WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/BFA/W/290 
6 November 2012 
 (12-6102) 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
MID-TERM REVIEW 
 
BIENNIUM 2012 - 2013 
 
    WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 3 
 
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
Page 
I.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. .. 4 
II.  2012 PERFORMANCE AGAINST BUDGET ....................................................................... 5  
III. 2013 APPROVED BUDG ET (UNREVISED) ........................................................................ 9  
A.  WTO  SECRETARIAT  .................................................................................................................. 11  
B.  APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT  ................................................................................ 15  
C.  MISCELLANEOUS INCOME FOR 2013 ......................................................................................... 16  
D.  SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2013 ........................................................................................ 16  
IV.  EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES IN THE WTO ......................................... 21  
V.  KEY ACTIVITY AND BUDGETARY INDICATORS ...................................................... 24  
 
 WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 4 
 
 
  I. INTRODUCTION 
1. Members will recall that, in December 2011, following the recommendation of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (WT/BFA/128), the General Council approved the 
fifth WTO biennial budget in allocating CHF 196, 003,900 and CHF 197,203,900 for the years 2012 
and 2013, respectively (WT/GC/M/134). 
2. The Director-General has reviewed the budget of the second year of the biennium 2012-2013 
and decided not to revise it as no unexpected or una voidable changes have occurred, which could not 
be managed within the 2013 budget initially approved by Members. In addition, the current economic 
situation clearly requires strict discipline and scrupul ous usage of the resources of the WTO to score 
efficiency gains and enable the organization to eventu ally do 'more with less'.  In fact, the tables 
included in this document on the evolution of the WTO budget and of its staff since 1995 clearly 
show a declining rate of growth in both spheres, a nd demonstrate that a path has already been forged 
in this direction. 
3. There are two areas in which the Secretariat will face resource challenges in 2013. First, the 
Secretariat is currently facing a surge in its disput e settlement activity, essentially at the panel level. 
This is expected to continue in 2013 and would unavoidably impact the Appellate Body in the second 
part of the year. The Secretaria t has received 24 requests for consultations in 2012, as compared to 
only 8 in 2011.  This is the highest level of requ ests for consultations since 2003.  Moreover, many of 
the disputes now being brought to the WTO are mu lti-complainant cases, involving substantially more 
work for the Secretariat.  In one of the cases this year , there are a total of 34 third parties.  In addition, 
the disputes are also getting wider in terms of the numb er of claims that they involve.  To meet this 
challenge, the Secretariat is currently looki ng at how to reallocate some of its staff. 
4. The second challenge relates to the Building Project .  Next year, the Secretariat will complete 
a Building Project that will have lasted 5 years.  Th e project is expected to be completed on time and 
totally within the agreed budget.  The challenge for the Secretariat next year will be to bring all its 
new facilities into operation. In that context, the Secretariat will need to implement a new "facility 
management approach" for the new site.  This me ans reviewing and unifying the way it operates the 
various buildings, in areas such as heating, c ooling and ventilation, ma intenance and repair. 
5. Despite the aforementioned challenges, the Dire ctor-General's view is that these challenges 
do not require any adjustment to the 2013 budget that has already been approved by the Members. 
6. The Secretariat will also continue to pursue two projects that will improve its resource 
management. The first relates to the implementation of a whole host of cost-saving, and efficiency-
enhancing measures, agreed in the biennium budgetary process.  The Secretariat' s intention is to score 
efficiency gains across a very wide range of areas th at are described in detail in this report.  They 
include the streamlining of docum ent reproduction procedures, the review of the Secretariat's 
publications policy,  the improvement of its trav el policy, and much more. Key will be to make 
structural changes that will ensu re long-term savings.  Good progress has been achieved so far on 
several of these measures, but more will be requi red next year, necessitating the co-operation of 
Members. 
7. The second project relates to the modernisation of the organization's human resource policies. 
The Secretariat has started a review of the way in which human resources are managed and allocated, 
in order to better align these r esources to activities/outputs. This  includes the introduction of output 
planning, job profiles, the definition of organi zational needs for each division and continuous 
improvements in performance management.  This will allow the Secretariat to better align its staff 
structure to the workload stemming from the ac tivities defined by Members.  These reforms are 
currently being implemented and should be fully completed in 2013.  The Director-General has 
expressed a strong commitment to these reforms, wh ich will render the Secretariat's human resources  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 5 
 
 
  management more transparent and cost-effective. As a result, budgetary discussions should become, 
over time, more activity and results-based. 
8. The approved 2013 budget reflects a de facto zer o nominal growth. It will be the second year 
in a row of zero nominal growth. Members had limited the increase of the 2013 budget to 
CHF 1.2 million, corresponding to the first annual re imbursement of the 50-year interest free loan 
contracted for the new building.  
9. The mid-term review presented in this docum ent consists of:  (i) a budgetary performance 
report for 2012; and (ii) a proposal to maintain the original 2013 budget as already approved by 
Members (WT/BFA/128 and WT/GC/M/134).  In additio n, Members will find information about cost 
savings and efficiency measures in the WTO, worklo ad indicators, as well as the budgetary and staff 
evolution in the WTO.  This document also c ontains the income estimates and updated scale of 
contributions for 2013 based on the trade statistics of 2012. 
Consolidated Budget 2013 
(in Swiss Francs) 
 
Secretariat Budget 2012  Inc/Dec 
2013 Budget 2013  % Diff  
2013 
WTO 189,962,500 1,136,800 191,099,300 0.60% 
Appellate Body 6,041,400 63,200 6,104,600 1.05% 
Grand Total 196,003,900 1,200,000 197,203,900 0.61% 
 
 
II. 2012 PERFORMANCE AGAINST BUDGET 
10. For 2012, the appropriation was comprised of CHF 189,962,500 for the WTO Secretariat and 
CHF 6,041,400 for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat, amounting to an overall budget of 
CHF 196,003,900.  
11. The Secretariat estimates at this point that the rate of implementation of the 2012 budget will 
reach 99.5 %, which corresponds to a potentia l overall budgetary saving of CHF 965,300. This 
anticipated budgetary saving is comprised of an estimated saving of CHF 1,203,300 for the WTO 
Secretariat, which is partly offset by an esti mated over-expenditure of CHF 238,000 for the Appellate 
Body and its Secretariat. This year-end estimate is based on the position as foreseen on 30 September 2012. The following table presents the est imated consolidated expenditure for the four 
parts of the 2012 budget.  
 
Consolidated Performance against Budget 2012 
as at 30 September 2012 
(in Swiss Francs) 
 
Part 2012 
Budget Estimated 
Expenditure 
to 
31 December Projected 
Balance Projected 
Expenditure 
to 
Appropriation 
A     Staff Costs 142,172,000 142,045,000 127,000 99.9% 
B     Administrative Costs 17,685,300 17,551,600 133,700 99.2% 
C     Other Costs 17,235,600 16,531,000 704,600 95.9% 
D     ITC 18,911,000 18,911,000 0 100.0% 
Grand Total 196,003,900 195,038,600 965,300 99.5% 
 WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 6 
 
 
  Detailed Consolidated Perfo rmance against 2012 Budget 
as at 30 September 2012 
(in Swiss Francs) 
 
P
a
r
t Section Item 2012 
Budget Estimated 
Expenditure 
to 
31 Dec 2012 Projected 
Balance Projected Exp. 
to 
Appropriation 
A Sect  1 Work Years (a) Salary  89,360,600 84,500,000 4,860,600 94.6% 
    (b) Pension 19,021, 100 18,200,000 821,100 95.7% 
    (c) Common Staff Costs 18, 619,800 22,000,000 -3,380,200 118.2% 
  Sect  1 Work Years Total 127,001,500 124,700,000 2,301,500 98.2% 
  Sect  2 Temporary Assistance  15,170,500 17,345,000 -2,174,500 114.3% 
B Sect  3 Communications (a) Telecommunications 674, 000 650,000 24,000 96.4% 
    (b) Postal Charges 1,105,700 860,000 245,700 77.8% 
  Sect  3 Communications Total 1,779,700 1,510,000 269,700 84.8% 
  Sect  4 Building Facilities (a ) Rental 693,000 680,000 13,000 98.1% 
    (b) Utilities 1,929,000 1,988,000 -59,000 103.1% 
    (c) Maintenance and Insura nce 1,692,000 1,775,000 -83,000 104.9% 
  Sect  4 Building Facilities Total 4,314,000 4,443,000 -129,000 103.0% 
  Sect  5 Permanent Equipment (a) Perm Equipment 1,310,000 1,675,000 -365,000 127.9% 
    (b) Perm Equipment Lease 44,000 15,000 29,000 34.1% 
  Sect  5 Permanent Equipment Total 1,354,000 1,690,000 -336,000 124.8% 
  Sect  6 Expendable   1, 201,000 1,230,000 -29,000 102.4% 
  Sect  7 Contractual Services. (a ) Reproduction 1,470,600 1,470,600 0 100.0% 
    (b) Office Automation 3,365,000 3,245,000 120,000 96.4% 
    (c) Other 238,000 83,000 155,000 34.9% 
    (d) Security Outsourci ng 3,963,000 3,880,000 83,000 97.9% 
  Sect  7 Contractual Serv. Total 9,036,600 8,678,600 358,000 96.0% 
C Sect  8 Staff Overheads (a) Trai ning 1,525,000 1,315,000 210,000 86.2% 
    (b) Insurance 3,116, 000 2,915,000 201,000 93.5% 
    (c) Joint Services  255,000 203,000 52,000 79.6% 
    (d) Miscellaneous 66,000 66,000 0 100.0% 
  Sect  8 Staff Overheads Total 4,962,000 4,499,000 463,000 90.7% 
  Sect  9 Missions (a) Missions Official 1,651, 000 1,938,000 -287,000 117.4% 
    (b) Missions Technical 1,406,000 1,223,000 183,000 87.0% 
  Sect  9 Missions Total 3,057,000 3,161,000 -104,000 103.4% 
  Sect 10 TPTC Trade Policy Traini ng Courses 2,960,100 2,790,000 170,100 94.3% 
  Sect 10 TPTC Total   2,960,100 2,790,000 170,100 94.3% 
  Sect 11 Various (a) Representation and Hospital ity 299,000 306,000 -7,000 102.3% 
    (b) Dispute Settlement Panels 987,000 782,000 205,000 79.2% 
    (c) Experts 50,000 0 50,000 0.0% 
    (d) Appellate Body Memb ers 793,500 816,000 -22,500 102.8% 
    (e) Library 600,000 578,000 22,000 96.3% 
    (f) Publications 780,000 437,000 343,000 56.0% 
    (g) Public Information Ac tivities 300,000 229,000 71,000 76.3% 
    (h) External Auditors 50,000 55,000 -5,000 110.0% 
    (i) Ministerial Operating Fund 600,000 600,000 0 100.0% 
    (j) ISO 57,000 53,000 4,000 93.0% 
    (k) Other 140,000 225,000 -85,000 160.7% 
    (l) Appellate Body Operating  
     Fund 1,600,000 2,000,000 -400,000 125.0% 
  Sect 11 Various Total 6,256,500 6,081,000 175,500 97.2% 
D Sect 12 ITC ITC 18,911,000 18,911,000 0 100.0% 
Grand Total   196,003,900 195,038,60 0 965,300 99.5%  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 7 
 
 
  12. Part A - Staff Costs.  This part of the budget covers all expenditure with respect to salaries, 
pensions and common staff costs for staff in re gular positions (Section 1) and those hired under 
temporary assistance contracts (Section 2).  The an ticipated aggregate position for Part A foresees a 
budgetary saving of CHF 127,000. 
13. There were no material changes in salary cond itions in 2012, as anticipated in the 2012 budget. 
In accordance with the WTO Salary  Scale methodology, a 2.4 % negativ e adjustment has been applied 
to the scale in 2012. Operationally, salaries for ex isting staff were frozen at  their 2009 levels. There 
were no significant changes in other conditions, such as pension and insurances. Projected savings under 
salaries and pension are the resu lt of a systematic assessment of any staff replacement through job 
profiling and organizational needs evaluation, and the replacement through te mporary assistance of 
some staff on leave without pay. The higher expendi ture under Common staff costs is related to the 
continued recording of provisions with respect to the gradual implementation of International Public 
Sector Accounting Standards regarding employee benefits.    
14. The higher expenditure under Temporary Assistan ce is compensated by a positive balance 
under Salaries.  The higher expenditure predominantly  covers for the repla cement of staff on leave 
without pay and consultants engaged in the building project. Savings in the recruitment of freelance 
interpreters and translators are being achieved as anticipated as part of th e streamlining measures.  
15. Part B - Administrative Costs.  Administrative Costs include the maintenance and insurance of 
the buildings and associated facilities, permanent and expendable equipment, communication costs, 
costs related to the reproduction of documents and those for info rmatics/office automation.  A 
consolidated budgetary saving of CHF 133,700 is anticipated for 2012 under this part of the budget. 
16. A saving of CHF 269, 700 is expected for Communications  (Section 3).  Telecommunications 
current expenditure is lower than expected and partly  offset by additional expe nditure for the removal of 
the telecommunication equipment to the new build ing.  The saving under Communications is 
predominantly achieved under Postal Charges, due to better negotiated rates as well as to the reduction 
in the number of official documents sent to Memb ers through the postal service.  The increase of 
electronic solutions on the Members' side also has a positive impact on the postal expenditure. 
17. Building Facilities (Section 4) and Permanent Equipment (Section 5) expenditure is expected to 
result in a slight overspending.  The Building Proj ect has induced additional e xpenditure related to the 
move to the new premises such as  removal companies, additional cleaning, additional expenditure for 
electricity and heating during the interim period, where the CDM annex and the new building will be 
occupied at the same time.  Additional computing hardware, security and audio-visual equipment was 
acquired as part of the numerous office s and building moves taking place in 2012.  
18. Contractual Services (Section 7) expenditure is  expected to provide a saving of CHF 358,000. 
Savings are achieved in the areas of office automa tion, IT maintenance and security outsourcing. 
Contract managers have sought to reorganize some of  the tasks and objectives to achieve those savings. 
19. Part C - Other Costs. Other Costs cover staff overhead costs (training, insurance and costs 
related to shared common services), missions, hos pitality, Dispute Settlement Panels, Trade Policy 
Training Courses, public information activities and external auditors.   A consolidated budgetary saving 
of CHF 704,600 is anticipated und er this part of the budget. 
20. A saving of CHF 463,000 is projected for Staf f Overheads (Section 8) through lower staff 
training expenditure and lower death and invalidity  insurance premiums, following a revision of the 
contract.  The anticipated overspending of CHF 104,00 0 for Missions (Section 9) is due to the objective 
to fund all mission travel related to Trade Policy Reviews falling unde r the mandate of the regular work 
of the WTO Secretar iat through the regular budget, and no longer through the DDA Global Trust Fund. 
A small positive balance is projec ted under Trade Policy Training Cour ses (Section 10) due to the fact 
that several training courses could be realized with a lower budget than originally provided.  WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 8 
 
 
  21. A net saving of CHF 175,500 is expected under th e Various section (Section 11). However, it is 
the sum of greater positive and ne gative variations for some line item s. A saving of CHF 0.2 million is 
anticipated under Dispute Settlement due to the reduced panel activity at the beginning of the year. Another saving of 0.3 million is projected under Publications, where a new accounting procedure for the 
accounting of publications has been introduced, which only debits the expense account at the moment of 
the sale or distribution of a publicat ion, and not when it is produced.  These savings are partially offset 
by an expected overspending of CHF 0.4 million und er the Appellate Body Operating Fund (ABOF), 
which is mainly due to the hiring of contracted lawyers during the heavy work period in the first 
semester 2012 and the high activity of Appe llate Body Members during this period. 
22. Part D - Contribution to the ITC. the Internatio nal Trade Centre (ITC) budget is jointly funded 
by the WTO and UNCTAD.  The contribution of the ITC will exactly meet the approved budget 
amount. 
23. In overall terms, the rate of implementation of  the WTO budget in 2012 is anticipated to reach 
99.5 %. 
Projected Miscellaneous Income 2012 
(in Swiss Francs) 
 
Miscellaneous Income Original 
Projection 
2012 Revised 
Projection 
2012 
Contributions of Observer Countries 903,495 845,000 
Sale of Publications & Royalties 300,000 250,000 
Trust Funds – Participation to direct costs 200,000 215,000 
Savings on previous year's outstanding obligations 150,000 300,000 
Rental of meeting rooms & office space  140,000 205,000 
Other 10,405 1,300,000 
TOTAL 1,703,900 3,115,000 
 
24. Miscellaneous income is expected to be highe r than anticipated by some CHF 1.4 million. 
Contributions from Observers are expected to be lo wer, as four observers (Montenegro, Samoa, the 
Russian Federation and Va nuatu) became Members of  the WTO in 2012. However, their contributions 
as new Members are included in the Other income and explain the higher income than anticipated.  
25. The Other income also includes  the write-off of the pre-1988 contributions for the Members 
formerly in Category IV - inactive,  who have accepted a payment plan, in accordance with the WTO 
Financial Regulations. 
26. The sale of publications is slightly lower than e xpected. Rental income is higher than originally 
foreseen as the new contract w ith the restaurant operator provi des for an annual rent of some 
CHF 100,000.  
 
 
 
  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 9 
 
 
  III. 2013 APPROVED BUDGET (UNREVISED) 
27. Members will recall that the General Council approved in 2003 (WT/GC/M/82) the 
introduction of biennial budgeting in the WTO.  It  was foreseen that a biennial approach would 
provide a greater predictability with regard to th e financial requirements of the WTO and ensure a 
more efficient use of time resources of both Members and the Secretariat. The biennial approach 
consists of the approval of two sep arate annual budgetary exercises prior to the start of the biennium. 
Members foresaw the possibility of a revision proposed  by the Director-General for the second year of 
the biennium, but only due to unexpected and/or  unavoidable changes which might occur in the 
intervening time period. 
28. According to the recommendation of the Comm ittee on Budget, Finance and Administration 
(WT/BFA/128), the Director-General hereby presents  the budget for the second year of the biennium 
2012-2013 and will not submit a revision, as no extraord inary changes to the original proposal have 
occurred in 2012. 
29. The proposed consolidated budget for 2013 of CHF 197,203,900 is comprised of an 
appropriation of CHF 191,099,300 for the WTO Secret ariat and an appropriation of CHF 6,104,600 
for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat.   
30. The 2013 budget has been approved by Members on the assumption of a zero nominal 
growth.  Members have only authorized an incr ease of CHF 1.2 million or  0.61% over the budget 
2012 to provide for the first annual reimbursement of the 50-year interest free loan contracted for the 
new building.   
31. The following information is a reminder of the 2013 budget as presented at the end of 2011 
with tables detailing: a) the consolidated 2013 b udget, b) the 2013 budget for the WTO Secretariat, 
and c) the 2013 budget for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat. WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 10 
 
 
  Consolidated 2013 Budget for the WTO Secretariat 
and the Appellate Body and its Secretariat 
(in Swiss franc s) 
 
Section 2012   Inc/Dec 
2013 2013   Diff  
2013 
A Sect  1 Work Years         
(a) Salary 89,360,600 678,300 90,038,900  0.76% 
(b) Pension 19,021,100 225,900 19,247,000  1.19% 
(c) Common Staff Costs 18,619,800 (121,900) 18,497,900  (0.65%) 
Sect  2 Temporary Assistance 15,170,500 70,000 15,240,500  0.46% 
B Sect  3 Communications       
(a) Telecommunications 674,000 0 674,000  0.00% 
(b) Postal Charges 1,105,700 (60,000) 1,045,700  -5.43% 
Sect  4 Building Facilities       
(a) Rental 693,000 585,000 1,278,000  84.42 % 
(b) Utilities 1,929,000 (170,000) 1,759,000  (8.81%) 
(c) Maintenance and Insurance 1,692,000 (200,000) 1,492,000  (11.82 %) 
Sect  5 Permanent Equipment       
(a) Permanent Equipment 1,310,000 100,000 1,410,000  7.63% 
(b) Permanent Equipment Lease 44,000 0 44,000  0.00% 
Sect  6 Expendable 1,201,000 0 1,201,000  0.00% 
Sect  7 Contractual Services       
(a) Reproduction 1,470,600 (100,000) 1,370,600  (6.80%) 
(b) Office Automation 3,365,000 0 3,365,000  0.00% 
(c) Other 238,000 0 238,000  0.00% 
(d) Security Outsourcing 3,963,000 0 3,963,000  0.00% 
C Sect  8 Staff Overheads       
(a) Training 1,525,000 0 1,525,000  0.00% 
(b) Insurance 3,116,000 200,000 3,316,000  6.42% 
(c) Joint Services 255,000 0 255,000  0.00% 
(d) Miscellaneous 66,000 0 66,000  0.00% 
Sect  9 Missions       
(a) Missions Official 1,651,000 100,000 1,751,000  6.06% 
(b) Missions Technical 1,406,000 0 1,406,000  0.00% 
Sect 10 Trade Policy Courses 2,960,100 (108,800) 2,851,300  (3.68%) 
Sect 11 Various       
(a) Representation and 
Hospitality 299,000 500 299,500  0.17% 
(b) Dispute Settlement Panels 987,000 0 987,000  0.00% 
(c) Experts 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 
(d) Appellate Body Members 793,500 0 793,500  0.00% 
(e) Library 600,000 0 600,000  0.00% 
(f) Publications 780,000 1,000 781,000  0.13% 
(g) Public Information Activities 300,000 0 300,000  0.00% 
(h) External Auditors 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 
(i) Ministerial Operating Fund 600,000 0 600,000  0.00% 
(j) ISO 57,000 0 57,000  0.00% 
(k) Other 140,000 0 140,000  0.00% 
(l) Appellate Body Operating  
     Fund 1,600,000 0 1,600,000  0.00% 
D Sect 12 ITC 18,911,000 0 18,911,000  0.00% 
Grand Total 196,003,900 1,200,000 197,203,900  0.61% 
  WT/BFA/W/290 
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  A. WTO  SECRETARIAT  
2013 Budget for the WTO Secretariat 
(in Swiss francs) 
 
Section 2012   Inc/Dec 
2013 2013   Diff  
2013 
A Sect  1 Work Years       
(a) Salary 87,006,100 586,500 87,592,600  0.67% 
(b) Pension 18,523,000 203,800 18,726,800  1.10% 
(c) Common Staff Costs 18,084,600 (71,200) 18,013,400  (0.39%) 
Sect  2 Temporary Assistance 15,104,900 70,000 15,174,900  0.46% 
B Sect  3 Communications       
(a) Telecommunications 667,500 0 667,500  0.00% 
(b) Postal Charges 1,105,700 (60,000) 1,045,700  -5.43% 
Sect  4 Building Facilities       
(a) Rental 693,000 585,000 1,278,000  84.42 % 
(b) Utilities 1,916,000 (170,000) 1,746,000  -8.87% 
(c) Maintenance and Insurance 1,687,000 (200,000) 1,487,000  -11.86 % 
Sect  5 Permanent Equipment       
(a) Permanent Equipment 1,285,000 100,000 1,385,000  7.78% 
(b) Permanent Equipment Lease 44,000 0 44,000  0.00% 
Sect  6 Expendable 1,181,000 0 1,181,000  0.00% 
Sect  7 Contractual Services       
(a) Reproduction 1,455,600 (100,000) 1,355,600  (6.87%) 
(b) Office Automation 3,355,000 0 3,355,000  0.00% 
(c) Other 238,000 0 238,000  0.00% 
(d) Security Outsourcing 3,963,000 0 3,963,000  0.00% 
C Sect  8 Staff Overheads       
(a) Training 1,500,000 0 1,500,000  0.00% 
(b) Insurance 3,104,000 200,000 3,304,000  6.44% 
(c) Joint Services 255,000 0 255,000  0.00% 
(d) Miscellaneous 64,000 0 64,000  0.00% 
Sect  9 Missions       
(a) Missions Official 1,601,000 100,000 1,701,000  6.25% 
(b) Missions Technical 1,406,000 0 1,406,000  0.00% 
Sect 10 Trade Policy Courses 2,960,100 (108,800) 2,851,300  (3.68%) 
Sect 11 Various       
(a) Representation and Hospitality 298,000 500 298,500  0.17% 
(b) Dispute Settlement Panels 987,000 0 987,000  0.00% 
(c) Experts 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 
(e) Library 590,000 0 590,000  0.00% 
(f) Publications 780,000 1,000 781,000  0.13% 
(g) Public Information Activities 300,000 0 300,000  0.00% 
(h) External Auditors 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 
(i) Ministerial Operating Fund 600,000 0 600,000  0.00% 
(j) ISO 57,000 0 57,000  0.00% 
(k) Other 140,000 0 140,000  0.00% 
D Sect 12 ITC 18,911,000 0 18,911,000  0.00% 
Grand Total 189,962,500 1,136,800 191,099,300  0.60% 
 WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 12 
 
 
  1. Part A - Staff Costs 
Part A of the budget covers all salary, pension a nd common staff costs for those staff in regular 
positions and those hired under temporary assistance.  For regular staff, standard costing has been 
used.  Standard costs are composed of a number of  elements under Salaries and Common Staff Costs.  
These can vary from year to year w ith changes in the cost of livi ng, conditions of service, places of 
recruitment, number of expected retirements a nd home leave entitlements (authorized every second 
year).  Since 1 January 1999, the WTO Conditions of Service are applied.   
 
(a). Section 1 - Work/Years: 
32. The increase of CHF 586,500 under 'Salaries' is comprised of (i) a 0% adjustment of the 
WTO salary scale for 2013 in accordance with the established methodology (WT/GC/M/63), 
(ii) reduced funding for the three new posts appr oved for 2012 only, (iii) a capping of the performance 
award envelope at its 2011 level, and (iv) a provision related to the Performance Appraisal System 
(WT/GC/M/80), reduced by the performance awards to  be paid in 2012 after increments have been 
awarded. 
33. The increase in 'Pensions' is linked to the incr ease under 'Salaries' and equally due to the 
application of the Performance Appraisal System . The decrease of CHF 71,200 under 'Common Staff 
Costs' is due to the profile adjustment in benefit entitlements as planned for 2013. 
(b) Section 2 - Temporary Assistance: 
Line Item 2012   Inc/Dec 
2013 2013   % Diff 
2013 
(a)Temporary 
Assistance (a) Support 1,100,900 0 1,100,900 0.00%
  (b) Translators 6,519,000 0 6,519,000 0.00%
  (c) Interpreters 1,754,900 0 1,754,900 0.00%
  (d) Consult 1,254,200 (10,000) 1,244,200 (0.80%)
  (e) EDP Consult 2,626,400 80,000 2,706,400 3.05%
  (f) Replacements 740,000 0 740,000 0.00%
  (g) Internships 372,700 0 372,700 0.00%
  (h) Overtime 246,000 0 246,000 0.00%
(a)Temporary Assistance Total 14,614,100 70,000 14,684,100 0.48%
 
34. As a part of the streamlining measures, the allocation for temporary assistance in the 2012 
budget has been reduced by CHF 0.8 million compar ed to the 2011 budget. The reduction has mainly 
been realised in the areas of translation, tran sportation, mailing and document production services. 
For 2013, additional temporary assistance is only required  in the area of IT consultants to assist in the 
development and streamlining of databases and enhance trade data analytics, which is partially offset 
by a further reduction in other consultants. 
35. In the core trade related areas, the IT consu ltants will work on the new projects of government 
procurement and intellectual prope rty gateways, the integration of  bound, applied and preferential 
commitments in the area of Services and the stream lining of the Tariffs and Trade data collection 
system. They will also continue the projects starte d in 2012 on the integration of all existing non-tariff 
measure databases into an umbrella database applicat ion that will be linked with tariff and trade data, 
the e-learning system platform and the e-learning content on anti-dumping.  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 13 
 
 
  36. In the support areas, the IT projects on re-engi neering of the Document Management System 
and the increase of the network storage and th e remote access system will be continued. 
2. Part B - Administrative Costs 
Part B of the budget covers administrative costs incl uding the maintenance and insurance of the building 
and associated facilities, permanent and expendable equipment, communication costs, costs related to 
the reproduction of documents and those for informatics/of fice automation. 
 
(a). Section 3 – Communications:  
37. The reduction of the budget of CHF 60,000 under postal charges is expected to be realised 
due to the streamlining measures, as part of the c ontinued shift towards the electronic distribution of 
documents. 
(b). Section 4 - Building Facilities: 
Section Line 2012   Inc/Dec 
2013 2013   % Diff  
2013 
Sect  4 Building Facilities (a) Rental 693,000 585,000 1,278,000 84.42%
  (b) Utilities 1,916,000 (170,000) 1,746,000 (8.87%)
  (c) Maintenance and 
Insurance 1,687,000 (200,000) 1,487,000 (11.86%)
Grand Total   4,296,000  215,000 4,511,000  5.00%
38. The increase of CHF 585,000 under Rental includes  the first reimbursement of CHF 1.2 million 
for the 50-year interest-free loan of CHF 60 million re lating to the Building Project. This is offset by the 
end of the rental contract for th e additional office building and car spaces at the Chemin des Mines 
(CDM) as well as the end of the rent al of external faciliti es for archiving purposes.  The reduction under 
'Utilities' is also due to the end of the rental contract at CDM. Under 'Maintenance and Insurance', the 
projected decrease of expe nditure relates to the areas of renovatio ns and alterations, due to the new and 
renovated premises.   
(c). Section 5 – Permanent Equipment  
39. The increase of CHF 100,000 under Permanent Equipment is comprised of a reduction of 
CHF 100,000 in the area of Docume nts Reproduction according to the st reamlining measures, and of an 
increase of CHF 200,000 for the purchase of e quipment related to the new building site.  
(d). Section 7 – Contractual Services: 
40. The reduction in Permanent Equipment and Cont ractual Services reflects the overall reduction 
in the documents reproduction and distributi on services of CHF 300,000 over the biennium 2012-
2013 as a part of the streamlining measures. The distribution of documents in printed form will 
continue to be reduced and therefore, two add itional large and high-volume printing machines will be 
disposed at the end of 2012 and replaced by a new generation of digital film ing equipment allowing 
the production on demand and at a lower cost . WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 14 
 
 
  3. Part C - Other Costs 
Part C of the budget proposals covers other costs such  as staff overhead costs (training, insurance and 
costs related to shared common services), missi ons, hospitality, dispute settlement panels, the 
permanent group of experts, trade policy training courses, public information activities and external 
auditors.  
 
(a). Section 8 – Staff Overheads:  
41. The increase of CHF 200,000 under 'Insurance' excl usively covers the expected increase in the 
cost of retiree medical insuranc e premiums. This amount increases every year with the increasing 
number of new retirees and has to be entirely covered by the regular budget, as no provision is 
established for this item. 
(b). Section 9 – Missions:  
42. The increase under official mission relates to  the funding of Trade Policy Review (TPR) – 
missions falling within the mandat e of the WTO, but previously funded from the DDA Global Trust 
Fund. The objective is to completely shift all travel  related expenditure of TP R missions to the regular 
budget through the biennium 2012-2013. The rise in the number of Trade Policy Reviews conducted 
every year will result into additional travel expenditure , which will partly be absorbed in other areas and 
partly by the savings realized following th e review of the existing travel policy. 
(c). Section 10 – Trade Policy Courses: 
43. In the area of Trade Policy Courses, the opport unity was seized in 2012 to introduce additional 
shorter advanced thematic courses, specifically targeted to the level of their audience, thereby increasing 
their effectiveness and decreasing their costs. At the same time, the content of these courses was 
conceptualized and or/revised to target more specifically the needs of the participants.  As a result, the number of intensive advanced thematic courses incr eased from seven to nine, offering additional topics 
so that the range for the biennium includes LDC priorities, Trade and Environment, Regionalism, 
Dispute Settlement (including a joint activity with ACWL and ICTSD), TRIPS (joint with WIPO), 
GATS, Agriculture, Technical Barriers to Trade and Ru les, lasting one to two weeks in addition to the 
two three-month Advanced Trade Policy Courses and the 3-week Advanced Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Course (and 8-da y follow-up module). The WTO will continue to prioritize its e-
learning strategy in 2013 to achie ve efficiency gains,  reach a wider audien ce and reduce costs.  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 15 
 
 
  B. APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT  
2013 Budget for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat 
(in Swiss francs) 
Section 2012   Inc/Dec 
2013 2013   Diff  
2013 
A       
Sect  1 Work Years       
(a) Salary 2,354,500 91,800 2,446,300  3.90% 
(b) Pension 498,100 22,100 520,200  4.44% 
(c) Common Staff Costs 535,200 (50,700) 484,500  (9.47%) 
Sect  2 Temporary Assistance 65,600 0 65,600  0.00% 
B       
Sect  3 Communications       
(a) Telecommunications 6,500 0 6,500  0.00% 
Sect  4 Building Facilities       
(b) Utilities 13,000 0 13,000  0.00% 
(c) Maintenance and Insurance 5,000 0 5,000  0.00% 
Sect  5 Permanent Equipment       
(a)Permanent Equipment 25,000 0 25,000  0.00% 
Sect  6 Expendable 20,000 0 20,000  0.00% 
Sect  7 Contractual Services       
(a) Reproduction 15,000 0 15,000  0.00% 
(b) Office Automation 10,000 0 10,000  0.00% 
C       
Sect  8 Staff Overheads       
(a) Training 25,000 0 25,000  0.00% 
(b) Insurance 12,000 0 12,000  0.00% 
(d) Miscellaneous 2,000 0 2,000  0.00% 
Sect  9 Missions       
(a)Missions Official 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 
Sect 11 Various       
(a) Representation and Hospitality 1,000 0 1,000  0.00% 
(d) Appellate Body Members 793,500 0 793,500  0.00% 
(e) Library 10,000 0 10,000  0.00% 
(l) Appellate Body Operating Fund 1,600,000 0 1,600,000  0.00% 
Grand Total 6,041,400 63,200 6,104,600  1.05% 
 
44. The same factors as mentioned under the WTO Secretariat pertain to the development of 
salaries for the Appellate Body. Salaries have not  been increased compared to 2012, and only the 
statutory provision related to the Performance Award  System has been applied. Common Staff Costs 
have been reduced by the provision related to  the recruitment of new staff in 2012.   WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 16 
 
 
  C. MISCELLANEOUS INCOME FOR 2013 
45. The total 2013 Budget is comprised of CHF 191,099,300 for the WTO Secretariat and 
CHF 6,104,600 for the Appellate Body and its Secret ariat,  leading to a total of CHF 197,203,900, 
which is to be financed as follows: 
 
Item 2013 
CHF 
Contributions on WTO Members 195,500,000 
Miscellaneous Income 1,703,900 
Total 197,203,900 
 
46. Miscellaneous Income is comprised of the following: 
 
Item 2013 
Estimates 
CHF 
Sale of publications 250,000  
Savings on previous year's outstanding obligations 150,000 
Rental of meeting rooms and office space 240,000 
Contributions of Observer Countries1 821,100 
Other:   
 - Interest on Current Account 0  
 - Trust Funds participation in direct cost 200,000 
- Various 42,800 
Total 1,703,900 
47. No substantial changes are foreseen in the ove rall amount for miscellaneous income in 2013 
compared to the initial projection provided as part of the biennium budget.  
D. SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2013 
48. On the basis of the proposed expenditure budget for 2013 an amount of CHF 195,500,000 is 
to be assessed on Members in the form of contributions.  The following draft scale of contributions 
includes a minimum contribution of 0.015 % for Me mbers whose share in the total trade of all 
Members is less than 0.015 %.  The draft scale ta kes into account the amounts to be deducted from the 
relevant contributions for 2013 under the terms of  the Early Payment Encouragement Scheme.  The 
2013 assessments are based on up-dated trade statis tics as foreseen in Regulation 12.3(b) of the 
Revised Financial Regulations of the WTO. 
 
                                                      
1 The Observer contribution is assessed at CHF 29,325.  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Scale of Contributions for 2013 
 
Member 2013  
Contribution 
CHF 2013 
Contribution
% Interest 
earned in 
2011 for 
2013 CHF 2013 net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Albania 54,740 0.028% (55) 54,685
Angola 459,425 0.235% (348) 459,077
Antigua and Barbuda 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Argentina 737,035 0.377% (475) 736,560
Armenia 31,280 0.016% (13) 31,267
Australia 2,447,660 1.252% (2,497) 2,445,163
Austria 2,328,405 1.191% (2,340) 2,326,065
Bahrain 179,860 0.092% (184) 179,676
Bangladesh 224,825 0.115% (123) 224,702
Barbados 29,325 0.015% (18) 29,307
Belgium 4,250,170 2.174% (4,015) 4,246,155
Belize 29,325 0.015% (19) 29,306
Benin 29,325 0.015% (11) 29,314
Bolivia 62,560 0.032% 0 62,560
Botswana 58,650 0.030% (52) 58,598
Brazil 2,209,150 1.130% (1,171) 2,207,979
Brunei Darussalam 68,425 0.035% (80) 68,345
Bulgaria 336,260 0.172% (384) 335,876
Burkina Faso 29,325 0.015% (19) 29,306
Burundi 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Cambodia 74,290 0.038% (49) 74,241
Cameroon 70,380 0.036% (33) 70,347
Canada 5,434,900 2.780% (6,826) 5,428,074
Cape Verde 29,325 0.015% (28) 29,297
Central African Republic 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Chad 41,055 0.021% 0 41,055
Chile 760,495 0.389% (337) 760,158
China, People's Republic of 15,047,635 7.697% (5,077) 15,042,558
Colombia 453,560 0.232% (413) 453,147
Congo 52,785 0.027% 0 52,785
Costa Rica 156,400 0.080% (190) 156,210
Côte d'Ivoire 107,525 0.055% 0 107,525
Croatia 303,025 0.155% (334) 302,691
Cuba 146,625 0.075% (95) 146,530
Cyprus 123,165 0.063% (117) 123,048
Czech Republic 1,429,105 0.731% (1,587) 1,427,518
Democratic Republic of the Congo 78,200 0.040% 0 78,200
Denmark 1,802,510 0.922% (2,029) 1,800,481
Djibouti 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Dominica 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Dominican Republic 158,355 0.081% (45) 158,310
Ecuador 205,275 0.105% (195) 205,080
Egypt 582,590 0.298% (521) 582,069
El Salvador 84,065 0.043% (66) 83,999
Estonia 181,815 0.093% (224) 181,591
European Union 0 0.000% 0 0
Fiji 29,325 0.015% (3) 29,322
Finland 1,180,820 0.604% (1,372) 1,179,448
Former Yugoslav Re public of Macedon ia 58,650 0.030% 0 58,650WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 18 
 
 
  Member 2013  
Contribution 
CHF 2013 
Contribution
% Interest 
earned in 
2011 for 
2013 CHF 2013 net 
Contribution 
CHF 
France 8,156,260 4.172% (7,604) 8,148,656
Gabon 41,055 0.021% 0 41,055
Gambia 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Georgia 52,785 0.027% (12) 52,773
Germany 16,723,070 8.554% (20,295) 16,702,775
Ghana 103,615 0.053% 0 103,615
Greece 920,805 0.471% (16) 920,789
Grenada 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Guatemala 136,850 0.070% (130) 136,720
Guinea 29,325 0.015% (9) 29,316
Guinea(Bissau 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Guyana 29,325 0.015% (6) 29,319
Haiti 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Honduras 93,840 0.048% (60) 93,780
Hong Kong, China 5,022,395 2.569% (5,806) 5,016,589
Hungary 1,233,605 0.631% (1,109) 1,232,496
Iceland 82,110 0.042% (106) 82,004
India 3,520,955 1.801% (1,473) 3,519,482
Indonesia 1,548,360 0.792% (1,440) 1,546,920
Ireland 2,207,195 1.129% (1,369) 2,205,826
Israel 846,515 0.433% (859) 845,656
Italy 6,746,705 3.451% (4,986) 6,741,719
Jamaica 72,335 0.037% (4) 72,331
Japan 9,014,505 4.611% (7,079) 9,007,426
Jordan 156,400 0.080% (139) 156,261
Kenya 105,570 0.054% (73) 105,497
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2,248,250 1.150% (2,237) 2,246,013
Korea, Republic of 5,405,575 2.765% (2,646) 5,402,929
Kuwait 615,825 0.315% (223) 615,602
Kyrgyz Republic 31,280 0.016% (35) 31,245
Latvia 156,400 0.080% (179) 156,221
Lesotho 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Liechtenstein 46,920 0.024% (55) 46,865
Lithuania 279,565 0.143% (65) 279,500
Luxembourg 805,460 0.412% (752) 804,708
Macao, China 183,770 0.094% (146) 183,624
Madagascar 29,325 0.015% (18) 29,307
Malawi 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Malaysia 2,033,200 1.040% (2,132) 2,031,068
Maldives 29,325 0.015% (33) 29,292
Mali 29,325 0.015% (7) 29,318
Malta 78,200 0.040% (81) 78,119
Mauritania 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Mauritius 58,650 0.030% (64) 58,586
Mexico 3,427,115 1.753% (3,273) 3,423,842
Moldova 37,145 0.019% (29) 37,116
Mongolia 33,235 0.017% (21) 33,214
Montenegro 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Morocco 369,495 0.189% (307) 369,188
Mozambique 41,055 0.021% (43) 41,012
Myanmar, Union of 64,515 0.033% (34) 64,481 WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 19 
 
 
  Member 2013  
Contribution 
CHF 2013 
Contribution
% Interest 
earned in 
2011 for 
2013 CHF 2013 net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Namibia 48,875 0.025% (43) 48,832
Nepal 33,235 0.017% 0 33,235
Netherlands 6,095,690 3.118% (6,972) 6,088,718
New Zealand 430,100 0.220% (523) 429,577
Nicaragua 44,965 0.023% 0 44,965
Niger 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Nigeria 715,530 0.366% (394) 715,136
Norway 1,691,075 0.865% (926) 1,690,149
Oman 306,935 0.157% (140) 306,795
Pakistan 353,855 0.181% (352) 353,503
Panama 185,725 0.095% (100) 185,625
Papua New Guinea 48,875 0.025% 0 48,875
Paraguay 89,930 0.046% (18) 89,912
Peru 349,945 0.179% (21) 349,924
Philippines 709,665 0.363% (797) 708,868
Poland 2,168,095 1.109% (2,069) 2,166,026
Portugal 955,995 0.489% 0 955,995
Qatar 477,020 0.244% (201) 476,819
Romania 711,620 0.364% (683) 710,937
Russian Federation 4,066,400 2.080% 0 4,066,400
Rwanda 29,325 0.015% (18) 29,307
Saint Kitts and Nevis 29,325 0.015% (8) 29,317
Saint Lucia 29,325 0.015% (2) 29,323
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 29,325 0.015% (8) 29,317
Samoa 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Senegal 44,965 0.023% (34) 44,931
Sierra Leone 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Singapore 4,430,030 2.266% (4,918) 4,425,112
Slovak Republic 764,405 0.391% (619) 763,786
Slovenia 365,585 0.187% (414) 365,171
Solomon Islands 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
South Africa 1,071,340 0.548% (1,181) 1,070,159
Spain 4,772,155 2.441% (1,231) 4,770,924
Sri Lanka 134,895 0.069% (14) 134,881
Suriname 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Swaziland 29,325 0.015% (6) 29,319
Sweden 2,412,470 1.234% (2,113) 2,410,357
Switzerland 2,623,610 1.342% (2,851) 2,620,759
Chinese Taipei 3,065,440 1.568% (3,599) 3,061,841
Tanzania 72,335 0.037% 0 72,335
Thailand 2,140,725 1.095% (2,351) 2,138,374
Togo 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Tonga 29,325 0.015% (22) 29,303
Trinidad and Tobago 127,075 0.065% (99) 126,976
Tunisia 248,285 0.127% (85) 248,200
Turkey 1,861,160 0.952% (1,777) 1,859,383
Uganda 43,010 0.022% (2) 43,008
Ukraine 789,820 0.404% (435) 789,385
United Arab Emirates 2,232,610 1.142% (1,219) 2,231,391
United Kingdom 8,453,420 4.324% (10,064) 8,443,356
United States 22,891,095 11.709% (1,065) 22,890,030WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 20 
 
 
  Member 2013  
Contribution 
CHF 2013 
Contribution
% Interest 
earned in 
2011 for 
2013 CHF 2013 net 
Contribution 
CHF 
Uruguay 95,795 0.049% (17) 95,778
Vanuatu 29,325 0.015% 0 29,325
Venezuela 727,260 0.372% 0 727,260
Viet Nam 785,910 0.402% (642) 785,268
Zambia 58,650 0.030% (1) 58,649
Zimbabwe 37,145 0.019% (18) 37,127
TOTAL 195,500,000 100.00% (144,352) 195,355,648
 
 
 
 
  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 21 
 
 
  IV. EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY MEASURES IN THE WTO 
49. Streamlining Measures: a number of the cost sav ings in document reproduction and meetings, 
approved by Members in December 2011, have alread y been implemented at the end of September 
2012.  These are (i) the discontinuation of the internal  distribution within the Secretariat of official 
documents in printed form in January 2012, (ii) the discontinuation of the distribution of official 
documents in meeting rooms and at the document ce ntre as of March 2012, (iii) the discontinuation of 
some document series in the areas of Trade Po licy Review, Trade and Development, and SPS and 
TBT notification in printed form, (iv) the possi bility for Members to subscribe to electronic 
distribution of documents as from February 2012 and, (v) the improvement of the scheduling and 
conduct of meetings, resulting in a reduction in the number of meetings and a greater use of internal 
interpreters.  Furthermore, an electronic subscr iption model for official documents will become 
available to Members in the last quarter 2012, a nd the reduction in the overall volume of official 
documents by 5% as well as the establishment of a common process and tool to be used by all serving 
Committee Secretaries are on-going. 
50. Printing: two printing machines have been replaced  by a single, more efficient digital printing 
machine allowing documents to be printed on demand at a competitive price.  Furthermore, all official 
documents are printed on both sides of a page, ther eby significantly reducing paper consumption.  
Corridor photocopiers have been configured to print recto verso by default.  The number of individual 
printers is also being gradually reduced. 
51. Publications: following the rental of the new digital printing machine, publications can be 
printed on demand, thereby significantly reducing stoc ks and facilitating the management of stocks.  
This will not only liberate space in the storage areas but also avoid important accounting write-offs 
every year.  As a result of the digital printing technology, the in-house cost of producing on demand a few copies of a specific publication remains competitive.  
52. Travel Policy: the WTO is committed to reduc ing its travel expenditure and its greenhouse 
gas emissions through a revised travel policy.  Tr avel shall be undertaken only after all possible 
alternatives to travel have been envisaged, includi ng video conferencing and the use of other internet-
based communication tools.  The WTO also limits the number of staff travelling to the same event.   
53. Travel Agency Implant: the WTO has negotiated a contract whereby receipts of fees and 
commissions which exceed th e agency's budget are returned to the WTO.  In addition, in order to 
ensure greater efficiency and to keep the agency's  budget in line with the workload, quarterly reviews 
of the situation are held with the Account Manager in  order to adapt agency staff levels to operational 
needs.  A drop in the number of transactions handled by the Implant in 2011 has rapidly led to 
measures to adjust the number of tr avel agents.  The Secretariat is al so currently investigating the use 
on online booking tools in order to further reduce the cost of transactions.   
54. Transportation: the WTO is promoting the use of ground public transport wherever possible 
in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generate d by air travel.  Ground public transport is the 
preferred mode of travel for short distance journe ys and rail travel is preferred over air travel 
wherever possible. 
55. Transport in Geneva: the WTO provides staff me mbers with daily tickets for public transport 
for travel to work-related meetings and appointme nts throughout the canton, thereby encouraging the 
use of local public transport.  Taxi vouchers are also available for short journeys to and from the 
WTO.  WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 22 
 
 
  56. Official Cars: in the context of promoting the use of ground public transport, and the 
reduction of permanent expenditure for drivers, the WTO reduced by four its fleet of official cars in 
the last 12 months. 
57. Corporate Credit Card: in 2011, the Secretar iat has modified its corporate credit card 
programme available to selected senior staff.  The new programme has removed the annual fees on 
the credit cards.  Expenditure incurred on cards assi gned to individual travel mission expenditure is 
directly charged to the staff member's personal account, limiting the administrative overheads for the 
Organization.  It is being considered to extent  the new programme to staff undertaking frequent 
mission travel.  Staff members can claim and obtain appropriate reimbursement from the WTO before 
their account is charged.  The use of these cred it cards will facilitate the rapid preparation and 
processing of expense reports and the monitoring a nd negotiation of preferred agreements with key 
suppliers.  
58. Banking:  the WTO has implemented electronic banking as the established practice for settling 
bills and payroll, which has resulted in reduced ba nk charges.  In 2011, new contracts have been 
negotiated with the two main banks of the WTO, thereby further reducing bank charges and ensuring 
the best possible interest rates according to the current market conditions.  Furthermore, conditions 
are reviewed on a quarterly basis and regularly compar ed to other competitors in order to ensure the 
best possible rates for the WTO. 
59. Temporary Assistance: temporary assistance for support divisions has been strictly limited 
and used to replace only those staff assigned to services which must be maintained. 
60. Overtime: the introduction of a form for pre-appr oval of overtime at least  48 hours in advance 
has contributed to the better planning of the workload  and to the overall reducti on of overtime. Staff is 
also now systematically encouraged to be compen sated by time-off instead of a monetary reward. 
61. Website: document distribution and mailing costs as well as advertising charges are being 
reduced as the WTO website is increasingly used  for document downloads, consulting vacancies and 
for applying for posts through e-recruitment.   
62. Telephone Policy: for all outgoing non-local phone ca lls, staff have to enter a code in order to 
get connected. At every month end, staff have to validate each phone call by indicating if it is 
professional or private. Private calls are automatica lly deducted from the staff's salary. The Secretariat 
has strengthened its control in this area in 2012. 
63. Mailing: the same system as for private phone cal ls pertains to private mailing, which is 
deducted from the staff's salary. 
64. Insurance policies: the Secretariat's security po licies have been entirely reviewed and revised, 
thereby resulting into a saving on premiums and a better cover. A new call for tender has been 
conducted in 2012 that should reduce some of the premiums in 2013. 
65. Office supplies: a new contract for office s upplies has been negotiated, eliminating the 
minimum amount for orders of CHF 29, which enc ouraged higher quantities.. All stationary is 
purchased on-line and delivered as and when needed. Stock-levels are reduced to a minimum. Used 
binders are systematically recycled centra lly when they remain in a good state. 
66. Heating with lake water: the WTO is now part  of the thermal exchange network 'Genève-Lac 
Nations' which is a project to save energy and to reduce the carbon footprint among a number of 
international and non-governmental organizations in Geneva. The thermal exchange network uses 
water from Lake Geneva to cool and heat the ne w building and cool the conference rooms in the old  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 23 
 
 
  buildings with a source of renewable sustaina ble energy. Lake water is pumped from around 
40 meters below the lake surface two kilometres fro m shore, piped inland and shared with the local 
network comprising ten internati onal organisations as well as severa l other institutions in Geneva. 
Heating is provided via modern, sophisticated h eat pumps that produce hot water at 48 degrees, 
eliminating the need for energy-intensive boile rs, burner, chimneys and fuel tanks.  For air 
conditioning, heat exchangers integrated in to existing systems cool the piped water. 
67. Minergy plus Building: the WTO will be the firs t international organiza tion in Geneva partly 
housed in a Minergy plus Building.  The Minergy plus  standard is a very high standard for buildings 
with very low energy consumption.  This is achiev ed by the use of specific materials, by high-grade 
building envelopes and the continuous renewal of air. 
68. Natural ventilation for the new WTO Atrium in stead of air conditioning: a natural ventilation 
system allows the refreshment during hot weather as well as a light heating during cold weather of the 
WTO Atrium, thereby saving expenditure on air conditioning and heating. 
69. Lighting: during the renovation, lighting in corridors as well as office lights have been 
equipped with movement sensors to trigger lights, thereby reducing electricity costs. LED lights are 
also foreseen in the new building. 
70. Electricity: the installation of sensors as well as th e re-negotiation of the electricity rates with 
the local electricity provider resulted in  savings in electricity expenditure. 
71. Cleaning: the cleaning contract has been nego tiated in 2011, resulting in a reduction of 20% 
of cleaning expenditure. The frequency of office cleaning has been reduced. 
72. Water fountains: the removal of all water disp ensers and the replacement by natural water 
fountains resulted into an economy of some CHF 50,000 per year. The WTO official drinking water 
source is the tap. WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 24 
 
 
  V. KEY ACTIVITY AND BUDGETARY INDICATORS 
73. The following graphs indicate the evolution of workload in several key areas of WTO 
activities financed under the regular budget. 
A. TRANSLATION AND DOCUMENTATION  
 
Translation and Documentation:  Number of words in original language for translation 
(in 1,000 words) 
 
 
 
B. MEETINGS  
 
Meetings: Number of formal, informal and private meetings 
(January–August) 
 
  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 25 
 
 
   
Meetings:  Days of freelance interpreters 
(January–August) 
 
 
 
C. DISPUTE SETTLEMENTS PANELS  
 
Dispute Settlement Panels:  Expenditure 
(in 1,000 Swiss Francs) 
 
 
 
* Estimate based on actual expenditure to 30/09/2012. 
 WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 26 
 
 
  Dispute Settlement Panels:  Average Expenditure per Month 
(in 1000 Swiss Francs) 
 
 
 
* Estimate based on actual expenditure to 30/09/2012.   WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 27 
 
 
  D. BUDGET EVOLUTION SINCE 1995 
 
Year Appropriation in CHF Total % Increase 
  WTO Appellate Body     
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% 
 
Budgetary Evolution 1995-2013 
 
 
 
 WT/BFA/W/290 
Page 28 
 
 
  E. STAFF EVOLUTION SINCE 1995 
 
Regular Staff per Year 
1995 - 2013 
 
Year Staff evolution New Consolidations Total % change 
  WTO AB WTO AB     
1995 445.0 0 0     445  
1996 513.0 0 68     513 15.3% 
1997 507.0 6 0     513 0.0% 
1998 507.0 6 0     513 0.0% 
1999 524.0 9 17 3   533 3.9% 
2000 530.0 9 6 0   539 1.1% 
2001 539.0 13 9 4   552 2.4% 
2002 547.0 13 8 0   560 1.4% 
2003 577.0 13 6 0 24 590 5.4% 
2004 594.0 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% 
  WT/BFA/W/290 
 Page 29 
 
 
  F. STAFF PER DIVISION  
 
Regular Staff per Division 
(30 September 2012) 
 
Secretariat Division Grades 1 - 
10 Grades 11 
- 12 Senior 
Management Grand 
Total 
WTO Senior Management 6.1 0 5 11.1 
  Accessions Division 8.8 1 0 9.8 
  Administration and General Services Division 74.7 1 0 75.7 
  Agriculture and Commodities Division 16.4 1 0 17.4 
  Office of the Director-General 14 1 0 15 
  Council and TNC Division 12 1 0 13 
  Development Division 14 1 0 15 
  Economic Research and Statistics Division 40.8 2 0 42.8 
  Human Resources Division 20.2 1 0 21.2 
  Institute for Training and Technical Co-
operation 32.6 1 0 33.6 
  Intellectual Property Division 13.1 1 0 14.1 
  Legal Affairs Division 17 2 0 19 
  Market Access Division 9.6 1 0 10.6 
  Rules Division 19 1 0 20 
  Trade and Environment Division 10.6 1 0 11.6 
  Trade in Services Division 15.8 1 0 16.8 
  Trade Policies Review Division 51.4 2 0 53.4 
  Office of Internal Audit 1 1 0 2 
  Information and External Relations Division 28.6 1 0 29.6 
  Langages, Documentation and Information 
Management Division 149.5 1 0 150.5 
  Information Technology Solutions Division 48.3 1 0 49.3 
Sub.-total   603.5 23 5 631.5 
  Appellate Body Secretariat 16 1 0 17 
Total   619.5 24 5 648.5 
 
 
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