RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
29 August  2017 
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Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation    
 
  ASSESSMENT OF THE AD VANCED TRADE POLICY COURSE  
BY THE WTO SECRETARI AT1 
Table of Contents  
1   SUMMARY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  2 
2   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  3 
3   EXTERNAL EVALUATION:  RECOMMENDATION 14 ON  THE ATPC  ................................ .. 3 
4   MANAGEMENT RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL EVAL UATION  ................................ .........  4 
5   FRAMEWORK AND OBJECT IVES OF THE ATPC  ................................ ..............................  5 
6   TARGET AUDIENCE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
7   EVOLUTION OVER TIME  ................................ ................................ ...............................  7 
7.1   Earlier trade policy courses  ................................ ................................ ...........................  7 
7.2   Current ATPC  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  8 
8   ASSE SSMENT OF THE CURREN T ATPC  ................................ ................................ ........  11 
8.1 Assessment of the ATPC by government officials  ................................ .............................. 11 
8.2   Assessment of the ATPC by trainers  ................................ ................................ .............. 14 
9   COST CONSIDERATIONS  ................................ ................................ ...........................  18 
10   PROPOSED WAY FORWARD  ................................ ................................ .....................  20 
11   FUTURE MONITORING  ................................ ................................ .............................  21 
ANNEX 1 – ATPC WORK PROGRAMME  ................................ ................................ ............  22 
ANNEX 2 – REVISED ATPC: NUMBER  OF PARTICIPANTS BY M EMBER  .............................  30 
ANNEX 3 – PARTICIPANTS' EVALUA TION OF THE ATPC  ................................ .................  31 
ANNEX 4 – EFFECTIVENESS: IMMED IATE RESULTS ACCORDI NG TO MAIN 
TRAINERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  34 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.   WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  1  SUMMARY  
1.1.  As a response to the External Evaluation conducted in 2016 of trade -related technical 
assistance, the Secretariat undertook to assess Members' need for an advanced course for 
generalists and, if it were to be continued, to reconside r the course's parameters. As a follow -on, 
the Secretariat carried out an assessment of the Advanced Trade Policy Course (ATPC) in 
early 2017 that shows that this course remains a valued and unique element of WTO's Technical 
Assistance (TA).  
1.2.  The current AT PC has evolved from a long tradition of trade policy courses offered in Geneva 
by the WTO Secretariat and its predecessor in support of government officials involved in the work 
of the multilateral trading system. Following the establishment of the WTO, th e "Trade Policy 
Course" was introduced in 1995 as the sole WTO source of comprehensive trade policy training for 
generalists. Between 2002 and 2010 the trade policy courses in Geneva were delivered in parallel 
with similarly comprehensive trade policy cour ses held in various regions. As part of the adoption 
and gradual implementation of WTO’s Progressive Learning Strategy, the "Trade Policy Course" in 
Geneva was replaced by the ATPC in 2010, and a subsequent extensive revision of this course led 
to the adop tion of the ATPC in its current abridged eight -week format in 2014. Throughout this 
evolutionary process, Members have consistently demonstrated a high regard for the trade policy 
courses held in Geneva, with their demand for places in these courses regula rly exceeding the 
number of slots available.  
1.3.  The ATPC now plays a unique role in WTO’s learning strategy by allowing participants to 
examine the horizontal linkages between the rules and disciplines embedded in different WTO 
Agreements, between their lega l aspects and economic effects, and their combined implications for 
the formulation and implementation of national trade policies. No other course places a similar 
emphasis on the multilateral context in which WTO rules and disciplines are negotiated and 
monitored, or trade disputes settled. Also distinctive are the ATPC's applied nature and its focus on 
developing participants' capacity to think through complex problems. The ATPC also offers 
participants unmatched access to the deep pool of world -class tra de experts available at WTO 
headquarters in Geneva.  
1.4.  Reflecting its distinctive  design, all the indications are that the ATPC has been effective in 
fulfilling the interest of beneficiaries for an advanced course that trains government officials who 
need a b road knowledge of the WTO and solid understanding of the principles that underlie trade 
policy formulation in order to conduct their work. Such officials include, among others, capital -
based experts dealing with WTO issues or delegates posted to Geneva mis sions with general 
responsibility for WTO affairs.  
1.5.  The views expressed by both beneficiaries and trainers involved in recent ATPCs indicate that 
the ATPC has also successfully played its intended role of consolidating and adding value to lower 
level train ing activities. Likewise, the information assessed indicates that the ATPC's overall design 
is robust and that the course has been delivered in a pedagogically sound and cost -effective 
manner. Crucially, beneficiaries assess the ATPC in a very favourable l ight while trainers deem the 
course, in its present form, as very successful overall.  
1.6.  It should be noted that, although relatively expensive on a per -participant basis, ATPCs have 
a lower cost per participant -day than Geneva -based specialized courses or r egional topic -specific 
activities. This is largely due to ATPCs being able to rely on the pool of experts available in Geneva 
and, thus, not requiring hiring external consultants; to trainers and presenters incurring no travel 
costs; and to the fixed cost of participants' transportation being spread over more days than for 
shorter TA courses. The cost per participant and the daily cost per participant have also remained 
fairly steady in recent years, and are similar to that of the Regional Trade Policy Cour ses, which 
are the only other TA courses of a similar duration.  
1.7.  Therefore, the examined evidence supports the continuation of the ATPC within its present 
overall methodological framework. Discontinuing the ATPC would not only take away a training 
activity long considered as highly valuable by beneficiaries but also put in question the logic of 
WTO's Progressive Learning Strategy, which according to the External Evaluation has been largely 
successful in making training more structured and targeting needs bet ter. This, in turn, would WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  require a re -examination and possible revamping of other courses offered to government officials 
who need a broad knowledge of the WTO to conduct their work  
1.8.  In parallel with the positive views collected about the overall ATPC as a  whole, the 
Secretariat's assessment also identified particular aspects of the course’s implementation in 
practice that warrant revision. In particular, revisions seem required to identify participants’ 
knowledge gaps and their individual learning achievem ents, to rationalize certain elements of the 
ATPC's syllabus, further enhance its coherence with other TA courses for generalists, better 
monitor and measure its results, close the gap between the demand and supply of places, and 
improve the limited availa ble training infrastructure. These improvements could be carried out 
starting in 2018 as part of the implementation of the TA Plan 2018 -19. 
2  INTRODUCTION  
2.1.  An External Evaluation of the trade -related technical assistance provided between 2010 
and 2015 by the WTO was conducted in 2016. The evaluation aimed to assess the functioning of 
all WTO Trade -Related Technical Assistance , analy se its delivery, best practices, and lessons 
learned. The evaluation confirmed that WTO's Technical Assistance (TA) had had a tang ible impact 
on the human and institutional capacities of the beneficiaries and that the TA approach adopted by 
WTO was sound. The evaluation also made 28 recommendations for improving WTO's TA 
approach, one of which, Recommendation 14, directly concerned t he Advanced Trade Policy 
Course (ATPC).  
2.2.  In the Management Response to the External Evaluation, the Secretariat clarified the 
operations and strategic direction of WTO TA, described the TA portfolio and explained its views on 
the evaluation's recommendation s. In relation to the specific recommendation concerning the 
ATPC, the Secretariat engaged to assess Members' need for an advanced course for generalists 
and, if it were to be continued, reconsider the course's parameters.  
2.3.  Reflecting  the above, the presen t assessment aims to give a response  to the 
recommendation by the External Evaluation concerning the ATPC. This assessment is organized in 
nine sections in addition to the summary and this introduction: a description of Recommendation 
14 in the External Ev aluation concerning the ATPC, the response given by management to that 
recommendation, an explanation of the framework and objectives of the ATPC, an outline of its 
target audience, an account of the ATPC 's evolution over time , an analysis of the evaluatio ns made 
by beneficiaries and trainers  of the ATPC in its current form, an overview of cost -related 
considerations, an explanation of the proposed way forward to meet Members' needs and, finally, 
a presentation of the role of future monitoring.  
3  EXTERNAL EVA LUATION: RECOMMENDAT ION 14 ON THE ATPC  
3.1.  In December 2016, Saana Consulting submitted to Members its Final Report on the WTO 
Trade -related Technical Assistance external evaluation.2 The Final Report made 28 specific 
recommendations, including one addressing the Advance Trade Policy Course (ATPC). Namely, 
Recommendation 14 proposed to:  
3.2.  "Examine and report on the pros and cons of discontinuing the "Advanced Trade Policy 
Course" (ATPC) in favour of expanded advanced offerings at the regional level, allowing for wider 
participation and deeper contextualisation.  Also consider the possibility of short executive courses 
suitable for the ministerial or permanent secretary levels. "3 
3.3.  The Final Report elaborated on this recommendation as follows:  
"The role and effectiven ess of ATPCs are issues of some controversy. On the one hand, to 
the extent that there has been a hierarchy of experience (and importantly, prestige) in WTO 
training, these extended courses in Geneva are viewed as the top of the pyramid, which is 
indeed th e raison d'être of these courses within the PLS. Accordingly, they have become a 
sought -after credential for many officials with senior responsibilities in countries. Past 
                                                
2 WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 2016 . 
3 Page 9, WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 20 16. WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  participants rate them highly (an average of 3.77 in the survey), noting such featur es as 
simulations, cases and the chance to see WTO and Committees in action and strengthen 
their professional networks. On the other hand, there are persistent doubts among some 
trainers about the appropriateness of an advanced generalist course within the  PLS. 
Together with "other Geneva -based general courses and activities", the ATPCs were rated 
lowest in effectiveness by trainers in the survey (an average of 2.96). The country missions, 
while finding positive opinions on ATPC among past participants, rai sed other questions, 
e.g., about the compatibility of the levels of knowledge and experience among participants, 
the limits on the numbers of people who could benefit, and the depth and value -added 
beyond RTPCs  [Regional Trade Policy Courses] ."4 
4  MANAGEMENT  RESPONSE TO THE EXTE RNAL EVALUATION  
4.1.  In its response to the Final Report by Saana Consulting , the WTO Secretariat partially agreed 
with Recommendation 14, concerning the ATPC, while making the following observations:  
"This recommendation is mixing three se parate things together: the future of the ATPC, 
regionalisation of training and training for high -ranking officials. Since no logical link can be 
established between these three issues, they have to be addressed separately, on the basis 
of their own merit.  
a. In the context of the preparation of the TA Plan for 2018 -19, the Secretariat will 
reassess with beneficiaries the merit of maintaining an advanced course for 
generalists and, if so, reconsider the parameters for such a course. However, 
should the discont inuation of advanced courses for generalists be the preferred 
option, the Secretariat will then see with beneficiaries whether any other type of 
course is required to respond to their identified needs and what should be the 
parameters for such other types of courses.  
b. Should the continuation of advanced courses for generalists be the preferred 
option (and in this case only), the best location for the courses will then also be 
considered on its own merit, according to the parameters retained for that course 
and to the ability of each possible venue to meet these parameters in an effective 
and efficient manner. However, this recommendation seems to ignore the fact that 
today, the main bottleneck in the increase of the WTO TA offer is a lack of more 
staff in the  Secretariat, as underlined in § 110, and that organising courses at 
regional level is generally more time consuming for the Secretariat than holding 
them in Geneva. Furthermore, holding the activities in Geneva or in the field is 
fairly neutral in terms o f wider participation of beneficiaries and costs (if anything, 
transaction costs are lower in Geneva, which might give it a small edge over other 
venues), except for national activities.  
c. Reaching out to ministers and permanent secretaries is not discussed anywhere 
else in the report. This recommendation is consequently unsubstantiated. Setting 
its absence of basis aside, implementing it has already been attempted on several 
occasions in the past and never really worked out. Beyond a superficial agreement 
of principle from beneficiaries, actual demand for the activities, once organised, 
proved very limited. The availability of the target audience was almost inexistent 
and tended to change at the last minute. When this was tried, the Secretariat 
eventually end ed up attracting its usual public of middle ranking officials stepping 
in for their bosses or cancelling the activities altogether. This recommendation 
looks highly unrealistic as a result, but the Secretariat would  welcome Members' 
views on it."5 
4.2.  In its r esponse, the WTO Secretariat also indicated that the ITTC would take the following 
key actions by October 2017:  
 'Reassess Members' need for an advanced course for generalists . 
                                                
4 Paragraph 5.91, WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 20 16. 
5 Page 12, WTO document WT/COMTD/90, 13 December 2016.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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    Reconsider the parameters for advanced courses for generalists, if such courses  are 
continued . 
 Consider alternative ways of responding to Members' needs in case of discontinuation of the 
advanced courses for generalists."6 
 
4.3.  The remainder of this document aims to implement  the management response by assessing  
Members' need for the course as revealed by beneficiaries' historical and current demand for it, 
and by the evaluation  of the course by both beneficiaries and trainers. The conclusion is that the 
continuation of the ATPC is  justified. Therefore, as foreseen in the management respo nse, this 
document then discusses how the ATPC parameters can be adjusted in practice to better meet 
Members' needs (rather than considering hypothetical alternative ways to fill such needs ). 
5  FRAMEWORK AND OBJECT IVES OF THE ATPC  
5.1.  A relevant assessment of th e current ATPC must take place within the framework of WTO's 
Progressive L earning Strategy (PLS) .7 This framework is a step-by-step, multi -modular approach  
focused  on mutual reinforcement of progressive training activities  in order to  attain higher levels of 
learning . Likewise, the PLS  aims “to encourage the development of participants’ autonomy, with a 
view to building and sustaining the long -lasting human and institutional capacity of beneficiary 
countries to participate most effectively in the rules -based multilateral trading system .”8 The PLS 
envisages three successive levels of learning, with Level 1 being the lowest and Level 3 the 
highest. Within this framework, g eneralists  “are those government officials who will need a broad 
knowledge of the WTO to conduct their work, such as capital -based officials dealing with WTO 
issues or delegates posted to Geneva missions with general responsibility for WTO affairs ”.9  
5.2.  The PLS was discussed and endorsed by Members in 2011,  incorporating the ATPC as a 
Level 3 training activity.10 
5.3.  The ATPC seeks to achieve the following objectives over eight -weeks of intensive training:  
i. Consolidate and apply participants' prior knowledge and comprehension of WTO rules and 
disciplines.  
ii. Encourag e participants'  critical thinking about the linkages between the multilateral trading 
system  and their countries' trade policy formulation and implementation.   
iii. Improve participants' trade -related analytical and negotiating skills.  
iv. Reinforce participants' capacity to find information on trade -related issues, and to use WTO 
databases and analytical tools.  
v. Strengthen participants' ability to work in teams and in an international environment.  
vi. Allow participants to increase their network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
 
5.4.   The ATPC is the only advanced course available for generalists among all WTO training 
activities . In line with the PLS, the ATPC “is aimed at government officials who seek to consolidate 
and broaden their knowledge of the WTO and the multilateral trading syst em already acquired 
through prior WTO E -Learning (on the Multilateral Trade Agreements) and/or a Regional Trade 
Policy Course (RTPC).”11  The design of the ATPC reflects the premise that long -term learning 
takes best place when participants use previously a cquired information and knowledge to perform 
or demonstrate skills that they had not had the opportunity to apply before. Within this model, as 
a PLS level 3 activity, the ATPC represents an essential consolidation phase that ensures the 
long-term retentio n of the knowledge acquired by participants in the introduction to the 
multilateral trading system at PLS level 1 and the intermediate a pproach to the WTO Agreements 
                                                
6 Page 12, WTO document WT/COMTD/90, 13 De cember 2016.  
7 For further details about the WTO PLS, see WTO document WT/COMTD/W/211 of 30 October 2015  and 
Annex 2 of WTO document WT/COMTD/W/180 of 24 October 2011. Information about the PLS can also be 
accessed through the following URL link:  http://w ww.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm.  
8 ITTC, WTO Progressive Learning Strategy for Trade -related Capacity -building, available at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm.  
9 Idem.  
10 See WTO document s WT/COMTD/W/180 , 24 October 2011  and WT/COMTD/M/83 , 2 April 2012 . 
11 ITTC, WTO Progressive Learning Strategy for Trade -related Capacity -building, available at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  at PLS level  2. Consequently, the ATPC must be seen as the culmination of a progressive pr ocess 
of knowledge acquisition and not as an isolated training programme.  
5.5.  Due to the mostly applied nature of the current ATPC, participants are expected to be actively 
involved throughout the course to further consolidate their knowledge and develop new skills 
through practice and case -based learning. Both legal and economic aspects of WTO rules and 
disciplines are examined in a series of interactive sessions focussing on case studies, simulations 
and exercises, including hands -on use of WTO databases and  analytical tools available online. 
Roundtable discussions provide a platform for practical exchanges, sharing of experiences and best 
practices as well as debating present day trade topics. Participants are given individual/group 
assignments and are also expected to prepare and deliver a brief presentation relating to a trade 
policy topic.   
5.6.  The course also includes visits to other international organizations active in trade -related 
matters as well as attendance at selected meetings of WTO bodies and briefi ngs on WTO work -in-
progress. Contacts with WTO Secretariat officials and delegates and representatives from Missions 
and other interna tional organizations are also an ATPC's feature.  
6  TARGET AUDIENCE  
6.1.  Invitations to take part in the ATPC target government of ficials from Members and Observers 
to the WTO which are eligible to benefit from training and technical cooperation activities. The 
WTO Secretariat makes between 25 and 30 fellowships available for an ATPC . Each fellowship 
covers a round trip airplane tick et in economy class; daily subsistence allowance; a terminal 
expenses allowance; and accommodation for the  eight-week duration of the course.  Additional 
applicants may occasionally  participate in this course  at their own expense if  they meet the 
eligibili ty requirements and  space and other considerations make this feasible.   
6.2.  Reflecting the ATPC's positioning within the PLS, to take part in the ATPC  eligible candidates 
should have completed a Level 2 training activity for generalists such as a RTPC, the E -Learning 
course on the Multilateral Trade Agreements, or the former Geneva -based Trade Policy Course 
(see Section 7 below ). This requirement may be replaced by demonstrably commensurate 
knowledge  or professional experience  in exceptional cases . In reality, based on data from the 10  
ATPCs held between January  2014 and March 2017, ATPC participants have met the prerequisite of 
completing a Level 2 training activity by participating in a RTPC (60% of all participants) and/or 
completing the E -Learning course on the Multilateral Trade Ag reements (55% of participants).  
6.3.  In line  with its "generalist" standing under the PLS, in practice ATPCs have primarily attracted 
government officials seeking to enhance their  understanding of the WTO and trade policy 
formulation in  "core" ministries  dealing with general trade matters. Although institutional 
structures and functions differ across  Members, these “core” ministries can be described as 
comprising Foreign Affairs, Economy/Finance and Trade/Commerce  (as opposed to "special ized" 
ministri es or agencies  handling specific areas like a griculture, fisheries  or particular service 
sectors). Hence, for  example, 87% of the participants involved in the four ATPCs  held between 
January 2016 and March 2017 were government officials worki ng for one of the “core” ministries 
just described, while the remaining 13% worked for the ministry in charge of  industry. In view of 
this, it would be expected that,  after completing an ATPC, a significant number of participants  
would be in a good positio n to contribute  in a very practical way  to their countries’ trade policy -
making and/or the  implementation of  their countries’  international trade agreements .  
6.4.  Experience confirms the above, with a number of alumni of the  ATPC or previous trade policy 
cours es held in Geneva  having been posted by their governments as delegates to the WTO. While 
hard figures are not available, anecdotal evidence shows that several former participants in trade 
policy  courses have serve d afterwards as delegates or permanent repr esentatives of their 
countries to the WTO. Specifically, at least three of the participants in the last four ATPCs held 
in 2016 and early 2017 are currently attached to their countries’ missions before  the Organization, 
while participants in earlier  course s are also serving as delegates including as Permanent 
Representatives to the WTO . It can thus  be inferred  that, as intended,  the ATPC and previous 
trade policy courses  for generalists in Geneva have long helped enhance  in a humanly tangible 
manner  the cap acity of beneficiaries to take full advantage of the ir participation in the  multilateral 
trading system .  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  7  EVOLUTION OVER TIME  
7.1  Earlier trade policy courses  
7.1.  The current ATPC has evolved from a long tradition of courses offered in Geneva by the WTO 
Secretaria t and its predecessor in support of government officials involved in the work of the 
multilateral trading system.  The GATT trade policy courses began in 1955 and until the end of this 
programme, in 1994, 78 courses were organized in Geneva, in English, Fr ench and Spanish. In its 
40 years of existence, around 1 ,400 officials from more than 120 developing countries and ten 
regional organizations participated in the trade policy courses. Additionally, about 100 senior trade 
officials from Eastern and Central European and Central Asian countries participated in special  
trade policy  courses organized by GATT since 1991, with the financial support of the Swiss 
Government.  
7.2.  The trade policy courses conducted during the GATT period had a practical orientation and, 
apart from a series of lectures on GATT law, the course programme included participation in 
seminars, group discussions, workshops on negotiating techniques, simulated trade negotiations 
exercises, and attendance at official GATT meetings. During the course , participants undert ook a 
study tour in Switzerland and a study tour in a  foreign country which include d visits to institutions 
and enterprises connected with foreign trade.  In addition to GATT Secretariat officials, a number of 
guest lecturers, including  senior officials of government delegations and international organizations 
as well as academics, were invited to address  the participants.  The last GATT Trade policy course 
took place from 29 August to 2 December 1994.  
7.3.  Following the establishment of the W TO, the first "Trade Policy Course" (TPC) was conducted 
in early 1995 within a new framework and with a duration of 70 working days. A comparable 
course was held during the second half of that same year, followed by two similar TPCs in 1996 
and two more in  1997. Members' demand for those courses was significant, as evidenced by the 
almost 180 candidatures submitted for the two TPCs held in 1995; from these candidates, 50 
officials were selected and attended one of the two courses held that year, i.e., an av erage of 25 
participants per course. These figures imply that the average acceptance rate for the two TPCs 
held in 1995  was 28%.12  
7.4.  In 1998, the number of TPCs per year was increased to three but their duration was 
shortened to 12 weeks (60 working days).  This was accompanied by a considerable increase in the 
number of candidates submitted by Members to take part in a TPC. For example, the overall 
number of candidatures submitted reached almost 350 in 1998, when about 82 officials were 
selected to take part in the three TPCs held that year, i.e., an average of 27 participants per 
course. The corresponding average acceptance rate was 24% that year. Three TPCs were also 
conducted annually between 1999 and 2001, with each course held over 12 weeks.  
7.5.  It should be noted that up to 2001 the TPCs were the sole source of comprehensive trade 
policy training for generalists  offered by WTO. Until that year, no other course held in Geneva or 
elsewhere provided a depth or length of instruction equivalent to the TPC, with th e first regional 
trade policy courses, with a similarly comprehensive syllabus, having been introduced only 
in 2002.  
7.6.  Following the WTO Ministerial Conference held in Doha  in November 2001 , the Secretariat 
increased the number of TPCs offered each year to f our. This number was maintained between 
2002 and 2008, with the duration of each course  kept at 12 weeks. Members' demand for places in 
the TPCs conducted during 2002 -2008 remained relatively steady, as indicated by a rather stable 
number of candidates pre sented during this period. However, the increase from three to four 
annual offerings added to the number of participants able to take part in TPCs. Thus, for example, 
Members submitted 327 candidates for the four TPCs held in 2003, of which 105 were select ed and 
attended the course, i.e., about 26 participants per course. Reflecting the higher number of TPCs 
conducted, the average acceptance rate increased to 32% in 2003.  
7.7.  Only two TPCs were offered in 2009, with Members submitting a total of 170 candidates,  of 
which 45 were selected and attended one of the two courses. The 49th and last TPC was held in the 
                                                
12 The acceptance rate was calculated as the number of officials selected and attending a course as a 
percentage of the total number of candidatures received by the Secretariat from Members.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  first half of 2010. Each of the three TPCs held in 2009 and early 2010 had a duration of 12 weeks. 
Consistent with the reduced number of courses offered p er year, the acceptance rate decreased 
significantly, falling to an average of 25% for the two courses in 2009 and 16% for the single TPC 
in 2010.  
7.8.  Of the 49 TPCs held over the 1995 -2010 period, 10 were conducted in French and 8 in 
Spanish, equivalent to a bout 20% and 16% of all TPCs, respectively.  
7.9.  Although Members' demand for places in TPCs exceeded the number of slots available for all 
courses, this was particularly noticeable for the courses delivered in English. Thus, for example, 
Members submitted 40 candidatures for the 45th TPC in Spanish (the last course conducted in this 
language), of which 24 officials were selected and took part in the course, resulting in an 
acceptance rate of 60%. For the 46th TPC in French (the last course conducted in this la nguage), 
Members submitted 58 candidates, of which 25 were selected and took part in the course, giving 
an acceptance rate of 43%. In contrast, Members submitted 98 candidatures for the 47th TPC in 
English, of which 27 officials were selected and took part  in the course, resulting in an acceptance 
rate of only 28%.  
7.10.   The TPC was replaced by an initial "Advanced Trade Policy Course" (ATPC) introduced during 
the second half of 2010 as a forerunner to the adoption of the PLS. Like its predecessor TPC, the 
first ATPC had a duration of 12 weeks . However, major changes were introduced to the 
programme and teaching methodology of the course to reflect the designation of the ATPC as a 
"Level 3" course  within the PLS  (see Section 5 above) . Two ATPCs were conducted annu ally from 
2011 to 2013, inclusive. These courses followed the same methodology adopted for the first ATPC 
in 2010. Notwithstanding the condition that candidates meet PLS prerequisites to participate in an 
ATPC, demand by Members remained high. For example,  Members submitted a total of 142 
candidates in 2011, of which 45 officials were selected and attended the two courses held that 
year. Thus, that year the  average number of participants per course was 22 and the average 
acceptance rate  was about 32%.  
7.2  Curre nt ATPC  
7.11.   The current version of the ATPC was introduced in early 2014, reflecting the provisions of 
the 2014-2015 Biennial TA and Training Plan adopted by Members in late 2013. That first revised 
ATPC had its work programme shortened from 12 (60 working day s) to 8 weeks  (40 working 
days), a format that has been followed by all subsequent ATPCs – these courses are referred to as 
"revised ATPCs" hereafter.  
7.12.   The shortening of the ATPC programme in 2014 was made possible by the progress 
achieved by that time in t he implementation of the PLS and which permitted the ATPC to build on 
the knowledge previously acquired by participants through their involvement in Level 1 and 2 
courses. On this basis, the ATPC programme was substantially revised to reduce lecture time t o a 
minimum  while focusing i ndividual modules on the development of practical skills through 
interactivity and participants' engagement in , among others,  case studies, simulation  exercises  
and formal WTO meetings.  As a result, and consistent with the PLS, the capacity of the ATPC to 
achieve its objectives became heavily reliant on participants having a good previous knowledge of 
the multilateral trading system.  
7.13.   Starting also in 2014, the number of ATPCs offered each year was increased from two to 
three. All  in all, between the ATPC introduction in 2010 and the first quarter of 2017, 19 ATPCs 
and revised ATPCs have been completed.   Of the 19 completed courses, three were conducted in 
French and the same number in Spanish; this means that 16% of all ATPCs com pleted were 
delivered in French and an equal percentage in Spanish, with the remaining 68% conducted in 
English.  
7.14.   Table 1 presents data on the 10 revised ATPCs conducted under the eight -week work 
programme adopted in early 2014, plus the ATPC scheduled to be held over June -July 2017. Of the 
11 courses included in the table, English was the language of delivery for seven, French for two, 
and Spanish for the two others. A total of 240 government officials completed the 10 revised 
ATPCs delivered  up to March 2 017, with 25 additional officials expected to take part in the 11th 
revised ATPC scheduled for June -July 2017.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  7.15.   As measured by the number of candidatures submitted, the annual demand by Members for 
places in the  11 ATPCs scheduled since  2014 has remained r elatively steady  at an average of just 
over 200 per year, or 68 candidatures per course (see Table 1) . The number of candidates that 
have taken part in those courses has also stayed fairly stable at an average of 72 per year, or 
about 24 per course. The av erage acceptance rate was 35% for all the revised ATPCs.  
Table 1.  Revised ATPCs, 2014 -2017  
ATPC (a) Language  Date  Candidates  Participants  Acceptance 
rate 
1st English  Jan - Mar 2014  88 26 30% 
2nd Spanish  Jun - Jul 2014  31 20 65% 
3rd English  Sep -Nov 2014  88 22 25% 
4th English  Jan - Mar 2015  84 25 30% 
5th English  Jun - Jul 2015  81 26 32% 
6th French  Sep - Nov 2015  49 22 45% 
7th English  Jan - Mar 2016  77 24 31% 
8th English  May - Jul 2016  76 28 37% 
9th Spanish  Oct - Nov 2016  36 23 64% 
10th English  Jan - Mar 2017  84 24 29% 
11th (b) French  Jun - Jul 2017  53 25 47% 
Average  
  68 24 35%  
Note: 
(a) ATPCs delivered in French or Spanish shown in italics.  
(b) Not yet completed at the time this document was prepared . 
Source: WTO Secretariat  
 
7.16.   The acceptance rate s for ATPCs conducted in different languages have shown strong and 
persistent differences. Thus, for the ATPCs included in Table 1, the average acceptance rate was 
46% for courses offered in French and 65% for courses in Spanish but only 31% for the ATPCs in 
English. The differences in acceptance rates have reflected variations in the actual  demand by 
Members for places in an ATPC  in different languages,  and the number of places the Secretariat 
has made available in the course.   
7.17.   The number of places demand ed by Members for the ATPCs delivered in English has  been 
much higher than for ATPCs in French and, especially, Spanish. Thus, for example, for the ATPCs 
listed in Table 1, Members submitted an average of 78, 51 and 34 candidatures per ATPC for the 
courses  offered in English, French and Spanish, respectively.  These figures would reflect mainly 
the apparent fact that many more government officials in targeted Members are fluent in English 
than in any of the other two WTO official languages. This would be amp lified by French and 
Spanish native speakers regularly applying for places in ATPCs held in English, while candidatures 
from non -French or non -Spanish native speakers are not frequent for the ATPCs held in these two 
languages.  
7.18.   Experience shows that not all  candidatures submitted by Members meet the minimum 
prerequisites to be eligible to take part in a revised ATPC. For instance, for the last three ATPCs 
included in Table 1, the percentage of qualified candidates ranged from almost two -thirds for the 
ATPC i n Spanish to around half for the ATPCs in English and French. This means that in practice 
the number of eligible  candidates is significantly lower than the number of candidatures submitted, 
making the effective demand for ATPC places lower than what  is sug gested by the figures 
mentioned in the previous paragraph. For example, based on the proportions of candidates 
mentioned above, the number of qualified candidates submitted for the ATPCs in Table 1 can be 
estimated at around 24 and 21 for each ATPC in Fren ch and Spanish, respectively, while the 
equivalent estimate would be 39 for each ATPC in English (or 78%).  
7.19.   Since the launch of the revised ATPC in 2014, the Secretariat has been able to offer some 
20 to 28 places in each course irrespective of language. T he magnitudes of this offer and of the 
effective demand mentioned in the previous paragraph imply that 100% of all qualified candidates 
applying for the ATPCs in French and Spanish can generally be offered a place in the course. In 
contrast, only about 60%  of qualified candidates could be offered a place in an ATPC in English, 
resulting in at least 22 qualified candidates being rejected each year. Thus, in practice, the number WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  of ATPC participants is limited by the number of qualified candidates Members sub mit to courses in 
French and Spanish and by the number of places the Secretariat can offer for courses in English.   
7.20.   The shortfall identified in the number of places for ATPCs in English relative to Members’ 
demand is consistent with the External Evaluatio n’s finding that Members had  questions  about  the 
limits  imposed  on the numbers of officials  who could benefit  from an ATPC (see section 3 above). 
Members’ unmet demand for the ATPCs in English could be covered by offering, for example, a 
fourth ATPC in thi s language each other year.   
7.21.   Increasing the ATPC offer would face staffing and budgetary challenges but in fact the major 
constraint would arguably be the lack of appropriate training rooms in the WTO campus. In effect, 
there is only one training room avai lable in WTO with the capacity and facilities required to 
accommodate a course like the revised ATPC or the other Geneva -based training activities focused 
on the interactive pedagogy being promoted as part of the implementation of the biennial 
Technical As sistance and Training Plan 2016 -2017.13 Hence, meeting Members’ demand for ATPC 
places would probably be contingent on setting up a second appropriate training room, which 
would also benefit other Geneva -based courses that currently compete for the same lim ited 
learning space with ATPCs.  
7.22.   Table 2 shows the number of officials from different regions who have completed the 
revised ATPCs delivered up to March 2017. The table shows that the largest number of participants 
came from Africa and LDCs, which is in li ne with the provisions in the TA Plans for 2014 -2015 and 
for 2016 -2017 calling for Africa and LDCs to be given priority in the overall Trade -related Technical 
Assistance  programme .14 In terms of individual Members, the three beneficiaries with the highest 
number of ATPC participants were Spanish -speaking countries, which is consistent with the 
discussion in the previous paragraph. The distribution of ATPC participants by Member is shown in 
Annex 2.  
7.23.   All the ATPCs have been funded through WTO's regular budget,  as had been the former 
TPCs.  
7.24.   Annex 1 contains the work programme for the most recent revised ATPC, held in January -
February 2017.  
Table 2. Revised ATPC, Number of Participants by Region, 2014 – March 2017  
Region  Participants  
Africa  72 
 Africa – English speaking  47 
 Africa – French speaking  25 
Arab & Middle East  20 
Asia & Pacific  53 
Caribbean  16 
Central and Eastern Europe, Central and the Caucasus  28 
Latin America  
TOTAL  
 
Of which:  51 
240 
 
 
Least Developed Countries  70 
WTO Acceding countries  17 
Source: WTO Secretariat's TA Database  
 
 
                                                
13 WTO document WT/COMTD/W/211 of 30 October 2015 . 
14 See WTO documents WT/COMTD/W/200, 17 October 2013 and  WT/COMTD/W /211, 30 October 2015.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  8  ASSESSMENT OF THE CU RRENT ATPC  
8.1.  This section assesses the ATPCs delivered under the revised work programme introduced in 
2014 (see section 7 .2 above ). As this programme brought in significant changes to the length and 
contents of the ATPC programme, the assessment below does not cover earlier trade policy 
courses conducted under conditions no longer  applicable. Thus, the present assessment covers the 
ten ATPCs completed between January 2014 and March 2017 (see Table 1). This period is different 
from the interval reviewed by the External Evaluation, which covered the earlier period  from 2010 
to 2015.  
8.2.  The section covers first the assessment of the revised ATPCs by the government officials 
having participated in them, and t hen by the trainers involved in the delivery of the courses.  
8.1 Assessment of the ATPC by government officials  
8.3.  As shown in Table 1, 240 government officials took part in the ten ATPCs under assessment. 
All such beneficiaries were given the opportunity at  the end of each ATPC to evaluate the degree to 
which the course achieved its objectives and fulfilled other requirements. For this, participants 
were asked to fill out a final questionnaire (referred to as Participants' Evaluation Form)  containing 
close t o 50 separate questions, most of which required participants to rate the extent to which the 
course had attained a particular condition.15 In addition, participants were asked to assess 
individual ATPC modules by filling out weekly questionnaires. They were  also given the opportunity 
to provide oral feedback and views on how to improve the course  throughout the course and at its 
end. 
8.4.  Chart 1 presents the overall assessments of participants in each revised ATPC. The chart 
shows that beneficiaries, as represen ted by the government officials who have actually taken part 
in an ATPC, have a clearly favourable opinion of the course. The chart indicates that for half of the 
ten ATPC completed so far, 100% of all participants considered that the course had been, over all, 
successful or very successful (4 or 5 on a scale 1 -5); for the other five ATPCs, at least 88% 
deemed the course successful or very successful, with other participants rating the course as 
satisfactory (3 on a scale 1 -5). No participant has ever ranked  a revised ATPC as poor or not 
satisfactory (1 or 2 on a scale 1 -5). 
Chart 1. Participants' overall assessment of ATPCs  
 
 
                                                
15 For the evaluations, a 5 -point grading scale was used, where 5 represent ed the highest grade  and 1 
the lowest possible one. A score of 5 (usually excellent/very successful/very satisfactory, depending on the 
question presented) was the best possible grade and 1 (usually not satisfactory/poor/very poor, depending on 
the question presented) was the worst possible grade . WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  Note: see Table 1 for details on individual ATPCs . 
Source: WTO Secretariat based on Annex 3.  
 
8.5.  The favourable overall opinion expresse d by past ATPC participants is consistent with the 
results of the External Evaluation which,  based on its  country missions , found that beneficiaries 
considered the ATPCs " as the top of the pyramid, which is indeed the raison d'être of these 
courses within the PLS. Accordingly, they have become a sought -after credential for many officials 
with senior responsibilities in countries. Past participants rate them highly (an average of 3.77 in 
the survey), noting such features as simulations, cases and the chance to see WTO and 
Committees in action and strength en their professional networks."16 
8.6.  Chart 2  summarizes the answers given by ATPC participants to a selection of 14 questions 
considered particularly relevant to the present assessment. For each of those questio ns, the chart 
shows an overall score for all ten ATPCs under consideration. The overall score could range from a 
low of 1 when an objective was met in a “poor” manner, to 3 when an objective was met in a 
“satisfactory” manner, to a high of 5 when an object ive was met in a “very successful” way.17 As in 
practice the overall score was not below 3 for any of the selected questions, the scores in the chart 
range from 3 to 5. For each question, the chart shows three points corresponding to the minimum, 
the averag e and the maximum score estimated for the group of ten ATPCs included in the analysis.  
8.7.  Chart 2  shows that beneficiaries had positive opinions about virtually all of the specific areas 
of the ATPC programme related to the 14 questions selected for considera tion (including 
participants’ overall assessment of the course). In particular, as shown by the points above the 
line corresponding to a 4.5 score, participants considered the ATPC programme especially 
successful in term of its relevance to their professio nal needs and of its ability to enhance their 
capacity to contribute to their country's trade policy and WTO -related work. The success reported 
by beneficiaries in these areas is particularly noteworthy as it bears out the practical value of 
offering an ad vanced course for generalists and, more generally, the conceptual soundness of the 
PLS framework.  
Chart 2. Participants’ evaluations of all revised ATPCs, selected questions  
  
Very  
successful  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Successful  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Satisfactory  
                                                
16 WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 2016 . 
17 Specifically, the score for a particular question in a given ATPC was  estimated by assigning the 
following values to the responses provided by each participant: Not satisfactory =1, Poor=2, Satisfactory =3, 
Successful =4, Very successful =5. The score for a given ATPC was then computed as the average value of all 
participants i n this course. The average overall score shown as the middle points in the chart corresponds to 
the average of the individual values estimated for the ten ATPCs included in the analysis.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  Selected questions in cluded in the participants’ evaluation forms:  
 
Q1:  Overall assessment of the ATPC.  
Q2:  Relevance to the participant’s professional needs of an advanced course for generalists (PLS Level 3).  
Q3: Extent to which the course enhanced the participant’s capaci ty to contribute to his/her country's trade 
policy work.  
Q4:  Extent to which the course enhanced the participant’s autonomy to conduct WTO -related work.  
Q5:  Extent to which the course enhanced the participant’s skills to conduct WTO -related work.  
Q6: Extent to which the course consolidated the participant’s knowledge of WTO rules and disciplines, and of 
how these related to his/her country's trade policy formulation and implementation.  
Q7: Extent to which the course improved the participant’s skills to analyse trade information, monitor trade 
policy developments, explore policy options, manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO 
negotiations.  
Q8: Extent to which the course reinforced the participant’s capacity to find information and documentati on on 
trade -related issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools.  
Q9: Extent to which the course strengthened the participant’s ability to work individually, in teams and in an 
international environment.  
Q10: Extent to which the course helped part icipants establishes or strengthens a network of contacts with each 
other and with trainers/experts.  
Q11: Extent to which the programme’s content was appropriate for an advanced course (PLS Level 3).  
Q12:  Extent to which linkages were made between topics to help participants develop a horizontal understanding 
of the Multilateral Trading System.  
Q13:  Extent to which interactive learning methods helped participants develop critical thinking about trade policy 
formulation and WTO rules.  
Q14:  Extent to which  the duration of the course was appropriate.  
Source: WTO Secretariat based on Annex 3.  
 
8.8.  Chart 2  also points out to one area that participants deemed as relatively less successful, 
namely, the duration of the course. This is the only question for which the  average response was 
below the score corresponding to “success”, with participants in one ATPC considering it as only 
slightly above “satisfactory”. In this respect, a number of participants noted that more time was 
necessary for some modules and exercise s. In general, those participants who made comments on 
the duration of the ATPC suggest that it should be extended in the future for a period up to one 
additional month.  ATPC participants were also given the opportunity to provide written comments 
about a ny aspect they considered particularly important concerning each course. Box 1 contains a 
small selection of such comments from a number of ATPCs conducted since 2014.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  Box 1. Selected comments from participants in revised ATPCs.  
Comments are presented verbatim, in their original language:  
 
 Many practical exer cises and knowledgeable trainers who shared this experience and information. 1st 
ATPC, Jan - Mar 2014  
 
 La interacci ón no solo aporta dinamismo a los temas sino que permite ser  más directos y enfocarse en los 
aspectos esenciales.  Es adem ás una experiencia única para conocer el proceder de los miembros ante las 
cuestiones abordadas por los distintos comit és, as í como los principales temas de debate en la 
organizaci ón. Por otra pa rte, poder contar con profesores y compa ñeros de experiencia en su actividad 
añade buena dosis realismo y riqueza a  las discusiones, pudiendo ser m ás evidente los argumentos 
esgrimidos por las distintas partes. 2nd ATPC, Jun - Jul 2014  
 
 Confidence. Awaren ess of strategic links between subjects. Update of current status of Agreements and 
negotiations. Network of value contacts. 3rd ATPC, Sep - Nov 2014  
 
 Practical experience of using WTO rules (we had many useful practical cases). Sharing experiences 
between  participants and trainers. Participation in General Council, Committee Agricultural, TPR 4th ATPC, 
Jan – Mar 2015  
 
 This is indeed a great course and would wish everybody knew how eye -opening it is. 4th ATPC, Jan – Mar 
2015 
 
 ATPC was extremely useful. T his course was an applied course which let me to work on many WTO files I 
did not work on it before. Also this course give me a big experience in negotiation in GATS, NAMA, DS, 
Agriculture, TRIPS and others. Also we visited international institutions which g ave me a global point of 
view. F inally, I can advi se my country in many WTO topics after ATPC. 5th ATPC, Jun – Jul 2015  
 
 J'ai bien aimé la façon dont les formateurs ont dispensé le cours J'ai bien aimé beaucoup plus les exercices 
et les simulations. Je souh aite de continuer dans le même sens pour le prochain cours. 6th  ATPC, Sep – 
Nov 2015  
 
 Lots of practical exercises helped us understand more WTO and its rules, and what each country has to do 
to comply with its commitments. Attending the official meetings gave us opportunity to appreciate how 
WTO works and taught us how to get prepared that day we will attend one. 7th ATPC, Jan – Mar 2016  
 
 Perhaps one could read about the WTO, the agreements, and negotiations. But it is an invaluable 
experience to be able t o immerse oneself completely in these issues for eight weeks, being thought by 
experts in the matter, and work in practical cases. 8th ATPC, May – Jul 2016  
 
 [El valor agregado por el ATPC] fue lo pragmático de la aplicación de lo legislado multilateralment e, a fin 
de comprender mejor la mecánica, ser crítico constructivista del sistema, y colaborar con su 
mejoramiento. 9th ATPC, Oct – Nov 2016  
 
 # Lot of misconceptions about WTO system due to limited knowledge was clarified and removed . 
# There are practical  lessons learned through simulation exercises . 
# Better insight into the actual functioning of WTO as an organization has been achieved . 
10 th ATPC, Jan – Mar 2017  
 
Source:  Participants' Evaluation Forms . 
8.2  Assessment of the ATPC by trainers  
8.9.  The evidence pr esented in the previous section demonstrates  that beneficiaries consider  that 
the revised ATPC has met its intended objectives in a successful manner. In a Members -driven 
organization like the WTO, such assessment would be expected to be of paramount impor tance, 
particularly because the External Evaluation confirmed the beneficiaries’ positive assessment of the 
ATPC. However, as noted in section 3 above, the External Evaluation weighed this positive 
assessment against “ persistent doubts among some trainers about the appropriateness of an 
advanced generalist course within the PLS. ”18 As also noted before, on that basis the External 
Evaluation recommended to  examine and report on the pros and cons of discontinuing ATPC .    
8.10.   Hence, the need for the present detail ed assessment of the ATPC essentially arose from the 
External Evaluation having adopted the notion that the doubts of some trainers counterbalanced to 
                                                
18 Paragraph 5.91, WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 20 . WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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  some or other extent the positive assessment of the ATPC by beneficiaries. It should also be noted 
that t he Final Report of the External Evaluation contains no indication that the external evaluators 
themselves assessed in detail the pedagogical rationale or the work programme of the current 
ATPC as such. On the other hand, the external evaluators did review the adoption of PLS in 
general and found that “t his pedagogical change has been largely successful in making training 
more structured and targeting needs better, and is an example of WTO good practice compared to 
some other TA providers ”.19 As explained in section 5 above, the current ATPC forms an essential 
and integral part of the PLS for generalists . 
8.11.   In view of the weight the External Evaluation gave to views of some trainers, a closer look 
at the actual facts surrounding the views of trainers was deemed essential . As demonstrated 
below, the available evidence indicates that the trainers involved in the ATPCs in offer since 2014 
have invariably deemed this course as very successful overall. The sharp discrepancy between this 
and the finding of the External  Evaluation is possibly explained by the different time periods 
examined, with the External Evaluation covering 2010 -2015 while this assessment covers the 
more recent 2014 -2017 period. This means that the External Evaluation may have reflected the 
views of  some trainers that were mostly involved in the ATPCs conducted under a work 
programme not used since years ago (see section 7 above).  
8.12.   Table 3  summarizes the assessments carried out by the main trainers involved in the 
revised ATPCs held since their introd uction in 2014. The assessments are based on information 
included in the “back -to-office reports”, which are accounts prepared at the end of each course by 
the trainers responsible for the design, organization and delivery of an ATPC. Two such main 
trainer s are typically involved in the preparation of an ATPC and, thus, of the “back -to-office 
report”.  
8.13.   Reflecting the normal rotation of ITTC personnel, the reports prepared for the ten ATPCs 
under assessment were authored by eight different persons. These “ba ck-to-office reports” can be 
considered as providing especially authoritative evidence of the operation of the revised ATPCs 
since the reports are open to scrutiny and they all reached the same conclusions despite the 
diversity of authors and co -authors, s ome of which are counted among the most senior staff in the 
WTO Secretariat.  
Table 3. ATPC Effectiveness - Immediate Results according to Trainers  
 Revised ATPC, 2014 -2017  
(see Table 1) 
Objective  1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th  
Enhanced autono my to work 
on WTO matters  F F F F F F F F F F 
Improved analytical and 
negotiating skills  F F F F F F F F F F 
Reinforce capacity to find 
trade -related information and 
use WTO analytical tools  F F F F F F F F F F 
Strengthen ability to work 
individually, i n teams and in 
an international environment  F F F F F F F F F F 
Strengthen network of 
contacts  F F F F F F F F F F 
Overall rate of success  S VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS VS 
Note: F: Fully attained; S: Successful; VS: Very successful . 
Source: Annex 4.  
                                                
19 Paragrap h 5.25, WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 20 16 WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
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8.14.   Table 3 shows that the trainers responsible for the ATPCs under assessment considered that 
the ten courses fully attained each of the key objectives set for them. Trainers elaborated on the 
reasons for their assessments of individual objectives, as detailed in Annex 4. For example, with 
respect to the most recently completed ATPC, held in 2017, trainers observed that the skills 
acquired by participants to find information and use WTO analytical tools had proved useful during 
their project work. Trainers concluded  that participants' increased involvement within groups and 
greater collaboration with one another had demonstrated that that their ability to work in teams 
and in an international environment had been strengthened. Finally, trainers attested to 
participan ts' high interest in getting in touch with WTO staff as well as with external speakers, 
which suggested that they had been able to strengthen their network of contacts.  
8.15.   Overall, trainers awarded to nine of the ATPCs the rating of “very successful”, which i s the 
highest evaluation a TA training activity can receive. The only exception to this rating was the very 
first revised ATPC, conducted in early 2014, which received an overall rating of “successful”.  
8.16.   The first revised ATPC just mentioned was the object of a detailed internal evaluation by the 
ITTC’s Technical Assistance Monitoring and Evaluation Unit. The evaluation  report, circulated 
mostly within the ITTC, concluded that “ Compared to its predecessor, the reformed Advanced 
Trade Policy Course (ATPC) suc ceeded for the first time in proposing a training which did not 
simply repeat the substantive content of lower level courses, thanks to a more horizontal approach 
of WTO subjects.  GBCU colleagues should be praised for their efforts which made these change s 
possible.  As a result, the course was more advanced and better suited for generalists (as opposed 
to specialists).  Work should continue in this direction to b uild on this initial progress.”20  
8.17.   Following the evaluation just mentioned, subsequent ATPCs ha ve been the object of a 
continuous  improvement process  that has sought  excellence through  incremental enhancements  
over time . That this process has been effective is evidenced by the high ratings awarded by 
trainers to all ATPCs after the first one. This p rocess has required  trainers to continually examine 
the operation of the ATPC  to identify  and revise  less valuable activities and take advantage of 
unexploited opportunities . With this purpose, ATPC trainers have chosen to include in all their 
“back -to-office reports” a section formulating recommendations.  
8.18.   Box 2 contains a selection of recommendations by ATPC trainers that are yet to be 
implemented in part or in full. Some recommendations date back to 2014, with those mentioning 
the inadequacy of the train ing room having proved intractable in practice. Other recommendations 
are more recent and it should be possible to implement them in the near future. However, a 
number of them imply dedicating more time to certain activities, which involves making difficul t 
trade -offs between activities in view of the present duration of an ATPC.  
                                                
20 Advanced Trade Policy Course 2014 – Evaluation, Technical Assistance Monitoring & Evaluation Unit, 
ITTC, August 2014.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Box 2. Selected trainers' recommendations still outstanding . 
 
 Several participants indicated their preference to begin and finish certain assignments in one week and not 
to have t hem spread out over several weeks as was the case for the trade policy presentation project and 
the Moot Court exercise. The programme for future ATPCs should be adjusted accordingly. 1st ATPC, Jan - 
Mar 2014  
 
 Training Room T1/T2: While participants were s atisfied with the training room, in order to deliver quality 
TRTA, it is urgently necessary to upgrade the room with better sound and IT equipment (e.g. projector, 
microphones, screens, laptops), as some problems were faced within the course (e.g. projecto r broke 
down during the fourth week of the course and some laptops were prone to breakdowns) causing delays in 
the programme pending IT support. 2nd ATPC, Jun - Jul 2014  
 
 It is recommended that the trainers consider field trips to firms/industries so as to  familiarize participants 
with how these entities function from day to day in Switzerland. 5th ATPC, Jun - Jul 2015  
 
 It is recommended that either more time be allocated to databases or that the number of databases 
introduced be reduced in order to ensure that participants have a better grasp on how to utilize them. 
Consideration will also have to be given to treating databases containing similar information (whether 
internal or external) together. 5th ATPC, Jun - Jul 2015  
 
 It is recommended to consider est ablishing a policy with respect to family members (i.e. 
spouses/partners/children) accompanying ATPC participants in the hotel residence in Geneva. 8th ATPC, 
May - Jul 2016  
 
 In view of participants' comments about the intensity and the need to allot more t ime to certain sessions, 
it is recommended to review the ATPC programme. 8th ATPC, May - Jul 2016  
 
 It is recommended to consider methods that would permit to identify and monitor individual contributions 
in exercises/case studies/simulations, e.g. by lower ing the number of participants in an ATPC. 8th ATPC, 
May - Jul 2016  
 
 It is recommended to continue reviewing the ATPC Programme to schedule sessions in a more effective 
sequential manner. 9th ATPC, Oct - Nov 2016  
 
 It is recommended that the GBCU raise with  the TA Focal Point the need for advanced level (PLS Level 3) 
presentations, exercises, examples and tasks to be used by WTO trainers in the ATPC (and not training 
materials used at Level 2 - Regional Trade Policy Courses).  10th ATPC, Jan - Mar 2017  
 
 It is recommended to continue reviewing the ATPC Programme in order to continue featuring roundtables 
and include speakers from both the public and private sector; briefing and debriefing sessions should 
continue to feature in the ATPCs. 10th ATPC, Jan - Mar 2 017 
 
 It is recommended to continue adapting the Trade Negotiations Simulation (TNS) in order to include 
suggestions made by the participants, and especially to include the experience of multilateral trade 
negotiators. 10th ATPC, Jan - Mar 2017   
 
Source:  “Back-To-Office -Reports” . 
8.19.   The assessments presented above are particularly valuable because they were prepared by 
the trainers in the best position to provide an overview of the ATPC as a whole  rather than  as 
separate modules . Nevertheless, it was deemed im portant to ascertain also the views of other 
trainers involved in the delivery of individual ATPC modules (hereafter, the "subject trainers"). 
These other trainers are drawn from most substantive divisions across the WTO Secretariat, and 
are often recogniz ed as world experts in a particular WTO -subject area.  
8.20.   Some 40 to 60 of the subject trainers just mentioned are typically involved in an ATPC. 
Access to this wide -ranging expertise is one of the defining features of the ATPC, as it would be 
impossible in p ractice to replicate this feature anywhere else outside the WTO headquarters in 
Geneva. The aggregate contributions made by the subject trainers constitute the hard core of the 
ATPC programme. Hence, as a forerunner to the present assessment, the ITTC aske d the subject 
trainers who took part in the two most recent courses, the 9th and 10th ATPCs, to evaluate through 
a questionnaire the contribution of their individual modules to different aspects of the ATPC. The 
questionnaire was sent to all trainers invol ved in the 9th and 10th ATPCs , with responses received 
from 36 different respondents. Chart 3 presents the replies received.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Chart 3. Assessment of the ATPC by subject trainers  
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat.  
 
8.21.    Chart 3 shows that the trainers assessed in a pos itive manner all the areas of the ATPC 
queried, although with some variations. Specifically, about 95% of respondents, i.e., all but two, 
gave the "high" or "highest" ratings to the question on the effectiveness of their respective 
modules in achieving the  agreed objectives. The two divergent trainers gave a rating of "sufficient" 
to this question. On the other hand, just over 80% of respondents gave the "high" or "highest" 
rating to the question on the efficiency with which time and resources had been used  to achieve 
the module's objectives. The remaining 20%, i.e., seven trainers, gave an answer of "sufficient" to 
this question.  
8.22.   Likewise, just over 80% of respondents gave the "high" or "highest" ratings to the question 
on whether their modules were relevan t to the needs of participants. A further 17% of respondents 
gave a rating of "sufficient". One of the 36 respondents considered as "low" the relevance of the 
module to participants, which is worth noting even if this view was clearly  atypical. At the same  
time, 92% of the relevant trainers considered that the level of knowledge delivered in their 
respective modules was "high" or "highest", with the other 8%, i.e., three trainers, giving an 
answer of "sufficient".  
8.23.   Finally, slightly more than 80% of responde nts gave  the "high" or "highest" ratings to 
training facilities, with the rest, i.e., six trainers, considering the facilities as "sufficient" or "low". 
All but one of all respondents considered as "high" or "highest" the effectiveness of the support 
they received from the ITTC  to deliver their respective modules . 
9  COST CONSIDERATIONS  
9.1.  Table 4 details the external costs associated with the ATPCs conducted during the 2014 -2016 
period. The table indicates that the total cost of the three ATPCs conducted each ye ar during that 
period amounted to about CHF 1.1 million, equivalent to about CHF 370,000 per ATPC. Over the 
period under examination, on average, the most important cost items were three (% of total cost 
between parentheses): accommodation (51%), subsisten ce (36%), and travel (10%). These three 
items together represented about 97% of the total external cost of a typical ATPC. The WTO 
Secretariat has little control on accommodation or travel costs, and for more than ten years has 
maintained unchanged the dai ly subsistence allowance paid to participants in Geneva -based WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 19 - 
 
  training activities.21 The total cost of ATPCs has remained fairly stable, with variations mostly due 
to changes in the number of participants in different courses, although small increases in th e cost 
of accommodation has also played a minor role.  
9.2.  Likewise, over the three years under consideration the cost per participant of a typical ATPC 
remained fairly steady, at about CHF14,987 per person, as did the daily cost per participant, at 
some CHF38 5 per person -day. Data included in the External Evaluation indicate that the cost per 
participant of the ATPCs is similar to that of the Regional Trade Policy Courses, the only other TA 
activities with a similar duration to that of the ATPCs; accordingly, the daily cost per participant of 
a typical ATPC is also similar to that of a Regional Trade Policy Course.22 The same data in the 
External Evaluation also indicate that, in view of their relatively long duration, the ATPCs have a 
higher cost per participan t but a lower cost per participant -day than Geneva -based specialized 
courses or than regional topic -specific activities.  
Table 4. External Cost of revised ATPCs  
 2014  2015  2016  
Annual c ost of ATPCs (CHF) :    
 Accommodation  536,804  569,585  613,934  
 Travel 109,798  107,216  111,928  
 Subsistence and out of pocket expenses  385,100  401,567  422,000  
 Insurance  6,225  6,649  6,502  
 Consultants  6,225  6,325  5,675  
 Hospitality  6,123  5,842  5,345  
 Post & freight  17,029  7,039  - 
 Publications  & Supplies  2,489  1,650  1,698  
Total  Annual Cost 1,069,793  1,105,872  1,167,082  
Average cost per ATPC  (CHF) :    
 Accommodation  178,935  189,862  204,645  
 Travel  36,599  35,739  37,309  
 Subsistence and out of pocket expenses  128,367  133,856  140,667  
 Insurance  2,075  2,216  2,167  
 Consultants  2,075  2,108  1,892  
 Hospitality  2,041  1,947  1,782  
 Post & freight  5,676  2,346  - 
 Publications  & Supplies  830 550 566 
Total  Cost per ATPC  356,598  368,624  389,027  
Number of p articipants, annual total  
 (persons)  68 73 75 
Total cost per partic ipant  
 (CHF/person)  15,732  15,149  15,561 
Total cost per participant -day*  
 (CHF/person -day) 393 379 389 
* Based on a length of 8 weeks ( 40 days ), which is the usual duration of an ATPC . 
Source: WTO Secretariat . 
 
9.3.  The ATPC is particularly cost -effective i n terms of cost per participant -day in large part 
because this course requires hiring virtually no external consultants given that all the necessary 
expertise is available from within the WTO Secretariat, from other international organizations in 
                                                
21 The daily subsistence allowance ("per diem") paid to each participant amounts to CHF 100 per day.  
22 See Figure 11, WTO document WT/COMTD/89, 2 December 20 16. WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 20 - 
 
  Geneva or  from country missions to the WTO. For this same reason, trainers and presenters incur 
no travel costs while the expenditures on participants' transportation represent a fixed cost spread 
over a period longer than for most other courses.  
9.4.  The cost of the st aff time required to implement a course has not been taken into account in 
the above estimates because n o data are available to estimate this cost for the ATPCs  or most 
other courses . This cost is likely to be significant  in the case of the ATPCs given the  large number 
of WTO staff involved in their delivery (see section 8 above). At the same time, the staff cost is 
unlikely to be high compared with courses outside Geneva given that the participation of WTO staff 
in an ATPC incurs neither travel time nor tr avel costs.  
10  PROPOSED WAY FORWARD  
10.1.   As noted in section 4 above , the Secretariat's response to the Final Report by the external 
evaluators indicated that the ITTC would "reassess Members' need for an advanced course for 
generalists ". In this respect, as expla ined before, the ATPC is the only course that examines the 
horizontal linkages between the rules and disciplines embedded in different WTO Agreements, 
between their legal aspects and economic effects, and their combined implications for the 
formulation and  implementation of national trade policies. No other course gives a similar 
emphasis to the multilateral context in which WTO rules and disciplines are negotiated and 
monitored, or trade disputes settled. The applied nature of the ATPCs is also distinctive , focusing 
as it does on practical  activities that en hance policy -based skills. Neither does other training 
available in WTO or elsewhere give access to a comparable wide -ranging pool of world -class 
experts on trade -related matters. Also unique is the ATPC 's focus on developing participants'  
capacity to think through complex problems, using the framework of the multilateral trading 
system  to identify potential solutions.  
10.2.   The available evidence suggests that the ATPC represents not only a sound solution but in 
fact the only available solution to meeting the stated needs of beneficiaries with respect to the 
advanced training of generalists. Hence, the evidence clearly supports the continuation of 
the ATPC. As also noted before, the Secretariat's response to th e Final Report by the external 
evaluators proposed to " reconsider the parameters for advanced courses for generalists, if such 
courses are continued". In this respect, reflecting the suggestions by past participants and trainers 
noted before, and the views  of the present ATPC trainers, the following areas would appear to 
warrant special attention for further improvement:  
 Review the ATPC programme to allocate more time to key  modules and exercises /cases, 
possibly by rebalancing different ATPC components or expanding the duration of the 
course.  
 Strengthen the coordination between the work programmes of the ATPC and of the courses 
that serve as ATPC prerequisites in order to build up the coherence and complementarity 
of TA training activities within the PLS fr amework.  
 Introduce  a starting benchmarking test and a final graded examination  in order to identify 
any atypical knowledge gaps in the group as a whole,  to ensure the credibility of the 
credential earned through the course , and to establish in a more obje ctive basis  the extent 
to which the ATPC and the PLS are attaining their objectives, in line with Recommendation 
22 of the External Evaluation.  
 Explore possible ways to assess the contributions of individual ATPC participants to 
exercises, case studies, si mulations and others, and to acknowledge such contributions.  
 Provide for a summary revision of WTO Legal Texts at the beginning of the course to help 
ensure that all participants have the necessary minimum understanding of such texts to 
take part effectiv ely in the exercises/cases.    
 Consolidate as many exercises as possible around a reduced number of core multi -
thematic case studies or simulations in order to  reinforce the interdisciplinary nature of the 
course.  
 Consider the feasibility of conducting eac h other year a fourth ATPC, in English, to meet 
the currently unfulfilled demand for ATPC places in this language.  
 Upgrade the only training room currently suitable for the ATPC, including by addressing 
existing problems with the audio -visual equipment, an d set up a second similar training 
room to make it possible to offer four ATPCs per year without affecting the access of non -
ATPC TA activities to appropriate training facilities.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 21 - 
 
  10.3.   It is proposed that the way forward seeks to implement the above improvement s starting in 
2018 as part of the implementation of the next biennial TA Plan.  
10.4.   This assessment gives no further consideration to the proposal by the external evaluators 
that consideration be given to reaching out to ministers and permanent secretaries (see  section 3 
above). This matter was already addressed in the Secretariat's response to the Final Report, which 
pointed out that the rationale for this proposal is unsubstantiated in the Final Report. The 
Secretariat's response also noted that this type of a pproach ha d already been attempted on 
several occasions in the past without success and was, thus, highly unrealistic.  
10.5.   Likewise, the Secretariat's response to the Final Report already addressed the external 
evaluators' recommendation that consideration be  given to offering advanced courses for 
generalists at the regional level. In its response, the Secretariat pointed out that this 
recommendation overlooks the fact that limited Secretariat staff is currently the main bottleneck in 
the increase of the WTO T A offer. Thus, it was unrealistic to consider organizing more courses at 
regional level as these courses are more time consuming for the Secretariat staff compared with 
courses held in Geneva. This was a serious drawback particularly because, in general, h olding TA 
activities at the regional level presents no advantage over holding them in Geneva either in 
relation to participation of beneficiaries or costs.  
11  FUTURE MONITORING  
11.1.   Consistent with the Secretariat's response to the Final Report, and with past prac tice, the 
ITTC intends to  keep the ATPC under continuous monitoring during the implementation of the next 
biennial TA Plan. If indications emerge that the beneficiaries' current need for an advanced course 
for generalists has weakened or ceased to exist, t he ITTC will consider alternative ways of 
responding to Members' new needs.  
11.2.   If the indications mentioned above emerged, the ITTC would identify a method to ascertain 
whether beneficiaries still need another type of  advanced course for generalists . If this  need was 
confirmed,  the optimal organization and location for such a course would be considered on its own 
merit. If the need for an advanced course for generalists no longer existed , beneficiaries would be 
asked the  areas in which they ha d other needs, including modules that are currently  part of the 
ATPC programme such as those related to trade policy reviews , trade negotiations or the use of 
databases . 
11.3.   Finally , it should be noted that, given its unique place in WTO's training offer, considering 
the poss ible discontinuing  of the ATPC could only be justified on the basis of tangible evidence that 
the rationale for this course has ceased to exist or is seriously diminished. This is because 
discontinuing the ATPC would not only terminate a long -standing and so far valuable feature of the 
multilateral trading system but also because this would put in question the whole logic of the PLS 
for generalists. Doing this would require discarding the External Evaluation's conclusion that the 
implementation of the PLS h ad been largely successful in making training more structured and 
targeting needs better . Moreover, it would also require a re -examination and possible revamping 
of other courses offered to government officials who need a broad knowledge of the WTO to 
conduct their work . 
 
 
_______________  
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 22 - ANNEX 1 – ATPC WORK PROGRAMM E 
JANUARY – MARCH 2017  
 
Week 1: Introduction; Trade Policy Formulation, Analysis and Implementation  
 
   Monday, 16 Jan  Tuesday, 17 Jan  Wednesday, 18 Jan  Thursday, 19 Jan  Friday, 20 Jan  
 9:00-10:45 9:00-9:30 
Administrative matters  
9:30-10:00  
Opening Ceremony  
 ATPC Course Patron  
10:00 -10:20  Coffee break  
10:20 -11:00  
Introduction/Tour de table - ATPC 
Participants  9:00-9:30  
 Library  
09:30 -09:45  
Website  
09:45 -10:30  
Docs On line  
 
 Information 
Technology Agreement  
  
 
 
 
 Case preparation:   
Databases & analytical 
tools - IDB and CTS 
through TAO  
 
 
 Rules of Origin  
 
 
 
 11:00 -12:30  
 
 
 
 11:00 -11:15  Group photo  
11:15 -12:30 Virtual classroom  
 10:45 Accession to the 
WTO 
 Modification of tariff 
concessions (GATT 
Article XXVIII)  
 14:00 -15:45  14:15 -14:45 Interpreters  
15:00 -16:00  Guided tour of the 
WTO 
16:00 -17:30  
Overview of the Course,  
Evaluations and Revision Book  
 Market access issues:  
Tariffs, tariff concessions 
and WTO Schedules  
 
 
 Case preparation :  
Databases & analytical 
tools- 
Tariff Download Facility 
& World Tariff Profiles  
 
 
  
Case preparation:  
Databases & analytical 
tools - I-TIP  
 14:00 -17:00  
Trade data & analytical tools 
project – Explanation, 
preparation of answer 
sheets  
17:00 -17:15 Evalu ation   16:00 -17:30 Tools for trade analysis  
 
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 23 - Week 2: Trade Policy Formulation, Analysis and Implementation  
 Monday, 23 Jan  Tuesday, 24 Jan  Wednesday, 25 Jan  Thursday, 26 Jan  Friday,  27 Jan  
9:00-10:45  
Session at ITC  
Meet at ITC at 8:45  
 
Meeting  Room 6  
Capacity building in trade 
data and analysis –
International Trade Centre  
  
 
Import Licensing 
Procedures  
  
 
 
TRIMS,  
 
 
 
 
 Simulation (role -play 
game):  Protecting 
national fish products  09:00 -12:00  
Trade data & analytical tools project 
– Final remar ks 
 11:00 -12:30  
Quantitative Restrictions  
14:00 -15:45  
 
 
 
 
 14:00 -15:15  
WTO TRTA  
15:30 -17:30 Trade data & 
analytical tools project – 
Conclusion and reflections 
by ATPC Participants  
 Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and TFA 
Facility Website  
 
 14:00 -15:00   
Aid for Trade  
 
Session at UNCTAD, 
(Palais des Nations ) 
15:45 -17:30  
Trade -related Technical 
Assistance  14:00 -14:15  
Briefing on CTD Meeting  
 
14:15 -14:45  
Briefing on CTD Meeting – External 
evaluation  
 
15:00 -17:00  
CTD Meeting  
 
 17:15 -17:45  
Debriefing on CT D Meeting  
 16:00 -17:30  
 17:45 -18:00 Evaluation  
ITTC-GBCU)   
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 24 -  
Week 3: Setting the Framework to Make Trade Work  
 Monday, 30 Jan  Tuesday, 31 Jan  Wednesday, 1 Feb  Thursday, 2 Feb  Friday, 3 Feb  
9:00-10:45  
 
 
 
 
 
SPS Case Studies  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
SPS Case Studies  
 
 
11.45 -12.30 STDF  
 
 
 
 
 
  
TBT disciplines and cases (from 
the Committee)  
 
Trade Remedies in 
Perspective  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Departure from hotel by 
bus at 7:35 a.m.  
 
Study Tour to Bern  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 11:00 -
12:30   
The work of the Committee and 
Transparency  
 
 
14:00-
15:45  
Overview of the TBT Agreement  
 TBT cases  
US-Tuna II  
US-Clove Cigarettes  
 
  
Trade and Environment  
 
15:45 -
17:30   
17.15 -17.30 Evaluation  
(ITTC -GBCU)  
 
      
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 25 - Week 4: Setting the Framework to Make Trade Work  
 Monday, 6 Feb  Tuesday, 7 Feb  Wednesday, 8 Feb  Thursday, 9 Feb  Friday, 10 Feb  
9:00-
10:45  
 
Agreement on 
Agriculture  
 
 
  Selected TRIPS issues:  
- Introduction  
- Patents, Undisclosed 
Information and Public 
Health  
 "Banana Shake" Case  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9:00-10:30  
Trade Policy Review Mechanism  
and Briefing on TPR of Sierra 
Leone  
 
10:45 -12:30  Monitoring & 
Surveillance  
 9:00-10:00 Overview of Global 
Value Chains  
 
10:15 -11:30 Trade Architecture 
- Roundtable:  GVCs and their 
role in development  
 
 
11:30 -12:30  
Introduction to the TPP project  11:00 -
12:30 
14:00 -
15:45  14:00 -15:30  
Selected TRIPS issues 
(cont'd)  
- Trademarks and GIs  
 
15:45 -17:30  
"Banana Shake" Case   
14:00 -16:30  
Trade and Industrial Policy 
Framework (TPP Project)  
 
 
 
 14:00 -14:20  Briefing on GATS 
Negotiating Simulation  
 
Preparation - Trade Policy 
Presentations  16:00 -
17:30  
   
  17:00 -18:00  
Meeting with the Patron of the 
course  
18.00: reception  17:00 -17:15  
Evaluation (ITTC -GBCU)  
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 26 - Week 5: Negotiation Skills  
 Monday, 13 Feb  Tuesday, 14 Feb  Wednesday, 15 Feb  Thursday, 16 Feb  Friday, 17 Feb  
9:00-10:45  
9:00-10:30 
Implementation of MC10 
results and work ahead + 
briefing on the General 
Council Meeting  
 
 
10.45 - 12.30 Regional 
Trade Agreements & the 
WTO  
 
 
10:00 -12:00  
Trade Policy Review of 
Sierra Leone  
 
12:15 -12:45 Debriefing  
 
 
 GATS  Review – Selected 
issues  
 
GATS – Negotiating 
Simulation (continued)  
 9:00-10:00  
GATS – Negotiating Simulation 
(continued)  
 
 
10:15 -11:30  
I-TIP (Services)  
 
11:30 -12:30  
Trade in Services Statistics  
 
 
 
11:00 -12:30  
Regional Trade 
Agreements & the WTO 
(cont'd ) 
 
 14:00 -14:30  
Introduction to TNS  
 
 
14:30 -17:00  
Preparation - Trade Policy 
Presentations  
 
17:00 -17:15 Evaluation (ITTC -
GBCU)  
 
  
14:00 -15:45  
GATS Review – Selected 
issues  
  
 
GATS – Negotiating 
Simulation (continued)  
 16:00 -17:30  
 
 
 
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 27 - Week 6: Negotiation Skills  
 Monday, 20 Feb  Tuesday, 21 Feb  Wednesday, 22 Feb  Thursday, 23 Feb  Friday, 24 Feb  
9:00-10:45   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade Negotiations 
Simulation  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Trade Negotiations 
Simulation  
  
 
  
  
   
Trade Negotiations 
Simulation  
  
Trade N egotiations 
Simulation  
  
 
 
 
Trade Negotiations Simulation  
 
 
 11:00 -12:30  
14:00 -15:45  
Preparation - Trade Policy 
Presentations  
 
 
 
 
 
 16:00 -17:30  
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 28 - Week 7: Transparency, Notifications and Monitoring and Surveillance  
 Monday, 27 Feb  Tuesday, 28 Feb  Wednesday, 1 March  Thursday, 2 March  Friday, 3 March  
9:00-10:45  
Meet in Room T1T2 at 
9:45 
 
 
10:00 -13:00  
General Council Meeting  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
9:00-10:30  
Government Procurement:  
An Emerging Issue for 
Developing Countries?  
 
 
11:15 -12:30 
Room 13.1, WIPO AB 
Building  
(Main Building)  
 
WIPO Seminar on 
Intellectual Property  
 
 
 
 
 
 Meet in Room F at 9:00  
 
9:00-9:30 
Debriefing on GC  
 
 
10:00 -11:30 Room F  
Video -conference Roundtable:  
Preparations for MC11 in 
Buenos Aires:  What Now for 
Global Tr ade Governance?  
 
11:45 -12:30  
Debriefing on Roundtable  
 9:00-9:45  
Briefing on CRO  
 
10:00 -12:00  
Committee on Rules of 
Origin  
  
12:15 -12:45  
Debriefing   
"Cotton" Case  
 
 11:00 -12:30  
14:00 -15:45   
Debriefing on  Trade 
Negotiations Simulation  
  
Evaluation  week 6  
 
 
 
GC Meeting (cont'd)  
  
WIPO Seminar on 
Intellectual Property 
(cont'd)  
  
 
 
 
Trade Policy Presentations by 
ATPC Participants  
 Trade Policy Presentations 
by ATPC Participants  16:00 -17:30  
    
 17:00 -17:15 Evaluation 
(ITTC -GBCU)  
  
  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 29 - Week 8: Tr ade Disputes and Enforcement, and Wrap up of the ATPC  
 Monday, 6 March  Tuesday, 7 March  Wednesday, 8 March  Thursday, 9 March  Friday, 10 March  
9:00-10:45  
 
9:00-10:00  
 
Debriefing on Trade 
Policy Presentations 
Project  
  
Preparation Moot Court  Preparation Moo t Court  9:00-10:15  
DSU Negotiations:  State -of-
play 
  
10:30 -12:00  
 Roundtable discussion:  
Future challenges in WTO 
dispute settlement  9:00-10:00  
DS Implementation issues  
 
10:15 -12:30  
Debriefing session    
11:00 -12:30  
10:15 -17:30 Dispute 
Settlement Proce dures:  
Overview of the Panel 
Process and the 
Appellate Review Process  
 
  
Preparation Moot Court  14:00 -15:45  
Preparation Moot Court  Moot Court  
  14:00 -15:15  
Evaluation - Week 8 (ITTC -
GBCU)  
ATPC Evaluation & Oral feedback 
- PEFs/ Administrative matt ers 
 
15:30  
Closing Ceremony  
ATPC Course Patron  16:00 -17:30  
  
 WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 30 - 
 
  ANNEX 2 – REVISED ATPC: NUMBER  OF PARTICIPANTS BY M EMBER  
 
January 2014 – March 2017  
 
Member /Observer  No.  Member /Observer  No.  Member /Observer  No.  
Afghanistan  3 Guinea  2 Paraguay  5 
Algeria  1 Guyana  1 Peru 3 
Angola  3 Haiti 2 Philippines  3 
Antigua and Barbuda  2 Honduras  2 Qatar  2 
Argentina  3 India 1 Russian Federation  1 
Azerbaijan  2 Indonesia  2 Rwanda  2 
Bangladesh  4 Iran 2 Saint Kitts and Nevis  2 
Barbados  1 Iraq 1 Saint Lucia  1 
Belarus  1 Israel  1 Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  1 
Belize  2 Jamaica  3 Samoa  2 
Benin  1 Jordan  2 Saudi Arabia  2 
Bhutan  4 Kenya  2 Senegal  2 
Bosnia and Herzegovina  1 Korea, Republic of  2 Seychelles  3 
Botswana  2 Kyrgyz Republic  2 Singapore  3 
Brazil  4 Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  1 South Africa  1 
Brunei Darussalam  2 Lebanon  1 Sri Lanka  2 
Burkina Faso  2 Lesotho  2 Sudan  2 
Burundi  1 Liberia  1 Swaziland  2 
Cambodia  3 Madagascar  3 Tajikistan  2 
Cameroon  2 Malawi  3 Tanzania  4 
Chad 2 Malaysia  2 Thailan d 2 
Chile 2 Maldives  1 The former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia  1 
China  2 Mauritius  4 The Gambia  2 
Colombia  3 Mexico  6 Togo 1 
Congo  1 Republic of Moldova  2 Trinidad and Tobago  1 
Costa Rica  2 Mongolia  1 Tunisia  1 
Côte d'Ivoire  1 Montenegro  2 Turkey  1 
Cuba 4 Morocco  1 Uganda  3 
Democratic Republic of 
the Congo  1 Mozambique  1 Ukraine  3 
Dominican Republic  3 Myanmar  4 Uruguay  3 
Ecuador  5 Namibia  3 Uzbekistan  1 
Egypt  3 Nepal  4 Vanuatu  2 
El Salvador  1 Nicaragua  2 Venezuela, Bolivarian 
Republic of  3 
Ethiopia  2 Niger  2 Viet Nam  2 
Gabon  1 Nigeria  3 Yemen  2 
Georgia  3 Oman  2 Zambia  1 
Ghana  2 Pakistan  4 Zimbabwe  4 
Source: WTO Secretariat's TA Database.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 31 - 
 
  ANNEX 3 – PARTICIPANTS' EVALUA TION OF THE ATPC  
 
(% of respondents to the final evaluation) 23 
 
 Revise d ATPC, 2014 -2017 (see Table 1)  
 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th  
Q1: Overall assessment of the ATPC.  
Very successful  47% 78% 72% 72% 62% 33% 33% 64% 78% 54% 
Successful  41% 11% 28% 28% 38% 61% 58% 36% 22% 33% 
Satisfactory  12% 11% 0% 0% 0% 6% 8% 0% 0% 13% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q2: Relevance to the participant’s professional needs of an advanced course for generalists (PLS Level 3).  
Very successful  35% 75% 76% 76% 70% NA 42% 39% 91% 58% 
Successful  58% 20% 16% 16% 26% NA 54% 57% 4% 33% 
Satisfactory  7% 5% 8% 8% 4% NA 4% 4% 4% 8% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q3: Extent to which the course enhanced the participant’s capacity to con tribute to his/her country's trade 
policy work.  
Very successful  42% 50% 80% 80% 62% NA 33% 50% 78% 46% 
Successful  50% 50% 20% 20% 38% NA 63% 50% 13% 50% 
Satisfactory  8% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 4% 0% 9% 4% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q4: Extent to which the course enhanced the participant’s autonomy to conduct WTO -related work.  
Very successful  46% 55% 64% 64% 65% 22% 46% 43% 65% 38% 
Successful  50% 40% 28% 28% 31% 72% 46% 46% 35% 54% 
Satisfactory  4% 5% 8% 8% 4% 6% 8% 11% 0% 4% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 4% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q5: Extent to which the course enhanced the participant’s skills to conduct WTO -related work.  
Very successful  42% 60% 64% 64% 54% 24% 42% 50% 83% 46% 
Successful  58% 40% 24% 24% 38% 71% 54% 46% 13% 50% 
Satisfactory  0% 0% 12% 12% 4% 6% 0% 4% 4% 4% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 4% 0% 4% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
                                                
23 For ease of reference, the range of po ssible answers to the specific questions on a scale 1 -5 has been 
normalized under the descriptions: 1= Not satisfactory, 2=Poor, 3= Satisfactor y, 4= Successful, 5= Very 
successful.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 32 - 
 
   Revise d ATPC, 2014 -2017 (see Table 1)  
 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th  
Q6: Extent to which the course consolidated the participant’s knowledge  of WTO rules and disciplines, and of 
how these related to his/her country's trade policy formulation and implementation.  
Very successful  31% 55% 36% 36% 42% NA 33% 39% 61% 50% 
Successful  58% 40% 56% 56% 46% NA 50% 50% 35% 42% 
Satisfactory  11% 5% 8% 8% 12% NA 17% 11% 4% 8% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q7: Extent to which the course improved the participant’s skills to analys e trade information, monitor trade 
policy developments, explore policy optio ns, manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO 
negotiations.  
Very successful  42% 65% 36% 36% 42% 22% 33% 57% 74% 42% 
Successful  42% 20% 60% 60% 54% 72% 54% 36% 26% 46% 
Satisfactory  16% 15% 4% 4% 4% 6% 13% 7% 0% 13% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q8: Extent to which the course reinforced the participant’s capacity to find information and documentation on 
trade -related issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools.  
Very successful  27% 65% 52% 52% 60% 22% 42% 50% 52% 63% 
Successful  62% 25% 36% 36% 32% 61% 54% 39% 43% 33% 
Satisfactory  11% 10% 12% 12% 8% 17% 4% 11% 4% 4% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q9: Extent to which the course strengthened the participant’s ability to work individually, in teams and in an 
international environment.  
Very successful  23% 65% 54% 54% 65% 22% 42% 50% 83% 46% 
Successful  69% 30% 38% 38% 27% 72% 58% 43% 17% 46% 
Satisfactory  8% 5% 8% 8% 8% 6% 0% 7% 0% 8% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q10: Extent to which the course helped participants establish or strengthen a network of contacts with each 
other and with trainers/experts.  
Very successful  27% 60% 36% 36% 62% 22% 17% 50% 70% 33% 
Successful  69% 25% 52% 52% 27% 72% 63% 43% 26% 58% 
Satisfactory  4% 15% 12% 12% 12% 6% 21% 7% 4% 8% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q11: Extent to which the programme’s co ntent was appropriate for an advanced course (PLS Level 3).  
Very successful  27% 35% 64% 64% 54% NA 25% 54% 52% 29% 
Successful  58% 45% 32% 32% 38% NA 58% 32% 43% 46% 
Satisfactory  15% 20% 4% 4% 8% NA 13% 14% 4% 25% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 4% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 33 - 
 
   Revise d ATPC, 2014 -2017 (see Table 1)  
 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th  
Q12: Extent to which linkages were made between topics to help participants develop a horizontal 
understanding of the Multilateral Trading System.  
Very successful  31% 70% 56% 56% 65% NA 29% 50% 83% 46% 
Success ful 62% 25% 40% 40% 23% NA 50% 39% 13% 50% 
Satisfactory  7% 5% 4% 4% 8% NA 17% 11% 4% 4% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 4% 0% 0% 0% 
Not satisfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 4% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q13: Extent to which interactive learning methods helped participants develop crit ical thinking about trade 
policy formulation and WTO rules.  
Very successful  38% 42% 64% 64% 58% NA 25% 43% 65% 54% 
Successful  58% 53% 36% 36% 38% NA 71% 54% 30% 33% 
Satisfactory  4% 5% 0% 0% 4% NA 4% 4% 4% 13% 
Poor 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Not sat isfactory  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 0% 0% 
Q14: Extent to which the duration of the course was appropriate.  
Very successful  27% 35% 32% 32% 46% NA 13% 21% 52% 13% 
Successful  19% 50% 56% 56% 42% NA 54% 46% 39% 54% 
Satisfactory  16% 10% 8% 4% 8% NA 29% 29% 4% 25% 
Poor 19% 5% 4% 8% 4% NA 4% 4% 0% 8% 
Not satisfactory  19% 0% 0% 0% 0% NA 0% 0% 4% 0% 
Source: WTO Secretariat based on the Participants' Evaluation Forms completed at the end of each ATPC.  WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 34 - 
 
  ANNEX 4 – EFFECTIVENESS:  IMMEDIATE RESULTS AC CORDING TO MAIN TRAINER S 
 1st ATPC, Jan - Mar 2014  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might re late to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  89% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negot iating skills to analys e trade information, 
monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options, manage trade disputes 
and participate actively in WTO negotiations . 
Conclusions  84% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by ma rking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  89% of the participants indicated that th is objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strengthened their ability to work individually, in teams and in an international 
environment . 
Conclusions  92% of the participants indicated that this objecti ve was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  96% of the participants indicated that this objective was a ttained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Successful  
 2nd ATPC, Jun - Jul 2014  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having consolidated their knowledge of the 
WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade policy 
formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  95% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 2  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having improved their analytical and 
negotiating skills to analys e trade information, monitor trade policy developments, 
explore policy options, manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO 
negotiations . 
Conclusions  85% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Resul ts Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 35 - 
 
  Objective 3  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having reinforced their capacity to find 
information and documentation on trade -related  issues, and to use WTO databases  
and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  90% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonom y in relation to WTO matters by having strengthened their ability to work 
individually, in teams and in an international environment . 
Conclusions  95% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having established and/or strengthened a 
network of contacts with each other and with trainers/experts.  
Conclusi ons 85% of the participants indicated that this objective was attained by marking 
successful or very successful.  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 3rd ATPC, Sep -Nov 2014  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expe cted to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  1. The results  show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as wel l as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.). Active and increased 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addre ssed.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills to analys e trade information, 
monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options, manage trade disputes 
and participate actively in WTO negotiations . 
Conclusions  1. The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related  work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.). Active and increased 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased und erstanding of the issues addres sed.  
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 36 - 
 
  Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  1. The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.). Active and increased 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed .  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strengthene d their ability to work individually, in teams and in an international 
environment . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.). Active and increased 
participation throughout the  course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed .  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  NA 
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 4th ATPC, Jan - Mar 2015  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WT O rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of th eir acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.). Active and increa sed 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed . 
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 37 - 
 
  Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills . 
Conclusions  The results show th at over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (improved their analytical and 
negotiating skills to analys e trade informati on, monitor trade policy developments, 
explore policy options, manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO 
negotiations). Active and increased participation throughout the course and 
particularly during the Trade Negotiations Simulation (TNS) dem onstrated an 
increased understanding of the issues addressed . 
Results  Fully 
Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools  
Conclusions  The results show t hat over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (reinforced their capacity to find 
information and documentation on trade -related  issues, and to use WTO databases 
and analytical tools). Active and increased participation throughout the course and 
particularly during the Q&A sessions demonstrated an increased understanding of 
the issues addressed.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strengthened their ability to work individually, in teams and in an international 
environment  
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge a nd 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (strengthened their ability to work 
individually, in teams and in an international environment). Active and increased 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts  
Conclusions  NA 
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 5th ATPC, Jun - Jul 2015  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their coun tries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO  issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.). Active and increased 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed.  
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 38 - 
 
  Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considere d that they had improved their analytical and negotiating skills to analys e 
trade information, monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options, 
manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO negotiations.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved thei r capacity to find information and 
documentation on trade-related  issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical 
tools. These skills were found to be useful during their project work.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strengthened their ability to work individu ally, in teams and in an international 
environment . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had strengthened their ability to work individually, in teams 
and in an international environmen t. Active and increased participation within 
groups and greater collaboration among one another demonstrated that that their 
ability to work in teams and in an international environment was strengthened.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or stren gthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  NA 
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 6th ATPC, Sep - Nov 2015  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced th eir 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation  
Conclusions  94% of the participants who completed t he PEF considered that the course 
consolidated their knowledge of the WTO rules and disciplines and how these related 
to their countries' trade policy formulation and implementation. The dots on the gap 
analysis show progression with respect to knowledge o f WTO matters. Active and 
increased participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A 
sessions demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills . 
Conclusions  94% of the participants who completed the PEF consider ed that the course improved 
their analytical and negotiating skills.  The dots on the gap analysis show progression 
with respect to their ability to participate in WTO work (skills). Active  and increased 
participation throughout the course and particularly during the Q&A sessions 
demonstrated an increased understanding of the issues addressed.  
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 39 - 
 
  Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on tra de-related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  83% of the participants who completed the PEF rated the achievement of this 
objective as very good (61%) or excellent (22%).The dots on the gap analysis show 
progression with re spect to knowledge of WTO matters. The participants' capacity to 
find information and documentation on trade -related issues, and to use WTO 
databases and analytical tools was found to be useful during their project work.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Streng then their ability to work individua lly, in teams and in an international 
environment.  
Conclusions  94% of the participants who completed the PEF considered that the course 
strengthened their ability to work in teams (Question 4).The dots on the gap 
analysi s show progression with respect to knowledge of WTO matters.  Active and 
increased participation within groups and greater collaboration among one another 
demonstrated that that their ability to work in teams and in an international 
environment was strength ened.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  94% of the participants who completed the PEF rated the achievement of this 
objective as very good (71%) or exc ellent (23%).  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 7th ATPC, Jan - Mar 2016  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their know ledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both  in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.).  
Results  Fully 
Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their abilit y to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.).  
Results  Fully 
Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity t o find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved their capacity to find inf ormation and 
documentation on trade -related issues, and to use WTO databases and  
analytical tools. These skills were found to be useful during their trade data and  
Analytical tools project work.  
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 40 - 
 
  Objective 4  Strengthen their ability to wor k individually, in teams and in an international 
environment.  
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had strengthened their ability to work individually, in teams 
and in an international environment.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  The results show that a large majority of participants considered that the course 
helped them to establis h and/or strengthen a network of contacts with each other 
and with trainers/experts.  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 8th ATPC, May - Jul 2016  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their  
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  Objective 1 was achieved successfully.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills . 
Conclusions  Objective 2 was achieved successfully.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools . 
Conclusions  Objective 3 was achieved successfully.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strengthen their ability to work individually, in teams and in an international 
environment.  
Conclusions  Objective 4 was achieved successfu lly. 
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  Objective 5 was achieved successfully.  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 9th ATPC, Oct - Nov 2016  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' tra de 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in terms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (a utonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific skills – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.).  
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 41 - 
 
  Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills to analys e trade information, 
monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options, manage trade disputes 
and participate actively in WTO negotiations . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved their analytical and negotiating skills to analys e 
trade information, monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options, 
manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO negotiations . 
Results  Fully 
Objective 3  Reinforced their capac ity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to use WTO databases and analytical tools  
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved their capacity to find  information and 
documentation on trade -related issues, and to use WTO databases and  
analytical tools. These skills were found to be useful during their project work.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strengthen their ability to work individually, in teams and in an international 
environment  
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had strengthened their ability to work individually, in teams 
and in an international environment.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts  
Conclusions  High interest in getting into touch with WTO Staff as well as external speakers 
suggests that participants were able to achieve this ob jective.  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
 10th ATPC, Jan - Mar 2017  
Objective 1  By the end of the course, participants are expected to have enhanced their 
autonomy in relation to WTO matters by having: Consolidated their knowledge  of 
the WTO rules and disciplines and how these might relate to their countries' trade 
policy formulation and implementation . 
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved both in t erms of their acquired knowledge and 
their ability to work actively on WTO issues (autonomy and confidence in 
participating in WTO related work as well as carrying out specific tasks – trade 
analysis, trade policy formulation, negotiations, etc.).  
Result s Fully 
Objective 2  Improved their analytical and negotiating skills  
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved their analytical and negotiating skills to analys e 
trade informat ion, monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options, 
manage trade disputes and participate actively in WTO negotiations.  
Results  Fully WT/COMTD/W/228  
 
- 42 - 
 
  Objective 3  Reinforced their capacity to find information and documentation on trade -related 
issues, and to  use WTO databases and analytical tools  
Conclusions  The results show that over the course of the two months, the participants 
considered that they had improved their capacity to find information and 
documentation on trade -related issues, and to use WTO da tabases and  
analytical tools. These skills were found to be useful during their project work.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 4  Strength en their ability to work individual ly, in teams and in an international 
environment.  
Conclusions  Active and increased partic ipation within groups and greater collaboration among 
one another demonstrated that that their ability to work in teams and in an 
international environment was strengthened.  
Results  Fully 
Objective 5  Established and/or strengthened a network of contacts with each other and with 
trainers/experts.  
Conclusions  High interest in getting into touch with WTO Staff as well as external speakers 
suggests that participants were able to achieve this objective.  
Results  Fully 
Overall rate 
of success  Very successful  
Source: WTO Secretariat based on “Back -To-Office -Reports”.  
 
 
__________