RESTRICTED  
 
WT/BFA/W/374  
5 October 2015  
(15-5202)  Page: 1/47  
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration   
 
   
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
2016-2017 BUDGET PROPOSALS 
BY THE 
DIRECTOR-GENERAL 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
1  INTRODUCTION BY TH E DIRECTOR-GENERAL .............................................................. 6  
2  BUDGET PROP OSALS 2016-2017 .................................................................................. 7  
2.1  Miscellaneo us Income ................................................................................................ 11 
2.2  Assessed Contributions from Members .......................................................................... 11 
3  BUDGET PROPOSAL S BY SECTION .............................................................................. 16  
3.1  WTO SECRETARIAT .................................................................................................... 16 
3.1.1  Part A - St affing Re sources....................................................................................... 16 
3.1.2  Part B - Other Reso urces ......................................................................................... 21 
3.1.3  Part C - Oper ating Fund s & IT C ................................................................................. 25 
3.2  APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT ...................................................................... 26 
3.2.1  Part A - St affing Re sources....................................................................................... 26 
3.2.2  Part B - Other Reso urces ......................................................................................... 27 
3.2.3  Part C - Operating Funds ......................................................................................... 27 
4  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY TH EMATIC BUDGETARY AREAS ............................................ 28  
4.1  Information Technology .............................................................................................. 28 
4.2  Technical Assistance .................................................................................................. 29 
4.3  Security ................................................................................................................. .. 30 
4.4  Dispute Settlement .................................................................................................... 31 
4.5  Documents Reproduction ............................................................................................ 32 
4.6  Human Resources Training Programme ......................................................................... 33 
5  EFFICIENCY AND EC ONOMY MEAS URES ..................................................................... 34  
5.1  Overtime .................................................................................................................. 34 
5.2  Death and Inva lidity In surance .................................................................................... 34 
5.3  Home Leave ............................................................................................................. 34 
5.4  Educat ion Gr ant ........................................................................................................ 34 
5.5  Installa tion Gr ant ...................................................................................................... 34 
5.6  Telephone ................................................................................................................  34 
5.7  Postal ................................................................................................................... ... 34 
5.8  Equipment Maintenance ............................................................................................. 34 
5.9  Security ................................................................................................................. .. 34 
5.10  Switchboard ............................................................................................................ 35 
5.11  Insu rance ...............................................................................................................  35 
5.12  Archives ................................................................................................................ . 35 
5.13  Supplies ................................................................................................................ . 35 
5.14  Library ................................................................................................................. .. 35 
5.15  Documents Reproduction .......................................................................................... 35 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  5.16  Travel .................................................................................................................. .. 35 
5.17  Hosp itality ............................................................................................................. . 35 
6  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY OUTPUT CHAPTERS .............................................................. 36  
6.1  History of  the Ou tputs ................................................................................................ 36 
6.2  New Structure of Accounts by Output and Project ........................................................... 36 
6.3  How does it wo rk in practice ....................................................................................... 36 
6.4  Budget Proposals 2016- 2017 by Output  Chapter ............................................................ 37 
6.5  Facilitating Negotiations ............................................................................................. 37 
6.6  Administering Agreed WT O Rules ................................................................................. 37 
6.7  Monitoring Trade Policies ............................................................................................ 37 
6.8  Settling Disputes ....................................................................................................... 37 
6.9  Capacity Building ....................................................................................................... 37 
6.10  Assisting Accessions ................................................................................................. 37 
6.11  Conducting Research ................................................................................................ 38 
6.12  Reachi ng Ou t .......................................................................................................... 38 
7  KEY ORGANIZATIONAL EV OLUTION SINC E 1995 ....................................................... 39  
7.1  Budgetary Evolution ................................................................................................... 39 
7.2  Evolution of  Contributions ........................................................................................... 40 
7.3  Staff Evolution ..........................................................................................................  41 
8  WORKLOAD IN DICATORS  ........................................................................................... 43  
8.1  Translation an d Document ation ................................................................................... 43 
8.2  Meetings ................................................................................................................. . 43 
8.3  Dispute Settl ement Panels .......................................................................................... 44 
9  PROJECTED BUDGET PERFORMANCE 2015 ................................................................. 45  
9.1  Part A - Staf fing Reso urces ......................................................................................... 46 
9.2  Part B - Ot her Reso urces ............................................................................................ 46 
9.3  Part C - Operating Funds & ITC .................................................................................... 47 
 
 
TABLES AND FIGURES 
Table 1. 2016-2017 Budget Estimates .................................................................................. 7  
Table 2. 2016-2017 Proposed Consolidated WTO Budget ........................................................ 8  
Table 3. 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the WTO Secretariat ................................................. 9  
Table 4. 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat ........................ 10 
Table 5. 2016-2017 Estimate d Miscellaneou s Inco me ............................................................ 11 
Table 6. Draft Scale of Contribution s for 2016 ...................................................................... 12 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  Table 7. Section 1: Staff Expenditure .................................................................................. 16 
Table 8. Staff Pension and Post-Employmen t Benefits ........................................................... 17 
Table 9. Staff Health an d Invalidity Insura nce ...................................................................... 17 
Table 10. Staff Family and International Benefits .................................................................. 18 
Table 11. Other St aff Expenditure ...................................................................................... 18 
Table 12. Section 2: Temporary Assistance .......................................................................... 19 
Table 13. Short- term Staff ................................................................................................ 19 
Table 14. Consulting ........................................................................................................ 19 
Table 15. Panellists ..........................................................................................................  20 
Table 16. Section 3: General Services ................................................................................. 21 
Table 17. Section 4: Tr avel and Ho spitality .......................................................................... 23 
Table 18. Section 5: Im plementing Partners ........................................................................ 23 
Table 19. Section 6: Capital Expenditure ............................................................................. 24 
Table 20. Section 7: Financial Expenditure ........................................................................... 24 
Table 21. Section 8: Contribution s to ITC and Spec ial Reserves .............................................. 25 
Table 22. Section 1: Staff Expenditure ................................................................................ 26 
Table 23. Section 2: Temporary Assistance .......................................................................... 26 
Table 24. Part B - Other Resources ..................................................................................... 27 
Table 25. Contributions to Special Reserv es ......................................................................... 27 
Table 26. Information Technology Budget ............................................................................ 28 
Table 27. Technical Assistance Related Tr aining Courses by Expenditure Line ........................... 29 
Table 28. Technical Assistance Relate d Training Course s by Activity ........................................ 29 
Table 29. Security Budget ................................................................................................. 30 
Table 30. Dispute Settlem ent Budget – Panels ..................................................................... 31 
Table 31. Dispute Settlem ent Budget – Appeals ................................................................... 31 
Table 32. Documents Reproducti on and Distribution Budget ................................................... 32 
Table 33. Human Resour ces Training Budget ....................................................................... 33 
Table 34. Main Outp uts of th e WTO .................................................................................... 36 
Table 35. Budget Proposals 2016-2017 by Output Chapter ..................................................... 37 
Table 36. Budgetary Evolution 1995-2017  ........................................................................... 39 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  Figure 1. Evolution of Budget 1995 - 2017 ........................................................................... 39 
Table 37. Evolution of Contribution s 1995- 2017 ................................................................... 40 
Figure 2. Evolution of Contribution s 1995-20 17 .................................................................... 40 
Table 38. Staff Evolution 1995-2017 ................................................................................... 41 
Figure 3. Staff Evol ution 1995 - 2017 ................................................................................. 41 
Table 39. Table of 2015 Regular St aff Positions By  Division .................................................... 42 
Figure 4. Translation and Documentation: Nu mber of Words in Original Language for 
Translation ................................................................................................................... .. 43 
Figure 5. Meetings: Number of Form al, Informal and Pr ivate Meetings ..................................... 43 
Figure 6. Meetings: Days of  freelance in terpreters ................................................................ 44 
Figure 7. Dispute Settlement Panels - Expenditure ................................................................ 44 
Table 40. Expected Consolidated Performance agai nst Budget 2015 ........................................ 45 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  1  INTRODUCTION BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL 
1.1.  This budget proposal is the sixth and the seventh consecutive budget based on the zero 
nominal growth target prescribed by the Members. 
1.2.  My aim is to present the budget in its line by li ne structure in accordance with the principles 
of truth and clarity. Some reallocation of funds has been necessitated by the fact that we now 
have high additional expenses as the owner of tw o of the buildings at the WTO. We have to take 
care of the day-to-day maintenance and we have to make provisions for the long-term renovation 
needs. This can only be achieved with savings on other budget lines. 
1.3.  My budget proposal explains the savings and th e projected increase of expenditure in detail 
with reference to the relevant budget lines. A su mmary of these savings can be found on page 34 
of this document, under Efficiency and Economy Measures. 
1.4.   In my budget presentation for the current biennium we foresaw a high level of activity in the 
WTO's dispute settlement system. We responded by shifting resources to this area, which enabled 
us to maintain a good level of service. Howeve r, the demand on the dispute settlement system 
remains extremely high and so in the coming biennium this will again be an important challenge.  
1.5.  My budget proposal anticipates continued high demand in this area and makes proper 
allocations accordingly. This is most obviously reflected in the increase of the budget for the 
Appellate Body Secretariat. But I have also shifted resources within the WTO Secretariat in favour 
of the legal divisions. The WTO's dispute settlemen t system has an excellent reputation around the 
world, which reflects very well on the rest of the organization. This underlines the importance of responding to the growing demand and maintain ing the high level of service which Members 
rightly expect.  
1.6.  But the budget also takes care of our other tasks and seeks to do so in a well-balanced 
fashion. The output chapter of this document show s that more than CHF 10 million are devoted to 
Facilitating Negotiations. The biggest tranche of our expenditure is allocated to administering the 
WTO Agreements. This, together with monitoring trade policy, adds up to more than CHF 71 million. This work is essential in maintaining the strength and integrity of the trading 
system, fighting protectionism and promoting trade liberalisation. Of course, the majority of our 
membership is made up of developing countries an d LDCs. It is therefore very well justified that 
capacity building is our second biggest output item.  
1.7.  I deliver on my promise to cap the personnel expenditure for permanent staff at a level of 
around 75% of the budget. This is possible becaus e I have engaged in a strategic review of the 
Secretariat that comprises the grade structure of the organisation. I have responded to the criticism of the top-heavy staffing structure and designed a target structure that was presented to 
you during your meeting of 2 February 2015. The downgrading of posts, particularly the 
conversion of grade 10 posts into grade 6 posts, has generated savings that allows us to keep the 
personnel expenditure at a stable level. There are, however, limitations on how fast this process 
can be carried out, and how far it can go.  
1.8.  My aim is to offer Members the highest possible service on the basis of the budget allocations 
which they decide. The proposals contained herein ha ve been carefully designed to deliver on that 
aim.  
 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  2  BUDGET PROPOSALS 2016-2017 
2.1.  I hereby submit my budget-estimates for the income and expenditure of the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) for the biennium 2016-2017. The budget proposal has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Regulations of the WTO (WT/L/156/Rev.3). The biennium consists of 
two consecutive financial periods covering each year of the biennium. 
2.2.  This proposal provides for a zero nominal gr owth in the WTO budget for both 2016 and 2017. 
All increases, statutory or related to inflation, have been fully absorbed within the existing budget. 
The WTO budget has remained on zero nomina l growth since 2011. Therefore, 2016 and 2017 
represent the sixth and the seventh consecutive year on a zero nominal growth budget. 
2.3.  The budget allocations for the biennium 2016-2017 have been entirely reviewed, in order to 
accurately reflect evolutions in the real expenditure per budget line. On an overall level, the 
envelope for the WTO remains unchanged. 
2.4.  If, in spite of this, the total amount budgete d for shows an increase of CHF 305,000, the 
reason is exclusively a request from the International Trade Centre (ITC), which is jointly financed 
by UNCTAD and the WTO at equal parts. The ITC' s budget is, in a first step, determined by the 
relevant UN bodies and follows a methodology which even in times of zero nominal growth budget leads to some fluctuations. For 2014 and 2015, this resulted in a reduced contribution 
(CHF -440,600) from the WTO to the ITC. Due to exchange rate variations, the application of the 
same methodology leads to a moderate increase in 2016 and 2017. 
Table 1. 2016-2017 Budget Estimates 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Expenses Budget 
2015 Budget 
2016 Budget 
2017 Inc/Dec 
2016 Inc/Dec 
2017 % Inc 
WTO and Appellate Body 178,733 178,733 178,733 0 0 0% 
ITC 18,470 18,775 18,775 305 0 1.65% 
Grand Total 197,204  197,509  197,509  305 0 0.15%  
 
Income Budget 
2015 Budget 
2016 Budget 
2017 Inc/Dec 
2016 Inc/Dec 
2017 % Inc 
Contributions from WTO 
Members 195,500  195,800  195,800  300 0 0.15%  
Miscellaneous Income 1,704  1,709  1,709  5 0 0.29%  
Grand Total 197,204  197,509  197,509  305 0 0.15%  
 
2.5.  For 2016, it is proposed to finance the amount of CHF 197,508,900 as follows: 
a. through contributions from Members in the amount of CHF 195,800,000; 
b. by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,708,900. 
2.6.  For 2017, it is proposed to finance the amount of CHF 197,508,900 as follows: 
a. through contributions from Members in the amount of CHF 195,800,000; 
b. by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,708,900. 
2.7.  Members' contributions are assessed on the basis of annually up-dated trade statistics as 
defined by Financial Regulation 12. Contributions from Members are considered due and payable in 
full on 1 January of the respective budget year. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 8 - 
  Table 2. 2016-2017 Proposed Consolidated WTO Budget 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017  
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 90,532  90,482  90,482 -50 0 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits  21,960  22,110  22,110 150  0 
  iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance 6,074  5,944  5,944 -130 0 
  iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits 11,244  11,069  11,069 -175  0 
  v) Other Staff Expenditure  1,605  1,810  1,810 205 0 
 2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,110  9,013  9,013 903  0 
  ii) Consulting 7,933  6,770  6,770 -1,163  0 
  iii) Panellists & Appellate 
Body Members Fees 1,124  1,506  1,506 382  0 
A Staffing Resources Total 148,582  148,705  148,705 122 0 
B Other Resources       
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 1,686  861 861 -825 0 
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance 9,649  10,681  10,681 1,032  0 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,341  2,351  2,351 10 0 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication 1,681  1,629  1,629 -52  0 
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 244 89 89 -155 0 
 4. Travel & 
Hospitality i) Travel 7,245  7,135  7,135 -110  0 
  ii) Hospitality 235 215 215 -20 0 
 5. Implementing 
Partners i) Implementing Partners 273  213 213 -60  0 
 6. Capital 
Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 1,510  1,430  1,430 -80 0 
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 1,457  945 945 -512  0 
 7. Financial 
Expenditure i) Bank & Interest Charges  30 80 80 50 0 
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement 1,200  1,200  1,200 0  0 
B Other Resources Total  27,551  26,829  26,829 -722  0 
C Operating Funds and ITC       
 8. Contributions to 
ITC & Special 
Reserves i) Contribution to ITC 18,470  18,775  18,775 305 0 
  ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 2,000  2,000  2,000 0  0 
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund 600 600 600 0 0 
  iv) Building Renovation 
Fund 0 600 600 600  0 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total 21,070  21,975  21,975 905 0 
Grand Total  197,204  197,509  197,509 305  0 
 
   
 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  Table 3. 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the WTO Secretariat 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017  
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 88,055  87,221  87,157 -833 -65 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 21,440
 21,400  21,380 -40 -20  
  iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance 5,917  5,770  5,765 -147 -5 
  iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits 10,948  10,773  10,773 -175 0  
  v) Other Staff 
Expenditure 1,562  1,767  1,767 205 0 
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,066  8,958  8,958 892 0  
  ii) Consulting 7,933  6,745  6,745 -1,188 0 
  iii) Panellists  365  715 715 350 0  
A Staffing Resources Total  144,285  143,349  143,260 -936 -89 
B Other Resources       
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 1,645  852 852 -794 0 
  ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance 9,631  10,663  10,663 1,032 0  
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,321  2,331  2,331 10 0 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication 1,671  1,619  1,619 -52 0  
  v) Other / 
Miscellaneous 217 87 87 -130 0 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 7,195  7,085  7,085 -110 0  
  ii) Hospitality 234 214 214 -20 0 
 5. Implementing 
Partners i) Implementing 
Partners 273 213 213 -60 0  
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 1,485  1,405  1,405 -80 0 
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 1,442  930 930 -512 0  
 7. Financial Expenditure i) Bank & Interest 
Charges 30 80 80 50 0 
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement 1,200  1,200  1,200 0 0  
B Other Resources Total  27,344  26,678  26,678 -666 0 
C Operating Funds and ITC       
 8. Contributions to ITC & 
Special Reserves i) Contribution to ITC 18,470  18,775  18,775 305 0 
  iii) Ministerial 
Conference Operating Fund 600
 600 600 0 0  
  iv) Building Renovation 
Fund 0 600 600 600 0 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total 19,070  19,975  19,975 905 0  
Grand Total  190,699  190,003  189,914 -697 -89 
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  Table 4. 2016-2017 Proposed Budget for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017  
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 2,478  3,261  3,326 783 65 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 520
 710 730 190 20  
  iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance 157 174 179 17 5 
  iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits 296 296 296 0 0  
  v) Other Staff 
Expenditure 43 43 43 0 0 
 2. Temporary Assistance  i) Short-Term Staff 45  56 56 11 0  
  ii) Consulting 0 25 25 25 0 
  iii) Appellate Body 
Members Fees 759 791 791 32 0  
A Staffing Resources Total  4,298  5,356  5,445 1,058 89 
B Other Resources       
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 41 10 10 -32 0 
  ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance 18 18 18 0 0  
  iii) Energy & Supplies 20 20 20 0 0 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication 10 10 10 0 0  
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 27 2 2 -25 0 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 50  50 50 0 0  
  ii) Hospitality 1 1 1 0 0 
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 25 25 25 0 0  
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 15 15 15 0 0 
B Other Resources Total  207  151 151 -57 0  
C Operating Funds and ITC       
 8. Contributions to Special 
Reserves ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 2,000  2,000  2,000 0 0  
C Operating Funds and ITC Total  2,000  2,000  2,000 0 0 
Grand Total  6,505  7,506  7,595 1,002 89  
 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
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  2.1  Miscellaneous Income 
Table 5. 2016-2017 Estimated Miscellaneous Income 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Item 2015 2016 2017 Incr/Decr 
2016 Incr/Decr 
2017 
Contributions of Observer Countries 700 680 650 -20 -30  
Sale of Publications & Royalties 230 300 300 70 0 
Trust Fund - Participation to direct costs 180 180 180 0 0  
Refund of prior year's expenditure 200 200 200 0 0 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space 110 120 120 10 0  
Other 284 229 259 -55 30 
Grand Total 1,704  1,709  1,709  5 0  
 
2.8.  No major changes in miscellaneous income are expected for the biennium 2016-2017 
compared to the situation in 2015. The amount relating to Contributions of Observer Countries has 
been decreased following the projected accession of new Members in the biennium. The projection 
for the Sale of Publications & Royalties has been increased, as actual receipts have been slightly 
higher than projected in the previous two years. The same applies to the rental of meeting rooms 
and office space. The projected receipts relating to 'Other' have been slightly decreased, as no major receipts are expected under this item for the biennium. The position 'Other' mainly includes 
all kinds of return of funds, the contribution of the EIF Secretariat to the administrative costs of 
the WTO and the reimbursement of the insura nce for staff on long term sick leave. 
2.2  Assessed Contributions from Members 
2.9.  The proposed assessed contributions from Members amount to CHF 195,800,000 for 2016 
and represent an increase of 0.15% compared to the contributions assessed for 2015. This 
increase relates to the request of the ITC to increase the ITC budget by CHF 305,000.
1 
2.10.  The following draft scale of contributions has been prepared based on a minimum 
contribution of 0.015%. The draft scale also takes into account the amounts to be deducted from 
the relevant contributions for 2014 under the terms of the Early Payment Encouragement Scheme. The 2017 assessment will be based on the up-dated trade statistics in 2016, pursuant to Financial 
Regulation 12. 
 
                                               
1 CHF 5,000 of the increase requested by IT C are included under Miscellaneous Income. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 12 - 
  Table 6. Draft Scale of  Contributions for 2016 
(in Swiss Francs and with a minimum contribution of 0.015%) 
Members 2015 
Contribution 
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% 2016 
Contribution  
CHF 2016 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest 
earned 
in 2014 
for 2016 
CHF 2016 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Albania 52,785 0.027% 48,950  0.025% 30  48,920  
Angola 512,210 0.262% 505,164  0.258% 198  504,966  
Antigua and Barbuda 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Argentina 801,550 0.410% 806,696  0.412% 0  806,696  
Armenia 33,235 0.017% 33,286  0.017% 6  33,280  
Australia 2,725,270 1.394% 2,776,444  1.418% 1,627  2,774,817  
Austria 2,148,545 1.099% 2,050,026  1.047% 984  2,049,042  
Bahrain, Kingdom of 173,995 0.089% 170,346  0.087% 98  170,248  
Bangladesh 263,925 0.135% 287,826  0.147% 128  287,698  
Barbados 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 12  29,358  
Belgium 4,013,615 2.053% 3,890,546  1.987% 2,155  3,888,391  
Belize 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 13  29,357  
Benin 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Bolivia, Plurinational 
State of 78,200 0.040% 86,152  0.044% 14  86,138  
Botswana 60,605 0.031% 64,614  0.033% 25  64,589  
Brazil 2,504,355 1.281% 2,572,812  1.314% 0  2,572,812  
Brunei Darussalam 72,335 0.037% 72,446  0.037% 30  72,416  
Bulgaria 326,485 0.167% 319,154  0.163% 209  318,945  
Burkina Faso 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Burundi 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Cabo Verde 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Cambodia 76,245 0.039% 82,236  0.042% 36  82,200  
Cameroon 72,335 0.037% 70,488  0.036% 0  70,488  
Canada 5,145,560 2.632% 5,077,094  2.593% 3,258  5,073,836  
Central African Republic 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Chad 44,965 0.023% 48,950  0.025% 0  48,950  
Chile 787,865 0.403% 792,990  0.405% 266  792,724  
China 16,850,145 8.619% 17,954,860  9.170% 1,828  17,953,032  
Colombia 525,895 0.269% 561,946  0.287% 244  561,702  
Congo 58,650 0.030% 90,068  0.046% 2  90,066  
Costa Rica 138,805 0.071% 133,144  0.068% 95  133,049  
Côte d'Ivoire 101,660 0.052% 101,816  0.052% 0  101,816  
Croatia 265,880 0.136% 240,834  0.123% 17  240,817  
Cuba 148,580 0.076% 148,808  0.076% 29  148,779  
Cyprus 109,480 0.056% 107,690  0.055% 67  107,623  
Czech Republic 1,401,735 0.717% 1,409,760  0.720% 797  1,408,963  
Democratic Republic of 
the Congo 89,930 0.046% 93,984  0.048% 0  93,984  
Denmark 1,648,065 0.843% 1,570,316  0.802% 840  1,569,476  
Djibouti 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Dominica 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Dominican Republic 142,715 0.073% 156,640  0.080% 0  156,640  
Ecuador 226,780 0.116% 234,960  0.120% 7  234,953  
Egypt 561,085 0.287% 542,366  0.277% 347  542,019  
El Salvador 78,200 0.040% 76,362  0.039% 0  76,362  
Estonia 175,950 0.090% 176,220  0.090% 116  176,104  
European Union 0 0.000% 0  0.000% 0  0  
Fiji 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 12  29,358  
Finland 1,061,565 0.543% 984,874  0.503% 555  984,319  WT/BFA/W/374 
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  Members 2015 
Contribution 
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% 2016 
Contribution  
CHF 2016 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest 
earned 
in 2014 
for 2016 
CHF 2016 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
France 7,741,800 3.960% 7,618,578  3.891% 4,469  7,614,109  
Gabon 66,470 0.034% 64,614  0.033% 0  64,614  
The Gambia 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Georgia 58,650 0.030% 62,656  0.032% 33  62,623  
Germany 15,941,070 8.154% 14,827,934  7.573% 10,445  14,817,489  
Ghana 134,895 0.069% 148,808  0.076% 67  148,741  
Greece 785,910 0.402% 693,132  0.354% 179  692,953  
Grenada 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Guatemala 136,850 0.070% 139,018  0.071% 49  138,969  
Guinea 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Guinea-Bissau 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Guyana 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 18  29,352  
Haiti 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 16  29,354  
Honduras 84,065 0.043% 78,320  0.040% 37  78,283  
Hong Kong, China 4,985,250 2.550% 5,133,876  2.622% 3,072  5,130,804  
Hungary 1,129,990 0.578% 1,069,068  0.546% 696  1,068,372  
Iceland 72,335 0.037% 60,698  0.031% 33  60,665  
India 4,187,610 2.142% 4,378,088  2.236% 1,578  4,376,510  
Indonesia 1,737,995 0.889% 1,791,570  0.915% 853  1,790,717  
Ireland 2,025,380 1.036% 1,958,000  1.000% 1,271  1,956,729  
Israel 842,605 0.431% 834,108  0.426% 314  833,794  
Italy 6,007,715 3.073% 5,686,032  2.904% 2,958  5,683,074  
Jamaica 62,560 0.032% 56,782  0.029% 0  56,782  
Japan 8,785,770 4.494% 8,489,888  4.336% 3,266  8,486,622  
Jordan 162,265 0.083% 164,472  0.084% 79  164,393  
Kazakhstan  0 0.000% 632,434  0.323% 0  632,434  
Kenya 115,345 0.059% 111,606  0.057% 20  111,586  
Korea, Republic of 5,632,355 2.881% 5,899,454  3.013% 981  5,898,473  
Kuwait, the State of 678,385 0.347% 683,342  0.349% 0  683,342  
Kyrgyz Republic 37,145 0.019% 37,202  0.019% 7  37,195  
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 16  29,354  
Latvia 154,445 0.079% 152,724  0.078% 97  152,627  
Lesotho 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Liechtenstein 52,785 0.027% 60,698  0.031% 30  60,668  
Lithuania 295,205 0.151% 301,532  0.154% 10  301,522  
Luxembourg 762,450 0.390% 791,032  0.404% 292  790,740  
Macao, China 242,420 0.124% 278,036  0.142% 106  277,930  
Madagascar 31,280 0.016% 31,328  0.016% 7  31,321  
Malawi 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Malaysia 2,191,555 1.121% 2,194,918  1.121% 1,350  2,193,568  
Maldives 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 7  29,363  
Mali 29,325 0.015% 31,328  0.016% 12  31,316  
Malta 80,155 0.041% 103,774  0.053% 49  103,725  
Mauritania 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Mauritius 58,650 0.030% 60,698  0.031% 36  60,662  
Mexico 3,393,880 1.736% 3,442,164  1.758% 1,447  3,440,717  
Moldova, Republic of 39,100 0.020% 37,202  0.019% 22  37,180  
Mongolia 46,920 0.024% 50,908  0.026% 0  50,908  
Montenegro 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 19  29,351  
Morocco 371,450 0.190% 356,356  0.182% 200  356,156  
Mozambique 52,785 0.027% 58,740  0.030% 19  58,721  
Myanmar 66,470 0.034% 82,236  0.042% 33  82,203  WT/BFA/W/374 
- 14 - 
  Members 2015 
Contribution 
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% 2016 
Contribution  
CHF 2016 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest 
earned 
in 2014 
for 2016 
CHF 2016 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Namibia 46,920 0.024% 56,782  0.029% 26  56,756  
Nepal 37,145 0.019% 39,160  0.020% 23  39,137  
Netherlands 5,833,720 2.984% 5,680,158  2.901% 2,748  5,677,410  
New Zealand 439,875 0.225% 444,466  0.227% 279  444,187  
Nicaragua 48,875 0.025% 48,950  0.025% 25  48,925  
Niger 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Nigeria 782,000 0.400% 753,830  0.385% 0  753,830  
Norway 1,624,605 0.831% 1,572,274  0.803% 779  1,571,495  
Oman 355,810 0.182% 377,894  0.193% 93  377,801  
Pakistan 351,900 0.180% 344,608  0.176% 163  344,445  
Panama 220,915 0.113% 236,918  0.121% 82  236,836  
Papua New Guinea 58,650 0.030% 54,824  0.028% 29  54,795  
Paraguay 105,570 0.054% 111,606  0.057% 0  111,606  
Peru 398,820 0.204% 413,138  0.211% 71  413,067  
Philippines 658,835 0.337% 653,972  0.334% 381  653,591  
Poland 2,189,600 1.120% 2,106,808  1.076% 1,377  2,105,431  
Portugal 869,975 0.445% 824,318  0.421% 235  824,083  
Qatar 647,105 0.331% 736,208  0.376% 205  736,003  
Romania 688,160 0.352% 661,804  0.338% 315  661,489  
Russian Federation 4,371,380 2.236% 4,385,920  2.240% 2,359  4,383,561  
Rwanda 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Saint Kitts and Nevis 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 14  29,356  
Saint Lucia 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 10  29,360  
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Samoa 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom 
of 2,422,245 1.239% 2,453,374  1.253% 676  2,452,698  
Senegal 46,920 0.024% 45,034  0.023% 17  45,017  
Seychelles  0 0.000% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Sierra Leone 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Singapore 4,609,890 2.358% 4,710,948  2.406% 2,910  4,708,038  
Slovak Republic 785,910 0.402% 779,284  0.398% 478  778,806  
Slovenia 338,215 0.173% 319,154  0.163% 223  318,931  
Solomon Islands 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 15  29,355  
South Africa 1,069,385 0.547% 1,071,026  0.547% 585  1,070,441  
Spain 4,306,865 2.203% 4,084,388  2.086% 1,507  4,082,881  
Sri Lanka 146,625 0.075% 152,724  0.078% 56  152,668  
Suriname 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Swaziland 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 6  29,364  
Sweden 2,271,710 1.162% 2,187,086  1.117% 1,357  2,185,729  
Switzerland 3,049,800 1.560% 3,465,660  1.770% 1,746  3,463,914  
Chinese Taipei 3,006,790 1.538% 2,995,740  1.530% 1,696  2,994,044  
Tajikistan 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 11  29,359  
Tanzania 84,065 0.043% 90,068  0.046% 0  90,068  
Thailand 2,301,035 1.177% 2,363,306  1.207% 1,425  2,361,881  
The former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia 56,695 0.029% 52,866  0.027% 0  52,866  
Togo 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Tonga 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 15  29,355  
Trinidad and Tobago 127,075 0.065% 121,396  0.062% 37  121,359  
Tunisia 240,465 0.123% 227,128  0.116% 27  227,101  
Turkey 1,949,135 0.997% 1,971,706  1.007% 999  1,970,707  
Uganda 50,830 0.026% 54,824  0.028% 1  54,823  WT/BFA/W/374 
- 15 - 
  Members 2015 
Contribution 
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% 2016 
Contribution  
CHF 2016 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest 
earned 
in 2014 
for 2016 
CHF 2016 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Ukraine 819,145 0.419% 783,200  0.400% 260  782,940  
United Arab Emirates 2,559,095 1.309% 2,703,998  1.381% 163  2,703,835  
United Kingdom 7,579,535 3.877% 7,458,022  3.809% 4,635  7,453,387  
United States of America 22,114,960 11.312
% 22,007,920  11.240% 224  22,007,696  
Uruguay 111,435 0.057% 117,480  0.060% 24  117,456  
Vanuatu 29,325 0.015% 29,370  0.015% 0  29,370  
Venezuela, Bolivarian 
Republic of 735,080 0.376% 712,712  0.364% 0  712,712  
Viet Nam 936,445 0.479% 1,025,992  0.524% 382  1,025,610  
Yemen 97,750 0.050% 101,816  0.052% 0  101,816  
Zambia 70,380 0.036% 78,320  0.040% 0  78,320  
Zimbabwe 37,145 0.019% 50,908  0.026% 0  50,908  
Grand Total 195,500,000 100.0%  195,800,000  100.0%  76,927  195,723,073  
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 16 - 
  3  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY SECTION 
3.1.  The Budget is divided into three parts: (a) Staffing Resources, including expenditure for 
regular and short-term staff, (b) Other Resources, including all administrative expenditure, missions and capital expenditure and (c) Operating Funds & ITC, including the contribution to the 
ITC as well as the three operating funds. 
3.1  WTO SECRETARIAT 
3.1.1  Part A - Staffing Resources 
3.2.  Part A of the budget comprises the expenditure for regular staff related to salary, pension, 
health insurance, death and invalidity insurance, staff benefits and expenditure related to travel, removal and installation. Expenditure for short-term staff, consultants and panellists is also included under this item. The WTO Conditions of Service are applied since 1 January 1999. 
3.1.1.1  Staff Expenditure 
Table 7. Section 1: Staff Expenditure 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
1. Staff 
Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 88,055 87,221 87,157 -833 -65 
 ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 21,440 21,400 21,380 -40 -20 
 iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance 5,917 5,770 5,765 -147 -5 
 iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits 10,948 10,773 10,773 -175 0 
 v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,562 1,767 1,767 205 0 
1. Staff Expenditure Total 127,921  126,931  126,842 -990 -89 
 
3.1.1.1.1  Staff Remuneration 
3.3.  Staff Remuneration covers the expenditure for salaries of regular staff as well as overtime 
paid to fix-term staff and untaken leave paid at termination. At year-end, the provision for annual 
leave is also booked on that account. 
3.4.  The salary scale of the WTO staff and its annual adjustment is based on WTO Staff Regulation 
6.2. The staff remuneration for 2016 and 2017 reflects the salary cost for 620.5 posts for the WTO 
Secretariat and comprises the adjustment of the staff profile based on the salary structure in July 2015, a zero adjustment of the salary scheme in accordance with the established 
methodology (WT/GC/M/63), a provision for the Performance Appraisal System (WT/GC/M/80) 
amounting to 2% of the budgeted base salary and a re-valuation of the vacancy factor of 15 posts. 
The reduction of CHF 833,000 for 2016 reflects the sh ift of 10 posts from the WTO to the Appellate 
Body in order to provide additional resources to the dispute settlement activities related to 
appeals, and the reduction of overtime by CHF 50, 000. The additional reduction for 2017 relates to 
the Performance Appraisal System of the Appellate Body Secretariat. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 17 - 
  3.1.1.1.2  Staff Pension and Post-Employment Benefits 
Table 8. Staff Pension and Post-Employment Benefits 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits Staff / Pension 18,835 18,645 18,625 -190 -20 
 Staff / Retiree Health 
Insurance 2,605 2,755 2,755 150 0 
ii) Staff Pension & Post-Emplo yment Benefits Total 21,440  21,400  21,380 -40 -20  
 
3.5.  Staff Pension and Post-Employment Benefits relates to the WTO's pension contribution for 
regular staff as well as the health insurance contributions for retired staff. The WTO pension contributions amount to 23.7% of the pensionabl e remuneration and are shared between the WTO 
and the WTO Pension Plan participants by two thir ds to one third, respectively. No changes are 
foreseen in the way these contributions are calculated. 
3.6.  The allocation for the pension contributions for 2016 is decreased by CHF 190,000, which are 
shifted to the Appellate Body Secretariat in order to finance the additional 10 posts. For 2017, an 
additional CHF 20,000 are transferred to the Appella te Body Secretariat in order to provide for the 
pension share of the salary increments. 
3.7.  The allocation for the health insurance premiums for retired staff includes an increase of 
CHF 150,000, due to the increasing population of retired staff, as well as the projected rise in 
medical premiums of 3%. 
3.1.1.1.3  Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance 
Table 9. Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance Staff / Health Insurance 5,302 5,285 5,280 -17 -5 
 Death and Invalidity 
Insurance 615 485 485 -130 0 
iii) Staff Health & Invalidity Insurance Total 5,917  5,770  5,765 -147 -5  
 
3.8.  Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance relates to the health insurance contributions for 
fixed-term staff and their dependen ts as well as to the death and invalidity insurance premiums for 
WTO staff and the service incurred accident premium. During the last biennium, an increase of 4% for each year of the biennium had been projected and included in the budget. However, the 
premiums for 2014 and 2015 have finally remained  at the level of 2013. For the biennium 
2016-2017, an increase of 3% for 2016 and an addi tional increase of 3% for 2017 are projected. 
With the saving realized in the biennium 2014-15 , a profile adjustment of CHF 17,000 is therefore 
proposed. For 2017, CHF 5,000 are shifted to the Appellate Body Secretariat in order to cover the 
increased cost for the new posts. 
3.9.  Under the Death and Invalidity Insurance, a saving  could be realized, which is used to finance 
the major part of the increase in the retiree health insurance. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 18 - 
  3.1.1.1.4  Staff Family and International Benefits 
Table 10. Staff Family and International Benefits 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits Staff / Child Allowance 3,286 3,286 3,286 0 0 
 Staff / Education Grant 3,833 3,758 3,758 -75 0 
 Staff / Home Leave 1,768 1,638 1,638 -130 0 
 Staff / Rental Subsidy 297 297 297 0 0 
 Staff / Secondary 
Dependence Allowance 270 270 270 0 0 
 Staff / Spouse Allowance 1,494 1,524 1,524 30 0 
iv) Staff Family & International Benefits Total 10,948  10,773  10,773 -175 0  
 
3.10.  Staff Family and International Benefits comprises child allowance, spouse allowance, 
secondary dependence allowance for fix-term staff, rental subsidy for non-local fixed-term staff as 
well as the international benefits home leave and education grant. 
3.11.  The allocations for Education Grant, Home Leave and Spouse Allowance for the biennium 
have been adjusted according to the 2015 staff profile. 
3.1.1.1.5  Other Staff Expenditure 
Table 11. Other Staff Expenditure 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
v) Other Staff 
Expenditure Staff / Installation Grant & Medical 
Examinations 432 362 362 -70 0 
 Staff / Negotiated Termination 
Indemnity 300 300 300 0 0 
 Staff / Separation Grant 440 540 540 100 0 
 Staff / Travel and Removal 265 365 365 100 0 
 Staff / US Taxes 125 200 200 75 0 
v) Other Staff Expenditure Total 1,562  1,767  1,767 205 0 
 
3.12.  Other Staff Expenditure includes the accounts for the installation grant and medical 
expenditure of fix-term staff at recruitment, the negotiated termination indemnity, the separation 
grant for fix-term staff, the expenditure for travel and removal at appointment and termination of fixed-term staff and dependents, and the expend iture linked to unreimbursed US taxes for staff 
liable to US taxes. 
3.13.  The allocations for the Separation Grant and fo r Travel and Removal are each increased by 
CHF 100,000 in order to reflect the number of projected separations including their removal for the next biennium. The allocation under Removal also includes an increase for the removal of new 
staff members. 
3.14.  The allocation for the Installation Grant is re duced by CHF 70,000, which partly finances the 
increase of CHF 75,000 for US Taxes. The reduction of the allocation for the installation grant has 
been possible due to the introduction of the new travel policy, which aligned the daily subsistence 
allowance for all staff, which is the basis of the calculation of the installation grant. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 19 - 
  3.1.1.2  Temporary Assistance 
Table 12. Section 2: Temporary Assistance 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,066 8,958 8,958 892 0 
 ii) Consulting 7,933 6,745 6,745 -1,188 0 
 iii) Panellists  365 715 715 350 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total 16,363  16,418  16,418 54 0 
 
3.1.1.2.1  Short-Term Staff 
Table 13. Short-term Staff 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
i) Short-Term Staff Short-Term Staff / Salary 1,855 2,178 2,178 323 0 
 Short-Term Staff / Pension 425 725 725 300 0 
 Short-Term Staff / Health 
Insurance 0 200 200 200 0 
 Translators / Daily and Monthly 2,000 2,000 2,000 0 0 
 Translators / Special Service 
Contract 1,640 1,640 1,640 0 0 
 Interpreters 1,755 1,755 1,755 0 0 
 Interns 392 461 461 69 0 
i) Short-Term Staff Total 8,066  8,958  8,958 892 0 
 
3.15.  Under Short-Term Staff, the gross salary of te mporary staff as well as related pension and 
health contributions, untaken leave at terminatio n and overtime are accounted for. Furthermore, 
translators, interpreters and interns are booked under that category. 
3.16.  For 2016, the allocations for pension and health contributions for short term staff are 
aligned with the actual expenditure under these positions. The allocations for Short Term Staff Salary are increased in order to partly cover the expenditure for the temporary dispute settlement lawyers. However, if the dispute settlement activity increases, additional funds would be needed 
and would have to come from savings in other areas. 
3.17.  The allocation for interns has also been increased in order to reflect the actual needs of 
divisions. 
3.1.1.2.2  Consulting 
Table 14. Consulting 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
ii) Consulting Consulting Firms & Employment 
Agencies 3,501 2,636 2,636 -865 0 
 Special Service Agreement 1,452 1,129 1,129 -323 0 
 Translators / External Translator 
Contract 2,979 2,979 2,979 0 0 
ii) Consulting Total 7,933  6,745  6,745 -1,188 0 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 20 - 
  3.18.  Consulting includes temporary assistance provided by companies such as employment 
agencies and consulting firms, special service agr eements with individuals and external translator 
contractors paid by the word translated. 
3.19.  The appropriation under Consulting Firms & Employment Agencies mainly includes the 
budget for IT consultants as well as the allocation for the Human Resources Training Programme. 
The reduction under Consulting Firms and Employment Agencies primarily reflects the shift of the cost of the IT Service Desk, which has been outsourced and can therefore be found under 
Contractual Services (Section General Services). The decrease under Special Service Agreement is 
comprised of a slight increase for the HR Training Programme, which is offset by savings on various contracts in order to partially finance the additional needs under Panellist Fees. 
3.1.1.2.3  Panellists 
Table 15. Panellists 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
iii) Panellists  Panellist Fees 365 715 715 350 0 
iii) Panellists Fees Total 365 715 715 350 0 
 
3.20.  Panellist Fees comprises special service agreements with panellists and related experts. 
3.21.   As from 2016, it is proposed to increase the daily fee paid to non-governmental panellists 
from CHF 600 to CHF 900 and to introduce a daily fee of CHF 300 for governmental panellists, who 
currently do not receive any fee for panel work. 
3.22.  This represents the first increase in fees paid to panellists sinc e 1993. In real terms, 
therefore, panellists are paid less today than in the GATT days, despite the marked increased 
complexity and time involved in panel work. Most disputes now involve multiple claims and many 
parties and third-parties, and submissions regu larly exceed 1000 pages per dispute. Moreover, 
panellists must be familiar with and consider a substantial body of specialized jurisprudence. Securing the services of well-qualified governme ntal or non-government individuals who meet the 
qualifications that disputing parties seek and who are willing to align their schedules and invest the 
necessary time has become challenging, especial ly when they are in demand elsewhere. Some 
delays in the scheduling of panel work are due to panellists' unavailability. 
3.23.  The compensation that WTO panellists receive for their services is well below the standard 
for this type of work; in other international adju dicative bodies, daily fees can exceed CHF 5,000. 
Appellate Body members' fees have been raised twice since 1995 and now fluctuate with the Consumer Price Index. 
3.24.  A higher fee would be more commensurate with the importance and prestige of the 
appointment and the value that Members attach to panellist's work. 
3.25.  It is estimated that this proposal would add approximately CHF 350,000 to the annual 
panellists' budget, taking into account that that 50% of panellists are government employees and 
50% are non-governmental employees. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 21 - 
  3.1.2  Part B - Other Resources 
3.26.  Part B of the budget relates to expenditure for general services, travel and hospitality, 
activities jointly funded by the WTO and third parties, as well as capital and financial expenditure. 
3.1.2.1  General Services 
Table 16. Section 3: General Services 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
i) Telecommunication & 
Post Post & Freight 978 528 528 -450 0 
 Telecommunication 668 324 324 -344 0 
i) Telecommunication & Post Total 1,645  852 852 -794 0  
ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance Contractual Services 6,741 7,056 7,056 315 0 
 Building Maintenance 528 1,428 1,428 900 0 
 Equipment Maintenance 1,990 1,960 1,960 -30 0 
 Insurance 294 194 194 -100 0 
 Rental of Premises 78 25 25 -53 0 
ii) Contractual Services & Maintenance Total 9,631  10,663  10,663 1,032 0  
iii) Energy & Supplies Electricity 625 595 595 -30 0 
 Gas & Fuel 311 461 461 150 0 
 Supplies 1,346 1,221 1,221 -125 0 
 Water 39 54 54 15 0 
iii) Energy & Supplies Total 2,321  2,331  2,331 10 0 
iv) Documentation & 
Publication Books 90 40 40 -50 0 
 Subscriptions 500 500 500 0 0 
 Media & Public Relations 300 300 300 0 0 
 Printing 140 140 140 0 0 
 Publications 641 639 639 -2 0 
iv) Documentation & Publication Total 1,671  1,619  1,619 -52 0 
v) Other / Miscellaneous Membership and 
Registration Fees 155 35 35 -120 0 
 Advertising 40 40 40 0 0 
 Other / Miscellaneous 22 12 12 -10 0 
v) Other / Miscellaneous Total 217 87 87 -130 0 
3. General Services Total 15,485  15,551  15,551 66 0  
 
3.1.2.1.1  Telecommunication and Post 
3.27.  Telecommunication and Post includes telecommunication expenditure relating to fixed and 
mobile lines, subscriptions and postal expenditure of  mail and freight. In previous years, significant 
savings could be realised under these two budget lines. Due to the streamlining measures 
introduced in the biennium 2012-2013, the expenditure under Post & Freight could be reduced by almost 50%. Therefore, it is proposed to reduce the allocation by CHF 450,000. This will contribute 
to partly finance the increase under Building Maintenance. 
3.28.  Under Telecommunication, re-negotiated contracts with the mobile-phone provider as well 
as a strict control of communications, lead to a saving of over 50% over the previous years. The 
reduction of CHF 344,000 also contributes to the increase in Building Maintenance. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 22 - 
  3.1.2.1.2  Contractual Services and Maintenance 
3.29.  Contractual Services and Maintenance refers to outsourced service contracts and the 
maintenance expenditure of the building such as painting, electricity, small renovations and the elevator maintenance contract. 
3.30.  Contractual Services includes the outsourced labour intensive services such as the cleaning 
contract, the contract for the outsourced security provider and the contribution to the International Computing Centre (ICC). The proposed increase of CHF 315,000 includes the allocation for the 
outsourced IT Service Desk started in 2014 and the increased contribution to the International 
Computing Centre. These two increases are offset by a saving under the Security Outsourcing Contract due to the re-negotiation of the contract and the establishment of the Security Perimeter. 
3.31.  Building maintenance relates to the contracts for the maintenance and servicing of 
installations (maintenance of lifts, cooling units, fire detection etc.), various repair work such as 
painting, flooring, plumbing, the maintenance and servicing of the heating system and the electrical installations, and the maintenance of the green spaces within the WTO security 
perimeter. The expenditure for the building maintenance has increased since the end of the 
maintenance services provided by the FIPOI until 2012. Since 2013, the WTO had started to negotiate contracts with outside companies for HCV (Heating, Cooling, Ventilation), electrical 
installations and the maintenance of the green areas. The allocation increased by CHF 900,000 
reflects the real costs anticipated under this budget line. 
3.32.  Equipment maintenance refers to all maintenance and repair expenditure not related to the 
building such as vehicles, computer equipment, software, printing and other equipment. The major 
part of the budget is allocated to the maintenanc e of IT equipment, the switchboard and security 
equipment, as well as the equipment for document s reproduction. Due to better negotiated rates 
and due to the termination of some no longer necessary contracts, the maintenance for documents 
reproduction could be reduced by CHF 30,000. 
3.33.  Insurance includes all building, vehicle, IT equipment, inventory and third-party insurance 
expenditure. As in other areas above, the insura nce policies have been re-negotiated and grouped 
under one single provider. The achieved savings allow for a reduction of CHF 100,000, which is 
partly used to fund the increase in heating. 
3.34.  The line rental and premises concerns the rent al of offices, parking conference rooms and 
storage facilities. The main part of the expenditure in this line is realised under archives. Due to 
the construction of the new premises of the WTO, the rental cost of external archives could be 
reduced, therefore the allocation is reduced by CHF 53,000. 
3.1.2.1.3  Energy and Supplies 
3.35.  This line includes electricity, gas and fuel, water expenditure and supplies for documents 
reproduction, IT and office supplies. The allocation for gas and fuel has been increased by CHF 150,000 due to the higher heating expenditure for the new building. This increase is nearly 
offset by reductions under supplies related to the office and the building (CHF 125,000) and 
electricity (CHF 30,000). 
3.1.2.1.4  Documentation and Publications 
3.36.  Documentation and Publications relates to the purchase of books, subscriptions to 
magazines and newsfeed, the outsourced printing a rrangements for publications, the cost of sales 
for publications and expenditure linked to the rental of photography and filming services. The allocation for books is reduced by CHF 50,000, as more and more books are available in an 
electronic format and therefore much cheaper. 
3.1.2.1.5  Other/Miscellaneous 
3.37.  Other/Miscellaneous refers to the expenditure for the advertising regarding recruitments, 
membership and registration fees for staff traini ng events and other expenditure that cannot be 
associated to another account such as the fees for laissez-passer paid to the UN and certain HR WT/BFA/W/374 
- 23 - 
  events. The main expenditure under this budget line is realised under Membership and 
Registration Fees, which includes a part of the Human Resources Training Programme. 
3.1.2.2  Travel and Hospitality 
Table 17. Section 4: Travel and Hospitality 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/Dec 
2016 Inc/Dec 
2017 
i) Travel Air & Rail Transportation 4,889 4,730 4,719 -159 -11 
 Other Travel Related Expenditure 
/ Out of Pocket 2,176 2,226 2,236 49 11 
 Accommodation / Hotel / Meeting 
Facilities 0 0 0 0 0 
 Insurance / Participants 130 130 130 0 0 
i) Travel Total  7,195  7,085  7,085 -110 0  
ii) Hospitality Hospitality & Meeting 
Refreshments 234 214 214 -20 0 
ii) Hospitality Total 234  214 214 -20 0  
4. Travel & Hospitality Total 7,430  7,300  7,300 -130 0 
 
3.38.  Travel includes the expenditure (travel, per diem and travel insurance) for official missions, 
technical missions, trade-related technical assistance, as well as travel related to the Human 
Resources Training Programme, dispute settlement, recruitment and external auditors. The travel allocations for divisional travel and the HR Training Programme have been slightly reduced. The 
travel allocation for trade-related technical assistance programmes has also been slightly reduced, 
in order to provide for more consultants for certain courses. 
3.39.  The detailed allocations for trade-related technical assistance, the Human Resources 
Training Programme and dispute settlement are explained in Chapter 4 below. 
3.40.  Insurance/Participants relates to the SOS travel insurance for WTO staff on mission all over 
the world. The allocation remains unchanged. 
3.41.  Hospitality covers the divisional hospitality budget as well as hospitality related to technical 
assistance training courses and the Human Resources Training Programme. The allocation for the 
HR Training Programme is slightly reduced. 
3.1.2.3  Implementing Partners 
Table 18. Section 5: Im plementing Partners 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
i) Implementing Partners Implementing Partners 273 213 213 -60 0 
5. Implementing Partners Total 273 213 213 -60 0 
 
3.42.  Implementing Partners covers activities or events partly or jointly funded by the WTO but 
executed by a third party organization such as the WTO's share in the running costs of the 
Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization, the International Service for Remunerations and Pensions of the Coordinated Organisations and the UN Joint Purchasing Unit. It also includes the contribution to the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) for the 
publishing of the ISO/WTO Directory of Standardizing Bodies Accepting the WTO Code of Good 
Practice, the contribution to the WTO Staff Assistance Fund, and the allocation for various university programs in the area of technical assistance. As the technical assistance plan has 
changed related to university programs, this allocation has been moved under consultants. The 
allocation for the ISO contribution could also be slightly reduced. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 24 - 
  3.1.2.4  Capital Expenditure 
Table 19. Section 6: Capital Expenditure 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
i) Procurement of 
Fixed Assets Audio Visual & Telecommunication 
Equipment 50 50 50 0 0 
 Computing Hardware 820 820 820 0 0 
 Computing Software 300 300 300 0 0 
 Office Furniture and Equipment 60 60 60 0 0 
 Reproduction Equipment 0 0 0 0 0 
 Security Equipment 235 155 155 -80 0 
 Vehicles 20 20 20 0 0 
i) Procurement of Fixed Assets Total 1,485  1,405  1,405 -80 0 
ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment Rental and Leasing of Equipment 1,442 930 930 -512 0 
ii) Rental & Leasing of Equipment Total 1,442  930 930 -512 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total 2,927  2,335  2,335 -592 0  
 
3.43.  Capital Expenditure comprises the purchase of audio-visual and telecommunication 
equipment, computing hardware and software, o ffice furniture and other equipment, security 
equipment, vehicles and reproduction equipment. 
3.44.  The allocation for security equipment has been reduced by CHF 80,000 in order to 
contribute to the Building Renovation Fund. 
3.45.  The item Rental and Leasing of equipment primarily includes the rental of reproduction 
equipment, security equipment for fire protection , photocopiers and sanitary equipment. Under the 
rental of reproduction equipment, significant savi ngs could be realized by reducing the number of 
equipment and replacing the existing equipment by fewer but more efficient machines. 
3.1.2.5  Financial Expenditure 
Table 20. Section 7: Financial Expenditure 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
i) Bank & Interest Charges Bank charges 30 80 80 50 0 
ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement Building Loan 
Reimbursement 1,200 1,200 1,200 0 0 
7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230  1,280  1,280 50 0  
 
3.46.  Financial Expenditure refers to bank fees and charges as well as to the reimbursement of 
the building loan. 
3.47.  At the beginning of 2015, the Swiss National Bank announced that it discontinued its 
strategy of holding a minimum exchange rate of 1.20 Swiss Francs per euro, and at the same 
time, it announced that it was lowering the interest rate to -0.75% on certain account balances. 
Consequently, at the end of March 2015, the WTO's main banking partners have introduced negative interest rates on the WTO's bank balances above a certain threshold. There is currently a 
great level of uncertainty on the financial markets regarding the evolution of the negative interest 
rate in the medium term, but it is estimated that  the cost will at least increase by CHF 50,000 for 
the WTO. 
3.48.  The allocation for the Building Loan Reimbursement remains unchanged. The building loan 
finances the new administrative building of the WTO which has been completed at the end of WT/BFA/W/374 
- 25 - 
  2012. Since December 2012, the WTO is now located on a single site. The Organization has 
received a CHF 60 million loan from the Swiss au thorities, which includes CHF 20 million for the 
south and north courtyards transformations and CHF 40 million for the new administrative building. The loan is interest-free and the WTO started the reimbursement in 2013 of the principal 
only. The duration of the loan is 50 years. 
3.1.3  Part C - Operating Funds & ITC 
3.49.  Part C of the budget is related to the contribu tions to the International Trade Centre and the 
two operating funds. 
Table 21. Section 8: Contribution s to ITC and Special Reserves 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
i) Contribution to ITC Contribution to ITC 18,470 18,775 18,775 305 0 
iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund 600 600 600 0 0 
iv) Building Renovation Fund Buildi ng Renovation Fund 0 600 600 600 0 
8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves 19,070  19,975  19,975 905 0 
 
3.50.  The provision under ITC relates to the contribution to the International Trade Centre 
UNCTAD/WTO which was established in accordance with a decision taken by the contracting parties on 22 November 1967 (SR.24/14) and Re solution 2297 (XXII) adopted by the United 
Nations General Assembly on 12 December 1967, effective 1 January 1968, to the effect that the 
ITC would be operated jointly by UNCTAD and GATT on a continuing basis. The WTO has since assumed the responsibilities of the GATT in this respect (WT/GC/M/3, item 6). Details of the ITC 
budget proposal for 2016 and 2017 are prepared by the ITC and examined separately by the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration. For the biennium 2016-2017, the ITC requests 
an increase of the ITC budget of CHF 305,000, wh ich represents an increase of 1.65% compared 
to 2015. As explained earlier, this is entirely due to the applied methodology used by the UN, 
which includes the re-costing of exchange-rate variations and inflation. 
3.51.  The Ministerial Conference Operating Fund (MOF) was established in 1999 (WT/BFA/44) to 
reduce the burden of the costs associated with a Ministerial Conference by spreading its costs over 
several years with an annual appropriation funded  through the WTO Secretariat. Before 1999, this 
type of expenditure had been covered by extra-bu dgetary funds. Since 2005, the yearly allocation 
of CHF 600,000 to the MOF has remained unchanged. The annual allocation of CHF 600,000 allows the establishment of a biannual envelope of CHF 1.2 million for the Ministerial Conference. 
3.52.  This draft budget proposes to introduce a bu dget line for transfers to a new Building 
Renovation Fund (to be established) in order to cover the foreseeable costs of medium and long term building and infrastructure projects. The purpose of the Building Renovation Fund would be to 
finance the costs of extraordinary but necessary building and infrastructure maintenance of the 
single site, including the costs of future projects, undertaken with a view to introducing improvements or enhancements to the site. Acco rding to estimates of the FIPOI ('Fondation des 
Immeubles pour les Organisations Internationales), extraordinary maintenance and substantial 
repair and renovation work occurs in 10, 15, 25, and 50 year intervals, which translates into CHF 13 million over 10 years and to CHF 65 million over 50 years. The yearly budgetary allocation 
of CHF 600,000 provides a part of the funds needed  in order for the fund to reach CHF 13 million 
in 10 years. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 26 - 
  3.2  APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT 
3.2.1  Part A - Staffing Resources 
3.53.  The same factors as mentioned under the WTO Secretariat pertain to Part A of the budget 
for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat. As in the WTO Secretariat, the WTO Conditions of 
Service are applied since 1999. 
Table 22. Section 1: Staff Expenditure 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 2,478 3,261 3,326 783 65 
 ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 520 710 730 190 20 
 iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance 157 174 179 17 5 
 iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits 296 296 296 0 0 
 v) Other Staff Expenditure 43 43 43 0 0 
1. Staff Expenditure Total 3,494  4,484  4,573 990 89 
 
3.2.1.2  Staff Expenditure 
3.54.  As already mentioned under the WTO Secretariat, the number of budgeted posts allocated 
to the Appellate Body Secretariat has been increased from 15 to 25 for the biennium, in order to 
provide urgently needed resources at the appeals level. During the year 2014, the number of posts allocated to the Appellate Body had already been increased from 15 to 18 posts, however the budget had not been adjusted. 
3.55.  Therefore, the increase of 15 budgeted posts to  25 budgeted posts for the Appellate Body 
leads to an increase of CHF 783,000 under staff re muneration in 2016, and an additional increase 
for 2017, in order to provide for the Performance Appraisal System. The pension contributions are 
adjusted accordingly. With respect to the medical premiums, it is estimated that they increase by 
3% in each year of the biennium. 
3.2.1.3  Temporary Assistance 
Table 23. Section 2: Temporary Assistance 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff Interns 45 56 56 11 0 
 ii) Consulting Consulting Firms & 
Employment Agencies 0 25 25 25 0 
 iii) Appellate Body 
Members Fees Appellate Body 
Member Fees 759 791 791 32 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total  804 872 872 68 0 
 
3.56.  Short-Term Staff relates to an intern budget for 5 interns for 6 months each. The allocation 
has been adjusted in order to provide for the addi tional needs of the Appellate Body Secretariat. 
3.57.  Under Consulting, the training budget of the Appellate Body Secretariat is included. The 
allocation has been shifted from General Services – Membership and Registration Fees to 
Consulting, which more accurately re flects the nature of expenditure. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 27 - 
  3.58.  The Appellate Body Member Fees refer to the monthly retainer and administrative fees paid 
to Appellate Body Members. Up to 2015, the budget provided did not fully cover the fees for seven Appellate Body Members. Therefore, the allo cation is increased by CHF 32,000 in order to 
fully finance the fees seven Appellate Body Members for one year. 
3.2.2  Part B - Other Resources 
Table 24. Part B - Other Resources 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
B Other 
Resources 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 41 10 10 -32 0 
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance 18 18 18 0 0 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 20 20 20 0 0 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication 10 10 10 0 0 
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 27 2 2 -25 0 
 3. General Services Total 116 60 60 -57 0 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 50 50 50 0 0 
  ii) Hospitality 1 1 1 0 0 
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 51  51 51 0 0  
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 25 25 25 0 0 
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 15 15 15 0 0 
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 40 40 40 0 0 
B Other Resources Total  207  151 151 -57 0  
 
3.59.  Under Telecommunication and Post, the allocati on is reduced by CHF 32,000, in order to 
reflect the reduced level of expenditure under this item. The saving is used to finance the increase 
in the Appellate Body Member fees. Under Ot her/Miscellaneous, CHF 25,000 relating to the 
Appellate Body training budget are shifted to Tempor ary Assistance – Consultants, as this position 
better reflects the nature of the expenditure. The remaining allocation for miscellaneous 
expenditure is maintained. 
3.60.  All other allocations for the Appellate Body remain unchanged. 
3.2.3  Part C - Operating Funds 
Table 25. Contributions to Special Reserves 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
C Operating 
Funds  8. Special 
Reserves ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 2,000 2,000 2,000 0 0 
C Operating Funds Total 2,000  2,000  2,000 0 0 
 
3.61.  The Appellate Body Operating Fund (ABOF) covers the Appellate Body's variable costs, 
which reflect the number and duration of appeals. In  light of the high level, volume and complexity 
of appeals expected for the biennium 2014-20 15, the allocation had been increased by 
CHF 200,000 in 2014, and an additional CHF 200,000 in 2015. For the biennium 2016-2017, it is 
foreseen to keep the allocation at the current level. This might not be sufficient, however, to cover 
the expected expenditure for the biennium 2016-2017.  This is because, based on past experience, 
on average, approximately 66% of circulated panel reports are appealed. Thus, up to 12 appeals are expected to be filed per year during the next  two years. At the same time, the level, volume 
and complexity of dispute settlement proceedings currently pending before panels continues to WT/BFA/W/374 
- 28 - 
  increase. These disputes often involve multiple parties advancing a variety of issues on appeal with 
more voluminous submissions and increased third-party participation. Therefore, an increase in number, complexity and duration of appeals will necessarily lead to greater variable costs for the ABOF. 
4  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY THEMATIC BUDGETARY AREAS 
4.1.  This part provides an addition al view on direct costs on some main budgetary areas. This 
view does not take into account staff costs linked to these areas. 
4.1  Information Technology 
Table 26. Information Technology Budget 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 40 40 40 0 0 
 ii) Consulting 2,633 1,763 1,763 -870 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total 2,673  1,803  1,803 -870 0  
3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 674 324 324 -350 0 
 ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance 3,225 4,195 4,195 970 0 
 iii) Energy & Supplies 270 270 270 0 0 
3. General Services Total 4,169  4,789  4,789 620 0 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality i) Travel 15 15 15 0 0 
 ii) Hospitality 1 1 1 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total 16  16 16 0 0  
6. Capital 
Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 1,180 1,180 1,180 0 0 
 ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 132 132 132 0 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total 1,312  1,312  1,312 0 0 
 Total   8,170  7,920  7,920 -250 0 
 
4.2.   Three quarters of the Information Technology (IT) budget relate to costs for keeping the 
existing services running, including telecommunication expenditure for fixed and mobile 
communication, the contribution to the International Computing Centre, equipment maintenance, 
as well as hardware and software acquisitions  and maintenance. Under Consultants, CHF 870,000 
are shifted to Contractual Services, as this relates to the outsourcing of the IT Service Desk. The 
allocation for telecommunication could be reduced by CHF 350,000, as significant savings could be 
realised in this area. The allocation under Contractual Services is increased by CHF 870,000 relating to the IT Service Desk, as well as another CHF 100,000 relating to the increased 
contributions to the International Computing Centre (ICC). Overall, the IT budget has been 
reduced by CHF 250,000. 
4.3.  During the biennium 2016-2017 the following IT projects are scheduled: in the core 
trade-related area, the IT department will keep on delivering several tools to increase the 
transparency on how agreements are applied in th e areas of GPA, IP, TFA and will keep improving 
the notification platforms (SPS, TBT, Agricult ure notifications). They will also focus on 
improvements to the meeting and conference servic es with greater use of digital platforms. The 
solutions used for Outreach will also be improved as they will need to become mobile compliant. 
Several projects will look at optimization of internal secretariat processes. Finally, the Finance Department, Human Resources and the IT Department will leverage technology to improve the 
services they offer to the staff. The first version of the new Digital Dispute Settlement Registry 
(DDSR) application is currently being released and it is expected that improvements will be required in the next biennium. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 29 - 
  4.2  Technical Assistance 
Table 27. Technical Assistance Related Training Courses by Expenditure Line 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 6 6 6 0 0 
 ii) Consulting 241 313 313 72 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total 247  319 319 72 0  
3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 87 67 67 -20 0 
 iii) Energy & Supplies 0 20 20 20 0 
 iv) Documentation & 
Publication 33 31 31 -2 0 
3. General Services Total 120  118 118 -2 0  
4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 4,061 4,061 4,061 0 0 
 ii) Hospitality 49 49 49 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total 4,111  4,111  4,111 0 0 
5. Implementing 
Partners i) Implementing 
Partners 70 0 0 -70 0 
5. Implementing Partners Total 70 0 0 -70 0 
 Total  4,548  4,548  4,548 0 0  
 
Table 28. Technical Assistance Rela ted Training Courses by Activity 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Activity Budget 2016 Budget 2017 
Geneva-based activities for generalists 1,707 1,707 
Geneva-based thematic activities 1,907 1,907 
National activities 741 741 
Miscellaneous 193 193 
Total  4,548 4,548  
 
4.4.  The Technical Assistance Plan 2016-17 has been prepared under the assumption that the part 
of the regular budget remains stable in the next biennium and that a similar level of technical 
assistance (TA) as in the last three years will be maintained. The Secretariat will strive to identify ways of improving cost efficiency and focus on quality as opposed to quantity to achieve the 
expected key results. This approach is guided by three factors: 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. Together, these three factors lead to the development of the 
following strategies: (i) TA will be managed on the basis of its capacity to produce meaningful 
results; (ii) promote activities focusing on the implementation of the WTO Agreements or on some 
of their provisions, as they produce the most results; (iii) on a demand-driven basis, follow-up on TPR recommendations, especially in LDCs; (iv) provide generalists and specialists with a truly 
progressive learning path; (v) promote the use of an  interactive pedagogy in all TA activities; (vi) 
complement and improve the e-Learning offer; and (vii) promote effective partnerships. 
4.5.  The TA Plan 2016-17 has been designed to pursue the achievement of four key results 
(Outcomes) and discusses the more immediate outputs which should lead to such results over 
time. These key results are the following: 
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; WT/BFA/W/374 
- 30 - 
  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; 
d. 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. 
4.6.  To support the full implementation of these va rious 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 Doha 
Development Agenda 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 level 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. 
4.7.  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 regular budget 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 ap proved budget, it is proposed to regroup the 
regular for TA around four main envelops: 
a. Geneva-based activities for generalists (Advances Trade Policy Courses, Introduction 
courses for LDCs, Geneva Weeks, etc.). It is  proposed to allocate CHF 1.7 million to 
these activities. 
b. Geneva-based thematic activities (e.g. on Agriculture, SPS, TBT, DS, Services, TRIPS, 
etc.). It is proposed to allocate CHF 1.9 million to these activities. 
c. National activities. It is proposed to allocate CHF 0.7 million to these activities. 
d. Miscellaneous (Advice under Art 27.2 of DSU, monitoring and evaluation, implementation 
of results based management, etc.). It is pr oposed to allocate CHF 0.2 million for these 
various purposes. 
4.3  Security 
Table 29. Security Budget 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
3. General 
Services ii) Contractual 
Services & Maintenance Contractual Services 3,663 3,513 3,513 -150 0 
  Equipment 
Maintenance 250 250 250 0 0 
 iii) Energy & Supplies Supplies 25 25 25 0 0 
3. General Services Total  3,938  3,788  3,788 -150 0 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality i) Travel Insurance / 
Participants 130 130 130 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total  130 130 130 0 0 
6. Capital 
Expenditure i) Procurement of 
Fixed Assets Security Equipment 235 155 155 -80 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total  235 155 155 -80 0 
Total   4,303  4,073  4,073 -230 0  
 
4.8.  In the area of security, significant savings ha ve been achieved during the previous years. 
Since 2013, the original budget of CHF 4.7 milli on could be reduced by CHF 400,000 during the 
biennium 2014-2015. For the biennium 2016-2017, an additional reduction of CHF 230,000 is 
proposed, therefore resulting in a total budget allocation of CHF 4.07 million. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 31 - 
  4.9.  These savings could be realised due to the establishment of the security perimeter in 2014, 
due to very strict management of the various budget lines related to security, as well as the re-negotiation of the contract for the outsourced security provider. 
4.4  Dispute Settlement 
Table 30. Dispute Settlement Budget – Panels 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary Assistance iii) Panellists 340 690 690 350 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total 340 690 690 350 0 
3. General Services i) Telecommunication 
& Post 17 10 10 -7 0 
3. General Services Total   17 10 10 -7 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 730 730 730 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total 730 730 730 0 0 
 Total  1,087  1,430  1,430 343 0  
 
4.10.  As of 01 September 2015, the dispute settlement activity in the Secretariat is still very high 
and is likely to continue to increase as the disputes make their way through the system. There are 
active panels in eight original disputes and two active compliance panels under Article 21.5 of the DSU, plus six panels that are composed but have yet to begin work while awaiting availability of 
Secretariat staff. One matter is before an arbitrator under Article 22.6 of the DSU. Three additional 
panels have completed work and their reports are being translated. Furthermore, there are five formal consultation requests under Article 4 of the DSU, six panel requests pending before the 
DSB, and eight established panels awaiting compos ition. Current estimates show that this is not 
just a temporary surge and that the volume to be handled will remain at a very high level. 
Table 31. Dispute Settlement Budget – Appeals 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary 
Assistance iii) Appellate Body 
Members Fees 759 791 791 32 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total 759 791 791 32 0 
3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 41 10 10 -32 0 
3. General Services Total 41 10 10 -32 0 
8. Special Reserves ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 2,000 2,000 2,000 0 0 
8. Special Reserves Total 2,000  2,000  2,000 0 0 
 Total  2,800  2,800  2,800 0 0  
 
4.11.  The Dispute Settlement activity related to appeals also remains on a very high level in 2015. 
As at September 2015, seven appeals and two arbi trations under Article 21.3(c) of the DSU have 
been filed, and up to three additional appeals are anticipated until the end of the year. For 2016, 
the level of appeals is expected to increase furthe r, as on average 66% of circulated panel reports 
are appealed. This means that up to 12 appeals per year are expected for the next two years, 
including possible appeals in compliance proceedings relating to the two largest disputes brought 
to WTO dispute settlement. At the same time, a ppeals, including submissions and reports, are 
getting increasingly larger and more complex. Within the last five years, the size of reports is 
almost four times greater than the size of Appellate Body reports issued between 1995-2000. 
4.12.  Furthermore, given that the Appellate Body is composed of only seven Members, its capacity 
to handle multiple appeals is limited. In light of the limited time-frame to complete appeals and the increasing size and complexity of appeals, it is difficult for Appellate Body Members to work on WT/BFA/W/374 
- 32 - 
  more than two appeals at the same time. This might limit the capacity of the dispute settlement 
mechanism, creating a bottleneck for the system. 
4.5  Documents Reproduction 
Table 32. Documents Reproduction and Distribution Budget 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account 
Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff Short-Term Staff / 
Salary 170 200 200 30 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total  170 200 200 30 0 
3. General 
Services ii) Contractual 
Services & Maintenance Equipment 
Maintenance 90 60 60 -30 0 
 iii) Energy & 
Supplies Supplies 479 624 624 145 0 
3. General Services Total  569  684 684 115 0  
6. Capital 
Expenditure i) Procurement of 
Fixed Assets Reproduction 
Equipment 0 0 0 0 0 
 ii) Rental & Leasing 
of Equipment Rental and Leasing of 
Equipment 1,281 765 765 -516 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total  1,281  765 765 -516 0 
Total  2,020  1,649  1,649 -371 0  
 
4.13.  During the biennium 2012-2013, the budget with respect to documents reproduction has 
already been reduced by CHF 300,000 following the introduction of the streamlining measures. These measures included various elements: the disconti nuation of internal distribution of all official 
documents within the Secretariat, the creation of  an electronic subscription model for official 
documents, the electronic distribution of docu ments to Members instead of printed form, the 
establishment of the platform docs for meetings, providing electronic packs containing all the 
documents for specific meetings, the discontinuation of certain document series including TBT and 
SPS notifications to Members, as well as the discontinuation of distribution of official documents in 
meeting rooms. 
4.14.   For the biennium 2016-2017, an additional reduction of CHF 371,000 is proposed. The 
expenditure in the area of Rental and Leasing of Equipment could be significantly reduced by 
CHF 516,000. This saving could be generated by de  reduction of the reproduction equipment from 
6 to 3 machines, and by replacing the existing machines by more powerful and at the same time less expensive ones. 
4.15.  This is slightly offset by an increase in supplies, as the central budget for all kinds of 
reproduction requests is now held by the documents reproduction unit. 
4.16.  The allocation for equipment maintenance could be reduced by CHF 30,000 due to a 
re-negotiation of the maintenance contracts and th e termination of some contracts, which did not 
seem strictly necessary. The allocation is shifted to Temporary Assistance, in order to provide funds for peak periods. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 33 - 
  4.6  Human Resources Training Programme 
Table 33. Human Resources Training Budget 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account Description 2015 2016 2017 Inc/ 
Dec 
2016 Inc/ 
Dec 
2017 
2. Temporary 
Assistance ii) Consulting Consulting Firms & 
Employment Agencies 795 825 825 30 0 
  Special Service Agreement 200 250 250 50 0 
3. General 
Services v) Other / 
Miscellaneous Membership and 
Registration Fees 180 0 0 -180 0 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality i) Travel Air & Rail Transportation 250 220 220 -30 0 
 ii) Hospitality Hospitality & Meeting 
Refreshments 100 80 80 -20 0 
Total  1,525  1,375  1,375 -150 0 
 
4.17.  The Human Resources Training Programme relates to staff development in order to achieve 
the Director General's objective of ensuring that  the WTO remains a centre of excellence, at the 
forefront of the organization servicing the international community. Training is defined as the 
continued development of staff and high quality employee output. To achieve this, continued 
emphasis is placed on executive leadership development, enhanced core technical and professional skills as well as rigorous performance management. 
4.18.  For the biennium 2016-2017, it is proposed to reduce the overall envelope by CHF 150,000. 
Savings could be achieved in the Human Resources Training Programme during the previous years. 
4.19.  In the coming biennium, emphasis will be pl aced on learning arising from the Strategic 
Review process particularly in the area of people  and performance management. Attention will also 
be given to trade-related, code-of-conduct and gender & diversity training initiatives. In order to realise these developmental activities, in addition to the conventional class-room training methods, 
the Learning Service will actively promote e-learning as well as staff exchanges and networking 
with other international organisations. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 34 - 
  5  EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES 
5.1.  In order to stay within the envelope of th e zero-nominal-growth budget for the seventh 
consecutive year, the WTO has taken various economy measures over the previous years. 
5.1  Overtime 
5.2.  Since 2014, the divisional allocation for overtime has been centralised under the 
administration's budget and overtime is only paid  under exceptional circumstances, when it cannot 
be compensated by time-off. Previously, the introd uction of a pre-approval of overtime by the 
supervisor and the obligation to submit overtime to the WTO Finance Department could reduce the 
amount of overtime. This could reduce the amount of overtime by CHF 50,000 . 
5.2  Death and Invalidity Insurance 
5.3.  Due to negotiations with the insurance compan y, the premium for the death and invalidity 
insurance of regular and short term staff could be reduced by CHF 130,000 . 
5.3  Home Leave 
5.4.  The expenditure for Home Leave could be reduced by CHF 130,000  following the 
implementation of the new travel policy and the new reference airfare rate applied as a basis for 
the calculation of the home leave travel cost. 
5.4  Education Grant 
5.5.  The expenditure for Education Grant could be reduced by CHF 75,000 , which is mainly due 
to a change in the staff profile.  
5.5  Installation Grant 
5.6.  The allocation for the installation grant could be reduced by CHF 70,000  due to the 
alignment of the daily subsistence allowance for all staff, which is the basis for the calculation of 
the installation grant. 
5.6  Telephone 
5.7.  In 2013, the WTO renegotiated the contract with its providers for landline and mobile 
telephone services and secured savings of CHF 350,000 . 
5.7  Postal 
5.8.  Due to the streamlining measures introduced in the biennium 2012-2013, the distribution by 
mail of various types of documents has been disco ntinued and replaced by electronic distribution. 
Under the technical assistance related training activities, the postal expenditure could be reduced by providing USB keys to the participants instead of sending out voluminous paper document 
packs. These initiatives and the general trend of electronic exchange instead of mail lead to a 
saving of CHF 475,000 . 
5.8  Equipment Maintenance 
5.9.  The maintenance allocation for documents reproduction equipment could be reduced by 
CHF 30,000 due to a re-negotiation of contracts and the termination of some no longer necessary 
contracts. 
5.9  Security 
5.10.  Over the last three years, the expenditure for th e contract of the external security provider 
and the security equipment could be reduced by CHF 400,000. For the current biennium, the 
budgetary envelope could be reduced by an additional CHF 230,000 . WT/BFA/W/374 
- 35 - 
  5.10  Switchboard 
5.11.  In 2014, the WTO Switchboard has been outsourced to a private company, after a 
successful trial period of three months. The quality of the provided service is not completely at the same level, but the realised savings through theses outsourced services amount to CHF 106,000 , 
representing some 74% of the expenditure. 
5.11  Insurance 
5.12.  The re-negotiation of the WTO insurance policies (building, third-party, vehicles) and their 
grouping under a main supplier lead to a saving of CHF 100,000 . 
5.12  Archives 
5.13.  Following the construction of the new premises of  the WTO, the cost for the rental of outside 
archives could be reduced by CHF 53,000 . 
5.13  Supplies 
5.14.  Due to better negotiated rates with suppliers, as well as due to better management of the 
stock, the allocation for office and building supplies could be reduced by CHF 125,000 . 
5.14  Library 
5.15.  The allocation for books could be reduced by CHF 50,000 , as more and more books are 
available in electronic format. 
5.15  Documents Reproduction 
5.16.  The Rental and Leasing expenditure could be reduced by CHF 516,000 , due to the 
reduction of 6 printing machines to only 3, an d the replacement of the existing machines by 
cheaper, but more powerful equipment. 
5.16  Travel 
5.17.  Following the introduction of the new travel policy, the allocation for divisional travel could 
be reduced by CHF 110,000 . 
5.17  Hospitality 
5.18.  Due to the strict management of expenditure, the allocation under Hospitality can be 
reduced by  CHF 20,000 . WT/BFA/W/374 
- 36 - 
  6  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY OUTPUT CHAPTERS 
6.1  History of the Outputs 
6.1.  In 2012, the WTO introduced a new way of ma naging its resources. Up to 2012, every 
expenditure was recorded on a three dimensional system by (1) Budget Line, (2) Cost Centre and 
(3) by Company.2 This system had certain limits, as it was disconnected from the missions of the 
WTO and could not easily support any strategic decision. For example, it could be precisely 
determined how much was spent on telephone, travel  or IT consultants, but not how much of this 
expenditure was related to negotiations, dispute settlement or outreach. The new system added a 
fourth dimension to the existing structure by establishing an output structure and a new process, where all expenditure is recorded against an output. This has increased the monitoring of performance as well as management accountability . This new structure has been introduced in 
2012 with only internal resources and without any external consultants. 
6.2.  While the outptut project started as a pilot project in 2012, it has evolved up to today. 
Divisions have been trained to create a common understanding of the various outputs and also 
have been made aware of the importance of the project. Nevertheless, the quarterly exercise is 
still very administratively heavy, as it is still on a entirely manual basis. At the end of the year, staff time reported linked to the respective salari es are merged with all other expenditure of the 
WTO, which is also recorded by outputs. For 2 016, an IT project has been launched in order to 
establish a proper database for the output reporting and to facilitate the reporting and treatment of the data. 
6.2  New Structure of Accounts by Output and Project 
6.3.  Whereas the output data had been highly fragmented initially, the WTO has now come to a 
simpler structure to provide meaningful information for Members. In the following, an output structure has been established, which reflects the 8 main missions of the WTO. 
Table 34. Main Outputs of the WTO 
 
Output 
Code Output Title 
1 Facilitating Negotiations 
2 Administering Agreed WTO Rules 
3 Monitoring Trade Policies 
4 Settling Disputes 
5 Aid for Trade 
6 Assisting Accessions 
7 Conducting Research 
8 Reaching out 
 
6.4.  These items provide the backbone structure of  the output planning, budgeting, monitoring 
and reporting process. The entire WTO ex penditure is recorded against outputs. 
6.3  How does it work in practice 
6.5.  On a quarterly basis, Divisions receive an excel table with the list of the staff assigned to the 
Division (regular, fixed term and short term) and th e list of outputs. Divisions are then asked to 
allocate each staff member's time against these outputs on a percentage basis. However, these 
allocations are not considered as 'time-sheets'. For example, there is no space for overtime. 
                                               
2 The account structure of the WTO includes 2 Companies with respect to the regular budget: 
WTO Secretariat (Company 1), Appell ate Body Secretariat (Company 2). WT/BFA/W/374 
- 37 - 
  6.4  Budget Proposals 2016-2017 by Output Chapter 
6.6.  Based on the figures collected from the output reports in 2012, 2013 and 2014, it is 
estimated that the expenditure in the 8 main output chapters is as follows: 
Table 35. Budget Proposals 2016-2017 by Output Chapter 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Output Budget 2016 Budget 2017 
1 Facilitating Negotiations 10,604 10,600 
2 Administering Agreed WTO Rules 44,000 45,000 
3 Monitoring Trade Policies 26,000 26,000 
4 Settling Disputes 34,000 35,000 
5 Capacity building  42,000 42,000 
6 Assisting Accessions 9,000 8,000 
7 Conducting Research 16,600 16,000 
8 Reaching out 15,000 14,604 
Grand Total 197,204  197,204 
 
6.5  Facilitating Negotiations 
6.7.  This output chapter includes all kind of committees and negotiating groups related to the 
Doha Development Agenda Negotiations such as the Trade Negotiations Committee and other negotiating bodies. It is estimated that the expenditure amounts to some CHF 10.6 million for each 
year of the biennium. 
6.6  Administering Agreed WTO Rules 
6.8.  This output chapter includes the Ministerial Co nference, all committees related to the General 
Council and its Bodies, committees related to the Council for Trade in Goods and its Bodies, 
Committees related to the Council for Trade in Services and its bodies, and the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property. Th e expenditure is estimated at CHF 44 million for 
2016 and at CHF 45 million for 2017, as 2017 is expected to be a Ministerial year, in which the 
expenditure on that item is traditionally higher. 
6.7  Monitoring Trade Policies 
6.9.  This output chapter mainly comprises all expenditure related to the WTO Trade Policy Review 
Body, Trade Policy Reviews and Trade Policy Monitoring. The expenditure is expected to amount to 
some CHF 26 million for each year of the biennium. 
6.8  Settling Disputes 
6.10.  This output chapter includes the Dispute Settlement Body, as well as pre-dispute activities, 
panels, appeals and arbitrations. The expenditure is estimated at CHF 34 million for 2016 and CHF 35 million for 2017, as an increase is still pr ojected related to the dispute settlement activity. 
6.9  Capacity Building 
6.11.  This output chapter comprises all activity related to capacity building courses and training, 
other activities related to capacity building, the Aid for Trade work programme and the contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC). The expenditure is estimated at 
CHF 42 million for each year of the biennium. 
6.10  Assisting Accessions 
6.12.  This output chapter includes all activities related to the support of accessions. The 
expenditure is estimated at CHF 9 million for 2016 and CHF 8 million for 2017, as this activity is 
expected to slightly decrease over time. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 38 - 
  6.11  Conducting Research 
6.13.  This output chapter relates to the WTO's publications such as the World Trade Report or the 
WTO Annual Report, to all kinds of research reports and papers produced, as well as to the support 
of WTO publications. The projected expenditure amounts to some CHF 16 million for each year of 
the biennium. 
6.12  Reaching Out 
6.14.  This output chapter includes all outreach activities of the WTO, such as general press 
relations, general outreach to Members and the pr ivate sector, key outreach events such as the 
Public Forum and the Open Day and work done with other international organizations. The projected expenditure amounts to CHF 15 mi llion for 2016 and CHF 14.6 million for 2017. 
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 39 - 
  7  KEY ORGANIZATIONAL EVOLUTION SINCE 1995 
7.1  Budgetary Evolution 
Table 36. Budgetary Evolution 1995-2017 
Year Appropriation in CHF Total % Increase WTO Appellate Body Budget in CHF 
1995 105,389,500 0 105,389,500  
1996 115,693,503 0 115,693,503 9.78% 
1997 114,111,750 1,581,000 115,692,750 0.00% 
1998 114,399,250 1,579,600 115,978,850 0.25% 
1999 120,204,500 1,990,950 122,195,450 5.36% 
2000 125,386,460 2,310,550 127,697,010 4.50% 
2001 131,305,610 2,778,000 134,083,610 5.00% 
2002 140,313,850 2,816,000 143,129,850 6.75% 
2003 151,983,150 2,971,200 154,954,350 8.26% 
2004 157,060,700 4,715,800 161,776,500 4.40% 
2005 164,131,000 4,572,400 168,703,400 4.28% 
2006 170,274,150 4,726,000 175,000,150 3.73% 
2007 176,865,250 5,111,200 181,976,450 3.99% 
2008 180,483,300 4,408,200 184,891,500 1.60% 
2009 183,744,100 5,513,500 189,257,600 2.36% 
2010 188,483,400 5,506,100 193,989,500 2.50% 
2011 190,381,300 5,622,600 196,003,900 1.04% 
2012 189,962,500 6,041,400 196,003,900 0.00% 
2013 191,099,300 6,104,600 197,203,900 0.61% 
2014 190,899,300 6,304,600 197,203,900 0.00% 
2015 190,699,300 6,504,600 197,203,900 0.00% 
2016 190,002,800 7,506,100 197,508,900 0.15% 
2017 189,913,800 7,595,100 197,508,900 0.00% 
Figure 1. Evolution of Budget 1995 - 2017 
105.4
115.7
115.7
116.0
122.2
127.7
134.1
143.1
155.0
161.8
168.7
175.0
182.0
184.9
189.3
194.0
196.0
196.0
197.2
197.2
197.2
197.5
197.5
050100150200250
1995
19961997199819992000
2001
2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017in Million CHF
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 40 - 
  7.2  Evolution of Contributions 
Table 37. Evolution of Contributions 1995-2017 
 
Year Contributions in CHF % Increase 
1995 104,400,000 - 
1996 113,300,000 8.52% 
1997 114,200,000 0.79% 
1998 114,400,000 0.18% 
1999 121,100,000 5.86% 
2000 126,600,000 4.54% 
2001 132,900,000 4.98% 
2002 142,100,000 6.92% 
2003 153,800,000 8.23% 
2004 160,560,000 4.40% 
2005 167,400,000 4.26% 
2006 173,700,000 3.76% 
2007 180,500,000 3.91% 
2008 177,900,000 -1.44% 
2009 183,700,000 3.26% 
2010 189,400,000 3.10% 
2011 194,300,000 2.59% 
2012 194,300,000 0.00% 
2013 195,500,000 0.62% 
2014 195,500,000 0.00% 
2015 195,500,000 0.00% 
2016 195,800,000 0.15% 
2017 195,800,000 0.00% 
 Figure 2. Evolution of Contributions 1995-2017 (in million CHF) 
104.4
113.3
114.2
114.4
121.1
126.6
132.9
142.1
153.8
160.6
167.4
173.7
180.5
177.9
183.7
189.4
194.3194.3
195.5
195.5
195.5
195.8
195.8
050100150200250
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
20022003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
20112012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017in Million  CHF
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 41 - 
  7.3   Staff Evolution 
Table 38. Staff Evolution 1995-2017 
Year Appropriation in CHF New Consolidations Total % change WTO AB WTO AB 
1995 445 0 0   445  
1996 513 0 68   513 15.3% 
1997 507 6 0   513 0.0% 
1998 507 6 0   513 0.0% 
1999 524 9 17 3  533 3.9% 
2000 530 9 6 0  539 1.1% 
2001 539 13 9 4  552 2.4% 
2002 547 13 8 0  560 1.4% 
2003 577 13 6 0 24 590 5.4% 
2004 594 14 1 1 16 608 3.1% 
2005 593.5 15 -5.5 1 5 608.5 0.1% 
2006 620.5 15 3 0 24 635.5 4.4% 
2007 622.5 15 2   637.5 0.3% 
2008 624.5 15 2   639.5 0.3% 
2009 624.5 15 0   639.5 0.0% 
2010 626.5 15 2   641.5 0.3% 
2011 630.5 15 4   645.5 0.6% 
2012 631.5 17 1 2  648.5 0.5% 
2013 630.5 15  -1  -2  645.5 -0.5% 
2014 627.5 18 -3 3  645.5 0.0% 
2015 627.5 18    645.5 0.0% 
2016 620.5 25 -7 7  645.5 0.0% 
2017 620.5 25    645.5 0.0% 
 
 
Figure 3. Staff Evolution 1995 - 2017 
 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 42 - 
  Table 39. Table of 2015 Regular Staff Positions By Division 
(in work-years, as at 31 August 2015) 
Secretariat Division Grades 1 - 
10 Grades 11 - 
12 Senior 
Management Grand 
Total 
WTO Senior Management 4 0 5 9 
 Accessions Division 7.8 1 0 8.8 
 Administration and General 
Services Division 68.7 1 0 69.7 
 Agriculture and Commodities 
Division 19 1 0 20 
 Office of the Director-General 12 1 0 13 
 Council and TNC Division 13 1 0 14 
 Development Division 18.8 1 0 19.8 
 Economic Research and 
Statistics Division 40.8 2 0 42.8 
 Human Resources Division 21 1 0 22 
 Intellectual Property Division 14.3 1 0 15.3 
 Legal Affairs Division 27 2 0 29 
 Market Access Division 16.8 1 0 17.8 
 Rules Division 22.6 1 0 23.6 
 Trade and Environment 
Division 10.8 1 0 11.8 
 Trade in Services Division 14.8 1 0 15.8 
 Trade Policies Review Division 49.9 2 0 51.9 
 Office of Internal Audit 1 1 0 2 
 Information and External 
Relations Division 28.8 1 0 29.8 
 Languages, Documentation 
and Information Management Division 126.3 1 0 127.3 
 Information Technology 
Solutions Division 43.8 1 0 44.8 
 Staff Counsellor 1 0 0 1 
 Institute for Training and 
Technical Cooperation 34.3 1 0 35.3 
Sub-total  596.5 23 5 624.5 
Appellate 
Body Appellate Body Secretariat 20 1 0 21 
Grand Total 616.5 24 5 645.5 
 
  
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 43 - 
  8  WORKLOAD INDICATORS 
8.1.  The following graphs indicate the evolution of workload in several key areas of the WTO 
activities financed under the regular budget. 
8.1  Translation and Documentation 
Figure 4. Translation and Documentation: Nu mber of Words in Original Language for 
Translation 
(January - August) 
 
 
8.2  Meetings 
Figure 5. Meetings: Number of Formal, Informal and Private Meetings 
(January - August) 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/374 
- 44 - 
  Figure 6. Meetings: Days of freelance interpreters 
(January - August) 
 
 
8.3  Dispute Settlement Panels 
Figure 7. Dispute Settlement Panels - Expenditure 
(January - December) 
 
*Estimate based on actual expenditure as at 31 August 2015. WT/BFA/W/374 
- 45 - 
  9  PROJECTED BUDGET PERFORMANCE 2015 
Table 40. Expected Consolidated  Performance against Budget 2015 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line Budget 
2015 Estimated 
Expenditure 
31/12/15 Estimated 
Balance %  
Expen- 
diture 
A Staffing 
Resources 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 90,532 84,659 5,873 93.5% 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment 
Benefits 21,960 20,499 1,461 93.3% 
  iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance 6,074 5,164 910 85.0% 
  iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits 11,244 10,786 457 95.9% 
  v) Other Staff 
Expenditure 1,605 2,891 -1,286 180.1% 
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 131,415  124,000 7,416  94.4%  
 2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,110 12,510 -4,400 154.2% 
  ii) Consulting 7,933 5,746 2,187 72.4% 
  iii) Panellists & Appellate 
Body Members Fees 1,124 1,462 -338 130.1% 
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 17,167  19,718 -2,551  114.9%  
A Staffing Resources Total 148,582  143,718 4,865  96.7%  
B Other 
Resources 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 1,686 847 839 50.3% 
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance 9,649 10,932 -1,283 113.3% 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,341 2,387 -46 102.0% 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication 1,681 2,024 -343 120.4% 
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 244 519 -276 213.3% 
 3. General Services Total 15,601  16,710 -1,109  107.1%  
 4. Travel & 
Hospitality i) Travel 7,245 6,460 786 89.2% 
  ii) Hospitality 236 190 45 80.8% 
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 7,481  6,650 831 88.9%  
 5. Implementing 
Partners i) Implementing Partners 273 239 34 87.5% 
 5. Implementing Partners Total 273 239 34 87.5%  
 6. Capital 
Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 1,510 1,462 48 96.8% 
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 1,457 930 527 63.8% 
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 2,967  2,392 575  80.6%  
 7. Financial 
Expenditure i) Bank & Interest 
Charges 30 115 -85 382.6% 
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement 1,200 1,200 0 100.0% 
 7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230  1,315 -85 106.9%  
B Other Resources Total 27,551  27,305 246  99.1%  
C Operating 
Funds and ITC 8. Contributions to 
ITC & Special 
Reserves i) Contribution to ITC 18,470 18,470 0 100.0% 
  ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 2,000 2,000 0 100.0% 
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund 600 600 0 100.0% 
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves 
Total 21,070  21,070 0  100.0%  
C Operating Funds and ITC Total 21,070  21,070 0 100.0%  
Grand Total  197,204  192,093 5,111  97.4%  WT/BFA/W/374 
- 46 - 
  9.1.  For the end of the year 2015, the overall expe nditure rate for the WTO Secretariat and the 
Secretariat of the Appellate Body is estimated at 97.4% of the budget, thereby generating a 
saving of some CHF 5 million. The overall expected  saving is composed of the following elements. 
9.1  Part A - Staffing Resources 
9.2.  This part comprises the expenditure for regular staff including salary, pension, health 
insurance, death and invalidity insurance, staff benefits, as well as the allocation for short-term staff, consultants and panellists. 
9.3.  Under Section Staff Remuneration, the projected saving related to salaries for regular staff is 
largely due to the high number of vacant posts until the month of June. However, recruitment has accelerated since June. This saving is partly offset by over-expenditure under Temporary Assistance due to the replacement of staff on leav e without pay or on long term sick leave and to 
the funding of the temporary dispute settlement lawyers. An additional over-expenditure is 
projected under panellist fees, due to the still increasing activity in the dispute settlement area. Over-expenditure is also anticipated under Other Staff Expenditure, which is largely due to the 
increased expenditure under Travel and Removal du e to the recruitments and Separation Grant, 
due to several separations in the first part of the year. A saving is projected under Consultants, due to the outsourcing of the IT service desk, which is now booked under General Services – 
Contractual Services, and an expected saving under External Translator Contracts. 
9.2  Part B - Other Resources 
9.4.  Part B of the budget relates to expenditure for general services, travel and hospitality, 
activities jointly funded by the WTO and third parties, as well as capital and financial expenditure. 
It is expected that 99% of the budget allocated to Part B will be expensed. 
9.5.  Under Telecommunication and Post, a saving is expected under postal, due to the reduction 
of postal delivery as a result of the streamlining measures as well as the increase of electronic 
solutions for the delivery of documents in the area of technical assistance training courses. An 
additional saving is anticipated under telecommuni cations, due to the new mobile phone policy and 
the re-negotiation of the telecom provider contract. 
9.6.  Under Contractual Services and Maintenance, the overspending is mainly due to the shift of 
the IT Service desk from temporary assistance under this expenditure line, as well as to the increase in expenditure for building maintenance since the WTO took over the maintenance services formerly provided by the FIPOI, and also since the WTO fully manages its premises 
including the security perimeter. A saving is expected under insurance, where the whole policy has 
been re-negotiated, resulting in lower premiums. 
9.7.  Under Energy and Supplies, an over-spendin g is expected due to the higher heating 
expenditure for the new building. A saving is anticipated under supplies. 
9.8.  Expenditure under Documentation and Publication, which also includes the account for media 
and public relations, is expected to result in a slight overspending due to the increased 
expenditure for media and public relations and of publications projected around the time of the 
Ministerial Conference. 
9.9.  Under Other/Miscellaneous, over-expenditure is anticipated under Membership fees, which 
represents a part of the Human Resources Training Programme. However, the overall envelope of 
the Human Resources Training Programme is expected to result in a saving. 
9.10.  The travel budget, including all expenditure for official missions, technical missions, 
trade-related technical assistance as well as travel related to the Human Resources Training 
Programme, recruitment, external auditors and disput e settlement travel, is expected to result in a 
saving. This is primarily due to lower expenditure for airfare under the technical assistance training 
courses and the reduced number of technical missions. WT/BFA/W/374 
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  9.11.  The expenditure under Procurement and Fixed Assets remains on track with a small saving 
on security equipment. Under Rental and Leasing of  Equipment, a saving is anticipated due to the 
reduction of reproduction equipment. 
9.12.  Financial Expenditure includes the bank charges and the reimbursement of the loan for the 
new administrative building over 50 years. Due to the introduction of negative interests by the 
WTO's main banking partners, an over-expenditure of some CHF 80,000 is expected. 
9.3  Part C - Operating Funds & ITC 
9.13.  This item comprises the contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC), which will be 
fully expensed at the end of the year. It also in cludes the annual replenishment of the Appellate 
Body Operating Fund (ABOF) and the Ministerial Operating Fund (MOF). 
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