15 31/12/2025 27-Feb-12 1,265,259 968,118 - 49,931 853,769 -                            
Togo 5 31/12/2014 10-Jul-12 506,436 433,283 28 115,982 202,665 -                            
Total 7 Members 28 656,242 4,079,387 194,773 
 
0.44.76.97.4
2009 2010 2011 2012Total Outstanding  at year‐end for Members
subject to Payment Plans 
in MCHF
171012
04812
2009 2010 2011 2012Number of Members  subject to 
Payment Plans at year‐end
 
 
7.1.  Letters have been sent early January 2013 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 March 2013 if no payments are received. 
7.2.  As of 15 March 2013, 5 Members are not complying with the Payment Plans and have 
amounts due for 2012 greater than 10 kCHF: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of 
Congo, Djibouti, Mauritania and Niger.  
8  IMPLEMENTATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES BY THE SECRETARIAT 
 In February 2013, the Director-General wrote to all Members who became subject to 
Administrative Measures or have changed category.  
 Administrative Measures have been fully implemented since 1st March 2013. 
 The Budget & Finance Section is responsible for the timely updating and communication of 
the list of Members subject to Administrative Measures. WT/BFA/W/297 
 
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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/297 
 
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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 Not withstanding 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).