RESTRICTED  
  
WT/BFA/W/317  
 
4 Febru ary 2014  
(14-0650) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
 OUTSTANDING CONTRIBU TIONS FROM MEMBERS A ND OBSERVERS  
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  This memorandum summarizes the situation with respect to  Members ' and Observers' 
contribution s as at 31 December 201 3. It also provides information and recommendations 
regarding the situatio n of Members subject to Administrative Measures and those following a 
payment  plan as at 31 January  2014. 
2  MEMBERS CONTRIBUTIONS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 201 3 
2.1.  The collection of Members' contributions has been very satisfactory in 2013 . The level of 
receipts has re ached his highest amount ever. The WTO ha s received a total amount of 
198.8 MCHF from Members in 201 3.  
Total Annual Receipts  
In MCHF  
182.5190.3 192.0196.4198.8
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
 
 
Receipt per Contribution year  MCHF  
2013 contributions representing 93% of assessed contributions  181.8  
2012 outstandi ng contributions  13.2 
Prior to 2012  contributions  3.8 
Total 198.8 
 
2.2.  The outstanding  Members'  contributions amount to 22 MCHF at the end of 2013; decreasing 
by 12% compared to  one year ago .  WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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  Members' Outstanding Contributions at year -end 
In MCHF  
26.8
24.631.5 31.3 31.0
27.6
25.3 25.4 25.9
23.725.925.1
22.0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
 
 
 2 new Members acce ded to WTO in 201 3: Lao People's Democratic Republic  and Tajikistan;  
 109 Members have no outstanding balance at year -end (69% of Members) ; 
 50 Members have outstanding balance s amounting to a total of 22.0 MCHF : 
 13.7 MCHF by 31 Members includin g: 
 11.4 MCHF from USA (5 0% of 201 3 contribution) ; 
 0.9 MCHF from Dominican Republic  (long arrears) ; 
 0.4 MCHF from Morocco (100% of 201 3 contribution) . 
 5.2 MCHF by 9 Members subject to a payment  plan; 
 2.3 MCHF by 10 Members subject to Administrative Measures ; 
 0.8 MCHF is a long outstanding amount connected to Yugoslavia  (not WTO Member) . 
 
3  OBSERVERS CONTRIBUTIONS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 201 3 
3.1.  The WTO has received a total amount of 1.1 MCHF  from Observers in 2013 . 
Receipt per Contribution year  kCHF  
2013 contributions  representing 75% of assessed contributions  560 
2012 outstanding contributions  180 
Prior to 201 2 contributions  390 
Total 1,130 
 
3.2.  The outstanding  Observers'  contributions amount to 563 kCHF at the end of 2013; 
decreasing by 43% compared to one year ago.  WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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  Observers' Outstanding Contributions at year -end 
In MCHF  
0.550.580.670.83 0.840.891.131.24
1.041.16
1.07
0.98
0.56
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
 
 
 2 Observers became Members during 201 3: Lao People's Democratic Republic  and 
Tajikistan;  
 16 Observers have no outstanding balance  (64% of Observers) ; 
 9 Observers have outstanding balance s amount ing to a total of 560 k CHF including:  
 300 kCHF from Sao Tom é and Principe representing more than 10 years of outstanding 
contributions (54% of the total Observer's outstanding) ; 
 Lao People's Democratic Republic  and Vanuatu   have not yet settled their Obser ver's 
pro-rata contribution s for a total amount of 21  kCHF. 
 
 As Sao Tomé  and Principe was an Inactive Observer  during  2013, its annual contribution for 
this year has been suspended . 
4  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO A DMINISTRATIVE MEASUR ES AS AT 31 DECEMBER  2013 
 10 Membe rs were subjected to Administrative Measures as at 31 December 201 3 for a total 
amount outstanding of 2.3 MCHF  representing 10% of the total amount outstanding . 
 Mauritania has  1.0 MCHF  of outstanding contributions. It did not comply with its payment  
plan in 2012 and was again subject to Administrative Measures in Category III . 
 Vanuatu was subject to Administrative Measures in category I as it did not make any 
payment  to WTO  since its accession  in 2012 . 
Cat. I (6)  Cat. II (2)  Cat. I II (2) 
Antigua and Barbud a Dominica  Guinea -Bissau  
Benin  Grenada  Mauritania  
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines    
Senegal    
The former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia    
Vanuatu      
 WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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  Evolution of Members subject to Administrative Measures  
1995 -2013 
9.512.3 12.2 12.513.412.814.313.817.1 16.8
14.2
12.813.3 13.6 13.4
7.5
5.6
3.52.32627
25 252423242830
28
20192122
19
11
9
610
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Total Outstanding for Members subject to Administrative Measures in MCHF
Number of Members subject to Administrative Measures
 
5  OBSERVERS SUBJECT TO  ADMINISTR ATIVE MEASURES AS AT  31 DECEMBER 2013  
 2 Observers were subjected to Administrative Measures as at 31 December 2013 for a total 
amount outstanding of 392 kCHF  representing 70% of the total amount outstanding  
Cat. I (1)  Cat. II (0)  Cat. III (1)  
Syrian Arab Republic    Sao Tomé and Principe  
 
6  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO A DMINISTRATIVE MEASUR ES AS AT 31 JANUARY 2014  
 At the start of every year, the list of Members subject to Administrative Measures is updated 
with the annual assessed contributions  
 25 Members are subject to Administrative Measures as at 31 January 2014  with a total 
amount outstanding of 8.8 MCHF including 2014 contributions : 
 There are t wo Members who have acceded to WTO in  the last two years (Lao People's 
Democratic Republic in category I and Vanuatu in ca tegory II ). 
 There are 6 Members that did not comply with the ir payment  plans to liquidate their 
arrears are subject  again  to Administrative Measures in category III . 
Cat. I (1 0) Cat. II ( 5) Cat. III ( 10) 
Benin  Antigua and Barbuda  Central African Republic*  
Cambodia  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  Côte d'Ivoire * 
Cameroon  Senegal  Djibouti*  
Honduras  The former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia   Dominica  
Lao People's Democratic Republic  Vanuatu  Dominican Republic  
Lesotho    Grenada  
Morocco    Guinea -Bissau  
Paraguay    Mauritania*  
Rwanda    Niger*  
Tanzania    Sierra Leone*  
* Members not complied with payment plan  terms . WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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  7  OBSERVERS SUBJECT TO  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASU RES AS AT 31 JANUARY 2014 
 At the start of every year, the list of Observers subject to Administrative  Measures is 
updated with the annual assessed contributions . 
 5 Observ ers are subject to Administrative Measures as at 31 January 2014  with a t otal 
amount outstanding of 655 kCHF including 201 4 contributions . 
Cat. I ( 3) Cat. II (1)  Cat. III (1 ) 
Iran Syrian  Arab Republic    Sao Tomé  and Principe  
Lebanese Republic    
Liberia, Republic of         
 
8  MEMBERS SUBJECT TO PAYMENT  PLAN S 
8.1.  The General Council can suspend the application of Administrative Measures for Members in 
Category III which agree to, and abide by,  a defined schedule of instalment payments aimed at 
liquidating all arrears.  
8.2.  The General Council had approved payment plans for 13 Members in the last five years. 
Three Members settled their payment plans in anticipation in the last two years: Gabon (in 20 12), 
Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo (in 2013).  One Member, Mauritania, has not 
complied with the payment plan in 2012 and has been subject to Administrative Measures in 2013.  
8.3.  The 9 remaining  Members following a payment  plan have total arrears a mounting to  5.2 
MCHF  at the end of 2013 .  
0.44.76.97.4
5.2
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Total Outstanding at year -end for Members
subject to Payment Plans 
in MCHF
171012
9
04812
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Number of Members subject to 
Payment Plans at year -end
 
8.4.  As at 31 January 2014, 4 Members  are complying with their  payment  plans as they have 
cleared their 2013 contributions . They are also 6  Members that are not complying with the ir 
payment plans as they and have amo unts due for 2013 : Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, 
Djibouti, Mauritania, Niger and Sierra Leone.  
Members
Swiss FrancsPlan 
duration
in yearsEnd of planLast 
payment
receivedAmount due
before 
payment planAmount of 
payment planAmount 
Outstanding
for 2013Amount 
Outstanding
for 2014Total Outstanding 
ContributionsAdvance
Burundi 20 31/12/2030 18-Apr-13 1,189,888 892,747 -                          -                          492,164 91,203
Chad 15 31/12/2026 28-Sep-12 1,460,410 1,163,269 -                          -                          861,854 68,762
The Gambia 10 31/12/2019 11-Oct-13 995,455 698,314 -                          97,229 446,388 -                           
Togo 5 31/12/2014 16-Jan-14 506,436 433,283 42 115,980 116,022 -                           
Total 4 Members 42 213,209 1,916,428 159,965
 
 
8.5.  Letters have been sent in December  2013 to all Members under payment  plans. Those not 
complying with the payment  plan have been informed that Admi nistrative Measures would  be 
reinstated as of 1st January 2 014 if no payment s were received.  WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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  9  RECOMENDATION  
9.1.  The Committee  is invited to recommend to the General Council to urge Members 
and Observers under Administrative Measures to liquidate their arrears.   
9.2.  Members and Observers settling their arrears before the next General Council will be 
removed from the list provided by the Chair of the Committee to the General Council.  
 
_______________  
 
 WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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  ANNEX  1 
ADMINISTRATIVE MEASUR ES FOR MEMBERS AND OBSE RVERS IN ARR EARS  
 
Category  Administrative Measures  
I After one but less than two full year's  assessed contributions remain outstanding at 
the end of the year:  
1. Representatives of Members will not be nominated to preside over WTO bodies  
2. Documentation will not be poste d to delegations in Geneva nor to the Members' 
and Observers' capitals.  
3. At the beginning of each year, the Director -General will notify the Ministers of 
the Members and Observers responsible for the WTO of the applicable 
administrative measures.  
4. The Direct or-General will contact annually the Minister of the Members' and 
Observers' responsible for the WTO, or any other official at the appropriate 
level emphasizing the question of arrears.  
5. The Secretariat will report annually to the Committee on Budget, Finan ce and 
Administration on the implementation of administrative measures.  
6. Members and Observers will be subject to specific reporting  at the General 
Council meetings.1 
II After two but less than three full year's  assessed contributions remain outstanding 
at the end of the year, in addition to the measures of Category I:  
1. The access of the WTO Members' web site will be discontinued.2 
2. The ability of Members to act on the recommendations by the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration to the General Coun cil on financial matters 
will be removed.  
3. Observers will be denied access to training or technical assistance.  
4. The Chairs of the accession working group of Observers will remind the 
delegation of Observers, during their working group meeting, of their fina ncial 
obligations.  
III After three full year's  assessed contributions remain outstanding at the end of the 
year, in addition to the measures of Categories I and II:  
1. Members and Observers will be designated as Inactive Members and Inactive 
Observers, respe ctively.  
2. Inactive Members will be denied access to training or technical assistance other 
than that necessary to meet their WTO Article XIV -2 obligations.  
3. The accession working groups do not meet either formally or informally.  
WTO will suspend its request  for annual contributions from Inactive Observers.  
Request for annual contributions will resume the year the Observers are not 
anymore designated as Inactive.3 
4. Inactive Members and Observers taking the floor in the General Council will be 
identified as su ch. 
 
                                               
1 See General Council procedures.  
2 Applicable to Members and Observers. Under current policy, Observers have a differentiated access to 
documents posted on the Members' Website.  
3 To be enforced starting 1 January 2013.  WT/BFA/W/317  
 
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GENERAL COUNCIL PROC EDURES FOR MEMBERS A ND OBSERVERS  
SUBJECT TO ADMINISTR ATIVE MEASURES  
 
 
At the beginning of each calendar year,  the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration will notify to the General Council the list of Members and Observe rs under 
Administrative Measures, with a recommendation that these Members and Observers be urged to 
liquidate their arrears.  
 
At the end of each meeting of the General Council , the Chairman of the Committee 
on Budget, Finance and Administration will provi de information with regard to which Members and 
Observers are under Administrative Measures. The Chairman of the General Council will request 
Members and Observers in Categories II and III to inform the Secretariat as to when the payment  
of arrears may be expected.  
 
Each year  the Director General will report on the results of his contacts with Members’ 
and Observers’ authorities on the issue of arrears.  
 
 
* * * * * * *  
 
 
SPECIAL PROVISIONS F OR THE SUSPENSION OF  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASU RES  
FOR INACTIVE MEMBERS  AND OBSERVERS4 
 
 
The General Council can suspend the application of Administrative Measures for Members 
in Category III which agree to, and abide by, a defined schedule of instalment  payment s aimed at 
liquidating all arrears.5 
 
Those Members with pre -1988 arrears that were assessed at the minimum contribution 
may benefit from a reduction in those arrears to the level of the 1989 minimum contribution. For 
each full payment  of an annual contribution between 1988 and 1994, any contracting party with 
pre-1988 a rrears may cancel an equal number of assessments for 1987 and ea rlier years upon 
payment  of the  1989 minimum contribution amounting to CHF  19,137. The difference between a 
pre-1988 assessment and the payment  of CHF  19,137 would be funded by the Miscellaneo us 
Income  of the  WTO.6 
 
The General Council can suspend the application of Administrative Measures for Observers 
that are in Category III on 1 January 2013, which agree to, and abide by, a defined schedule of 
installment payment s aimed at liquidating all a rrears.   
 
 
__________  
 
 
                                               
4 Notwithst anding  the WTO Financial Regulations (WT/L/156/Rev 2).  
5 Amend earlier decisions of the General Council  in 1988 ( C/M/226 ) and 1994 (C/M/273) to reflect the 
reduced number of categories.  
6 As approved by the General Council in 1994 (C/M/273).