RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/201  
11 November  2021 
(21-8550) Page: 1/2 
   
 
  
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 20 21 OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET,  
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
1.1.  In accordance with the procedures for an annual overview of World Trade Organization (WTO) 
activities, adopted by the General Council on 15  November 1995 (WT/GC/M/8, item 11), a report 
on the activities of the Committee  on Budget, Finance and Administratio n (CBFA)  in 2021 is hereby 
submitted.  
1.2.  In 20 21, the CBFA  held eight formal meetings and submitted  eight reports1 to the 
General  Council. The CBFA reviewed and took note of regular items such as the quarterly  reports on 
the financial and extra-budgetary sit uation of the Organization ; the 202 1 WTO Salary Survey and 
Dependency Allowances; update s from the Chair person  of the WTO Pension Plan Management 
Board; the Report on the Status of the Implementation of the External Audit Recommendations; an 
update on the WTO Medical Insurance Plan and ASHI , the Annual Strategic Facilities Plan;  the WTO 
Secretariat's Learning and Development Programme for 2019 and 2020; and the Report of the Office 
of Int ernal Oversight for 20 20-2021. 
1.3.  The Director General presented the WTO 2022 -2023 budget proposal to the Committee on 
22 June and further shared her thoughts on strategic pl anning.  
1.4.  The CBFA  took note of  outstanding contributions from Members and Observers  and invited the 
General Council to urge Members and Observers under Administrative Measures to  liquidate their 
arrears.  Furthermore, the Chairman of the CBFA read out the list of Members and Observers under 
Administrative Measures at every General Council  meeting.  
1.5.  The CBFA adopted the procedural improvements for the Committee presented by some 
Members.  
1.6.  The CBFA continued its discuss ions on a number of Financial Regulations, including those 
related to trust funds and the enabling continuation of operations  pending the approval of the 
budget .  
1.7.  The CBFA took note of the Reports of the Office of Internal Oversight on the status of the 
implementation of the Internal Audit Recommendations . 
1.8.  The CBFA  reviewed the 2020 WTO Audited Financial Statements and the External Auditor's 
Report and recommended that the General Council appro ve the 20 20 WTO Audited Financial 
Statements . In addition, t he CBFA  proposed that the General Council approve transfers between 
budgetary sections as outlined in the 2020 WTO Financial Performance Report.  
1.9.  The CBFA reviewed and took note of the performance audit on the WTO's management of the 
COVID -19 crisis  and its consequ ences . The conclusions, as prepared by the External Auditors, were 
favourable.  
 
1 WT/BFA/1 93 covering the meeting held on 8 March 202 1; WT/BFA/1 94 covering the meeting of 
19 April 2021, WT/BFA/1 95 covering the meeting of 2 5 May  2021, WT/BFA/1 96 covering the meeting of 
22 June and 1 July  2021; WT/BFA/1 97 covering the meeting of 12 July 2021, WT/BFA/19 8 and 
WT/BFA/198/Corr.1 covering the meeting of 2 3 September 2021; WT/BFA/19 9 covering the meeting o f 
22 Octob er 2021, and WT/BFA/200 covering the meeting of 4 November 2021.  WT/BFA/201  
 
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  1.10.  The CBFA took note of a briefing note from ITC which gave  information on ITC's contribution 
to WTO objectives.  
1.11.  During meetings of the CBFA in 2021, Officials of the WTO Secretar iat invited  delegates to 
liaise with their authorities to consider making contributions in order to facilitate the participation of 
LDC Members in the 1 2th Ministerial Conference. Several Members contributed to the Fund and 
available funds can cover the re levant costs.  
1.12.  A Working Group on Coherence in the Establishment and Management of WTO Trust Funds 
met several times to draft some recommendations to be presented to the CBFA in the context of 
Management of the WTO Trust Funds. Discussions are still ongoing . 
1.13.  The CBFA submitted a recommendation to the General Council to approve the utilization of 
the 2020 budgetary surplus as follows: part of it to be applied against Members' contributions for 
2022; and part to be transferred to the Working Capital Fund.  
1.14.  Finally, the CBFA examined and proposed to the General Council to approve the 202 2-2023 
Biennium budget proposals for the WTO and the International Trade Center (ITC) as well as the 
budgetary aspects of the 2022-2023 Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan.  
 
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