RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/139  
 
14 November 2013  
(13-6309)  Page: 1/15  
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
REPORT OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 10, 18, 25 OCTOBER AND 1ST NOVEMBER 2013 
1.1.  The WTO Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration met on 10, 18, 25 and 1st 
November 2013 under the chairmanship of the Pe rmanent Representative Michael V. Stone (Hong 
Kong China). 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/4197 was adopted. 
1  ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES AND PROGRESS REPORTS 
1.1  Budget & Finance Report 
1.2.  A member of the Secretariat presented the situation regarding Members' and Observers' 
contributions received in the second and third quar ters of 2013.  Receipts of contributions and the 
cash position of the Organization were sati sfactory. The number of Members and Observers 
subject to Administrative Measures had been reduced by five during the last five months.   
1.3.  The 2013 budget remained on track at the end of the second and third quarters with 52% 
and 74%, respectively, of the budget being committe d. The rise in dispute settlement activity 
continued to require a significant amount of resources. 
1.2  Extra-Budgetary Funds Report 1.4.  The financial situation on trust funds was then presented, especially focusing on the Doha 
Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF).  Voluntary contributions were received in the 
last five months from: Norway (CHF 2.8 million), Sweden (CHF 2.2 million) Germany (CHF 1.2 million), the European Union (CHF 1.2 million) an d Switzerland (CHF 800,000). In order to secure 
the timely execution of the planned activities, the Secretariat continued to encourage donors to 
make possible payments shortly. 
1.3  Human Resources Report 1.5.  A member of the Secretariat provided an  overview of human resources and the grading 
structure as at 1 September 2013, as requested by the Committee. The Secretariat employed 669 
staff on fixed-term/regular contracts as at 1 September 2013, including 38 staff funded from extra-budgetary resources. Details were provided by  contract type, funding source and by division. 
Twelve Dispute Settlement Lawyers were employed on project-based contracts at the same date. 
The Secretariat had issued 35 job vacancy notices since the start of 2013. At the request of the Committee, the structure of staff positions was also presented by grade and by division as well as 
the evolution of the grading structure since 1995. 
1.6.   Members expressed their continued support to the reforms in the area of human resources. 
They also asked questions about the status of the job profile project, the approach to recruitment 
in terms of filling positions at lower grades, for example replacing professional positions at grade 
6, and the number of positions filled at lower grades as well as the length of the recruitment 
process. One Member also asked for information on the status of short-term staff including the contract duration. Another Member requested that a comparison of the Secretariat structure with 
other comparable international organizations be considered.   
1.7.  The Chair asked for the documents to be provided in advance of the meeting to provide 
sufficient time for delegations to review them. Th e Chair also indicated his plan to continue the 
dialogue on human resources issues in the first quarter of 2014. WT/BFA/139 
 
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  1.4  Building Project Report 
1.8.  A member of the Secretariat provided a brief update on the status of the Building Project. He 
informed the Committee that the new Welcome Pavilion was opened in August. Building works would take place at the main entrance gate for the next two months and would impact traffic. The 
building works on the Security Perimeter would be completed early 2014. The new parking for staff 
in the Sécheron area was completed and entered into operations at the end of October. The interpretation equipment in the Council room had been modernized in the month of August. 
Finally, the infrastructure agreement presented to the Committee in July was signed at the end of 
August with the Swiss Authorities. 
1.9.  The situation of the Members' Transition Op erating Fund was also presented. The Secretariat 
indicated that it had not had additional requests fo r this fund and that it would close the fund as 
soon as the on-going commitments would be completed.   
1.10.  The Committee took note of these reports.  2  INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER UNCTAD /WTO - ITC BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR 2014-
2015 (ITC/BUD/65) 
2.1.  The new ITC Executive Director presented the ITC budget proposal for 2014-2015. ITC had 
complied with the budget reductions advocated by the UN Secretariat. The WTO contribution to the 
ITC budget has been reduced to CHF 18,470,400 for 2014 and 2015. This represents a reduction 
of CHF 440,600 or 2.3% compared to 2013. 
2.2.  The budget cuts were managed in a way to have the least amount of impact on beneficiary 
countries. Two administrative support positions would be abolished through productivity gains. 
Two professional positions would no longer be fu nded from the regular budget. Other budget cuts 
were made in the areas of printing, publicatio ns, procurement, library services and meetings. 
2.3.  The Executive Director reminded the Committee of the key role played by ITC, in particular, 
in building capacities of SMEs to enable them to become internationally competitive, and to assist 
policymakers that support SMEs. ITC's result based management strategy also delivered enhanced results tracking and improvements in their reporting systems.  
2.4.  Sound financial management controls had been established in preparation for the 
implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) scheduled in 2014 and the migration to a new ERP system called UMOJA in 2015. 
2.5.  Several Members thanked the ITC for its budget proposal and appreciated the management 
engagement in handling a budget reduction that limited the impact on its beneficiary countries. 
The continued work on enhancing efficiency, the importance of results based management and measuring the impact of its work were highlighted.  
2.6.  The Committee recommends to the General Council that the budget for 2014 of the 
International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO be a pproved in the amount of CHF 37,140,850.  
With miscellaneous income being estimated at CHF 200,000, the amount to be provided 
to the Centre in the 2014 budget of the WTO represents CHF 18,470,400. 
2.7.  The Committee recommends to the General Council that the budget for 2015 of the 
International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO be approved in the amount of CHF 37,140,850. 
With miscellaneous income being estimated at CHF 200,000, the amount to be provided 
to the Centre in the 2015 budget of the WTO represents CHF 18,470,400. 
3  WTO BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR 2014-2015 (WT/BFA/W/309 & 311/REV.1) 
3.1.  The Director-General presented to the Committee his budget proposals for the biennium 
2014-2015. Listening to the Committee's repeated messages for budgetary constraints and given 
the current economic situation, the Director-Gen eral presented a zero nominal growth budget for 
2014 and 2015. He reminded the Committee that the Secretariat was expecting no reductions in WT/BFA/139 
 
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  the demands placed by Members in any of its core  activities. The level of activity in dispute 
settlement was actually increasing quite significantly.   
3.2.  The WTO was faced with a situation where its Members wanted to receive more services from 
the Secretariat for a lower unit cost. In order to operate within the context of these constraints, 
the Director-General highlighted a plan focusing on five strategic priorities. 
3.3.  The first priority was to reverse the approach to budgeting. It had become necessary to 
determine priorities based on the given budgetary constraint instead of adding up needs to 
determine what the budget should be. This would require tighter controls, greater prioritization 
and more flexibility during the budget execution. 
3.4.  The second priority was to cap personnel expenditures for permanent staff at the current 
budget level as these expenditures currently amou nted to almost 74% of the budget (excluding 
the contribution to the ITC budget). It was critical to maintain the Secretariat's ability to provide 
for other expenditures such as fees and travel ex penses related to panellists and Appellate Body 
Members and the trade-related technical assistan ce programmes funded from the regular budget. 
3.5.  The third priority was to conduct an organizational review of human resources structures and 
reallocate the workforce based on Members' priorities. The Committee had been informed about the need to reallocate at several occasions in the past and expressed support for such an 
approach. This would be an important initiative re quiring a long-term plan to ensure a steady and 
healthy path of action that would respect working conditions of staff and improve services provided 
to Members. The Director-General informed the Committee that he had just decided to reallocate two additional lawyer positions at the appeal level and two at the panel level.  
3.6.  The fourth priority was to reassign savings in non-staff expenditure towards areas of needs, 
predominantly towards the dispute settlement activi ty to accommodate additional travel and fees 
for panellists and Appellate Body Members. 
3.7.  Finally, the fifth priority was to continue the efforts to achieve productivity gains through the 
full implementation of the streamlining measures that had been approved by the General Council 
two years before.    
3.8.  The Director-General pointed out that the Or ganization would need to develop a strategy to 
deal with the important amount of long term liabilities towards post-employment benefits. In addition, it would need to respond to other changes in accounting practices required by international accounting standards that would necessitate revisions of the WTO Financial 
Regulations. These were major and important reviews that should be led by the Committee and on 
which the Secretariat was ready to provide the necessary support. He indicated that he would work in an open manner with the management team; with the staff of the Secretariat and their 
representatives, and with the Committee. The Di rector-General concluded that the Secretariat 
planned to present the budget proposals for th e 2016-2017 biennium with additional budgetary 
information by core output areas. 
3.9.   Members welcomed the zero nominal gr owth budget proposals and the overall approach 
presented by the Director-General. Many Members highlighted that, with domestic budgets being 
under severe pressure, and actual cuts being implemented in other international organisations, a zero nominal growth environment for the WTO was essential. Members emphasised the 
importance of the Director General’s strategy for doing more with less, for controlling personnel 
costs, for moving resources where they were most needed and for initiating an organisational review. They highlighted the importance of stre ngthening the resources supporting the dispute 
settlement mechanism. The effort to increase productivity and efficiency was important for the 
future. Members decided to include some specific wording on these matters in their recommendation to the General Council. 
3.10.  Several Members appreciated that the resources in trade-related technical assistance could 
be maintained at their present levels. Clarifications on the number of trade-related technical assistance courses and their availability in Spanish were requested.  WT/BFA/139 
 
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  3.11.  The secretariat also confirmed that plan s and strategies to realize the DG’s strategic 
priorities would be tackled immediately and their progress and development would be reported to Committee periodically.
 A number of questions were raised on forecasted staff expenditure, 
including the impact of the promotion freeze, the recruitment at lower grades and the detailed 
figures about the Performance Appraisal System. Members stressed the importance of continuing 
the reforms in human resources and were seeking additional information from the Secretariat on the process and timing of these reforms in the coming months. The Secretariat confirmed that a 
plan for the implementation of the Organizational  review would be presented to the Committee in 
the first quarter of 2014. The Secretariat also confirmed that no promotions had been budgeted for in the budget proposals. 
3.12.  Members also agreed to initiate a review of the long-term liabilities and the Financial 
Regulations at the start of 2014. 
3.13.  The Committee reached a consensus and co ncluded with the approval of the following 
recommendation. 
3.1  Budget Estimates for 2014 
3.14.  The Committee submits to the General Council for consideration and approval the 
following draft resolution on the expenditur e of the World Trade Organization in 2014 
and the ways and means to meet such expenditure. 
The General Council, 
 HAVING CONSIDERED, 
 
3.15.  The Estimates of expenditure of the Secr etariat of the World Trade Organization for 2014 
(CHF 190,899,300) and for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat for 2014 (CHF 6,304,600) 
amounting to a total of CHF 197,203,900 as set forth in the Tables 1, 2 and table 3 annexed to 
this Resolution.
1 
RESOLVE that, 
 
3.16.  The financing of the amount of CHF 197,203,90 0  with regard to the Secretariat of the WTO 
and the Appellate Body and its Secretariat referred to above shall be as follows: 
a. by contributions from Members, on the basis of a minimum contribution of 
0.015 per cent, in the amount of CHF 195,500,000 (Table 4); 
b. by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,703,900 (Table 5). 
3.17.  The contributions of the Members shall be a ssessed in accordance with the attached scale of 
contributions.  Contributions from Members in respect of the 2014 budget are considered as due 
and payable in full as at 1 January 2014. 
3.2  Budget Estimates for 2015 
3.18.  The Committee, bearing in mind the guidelines on biennial budgeting 
(WT/BFA/W/105/Rev.1) approved by the General Council (WT/GC/M/82), including the reference to revisions to the second year of the biennium,
2 recommends to the General Council for 
                                               
1 Table 6 annexed to this document replaces the Table 32 of the document WT/BFA/W/309 and contains 
additional information requested by Members at the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration.  
2 “…if it proves necessary due to unexpected change s in inflation rates and other elements (e.g. the 
levels of translation resources required to cope with a greater or lesser volume of documentation)  when the 
biennial budget was approved …, the Committee would examine a Revision to the second year of the biennial 
budget prepared by the Director-Gen eral, which could propose increases, decreases or reallocations of 
resources for the second year, and make the appropriat e recommendation to the Ge neral Council for approval. 
This flexibility might be particularly necessary in the fi rst biennium.  This approach would also seem to provide 
the desired level of predictability while at the same ti me taking into account the considerations expressed by 
some Members...”  (WT/BFA/W/105/Rev.1). WT/BFA/139 
 
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  consideration and approval the following draft re solution on the expenditure of the World Trade 
Organization in 2015 and the ways and means to meet such expenditure. 
The General Council, 
 
HAVING CONSIDERED, 
 3.19.  The Estimates of expenditure of the Secr etariat of the World Trade Organization for 2015 
(CHF 190,699,300), and for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat for 2015 (CHF 6,504,600) 
amounting to a total of CHF 197,203,900 as set forth in the Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 annexed to this Resolution.
1 
RESOLVE that, 
 
3.20.  The financing of the amount of CHF 197,203, 900 with regard to the Secretariat of the WTO 
and the Appellate Body and its Secretariat referred to above shall be as follows: 
a. by contributions from Members, on the basis of a minimum contribution of 
0.015 per cent, in the amount of CHF 195,500,000 (Table 4); and 
b. by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,703,900 (Table 5). 
3.21.  The contributions of the Members shall be assessed in 2014 based on the up-dated trade 
statistics in 2014 as foreseen in Regulation 12.3(b) of the revised Financial Regulations of the WTO, document WT/L/156/Rev.2.  Contributions from Members in respect of the 2015 budget are 
considered as due and payable in full as at 1 January 2015. 
3.22.  In accordance with Regulations 6 and 10 of  the revised Financial Regulations of the WTO, 
any revision of the 2015 budget estimates shall be submitted in 2014 to the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration for its examination and formulation of a recommendation for 
consideration by the General Council. 
3.23.  The list of technical assistance related training courses financed by the regular budget in 
2014 and 2015 is reflected in table 6 annexed to this Resolution. 
3.3  Strategic priorities for the 2014-2015 Budget 
3.24.  Members warmly welcome the Director-General ’s overall approach to the serious issues that 
need to be addressed regarding the WTO Budget and aspects of human resources, as set out in his introduction to the Budget. In order for the WTO Secretariat to operate with zero nominal growth 
in the WTO budget for 2014 and 2015, the Committee recommended that the General Council 
endorse the strategic principles and priorities prop osed by the Director-General and in particular:  
 The Secretariat will determine its priorities based on the resources provided and not based 
on the resources needed. 
 Personnel expenditure for permanent staff will be capped at its existing level. 
 The Secretariat will conduct an organizational review of human resources structures and 
reallocate the workforce based on Members' pr iorities, including through responding to the 
urgent need to reinforce the Secretariat’s staff resources that support the dispute settlement 
mechanism. 
 Savings in non-staff resources will be  reassigned towards areas of need.  
 The effort to achieve productivity gains will be  continued, and the implementation of the set 
of streamlining measures approved by the General Council in 2011 will be completed. 
3.25.  The Secretariat would keep Members inform ed on the progress achieved on these strategic 
priorities and principles through its regular reporting to the Committee throughout the biennium.  
3.26.  The Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration has decided that the Secretariat 
should also present to the Committee its plan for the organizational review by the end of the first 
quarter of 2014, and as part of its quarterly reporting to the Committee it will provide progress on:
 
 the organizational review; and 
 the reinforcement of the staff resources su pporting the dispute settlement mechanism. WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Table 1. 2014-2015 Proposed Consolidated WTO Budget  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2013 2014 2015 Inc/ 
Dec 
2014 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 90,856 90,715 90,532 -142 -182 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
 Post-Employment Benefits 21,752 21,987 21,960 235 -27 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
 Insurance 5,747 5,865 6,074 118 210 
  iv) Staff Family & 
 International Benefits 11,455 11,244 11,244 -211  
  v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,605 1,605 1,605   
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 131,415 131,415 131,415  0  0 
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,078 8,168 8,118 91 -50 
  ii) Consulting 7,825 7,925 7,925 100  
  iii) Panellists & Appellate 
 Body Members Fees 1,024 1,074 1,124 50 50 
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 16,927 17,167 17,167 241  0 
A Staffing Resources Total  148,342  148,582 148,582 241  0 
B Other Resources       
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post 1,720 1,686 1,686  -34  
  ii) Contractual Services & 
 Maintenance 9,769 9,849 9,649 80 -200 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,221 2,341 2,341 120  
  iv) Documentation & 
 Publication 1,681 1,681 1,681   
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 244 244 244   
 3. General Services Total 15,634 15,801 15,601 167 -200 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 7,245 7,245 7,245   
  ii) Hospitality 236 236 236   
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total  7,481 7,481 7,481  0  0 
 5. Implementing Partners i) Impl ementing Partners 273 273 273   
 5. Implementing Partners Total 273 273 273  0  0 
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed 
 Assets 1,710 1,510 1,510 -200  
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
 Equipment 1,423 1,457 1,457 34  
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 3,133 2,967 2,967 -167  0 
 7. Financial Expenditure i) Bank & Interest Charges 30 30 30   
  ii) Building Loan 
 Reimbursement 1,200 1,200 1,200   
 7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230 1,230 1,230  0  0 
B Other Resources Total  27,751  27,751 27,551  0  -200  
C Operating Funds and ITC       
 8. Contributions to ITC & 
Special Reserves i) Contribution to ITC 18,911 18,470 18,470 -441  
  ii) Appellate Bo dy Operating 
 Fund 1,600 1,800 2,000 200 200 
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
 Operating Fund 600 600 600   
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 21,111  20,870  21,070 -241  200 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total 21,111  20,870  21,070 -241  200 
Grand Total  197,204  197,204  197,204  0 0 
 WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Table 2. 2014-2015 Proposed Budget for the WTO Secretariat  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2013 2014 2015 Inc/
Dec 
2014 Inc/
Dec 
2015  
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 88,373 88,231 88,055 -142 -177 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
 Post-Employment Benefits 21,232 21,467 21,440 235 -27 
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
 Insurance 5,600 5,713 5,917 113 204 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
 Benefits 11,154 10,948 10,948 -206  
  v) Other Staff Expenditure 1,562 1,562 1,562   
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 127,921 127,921 127,921  0  0 
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 8,033 8,124 8,074 91 -50 
  ii) Consulting 7,825 7,925 7,925 100  
  iii) Panellists  265 315 365 50 50 
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 16,123 16,363 16,363 241  0 
A Staffing Resources Total  144,044  144,285 144,285 241  0 
B Other Resources       
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post 1,679 1,645 1,645  -34  
  ii) Contractual Services & 
 Maintenance 9,751 9,831 9,631 80 -200 
  iii) Energy & Supplies 2,201 2,321 2,321 120  
  iv) Documentation & 
 Publication 1,671 1,671 1,671   
  v) Other / Miscellaneous 217 217 217   
 3. General Services Total 15,518 15,685 15,485 167 -200 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 7,195 7,195 7,195   
  ii) Hospitality 235 235 235   
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 7,430 7,430 7,430  0  0 
 5. Implementing Partners i) Impl ementing Partners 273 273 273   
 5. Implementing Partners Total 273 273 273  0  0 
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed Assets 1,685 1,485 1,485 -200  
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 1,408 1,442 1,442 34  
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 3,093 2,927 2,927 -167  0 
 7. Financial Expenditure i) Bank & Interest Charges 30 30 30   
  ii) Building Loan 
Reimbursement 1,200 1,200 1,200   
 7. Financial Expenditure Total 1,230 1,230 1,230  0  0 
B Other Resources Total  27,544  27,544 27,344 0  -200  
C Operating Funds and ITC       
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves      
  i) Contribution to ITC 18,911 18,470 18,470 -441  
  iii) Ministerial Conference 
 Operating Fund 600 600 600   
        8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 19,511  19,070 19,070 -441   0 
C Operating Funds and ITC Total 19,511  19,070 19,070 -441   0 
Grand Total  191,099  190,899 190,699 -200  -200  
 WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Table 3. 2014-2015 Proposed Budget for the Appellate Body And Its Secretariat  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Part Section Line 2013 2014 2015 Inc/
Dec 
2014 Inc/ 
Dec 
2015 
A Staffing Resources       
 1. Staff Expenditure i) Staff Remuneration 2,483 2,483 2,478  -6 
  ii) Staff Pension & 
 Post-Employment Benefits 520 520 520   
  iii) Staff Health & Invalidity 
 Insurance 146 152 157 5 6 
  iv) Staff Family & International 
 Benefits 301 296 296 -5  
  v) Other Staff 
 Expenditure 43 43 43   
 1. Staff Expenditure Total 3,494 3,494 3,494  0 0 
 2. Temporary Assistance i) Short-Term Staff 45 45 45   
  iii) Appellate Body Member Fees 759 759 759   
 2. Temporary Assistance Total 804 804 804  0 0 
A Staffing Resources Total  4,298  4,298 4,298  0  0 
B Other Resources       
 3. General Services i) Telecommunication & Post 41 41 41   
  ii) Contractual Services & 
 Maintenance 18 18 18   
  iii) Energy & Supplies 20 20 20   
  iv) Documentation & Publication 10 10 10   
  v) Other /Miscellaneous 27 27 27   
 3. General Services Total 116 116 116  0 0 
 4. Travel & Hospitality i) Travel 50 50 50   
  ii) Hospitality 1 1 1   
 4. Travel & Hospitality Total 51 51 51  0 0 
 6. Capital Expenditure i) Procurement of Fixed Assets 25 25 25   
  ii) Rental & Leasing of 
Equipment 15 15 15   
 6. Capital Expenditure Total 40 40 40  0 0 
B Other Resources Total  207  207 207  0  0 
C Operating Funds & ITC       
 8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves      
  ii) Appellate Bo dy Operating 
Fund 1,600 1,800 2,000 200 200 
  8. Contributions to ITC & Special Reserves Total 1,600  1,800 2,000 200  200 
C Operating Funds & ITC Total  1,600  1,800 2,000 200 200 
Grand Total  6,105  6,305 6,505 200  200 
 
 WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Table 4. Draft Scale of Contributions For 2014 
(in Swiss Francs and with a mi nimum contribution of 0.015%) 
Member 2014 
Contribution  
CHF 2014 
Contribution  
% Interest3 
earned in 2012 
for 2014  
CHF 2014 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Albania 54,740  0.028%  52 54,688  
Angola 490,705  0.251%  341 490,364  
Antigua and Barbuda 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Argentina 780,045  0.399%  264 779,781  
Armenia 33,235  0.017%  13 33,222  
Australia 2,584,510  1.322%  2,315 2,582,195  
Austria 2,258,025  1.155%  1,876 2,256,149  
Bahrain, Kingdom of 175,950  0.090%  169 175,781  
Bangladesh 244,375  0.125%  111 244,264  
Barbados 29,325  0.015%  19 29,306  
Belgium 4,158,285  2.127%  3,049 4,155,236  
Belize 29,325  0.015%  3 29,322  
Benin 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of 68,425  0.035%  2 68,423  
Botswana 60,605  0.031%  31 60,574  
Brazil 2,381,190  1.218%  898 2,380,292  
Brunei Darussalam 64,515  0.033%  62 64,453  
Bulgaria 336,260  0.172%  329 335,931  
Burkina Faso 29,325  0.015%  19 29,306  
Burundi 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Cambodia 74,290  0.038%  28 74,262  
Cameroon 64,515  0.033%  32 64,483  
Canada 5,253,085  2.687%  5,681 5,247,404  
Cape Verde 29,325  0.015%  22 29,303  
Central African Republic 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Chad 37,145  0.019%  0 37,145  
Chile 778,090  0.398%  743 777,347  
China 15,921,520  8.144%  7,046 15,914,474  
Colombia 488,750  0.250%  383 488,367  
Congo 56,695  0.029%  0 56,695  
Costa Rica 146,625  0.075%  158 146,467  
Côte d'Ivoire 105,570  0.054%  0 105,570  
Croatia 287,385  0.147%  214 287,171  
Cuba 146,625  0.075%  90 146,535  
Cyprus 117,300  0.060%  128 117,172  
Czech Republic 1,429,105  0.731%  1,433 1,427,672  
Democratic Republic of the Congo 87,975  0.045%  0 87,975  
Denmark 1,728,220  0.884%  1,786 1,726,434  
Djibouti 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Dominica 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Dominican Republic 154,445  0.079%  6 154,439  
Ecuador 215,050  0.110%  36 215,014  
Egypt 572,815  0.293%  560 572,255  
El Salvador 80,155  0.041%  0 80,155  
Estonia 179,860  0.092%  187 179,673  
European Union 0 0.000%  0 0 
Fiji 29,325  0.015%  26 29,299  
Finland 1,129,990  0.578%  932 1,129,058  
                                               
3 Interest earned in 2012 under the Early Payment Encouragement Scheme (L/6384) to be deducted 
from the 2014 contributions. WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Member 2014 
Contribution  
CHF 2014 
Contribution  
% Interest3 
earned in 2012 
for 2014  
CHF 2014 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
France 7,988,130  4.086%  7,413 7,980,717  
Gabon 43,010  0.022%  2 43,008  
The Gambia 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Georgia 54,740  0.028%  49 54,691  
Germany 16,410,270  8.394%  14,913 16,395,357  
Ghana 117,300  0.060%  44 117,256  
Greece 868,020  0.444%  0 868,020  
Grenada 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Guatemala 136,850  0.070%  95 136,755  
Guinea 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Guinea-Bissau 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Guyana 29,325  0.015%  19 29,306  
Haiti 29,325  0.015%  25 29,300  
Honduras 87,975  0.045%  1 87,974  
Hong Kong, China 4,952,015  2.533%  5,003 4,947,012  
Hungary 1,202,325  0.615%  733 1,201,592  
Iceland 78,200  0.040%  87 78,113  
India 3,853,305  1.971%  1,249 3,852,056  
Indonesia 1,634,380  0.836%  1,349 1,633,031  
Ireland 2,128,995  1.089%  1,513 2,127,482  
Israel 842,605  0.431%  336 842,269  
Italy 6,443,680  3.296%  5,611 6,438,069  
Jamaica 66,470  0.034%  3 66,467  
Japan 8,850,285  4.527%  5,919 8,844,366  
Jordan 158,355  0.081%  94 158,261  
Kenya 109,480  0.056%  70 109,410  
Korea, Republic of 5,526,785  2.827%  2,870 5,523,915  
Kuwait, the State of 637,330  0.326%  0 637,330  
Kyrgyz Republic 35,190  0.018%  19 35,171  
Lao People's Democratic Republic 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Latvia 156,400  0.080%  154 156,246  
Lesotho 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Liechtenstein 46,920  0.024%  46 46,874  
Lithuania 287,385  0.147%  92 287,293  
Luxembourg 785,910  0.402%  427 785,483  
Macao, China 211,140  0.108%  127 211,013  
Madagascar 29,325  0.015%  10 29,315  
Malawi 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Malaysia 2,181,780  1.116%  1,832 2,179,948  
Maldives 29,325  0.015%  26 29,299  
Mali 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Malta 80,155  0.041%  66 80,089  
Mauritania 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Mauritius 58,650  0.030%  56 58,594  
Mexico 3,376,285  1.727%  3,003 3,373,282  
Moldova, Republic of 39,100  0.020%  30 39,070  
Mongolia 39,100  0.020%  0 39,100  
Montenegro 29,325  0.015%  9 29,316  
Morocco 373,405  0.191%  197 373,208  
Mozambique 43,010  0.022%  29 42,981  
Myanmar 68,425  0.035%  29 68,396  
Namibia 50,830  0.026%  44 50,786  
Nepal 35,190  0.018%  19 35,171  WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Member 2014 
Contribution  
CHF 2014 
Contribution  
% Interest3 
earned in 2012 
for 2014  
CHF 2014 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Netherlands 5,986,210  3.062%  5,095 5,981,115  
New Zealand 432,055  0.221%  441 431,614  
Nicaragua 46,920  0.024%  29 46,891  
Niger 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Nigeria 752,675  0.385%  0 752,675  
Norway 1,657,840  0.848%  922 1,656,918  
Oman 328,440  0.168%  121 328,319  
Pakistan 349,945  0.179%  311 349,634  
Panama 199,410  0.102%  111 199,299  
Papua New Guinea 44,965  0.023%  0 44,965  
Paraguay 99,705  0.051%  1 99,704  
Peru 375,360  0.192%  241 375,119  
Philippines 666,655  0.341%  627 666,028  
Poland 2,207,195  1.129%  1,847 2,205,348  
Portugal 922,760  0.472%  559 922,201  
Qatar 551,310  0.282%  336 550,974  
Romania 713,575  0.365%  643 712,932  
Russian Federation 4,226,710  2.162%  0 4,226,710  
Rwanda 29,325  0.015%  1 29,324  
Saint Kitts and Nevis 29,325  0.015%  7 29,318  
Saint Lucia 29,325  0.015%  10 29,315  
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Samoa 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 2,326,450  1.190%  131 2,326,319  
Senegal 44,965  0.023%  0 44,965  
Sierra Leone 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Singapore 4,508,230  2.306%  4,295 4,503,935  
Slovak Republic 782,000  0.400%  635 781,365  
Slovenia 357,765  0.183%  263 357,502  
Solomon Islands 29,325  0.015%  24 29,301  
South Africa 1,069,385  0.547%  1,003 1,068,382  
Spain 4,590,340  2.348%  726 4,589,614  
Sri Lanka 140,760  0.072%  27 140,733  
Suriname 29,325  0.015%  26 29,299  
Swaziland 29,325  0.015%  16 29,309  
Sweden 2,365,550  1.210%  2,211 2,363,339  
Switzerland 2,873,850  1.470%  2,562 2,871,288  
Chinese Taipei 3,032,205  1.551%  2,769 3,029,436  
Tajikistan 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Tanzania 78,200  0.040%  0 78,200  
Thailand 2,207,195  1.129%  1,831 2,205,364  
The former Yugoslav Re public of Macedonia  58,650  0.030%  0 58,650  
Togo 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Tonga 29,325  0.015%  29 29,296  
Trinidad and Tobago 119,255  0.061%  50 119,205  
Tunisia 244,375  0.125%  58 244,317  
Turkey 1,908,080  0.976%  1,633 1,906,447  
Uganda 46,920  0.024%  0 46,920  
Ukraine 809,370  0.414%  561 808,809  
United Arab Emirates 2,385,100  1.220%  1,707 2,383,393  
United Kingdom 7,954,895  4.069%  8,746 7,946,149  
United States of America 22,298,730  11.406%  839 22,297,891  
Uruguay 103,615  0.053%  0 103,615  WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Member 2014 
Contribution  
CHF 2014 
Contribution  
% Interest3 
earned in 2012 
for 2014  
CHF 2014 
Net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Vanuatu 29,325  0.015%  0 29,325  
Venezuela, Bolivari an Republic of 725,305  0.371%  0 725,305  
Viet Nam 856,290  0.438%  582 855,708  
Zambia 62,560  0.032%  29 62,531  
Zimbabwe 39,100  0.020%  0 39,100  
TOTAL 195,500,000  100.00%  124,712 195,375,288  
 
Table 5. 2014-2015 Budget Estima ted Miscellaneous Income  
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Item 2013 2014 2015 Incr/Decr 
2014 Incr/Decr 
2015 
Contributions of Observer Countries 821  700 700 -121 0  
Sale of Publications & Royalties 250 230 230 -20 0 
Trust Fund - Participation to direct costs 200  180 180 -20 0  
Savings on previous year's outstanding obligations 150 200 200 50 0 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space 43  110 110 67 0  
Other 240 284 284 44 0 
Total 1,704  1,704  1,704  0 0  
 WT/BFA/139 
 
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  Table 6 Technical Assistance Rela ted Training Courses by Course1 
(in thousand Swiss Francs) 
Title Budget 
2013 Budget 
2014 Budget 
2015 
1st and 4th Advanced Trade Policy Course - Applied (English) 584 450 450 
2nd and 5th Advanced Trade Policy Course - Applied (English) 584 450 450 
3rd and 6th Advanced Trade Policy Course - Applied 
(Spanish/French) 0 450 450 
Development of E-Learning courses 74 74 74 
28th Geneva Week and 30th Geneva Week 199 150 150 
29th Geneva Week and 31st Geneva Week 199 150 150 
Introduction and Focus Activities for Geneva-based delegates 10 20 20 
Introduction Course for LDCs (English/French) 210 210 210 
Advisory Role on Legal Issues (Art. 27.2 of DSU) 
(English/French/Spanish) 60 60 60 
National seminars and worksh ops (English/French/Spanish) 1,106 886 776 
National seminars and workshops (Accessions related)  0 70 70 
Advanced Thematic Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 
(English/Spanish) 70 70 70 
Joint WIPO/WTO Advanced Course on Intellectual Property for 
Government Officials (English) 82 82 82 
Advanced Thematic course on TBT (English) 180 0 180 
Follow-up activities related to the 2013 and the 2014 Advanced 
Thematic Course on SPS (English/Spanish) 159 159 159 
Advanced Thematic course on SPS (English/Spanish) 256 256 256 
Advanced Thematic Course on Regionalism (English) 130 110 110 
Thematic workshop on SPS related market access challenges and 
opportunities 188 0 0 
Advanced Thematic Course on Rules  137 0 0 
Thematic Course on Practical Gu ide for Trade Policy Analysis 
(English) 0 110 110 
Intermediate Thematic Course for LDCs (French/English) 0 110 110 
Advanced Thematic course Trade and Environment (English) 0 180 0 
Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills for Geneva-based 
delegates (tbd) 0 2 2 
Advanced Workshop on Agricu lture Notifications (English) 0 90 0 
Advanced Workshop on Agricultur e Notifications (French) 0 90 0 
Advanced Workshop on Agricu lture Notifications (Spanish) 0 0 90 
Advanced Thematic course on Agriculture (tbd) 0 0 110 
Advanced Thematic course (tbd) 0 0 90 
Support to Regional African Round of University Competitions on 
WTO Law and participation in Final Competition (Moot Court Competition) 70 70 70 
Academic support semi nars in co-operati on with academic 
institutions 155 170 170 
The donation of WTO publications to Universities and groups of 
scholars 25 10 10 
Monitoring and Evaluation 70 70 70 
Total Technical Assistance Related Training Courses 4,548 4,548 4,548 
(Reference is made to footnote 1 on page 4) 
 
4  BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN FOR 2014-2015 (WT/COMTD/W/200) 
4.1.  The ITTC Director informed the Committee that the Committee on Trade and Development 
(CTD) had examined and adopte d the WTO Technical Assistance and Training Plan for the 
biennium 2014-2015 at its meeting on 24 October 2013. Members in the CTD emphasised the importance of Trade Related Technical Assistance  ( T R T A )  i n  t h e  w o r k  o f  t h e  W T O .  T h e y  a l s o  
stressed that sufficient resources needed to be mobilised throughout the year while also ensuring 
linkages with existing TRTA  Programmes in the re gions with a view to ensure full implementation 
of the TA Plan.  WT/BFA/139 
 
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  4.2.  The TA Plan is the result of extensive consultations and lessons drawn from implementing 
previous TRTA Plans. It responds to identified nati onal or regional needs and priorities in addition 
to using a results-based management approach to outline, for the first time, the targeted key r e s u l t s .   T h e  P l a n  a l s o  i d e n t i f i e s  t h e  P r o g r e s s i v e  L e a r n i n g  S t r a t e g y  ( P L S )  t h a t  w i l l  p r o v i d e  
coherence to the implementation of activities  and the funding sources for various types of 
activities. Furthermore, the Plan provides for renewed emphasis on accountability, monitoring and evaluation.  The Plan has a mix of both traditional and new products with a view to achieve a set 
of targeted results.  
4.3.  One Member expressed satisfaction about th e consultative process that had been taken to 
develop the Plan. Another Member noted the decline in the contributions to the Global Trust Fund and  invited donors to continue their efforts. 
4.4.  Pursuant to paragraph 40 of the Mini sterial Declaration adopted at the Fourth 
Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference , the Committee recommends to the General 
Council that: 
a. Secure and predictable financing be pr ovided for the implementation of the 
2014 - 2015 biennial technical assistance and training plan, as authorised by 
the CTD; 
b. the target level of extra budgetary re sources for the implementation of the 
biennial technical assistance and trai ning plan, be set at chf 16,710,892 for 
2014 and at CHF 16,835,192 for 2015; 
c. of the targeted level of extra budgetary  resources intended to fund the plan, 
CHF 14,430,552 for 2014 and CHF 14,430, 552 for 2015 be expected to come 
from the doha development agenda global trust fund (DDAGTF) and 
CHF 2,280,340 for 2014 and CHF 2,404,640 for 2015 from other trust funds; 
d. Members be reminded that, on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council 
approved the following periodic benchmar ks for contribution receipts to the 
DDAGTF: (i) by December of the year preceding the funds' revolving annual 
target period, 25 per cent of the annual total should be in the bank; (ii) by 
31 March, another 50% for an overall 75% of the total; (iii) by 30 June, 100% 
of the funds; 
e. in this context, Members be informed that the projected year-end balance of 
the fund is likely to be sufficient to cover the 25% of the target amount; and 
f. Governments be urged to make financ ial contributions in a manner which 
would preserve the global nature of the programme and facilitate the 
management and reporting with a view to greater transparency (i.e. making 
un-earmarked contributions) and pledge multi-year contributions to create 
more predictability in terms of financing. 
5  APPOINTMENT OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR (WT/BFA/W/310 & 312) 
5.1.  The Chair of the Committee invited Mr. Tomochika UYAMA (Japan) to chair a Working Group 
to review the offers received from the invitation  to bid issued on 12 July 2013 (WT/INF/192) in the 
context of the selection of the External Audito r for the period 2014-2019. The Working Group was 
open to any interested Member. 
5.2.  The Working Group met three times and presented its report (WT/BFA/W/312) to the 
Committee on 25 October 2013. The Chair of the Wo rking Group highlighted the very high quality 
of the proposals received and indicated that the offer presented by the German 
Budgesrechnungshof  most fully addressed all the requirements laid down in the call for tenders.  
The Committee reviewed the report. Members th anked the Working Group for its report and 
expressed their support for the proposal. WT/BFA/139 
 
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  5.3.  The Committee recommends to the General Council to appoint the German 
Bundesrechnungshof  as External Auditor of the accounts of the WTO Secretariat and the 
WTO Pension Plan effective as from the au dit of the accounts for 2014 and for a period 
of six years subject to the condition that either party, i.e. the German 
Bundesrechnungshof  or the WTO General Council may terminate the arrangement with 
one year's notice. 
5.4.  The Committee  thanks all the institutio ns that have submitted offers for the quality 
of their submissions. 
6  OTHER BUSINESS 
6.1.  The Chair presented the draft annual report on the activities of the Committee. The 
Committee approved the report to be issued  with the document symbol WT/BFA/140. 
 
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