RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/427  
19 September  2017 
(17-4952) Page: 1/47 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018-2019 BUDGET PROPOSALS  
BY THE  
DIRECTOR -GENERAL  
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
1   INTRODUCTION BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ .............................  6 
2   BUDGET PROPOSALS 201 8-2019  ................................ ................................ .................  7 
2.1   Miscellaneous Income  ................................ ................................ ................................  11 
2.2   Assessed Contributions from Members  ................................ ................................ .........  11 
3   BUDGET PROPOSALS BY SECTION  ................................ ................................ .............  16 
3.1   WTO SECRETARIAT  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 16 
3.1.1   Part A - Staffing Resources  ................................ ................................ ......................  16 
3.1.2    Part B - Other Resources  ................................ ................................ .........................  20 
3.1.3    Part C - Operating Funds & ITC  ................................ ................................ ................  24 
3.2   APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT  ................................ ................................ ..... 25 
3.2.1    Part A - Staffing Resources  ................................ ................................ ......................  25 
3.2.2    Part B - Other Resources  ................................ ................................ .........................  25 
3.2.3    Part C - Operating Funds  ................................ ................................ .........................  26 
4   BUDGET PROPOSALS BY THEMATI C BUDGETARY AREAS  ................................ ...........  27 
4.1   Information Technology  ................................ ................................ ..............................  27 
4.2   Technical Assistance  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 28 
4.3   Security  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  29 
4.4   Conferences  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  30 
4.5   Dispute Settlement  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 31 
4.6   Documents Reproduction  ................................ ................................ ............................  32 
4.7   Human Resources Training Programme  ................................ ................................ ........  33 
5   EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES  ................................ ................................ .... 34 
5.1   Efficiencies realized and re -allocated in Budget 2016 -2017 ................................ .............  34 
5.1.1    Documents Reproduction  ................................ ................................ .........................  34 
5.1.2    Postal  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  34 
5.1.3    Telephone  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  34 
5.1.4    Security  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  35 
5.1.5    Death and Invalidity Insurance  ................................ ................................ .................  35 
5.1.6    Home Leave  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  35 
5.1.7    Switchboard  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  35 
5.1.8   Insurance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  35 
5.1.9    Supplies  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  35 
5.1.10    Travel  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  35 
5.1.11    Consultants and Special Service Agreements HR Training Programme  .........................  35 
5.1.12    Education Grant  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 35 
5.1.13    Installation Grant  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 35 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  5.1.14    Overtime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  35 
5.1.15    Archives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  36 
5.1.16    Library  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  36 
5.1.17    Membership Fees  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 36 
5.1.18    Equipment Maintenance  ................................ ................................ .........................  36 
5.1.19    Hospitality  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  36 
5.2   Important Needs not budgeted for in 2018 -2019 Budget  ................................ ................  36 
6   BUDGET PROPOSALS BY OUTPUT CHAPTERS  ................................ .............................  37 
6.1   Background  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  37 
6.2   Budget Proposals 2018 -2019 by Output Chapter  ................................ ...........................  37 
6.3   Facilitating Neg otiations  ................................ ................................ .............................  37 
6.4   Administering Agreed WTO Rules  ................................ ................................ .................  37 
6.5   Monitoring Trade Policies  ................................ ................................ ............................  37 
6.6   Settling Disputes  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 37 
6.7   Capacity Buildi ng ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 38 
6.8   Assisting Accessions ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 38 
6.9   Conducting Research  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 38 
6.10   Reaching Out  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  38 
7   KEY ORGANIZATIONAL EVOLUTION SINCE 1995  ................................ ......................  39 
7.1   Budgetary Evolution  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 39 
7.2   Evolution of Contributions  ................................ ................................ ...........................  40 
7.3   Staff Evolution  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  41 
8   WORKLOAD INDICATORS  ................................ ................................ ..........................  43 
8.1   Translation and Documentation  ................................ ................................ ...................  43 
8.2   Meetings  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  43 
8.3   Dispute Settlement Expenditure  ................................ ................................ ..................  44 
9   PROJECTED BUDGET PERFORMANCE 2017  ................................ ................................  45 
9.1   Part A - Staffing Resources  ................................ ................................ .........................  46 
9.2   Part B - Other Resources  ................................ ................................ ............................  46 
9.3   Part C - Operating Funds & ITC  ................................ ................................ ...................  47 
 
TABLES AND FIGURES  
 
TABLE 1 2018 -2019 BUDGET ESTIMATE S ................................ ................................ .........  7 
TABLE 2 2018 -2019 PROPOSED CONSOL IDATED WTO BUDGET  ................................ ....... 8 
TABLE 3 2018 -2019 PROPOSED BUDGET  FOR THE WTO SECRETAR IAT ............................  9 
TABLE 4 2018 -2019 PROPOSED BUDGET  FOR THE APPELLATE BO DY AND ITS 
SECRETARIAT  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  10 
TABLE 5 2018 -2019 ESTIMATED MISCE LLANEOUS INCOME  ................................ ...........  11 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  TABLE 6 DRAFT SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR  2018 ................................ ...................  12 
TABLE 7 SECTION 1: S TAFF EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................ ..... 16 
TABLE 8 STAFF PENSIO N AND POST -EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS  ................................ ....... 17 
TABLE 9 STAFF HEALTH  AND INVALIDITY INSUR ANCE  ................................ ..................  17 
TABLE 10 STAFF FAMIL Y AND INTERNATIONAL BENEFITS  ................................ .............  17 
TABLE 11 OTHER STAFF  EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................ ..........  18 
TABLE 12 SECTION 2: TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE  ................................ ...........................  18 
TABLE 13 SHORT -TERM STAFF  ................................ ................................ .......................  19 
TABLE 14 CONSULTING  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 19 
TABLE 15 PANELLISTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 20 
TABLE 16 SECTION 3: GENERAL SERVICES  ................................ ................................ ..... 20 
TABLE 17 SECTION 4: TRAVEL AND HOSPITALI TY ................................ .........................  22 
TABLE 18 SECTION 5: IMPLEMENTING PARTNER S ................................ .........................  22 
TABLE 19 SECTION 6: CAPITAL EXPENDITURE  ................................ ...............................  23 
TABLE 20 SECTION 7: FINANCIAL EXPENDITUR E ................................ ...........................  23 
TABLE 21 SECTION 8: CONTRIBUTION S TO ITC AND SPECIAL  RESERVES  ......................  24 
TABLE 22 SECTION 1: STAFF EXPENDITURE  ................................ ................................ ... 25 
TABLE 23 PART B - OTHER RESOURCES  ................................ ................................ ..........  25 
TABLE 24 CONTRIBUTIO NS TO SPECIAL RESERV ES ................................ .......................  26 
TABLE 25 INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY BUDGET  ................................ ............................  27 
TABLE 26 TECHNICAL A SSISTANCE RELATED TR AINING COURSES BY 
EXPENDITURE LINE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 28 
TABLE 27 TECHNICAL A SSISTANCE RELATED TR AINING COURSES BY ACTIVITY  ...........  28 
TABLE 28 SECURITY BU DGET  ................................ ................................ .........................  29 
TABLE 29 CONFERENCE EQUIPMENT AND MAINTE NANCE  ................................ ..............  30 
TABLE 30 DISPUTE SET TLEMENT BUDGET – PANELS  ................................ ......................  31 
TABLE 31 DISPUTE SET TLEMENT BUDGET – APPEALS  ................................ ....................  32 
TABLE 32 DOCUMENTS R EPRODUCTION AND DIST RIBUTION BUDGET  ..........................  32 
TABLE 33 HUMAN RESOU RCES TRAINING BUDGET  ................................ ........................  33 
TABLE 34 EFF ICIENCIES REALIZED A ND RE -ALLOCATED IN BUDGET 2016 -2017  ...........  34 
TABLE 35 IMPORTANT N EEDS NOT BUDGETED FO R IN 2018 – 2019 BUDGET  ................  36 
TABLE 36 BUDGET PROP OSALS 2018 -2019 BY OUTPUT CHAPT ER ................................ .. 37 
TABLE 37 BUDGETARY E VOLUTION 1995 -2019  ................................ ..............................  39 
FIGURE 1 EVOLUTION O F BUDGET 1995 - 2019  ................................ .............................  39 
TABLE 38 EVOLUTION O F CONTRIBUTIONS 1995 -2019  ................................ .................  40 
FIGURE 2. EVOL UTION OF CONTRIBUTIO NS 1995 -2019  ................................ ................  40 
TABLE 39 STAFF EVOLU TION 1995 -2019  ................................ ................................ ....... 41 
FIGURE 3. STAFF EVOL UTION 1995 - 2019  ................................ ................................ .... 41 
TABLE 40 TABLE OF 20 17 REGULAR STAFF POS ITIONS BY D IVISION  ............................  42 
FIGURE 4 TRANSLATION  AND DOCUMENTATION: N UMBER OF WORDS IN 
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE FO R TRANSLATION  ................................ ................................ ..... 43 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  FIGURE 5. MEETINGS: NUMBER OF FORMAL, IN FORMAL AND PRIVATE 
MEETINGS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  43 
FIGURE 6. MEETINGS: DAYS OF FREELANCE IN TERPRETERS  ................................ ..........  44 
FIGURE 7. DISPUTE SE TTLEMENT - EXPENDITURE  ................................ .........................  44 
TABLE 41 PROJECTED C ONSOLIDATED PERFORMA NCE AGAINST BUDGET 2 017 ............  45 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  
1.1.  This budget proposal represents the eight h and the ninth consecutive budget based on the 
zero nominal growth target prescribed by the Members.  
1.2.  For the biennium 2018 -2019, we do not expect any decrease in  demands placed by Members 
on any of the core activities carried out by the WTO Secretariat, but we are facing several 
challenges.  
1.3.  In the Dispute Settlement area , a further increase in activity is projected which puts a 
strain on the budget of panellist fe es, short term lawyers and travel expenditure.  
1.4.  In the area of Staffing Resources , the statutory yearly increments for regular staff have 
been absorbed by savings within the overall salary budget over the last seven years. My objective 
to address the invert ed pyramid and the practice of replacing staff on high -graded posts by staff 
on lower grades has generated the necessary savings. However, now the limit is reached. The 
statutory increments for the next two years, and the increase of the dependency allowan ces of 
CHF 2 million can only be absorbed for the next two years if a significant number of posts remain 
vacant. It is estimated that more than 35 vacant posts are needed for 2018, and more than 
40 vacant posts are needed for 2019 to stay within a balanced  budget.  
1.5.  In the area of Administrative Expenditure , the WTO has to re -invest in its infrastructure, 
which is about to be outdated after a general renovation period between 2011  and 2013. The total 
cost of equipment and other projects to be funded in the bi ennium 2018 -2019 amounts to 
CHF 3.3 million. This includes the replacement of the security equipment, the maintenance for the 
conference equipment, a new telephone central system and the replacement of the documents 
reproduction equipment among others. Aft er seven years of zero nominal growth and the d ispatch 
of savings during the last biennium, these projects are currently not budgeted for . 
1.6.  I would like to recall that over the last five years, a number of significant savings have been 
realized by the Secre tariat. During the biennium 2016 -2017 these savings amounting to almost 
CHF 3 million have been re -allocated to areas of need such as the creation of a Building 
Renovation Fund, the increase of the building maintenance budget and the increase of panellist 
fees.  For the biennium 2018 -2019 no further re -allocations of savings are possible.  
1.7.  The biennium 2018 -2019 will be challenging for the Organization to operate within the 
constraints of zero nominal growth. I will be reviewing the situation closely by taki ng the 
necessary steps to ensure that the Organisation is managed appropriately.  
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  2  BUDGET PROPOSALS  2018-2019 
2.1.  The Director -General  hereby submit s his budget -proposals  for the income and expenditure of 
the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the biennium 201 8-2019. 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  growth  in the WTO budget for both 201 8 and 201 9. 
The WTO budget has remained on zero nominal growth since 2011 . Therefore, 201 8 and 201 9 
represent the eighth and the ninth consecutive year s on a zero nominal growth budget.  
2.3.  The zero nominal growth limit is  now putting considerable strains on the operations of the 
WTO Secretariat . Avenues for cost savings and economies have been exhausted . Sticking to the 
stagnant budget amount implies that the Secretariat will have to leave a significant number of 
posts vac ant since staff costs is the only prospective area left for reducing expenses . In the area of 
administrative expenditure, several projects related to the infrastructure are pending ( e.g. 
replacement of the security equipment, conference equipment and maint enance,  new telephone 
central , replacement of the documents reproduction equipment  etc.). The funding of these projects 
will need to be  strictly limited to priorities, with the risk of breakdowns in some areas.  
2.4.  During the biennium 2016 -2017, the WTO had to  absorb a reduction of CHF 305,000 due to 
the increase of the budget for the International Trade Centre (ITC), which is jointly financed by 
UNCTAD and the WTO at equal parts . For the biennium 2018 -2019, the United Nations have 
requested a reduction of the ITC budget by CHF 532,275 , per annum . This amount will marginally 
reduce the overall funding gap  and enable funding of other areas of need . 
Table  1 2018-2019 Budget Estimates  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Expenditure  Budget  
2017  Budget  
2018  Budget  
2019  Inc/Decr 
2018  Inc/Dec r 
2019  % Inc/ 
Decr  
WTO 178,429  178,961  178,961  532 0 0.30%  
ITC 18,775  18,243  18,243  -532 0 -2.83%  
Grand Total  197,204  197,204  197,204  0 0 0.00% 
 
Income  Budget  
2017 Budget  
2018 Budget  
2019 Inc/Dec r 
2018 Inc/Dec r 
2019 % Inc / 
Decr  
Contributions from WTO 
Members  195,500  195,500 195,500 0 0 0% 
Miscellaneous Income  1,704  1,704  1,704  0 0 0% 
Grand Total  197,204  197,204  197,204  0 0 0% 
 
2.5.  For 201 8, it is proposed to finance the amount of CHF 197, 203,900 as follows:  
a. throug h contributions from Members in the amount of CHF  195,500,000; 
b. by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,703,900. 
2.6.  For 201 9, it is proposed to finance the amount of CHF 197, 203,900 as follows:  
a. through contributions from Members in the amount of CHF  195,500,000; 
b. by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,703,900. 
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/427  
 
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  Table  2 2018-2019 Proposed Consolidated WTO Budget  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Part Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
A Staffing Resources        
 1. Staff Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  90,480  88,530  88,530  -1,95
0 0 
    ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment 
Benefits  22,110  22,110  22,110  0 0 
    iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  5,944  5,944  5,944  0 0 
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  11,071  13,021  13,021  1,950  0 
    v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  1,810  1,810  1,810  0 0 
  1. Staff Expenditure Total   131,415  131,415  131,415  0 0 
  2. Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  9,013  8,913  8,913  -100 0 
    ii) Consulting  6,770  6,761  6,761  -9 0 
    iii) Panellists & Appellate 
Body Members Fees  1,506  1,606  1,606  100 0 
  2. Temporary Assistance Total   17,289  17,281  17,281  -9 0 
B Other Resources        
 3. General Services  i) Telecommunication & 
Post 831 831 831 0 0 
    ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance  10,681  10,881  11,123  200 242 
    iii) Energy & Supplies  2,251  2,251  2,251  0 0 
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  1,479  1,479  1,479  0 0 
    v) Other/ Miscellaneous  88 88 88 0 0 
  3. General Services Total   15,330  15,530  15,773  200 242 
  4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  7,135  7,144  7,234  9 90 
    ii) Hospitality  216 216 216 0 0 
  4. Travel & Hospitality Total   7,351  7,360  7,450  9 90 
  5. Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing 
Partners  213 213 213 0 0 
  5. Implementing Partners Total   213 213 213 0 0 
  6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets  1,430  1,762  1,430  332 -332 
    ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  920 920 920 0 0 
  6. Capital Expenditure Total   2,350  2,682  2,350  332 -332 
  7. Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  80 80 80 0 0 
    ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  1,200  1,200  0 0 
  7. Financial Expenditure Total   1,280  1,280  1,280  0 0 
C Operating Funds and ITC        
 8. Contributions to 
ITC & Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to ITC  18,775  18,243  18,243  -532 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 600 600 600 0 0 
  8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves 
Total   21,975  21,443  21,443  -532 0 
Grand Total     197,204  197,204  197,204  0 0 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  Table  3 2018-2019 Proposed Budget  for the WTO Secretariat  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Part Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
A Staffing Resources        
 1. Staff Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  87,154  85,269  85,269  -1,88
5 0 
    ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment 
Benefits  21,380  21,380  21,380  0 0 
    iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  5,765  5,765  5,765  0 0 
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  10,776  12,661  12,661  1,885  0 
    v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  1,767  1,767  1,767  0 0 
  1. Staff Expenditure Total   126,842  126,842  126,842  0 0 
  2. Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  8,958  8,858  8,858  -100 0 
    ii) Consulting  6,745  6,736  6,736  -9 0 
    iii) Panellists  715 815 815 100 0 
  2. Temporary Assistance Total   16,418  16,409  16,409  -9 0 
B Other Resources        
 3. General Services  i) Telecommunication 
& Post  822 822 822 0 0 
    ii) Contractual 
Services & 
Maintenance  10,663  10,863  11,105  200 242 
    iii) Energy & Supplies  2,231  2,231  2,231  0 0 
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  1,469  1,469  1,469  0 0 
    v) Other / 
Miscellaneous  87 87 87 0 0 
  3. General Services Total   15,271  15,471  15,713  200 242 
  4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  7,085 7,094  7,184  9 90 
    ii) Hospitality  215 215 215 0 0 
  4. Travel & Hospitality Total   7,300  7,308  7,398  9 90 
  5. Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing 
Partners  213 213 213 0 0 
  5. Implementing Partners Total   213 213 213 0 0 
  6. Capital 
Expend iture i) Procurement of 
Fixed Assets  1,405  1,737  1,405  332 -332 
    ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  920 920 920 0 0 
  6. Capital Expenditure Total   2,325  2,657  2,325  332 -332 
  7. Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  80 80 80 0 0 
    ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  1,200  1,200  0 0 
  7. Financial Expenditure Total   1,280  1,280  1,280  0 0 
C Operating Funds and ITC        
 8. Contributions to 
ITC & Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to ITC  18,775  18,243  18,243  -532 0 
    iii) Ministeria l 
Conference Operating 
Fund 600 600 600 0 0 
    iv) Building 
Renovation Fund  600 600 600 0 0 
  8. Contributions to ITC & Special 
Reserves Total   19,975  19,443  19,443  -532 0 
Grand Total     189,624  189,624  189,624  0 0 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  Table  4 2018-2019 Proposed Budget for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat  
(in thousand  Swiss Franc s) 
Part Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
A Staffing Resources        
 1. Staff Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  3,326  3,261  3,261  -65 0 
    ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment 
Benefits  730 730 730 0 0 
    iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  179 179 179 0 0 
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  296 361 361 65 0 
    v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  43 43 43 0 0 
  1. Staff Expenditur e Total   4,573  4,573  4,573  0 0 
  2. Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  55 55 55 0 0 
    ii) Consulting  25 25 25 0 0 
    iii) Appellate Body 
Members Fees  791 791 791 0 0 
  2. Temporary Assistance Total   871 871 871 0 0 
B Other Resources        
 3. General Services  i) Telecommunication 
& Post  10 10 10 0 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  2 2 2 0 0 
  3. General Services Total   59 59 59 0 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 & Leasi ng of 
Equipment  0 0 0 0 0 
  6. Capital Expenditure Total   25 25 25 0 0 
C Operating Funds and ITC        
 8. Contributions to ITC 
& Special Reserves  ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  2,000  2,000  2,000  0 0 
  8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves 
Total  2,000  2,000  2,000  0 0 
Grand Total     7,580  7,580  7,580  0 0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  2.1  Miscellaneous Income  
Table  5 2018-2019 Estimated Miscellaneous Income  
(in thousand  Swiss Franc s) 
Item  2017  2018  2019  Incr/Decr  
2018  Incr/Decr  
2019  
Contribut ions of Observer Countries  600 600 600 0 0 
Sale of Publications & Royalties  270 270 270 0 0 
Trust Fund - Participation to direct costs  180 180 180 0 0 
Refund of prior year's expenditure  100 100 100 0 0 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space  120 125 125 5 0 
Other  434 429 429 -5 0 
Grand Total  1,704  1,704  1,704  0 0 
 
2.8.  For the biennium 2018 -2019, no major changes with respect to Miscellaneous Income are 
expected . The receipts through the rental of meeting rooms have been slightly increased, as 
meeting room s for external events are anticipated to be rented . The projected receipts relating to 
'Other' have been slightly decreased for 2018 , as no major receipts are expected under this item 
for that year . 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 insurance 
for staff on long term sick leave.  
2.2  Assessed Contributions from Members  
2.9.  The proposed assessed contributions from Members amount t o CHF 195, 500,000 for 201 8 
and remain unchanged since 2013 . The statistics for 2018 are now entirely based on Balance of 
Payments 6 (BPM6) data, after a transition period between BPM5 and BPM6 over the last four 
years . The following draft scale of contribu tions has been prepared based on a minimum  
contribution of 0.015 % as per the Financial Regulations . 
2.10.   The 201 9 assessment will be based on the updated trade statistics in 201 8, pursuant to 
Financial Regulation 12.  
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  Table  6 Draft Sca le of Contributions for 201 8 
(in Swiss Francs and with a minimum contribution of 0.015 %) 
Member  2017  
Contribution  
CHF 2017  
Contribution  
% 2018  
Contribution  
CHF 2018  
Contribution  
% 
Afghanistan  48,875  0.0250%  48,875  0.025%  
Albania  44,965  0.0230%  43,010  0.022%  
Angola  496,570  0.2540%  475,065  0.243%  
Antigua and Barbuda  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Argentina  780,045  0.3990%  760,495  0.389%  
Armenia  35,190  0.0180%  37,145  0.019%  
Australia  2,754,595  1.4090%  2,680,305  1.371%  
Austria  1,978,460  1.0120%  1,931,540  0.988%  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  168,130  0.0860%  164,220  0.084%  
Bangladesh  297,160  0.1520%  316,710  0.162%  
Barbados  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Belgium  3,800,520  1.9440%  3,692,995  1.889%  
Belize  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Benin  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  93,840  0.0480%  99,705  0.051%  
Botswana  72,335  0.0370%  76,245  0.039%  
Brazil  2,586,465  1.3230%  2,519,995  1.289%  
Brunei Darussalam  80,155  0.0410%  78,200  0.040%  
Bulgaria  316,710  0.1620%  308,890  0.158%  
Burkina Faso  31,280  0.0160%  29,325  0.015%  
Burundi  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Cabo Verde  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Cambodia  86,020  0.0440%  82,110  0.042%  
Cameroon  64,515  0.0330%  72,335  0.037%  
Canada  5,022,395  2.5690%  4,971,565  2.543%  
Central African Republic  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Chad 44,965  0.0230%  43,010  0.022%  
Chile 787,865  0.4030%  760,495  0.389%  
China  18,756,270  9.5940%  19,237,200  9.840%  
Colombia  576,725  0.2950%  580,635  0.297%  
Congo  91,885  0.0470%  84,065  0.043%  
Costa Rica  142,715  0.0730%  144,670  0.074%  
Côte d'Ivoire  105,570  0.0540%  105,570  0.054%  
Croatia  224,825  0.1150%  220,915  0.113%  
Cuba 146,625  0.0750%  142,715  0.073%  
Cyprus  119,255  0.0610%  121,210  0.062%  
Czech Republic  1,397,825  0.7150%  1,391,960  0.712%  
Democratic Republic of the Congo  103,615  0.0530%  103,615  0.053%  
Denmark  1,515,125  0.7750%  1,503,395  0.769%  
Djibouti  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Dominica  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Dominican Republic  154,445  0.0790%  158,355  0.081%  
Ecuador  240,465  0.1230%  238,510  0.122%  
Egypt  510,255  0.2610%  496,570  0.254%  
El Salvador  74,290  0.0380%  76,245  0.039%  
Estonia  179,860  0.0920%  175,950  0.090%  
European Union1 0  0.0000%  0  0.000%  
                                                
1 The European Union is not subject to contrib utions. However, its 28 members are assessed 
individually. The total share of members of the European Union represents 33.6% of the total assessed 
contributions for 2018.  
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Member  2017  
Contribution  
CHF 2017  
Contribution  
% 2018  
Contribution  
CHF 2018  
Contribution  
% 
Fiji 29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Finland  944,265  0.4830%  905,165  0.463%  
France  7,470,055  3.8210%  7,427,045  3.799%  
Gabon  68,425  0.0350%  66,470  0.034%  
The Gambia  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Georgia  64,515  0.0330%  68,425  0.035%  
Germany  14,294,960  7.3120%  13,939, 150  7.130%  
Ghana  152,490  0.0780%  160,310  0.082%  
Greece  672,520  0.3440%  637,330  0.326%  
Grenada  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Guatemala  140,760  0.0720%  142,715  0.073%  
Guinea  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Guinea -Bissau  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Guyana  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Haiti 29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Honduras  76,245  0.0390%  74,290  0.038%  
Hong Kong, China  5,157,290  2.6380%  5,233,535  2.677%  
Hungary  1,030,285  0.5270%  1,000,960  0.512%  
Iceland  60,605  0.0310%  62,560   0.032%  
India 4,463,265  2.2830%  4,480,860  2.292%  
Indonesia  1,800,555  0.9210%  1,769,275  0.905%  
Ireland  1,955,000  1.0000%  2,121,175  1.085%  
Israel  832,830  0.4260%  834,785  0.427%  
Italy 5,436,855  2.7810%  5,233,535  2.677%  
Jamaica  52,785  0.0270%  52,785  0.027%  
Japan  8,345,895  4.2690%  8,091,745  4.139%  
Jordan  164,220  0.0840%  166,175  0.085%  
Kazakhstan  639,285  0.3270%  615,825  0.315%  
Kenya  121,210  0.0620%  119,255  0.061%  
Korea, Republic of  5,947,110  3.0420%  5,913,875  3.025%  
Kuwait, the  State of  694,025  0.3550%  682,295  0.349%  
Kyrgyz Republic  39,100  0.0200%  41,055  0.021%  
Lao People's Democratic Republic  29,325  0.0150%  31,280  0.016%  
Latvia  156,400  0.0800%  158,355  0.081%  
Lesotho  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Liberia  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Liechtenstein  62,560  0.0320%  64,515  0.033%  
Lithuania  310,845  0.1590%  316,710  0.162%  
Luxembourg  848,470  0.4340%  889,525  0.455%  
Macao, China  303,025  0.1550%  248,285  0.127%  
Madagascar  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Malawi  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Malaysia  2,084,030  1.0660%  2,015,605  1.031%  
Maldives  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Mali 29,325  0.0150%  31,280  0.016%  
Malta  125,120  0.0640%  136,850  0.070%  
Mauritania  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Mauritius  58,650  0.0300%  58,650  0.030%  
Mexico  3,503,360  1.7920%  3,612,840  1.848%  
Moldova, Republic of  37,145  0.0190%  37,145  0.019%  
Mongolia  54,740  0.0280%  56,695  0.029%  
Montenegro  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Morocco  351,900  0.1800%  347,990  0.178%  
Mozambiq ue 62,560  0.0320%  68,425  0.035%  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Member  2017  
Contribution  
CHF 2017  
Contribution  
% 2018  
Contribution  
CHF 2018  
Contribution  
% 
Myanmar  91,885  0.0470%  103,615  0.053%  
Namibia  56,695  0.0290%  56,695  0.029%  
Nepal  41,055  0.0210%  41,055  0.021%  
Netherlands  5,821,990  2.9780%  5,778,980  2.956%  
New Zealand  451,605  0.2310%  457,470  0.234%  
Nicara gua 48,875  0.0250%  52,785  0.027%  
Niger  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Nigeria  785,910  0.4020%  742,900  0.380%  
Norway  1,530,765  0.7830%  1,477,980  0.756%  
Oman  391,000  0.2000%  392,955  0.201%  
Pakistan  340,170  0.1740%  342,125  0.175%  
Panama  254,15 0  0.1300%  263,925  0.135%  
Papua New Guinea  64,515  0.0330%  66,470  0.034%  
Paraguay  113,390  0.0580%  113,390  0.058%  
Peru 416,415  0.2130%  418,370  0.214%  
Philippines  660,790  0.3380%  666,655  0.341%  
Poland  2,107,490  1.0780%  2,107,490  1.078%  
Portug al 793,730  0.4060%  778,090  0.398%  
Qatar  791,775  0.4050%  811,325  0.415%  
Romania  666,655  0.3410%  670,565  0.343%  
Russian Federation  4,418,300  2.2600%  4,236,485  2.167%  
Rwanda  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Lucia  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Samoa  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  2,490,670  1.2740%  2,455,480  1.256%  
Senegal  43,010  0.0220%  46,920  0.024%  
Seychelle s  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Sierra Leone  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Singapore  4,723,280  2.4160%  4,762,380  2.436%  
Slovak Republic  764,405  0.3910%  764,405  0.391%  
Slovenia  308,890  0.1580%  304,980  0.156%  
Solomon Islands  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
South Africa  1,051,790  0.5380%  1,024,420  0.524%  
Spain  3,800,520  1.9440%  3,696,905  1.891%  
Sri Lanka  158,355  0.0810%  168,130  0.086%  
Suriname  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Swaziland  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Swede n 2,142,680  1.0960%  2,105,535  1.077%  
Switzerland  3,554,190  1.8180%  3,712,545  1.899%  
Chinese Taipei  3,000,925  1.5350%  3,378,240  1.728%  
Tajikistan  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Tanzania  91,885  0.0470%  95,795  0.049%  
Thailand  2,367,505  1.2110%  2,390,965  1.223%  
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia  52,785  0.0270%  52,785  0.027%  
Togo 29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Tonga  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Trinidad and Tobago  115,345  0.0590%  125,120  0.064%  
Tunisia  217,005  0.1110%  207,230  0.106%  
Turkey  1,998,010  1.0220%  2,017,560  1.032%  
Uganda  54,740  0.0280%  54,740  0.028%  
Ukraine  746,810  0.3820%  690,115  0.353%  
United Arab Emirates  2,774,145  1.4190%  2,936,410  1.502%  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Member  2017  
Contribution  
CHF 2017  
Contribution  
% 2018  
Contribution  
CHF 2018  
Contribution  
% 
United Kingdom  7,366,440  3.7680%  7,407,495  3.789%  
United Stat es of America  21,968,335  11.2370%  22,251,810  11.382%  
Uruguay  119,255  0.0610%  121,210  0.062%  
Vanuatu  29,325  0.0150%  29,325  0.015%  
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of  705,755  0.3610%  664,700  0.340%  
Viet Nam  1,114,350  0.5700%  1,247,290  0.638%  
Yemen 99,705  0.0510%  89,930  0.046%  
Zambia  86,020  0.0440%  87,975  0.045%  
Zimbabw e  48,875  0.0250%  56,695  0.029%  
TOTAL  195,500,000  100.00%  195,500,000  100.00%  
 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 16 - 
 
  3  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY SECTION  
3.1.  The Budget is divided into three parts : (a) Staff ing Resourc es, 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 following operating funds: Ministerial Conference Operating Fund , Building 
Renovation Fund , and Appellate Body Operating Fund.  
3.1  WTO SECRETARIAT  
3.1.1   Part A - Staff ing Resources  
3.2.  Part A of the budget comprises the expenditure for staff funded through the regular budget . 
This incl udes salary, pension, health insurance, death and invalidity insurance, staff benefits and 
expenditure related to travel  on recruitment or separation , removal and installation . Expenditure 
for short -term staff, consultants and panellists is also included u nder this item . 
3.1.1.1   Staff Expenditure  
Table  7 Section 1 : Staff Expenditure  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
1. Staff 
Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  87,154  85,269  85,269  -1,885  0 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits  21,380  21,380  21,380  0 0 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance  5,765  5,765  5,765  0 0 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits  10,776  12,661  12,661  1,885  0 
  v) Other Staff Expenditure  1,767  1,767  1,767 0 0 
1. Staff Expenditure Total  126,842  126,842  126,842  0 0 
 
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 . 
3.4.  Following the adjustment of dependency allowances in 2017, the amount of CHF 1.9  million  is 
transferred from Staff Remuneration to Staff Family Benefits . The remaining amount available 
under Staff Remuneration as well as on the other budget  lines under Staffing Resources is  no 
longer sufficient to cover for the financing of the 620.5 posts for the WTO Secretariat . This figure 
excludes the 25 posts allocated to the Appellate Body Secretariat.  
3.5.  Based on the salary structure in July 2017, a zero adjustment of the salary scheme i n 
accordance with the structure in July  2015, a zero adjustment of the salary scheme in accordance 
with the established methodology (WT/GC/M/63) and a provision for the Performance Appraisal 
System (WT/GC/M/80) amounting to 2 % of the budgeted base salary , more than  35 vacant posts 
are needed to cover the total expected expen diture under Staff Remuneration for the year 2018.  
3.6.  Applying the same assumptions to the budget for 2019, more than  40 vacant posts would be  
needed to cover the total expected expenditure  for 2019.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 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 Descr iption  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr  
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits  Staff / Pension  18,625  18,625  18,625  0 0 
  Staff / Retiree Health 
Insurance  2,755  2,755  2,755  0 0 
Grand Total    21,380  21,380  21,380  0 0 
 
3.7.  Staff Pension and Post -Employment Benefits  relates to the WTO's pension contribution for 
regular s taff as well as  to the health insurance contributions for retired staff . The WTO pension 
contributions amount to 23.7 % of the pensionable remuneration . Of this, staff members contribute 
7.9% and Members contribute 15.8%. 
3.8.  The allocation for the health insur ance premiums for retired staff  remains at the same level . 
However, the projected increase for the biennium amounts to an additional amount of 
CHF 280,000 for 2018 and CHF 430,000 for 2019 . As mentioned above, these amounts can only 
be funded if sufficient  posts remain vacant to cover for this over -expenditure.  
3.1.1.1.3   Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance  
Table  9 Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance  Death and Invalidity 
Insurance  485 485 485 0 0 
  Staff / Health Insurance  5,280  5,280  5,280  0 0 
Grand Total    5,765  5,765  5,765  0 0 
 
3.9.  Staff Health and Invalidity Insurance  relates to the health insurance co ntributions for 
fixed-term staff and their dependents as well as to the death and invalidity insurance premium s for 
WTO staff and the service incurred accident premium . For the biennium 201 8-2019, no increase in 
medical premiums is  projected . 
3.10.   The allocatio n under the  Death and Invalidity Insurance also  remains at the same level . 
3.1.1.1.4   Staff Family and International Benefits  
Table  10 Staff Family and International Benefits  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr  
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
iv) Staff Family & International Benefits       
 Staff / Child Allowance  3,286  3,801  3,801  1,250  0 
  Staff / Spouse Allowance  1,526  2,776  2,776  515 0 
  Staff / Secondary 
Dependence Allowance  270 390 390 120 0 
  Staff / Educ ation Grant  3,758  3,758  3,758  0 0 
  Staff / Home Leave  1,638  1,638  1,638  0 0 
  Staff / Rental Subsidy  297 297 297 0 0 
Grand Total    10,776  12,661  12,661  1,885  0 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 18 - 
 
  3.11.   Staff Family and International Benefits  comprises child allowance, spouse allowance, 
secon dary dependenc e allowance for fix ed-term staff, rental subsidy for non -local fixed -term staff 
as well as home leave and education grant . 
3.12.   As mentioned under Staff Remuneration, t he allocations for Child Allowance,  Spouse 
Allowance  and Secondary Dependence A llowance  for the biennium have been adjusted . 
3.1.1.1.5   Other Staff Expenditure  
Table  11 Other Staff Expenditure  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
v) Other Staff Expenditure       
 Staff / Travel and Removal  365 365 365 0 0 
  Staff / Installation Grant & 
Medical Examinations  362 362 362 0 0 
  Staff / Separation Grant  540 540 540 0 0 
  Staff / Negotiated Termination 
Indemnity  300 300 300 0 0 
  Staff / US Taxes  200 200 200 0 0 
Grand Total    1,767  1,767  1,767  0 0 
 
3.13.   Other Staff Expenditure includes installation grant , negotiated termination indemnit ies, 
separation grant s for fix ed-term staff, expenditure for travel and removal at appointment and 
termination of fixed-term staff and dependents, and the expenditure linked to unreimbursed US 
taxes for staff liable to US taxes . 
3.14.   The allocations remain unchanged for the biennium.  
3.1.1.2   Temporary Assistance  
Table  12 Section 2 : Temporary Assistance  
(in thousand  Swiss Franc s) 
Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance       
 i) Short -Term Staff  8,958  8,858  8,858  -100 0 
  ii) Consulting  6,745  6,736  6,736  -9 0 
  iii) Panellists  715 815 815 100 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total  16,418  16,409  16,409  -9 0 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 19 - 
 
  3.1.1.2.1   Short -Term Staff  
Table  13 Short-term Staff  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance        
 i) Short -Term Staff       
  Interns 461 461 461 0 0 
    Interpreters  1,755  1,755  1,755  0 0 
    Short -Term Staff / Pension  725 725 725 0 0 
    Short -Term Staff / Salary  2,178  2,078  2,078  -100 0 
    Translators / Daily and 
Monthly  2,000  2,000  2,000  0 0 
    Translators / Special Serv ice 
Contract  1,640  1,640  1,640  0 0 
    Short -Term Staff / Health 
Insurance  200 200 200 0 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total   8,958  8,858  8,858  -100 0 
3.15.   Under Short-Term Staff, the gross salary of temporary staff as well as related pension and 
health contribu tions, untaken leave at termination and overtime are accounted for . Furthermore, 
translators, interpreters and interns are booked under that category.  
3.16.   For the biennium 2018 -2019, the allocations remain at the level of 2017.  
3.1.1.2.2   Consulting  
Table  14 Consulting  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr  
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
ii) Consulting  Consulting Firms & Employment Agencies  2,636  2,563  2,563  -74 0 
  Special Service Agreement  1,129  1,194  1,194  65 0 
  Translators / External Translator Contract  2,979  2,979  2,979  0 0 
Grand Total    6,745  6,736  6,736  -9 0 
 
3.17.   Consulting  includes temporary assistance provided by companies such as employment 
agencies and consulting firms, special service agreement s with individu als and external translator 
contracto rs paid by the word translated . 
3.18.   The appropriation under Consulting Firms & Employment Agencies  mainly includes the 
budget for IT consultants,  the allocation for the Human Resources Training Programme  and 
Technical Assis tance Related Activities . The reduction under Consulting Firms and Employment 
Agencies  relates to the shift of CHF 65,000 to Special Service Agreements for Technical Assistance 
related training courses.  
3.19.   The appropriation under Special Service Agreement mainly includes individual consultants 
for Technical related training courses, the Human Resources Training courses and medical 
consultants.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 20 - 
 
  3.1.1.3   Panellists  
Table  15 Panellists  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr  
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
iii) Panellists  Panellist Fees  715 815 815 100 0 
Grand Total    715 815 815 0 0 
 
3.20.   Panellist Fees  comprise  of special service agreements with panellists and related experts . 
3.21.   During the biennium 2016 -2017, the panellist f ees for non -governmen tal panellists had 
been increased from CHF 600 to CHF 900  and a daily fee of CHF 300 had been introduced for 
governmental panellists . At the same time, the budgetary allocation had been increased by 
CHF 350,000 . Due to the still rising  activity level in the dispute settlement areas as well as due to 
the increase in fees, the expenditure for panellist fees is still rising and expected to exceed the 
allocated budget for 2017 by at least  CHF 100,000 . Therefore, it is proposed to shift CHF 100,000 
from Temporary Assistance to Panellists in order to finance this increase . Between 2012 and 2016, 
the expenditure for panellist fees has increased from CHF 136,000 to CHF 800,000 which 
represents an increase of 488 % over the last 4 years.  
3.1.2   Part B - Other Resources  
3.22.   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 . 
During the biennium 2016 -2017, the allocations u nder Part B have been entirely reviewed and 
re-dispatched from the areas in which savings had been achieved to areas of needs . Only very few 
changes are proposed for the biennium 2018 -2019.  
3.1.2.1   General Services  
Table  16 Section 3 : General Services  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
3. General Services        
 i) Telecommunication & 
Post Post & Freight  498 498 498 0 0 
    Telecommunication  324 324 324 0 0 
  ii) Contr actual Services & 
Maintenance  Building Maintenance  1,428  1,428  1,428  0 0 
    Contractual Services  7,056  7,056  7,146  0 90 
    Equipment Maintenance  1,960  2,160  2,312  200 152 
    Insurance  194 194 194 0 0 
    Rental of Premises  25 25 25 0 0 
  iii) Energ y & Supplies  Electricity  595 595 595 0 0 
    Gas & Fuel  461 461 461 0 0 
    Supplies  1,121  1,121  1,121  0 0 
    Water  54 54 54 0 0 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication  Books  40 40 40 0 0 
    Media & Public Relations  300 300 300 0 0 
    Printing  140 140 140 0 0 
    Publications  639 639 639 0 0 
    Subscriptions  350 350 350 0 0 
  v) Other / Miscellaneous  Advertising  40 40 40 0 0 
    Membership and 
Registration Fees  35 35 35 0 0 
    Other / Miscellaneous  12 12 12 0 0 
3. General Services Total    15,271  15,471  15,713  200 242 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 21 - 
 
  3.1.2.2   Telecommunication and Post  
3.23.   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 have b een realised under  these two budget lines . In addition, the telephone central is 
reaching the end of its life cycle  and needs to be replaced during the biennium . The cost is 
estimated at CHF  450,000 and is currently not included in the 2018 or 2019 budget . 
3.1.2.3   Contractual Services and Maintenance  
3.24.   Contractual Services and Maintenance  refers to outsourced service contracts, equipment 
maintenance, building maintenance and various insurances.  
3.25.   Building maintenance relates to the contracts for the maintenance and ser vicing 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 g reen spaces within the WTO security 
perimeter . The budgetary allocation remains at the same level.  
3.26.   Contractual Services includes the outsourced labour intensive services such as the cleaning 
contract  (CHF 0.9 million ), the contract for the outsourced secur ity provider  (CHF 3.6  million ), the 
contribution to the Inte rnational Computing Centre (CHF  1.9 million ) and the IT Service Desk 
(CHF 1.1 million ). The increase for 2019 covers for the contractual increase of the outsourced 
security contract of 1.1 % per ye ar. 
3.27.   Equipment maintenance refers to all maintenance and repair expenditure not related to the 
building such as IT equipment, security equipment and documents reproduction equipment . As 
from 2018, this budget line also has to include the maintenanc e for the  conference equipment, for 
which no provision had been made in previous budgets . The annual maintenance cost is estimated 
at CHF 350,000 . For funding issues, it is proposed to shift CHF 200,000 from the saving on the ITC 
budget for 2018 and CHF  152,000 fro m the saving of the ITC budget  for 2019 in order to fully fund 
the annual maintenance need for the conference equipment in 2019.  
3.28.   Insurance includes all building, vehicle , IT equipment, inventory and third -party  insurance 
expenditure . The allocation remains  unchanged . 
3.29.   The line rental of premises relates to  the rental  of offices, conference rooms and storage 
facilities . As under insurance, this allocation remains unchanged.  
3.1.2.4   Energy and Supplies  
3.30.   This line includes electricity, gas and fuel, water expenditure an d supplies  for documents 
reproduction, IT and office supplies . The allocation remains at the same level as 2017.  
3.1.2.5   Documentation and Publications  
3.31.   Documentation and Publications  relates to the purchase of books, subscriptions to 
magazines and newsfeed, the ou tsourced printing arrangements for publications, the cost of sales 
for publications and expenditure linked to the ren tal of photography and filming services . The 
allocation remains unchanged . 
3.1.2.6   Other/Miscellaneous  
3.32.   Other/Miscellaneous refers to the expenditur e for advertising for recruitment, membership 
and registration fees for staff training events and other expenditure that cannot be associated to 
another account such as the fees for laissez -passer paid t o the UN and certain HR events . The 
allocation remain s at the level of 2017.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 22 - 
 
  3.1.2.7   Travel and Hospitality  
Table  17 Section 4 : Travel and Hospitality  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
4. Travel & Hospitality        
 i) Travel Air & Rail Transportation  4,719  4,728  4,728  9 0 
    Other Travel Related 
Expenditure / Out of Pocket  2,236  2,236  2,236  0 0 
    Accommodation / Hotel / 
Meeting Facilities  0 0 0 0 0 
    Insurance / Participants  130 130 220 0 90 
  ii) 
Hospitality  Hospitality & Meeting 
Refreshments  215 215 215 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total   7,300  7,308  7,398  9 90 
 
3.33.   Travel includes the expenditure  (travel , per diem  and travel insurance ) for official mission s, 
technical missions, trade -related technical assistance,  as well as travel related to  the Human 
Resources Training Programme , dispute settlement, recruitment  and external auditors . The 
allocation for travel under the technical assistance training courses has been slightly increased in 
order to provide the finan cing of one additional activity, which is offset by a shift under 
consultants.  
3.34.   The detailed allocations for trade -related technical assistance, the Human Resources 
Training Programme  and dispute settlement are explained in Chapter  4 below.  
3.35.   Insurance/Partic ipants relates to the SOS travel insurance for WTO staff on mission all over 
the world . It is proposed to increase the allocation in 2019  by CHF 90,000 , as this amount 
remained unfunded up to date.  
3.36.   Hospitality covers the divisional hospitality budget as we ll as hospitality related to technical 
assistance training courses and the Human Resources Training Programme . The allocation for the 
HR Training Programme remains unchanged . 
3.1.2.8   Implementing Partners  
Table  18 Section 5 : Implementing Pa rtners  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
5. Implementing Partners        
 i) Implementing 
Partners  Implementing 
Partners  213 213 213 0 0 
5. Implementing Partners Total    213 213 213 0 0 
 
3.37.   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 Director y of Standardizing Bodies Accepting the WTO Code of Good 
Practice , the contribution to the overhead costs of the ILO Tribunal, certain professional networks, 
the WTO Essay award and the contribution to the WTO Staff Assistance Fund . The allocation 
remains unchanged.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 23 - 
 
  3.1.2.9   Capital Expenditure  
Table  19 Section 6 : Capital Expenditure  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
6. Capital Expenditure        
 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  155 487 155 332 -332 
    Vehicles  20 20 20 0 0 
  ii) Rental & 
Leasing of 
Equipment  Rental and Leasing of 
Equipment  920 920 920 0 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total    2,325  2,657  2,325  332 -332 
 
3.38.   Capital Expenditure comprises the purchase of audio -visual and t elecommunication 
equipment , computing hardware and software, office furniture and other equipment, security 
equipment, vehicles  and reproduction equipment.  
3.39.   The allocation for security equipment is increased by CHF 332,000 in order to partially fund 
the replacement of the existing physical security infrastructure , which is based on analogue 
systems,  with a new Internet Protocol based system . It is frequently subject to breakdowns, video 
surveillance image quality is very poor and access readers are inadequat ely secure . The project for 
the replacement of the equipment has been launched in 2017 and is to be spread over the two 
years 2017 and 2018 . The actual amount which nee ds to be funded for 2018 is CHF  660,000 . The 
shift of CHF  332,000 therefore only represe nts a part of the necessary amount . For 2019, the 
CHF 322,000 is shifted to the maintenance of the conference equipment as well as to the 
contractual increase of the external security provider.  
3.40.   The item Rental and Leasing of Equipment primarily includes th e rental of reproduction 
equipment, security equipment for fire protection, photocopiers and sanitary equipment . For 2018, 
the existing documents reproduction equipment needs to be replaced, as the equipment is 
outdated . The estimated annual leasing cost a mounts to CHF  740,000 of which CHF  400,000 is 
currently not funded.  
3.1.2.10   Financial Expenditure  
Table  20 Section 7 : Financial Expenditure  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
7. Financial Expenditure        
 i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  Bank charges  80 80 80 0 0 
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  1,200  1,200  0 0 
7. Financial Expenditure Total    1,280  1,280  1,280  0 0 
 
3.41.   Financial Expenditure  refers to bank fees and charge s as well as to the reimbursement of 
the building loan . WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 24 - 
 
  3.42.   The overall cost for negative interest for the year 2017 is projected at CHF 330,000 . As 
market conditions are currently getting worse and existing thresholds with the W TO banks are 
being lowered, the expected charge for the WTO for the biennium 2018 -2019 is estimated at 
CHF 500,000 per year, if conditions remain the same . This amount is not budgeted in 2018 -19 due 
to the constraints imposed by the Zero Nominal Growth bud get. 
3.43.   The allocation for the Building Loan Reimbursement remains unchanged . The building loan 
finances the new administrative building of the WTO which was completed at the end of 2012 . 
Since December  2012, the WTO is now located on a single site . The Organ ization has received a 
CHF 60 million loan from the Swiss authorities, which includes CHF 20  million for the south and 
north courtyard transformations and CHF 40  million for the new administrative building . The loan 
is interest -free and the WTO started the  reimbursement in 2013 . The duration of the loan is 
50 years.  
3.1.3   Part C - Operating Funds & ITC  
3.44.   Part C of the budget is related to the contributions to  the International Trade Centre and  the 
two operating funds.  
Table  21 Section 8 : Contributions  to ITC and Special Reserves  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
i) Contribution to ITC  Contribution to ITC  18,775  18,243  18,243  -532 0 
iii) Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund  Ministerial Conference 
Operating Fund  600 600 600 0 0 
iv) Building Renovation Fund  Building Renovation Fund  600 600 600 0 0 
Grand Total    19,975  19,443  19,443  -532 0 
 
3.45.   The provision under ITC relates to the contribution to the International Trade Centre 
UNCT AD/WTO which was established in accordance with a decision  taken by the contracting 
parties on 2 2 November  1967 (SR.24/14) and Resolution 2297 (XXII) adopted by the United 
Nations General Assembly on 1 2 December  1967, effective 1 January  1968, to the effec t 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 201 8-2019 are prepared by the ITC and examined separately by the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration . 
3.46.   For the biennium 201 8-2019, the ITC requests a budget of CHF 18.2  million  per year, which 
represents a decrease of 2.83 % or CHF 532,000.  
3.47.   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 199 9, this 
type of expendi ture had been covered by extra -budgetary 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.  
3.48.   The Building Renovation Fund (BRF) has been established at the end of 2015 in order to 
provide for the foreseeable costs of medium and long term building and infrastructure programs . 
The necessary annual allocation estimated by the FIPOI ( 'Fond ation des Immeubles pour les 
Organisations Internationales ') amounts to CHF 1.3  million. D ue to funding issues, the annual 
allocation for the biennium 2018 -2019 remains at 600,000.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  3.2  APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT  
3.2.1   Part A - Staff ing Resources  
3.49.   The same fa ctors as mentioned under the WTO Secretariat pertain to Part A of the budget 
for the Appellate Body  and its Secretariat . 
Table  22 Section 1 : Staff Expenditure  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
1. Staff Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  3,326  3,261  3,261  -65 0 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment Benefits  730 730 730 0 0 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
Insurance  179 179 179 0 0 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
Benefits  296 361 361 65 0 
  v) Other Staff Expenditure  43 43 43 0 0 
1. Staff Expenditure Total   4,573  4,573  4,573  0 0 
 
3.2.1.1   Staff Expenditure  
3.50.   As under the WTO Secretariat, the increase in the dependency allowances needs to be 
funded by a shift from Staff Remuneration to Sta ff Family Benefits . For the Appellate Body 
Secretariat, this amount is estimated at CHF 65,000.  
3.2.1.2   Temporary Assistance  
3.51.   No changes are proposed under the Temporary Assistance budget of the Appellate Body 
Secretariat.  
3.2.2   Part B - Other  Resources  
Table  23 Part B - Other Resources  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Part Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
B Other Resources        
 3. General Services  i) Telecommunication & 
Post 10 10 10 0 0 
    ii) Contractual Services & 
Maint enance  18 18 18 0 0 
    iii) Energy & Supplies  20 20 20 0 0 
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  10 10 10 0 0 
    v) Other / Miscellaneous  2 2 2 0 0 
  3. General Services Total   59 59 59 0 0 
  4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  50 50 50 0 0 
    ii) Hos pitality  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  0 0 0 0 0 
  6. Capital Expenditure Total   25 25 25 0 0 
Grand Total     136 136 136 0 0 
 
3.52.   The budgetary allocation to Part B of the Appellate Body Secretariat remains unchanged . WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 26 - 
 
  3.2.3   Part C - Operating Funds  
Table  24 Contributions  to Special Reserves  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Part Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
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 
 
3.53.   The Appellate Body Operating Fund (ABOF) covers the Appellate Body's variable c osts, 
which reflect the number and duration of appeals . For the biennium 201 8-2019, the allocation 
remains unchanged.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 27 - 
 
  4  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY THEMATIC BUDGETARY  AREAS  
4.1.  This part provides an additional view on  direct costs on some main budgetary areas . This 
view does not take into account staff costs for regular staff linked to these areas.  
4.1  Information Technology  
Table 25 Information Technology Budget  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance       
 i) Short -Term Staff  40 40 40 0 0 
  ii) Consulting  1,763  1,763  1,763  0 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total  1,803  1,803  1,803  0 0 
3. General 
Services  i) Telecommunication & Post  324 324 324 0 0 
  ii) Contractual Services & 
Mainte nance  4,195  4,195  4,195  0 0 
  iii) Energy & Supplies  270 270 270 0 0 
3. General Services Total  4,789  4,789  4,789  0 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  1,160  1,160  -20 0 
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  132 132 132 0 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total  1,312  1,292  1,292  -20 0 
Grand Total    7,920  7,900  7,900  -20 0 
 
4.2.  The IT budget remains stable between the 2016 -2017 biennium and the 2018 -2019 
biennium . The decrease of CHF 20,000 represents a transfer of ownership for the procurement of 
audio visual equipment  to the conference section and therefore does not represent a budget 
decrease.  
4.3.   75% of the Information Tec hnology budget (CHF 5.9 million  per year) relate s to costs for 
keepi ng the existing services running , where the biggest items are  the cost for hosting an ever 
larger number of solutions at the International Computing Centre  (CHF 1.9 million ), the service 
desk staffing ( CHF 1.1 million ), licensed software and custom developed software m aintenance  
(CHF 1.7 million ), hardware and software acquisitions  (CHF 0.8 million ) as well as 
telecommunication ( CHF 0.3 million ). The IT department is  containing the pressure  to maintain 
additional services and higher consumption of digital services with a 4 % increase.  
4.4.  This leaves 25 % (CHF 2.1 million  per year) to focus on projects . Over the biennium 
2018-2019, the IT Steering Committee will face increased pressure to prioriti se among the 
multiple projects aimed at optimizing how the WTO  function s, how trade data to support 
transparency to Members and the public is delivered , how Members  are serviced  and how we the 
Secretariat  collaborates internally  as are numerous major infra structure components will need to 
be replaced  such as the Windows and Office environment ( estimated between CHF 0.3 and 
0.4 million ), the update of the  telephon e system ( also estimated between CHF 0.4 and 0.5  million ) 
and network infrastructure ( estimated around CHF 0.3 million ). In addition, the WTO has to  invest 
in stronger cyber security solutions with projects bringing encryption, data leakage prevention or 
information classification where the cost of the p rojects is estimated  between CHF 0.3 and 
0.5 million over the biennium.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 28 - 
 
  4.2  Technical Assistance  
Table 26 Technical Assistance Related Training Courses by Expenditure Line  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr  
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance       
 i) Short -Term Staff  6 6 6 0 0 
  ii) Consulting  313 305 305 -9 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total  319 311 311 -9 0 
3. General Services  i) Telecommunication & Post  67 67 67 0 0 
  iii) Energy & Supplies  20 20 20 0 0 
  iv) Documentation & 
Publication  31 31 31 0 0 
3. General Services Total  118 118 118 0 0 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  4,061  4,070  4,070  9 0 
  ii) Hospitality  50 50 50 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total  4,111  4,119  4,119  9 0 
5. Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing Partners  0 0 0 0 0 
5. Implementing Partners Total  0 0 0 0 0 
Grand Total    4,548  4,548  4,548  0 0 
Table 27 Technical Assistance Related Training Courses by Activity  
(in thousand Swiss Francs)  
Activity  Budget 201 8 Budget 201 9 
Geneva -based activitie s for generalist s  1,651  1,651  
Geneva -based thematic activitie s  1,984  1,984  
National activitie s  730 730 
Miscellaneous   183 183 
Total  4,548  4,548  
 
4.5.  The Technical Assistance Plan 201 8-2019 has been prepared under the assumption that the 
part of the re gular 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  and evidenced in the external evaluation conducted in 2016 ; the lessons learnt 
during that period ; and the TA pr iorities 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 fo cusing 
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.  
4.6.  The TA Plan 201 8-19 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 gov ernments are participating in accession negotiations;  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 29 - 
 
  c. Academic institutions and other pertinent stakeholders are analysing WTO issues and 
reaching out to policy makers;  
d. Non-governmental stakeholders and legislators are aware of and knowledgeable about 
WTO work and issues.  
4.7.  To continue support ing the full implementation of these various strategies and the 
achievement of the identified key results, the TA Plan proposes to keep the structure of the regular 
budget dedicated to TA  as in its current version . 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  2016-2017, the Secretariat was able to use the funding made available to it to the 
fullest extent poss ible to maximise the returns for beneficiaries.  
4.8.  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 in side 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 maintain  the minimum level of flexibility 
required to make the best possible use of the approved budget, the regular budget for TA was 
regrouped around the same four main envelops  as for the current biennium : 
a. Geneva -based activities for generalists (Advance d Trade P olicy Courses, Introduction 
courses for LDCs, Geneva Weeks, etc.) . Each year, i t is proposed to allocate 
CHF 1.6 million to these activities.  
b. Geneva -based thematic activities (e.g. on Agriculture, SPS, TBT, DS, Services, TRIPS, 
etc.). It is proposed to all ocate CHF 2.0  million per year to accommodate up to 30 
funded participants in these activities.  
c. National activities . It is proposed to allocate CHF  0.7 million per year to these activities.  
d. Miscellaneous (Advice under Art 27.2 of DSU, monitoring and evalua tion, implementation 
of results based management, etc.) . It is proposed to allocate CHF  0.2 million per year 
for these various purposes.  
4.3  Security  
Table  28 Security Budget  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2017 2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
3. General Services        
 ii) Contractual 
Services & 
Maintenance  Building Maintenance  225 225 225 0 0 
    Contractual Services  3,513  3,513  3,603  0 90 
    Equipment 
Maintenance  250 250 250 0 0 
  iii) Energy & 
Supplies  Supplies  25 25 25 0 0 
3. General Services Total    4,013  4,013  4,103  0 90 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  Insurance / 
Participants  130 130 220 0 90 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total    130 130 220 0 90 
6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of 
Fixed Assets  Security Equipment  155 487 155 332 -332 
6. Capital Expenditure Total    155 487 155 332 -332 
Grand Total      4,298  4,630  4,478  332 -152 
 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 30 - 
 
  4.9.  In the area of security, a project to renew the existing physical security equipment has been 
launched in  2017. The current WTO security system compris ing of video surveillance, 
anti-intrusion, access control and supervision is reaching the end of its useful life . Video 
surveillance image quality is very poor and breakdowns are becoming frequent for the video  
surveillance, the intercom and the radio system . Access readers are inadequately secure and 
badges can be duplicated easily . The objective of the replacement project is to replace the existing 
security system and to migrate it to a WTO controlled infrastr ucture between Q4 of 2017 and Q1 of 
2018. The total cost is estimated at CHF 1.6  million  and is to be split between 2017 and 2018 . The 
estimated amount for 2018 amounts to CHF 660,000. About half of this amount is suggested to be 
funded by the shift of CHF  332,000 from the saving on the ITC budget . The other half will have to 
be funded by savings in other areas.  
4.10.   For the year 2019, the amount needed for the security equipment is taken off . CHF 90,000 
is needed to fund the contractual increase of 1.1 % per yea r for the external security provider, as 
this budgetary allocation had not been adjusted since 2016 . The remaining amount is shifted to 
the funding of the conference equipment maintenance.  
4.4  Conferences  
Table 29 Conference equipment a nd maintenance  
(in thousand Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line 2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
3. General Services  ii) Contractual Services & 
Maintenance  0 200 352 200 152 
  iii) Energy & Supplies  17 17 17 0 0 
3. General Services Total  17 217 369 200 152 
6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of Fixed Assets  0 20 20 20 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total  0 20 20 20 0 
Grand Total    17 237 389 220 152 
 
4.11.   In the area of conferences, the WTO conference rooms were renovated between 2012 and 
2013. Since then,  some of the equipment has reached the recommended life span and requires 
replacement or upgrading to ensure smooth running . In addition, in order to meet the increasing 
Members' needs in areas such as webcasting/live streaming and video conferencing, and to remain 
up to date with new audio and visual technology, additional equipment and software need to be 
installed in the conference rooms in order to provide this service . These new installations and the 
rest of the equipment require annual maintenance to guarantee efficiency and longevity . The 
annual maintenance cost is estimated at CHF 350,000 . The cost for the additional conference 
equipment is estimated at CHF 230,000 and is not budgeted for in the 2018 or 2019 budget, due 
to the constraints of maintain ing a Zero Nominal Growth Budget.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 31 - 
 
  4.5  Dispute Settlement  
Table 30 Dispute Settlement Budget – Panels  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance        
 iii) Panellists  Panellist Fees  690 790 790 100 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total    690 790 790 100 0 
3. General 
Services  i) 
Telecommunication 
& Post  Post & Freight  10 10 10 0 0 
3. General Services Total    10 10 10 0 0 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Trav el Air & Rail 
Transportation  730 730 730 0 0 
4. Travel & Hospitality Total    730 730 730 0 0 
Grand Total      1,430  1,530 1,530 100 0 
4.12.   In the area of Dispute Settlement , the workload of the three legal divisions remains high, as 
does the number of active disputes . At the end of August  2017, there were eighteen ongoing panel 
proceedings, with two composed panels awaiting staff to assist them and 2 active arbitration 
processes . Three to five additional panels are expected to be established before the end of 2017. 
In addition, eight panels are at the composition stage . This is an increase from the average of 
approximately sixteen active panel proceedings per month during 2016,  which itself was busier 
than in 2015.  
4.13.   Further evidence of the increasing level of di spute activity is shown in the number of 
requests for consultation . By the end of July 2017 fourteen requests for consultations had already 
been filed, while there were  13 in total in 2015 and 21 in 2016 . This increase is important because 
requests for con sultation filed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 can result in panels being established in 
2017, 2018 and 2019 . We note in this regard that the proportion of requests for consultations that 
lead to active panels continues to increase and has almost doubled since 199 5 (for example, in 
1995 10 requests for consultation led on average to 4 panels established within the following 2 
years ; this proportion is now closer to 10 for 8) . Therefore, a high level of dispute settlement 
activity in the next two years  is expected . 
4.14.   This continuing influx of new and complex cases has added to the strain on the Secretariat's 
resources . As a result, even though the posts shifted from other divisions  to the Rules and the 
Legal Affairs Divisions helped to temporarily eliminate the queue o f unstaffed panels, the 
Secretariat is experiencing n ew delays in staffing disputes.  
4.15.   With respect to the budgetary allocations for the biennium 2018 -19, the expenditure for the 
temporary staff assisting the two legal divisions of CHF 1.7  million  is current ly not funded and has 
to be covered by savings on vacant posts . The allocation under Panellist Fees has been increased 
by CHF 100,000 . WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  Table 31 Dispute Settlement Budget – Appeals  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance        
 iii) & Appellate Body 
Member Fees  Appellate Body 
Member Fees  791 791 791 0 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total    791 791 791 0 0 
3. General 
Services  i) Telecommunication 
& Post Post & Freight  10 10 10 0 0 
3. General Services Total    10 10 10 0 0 
8. Contributions 
to ITC & Special 
Reserves  ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  2,000  2,000  2,000  0 0 
8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total   2,000  2,000  2,000  0 0 
Grand Total      2,801  2,801  2,801  0 0 
 
4.16.   The continuing high level of the dispute settlement activity has also been reflected in the 
workload of the Appellate Body Secretariat . As of mid -August  2017, the Appellate Body is dealing 
with six appeal proceedings . These include the large civil aircraft compliance appeals in Airbus 
21.5 and Boeing 21.5 . The latter cannot currently be staffed . The Appellate Body issued seven 
reports over the period of the last year . Further appeals may be fil ed within the next few months 
but with current resources no additional appeals can be staffed in 2017 . Three panel reports have 
been circulated in July and August  2017. They are likely to be appealed within the next six weeks . 
The Secretariat expects to ci rculate three additional panel reports before the end of the year which 
may also be appealed . By the end of 2017, the waiting period between the filing of an appeal and 
the time when it can be staffed is expected to rise to a year . In the light of the abov e-mentioned 
high level of panel activity, a significant number of panel reports (including in the largest dispute 
to date) will be finalized in 2018 . While the long term appeal rate is two thirds, it has risen to 
88% % last year.  
4.17.   As under Panels, this high  activity on the appeal level has got an impact on the expenditure . 
In the area of temporary assistance, the expenditure for short term staff is estimated between 
CHF 400,000 – 500,000 per year and is not budgeted for . 
4.6  Documents Reproduction  
Table  32 Documents Reproduction and Distribution Budget  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account 
Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance        
 i) Short -Term Staff  Short -Term Staff 
/ Salary  200 200 200 0 0 
2. Temporary Assistance Total    200 200 200 0 0 
3. General 
Services  ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance  Equipment 
Maintenance  60 60 60 0 0 
  iii) Energy & Supplies  Supplies  524 524 524 0 0 
3. General Services Total    584 584 584 0 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  740 740 740 0 0 
6. Capital Expenditure Total    740 740 740 0 0 
Grand Total      1,524  1,524  1,524  0 0 
 
4.18.   Since 2015, the budget related to documents reproduction has been reduced by 
CHF 500,000 . Following the introduction of the streamlining  measures, the consumption of paper WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  has been reduced . As a consequence the number of documents reproduction equipment ha s been 
reduced from 8 to 4.  
4.19.   For the biennium 2018 -19, the existing equipment is reaching the end of its life -cycle and 
needs to be replaced . The additional cost compared to the average expenditure in 2017 is 
estimated at CHF 400,000.  
4.7  Human Resources  Traini ng Programme  
Table  33 Human Resources Training Budget  
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Section  Line Account Description  2017  2018  2019  Inc/ 
Decr 
2018  Inc/ 
Decr 
2019  
2. Temporary Assistance        
 ii) Consulting  Consulting Firms & 
Employ ment Agencies  825 825 825 0 0 
    Special Service Agreement  250 250 250 0 0 
3. General 
Services  v) Other / 
Miscellaneous  Membership and 
Registration Fees  0 0 0 0 0 
4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  Air & Rail Transportation  220 220 220 0 0 
  ii) Hospit ality Hospitality & Meeting 
Refreshments  76 76 76 0 0 
Grand Total      1,371  1,371  1,371  0 0 
 
4.20.   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 centr e 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 d evelopment, enhanced core technical and professional 
skills as well as rigorous performance management.  
4.21.   In the coming biennium, continued emphasis will be placed on 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 networ king with other international organisations.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  5  EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES  
5.1  Efficiencies realized and re -allocated in Budget 2016 -2017  
5.1.  With a budgetary envelope remaining at the same level for the last seven years, it was vital 
for the good functioning o f the organization to realize economy and efficiencies in various areas.  
This has been done to the utmost possible in the biennium 2016 -2017 and cannot be repeated in 
future years.  
5.2.  In the  table below , we would like to recall  the most important efficiencies  realized over the 
last five years  which have been re -allocated during the biennium 2016 -2017: 
Table 34 Efficiencies realized and re -allocated in Budget 2016 -2017  
Savings  CHF Increases  CHF 
Documents Reproduction  516,000  Building Ma intenance  900,000  
Postal  475,000  Building Renovation Fund  600,000  
Telephone  350,000  Retiree Health Insurance  150,000  
Security  230,000  Panellist Fees  350,000  
Death and Invalidity Insurance  130,000  Appellate Body Member Fees  32,000  
Home Leave  130,000  Bank charges  50,000  
Switchboard  106,000  ITC 305,000  
Insurance  100,000  Gas and Fuel  150,000  
Supplies  125,000  Contractual Services  318,000  
Travel  110,000      
Consultants HR Training Programme  100,000      
Special Service Agreements  100,000      
Education Grant  75,000      
Installation Grant  70,000      
Overtime  50,000      
Archives  53,000      
Library  50,000      
Membership Fees  35,000      
Equipment Maintenance  30,000      
Hospitality  20,000      
Total  2,855,000    2,855,000  
 
5.3.  During the biennium 2016 -2017 efficiencies in various areas have been achieved, which have 
been reallocated in the biennium budget 2016 -2017 in order to fund new areas in need . 
5.1.1   Documents Reproduction  
5.4.  The Rental and Leasing expenditure has been  reduced by CHF 516,000 , due to the reduct ion 
of 6 printing machines to only 3, and the replacement of the existing machines by cheaper and 
more powerful equipment.  
5.1.2   Postal  
5.5.  Due to the streamlining measures introduced in the biennium 2012 -2013, the distribution by 
mail of various types of documents has been discontinued and replaced by electronic distribution . 
Under the technical assistance related training activities, the postal expenditure was 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 . 
5.1.3   Telephone  
5.6.  In 2013, the WTO renegotiated the contract with its providers for landline and mobile 
telephone services and realized  savings of CHF 3 50,000 . WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  5.1.4   Security  
5.7.  Over the last three years, the expenditure for the contract of the external security provider 
and the security equipment could be reduced by CHF 400,000 . For the current biennium, the 
budgetary envelope was reduced by an additional CHF 230 ,000. 
5.1.5   Death and Invalidity Insurance  
5.8.  Due to negotiations with the insurance company, the premium for the death and invalidity 
insurance of regular and short term staff was reduced by CHF 130,000 . 
5.1.6   Home Leave  
5.9.  The expenditure for Home Leave was reduced by CHF 130,000  following the implementation 
of the new travel policy and new reference airfare rates applied as a basis for the calculation of the 
home leave travel cost.  
5.1.7   Switchboard  
5.10.   In 2014, the WTO Switchboard was outsourced to a private company, after a succe ssful trial 
period of three months . The realised savings through these outsourced services amount to CHF 
106,000 . 
5.1.8   Insurance  
5.11.   The re -negotiation of the WTO insurance policies (building, third -party, vehicles) and their 
grouping under a main supplier led to a  saving of CHF 100,000 . 
5.1.9   Supplies  
5.12.   Due to better negotiated rates with suppliers, as well as due to better management of the 
stock, the allocation for office and building supplies was reduced by CHF 125,000 . 
5.1.10   Travel  
5.13.   Following the introduction of the new trave l policy, the allocation for divisional travel was 
reduced by CHF 110,000 . 
5.1.11   Consultants and Special Service Agreements HR Training Programme  
5.14.   During the biennium 2016 -2017, the budgetary allocation for the HR Training Programme 
has been reduced by CHF 200,00 0 for Consultants and Special Service Agreements, as in previous 
years, economies were realized in these areas due to better negotiated contracts.  
5.1.12   Education Grant  
5.15.   The expenditure for Education Grant was reduced by CHF 75,000 , which was mainly due to 
a chan ge in the staff profile.  
5.1.13   Installation Grant  
5.16.   The allocation for the installation grant was 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.  
5.1.14   Overtim e 
5.17.   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. Overtime allocation was reduced by CHF 50,000 . WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 36 - 
 
  5.1.15   Archives  
5.18.   Following the construction of the new premises of the WTO, the cost for the rental of outside 
archives was reduced by CHF 53,000 . 
5.1.16   Library  
5.19.   The allocation for books was reduced by CHF 50,000 , as more and more books are 
available in electronic forma t. 
5.1.17   Membership Fees  
5.20.   Due to stricter management of the budget and certain re -negotiations, the contributions to 
professional networks and other organisations were reduced by CHF 35,000 . 
5.1.18   Equipment Maintenance  
5.21.   The maintenance allocation for documents reproduct ion equipment was reduced by 
CHF 30,000 due to a re -negotiation of contracts and the termination of some no longer necessary 
contracts.  
5.1.19   Hospitality  
5.22.   Due to the strict management of expenditure, the allocation under Hospitality was reduced 
by CHF 20,000 . 
5.2  Important Needs not budgeted for in 2018 -2019 Budget  
5.23.   However, for the biennium 2018 -2019 the organisational needs which have to be funded by 
far exceed the available resources.  
Table 35 Important needs not budgeted for in 2018 – 2019 B udget   
Items/Projects to be funded in 2018 -2019  CHF 
Security Equipment  660,000  
Conference Equipment and Maintenance  580,000  
ICC and Service Desk  500,000  
Negative Interest  500,000  
Telephone central  450,000  
Documents Reproduction Equipment  400,000  
Security external provider contractual increase  90,000  
Physical security for legal divisions  50,000  
Telephone subscriptions  50,000  
  3,280,000  
 
5.24.   For the biennium  2018-2019 which represents a zero nominal growth budget for the eighth 
and ninth consecutive y ear, and after the re -allocations taking place in the biennium 2016 -2017, 
projects amounting to CHF 3.3  million  are currently unfunded . The details of these projects have 
been further outlined above.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  6  BUDGET PROPOSALS BY OUTPUT CHAPTERS  
6.1  Background  
6.1.  Members may recall that the reporting and projection by Outputs was introduced with the 
budget for the 2016-2017 biennium . 
6.2  Budget Proposals 201 8-2019 by Output Chapter  
6.2.  Based on the figures colle cted from the output reports from 2014 to 2016 , it is estimated 
that t he expenditure in the 8 main output chapters will be as follows:  
Table 36 Budget Proposals 201 8-2019 by Output Chapter  
(in thousand Swiss Francs)  
Output  Budget  
2018  % 
of total  Budget  
2019  % 
of total  
1 Facilitating Negotiations  8,000 4% 9,000  5% 
2 Administering Agreed WTO Rules  44,000  22% 45,000  23% 
3 Monitoring Trade Policies  28,000  14% 27,000  14% 
4 Settling Disputes  44,000  22% 44,000  22% 
5 Capacity building  42,000  21% 42,000  21% 
6 Assisting Accessions  5,000  3% 5,000  3% 
7 Conducting Research  14,000  7% 13,704  7% 
8 Reaching out  12,204  6% 11,500  6% 
Grand Total  197,204  100%  197,204  100%  
 
6.3  Facilitating Negotiations  
6.3.  This output chapter includes all committees and negotiating groups related to the Doha 
Development Agenda Negotiatio ns such as the Trade Negotiations Committee and other 
negotiating bodies . The projected expenditure amounts to CHF 8  million  for 2018 and to 
CHF 9 million  for 2019 . The projected expenditure for 2019 is CHF 1  million  higher than for 2018, 
as 2019 is a Mini sterial Conference year. 
6.4  Administering Agreed WTO Rules  
6.4.  This output chapter includes the Ministerial Conference, all committees related to the General 
Council and its Bodies, committees related to the Council for Trade in Goods and its Bodies, 
Committees r elated to the Council for Trade in Services and its bodies, and the Council for 
Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property . The expenditure is estimated at CHF 44  million  for 
2018 and at CHF 45  million  for 201 9. As under Output Facilitating Negotiation s, the expenditure 
for 2019 is projected higher than for 2018, as 2019 is a Ministerial Conference year, in which the 
expenditure on that item is traditionally higher.  
6.5  Monitoring Trade Policies  
6.5.  This output chapter mainly comprises all expenditure related t o the WTO Trade Policy Review 
Body, Trade Policy Reviews and Trade Policy Monitoring . The expenditure is expected to amount to 
CHF 2 8 million  for 2018 and to CHF  27 million  for 2019.  
6.6  Settling Disputes  
6.6.  This output chapter includes the Dispute Settlement Bod y, as well as pre -dispute activities, 
panels, appeals and arbitrations . The expenditure is estimated at CHF  44 million  for each year of 
the biennium.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 38 - 
 
  6.7  Capacity Building  
6.7.  This output chapter comprises all activity related to capacity building courses and trai ning, 
other activities related to capacity building, the Aid for Trade work programme , as well as  the 
contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC) . The expenditure is estimated at 
CHF 42 million for each year of the biennium.  
6.8  Assisting Accessions  
6.8.  This output  chapter includes all activities related to the support of accessions . The 
expenditure is estimated at CHF 5 million  for each year of the biennium.  
6.9  Conducting Research  
6.9.  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  14 million  for 2018 and to 
CHF 13.7 million  for 2019.  
6.10  Reaching Out  
6.10.   This outp ut chapter includes all outreach activities of the WTO, such as general press 
relations, general outreach to Members and the private 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  12 million  for 201 8 and CHF  11.5 million  for 201 9. 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  7  KEY ORGANIZATIONAL EVOLUTION SINCE 1995  
7.1  Budgetary Evolution  
Table  37 Budgetary Evolution 1995 -2019 
Year WTO  Appellate 
Body  Total Budget 
in CHF  % 
Increase  
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 189,713,000  7,490,900  197,203,900  0.00%  
2017 189,624,0 00 7,579,900  197,203,900  0.00%  
2018 189,624,000  7,579,900  197,203,900  0.00%  
2019 189,624,000  7,579,900  197,203,900  0.00%  
Figure 1  Evolution of Budget 1995 - 2019 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 40 - 
 
  7.2  Evolution of Contributions  
Table  38 Evolution of C ontributions 1995 -2019 
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 195,5 00,000  0.62%  
2014 195,500,000  0.00%  
2015 195,500,000  0.00%  
2016 195,500,000  0.00%  
2017 195,500,000  0.00%  
2018 195,500,000  0.00%  
2019 195,500,000  0.00%  
Figure  2. Evolutio n of Contributions 1995 -2019 
(in million  CHF) 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
- 41 - 
 
  7.3   Staff Evolution  
Table 39 Staff Evolution 1995 -2019 
Year Appropriation in CHF  New Consolidations2 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%  
2018 620.5  25       645.5  0.0%  
2019 620.5  25       645.5  0.0%  
Figure 3 . Staff Evolution 1995 - 2019 
 
                                                
2 This includes the consolidation of long term temporary assistance positions into f ix-term posts.  WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  Table  40 Table of 201 7 Regular Staff Po sitions By Division  
(in work -years, as at 31 August  2017) 
Secretariat  Division  Grades 
1 - 10 Grades 
11 - 12 Senior 
Manageme
nt Grand 
Total  
WTO Senior Management  4.1 0 5 9.1 
 Accessions Division  9 1 0 10 
 Administration and General Services Division  65.2 1 0 66.2 
 Agriculture and Commodities Division  16.8 1 0 17.8 
 Office of the Director -General  13 1 0 14 
 Council and TNC Division  13 1 0 14 
 Development Division  17.8 1 0 18.8 
 Economic Research and Statistics Division  38.6 1 0 39.6 
 Human Resources D ivision  23.9 1 0 24.9 
 Legal Affairs Division  32 1 0 33 
 Market Access Division  16.8 1 0 17.8 
 Rules Division  28.6 1 0 29.6 
 Trade and Environment Division  11.6 1 0 12.6 
 Trade Policies Review Division  49.9 1 0 50.9 
 Information and External Relation s Division  27.8 1 0 28.8 
 Languages, Documentation and Information 
Management Division  121.8  1 0 122.8  
 Information Technology Solutions Division  40.8 1 0 41.8 
 Staff Counsellor  0.5 0 0 0.5 
 Institute for Training and Technical 
Cooperation  32.1 1 0 33.1 
 Office of Internal Oversight  2 0 0 2 
 Intellectual Property, Government 
Procurement and Competition Division  15.1 1 0 16.1 
 Trade in Services and Investment Division  16.1 1 0 17.1 
Sub-total WTO  596.5 19 5 620.5  
Appellate Body  Appellate Body Secreta riat 24 1 0 25 
Grand Total  620.5 20 5 645.5  
 
 
 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  8  WORKLOAD INDICATOR S  
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  Translati on and Documentation : Number of Words in O riginal Language for 
Translation  
(January - August)  
 
 
8.2  Meetings  
Figure 5 . Meetings : Number of Formal, Informal and Private Meetings  
(January - August)  
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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Figure 6 . Meetings : Days of freelance interpreters  
(Januar y - August)  
 
 
8.3  Dispute Settlement Expenditure  
Figure 7 . Dispute Settlement - Expenditure  
(January - December ) 
 
 
*Estimate based on actual expenditure as at 31  August  2017. 
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  9  PROJECTED BUDGET PERFORMANCE 201 7 
Table  41 Projected  Cons olidated Performance against Budget 201 7 
(in thousand  Swiss Francs)  
Part Section  Line Budget  Projected 
Expenditure 
to 
31/12/17  Projected 
Balance  % Exp . 
to 
Budget  
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff 
Expenditure  i) Staff Remuneration  90,480  85,189  5,290  94% 
    ii) Staff Pension & 
Post-Employment 
Benefits  22,110  20,617  1,493  93% 
    iii) Staff Health & 
Invalidity Insurance  5,944  5,231  714 88% 
    iv) Staff Family & 
International Benefits  11,071  12,955  -1,884  117%  
    v) Other Staff 
Expenditure  1,810  3,113 -1,303  172%  
  2. Temporary 
Assistance  i) Short -Term Staff  9,013  13,807  -4,793  153%  
    ii) Consulting  6,770  5,996  774 89% 
    iii) Panellists  & Appellate 
Body Members Fees  1,506  1,697  -191 113%  
A Staffing Resources Total    148,705  148,605  100 100%  
B Other 
Resources  3. General 
Services  i) Telecommunication & 
Post 831 670 161 81% 
    ii) Contractual Services 
& Maintenance  10,681  11,118  -437 104%  
    iii) Energy & Supplies  2,251  1,793  458 80% 
    iv) Documentation & 
Publication  1,479  1,641  -162 111%  
    v) Other / Miscellaneous  88 32 57 36% 
  4. Travel & 
Hospitality  i) Travel  7,135  7,102  33 100%  
    ii) Hospitality  216 209 6 97% 
  5. Implementing 
Partners  i) Implementing 
Partners  213 193 20 90% 
  6. Capital 
Expenditure  i) Procurement of Fixed 
Assets 1,430  1,732  -302 121%  
    ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment  920 595 325 65% 
  7. Financial 
Expenditure  i) Bank & Interest 
Charges  80 338 -258 423%  
    ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement  1,200  1,200  0 100%  
B Other Resources Total    26,524  26,624  -100 100%  
C 
Operating 
Funds and 
ITC 8. Contributions 
to ITC & Special 
Reserves  i) Contribution to ITC  18,775  18,775  0 100%  
    ii) Appellate Body 
Operating Fund  2,000  2,000  0 100%  
    iii) Ministerial 
Conference Operating 
Fund 600 600 0 100%  
    iv) Buildin g Renovation 
Fund 600 600 0 100%  
C Operating Funds and ITC Total   21,975  21,975  0 100%  
Grand Total     197,204  197,204  0 100%  
 WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  9.1.  For the end of the year 2017, the overall expenditure rate for the WTO Secretariat and the 
Secretariat of the Appellate Body i s estimated at 100 %. No saving is expected . In fact, actions 
were taken to slow down expenditure in some areas in order to pre -empt a deficit, which seemed 
imminent.  
9.1  Part A - Staff ing Resources  
9.2.  This part comprises the expenditure for regular staff includin g 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 savings related to salaries for regular staff 
are mainly due to a high number of vacant posts during the first quarter of the year . However, 
since then, recruitment has accelerated considerably . Until the end of August  2017, 53 posts 
(internal and external) have been filled and another 26 posts are pla nned to be filled until the end 
of the year . Compared to the year 2016, savings on salaries have decreased considerably.  
9.4.  The saving on salaries is partly offset by a significant overspending on family allowances due 
to the increase of the dependency entitl ements . An additional overspending is projected under 
Other Staff Expenditure, which is due to an overspending on Travel & Removal  due to the new 
recruitments , Separation Grant and US Taxes.  
9.5.  The overall saving under Section Staff Expenditure is nearly full y offset by an overspending 
on Temporary Assistance . This is due to the replacement of staff on leave without pay or on long 
term sick leave , to the funding of the temporary dispute settlement lawyers , as well as to the 
support of divisions whose posts hav e been moved to the dispute settlement area . An additional 
over-expenditure is projected under panellist fees, due to the still increasing activity in the dispute 
settlement area.  
9.2  Part B - Other Resources  
9.6.  Part B of the budget relates to expenditure for gen eral services, travel and hospitality, 
activities jointly funded by the WTO and third parties, as well as capital and financial expenditure . 
It is expected that 100% of the budget allocated to Part B will be expense d. 
9.7.  Under Telecommunication and Post,  a saving is expected under postal expenditure, which is 
partly offset by an overspending on telephone communications due to the increase in mobile 
phone subscriptions.  
9.8.  Under Contractual Services and Maintenance, the overspending is mainly due to the 
increased expenditure linked to the IT Service Desk as well as the significant increase for the 
contribution to the International Computing Centre.  
9.9.  Under Energy and Supplies, a saving is anticipated  under electricity following the 
re-negotiation of the contract with  the electricity supplier . 
9.10.   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 increase d 
expenditure for media and public relations and o f publications projected around the time of the 
Ministerial Conference.  
9.11.   Under Travel and Hospitality, t he travel budget  which  includes  all expenditure for official 
missions, technical missions, trade -related technical assistance as well as travel related t o the 
Human Resources Training Programme , recruitment, external auditors and dispute settlement 
travel, is expected to be nearly fully expensed . The same applies to hospitality.  
9.12.   Under Implementing Partners, a small saving is expected due to a lower negotia ted 
contribution to the International Organization  for Standardisation  (ISO).  
9.13.   The expenditure under Procurement and Fixed Assets is overspent due to the partial fun ding 
of CHF  500,000 for the replacement of the security equipment, which is planned over the  period WT/BFA/W/427  
 
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  2017 to 2018 of a total value of CHF 1.6  million. T his overspending is partly offset by a saving 
under Rental and Leasing of Equipment.  
9.14.   Financial Exp enditure includes the bank charges and the reimbursement of the loan for the 
new administrative bui lding over 50 years . Due to the negative interest  charged by the WTO main 
banks,  an over -expenditure of CHF 260,000 is expected.  
9.3  Part C - Operating Funds & ITC  
9.15.   This item comprises the contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC), which will be 
fully expensed at the end of the year . It also includes the annual replenishment of the Appellate 
Body Operating Fund (ABOF) , the M inisterial Operating Fund (MOF) and the Building Renovation 
Fund (BRF).  
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