RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/339  
29 October 2014  
(14-6264)  Page: 1/30  
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration   
 
   
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
MID-TERM REVIEW  
BIENNIUM 2014 - 2015 
 
  
 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
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  Table of Contents 
1  INTRODUC TION ........................................................................................................... 4  
2  2014 PERFORMANCE AG AINST BUDGET ....................................................................... 6  
2.1  Part A - Staf fing Reso urces .......................................................................................... 7  
2.1.1  Staff Expenditure ..................................................................................................... 7  
2.1.2  Temporary Assistan ce .............................................................................................. 7  
2.2  Part B - Ot her Resour ces ............................................................................................. 7  
2.2.1  General Services...................................................................................................... 7  
2.2.2  Travel and Hospitality ............................................................................................... 7  
2.2.3  Capital Expenditure .................................................................................................. 8  
2.2.4  Implementing Partners and Financial Expenditure ......................................................... 8  
2.3  Part C - Operat ing Funds an d ITC ................................................................................. 8  
2.3.1  Contributions to IT C and Special Reserves ................................................................... 8  
3  PROJECTED MISCELLA NEOUS INCOME 2014 ................................................................ 8  
4  2015 APPROVED BUDG ET (UNREVISED) ...................................................................... 8  
4.1  WTO Se cretar iat ........................................................................................................ 10 
4.1.1  Part A - St affing Re sources....................................................................................... 11 
4.1.2  Part B - Other Reso urces ......................................................................................... 12 
4.1.3  Part C - Operating Funds and ITC .............................................................................. 13 
4.2  Appellate Body Secretariat .......................................................................................... 14 
4.2.1  Part A - St affing Re sources....................................................................................... 14 
4.2.2  Part C - Operating Funds ......................................................................................... 15 
5  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY KEY OUTPUTS AND PROJECTS .............................................. 16  
5.1  Security ................................................................................................................. .. 16 
5.2  Dispute Settlement .................................................................................................... 16 
6  MISCELLANEOUS IN COME FOR 2015 .......................................................................... 17  
7  SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2015 ........................................................................ 18  
8  EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES IN THE WTO OVER THE LAST FIVE 
YEARS ......................................................................................................................... ... 21 
9  KEY ACTIVITY AND BU DGETARY INDI CATORS ........................................................... 24  
9.1  Translation an d Document ation ................................................................................... 24 
9.2  Meetings ................................................................................................................. . 24 
9.3  Dispute Settl ement Panels .......................................................................................... 25 
9.4  Budgetary Evolution since 1995 ................................................................................... 27 
9.5  Evolution of Cont ributions si nce 1995  ........................................................................... 28 
9.6  Staff Evolut ion sinc e 1995  .......................................................................................... 29 
9.7  Regular Sta ff by Division ............................................................................................ 30 WT/BFA/W/339 
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List of Tables 
 
Table 1. Consolidat ed Budget 2015...................................................................................... 5  
Table 2. Detailed Consolidated Performanc e against Budget 2014 (a s at 30 Sept . 2014) ............. 6  
Table 3. Projected Miscell aneous Inco me 2014  ...................................................................... 8  
Table 4. Consolidated WT O Budget 2014 – 2015 ................................................................... 9  
Table 5. Budget for the WT O Secretaria t 2014 - 2015 ........................................................... 10 
Table 6. Staff Expenditure ................................................................................................. 11 
Table 7. Evolution of Standard Costs WTO Secretariat 2013 – 2015 ......................................... 11 
Table 8. Temporar y Assistance .......................................................................................... 12 
Table 9. Short term Staff .................................................................................................. 12 
Table 10. Panellists ..........................................................................................................  12 
Table 11. Section 3: General Services ................................................................................. 13 
Table 12. Budget for the Appellate Body and Its Secretariat 2014 – 2015 ................................. 14 
Table 13. Staff Expenditure Appellate Body .......................................................................... 15 
Table 14. Contributions to ITC and th e Appellate Body Operating Fund .................................... 15 
Table 15. Security Budget ................................................................................................. 16 
Table 16. Dispute Settlem ent Budget – Panels ..................................................................... 16 
Table 17 Dispute Settlem ent Budget – Appeals .................................................................... 17 
Table 18. Budget 2014 – 2015 ........................................................................................... 17 
Table 19. 2014-2015 Estimate d Miscellaneou s Inco me .......................................................... 18 
Table 20. Scale of Cont ributions fo r 2015 ............................................................................ 18 
Table 21. Budgetary Evolution 1995-2015  ........................................................................... 27 
Table 22. Evolution of Contribution s 1995- 2015 ................................................................... 28 
Table 23. Staff Evolution 1995-2015 ................................................................................... 29 
Table 24. Regular St aff per Division .................................................................................... 30 
 
 
Table of Figures 
 
Figure 1. Number of Words in Original La nguage for Translation (January - August) .................. 24 
Figure 2. Number of formal, informal an d private meetings (J anuary - August) ......................... 24 
Figure 3. Days of freelance interpreters (January - August) .................................................... 25 
Figure 4. Dispute Settlement Pa nels Expenditur e (per Year) ................................................... 25 
Figure 5. Dispute Settlement Panels: Average Expenditur e( per Month) ................................... 26 
Figure 6. Evolution of Budget 1995 - 2015 ........................................................................... 27 
Figure 7. Evolution of Contribution s 1995-20 15 .................................................................... 28 
Figure 8. Staff Evol ution 1995 – 2015 ................................................................................. 29 
 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
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  1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  Members will recall that, in December 2013, following the recommendation of the Committee 
on Budget, Finance and Administration (WT/BFA/139), the General Council approved the sixth WTO biennial budget in allo cating CHF 197,203,900 for 2014  and CHF 197,203,900 for 2015 
(WT/GC/M/149). 
1.2.  According to the guidelines of biennial budgeting (WT/BFA/W/104), the Director-General has 
reviewed the budget for 2015 and decided not to revise the budget of 2015, as no unexpected or 
unavoidable changes have occurred. 
1.3.  This is the third budget at zero nominal growth  since 2013. In this context, the Secretariat 
faces several challenges in order to absorb the increased need of resources in the dispute settlement area as well as increases in statutory staff expenditure such as salary increments and 
medical premiums. 
1.4.  In the area of dispute settlement, the WTO is facing the largest number of active disputes 
since its inception. Since 2012, the total number of active disputes has doubled, and this trend 
seems to be continuing. The year 2014 is moving  even faster than 2013 in terms of panels 
established. At the same time, panels are more complex, including in terms of the number of parties and third-parties involved, the more voluminous submissions, as well as the factual and 
legal issues addressed. This increased complexity also has an impact on appeals, given that about 
two thirds of panel reports are appealed. 
1.5.  This leads to a need for significant additional  staff resources for dispute settlement divisions 
as well as for the translation unit, given that all dispute settlement reports must be circulated in all 
three official WTO languages. In addition, alth ough the individual daily fee for panelists has 
remained the same for over 20 years, the over all fees for panelists and the related travel 
expenditures are rising. 
1.6.  The challenge for 2015 will be to fit these addi tional charges into the zero-nominal growth 
budget. In order to meet this target, the Secretariat will continue to follow the key-principles determined in the budget recommendation for the biennium, which are: 
1.7.  The Secretariat continues to determine its priorities based on the resources provided 
and not based on the resources needed. This means shifting away from the prior approach 
based on adding up the Secretariat's needs and po tential future expenditure to build the budget to 
an approach where the Secretariat increasingly determines what can be done within the given 
budgetary constraints. This also involves tighter controls and some flexibility in the execution of 
the budget in order to stay within the overall approved budgetary envelope. 
1.8.  The capping of personnel expenditure for permanent staff at the level of the 2013 
budget . The expected rise in annual salary increments, health insurance or pension premiums 
have to be absorbed by savings in other areas.  Even though the situation for the end of 2014 is 
projected to generate savings in the area of st aff expenditure due to a high number of vacant 
posts during the year, the situation for 2015 looks completely different, as these vacant posts will 
be filled and available resources need to be shifted to the dispute settlement area. 
1.9.  The allocation of staff resources within th e Secretariat in a more active way based 
on priorities . In the dispute settlement area, the Secretariat hired 17 temporary dispute 
settlement lawyers between 2013 and 2014. The Direct or-General recently allocated 15 additional 
positions to the 3 dispute settlement divisions and also intends to assign staff from non-dispute settlement divisions to assist with upcoming disputes. 
1.10.   The re-assignment of savings in non-staff resources . Achieved savings in certain 
areas of the administrative expenditure have b een shifted to partly finance the additional 
expenditure for the travel of panellists and Appe llate Body Members following the high number of 
expected disputes and additional translatio n linked to the dispute settlement reports. 
1.11.  The continuation of efforts to  achieve productivity gains , and the finalisation of the 
implementation of the set of streamlining measures approved by the General Council in 2011. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 5 - 
  Especially in the area of human resources, produc tivity gains will be necessary in order to shift 
resources to the dispute settlement area. 
1.12.  As part of the modernization of the WTO's ma nagement of resources, the 2014-2015 budget 
is based on the new structure including the allocation of resources among output areas. This is a 
step in the direction of a more accurate presentation of expenditure based on its nature. It is also 
a critical tool for management to review and reallocate resources within the Secretariat and identify productivity gains. 
1.13.  Another part of modernizing the Secretariat's resources is the organizational review  of 
the Secretariat launched in December 2013 by the Di rector-General. The objective of the review is 
to build on the qualities of the Secretariat in order to meet future challenges and priorities. An important element of this work is the inverted pyramid. In order to address that issue, the 
Director-General is currently looking at each division of the Secretariat in order to identify its 
optimal structure. In many cases, this will result  in a change in the numbers and grades of staff 
allocated to the different divisions. At the same time, the Director-General intends to move 
resources as necessary to areas of work priorities. 
1.14.  Another aspect of the organisational review is the improvement of policies, practices and 
procedures in four key areas identified through a broad consultation of the staff: Promotions, 
Mobility, Rules and Management, all within the card inal principle of budget neutrality. The review 
has been conducted with a high participation leve l of staff and management in an inclusive and 
transparent way. As an initial outcome, the Director-General intends to re-introduce in 2015 a promotion  process defined by the key principles of transparency and competitiveness, because he 
thinks that it is necessary to improve prospects for career development in order to retain talent 
within the WTO. In order to also address the issue of the inverted pyramid, different measures will be taken when high-grades posts become vacant. These include leaving the post vacant, filling the 
post at a lower grade or use it for competitive promotions. 
1.15.  In the area of mobility , the Director-General intends to create a marketplace where 
requests for mobility and offers for positions can be matched at the same grade-level. This would 
improve the WTO's ability to react to emerging priorities. With respect to rules , the staff 
consultations made it clear that certain rules need ed to be clarified and some underlying principles 
strengthened. The WTO will also establish a mediator role and expand the mandate of the internal auditor to include the functions of evaluation and investigations. On management , the 
performance management process of the Secretariat will be improved by introducing upward 
feedback, where staff can review their managers, as well as peer reviews as part of the process. 
1.16.  The mid-term review presented in this document consists of  (i) a budgetary performance 
report for 2014, and (ii) a proposal to maintain the original 2015 budget as already approved by 
Members (WTBFA/139 and WT/GC/M/149). The areas with the main variations between the 2014 and 2015 budgets will be briefly re-visited. In addition, Members will find information about cost 
savings and efficiency measures in the WTO, workload indicators, as well as the budgetary and 
staff evolution in the WTO. This document also contains the income estimates and the updated scale of contributions for 2015 based on the latest trade statistics. 
Table 1. Consolidated Budget 2015 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Secretariat 2014 2015 Inc/Dec 2015 
WTO 190,899  190,699  -200 
Appellate Body 6,305  6,505  200 
Grand Total 197,204  197,204   0 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
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  2  2014 PERFORMANCE AGAINST BUDGET 
Table 2. Detailed Consolidated Performa nce against Budget 2014 (as at 30 Sept. 2014) 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
 
Part Section Line Budget Estimated 
Expenditure 
to 31 Dec 
2014 Projected 
Balance Projected 
Expendi-  
ture to 
Budget 
A Staffing Resources      
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 90,715 85,874 4,841 95% 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 21,987 20,448 1,539 93% 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance 5,865 5,330 534 91% 
  iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits 11,244 10,798 446 96% 
  v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,605 2,213 -608 138% 
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 131,415 124,664 6,751 95% 
 2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,160 13,266 -5,106 163% 
  ii) Consulting 7,933 5,271 2,662 66% 
  iii) Panellists & Appellate 
Body Members Fees 1,074 1,122 -48 104% 
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 17,167 19,659 -2,492 115% 
B Other Resources      
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post 1,686 715 971 42% 
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance 9,849 9,227 622 94% 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,341 2,228 113 95% 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication 1,681 1,827 -146 109% 
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 244 429 -185 176% 
 3. General Services Total 15,801 14,426 1,375 91% 
 4. Travel & 
Hospitality i) Travel 7,245 6,768 478 93% 
  ii) Hospitality 236 155 81 66% 
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 7,481 6,922 559 93% 
 5. Implementing Partners     
  i) Implementing Partners 273 243 30 89% 
 5. Implementing Partners Total 273 243 30 89% 
 6. Capital 
Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 1,510 1,374 136 91% 
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 1,457 864 593 59% 
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 2,967 2,237 729 75% 
 7. Financial 
Expenditure i) Bank & Interest Charges 30 24 6 81% 
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement 1,200 1,200 0 100% 
 7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230 1,224 6 100% 
C Operating Funds and 
ITC      
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves     
  i) Contribution to ITC 18,470 18,470 0 100% 
  ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 1,800 1,800 0 100% 
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund 600 600 0 100% 
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 20,870 20,870 0 100% 
Grand Total  197,204  190,245 6,958 96%  WT/BFA/W/339 
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  2.1.  For the end of the year 2014, the overall esti mated expenditure rate for the WTO Secretariat 
and the Secretariat of the Appellate Body is esti mated at 96% of the budge t, thereby generating a 
saving of some CHF 6.9 million. This overall ex pected saving is composed of the following 
elements. 
2.1  Part A - Staffing Resources 
2.1.1  Staff Expenditure 
2.2.  Under Section Staff Remuneration, the projected saving related to salaries for regular staff is 
largely due to an average vacancy rate of 41 posts between January and September 2014, 
including four Director posts. These posts are curre ntly in the process of being filled and close to 
full staffing is expected to be reached during the course of 2015. The shift of available resources to dispute settlement in 2015 will also offset the savings realized in 2014. 
2.1.2  Temporary Assistance 
2.3.  Under Section Temporary Assistance, the expected overspending under salaries for short 
term staff mainly includes the non-budgeted expenditure for the temporary dispute settlement 
lawyers as well as replacements for staff on leave without pay or on long term sick leave. The 
overspending on Temporary Assistance is partly offset by a projected saving under Consultants. 
This includes lower expenditure under translation,  as the majority of the dispute settlement panel 
reports have not yet been sent to translation and the workload is most likely shifted to 2015. It 
also includes lower expenditure under IT consultants, due to the fact that many IT resources are bound to the implementation of an important upgrade of the current ERP system and that other projects have been put on hold. 
2.2  Part B - Other Resources 
2.2.1  General Services 
2.4.  Under Section Telecommunication and Post, savings are expected under the two items. With 
respect to telecommunication expenditure, a ne w telephone policy has been developed for all 
mobile devices which is projected to result in a significant decrease of expenditure for mobile phones. Under Post and Freight, the trend of re placing standard postal delivery by electronic 
solutions in the area of technical assistance training courses, as well as the continuing efforts in 
the area of the streamlining measures leads to reduced expenditure under this item. 
2.5.  Under Section Contractual Services and Maintenance, savings in the area of the external 
security provider are projected due to the esta blishment of the security perimeter, which is 
operational since summer 2014. Additional savings are expected under the annual fee for the 
International Computing Centre (ICC), as well as under insurance and the rental of premises for archives. These savings are partly offset by a significant overspending on building maintenance. 
2.6.  The expenditure under Energy and Supplies is on track, whereby savings on supplies and 
electricity are projected to offset the over expenditure on Gas & Fuel. 
2.7.  Under Section Documentation and Publication, the anticipated over expenditure under 
printing of publications is reflected in the projected deficit. 
2.8.  Under Other/Miscellaneous, the estimated over expenditure is related to membership and 
registration fees for staff training. However, the overall envelope for staff training (Human 
Resources Training Programme), which is also refl ected under Consultants, is projected to be on 
track. 
2.2.2  Travel and Hospitality 
2.9.  On Section Travel and Hospitality, a saving is  expected due to reduced expenditure under the 
divisional budgets and due to a lower level of expenditure under technical assistance activities. WT/BFA/W/339 
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  2.2.3  Capital Expenditure 
2.10.  A saving under Rental and Leasing of Equipment is anticipated due to re-negotiated rates in 
the area of document reproduction. 
2.2.4  Implementing Partners and Financial Expenditure 
2.11.  The expenditure under these two items is projected to be on track. 
2.3  Part C - Operating Funds and ITC 
2.3.1  Contributions to ITC and Special Reserves 
2.12.  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). 
3  PROJECTED MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 2014 
Table 3. Projected Miscellaneous Income 2014 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
 Item Original Projection 
2014 Revised Projection  
2014 
Contributions of Observer Countries 700 700 
Sale of Publications & Royalties 230 250 
Trust Fund - Participation to direct costs 180 190 
Savings on previous year's outstanding obligations 200 150 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space 110 130 
Other 284 130 
Total 1,704 1,550 
 
3.1.  Miscellaneous Income is expected to be slightly lower than initially projected. This is mainly 
due to the fact that two Members benefited from a partial write-off of their pre-1988 contributions following their acceptance of a payment plan in accordance with the WTO Financial Regulations. 
This write-off is financed by Miscellaneous Income – Other, and represents some CHF 340,000. 
The projected receipts from the sale of publications, from Trust Funds and from the rental of meeting rooms have slightly increased due to  better receipts of funds than projected. 
4  2015 APPROVED BUDGET (UNREVISED) 
4.1.  According to the recommendation of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration 
(WT/BFA/139), the Director-General hereby presents the budget for the second year of the biennium 2014-2015 and will not submit a revision, as no extraordinary changes to the original 
proposal have occurred in 2014. 
4.2.  The proposed consolidated budget for 2015 of CHF 197,203,900 is comprised of an 
appropriation of CHF 190,699,300 for the WTO Secr etariat and CHF 6,504,600 for the Secretariat 
of the Appellate Body. 
4.3.  The following is a reminder of the 2015 budget as presented in 2013 with an explanation of 
the main variations between 2014 and 2015. The detailed original budget proposal can be found in document WT/BFA/W/309. WT/BFA/W/339 
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  Table 4. Consolidated WTO Budget 2014 – 2015  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
A Staffing Resources     
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 90,715 90,532 -182 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
 Post-Employment Benefits 21,987 21,960 -27 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
 Insurance 5,865 6,074 210 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits 11,244 11,244  
  v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,605 1,605  
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 131,415 131,415  0 
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,168 8,118 -50 
  ii) Consulting 7,925 7,925  
  iii) Panellists & Appellate Body 
Members Fees 1,074 1,124 50 
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 17,167 17,167  0 
A Staffing Resources Total  148,582 148,582  0 
B Other Resources     
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post 1,686 1,686  
  ii) Contractual Services & 
 Maintenance 9,849 9,649 -200 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,341 2,341  
  iv) Documentation & 
 Publication 1,681 1,681  
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 244 244  
 3. General Services Total 15,801 15,601 -200 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 7,245 7,245  
  ii) Hospitality 236 236  
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 7,481 7,481  0 
 5. Implementing Partners i) Implementing Partners 273 273  
 5. Implementing Partners Total 273 273  0 
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed Assets 1,510 1,510  
  ii) Rental & Leasing of Equipment 1,457 1,457  
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 2,967 2,967  0 
 7. Financial Expenditure i) Bank & Interest Charges 30 30  
  ii) Building Loan Reimbursement 1,200 1,200  
 7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230 1,230  0 
B Other Resources Total  27,751 27,551 -200  
C Operating Funds and ITC     
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves    
  i) Contribution to ITC 18,470 18,470  
  ii) Appellate Body  Operating Fund 1,800 2,000 200 
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
 Operating Fund 600 600  
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 20,870  21,070 200 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total 20,870  21,070 200  
Grand Total  197,204  197,204 0 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
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  4.1  WTO Secretariat 
Table 5. Budget for the WTO Secretariat 2014 - 2015 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
 
Part Section Line 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
A Staffing Resources     
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 88,231 88,055 -177 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 21,467 21,440 -27 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance 5,713 5,917 204 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits 10,948 10,948  
  v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,562 1,562  
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 127,921 127,921  
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,116 8,066 -50 
  ii) Consulting 7,933 7,933  
  iii) Panellists Fees 315 365 50 
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 16,363 16,363  
A Staffing Resources Total  144,285 144,285 0  
B Other Resources     
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post 1,645 1,645  
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance 9,831 9,631 -200 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,321 2,321  
  iv) Documentation & Publication 1,671 1,671  
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 217 217  
 3. General Services Total 15,685 15,485 -200  
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 7,195 7,195  
  ii) Hospitality 234 234  
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 7,430 7,430  
 5. Implementing 
Partners i) Implementing Partners 273 273  
 5. Implementing Partners Total 273 273  
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed Assets 1,485 1,485  
  ii) Rental & Leasing of Equipment 1,442 1,442  
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 2,927 2,927  
 7. Financial Expenditure i) Bank & Interest Charges 30 30  
  ii) Building Loan Reimbursement 1,200 1,200  
 7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230 1,230  
B Other Resources Total  27,544 27,344 -200  
C Operating Funds and ITC    
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves    
  i) Contribution to ITC 18,470 18,470  
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund 600 600  
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 19,070 19,070  
C Operating Funds and ITC Total  19,070 19,070  
Grand Total  190,899 190,699 -200  
 WT/BFA/W/339 
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  4.1.1  Part A - Staffing Resources 
4.4.  Part A of the budget comprises all expenditure linked to the salaries of regular, fixed-term, 
temporary staff and consultants. 
4.1.1.2  Staff Expenditure 
4.5.  The section Staff Expenditure includes the remuneration of regular and fixed-term staff, the 
related pension and medical contributions, family allowances, international benefits and other staff expenditure such as installation grant and travel & removal expenditure. 
Table 6. Staff Expenditure  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2014 2015 Inc/Dec 
2015 
1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 88,231 88,055 -177 
 ii) Staff Pension & Post-Employment Benefits 21,467 21,440 -27 
 iii) Staff Health & Invalidity Insurance 5,713 5,917 204 
 iv) Staff Family & International Benefits 10,948 10,948  0 
 v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,562 1,562  0 
1. Staff Expenditure Total 127,921 127,921  0 
 
4.6.  Staff Remuneration comprises the salaries for regular and fixed-term staff, overtime and 
untaken leave paid at termination. At year-end, the provision for annual leave is also booked on 
that account. The decrease of CHF 177,000 under Staff Remuneration relates to part of the 
savings that have to be realized in order to finance the increase of the medical premiums of 4% under the target of a zero-nominal growth budget. 
4.7.  Under Pension & Post-Employment Benefits, the reduction of CHF 27,000 corresponds to the 
decreased staff remuneration. The increase of CHF 204,000 under Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance represents the projected 4% incr ease of the medical insurance premium. 
Table 7. Evolution of Standard Costs WTO Secretariat 2013 – 2015  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Item 2013 Standard 
Cost  2014 Standard 
Cost 2015 Standard 
Cost 
Staff Remuneration 139.8 139.5 139.3 
Pension 29.7 29.9 29.9 
Health Insurance 7.9 8.1 8.4 
Death and Invalidity Insurance 1.0 1.0 1.0 
Child Allowance 5.2 5.2 5.2 
Spouse Allowance 2.9 2.4 2.4 
Secondary Dependence Allowance 0.4 0.4 0.4 
Education Grant 6.1 6.1 6.1 
Home Leave 2.8 2.8 2.8 
Rental Subsidy 0.3 0.5 0.5 
Travel and Removal 0.4 0.4 0.4 
Installation Grant & Medical 
Examinations 0.7 0.7 0.7 
Separation Grant 0.7 0.7 0.7 
 197.9  197.7 197.8  
 
4.8.  The evolution of the standard costs from 2013 to 2015 shows an overall decrease which is 
mainly due to the decrease of the standard av erage salaries. A part of the decrease in the 
standard average salaries is offset by the incr ease of the medical premiums in 2014 and in 2015. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 12 - 
  4.1.1.3  Temporary Assistance 
Table 8. Temporary Assistance  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2014 2015 Inc/Dec 
2015 
2. Temporary 
Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,116 8,068 -50 
 ii) Consulting 7,933 7,930 0 
 iii) Panellist Fees 315 365 50 
2. Temporary Assistance Total 16,363  16,363  0 
 
4.1.1.3.1  Short term Staff 
Table 9. Short term Staff  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 2015 
i) Short-Term Staff Short-Term Staff / Salary 1,931  1,881 -50  
 Short-Term Staff / Pension 425 425  
 Translators / Daily and Monthly 2,000  2,000  
 Translators / Special Service Contract 1,640  1,640  
 Interpreters 1,755  1,755  
 Interns 373 373  
Grand Total  8,124  8,074 -50  
 
4.9.  Short term Staff comprises salaries paid to temporary staff including related pension and 
health contributions, untaken leave and overtime . Furthermore, translators, interpreters and 
interns are booked under this category. 
4.10.  The allocation for 2015 has been reduced by CH F 50,000 in order to stick to the target of 
zero nominal growth and to increase the budget al location for panellist fees. However, savings in 
other areas will need to be realized in order to finance the additional expenditure for the temporary dispute settlement lawyers. Additional funds in the area of translation will also be 
needed, as a number of dispute settlement reports will need to be translated in the two other 
official WTO languages in 2015. 
4.1.1.4  Panellists 
Table 10. Panellists  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
iii) Panellists  Panellist Fees 315  365 50  
Grand Total  315 365 50 
 
4.11.  Panellist Fees covers special service agreements with panellists and related experts. An 
increase of CHF 50,000 is proposed for 2015 due to the increasing number of panels in the dispute 
settlement area. However, it is estimated that this will only partly cover the additional expenditure 
anticipated for 2015 under this item. 
4.1.2  Part B - Other Resources 
4.12.  Part B of the budget relates to expenditure for general services, travel and hospitality, 
activities jointly financed by the WTO and third parties, as well as capital and financial 
expenditure. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 13 - 
  4.1.2.2  General Services 
Table 11. Section 3: General Services  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line Account Description 2014 2015 Inc/Dec 
2015 
i) Telecommunication & Post Post & Freight 978 978  
 Telecommunication 668 668  
i) Telecommunication & Post Total 1,645 1,645  
ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance Building Maintenance 528 528  
 Contractual Services 6,941 6,741 -200 
 Equipment Maintenance 1,990 1,990  
 Insurance 294 294  
 Rental of Premises 78 78  
ii) Contractual Services & Maintenance Total 9,831 9,631 -200  
iii) Energy & Supplies Electricity 625 625  
 Gas & Fuel 311 311  
 Supplies 1,346 1,346  
 Water 39 39  
iii) Energy & Supplies Total 2,321 2,321  
iv) Documentation & Publication Books 90 90  
 Media & Public Relations 300 300  
 Printing 140 140  
 Publications 641 641  
 Subscriptions 500 500  
iv) Documentation & Publication Total 1,671 1,671  
v) Other / Miscellaneous Advertising 40 40  
 Other / Miscellaneous 22 22  
 Membership and Registration Fees 155 155  
v) Other / Miscellaneous Total 217 217  
3. General Services Total  15,685 15,485 -200  
 
4.1.2.2.1  Contractual Services and Maintenance 
4.13.  Contractual Services and Maintenance comprises the maintenance of the WTO buildings, 
Contractual Services such as the outsourced security provider and the cleaning contract, the maintenance of the equipment such as computer equipment, software, printing and other equipment. It also includes the major insurance contracts for the building, IT equipment, inventory 
and vehicles, as well as the rental of premises for part of the WTO archives. 
4.14.  Contractual Services specifically includes the contract for the external security provider 
(CHF 3.7 million), the contribution to the Intern ational Computing Centre (CHF 1.6 million), the 
WTO cleaning contract (CHF 0.9 million) and the services for the maintenance of the building 
(CHF 0.5 million). The allocation for the exte rnal security provider has been reduced by 
CHF 200,000, as the new WTO security perimeter is fully operational since August 2014, and 
therefore fewer staff is required to secure the WTO site. 
4.1.3  Part C - Operating Funds and ITC 
4.15.  Part C of the budget of the WTO Secretariat includes the budgetary appropriation for the 
International Trade Centre (ITC) as well as the annual replenishment of the Ministerial Operating 
Fund (MOF). There are no changes foreseen und er these items for 2015 compared to the budget 
for 2014. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 14 - 
  4.2  Appellate Body Secretariat 
Table 12. Budget for the Appellate Body and Its Secretariat 2014 – 2015  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
A Staffing Resources     
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 2,483 2,478 -6 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits 520 520  
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance 152 157 6 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits 296 296  
  v) Other Staff Expenditure 43 43  
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 3,494 3,494  
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 45 45  
  iii) Appellate Body Member Fees 759 759  
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 804 804  
A Staffing Resources Total  4,298 4,298 0 
B Other Resources     
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post 41 41  
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance 18 18  
  iii) Energy & Supplies 20 20  
  iv) Documentation & Publication 10 10  
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 27 27  
 3. General Services Total 116 116  
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 50 50  
  ii) Hospitality 1 1  
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 51 51  
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed Assets 25 25  
  ii) Rental & Leasing of Equipment 15 15  
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 40 40  
B Other Resources Total  207 207 0  
C Operating Funds and ITC     
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves    
  ii) Appellate Body  Operating Fund 1,800 2,000 200 
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 1,800 2,000 200  
C Operating Funds and ITC Total  1,800 2,000 200 
Grand Total  6,305 6,505 200  
 
4.2.1  Part A - Staffing Resources 
4.16.  Part A of the budget of the Appellate Body co mprises the same elements as mentioned for 
the WTO Secretariat above, i.e. all elements lin ked to the salaries of regular, fixed-term, 
temporary staff and Appellate Body Members. 
4.17.  The overall allocation of staff resources between the WTO Secretariat and the Appellate 
Body Secretariat might be reviewed during th e execution of the budget with respect to the 
evolution of needs related to the dispute settlement activity at the appeal level. For 2015, an 
important rise in staff expenditure is anticipated, as a number of positions will be reallocated from 
the WTO Secretariat to the Appellate Body Secretariat. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 15 - 
  4.2.1.2  Staff Expenditure 
Table 13. Staff Expenditure Appellate Body  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Line 2014 2015 Inc/Dec 2015 
i) Staff Remuneration 2,483 2,478 -6 
ii) Staff Pension & Post-Employment Benefits 520 520  
iii) Staff Health & Invalidity Insurance 152 157 6 
iv) Staff Family & International Benefits 296 296  
v) Other Staff Ex penditure 43 43  
1. Staff Expenditure Total 3,494  3,494  0 
 
4.18.  Under Staff Remuneration, the decrease of CHF 5,600 relates to the saving that has to be 
realised from regular salaries in order to finance the projected increase of the medical premium of 4%. 
4.19.  The allocation for the increase of the medical premiums for the Appellate Body Secretariat 
can be found under line item Sta ff Health & Invalidity Insurance. 
4.2.2  Part C - Operating Funds 
Table 14. Contributions to ITC and th e Appellate Body Operating Fund  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line 2014 2015 Inc/De
c 2015 
8. Contributions to ITC & Special 
Reserves ii) Appellate Body Operating Fund 1,800 2,000 200 
8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 1,800 2,000 200 
 
4.20.  The Appellate Body Operating Fund (ABOF) covers the variable costs related to the 
Appellate Body consisting of the number of case s brought before the Appellate Body and their 
duration. Due to the high level of appeals expe cted for the biennium, the allocation has been 
increased by CHF 200,000 in 2014. An additional increase of CHF 200,000 is foreseen for 2015, as 
the level of appeals is still on a very high level and is expected to increase further in 2015, both in 
terms of complexity and in size. Based on pa st experience, the average appeal level is 
approximately two thirds of the panels. For that reason, around 10-12 appeals are expected to be filed per year during the next two years. At the same time, disputes are getting much more 
complex by involving multiple parties advancing a variety of claims with more voluminous 
submissions and increased third-party participation. 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 16 - 
  5  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY KEY OUTPUTS AND PROJECTS 
5.1.  This section provides an overview over the major variations between the budget 2014 and 
the budget 2015 under the view of the WTO's key outputs and projects. 
5.1  Security 
Table 15. Security Budget  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account Description 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
3. General Services ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance Contractual Services 3,863 3,663 -200 
  Equipment Maintenance 250 250  
 iii) Energy & Supplies Supplies 25 25  
4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel Insurance / Participants 130 130  
6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed Assets Security Equipment 235 235  
Grand Total   4,503 4,303 -200  
 
5.2.  Following the renovation of the CWR building and the construction of the new WTO premises, 
a security perimeter has been established around the WTO site. This security perimeter is fully 
operational since August 2014. This leads to a reduction of staff formerly needed to monitor the six WTO entrances on an open site, compared to a closed site equipped with modern technology 
and only one main entrance to staff. Additionally, a new contract for the external security provider 
has been negotiated in 2014. Both elements lead to a reduction of the budgetary envelope for the 
external security provider of CHF 200,000 in 2015. 
5.2  Dispute Settlement 
Table 16. Dispute Settlement Budget – Panels  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account Description  2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
2. Temporary Assistance iii) Panellists Panellist Fees 290 340 50 
3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post Post & Freight 17 17  
4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel Air & Rail 
Transportation 730 730  
Grand Total   1,037 1,087 50 
 
5.3.  The dispute settlement activity in the Secretaria t as at September 2014, is still very high and 
will continue to increase as the disputes make  their way through the system. As at September 
2014, there are 13 active panels and six active co mpliance panels under Article 21.5 of the DSU, 
plus three 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.  Two additional 
panels have completed work and their reports are being translated. Furthermore, there are 
18 formal consultation requests under Article 4 of the DSU and six established panels awaiting composition. Current estimates show that this is  not just a temporary surge and that the volume 
to be handled will remain on a very high level. Currently, appeals are pending in three distinct 
matters involving six participants. Before the end of 2014, up to four additional appeals are expected. 
5.4.  Up to September 2014, the WTO employed be tween 13 and 17 dispute settlement lawyers on 
temporary contracts up to a maximum of 2 years in order to cope with the increasing workload 
related to disputes. For 2015, this represents an ad ditional cost of some CHF 2 million, which have 
to be compensated by savings under staff expenditure. 
5.5.  The budget for the fees paid to panellists ha s been increased by CHF 50,000 from 2013 to 
2014. Another increase of CHF 50,000 is foreseen for 2015, as the additional allocation for 2014 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 17 - 
  may still not cover the expenditure. The allocation  for the travel expenditure related to disputes 
will most probably not cover the total expenditure fo r that item. This overspending will have to be 
covered by savings in other areas such as the trav el expenditure of divisions. As mentioned above, 
additional funds for the translation of the dispute settlement reports will also be needed. 
Table 17 Dispute Settlement Budget – Appeals  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Section Line Account Description 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
2. Temporary Assistance iii) Appellate Body Members 
Fees Appellate Body Member 
Fees 759 759  
3. General Services i) Telecommunication & 
Post Post & Freight 35 35  
8. Contributions to ITC & 
Special Reserves ii) Appellate Bo dy Operating 
Fund Appellate Body 
Operating Fund 1,800 2,000 200 
Grand Total   2,594 2,794 200 
 
5.6.  The Dispute Settlement activity related to appeals remains on a high level in 2014. As at 
September 2014, three appeals in six distinct disputes have been filed and up to four additional 
appeals are expected until the end of the year. For 2015, the level of appeals is expected to increase further, as on average 66% of the pa nel reports are appealed. This means that some 
10-12 appeals per year are expected for the next two years. At the same time, appeals are getting 
more and more complex and also the size of the re ports increases. Within the last four years, the 
size of the reports is almost four times greater than at the beginning of the period. 
5.7.  Furthermore, the capacity of the Appellate Bo dy, which is composed of only seven Members 
to handle multiple appeals, is limited. Given the short time-frame of 90 days to complete an appeal and the increasing size and complexity of a ppeals, it is difficult for Appellate Body Members 
to work on more than two appeals at the same ti me. Therefore, the Appellate Body puts a limit on 
the capacity of the dispute settlement mechanis m and can become a bottleneck for the system. 
The Director-General has suggested to Members to consider increasing the number of Appellate Body Members from seven to nine in order to incr ease the capacity of the system. However, this 
would of course also require additional lawyers and paralegal staff with the appropriate grading 
structure at the Appellate Body Secretariat, which would put an additional strain on the resources 
of the organization. 
6  MISCELLANEOUS INCOME FOR 2015 
6.1.  The total 2015 budget is comprised of CHF 190,699,300 for the WTO Secretariat and 
CHF 6,504,600 for the Secretariat of the Appellate Body, leading to a total of CHF 197,203,900, 
which is to be financed as follows: 
Table 18. Budget 2014 – 2015  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Income Budget 2014 Budget 2015 Inc/Dec 
2015 
Contributions from WTO Members 195,500  195,500 0  
Miscellaneous Income 1,704  1,704 0 
Total 197,204  197,204 0  
 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 18 - 
  6.2.  Miscellaneous Income is comprised of the following: 
Table 19. 2014-2015 Estimated Miscellaneous Income  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Item 2014 2015 Incr/Decr 
2015 
Contributions of Observer Countries 700  700 0  
Sale of Publications & Royalties 230 230 0 
Trust Fund - Participation to direct costs 180  180 0  
Savings on previous year's outstanding obligations 200 200 0 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space 110  110 0  
Other 284 284 0 
Total 1,704  1,704 0  
 
7  SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2015 
7.1.  On the basis of the budget for 2015, the am ount of CHF 195,500,000 is to be assessed on 
Members in the form of contributions. The following draft scale of contributions includes a 
minimum contribution of 0.015% for Members whose trade share in the total trade of all Members 
is less than 0.015%. The draft scale takes into account the amounts to be deducted from the 
relevant contributions for 2015 under the Early Payment Encouragement Scheme. The 2015 
assessments are based on the up-dated trade statistics as foreseen in Regulation 12.3 (b) of the Financial Regulations of the WTO. 
Table 20. Scale of Contributions for 2015  
(in Swiss Francs with a minimum contribution of 0.015%) 
Member 2014 
Contribution 
CHF 2014 
Contri-
bution  
% 2015 
Contribution  
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest1 
earned in 
2013 for 
2015 CHF 2015 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Albania 54,740 0.028% 52,785  0.027% 15  52,770  
Angola 490,705 0.251% 512,210  0.262% 123  512,087  
Antigua and Barbuda 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Argentina 780,045 0.399% 801,550  0.410% 192  801,358  
Armenia 33,235 0.017% 33,235  0.017% 1  33,234  
Australia 2,584,510 1.322% 2,725,270  1.394% 1,051  2,724,219  
Austria 2,258,025 1.155% 2,148,545  1.099% 892  2,147,653  
Bahrain, Kingdom of 175,950 0.090% 173,995  0.089% 37  173,958  
Bangladesh 244,375 0.125% 263,925  0.135% 77  263,848  
Barbados 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 7  29,318  
Belgium 4,158,285 2.127% 4,013,615  2.053% 1,462  4,012,153  
Belize 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 2  29,323  
Benin 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Bolivia, Plurinational 
State of 68,425 0.035% 78,200  0.040% 0  78,200  
Botswana 60,605 0.031% 60,605  0.031% 12  60,593  
Brazil 2,381,190 1.218% 2,504,355  1.281% 649  2,503,706  
Brunei Darussalam 64,515 0.033% 72,335  0.037% 29  72,306  
Bulgaria 336,260 0.172% 326,485  0.167% 144  326,341  
Burkina Faso 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 3  29,322  
Burundi 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Cabo Verde 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Cambodia 74,290 0.038% 76,245  0.039% 0  76,245  
Cameroon 64,515 0.033% 72,335  0.037% 0  72,335  
Canada 5,253,085 2.687% 5,145,560  2.632% 2,394  5,143,166  
                                               
1 Interest earned in 2013 under the Early Payment Encouragement Scheme (L/6384) to be deducted 
from the 2015 contributions. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 19 - 
  Member 2014 
Contribution 
CHF 2014 
Contri-
bution  
% 2015 
Contribution  
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest1 
earned in 
2013 for 
2015 CHF 2015 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Central African 
Republic 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Chad 37,145 0.019% 44,965  0.023% 0  44,965  
Chile 778,090 0.398% 787,865  0.403% 65  787,800  
China 15,921,520 8.144% 16,850,145  8.619% 3,041  16,847,104  
Colombia 488,750 0.250% 525,895  0.269% 165  525,730  
Congo 56,695 0.029% 58,650  0.030% 5  58,645  
Costa Rica 146,625 0.075% 138,805  0.071% 69  138,736  
Côte d'Ivoire 105,570 0.054% 101,660  0.052% 0  101,660  
Croatia 287,385 0.147% 265,880  0.136% 2  265,878  
Cuba 146,625 0.075% 148,580  0.076% 34  148,546  
Cyprus 117,300 0.060% 109,480  0.056% 46  109,434  
Czech Republic 1,429,105 0.731% 1,401,735  0.717% 567  1,401,168  
Democratic Republic of 
the Congo 87,975 0.045% 89,930  0.046% 8  89,922  
Denmark 1,728,220 0.884% 1,648,065  0.843% 421  1,647,644  
Djibouti 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Dominica 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Dominican Republic 154,445 0.079% 142,715  0.073% 0  142,715  
Ecuador 215,050 0.110% 226,780  0.116% 73  226,707  
Egypt 572,815 0.293% 561,085  0.287% 42  561,043  
El Salvador 80,155 0.041% 78,200  0.040% 3  78,197  
Estonia 179,860 0.092% 175,950  0.090% 80  175,870  
European Union2 0 0.000% 0  0.000% 0  0  
Fiji 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 12  29,313  
Finland 1,129,990 0.578% 1,061,565  0.543% 438  1,061,127  
France 7,988,130 4.086% 7,741,800  3.960% 3,155  7,738,645  
Gabon 43,010 0.022% 66,470  0.034% 3  66,467  
The Gambia 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Georgia 54,740 0.028% 58,650  0.030% 14  58,636  
Germany 16,410,270 8.394% 15,941,070  8.154% 7,182  15,933,888  
Ghana 117,300 0.060% 134,895  0.069% 6  134,889  
Greece 868,020 0.444% 785,910  0.402% 214  785,696  
Grenada 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Guatemala 136,850 0.070% 136,850  0.070% 50  136,800  
Guinea 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 4  29,321  
Guinea-Bissau 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Guyana 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 13  29,312  
Haiti 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 7  29,318  
Honduras 87,975 0.045% 84,065  0.043% 0  84,065  
Hong Kong, China 4,952,015 2.533% 4,985,250  2.550% 2,120  4,983,130  
Hungary 1,202,325 0.615% 1,129,990  0.578% 195  1,129,795  
Iceland 78,200 0.040% 72,335  0.037% 34  72,301  
India 3,853,305 1.971% 4,187,610  2.142% 772  4,186,838  
Indonesia 1,634,380 0.836% 1,737,995  0.889% 578  1,737,417  
Ireland 2,128,995 1.089% 2,025,380  1.036% 611  2,024,769  
Israel 842,605 0.431% 842,605  0.431% 225  842,380  
Italy 6,443,680 3.296% 6,007,715  3.073% 2,147  6,005,568  
Jamaica 66,470 0.034% 62,560  0.032% 4  62,556  
Japan 8,850,285 4.527% 8,785,770  4.494% 2,428  8,783,342  
Jordan 158,355 0.081% 162,265  0.083% 24  162,241  
                                               
2 The European Union is not su bject to contributions. However, its 28 members are assessed 
individually. The total share of members of the Euro pean Union represents 36.286% of the total assessed 
contributions for 2015. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 20 - 
  Member 2014 
Contribution 
CHF 2014 
Contri-
bution  
% 2015 
Contribution  
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest1 
earned in 
2013 for 
2015 CHF 2015 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Kenya 109,480 0.056% 115,345  0.059% 37  115,308  
Korea, Republic of 5,526,785 2.827% 5,632,355  2.881% 1,443  5,630,912  
Kuwait, the State of 637,330 0.326% 678,385  0.347% 135  678,250  
Kyrgyz Republic 35,190 0.018% 37,145  0.019% 2  37,143  
Lao People's 
Democratic Republic 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Latvia 156,400 0.080% 154,445  0.079% 66  154,379  
Lesotho 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Liechtenstein 46,920 0.024% 52,785  0.027% 21  52,764  
Lithuania 287,385 0.147% 295,205  0.151% 2  295,203  
Luxembourg 785,910 0.402% 762,450  0.390% 325  762,125  
Macao, China 211,140 0.108% 242,420  0.124% 72  242,348  
Madagascar 29,325 0.015% 31,280  0.016% 3  31,277  
Malawi 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 5  29,320  
Malaysia 2,181,780 1.116% 2,191,555  1.121% 761  2,190,794  
Maldives 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 7  29,318  
Mali 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 7  29,318  
Malta 80,155 0.041% 80,155  0.041% 18  80,137  
Mauritania 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Mauritius 58,650 0.030% 58,650  0.030% 25  58,625  
Mexico  3,376,285 1.727% 3,393,880  1.736% 1,133  3,392,747  
Moldova, Republic of 39,100 0.020% 39,100  0.020% 14  39,086  
Mongolia 39,100 0.020% 46,920  0.024% 7  46,913  
Montenegro 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 10  29,315  
Morocco 373,405 0.191% 371,450  0.190% 0  371,450  
Mozambique 43,010 0.022% 52,785  0.027% 11  52,774  
Myanmar 68,425 0.035% 66,470  0.034% 22  66,448  
Namibia 50,830 0.026% 46,920  0.024% 20  46,900  
Nepal 35,190 0.018% 37,145  0.019% 7  37,138  
Netherlands 5,986,210 3.062% 5,833,720  2.984% 1,648  5,832,072  
New Zealand 432,055 0.221% 439,875  0.225% 185  439,690  
Nicaragua 46,920 0.024% 48,875  0.025% 2  48,873  
Niger 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Nigeria 752,675 0.385% 782,000  0.400% 38  781,962  
Norway 1,657,840 0.848% 1,624,605  0.831% 627  1,623,978  
Oman 328,440 0.168% 355,810  0.182% 45  355,765  
Pakistan 349,945 0.179% 351,900  0.180% 98  351,802  
Panama 199,410 0.102% 220,915  0.113% 31  220,884  
Papua New Guinea 44,965 0.023% 58,650  0.030% 7  58,643  
Paraguay 99,705 0.051% 105,570  0.054% 0  105,570  
Peru 375,360 0.192% 398,820  0.204% 90  398,730  
Philippines 666,655 0.341% 658,835  0.337% 280  658,555  
Poland 2,207,195 1.129% 2,189,600  1.120% 923  2,188,677  
Portugal 922,760 0.472% 869,975  0.445% 67  869,908  
Qatar 551,310 0.282% 647,105  0.331% 117  646,988  
Romania 713,575 0.365% 688,160  0.352% 184  687,976  
Russian Federation 4,226,710 2.162% 4,371,380  2.236% 1,317  4,370,063  
Rwanda 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Saint Kitts and Nevis 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Saint Lucia 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 12  29,313  
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Samoa 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 1  29,324  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom 2,326,450 1.190% 2,422,245  1.239% 798  2,421,447  WT/BFA/W/339 
- 21 - 
  Member 2014 
Contribution 
CHF 2014 
Contri-
bution  
% 2015 
Contribution  
CHF 2015 
Contri- 
bution 
% Interest1 
earned in 
2013 for 
2015 CHF 2015 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
of 
Senegal 44,965 0.023% 46,920  0.024% 0  46,920  
Sierra Leone 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Singapore 4,508,230 2.306% 4,609,890  2.358% 1,952  4,607,938  
Slovak Republic 782,000 0.400% 785,910  0.402% 245  785,665  
Slovenia 357,765 0.183% 338,215  0.173% 149  338,066  
Solomon Islands 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 8  29,317  
South Africa 1,069,385 0.547% 1,069,385  0.547% 443  1,068,942  
Spain 4,590,340 2.348% 4,306,865  2.203% 170  4,306,695  
Sri Lanka 140,760 0.072% 146,625  0.075% 35  146,590  
Suriname 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 13  29,312  
Swaziland 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 5  29,320  
Sweden 2,365,550 1.210% 2,271,710  1.162% 933  2,270,777  
Switzerland 2,873,850 1.470% 3,049,800  1.560% 893  3,048,907  
Chinese Taipei 3,032,205 1.551% 3,006,790  1.538% 1,320  3,005,470  
Tajikistan 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Tanzania 78,200 0.040% 84,065  0.043% 0  84,065  
Thailand 2,207,195 1.129% 2,301,035  1.177% 943  2,300,092  
The former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia 58,650 0.030% 56,695  0.029% 0  56,695  
Togo 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Tonga 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 11  29,314  
Trinidad and Tobago 119,255 0.061% 127,075  0.065% 44  127,031  
Tunisia 244,375 0.125% 240,465  0.123% 48  240,417  
Turkey 1,908,080 0.976% 1,949,135  0.997% 631  1,948,504  
Uganda 46,920 0.024% 50,830  0.026% 0  50,830  
Ukraine 809,370 0.414% 819,145  0.419% 234  818,911  
United Arab Emirates 2,385,100 1.220% 2,559,095  1.309% 931  2,558,164  
United Kingdom 7,954,895 4.069% 7,579,535  3.877% 3,517  7,576,018  
United States of 
America 22,298,730 11.406
% 22,114,960  11.312% 56  22,114,904  
Uruguay 103,615 0.053% 111,435  0.057% 17  111,418  
Vanuatu 29,325 0.015% 29,325  0.015% 0  29,325  
Venezuela, Bolivarian 
Republic of 725,305 0.371% 735,080  0.376% 41  735,039  
Viet Nam 856,290 0.438% 936,445  0.479% 205  936,240  
Yemen 0 0.000% 97,750  0.050% 0  97,750  
Zambia 62,560 0.032% 70,380  0.036% 8  70,372  
Zimbabwe 39,100 0.020% 37,145  0.019% 14  37,131  
TOTAL 195,500,000 100.0%  195,500,000  100.0%  55,436  195,444,564  
 
8  EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES IN THE WTO OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS 
8.1 Zero nominal growth budget 
 
8.1.  The WTO's budget is based on a zero nominal growth for the third consecutive year. All 
statutory increases such as salary increments or the increase of the medical premiums have been absorbed by savings in other areas. Promotions have been frozen since 2011. 
8.2 WTO Travel Agency 
 8.2.  The contract for the internal WTO travel agency  has been re-negotiated at the start of 2014. 
As a result, the fee for issuing an international air ticket has been reduced by almost 30%. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 22 - 
  8.3 Travel Policy 
 8.3.  The Director General has approved a revision of the WTO Travel policy, which is expected to 
result in cost efficiencies of up to CHF 400,000 pe r year. The new WTO Travel Policy will come into 
force in January 2015. 
8.4 Transportation 
 
8.4.  The WTO is promoting the use of ground pub lic transport wherever possible in order to 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by air tr avel. Ground public transport is the preferred 
mode of travel for short distance journeys and ra il travel is preferred over air travel wherever 
possible. 
8.5 Transport in Geneva 
 8.5.  The WTO provides staff members with daily tickets for public transport for travel to 
work-related meetings and appointments throughout the canton, thereby encouraging the use of 
local public transport. Taxi vouchers are also av ailable for short journeys to and from the WTO. 
8.6 New Insurance Contract for Medical and Security Assistance of Staff on Mission 
 
8.6.  A new contract for the medical and security assistance of staff on mission has been 
negotiated. Following the re-negotiation of the te rms and conditions of the contracts, a reduction 
of some 22% of the expenditure could be achieved. 
8.7 Security Outsourcing 
 8.7.  The contract for the external security provider has also been re-negotiated. The 
re-negotiation and the establishment of the securi ty perimeter will result in savings of up to 
CHF 300,000 per year between 2013 and 2015. 
8.8 Outsourcing of the WTO Switchboard 
 
8.8.  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 some 74%. 
8.9 Water 
 8.9.  Most of the WTO taps have been equipped with  automatic sensors. In the new WTO building, 
these sensors have reduced the automatic water fl ow to 3 seconds, thereby reducing the water 
consumption. 
8.10 Electricity 
 
8.10.  Since the renovation of the CWR building and th e construction of the new building, all WTO 
office lights and most of the WTO corridor lights are equipped with movement sensors to trigger lights, thereby reducing electricity costs. In 2014, an experiment has also been started to turn off 
certain corridor lights during the daytime. 
8.11 Heating and Cooling with Lake Water 
 
8.11.  The WTO is part of the thermal exchange networ k 'Genève-Lac Nations' which is a project to 
save energy and to reduce the carbon f ootprint among a number of international and 
non-governmental organizations in Geneva. The thermal exchange network uses water from Lake 
Geneva to cool and heat the new building and cool  the conference rooms in the old buildings with 
a source of renewable sustainable energy. Lake water is pumped from around 40 meters below the lake surface one kilometre from shore, piped inla nd and shared with the local network comprising 
ten international organisations as well as several other institutions in Geneva. Heating is provided 
via modern, sophisticated heat pumps that produce hot water at 48 degrees, eliminating the need WT/BFA/W/339 
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  for energy-intensive boilers, burner, chimneys and fuel tanks. For air conditioning, heat 
exchangers integrated into existing systems cool the piped water. 
8.12 Cooling of the Conference Rooms 
 
8.12.  Since January 2014, the air-conditioning of the conference rooms is adjusted to the usage of 
the conference rooms. It is completely turned off at the week-ends, and during the week, it is only 
turned on one hour before and after the meetin gs. All electrical air-conditioners have been 
replaced by cooling with lake water. 
8.13 New Contract for HCV (Heating, Cooling, Ventilation) 
 8.13.  A new contract has been signed with a supplier for HCV starting from January 2014. This 
contract includes the objective for the supplier to save 3% of energy expenditure per year over the 
next three years by improving the overall capacity to follow the Secretariat's energy consumption. 
8.14 Minergy Plus Building 
 
8.14.  The WTO is the first international organization in Geneva partly housed in a Minergy Plus 
Building. The Minergy Plus standard is a very high standard for buildings with very low energy 
consumption. This is achieved by the use of specific materials, by high-grade building envelopes 
and the continuous renewal of air. 
8.15 Natural Ventilation for the WTO At rium instead of Air Conditioning 
 
8.15.  A natural ventilation system allows the refreshment during hot weather as well as a light 
heating during cold weather of the WTO Atrium, thereby saving expenditure on air conditioning 
and heating. 
8.16 Overtime 
 8.16.  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. For the Ministerial Conference in December 2013, the majority of overtime 
incurred has been compensated by time-off. 
8.17 Telephone Policy 
 
8.17.  For all outgoing non-local phone calls on the fixed office phones, staff has to enter a code in 
order to get connected. If the professional code is used, phone calls have to be validated at month end. Private phone calls are deducted from th e staff's salary at the end of the month. 
8.18.  The WTO also introduced a new policy for mobile phones. Until the end of 2013, senior level 
staff were equipped with mobile phones and/or blackberries owned by the WTO. The WTO paid for the subscription and the professional phone calls done by the staff. Especially the blackberries 
could sometimes generate very high roaming costs when staff were on mission. During 2013, the 
WTO introduced the new policy for mobile phones. Selected senior level staff are now equipped 
with smart phones in the name of the staff, partly funded by the WTO, for which the WTO pays a fixed fee covering the subscription and all phone calls in the Geneva-France area. If staff goes on 
mission, staff has to submit a request with a detailed  invoice signed by the director in order to be 
reimbursed, thereby shifting the responsib ility to the staff rather than the WTO. 
8.18 Private Mailing 
 
8.19.  As for private phone calls, staff has to register  their mail in a WTO database. At the end of 
the month, the cost is deducted from the staff member's salary. WT/BFA/W/339 
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  9  KEY ACTIVITY AND BUDGETARY INDICATORS 
9.1.  The following graphs show the evolution of workload in several key areas of WTO activities 
financed under the regular budget. 
9.1  Translation and Documentation 
Figure 1. Number of Words in Original La nguage for Translation (January - August)  
(in 1000 words) 
05,00010,00015,00020,000
Number of words
(in thousands)
 
9.2  Meetings 
Figure 2. Number of formal, informal and private meetings (January - August) 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
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  Figure 3. Days of freelance interpreters (January - August) 
 
9.3  Dispute Settlement Panels 
Figure 4. Dispute Settlement Panels Expenditure (per Year) 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
* Estimate based on actual expenditure as at 30/09/2014. 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 26 - 
  The expenditure in the area of dispute settlement related to panels shows a significant increase 
between 2012 and 2013. The main reason is the hiring of the temporary dispute settlement 
lawyers starting in 2013, who are reflected with CHF 1.8 million in 2013. The additional increase 
between 2013 and 2014 is linked to the full year ly impact of the temporary dispute settlement 
lawyers who had been gradually hired over the ye ar 2013. With respect to the expenditure for, 
panellist fees and the related travel expenditur e, the cost has nearly tripled between 2012 and 
2014. 
 
Figure 5. Dispute Settlement Panels: Average Expenditure( per Month) 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
* Estimate based on actual expenditure as at 30/09/2014. WT/BFA/W/339 
- 27 - 
  9.4  Budgetary Evolution since 1995 
Table 21. Budgetary Evolution 1995-2015 
Year Appropriation in CHF Total % 
Increase WTO Appellate Body Budget 
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% 
 
Figure 6. Evolution of Budget 1995 - 2015 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 28 - 
  9.5  Evolution of Contributions since 1995 
Table 22. Evolution of Contributions 1995-2015 
 
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% 
 Figure 7. Evolution of Contributions 1995-2015  
(in million CHF) 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 29 - 
  9.6  Staff Evolution since 1995 
Table 23. Staff Evolution 1995-2015 
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 0 0  645.5 0.0% 
 
Figure 8. Staff Evolution 1995 – 2015  
(number of full-time posts) 
 WT/BFA/W/339 
- 30 - 
  9.7  Regular Staff by Division 
Table 24. Regular Staff per Division  
(as at 1st October 2014) 
Division Grades 
1 - 10 Grades 
11 - 12 Senior 
Management Grand Total  
Senior Management 3 0 5 8 
Accessions Division 7.8 1 0 8.8 
Administration and General Services 
Division 69 1 0 70 
Agriculture and Commodities Division 17 1 0 18 
Office of the Director-General 13 1 0 14 
Council and TNC Division 12 1 0 13 
Development Division 18.8 1 0 19.8 
Economic Research and Statistics 
Division 39.8 2 0 41.8 
Human Resources Division 20.2 1 0 21.2 
Institute for Training and Technical 
Co-operation 35.3 1 0 36.3 
Intellectual Property Division 15.3 1 0 16.3 
Legal Affairs Division 22 2 0 24 
Market Access Division 15.8 1 0 16.8 
Rules Division 17.8 1 0 18.8 
Trade and Environment Division 11.8 1 0 12.8 
Trade in Services Division 16.8 1 0 17.8 
Trade Policies Review Division 50.4 2 0 52.4 
Office of Internal Audit 1 1 0 2 
Information and External Relations 
Division 29.8 1 0 30.8 
Languages, Documentation and 
Information Management Division 136.3 1 0 137.3 
Information Technology Solutions 
Division 44.8 1 0 45.8 
Appellate Body Secretariat 17 1 0 18 
Staff Counsellor 1.8 0 0 1.8 
Grand Total 616.5 24 5 645.5 
 
__________