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WT/BFA/142  
 
29 April 2014 
(14-2530) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
 REPORT OF THE MEETIN G HELD ON 1 1 APRIL  2014  
The Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration met on 11 April 2014 under the 
chairmanship of the Permanent Representative Michael V. Stone (Hong Kong, China)  and 
Ambassador Francisco Alberto Lima . The terms  of reference and composition of the Committee are 
set out in document WT/L/44/Rev.1. The agenda contained in document WTO/AIR/ 4266/Rev.1  
was adopted.  
 
1  REVIEW OF THE LONG TERM EMPLOYEE B ENEFIT OBLIGATIONS  (WT/BFA/W/325)  
1.1.  The Chairman  presented to the Commit tee the proposed Terms of Reference for the 
establishment of the Working Group on After Service Health Insurance (ASHI) . The Chairman had 
held consultations among Members to establish a Working Group. The Chairman thanked the 
Ambassador of Lithuania who had accepted the position of  chair of the Working Group on ASHI. 
Some delegations expressed the interest in joining  the Working Group. The Chairman invited other 
Members to take part, including  Members already involved in the WTO Pension Plan Management 
Board. 
1.2.  The Committee approve d the proposed Terms of Reference presented in document 
WT/BFA/W/325 and endorse d the election of Ambassador Mr.  Zananavičius to chair the Working 
Group on ASHI. 
2  REVIEW OF THE WTO  FINANCIAL REGULATION S (WT/BFA/W/324)  
2.1.  The Committee a lso discussed the proposed Terms of Reference for the establishment of the 
Working Group on Financial Regulations. The Chairman had also he ld consultations to establish the 
Working Group. The Chairman thanked Mr. Staines from the United Kingdom Delegation who had 
accepted the position of Chair of the Working Group  on Financial Regulations . Delegations were 
invited to join that Working Group. The Secretariat would send an email to Members to invite  
Members interested in taking part in a Working Group.  
2.2.  The Co mmittee approve d the proposed Terms of Reference presented in document 
WT/BFA/W/324 and endorse d the election of Mr. Staines from the United Kingdom delegation to 
chair the Working Group on WTO Financial Regulations.  
3  ORGANIZATIONAL REVIE W OF THE WTO SECRET ARIAT  
3.1.  The Deputy Director -General Karl Brauner (DDG Brauner) updated the Committee on the 
organizational review process initiated by the Director -General at the end of 2013.  He recalled to 
the Committee that the Director -General had recognized a number of  internal administrative and 
management issues within the Secretariat which had required that review.  He listed the issues 
raised by the WTO staff and mentioned that four most pressing issues had been addressed  in four 
staff meetings on : promotions, manage ment, mobility and application of rules.  These meetings 
were each attended by more than 140 people.  
3.2.  Working groups had been established to look in more depth at these issues. They comprise 
on average 30 staff members and will draft policy proposals. DDG B rauner underlined the fact that 
the WTO staff would be the stakeholders  of that  process review.  
3.3.  DDG Brauner informed the Committee that the Director -General wa s in constant contact with 
delegations regarding their expectations from the Organization and from the Secretariat . He also WT/BFA/142  
 
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  informed Members that a discussion had taken place among the Senior Management with the 
directors . It will be further developed  during a n internal  retreat . 
3.4.  Several d elegations took the floor to express their views on the review process. Most of the 
delegations welcomed the organizational review ; thanked the Senior Management  for its 
engagement and renewed their support in this review. A few Members highlighted  the fact that the 
Secre tariat would have to reinforce d iversity in the  WTO Secretariat. Some Members expressed a 
strong wish of being consulted by the Secretariat during the review  process . One Member wished 
to obtain an informal document containing the different focus groups progress work. DDG Brauner 
confirmed  that delegat ions would be consulted before any decision was taken  and that he would 
issue an official document before summer break.  
3.5.  Other Members mentioned the importance of tackling the inverted pyramid grade structure. 
In this connection, a question was raised on th e current state of play of the on -going job profiling 
exercise , which should be useful for the structural review. The Secretariat emphasized the 
importance  to attack the inverted pyramid  and as an initial  effort , a temporary measure was put in 
place to red uce grade 10 positions. The secretariat also explained that job -profiling exercise  was 
well under way and it was close to completion.   
3.6.  Some Members raised, the fact that this review process should not reflect extra  cost i n the 
overall budget. DDG Brauner  reassured the Committee by stating that this process review sh ould 
be budget  neutral.  
3.7.  One Member noted the recommendation from the meeting of the CBFA in March 2013 that 
the Secretariat should provide an annual report on promotions and the grade structure, including 
movements in all grades across the Organization. The Secretariat said that a presentation on 
grade structure and promotions had been given at the end of 2013 but that a more formal 
document would be prepared. A presentation showing grade structur e and post vacancies would be 
presented at the next meeting of the Committee.  
3.8.  The Chairman thanked DDG Brauner  for that comprehensive presentation and clarified  the 
four key points raised by delegations : inverted pyramid, ensuring flexibility to reallocate  resources 
areas of priorities ; a strong wish for Members to be consulted during the process; and the need to  
remain  within a zero nominal growth environment s. 
4  2013 ANNUAL REPORT O N DIVERSITY IN THE W TO SECRETARIAT  (WT/BFA/W/323)  
4.1.  DDG Brauner  presented  an overview of  the 2013 annual report on diversity. He recalled the 
Joint Statement made by some  delegations in 2010 and mentioned that the Secretariat had been 
implementing and improving diversity within  the WTO. He said that about 10 000 applications had 
been received  for position s at WTO which had provided  a broad  choice of candidates.  
4.2.  He stated that there was a growing number of Staff from Developing and Least -Developed 
countries (LDC's) within the Secretariat . Approximately 48%, in the Senior Management we re also 
from Developing countries and LDCs. On the 132 interns from 83 countries which had participated 
in the internship programmes, 71% were from Developing and LDC's.  
4.3.  Several delegations took the floor and thanked the Secretariat for the positive signa l given by 
the improvements in diversity in the Secretariat. Several Members stressed the importance of 
diversity and the need to continue the efforts in that direction. Some Members also highlighted the 
importance of selecting staff based on merit. One de legation requested to obtain further statistics 
on internship programmes for the last five years. Other Members wished to see further progress in 
gender balance, especially in the Senior Management.  
4.4.  A Member also inquired whether the vacant director positi ons were advertised. The 
Secretariat confirmed that recruitment was under way.  
4.5.  DDG Brauner thanked Members for their constructive interventions and for encouraging the 
Secretariat in its work. He pointed out the importance of diversity in staff selection w hile drawing 
attention to that in accordance with the Staff Regulations, vacant positions post are first and 
foremost filled on the basis of merit, followed by diversity considerations .  WT/BFA/142  
 
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  4.6.  DDG Brauner promised that  enhancing  diversity would continue to be a priority for 
Management. He agreed on the e stablishment of an internal focus  group on recruitment , that 
would also look at diversity.  
4.7.  The Chairman concluded by expressing Members views and the need to further enhance 
diversity  within the Secretariat . The C ommittee took note of the report.  
5  2014 WTO SALARY SURV EY (WT/BFA/W/326)  
5.1.  A member of the Secretariat updated the Committee on the WTO salary scale for 2014. He 
mentioned that the annual survey had been carried out comparing the WTO salaries to United 
Nation s and Coordinated Organizations' salaries. The Director -General had decided not to apply 
the very minor increase of 0.08% for 2014, with the salary scale therefore remaining unchanged.  
5.2.  The Committee took note of the report and reminded the Secretariat tha t the 
Director -General would consult the Committee before taking a decision on adjusting the salary 
scale.  On that topic, DDG Brauner confirmed that this would be done . 
6  OTHER BUSINESS  
6.1.  A Member of the Secretariat updated Members about work building taking p lace in front of 
the WTO main entrance. Delegations were also encouraged to show their badge while they enter 
within the new security perimeter. Several turnstiles would be installed to access the WTO , also 
from the lake.  An official communication would be  released in a few days.  
6.2.  The Secretariat then informed the Committee about a criminal fraud case committed against 
the WTO Medical Insurance . A former  WTO staff member  was accused of defrauding the health 
insurer over a period of  ten years . Concernin g the amount of the fraud, the re were varying sums 
currently discussed in the court and the press starting at C HF 400,000 and going beyond 
CHF 3 million. The judgment would take place in  the very near future. Members would be informed 
about the conclusion of thi s issue.  
7  ELECTION OF CHAIRPER SON 
7.1.  The Chair recalled that the General Council at its meeting in March had taken note of a slate 
of names of officers for the various WTO standing bodies. On the basis of the understanding 
reached, he proposed that the Committ ee formally elect Ambassador Francisco Alberto Lima Mena 
as new chair of the Committee by acclamation. The Committee so agreed.  
7.2.  The outgoing Chair thanked Members  for their professionalism and the Secretariat for 
assisting him during his mandate. The new Chair, Ambassador  Francisco Alberto Lima Mena 
assumed the Chair, congratulated the outgoing Chair . He mentioned that it was an honour for him 
fulfilling that role. He underlined the establishment of the two working groups  and his engagement 
in supporting t heir works.  
7.3.  DDG Brauner , on behalf of the Director -General,  thanked the outgoing Chair for his overall 
work and for having well conducted the biennial budget  process . He also wished him all t he best in 
his future endeavour . He also  welcome d the new Chair.  
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