WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/COMTD/W/180 
24 October 2011 
 (11-5363) 
Committee on Trade and Development  
  
BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN 
2012 – 2013 
 
 
Table of Contents 
Page 
 
I.  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 3  
II.  INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. .. 4 
III. KEY FEATURES OF THE BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND 
TRAINING PLAN 2012-2013 .................................................................................................. 9  
A.  R
ESULTS -BASED MANAGEMENT  ................................................................................................ 9  
B.  THE PROGRESSIVE LEARNING STRATEGY :  INTRODUCTION  ..................................................... 11  
1.  PLS:  progressive training paths towa rds higher levels of learning ................................... 11  
2.  Pedagogical tools adapted to the PLS ................................................................................... 12  
3.  E-Learning:  key to the PLS .................................................................................................. 12 
4.  Inspiring vision and facilitating networking ........................................................................ 14  
C.  PLS:   BASIC, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED TRAINING ACTIVITIES  ..................................... 14  
1.  PLS level 1:  basic ........................................................................................................... ........ 14 
2.  PLS level 2:  Intermediate .................................................................................................... .. 15 
3.  PLS level 3:  advanced ........................................................................................................ .... 17 
D.  INTRODUCTION AND FOCUS DAYS ............................................................................................ 20  
E.  ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY -BUILDING  .............................................. 20  
1.  WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) .......................................................................................... 20  
2.  Academic Support .............................................................................................................. ..... 21 
3.  Regional Academic Seminars ................................................................................................. 21  
4.  National Academic Seminars ................................................................................................. 22  
5.  Library Support for Universities ........................................................................................... 22  
6.  Support Programme for Doctoral Studies ............................................................................ 22  
7.  Programme for Visiti ng Academics ...................................................................................... 22  
8.  Research Colla boration ........................................................................................................ .. 23 
9.  Annual Conference, Global Trade Analysis Project, 2012 .................................................. 23  
IV.  REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR TR ADE CAPACITY-BUILDING .............................. 23  
A.  AFRICA  .............................................................................................................................. ........ 23 
1.  Background .................................................................................................................... ......... 23 
2.  Outcome of the consultations ................................................................................................. 24 
B.  ASIA AND PACIFIC ECONOMIES  ................................................................................................ 26  
1.  Background .................................................................................................................... ......... 26 
2.  Outcome of the consultations ................................................................................................. 27 WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 2  
 
  C.  L
ATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN  ..................................................................................... 30  
1.  Background .................................................................................................................... ......... 30 
2.  Outcome of the consultations ................................................................................................. 31 
D.  CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN CENTRAL ASIAN AND CAUCASUS COUNTRIES 
(CEECAC) ...................................................................................................................... .......... 33 
1.  Background .................................................................................................................... ......... 33 
2.  Outcome of the consultations ................................................................................................. 34 
E.  ARAB AND MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES (AMEC) ....................................................................... 35  
1.  Background .................................................................................................................... ......... 35 
2.  Outcome of the Consultations ................................................................................................ 3 5 
V.  OTHER FIELD-BASED CAPACITY- BUILDING ACTIVITIES .................................... 37  
A.  NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES  ..................................................................... 37  
B.  REGIONAL SEMINARS  ................................................................................................................ 38  
C.  SHORT TRADE -POLICY COURSES (STPC S) ............................................................................... 39  
D.  INTENSIVE COURSE ON TRADE NEGOTIATIONS SKILLS  ............................................................ 39  
E.  OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS , CIVIL SOCIETY , PRIVATE SECTOR 
AND MEDIA  .............................................................................................................................. . 40 
F.  SUPPORT PROVIDED WITHIN THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM (TPRM)  
FRAMEWORK  ............................................................................................................................. 40 
G.  PARTNERSHIPS  .......................................................................................................................... 41  
VI.  TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS ............................................................ 41  
A.  THE NETHERLANDS TRAINEE PROGRAMME (NTP) .................................................................. 41  
B.  THE WTO  REGIONAL COORDINATOR INTERNSHIP (RCI) ......................................................... 42  
C.  THE WTO  MISSION INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (MIP) .............................................................. 42  
VII. REFERENCE CENTRES ...................................................................................................... 43  
VIII. DATABASES AND WEBPAGE ........................................................................................... 44  
A.  THE WTO  TRADE -RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DATABASE  ......................................... 44  
B.  THE GLOBAL TRADE -RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DATABASE (GTAD) ...................... 45  
C.  VISIBILITY OF THE WTO  TRTA  PROGRAMMES :  THE TRTA  WEBPAGE  .................................. 45  
IX.  MONITORING AND EVALUATION ................................................................................. 46  
X.  FUNDING ....................................................................................................................... ......... 46 
ANNEX 1 - WTO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GLOBAL LOGFRAME.................................... 49  
ANNEX 2 - PROGRESSIVE LEARNING STRATEGY TRAINING PATHS ............................. 55  
ANNEX 3 - E-LEARNING BACKGROUND IN FORMATION AND REGISTRATION ........... 56  
ANNEX 4 - PROGRESSIVE LEARNING ST RATEGY ACTIVITIES, 2012 AND 2013 ............ 57  
ANNEX 5 - THE PRODUCTS MATRIX : LIST OF ACTIVITIES ................................................ 58  
ANNEX 6 - BUDGET ESTIMATES .................................................................................................. 7 7 
 
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
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  I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
1. This is the third Biennial Technical Assistance (TA) Plan prepared by the WTO Secretariat, 
covering all trade capacity building activities to be im plemented in 2012-2013.  It differs significantly 
from the previous plans in several ways as it in troduces the concept of Results Based Monitoring 
(RBM), which provides the basis for structural m onitoring and evaluation of the Secretariat's trade 
capacity-building programmes.  RBM is the main novelty in the new planning cycle, which will 
considerably strengthen the design, planning and re porting modes of trade capacity building.  Based 
on the logical frameworks, each programme will be  monitored from the outset through the use of 
indicators and it is expected that, through RBM, mo re quantifiable informati on will be generated to 
appreciate how the strengthened capacities were utili zed in measurable and tangible ways.  In 
addition, the Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS) is  now reaching levels of maturity that allow a 
more coherent and structured approach to trade capacity building, taking into account the knowledge 
acquired by participants through various trai ning programmes, including E-Learning and better 
exploiting synergies;  it is, thus, expected that  these two approaches combined will yield tangible 
benefits for the beneficiaries and will facilitate the process of measuring results and identifying 
medium to longer term outcomes of the Secretariat's efforts to build capacity. 
2. It is recalled that the WTO's TRTA progra mmes and capacity building efforts are one of 
many delivery components in the Aid-for-trade wo rk programme.  The main objective is achieving 
cumulative and sustainable capacity building and enhancing the efficiency and impact of the 
Secretariat's TRTA.  Therefore, it is part of the broader spectrum of on-going bilateral, regional and 
multilateral efforts to enhance the delivery of Aid fo r Trade and substantially improve its impact on 
the ground. 
3. In preparation of this new TA Plan, and in lin e with its demand driven nature, consultations 
were conducted with all stakeholde rs in various formats, i.e. first with all the regional and 
sub-regional groupings, Least De veloped Countries (LDCs) and some key donors.  These 
consultations show an increasing demand for WTO TA  to focus and address the challenges associated 
with the implementation of the WTO agreements, the capacity to make an effective use of WTO 
rights & meet obligations (Notifications etc.).  These consultations were followed by discussions with 
the membership at an informal meeting of  the Committee on Trade and Development on 26 
April 2011, thus ensuring that offer and demand can be matched. 
4. The new TA Plan builds on lessons learned from the second biennial Plan, including on the 
use of new technologies, e.g. E-Learning, follow-up on training events and a careful review of all 
products and strengthening their interrelation.   The results of consultations were presented and 
discussed with the Membership at an informal meeting of the Committee on Trade and Development 
on 26th April 2011. 
5. The Secretariat has endeavoured to follow th e most rational and pragmatic approach in 
preparing the TA Plan, to ensure a do-able level of activities and that the demand can be met by the 
Secretariat supply, mindful of the scarce resources available to service the Members in the regular 
WTO work, as well as in providing field-based tr ade-related technical assistance (TRTA).  The 
strengthened function of TA coordi nation, both internally in the Secretariat, which is performed 
through the TA Coordination Task Force, as well as externally, i.e. with regional bodies, Secretariats and all stakeholders will be of critical importance in the efficient delivery of the trade capacity 
building programmes and in building synergies.  Th e Secretariat puts a high premium on strategies for 
enhancing its cooperation and relatio nships with regional institutions  and partners.  This regional 
approach to addressing capacity constraints is cons istent with the overall approach on aid for trade 
strategies. WT/COMTD/W/180 
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  6. One of the main challenges in executing the TA Pl an continues to be its financing, and more 
specifically, ensuring timely and adequate levels of funding.  Efforts will be strengthened to ensure 
timely and adequate funding by donors, so as to en sure the smooth implementation of the Plan.  Given 
the fiscal constraints experienced by our major fi nancial contributors resulting from the global 
financial crisis and reflected in  lower contributions to the GTF in 2009 (CHF 19.6 Mio) & 2010 (CHF 
16.1 Mio) and the rise in the Swiss franc, it was de cided to design a Plan based on more realistic 
figures and revise the budget downwards.  A number of  efficiency measures have been built-in the 
design of the TA programmes, to maintain the Secret ariat capacity to deliver the TA required by the 
Members:  these include increased offers of e-learni ng in place of face-to-face learning; further cost 
sharing with partners, review the duration of some  activities as well as the overall levels of attendance 
and numbers of officials to be funded for the TA activities. Also, taking into account the new realities 
and lower flow of contributions to the DDAGTF,  the Plan has been built on the assumption that 
Members will make contributions of up to CHF 19 Mio to the DDAGTF. 
II. INTRODUCTION 
7. The main purpose of the Secretariat's trade cap acity-building programmes, as contained in the 
biennial Technical Assistance (TA) Plan 2012-2013, is to provide direct support to beneficiaries, 
enhancing their human and institu tional capacities to take full advantage of the rules based 
Multilateral Trading System (MTS), deal with th e challenges emerging from it and enforcing their 
rights and obligations.  The WTO's Trade Relate d Technical Assistance (TRTA) programmes and 
capacity building efforts are one of many delivery components in the Aid-for-Trade work programme.  
Therefore, it is part of the broader spectrum of on-going bilateral, regional and multilateral efforts to 
enhance the delivery of Aid for Trade and substan tially improve its impact on beneficiaries.  In 
preparation of the TA Plan, and in line with its demand driven nature, cons ultations were conducted 
with all stakeholders in different formats, i.e. first with all the regional and sub-regional groupings, 
LDCs and some donors, followed by informal consulta tions held through an informal meeting of the 
Committee on Trade and Development on 26 April 2011. 
8. The new proposed TA Plan takes into account WTO's vision for the delivery of TRTA, 
reflecting the views expressed by Members during th e consultations.  The main objective is to build 
on the notion of achieving cumulative and sustainabl e capacity building by enhancing the efficiency 
and impact of the Secretariat's TRTA.  Important mo difications have been introduced in terms of the 
approach to the structure of the TRTA delivery, sequencing of activities and content of the products.  
These modifications not only reflect the outcome of discussions with the Membership in recent years, 
but also take into account the recommendations ma de in various internal and external evaluation 
reports.  Some of the key modifications include  the introduction of the Results-Based Management 
(RBM) in all aspects of the planning and delivery cycl es, as an effective tool for the management of 
the monitoring and evaluation, as well as the notion of progressive learning, as contained in the new Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS).  Thus, the new Plan builds on lessons learned from earlier Plans 
and builds on the use of new technologies, e.g. E-Learning prior to the face-to-face training; follow up 
on training events and a careful review of a ll products and strengthening their interrelation. 
9. Lessons learned from the implementation of the TA Plan 2010-2011: 
 - The level of implementation of the activities continued to be high, with priority given 
to LDCs and Africa; 
 - A strengthened coordination of TRTA w ithin the WTO Secretariat, through the 
TA Coordination Task Force (TACTF); 
 - A strengthened and deepened external cooperation with regional partner agencies;  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 5 
 
 
   - Considerable efforts were deployed to gi ve more visibility to trade capacity building 
programmes, e.g. through the newsletter, open days etc; 
 - A gradual implementation and refinement of the Progressive Learning 
Strategy (PLS); 
 - A considerable enlargement of the target audience, with outreach to parliamentarians, 
Universities (WTO Chairs), and private sector; 
 - The launching of the Global Trade-Related Technical Assistance Data Base (GTAD) 
as a tool for enhancing coordinating upcoming activities 
The main challenges: 
 
 - The need to maintain flexibility in ap plying the progressive learning strategy as a 
prerequisite for face-to-face training, particularly for countries that may not have good access to E-Learning, but also bearing in mind that not all WTO Agreements are presently covered by the E-Learning mode; major trade-related areas which are not yet covered include: Trade and Developm ent, Regional Trade Agreements (under 
development), and Dispute Settlement (level 2 of the PLS); in addition, most 
Agreements and WTO issues are not yet ava ilable at level 3 of the PLS – advanced 
level training material in the form of on line simulations, interactive exercises, in-
depth courses on specific issues within a broad subject, or linkages between different topics should be also developed in the coming years in order to provide a comprehensive coverage of WTO subjects and an alternative to face-to-face training 
in the 3 levels of learning of the PLS; 
 - Apply a pragmatic and realistic appr oach for the duration of the activities; 
 - The need to introduce better tools to m easure the results and evaluate the outcomes 
and eventually the real impact of TRTA programmes; 
 - The need to secure timely and predictable funding; 
10. In preparing the TA Plan, all divisions within the WTO Secretariat that are associated with 
the delivery of TRTA were consulted to ensure a do-able level of activities and that the demand can 
be met by the Secretariat supply, mindful of the scarce resources available to service the Members in the regular WTO work, the DDA negotiations, as well as in providing field-based TRTA.  Thus, the 
activities included in the Annex of the TA Plan re flect the outcome of these discussions, taking into 
account the regional and sub-regional requirements for TRTA as well as the supply-side constraints. 
11. As a result of the consultations, the follow ing fundamental principles were established: 
 - Priority will continue to be accorded to  LDCs and thus to Africa, home of the 
   majority of LDCs;   - Further strengthening of coordinati on of TRTA within WTO and with all 
stakeholders; 
 - Further strengthening of the PLS;  - Introduction of RBM; WT/COMTD/W/180 
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   - Provide advisory services at the national and regional level; 
 - Follow a pragmatic approach for the dur ation of the training seminars and courses; 
 - Strengthen our cooperation with regional partners and international institutions. 
 The following four broad areas for priority were identified: 
 
(a) Meeting WTO obligations: 
  - Notifications, 
  - Scheduling,   - Trade Policy Reviews, 
- Statistics; 
(b) Accessions; 
(c) Post accession issues; 
(d) Trade capacity building in all areas of the DDA negotiations; 
12. One issue that was stressed throughout the consu ltations was the need to maintain flexibility 
in applying the PLS as a prerequisite for face-to-face training, particularly for countries that may not 
have good access to E-Learning, but also bearing in mind that not all Agreements are presently 
covered by the E-Learning modules.  Hence, the Secretariat will apply a pragmatic approach for the duration of the activity.  Also, the need was stressed  to introduce better tools to measure the results, 
evaluate the outcomes and eventually the real imp act of TRTA programmes, hence the introduction of 
new management monitoring and evaluation tools through RBM. 
13. The main elements and features of the new Plan are: 
14. Firstly, Results Based Management is the main  innovative and key element of the TA Plan 
lifting the Trade-Capacity Building efforts to a new level.  The Secretariat has already started 
applying the evaluation tools available under the RBM  to some activities, i.e. address the activities, 
outputs and outcomes, over a short to medium term  period and test these outcomes with performance 
indicators verified by official data sources.  As  of 2012, RBM will be fully integrated into the 
WTO Secretariat's planning cycle of its trade cap acity building programmes.  A Secretariat-wide 
RBM approach and a global log frame were deve loped; see Annex 1 to th e Plan.  Individual log 
frames were also developed for the individual trade capacity-building programmes.  The Secretariat is 
in the process of putting together all the elements in place, including the monitoring and reporting 
tools, thus, allowing a full implementation of the new RBM approach in 2012. 
15. Secondly, the TA Plan continues to build on the notion of gradual and progressive learning, 
through a multi-modular approach.  It is expected that the new enhanced approach will contribute to 
sustainable human and institutional capacity bu ilding, strengthening inter-linkages between 
programmes, building synergies, assuring coherence and cost-effectiveness in the delivery of TRTA.  
The programmes are designed in ways, to ensure that  the beneficiaries are gradually moving to higher 
levels of learning.  It is recalled that the notion of progressive learning refers to the introduction of 
changes in the sequencing of products in order to  improve the delivery of TRTA, with a view to 
gradually and progressively moving to higher levels of learning.  The first stage in the learning 
process consists of E-Learning, where levels of knowle dge of participants can be enhanced, tested and  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 7 
 
 
  synchronized.1  On the generalist path, the next level is  achieved through E-Learning or through the 
intermediate level training such as RTPCs, whic h address WTO issues from a regional perspective.  
Emphasis is put on interactive learning, case studi es and sharing of knowledge and experiences 
between participants at the regional level.  On  the specialist path, a range of E-Learning and 
face-to-face activities are available.  Once these two initial steps have successf ully been completed, 
the participants are eligible for the highest leve l of learning, i.e. advanced thematic courses on 
particular topics (e.g. dispute settlement, trade-re lated aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS), 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), ag riculture, rules) as well as the comprehensive 
Geneva-based advanced trade policy course (ATPC), which has been re-designed  so as to fulfil this 
purpose. 
16. Thirdly, continued efforts are made to reposition E-Learning within the means of delivery of 
TRTA and which permeates all ot her products.  In fact, E-Learning is conducive to progressive 
learning, ensuring that participation in advanced  WTO courses is premised on a full understanding of 
basic WTO concepts and principles as well as of  the main provisions of the Agreements.  
New E-Learning courses will be developed.  In additi on, the online training materials will continue to 
be improved and updated to incl ude additional didactic components and latest information and 
developments.  Furthermore, self-training modul es on a number of WTO issues will be used to 
complement the online course programme. 
17. A fourth salient element is the further strengt hening of the role of TA coordination, both 
internally in the Secretariat, through the TA Co ordination Task Force, as well as externally.  
Emphasis is put on enhancing coordination of TRTA  at all levels with the key stakeholders, 
i.e. in-house, with agencies, donors and beneficiar ies, as well as enhancing coherence between the 
products, with a view of creating synergies and gradua lly moving to higher levels of learning, thus 
enhancing the impact of the TRTA provided.  To  achieve that, and to ensure that the regional 
dimension of TRTA is fully captured in the relevant  programmes, the Secretariat continues to seek out 
strategies for enhancing its coopera tion and relationships with regional institutions and partners.  This 
is being undertaken through a number of activities including the intermediate level training that are 
organized and conducted with the participation of regional and na tional academic institutions and 
experts.  A key objective of this programme is to ensure that in designing TRTA activities, particular 
national and regional dynamics are incorporated to ensure relevance and c onsistency with emerging 
priorities.  The role of regional economic comm unities and economic commissions and other relevant 
regional institutions in the delivery of TR TA will remain a central element of the 
WTO TRTA programme.  The Regional Desks in the ITTC's TA Coordination Section play a critical 
role in organizing the regional ev ents.  This regional approach to  addressing capacity constraints is 
consistent with the overall approach in the aid fo r trade strategies.  Also, the newly launched Global 
Technical Assistance Database (GTAD) will play a critical role in the coordination of trade capacity-building programme in the field. 
18. Fifthly, the Secretariat will pursue its out reach programmes, including its work with 
parliamentarians, private sector and academia.  This includes continued efforts to enhance 
coordination and promote efficiencies in academic cooperation, by concentrating support from the 
WTO to academic courses, research activities, aca demic networking and public outreach through a 
new WTO Chair Programme, which was officially launched in 2011. 
19. Sixthly, the WTO will continue to give priority attention to assist LDCs to integrate into the 
MTS and to benefit from progressive liberalization in  world trade and to participate fully in the 
negotiating process of the DDA.  In addition to na tional activities, some products are specifically 
geared towards LDCs, e.g. the three-week introduction courses for LDCs, support provided in the 
                                                      
1 With a view to giving particular attention to the needs, interests and challenges of LDCs, a three-week 
face-to-face Introduction Course for LDCs will continue to take place in Geneva each year. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 8  
 
  needs assessments and trade policy reviews (TPRs), and priority is given to LDC requests in all 
training programmes. 
20. Seventhly, one of the main challenges in executi ng the TA Plan continued to be its financing, 
and more specifically, ensuring timely and adequate le vels of funding.  One of the lessons learned is 
that the more costly regional field based training events are conducted after the first trimester, as the 
moneys pledged to the DDAGTF tend to come in at different times in the year.  Efforts will be 
strengthened to ensure timely and adequate f unding by donors, so as to ensure the smooth 
implementation of the Plan.  At the same time, a num ber of efficiency measures have been built-in the 
design of the TA programmes, to maintain the Secret ariat capacity to deliver the TA required by the 
Members:  these include increased offers of e-learni ng in place of face-to-face learning; further cost 
sharing with partners, review the duration of some  activities as well as the overall levels of attendance 
and numbers of officials to be funded for the TA activities   Based on the above, the new Plan is built 
on the assumption that Members will provide a total of CHF 19 Mio to the DDAGTF, a downward adjustment from the CHF 24 Mio budgeted in previo us years, thus allowing a better balance between 
incoming funds and real expenditures. 
21. Finally, the four broad priority areas identified in paragraph 11 including meeting 
WTO obligations, Accessions, post accession and trade capacity building in the negotiations will be 
addressed through the various programmes with par ticular emphasis given to these issues, extending 
the programme to cover the issues specifi cally or through topic based programmes. 
22. The TA Plan is structured as follows:  the Executive Summary (Chapter I) provides 
explanations of the main features of the TA Pl an, followed by the Introduction (Chapter II), which 
gives information on the main priorities and novelties that have been introduced with regard to the 
various products and the approaches.  Key Featur es of the Plan will be discussed in Chapter III, 
including the RBM, and the Progressive Learning Stra tegy.  This also includes detailed information 
on the E-Learning Programme, the new features of intermediate level of training, as well as 
explanations on all other Geneva-b ased activities, e.g. the new ATPCs, the Secretariat's thinking on 
the academic support for training and capacity-buildi ng and explains in more detail the WTO Chairs 
Programme (WCP).  Following various rounds of consultations with regional groupings on their 
TRTA needs, and mindful of the demand driven appr oach of TRTA, the regional strategies to trade 
capacity building are discussed in a separate Chap ter IV.  Other field based capacity-building 
initiatives, are discussed in Chapte r V. The trainee programmes and internships continue to play an 
important function in support of trade capacity-build ing and are covered in Chapter VI.  The strategy 
for the Reference Centres (RCs) is discussed in Chapter VII.  The Secretariat has deployed 
considerable efforts to make information on tr ade capacity-building initiatives available through 
various data bases, which contain data on past act ivities and allow a better coordination of future 
activities.  Equally important is the increased vi sibility of the WTO TRTA programmes and providing 
access to all relevant information on upcoming ev ents (Chapter VIII).  Monitoring and Evaluation 
continue to be essential tools for continuous, resu lts based improvement of TA delivered (Chapter 
IX).    Last but not least is the issues relating to funding (Chapter X). 
23. The Annexes provide practical information and more details on the TA and training activities 
to be conducted in 2012 and 2013,  or in both years.  Also, for ease of reference, the annexes contain 
RBM Global Log frame (Annex 1), the WTO Pr ogressive Learning Strategy Training Paths 
(Annex 2), the E-Learning background informatio n and registration procedures (Annex 3), the 
WTO Progressive Learning Strategy Activities 2012- 2013 (Annex 4), the products matrix, list of 
activities (Annex 5) and a budget estimates (Annex 6).  WT/COMTD/W/180 
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  III. KEY FEATURES OF THE BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING 
PLAN 2012-2013 
A. RESULTS -BASED MANAGEMENT  
24. Why introduce Results-Based Management (RBM) into WTO programmes?  It is recalled 
that the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness2 committed donors and developing countries to change 
the way technical cooperation is delivered and ma naged, so as to improve the effectiveness of 
available assistance and make progress towards achie vement of the Millennium Development Goals 
(MDGs).  One of the five core principles in the Paris Declaration focused on "managing for results" 
(Box 1).  By calling on donors and partner countries to direct resources to achieving results, and use 
information on results to improve decision maki ng and programme performance, it highlighted the 
importance of indicators as a tool for this purpose. 
25. The 3rd Aid for Trade Global Review which was hosted by the WTO on 18 and 19 July 2011 
focussed on the evaluation of the results and impact of aft projects and programmes through the analysis of case stories submitted by WTO Members, non-WTO Members and Aft partners. 
26. The concept of RBM is now being incorporated  and embedded into the design, management 
and delivery of WTO's trade capacity building progra mmes, as will be explained further.  It is an 
explicit part of each of the products, which will ha ve their individual log frames to show outputs and 
outcomes. These log frames will guide the trainers and organisers of the programmes in the delivery 
of the activities per se and will serve as a starting point for reporting.  
  
 Box 1:  The Paris Principles  on Aid Effectiveness, 2005 
Ownership Partner countries exercise effective leader ship over their development policies and 
strategies and coordinate development actions. 
Alignment Donors base their overall support on partner countries' national development strategies, 
institutions and procedures. 
Harmonization Donors' actions are more harmonized, tr ansparent and collectively effective. 
Managing for 
results Managing resources and improving decision-making for results. 
Mutual 
accountability Donors and partners are accountable for development results. 
Source:  Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.  Available at:  http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/11/41/34428351.pdf  
 
27. The RBM strategy is a participatory and team-based management approach; therefore it 
requires institutions or beneficiary countries to set clear objectives for their projects and programmes.  
The main objective of WTO's trade capacity buildin g programmes, as contained in this biennial TA 
Plan, is to provide direct support to beneficiarie s enhancing their human and institutional capacities to 
take full advantage of the rules based Multilatera l Trading System (MTS), thus empowering them 
with the knowledge and skills to deal with the ch allenges emerging from it, including enforcing their 
                                                      
2 The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (20 05) has been endorsed by some 114 countries and 
25 international organizations.  It sets out a roadmap of practical commitments to promote ownership, alignment, harmonization, managing for results and mutu al accountability, organized ar ound five key principles, 
each of which has a set of indicators of achievement. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 10  
 
  rights and obligations, but also to fully and activel y take part in the current DDA negotiations, i.e. 
prepare and present positions, based on a full knowledge  and understanding of the issues at stake. 
28. Baselines will be established using the inform ation from previous years' reports and needs 
assessments which are essential to establish what is lacking in beneficiary countries and to draw up 
targeted programmes to address the identified shortc omings and establish the expected outcomes and 
results.  Thus, if a country has had some difficulties in complying with its notification obligations, the 
programme is designed in such a way that after its  completion the country would be in a position to 
fulfil its notification obligations.  Following this , performance indicators will be used to measure 
whether and or to what extent an expected outco me or result has been achieved to as to provide 
management and staff with releva nt information for decision-making.   BTORs, ITTC Annual Report, 
TCA Reports, TPRs, relevant databases, Committe e reports, monitoring the use of WTO provisions 
and implementation of WTO agreemen ts, etc., will be used to verify and ascertain attainment of the 
expected outcomes. Simple tools are used, with simple and pragmatic log frames, addressing the question how much knowledge have the beneficiarie s acquired, how was the built capacity used and 
what happened as a result?  In other words, what  was the activity proposed, how was the information 
absorbed and what was done with  it?  The overall global log frame that has been developed will be 
used to monitor the overall performance, and in  turn impact of the trade capacity building 
programmes (Cf Annex 1). 
29. Performance indicators will be identified beari ng in mind that indicator construction takes 
time and will be constructed in a participatory manner to ensure they meet specific needs. Our 
partners will participate in the selection of indi cators to ensure usability of the monitoring and 
evaluation information. There will be regular revisiti ng of indicators selected for monitoring to ensure 
that key management, reporting and decision making needs are met 
30.   Greater emphasis will be given to outcomes as opposed to activities and outputs.  The 
analysis of the data would allow for a collective appreciation by the Secretariat, the donors and beneficiaries of the outcomes of the trade capacity-bu ilding efforts in terms of impact, i.e. results and 
ultimately "change", which is the final and longer term objective of the RBM.  The systematic data 
collection and analysis will also help the Secret ariat to identify and make effective use of the 
capacities created with the beneficiaries.   Theref ore, a monitoring and evaluation system will be 
developed and implemented during the period 2012-2013  to also serve as a management tool, to be 
used to decide what is reported, to whom and when . The newsletter, reports etc. will be used to report 
on progress. 
31. The current Performance Evaluation Forms ( PEF) and the BTORs provide useful guidance 
for the expected output, as it requires resource persons, inter alia , to state the objectives of the activity 
right from the beginning and also make a qua litative assessment of the activity, based on the 
responses of the participants to the questionnaire a nd on their own experiences as to whether it was a 
success.  However, it does not provide guidance with regard to the "outcome" and the ultimate change 
to be obtained, i.e. the impact of the TRTA provided.  Also, outcomes are not associated with 
activities per se , but rather with programmes, e.g. NTP/MIP programmes, which go beyond the 
individual action.  To this end, BTOR forms and TA  databases are currently be ing revised to facilitate 
a structured collection and analysis of data  needed for the implementation of the RBM. 
32. Unlike outputs which can be ascertained shortl y after an activity, outcomes which "flow from 
a collection of outputs and describe the unleashing of potential", can only be assessed sometime after 
the implementation of an activity or a programme .  To ascertain the possible outcomes of WTO's 
TACB activities, it would be necessary to have cons istent follow-up, e.g. by sending questionnaires 
and making on-site visits to interview official s who have attended WTO training programmes to 
determine whether these activities ha ve resulted in the beneficiary c ountry enhancing its participation  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 11 
 
 
  in the multilateral trading system.  Possible outcomes can also be gauged from the participation of the 
country in the work of the WTO, its contribu tions at WTO meetings, notifications and TPRs. 
33. As regards the long term impact of TACB activ ities, "change", it is the expectation of the 
WTO that such activities would facilitate the full integration of beneficiary countries into the 
multilateral trading system.  Countries should not only be  able to participate more effectively in the 
work of the WTO in all areas including negotiations and dispute settlement, but also be able to use 
their rights and implement their obligations to deri ve significant benefits from the multilateral trading 
system.  This would require effective follow-up and the cooperation of beneficiary countries.  
Arguably, the development of indicators would have  to take several points into consideration, 
including how the beneficiary country is complyin g with its WTO obligations, the written and oral 
contributions received from the country on issues of importance to it, particip ation in meetings, and 
whether trade plays an important role in the economic growth and development of the country.  A holistic view has to be adopted in assessing whet her the TACB activities of the WTO have facilitated 
the integration of the beneficiary countr y into the multilateral trading system. 
B. T
HE PROGRESSIVE LEARNING STRATEGY :  INTRODUCTION  
34. The main beneficiaries of the WTO Secretar iat's trade capacity building are government 
officials from developing, least developed and "econom ies in transition" Members and Observers.  In 
order to best respond to the need for greater coherence and complementarity in WTO capacity 
building, the WTO's Institute for Training and T echnical Co-operation (ITTC) continues to enhance 
coherence in the design and the implementation of the WTO Secretariat's TRTA activities, exploiting 
complementarities and synergies among its various  training products and programmes.  The WTO 
"Progressive Learning Strategy" (PLS) is the pr ogressive, multi-modular seque ncing of products in 
order to improve the delivery of TRTA, with a view  to gradually and progressi vely moving to higher 
levels of learning.  In 2012-2013, the WTO Secretar iat will continue to consolidate clear and coherent 
WTO training paths based on the PLS. 
35. The primary aim of the PLS is to promote highe r levels of learning and 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 (MTS).  The PLS is a key and necessary compleme nt for the successful 
implementation of Result-Based Management in WTO's TRTA programme. 
1. PLS:  progressive training paths towards higher levels of learning 
36. Mindful of the goal to consolidate specific WTO training paths on the basis of the PLS, ITTC 
has identified two broad categories of participan ts, namely "generalists" and "specialists". 
 "Generalists" are those government official s 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 w ith general responsibility for WTO affairs. 
 "Specialists" are those government officials that will require in-depth knowledge in a 
specific area, such as those officials working on a specific issue in a particular 
Ministry in their capital (for example, those who are dealing with sanitary and 
phytosanitary issues). 
37. On the basis of this distinction, the ITTC ha s identified two broad training paths, one for 
"generalists" and another for "specialists".  Each tr aining path consists of a sequence of three training 
levels:  level 1 (basic), level 2 (intermediate) a nd level 3 (advanced).  Successful completion of each 
step constitutes a prerequisite for progression to the next step.  Such progression might also be WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 12  
 
  possible where a participant possesses knowledge or professional experience that is demonstrably 
commensurate with the requirements of a given step. 
38. These clear and progressive training paths are available, and offer opportunities to advance to 
higher levels of learning.  It goes without saying  that these training paths are designed to increase 
opportunity for advancement and progression, and ar e by no means intended as a constraint.  The 
WTO Secretariat is well aware of the desirability of providing sufficient flexibility in its training 
activities to best respond to the particular needs of  beneficiary countries, and is cognizant of multiple 
possible alternatives available to beneficiaries in the portfolio of training activities.  That being said, 
the current aim is generally to make the completion of an introductory E-Learning online course a 
prerequisite for participation in an  intermediate level training activity. 
2. Pedagogical tools adapted to the PLS 
39. The adoption of a multi-modular progressive training approach, with the objective of 
promoting higher levels of learning and encourag ing the development of participants' autonomy 
presupposes the use of appropriate and mutually reinforcing pedagogical tools and methodologies.  
While every training activity may include a mixture of pedagogical tools and materials, it may be 
expected that certain pedagogical tools and teaching styles are more suited for certain levels and types 
of activity than for others. 
40. In this context, it is anticipated that the more basic level courses will focus on "knowledge 
transfer":  E-Learning, followed by presentations and discussions with WTO Secretariat officials as the main information-provider and focal point are t hus likely to predominate in the earlier stages of 
WTO training.  First level, introductory, modul es will focus on transferring basic knowledge.  
Second level, intermediate, activiti es will focus on the transfer and consolidation of knowledge about 
the WTO system and/or a particular Agreement, a nd will tend to include in teractive sessions and 
exercises.  The more advanced levels of traini ng will predominantly favour more interactive sessions, 
comprising exercises, case studies and simulations - which could be face-to-face or internet-based.  Such interactive pedagogical tools aim to conso lidate the knowledge already transferred in earlier 
training steps, and to encourage participants to develop their conceptual understanding of the topic 
and their autonomy to analyse and critically ass ess issues through active application of their 
knowledge. 
41. The PLS focuses on appropriate pedagogical tool s and methodologies in order to foster the 
mutual reinforcement of progressive training ac tivities.  In this context, the PLS has a dual 
foundation:  firstly, it derives full advantage from information technology and the Internet, while, 
secondly, maximizing the effectiveness and inter activity of advanced training (face-to-face or 
internet-based). 
3. E-Learning:  key to the PLS 
(a) Online courses 
42. In parallel with the realignment and improveme nt of the design and content of training 
activities, the ITTC will continue to consolid ate the flexibility and availability of WTO online 
E-Learning as a vital element in the PLS.  E-Learning is a means of delivery of TRTA which permeates and supports all other products.  Online cour ses essentially constitute the first stages in the 
progressive-learning process, where levels of knowledge of participants can be enhanced, tested and 
synchronized.  E-Learning courses will function both as a training tool at levels 1, 2 and 3 of the PLS, 
and as a selection tool in the lower levels, ensu ring that successful participants in the online 
prerequisite course are eligible to  attend more advanced activities.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 13 
 
 
  43. The WTO E-Learning programme serves as a complement - as well as an alternative - to 
more traditional training programmes.  In additi on to offering possibilities for establishing networks 
of useful contacts between course participants an d their WTO trainers, E-Learning aims to give 
participants a homogeneous and st rengthened understanding of the M TS;  enhanced understanding of 
the basic principles of the WTO and the legal st ructure of the WTO Agreements;  an in-depth 
knowledge of specific Multilateral Trade Agreements ;  and improved capability to interpret relevant 
information and documents on WTO-related issues, as well as to use the WTO legal texts and legal 
background material.  Indeed, E-Learning ensures th at participation in more advanced WTO courses 
is premised on a full understanding of basic WTO concepts and principles as well as of the main provisions of the Agreements.  A number of new E- Learning courses have rece ntly been developed, 
and the design of additional courses - including adva nced training at level 3 - is underway.  Online 
training materials will continue to be improved and updated to include additi onal didactic components 
and latest information and developments.  The over all objective is to offer an E-Learning programme 
encompassing courses in both the generalist and speci alists paths and covering the three levels of 
learning within the PLS. 
44. E-Learning courses provide a unique opportunity  for participants to strengthen their 
understanding of the WTO from anywhere at any time .  This flexibility, which is inherent to the 
E-Learning courses, allows participants to combine learning with their daily work.  Registration for all courses is open all-year-round.  Participants can  start their E-Learning course at their convenience 
and enjoy access to the course for a three-month peri od, within which they will be free to organize 
their study pace according to what fits them best.  There is no limit either the number of participants 
or the number of courses that can be taken by each participant. 
45. E-Learning courses are available in the three official languages.  The learning materials 
include theoretical explanations as well as practi cal examples, case studies, illustration tables and 
visual aids.  They are supplemented by support docum ents, hyperlink references and multimedia files.  
Registration to the E-Learning courses allows partic ipants to benefit not only from the E-Learning 
materials prepared by WTO experts, but also from the continued monitoring by trainers who respond 
to any enquiries they may have on the courses or on the WTO subjects addressed in the courses.  The participants can also take advantage of chat  sessions and discussions organized regularly around a 
specific subject (e.g. on specific WTO Agreements or the Doha negotiations) where participants can 
ask any question directly to WTO experts who will r espond in real time".  Technical support is also 
provided throughout the course. 
46. The E-Learning Introduction course will be used  systematically as a prerequisite for 
participation in Level 2 intermedia te training activities.  On the generalist path, candidates will be 
required to successfully complete the E-Learning online introduction course on the WTO, the basic principles of the MTS and the main disciplines of WTO Agreements before they can be selected to 
participate in a PLS Level 2 intermediate training activity. 
47. Equally, on the specialist path, prior to holdi ng regional and other TA activities, E-Learning 
courses are gradually being introduced to provide pa rticipants with main c oncepts and knowledge so 
that higher levels of learning and more productive ex changes can take place in an advanced activity.  
In this context, E-Learning will function as a selec tion tool, ensuring that only successful participants 
in the online prerequisite course are eligible to  attend the more advanced TA activity.  More 
generally, E-Learning will be progressi vely integrated in the selection process of participants in a 
wider range of TA activities and subjects. 
48. E-Learning, as an alternative to more traditional training programmes, provides a rich array of 
courses for both generalists and specialists at levels 2 and 3, which will enable participants to move to 
higher levels of training.  The level 2 genera list course provides enhanced understanding of the 
WTO Multilateral Trade Agreements, while the sp ecialized level 2 E-Learning courses provide WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 14  
 
  enhanced knowledge on specific WTO Agreemen ts or subjects.  Level 3 courses are under 
development and will consist mainly of online simulations or exercises. 
(b) Self-training 
49. Furthermore, a number of self-training m odules on specific WTO Agreements/issues are 
available online through the WTO webpage on distance learning, and on the E-Learning website.  The 
modules are free and open to all website users.  Each module includes theory and exercises through 
multiple choice questions with an automatic corre ction mechanism.  A series of briefings and 
multimedia presentations consisting of a combination of interrelated media - slide presentations, video 
files and reference documents – are also availabl e on the WTO webpage on distance learning.  The 
self-training programme covers a wide range of t opics such as an overview of the WTO, legal and 
economic underpinnings, dispute settlement, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade in services, 
accessions procedures, trade facilitation, trade and finance,  etc.  It will be used as a complement to the 
online course programme. 
4. Inspiring vision and facilitating networking 
50. WTO training and capacity-building activities also promote a dynamic vision of the MTS.  
For example, the WTO Secretariat encourages the involvement of dynamic and experienced 
individuals who, through their know ledge and talent, have made si gnificant and unique contributions, 
usually in the field of international trade.  Th is offers participants a powerful bond to unique 
individuals and provides opportunities for strengthening institutional inter-linkages.  A symbol of the 
importance attributed to WTO training is the regular involvement of the WTO Director-General, the WTO Deputy Directors-General and numerous Directors and senior staff in training activities, 
including activities in Geneva, in the regions an d online "chat" sessions and discussions as well as 
online simulation exercises.  Moreover, WTO training activities also provide a valuable platform for 
establishing sustainable networks of useful contacts among course part icipants, and between 
participants and their WTO Secretariat traine rs and others involved in training activities. 
C. PLS:
  BASIC, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED TRAINING ACTIVITIES  
1. PLS level 1:  basic 
(a) Basic (level 1) training activities for generalists and specialists 
51. Within the PLS framework, introduction courses are the starting point for all those going 
through the various training paths, whether generalist or specialist.  They thus offer an initiation to the 
role, structure and functioning of the WTO, as well as to  its legal underpinnings.  The first level of the 
PLS relies principally on a new online E-Learning In troduction Course, which is available as of the 
second part of 2011.  The course was completely redesigned and redrafted to closely match the 
objectives set for level 1 of the PLS, while a basic face-to-face Introduction Course for 
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remains available w ith a view to giving particular attention to the 
specific needs, interests and challenges of LDCs. 
(b) E-Learning 
52. The basic level course in the E-Learning Programme is the online Introduction Course.  The 
purpose of this course is for participants to unde rstand the importance and role of the WTO in the 
multilateral trading system.  It provides a first exposure to the structure, functioning and main principles of the WTO, including legal and economic underpinnings.  The course provides with both basic legal concepts and economic fundamentals of in ternational trade.  It also presents an overview 
of WTO Agreements and their main disciplines, as we ll issues of current and future relevance for the  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 15 
 
 
  MTS.  The course puts particular emphasis on deve lopment issues, which are dealt with throughout 
the course.  Interactivity is provided through constant  contact with their traine rs, as well as regular 
online chat sessions and discussions.  The PLS Level 1 basic introduction course will be available in English, French and Spanish in 2012-13 on the WT O E-Learning website at http://E-Learning.wto.org 
(http://etraining.wto.org/ ).
3 
53. The aim is generally to make the completion of an introductory E-Learning online course a 
prerequisite for participation in any face-to-face tr aining activity or a more advanced online course. 
(c) Face-to-face 
54. With a view to giving particular attention to the specific needs, interests and challenges of 
LDCs, and at Level 1 in the PLS, the main purpose of the face-to-face Introduction Courses is the 
dissemination of general information about the WTO, its basic rules and disciplines and its 
functioning for the benefit of government offici als from LDCs.  Interactive training methods and 
briefings on overall WTO work progress are integral  elements of the course.  The development 
dimension, and issues of particular relevance to LDCs, constitutes an important focus.  The course 
often benefits from involvement of the ITC, UNCTAD, WIPO, the World Bank, the ACWL, STDF 
and the EIF.  These courses are consistently monitored in order to ensure that they best respond to the 
needs and interests of LDCs and provide a basis to follow the PLS training paths.  One Introduction 
Course for LDCs is envisaged each year, in English and French. 
2. PLS level 2:  Intermediate 
(a) Intermediate (level 2) training activities for generalists and specialists 
55. Following completion of the first level training activity, the paths for "Generalists" and 
"Specialists" diverge:  the distinction between gene ralists and specialists will play a central role in 
driving the participant towards th e most appropriate learning path.  In respect of the PLS second, 
intermediate, level of training: 
(i) a "Generalist" will attend a more a dvanced online course on the Multilateral 
Trade Agreements and the WTO, or may elect to attend a face-to-face 
intermediate training activity in the region.  Both of these are level 2 
activities in the generalist path.  While different, both of these training activities broadly aim to provide intermediate-level training on the WTO and to improve the participant's ability to understand and absorb trade policy 
content.  Successful completion of such activities permit a participant to be eligible for selection for more advanced, "level 3" face-to-face training 
activities. 
(ii) a "Specialist" will either attend a f ace-to-face level 2 training activity on a 
specific topic (where available in Geneva  or in the regions) or move towards 
online specialized courses - such as a course on sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures, agriculture, trade in services or trade-related aspects of intellectual 
property rights - which would provide  him/her with the concepts and 
knowledge, which he/she w ould need to participate in more advanced 
specialized activities in level 3. 
                                                      
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  (b) Generalist path 
(i) E-Learning 
56. The E-Learning generalist level 2 course is "The Multilateral Trade Agreements and the 
WTO".  The purpose of this course is to enhance participants' understanding of the WTO Agreements 
and the multilateral trading system.  It provides an  in-depth explanation of the main disciplines as 
contained in the WTO Agreements, stressing on the raison d'être  of those disciplines and the linkages 
among the different Agreements.  It also looks at cross-cutting issues such as the relationship between 
trade and environment and regional trade agreements.  The course puts particular emphasis on development issues, which are dealt with throughout the course.  Interactivity is provided through 
constant contact with the trainers and online chat sessions and discussions. 
57. The following intermediate level course is ava ilable in English, French and Spanish on the 
WTO E-Learning website at http://etraining.wto.org//
4:  The Multilateral Trade Agreements and the 
WTO. 
(ii) Face-to-face 
58. During the 2012-2013 biennium, the WTO Secret ariat aims to offer PLS intermediate 
(level 2) face-to-face activities in each region, all of equal length (8 weeks), and no longer last 12 
weeks for some, taking into account the budgetary cons traints and specific needs of regions. Each of 
the courses takes into account on-going partne rships and commitments, regional needs and 
specificities.  .  This reduction in the length of the regional courses will be accompanied by an 
increase in the preparation of participants thr ough e-learning.  The ITTC's focus across these 
intermediate regional activities will be on en suring coherence in substantive content and 
methodology.  The objectives of the intermediate re gional activities are to provide an introduction to 
trade policy and the multilateral trading system; provi de a regional perspective to the topics covered; 
increase collaboration and cooperation with regional  institutions and create a solid understanding 
among participants of the regional economic reality, w ith a focus on trade.  For participants to the 
intermediate regional activities, the objectives ar e to consolidate the basic knowledge on the WTO 
that they have achieved through a level 1 activity , deepen their understanding of the WTO through a 
substantial and comprehensive cove rage of the WTO agreements, provide an introduction to the DDA 
as well as focus on regional and development challeng es through an analysis of trade policy from a 
regional perspective.  These intermediate regiona l activities offer a comprehensive curriculum that 
covers many aspects of the WTO work. 
59. A variety of didactic methods and formats are used to assist effective learning, comprising of 
co-lecturing, presentations, simulations, case studies,  debates, team and individual written exercises 
and presentations, all aimed at enhancing the par ticipants' capacity to consolidate the knowledge 
acquired during the interm ediate regional activity. 
60. In order to achieve the objectives of the interm ediate regional activities, they are conducted in 
partnership with an institution of higher learni ng or with a regional/international entity and 
co-delivered by officials from th e WTO Secretariat and academics from that region.  In addition, the 
involvement of regional resources, regional acad emics, regional organisations and regional 
secretariats is encouraged, to ensure a solid groundi ng for the participants with regard to the economic 
environment in which their countries operate.  Ther e is a natural complementarity between the WTO 
and regional expertise which renders such activities comprehensive and adapted to local needs.  WTO 
lecturers provide informed explanations of WT O provisions and the functioning of the MTS, and 
specialists from the region provide a regional persp ective on the issues raised.  This dual approach, 
                                                      
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  which highlights the regional relevance and context of the knowledge transferred, is an important 
element of intermediate regional activities. 
61. Participation in a regional in termediate level activity is a prerequisite for eligibility in 
advanced Level 3 activities in line with the PLS. 
62. In conjunction with the intermediate level traini ng activity, a preparatory activity will be held 
on a biennial basis for regional academics who co-d eliver the course.  The preparatory work will 
focus on the development of training material for the intermediate level activity, briefings on WTO 
issues of relevance to the academics, and fac ilitating networking between  the regional academics 
themselves, and between the partner university and the regional academics. 
(c) Specialist path 
(i) E-Learning 
63. The objective is to cover all WTO main subject s.  The following intermediate (level 2) 
courses on the specialist path are available in Eng lish, French and Spanish on the WTO E-Learning 
website at http://etraining.wto.org//5: 
(i) Technical Barriers to Trade in the WTO 
(ii) Trade Remedies and the WTO 
(iii) Agriculture in the WTO 
(iv) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 
(v) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
(vi) Trade and Services in the WTO 
(vii) Non-Agricultural Market Access in the WTO 
(viii) Trade and Environment 
(ii) Face-to-face 
64. A range of level 2 specialist thematic activities are available in Geneva and in the regions. 
3. PLS level 3:  advanced 
(a) Advanced (level 3) training activities for generalists and specialists 
65. Following completion of the second level training activity: 
(i) a "Generalist" will register for the level 3 Advanced Trade Policy Course 
(ATPC) in Geneva.  The ATPC is the most comprehensive advanced 
WTO training product available under the PLS.  It is aimed at government 
officials who seek to consolidate and broaden their knowledge of the WTO and the multilateral trading system already acquired through prior WTO 
                                                      
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  E-Learning (on the Multilateral Trade Agreements and the WTO) and/or an 
intermediate (level 2) regional tr aining activity on the generalist path. 
(ii) a "Specialist" will attend a level 3 f ace-to-face advanced training activity on a 
specific topic, in Geneva (or in certain  regions, where available) or online.  
The Geneva-based Advanced (level 3) courses for specialists, ranging from 
one-three weeks in duration, address topics such as Trade-Related Intellectual 
Property Rights (jointly with the World Intellectual Property Organization), Technical Barriers to Trade, San itary and Phytosanitary Measures, 
Agriculture, Dispute Settlement and Trade and Environment.  The level 3 E-Learning course will consist mainly of online simulations or exercises in 
which participants are able to take pa rt from anywhere in the world.  They 
will include simulation exercises on specific WTO subjects such as for example, a simulation on a dispute settlement procedure, providing participants with the opportunity to directly apply knowledge and theory 
acquired in lower level courses. 
66. Some advanced (level 3) training will occur on line and in the regions.  Geneva-based training 
- deriving full benefit from numerous attributes inhe rent and unique to the Geneva location at the 
heart of the WTO and its Secretariat - is particul arly conducive to advanced (level 3) focus.  
Geneva-based training courses provide an opportunity for participants to have first-hand exposure to, 
and on-site experience of, the functioning of th e WTO.  This offers an authoritative and 
comprehensive platform for the delivery of traini ng and includes certain special features such as 
attending meetings of WTO bodies (e.g. General Council, CTD, TPRB, DSB, Accession Working 
Parties, etc.), updates on DDA negotiating issues a nd "Round Table"-type discussions (featuring, for 
example, Geneva-based Committee chairpersons, dele gates, and Secretariat staff dealing with a 
particular trade or negotiating topic) and exposure to  other international ins titutions in Geneva active 
in trade-related matters.  Contacts with official s in the WTO Secretariat and other international 
organizations, including ITC, UNCTAD, the Wo rld Bank, ACWL and WIPO, as well as delegates 
from Geneva Missions and from capitals, and speakers from NGOs and think tanks, are a dynamic and rewarding feature.  Participants are in the position to observe and experience the functioning of 
the WTO directly, and get immersed into the WTO environment.  Participants are encouraged to 
establish contacts with experts in relevant divisions of the WTO Secretariat, to pursue discussions of interest to their country with experts in speci fic fields, and build working relations with WTO 
officials.  An additional and important feature of Geneva-based courses is their global reach, by 
bringing together participants fro m all regions.  This encourages the sharing of best practices beyond 
the regional contexts. 
67. Geneva-based training activities draw upon a rich  tradition with a steady record of success 
spanning over fifty years.  During the 2012-2013 biennium, the Geneva-based course curriculum will 
continued its reorientation in line with the PLS to focus on the design and delivery of advanced 
(PLS level 3) training activities in both the "g eneralist" and "specialist" PLS paths.  These 
Geneva-based training activities will include, fo r generalists, the Advanced Trade Policy Course 
(ATPC) and, for specialists, advanced thematic cour ses on particular WTO-related topics (i.e. dispute 
settlement, agriculture, SPS, TBT, TRIPs, Agricultu re, RTAs, etc.).  In order to ensure the 
effectiveness of the PLS, prerequisites (in the form of E-Learning, other face-to-face training 
activities and/or commensurate knowledge or expe rience) will be made obligatory to secure 
participation in more advanced level activities.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
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  (b) Generalist path 
68. Advanced (level 3) training for generalists will take place in Geneva, and will be accessible 
only to participants having successfully  completed the necessary prerequisites.6  The long-standing 
flagship of Geneva-based training activities has, since 1955, been the comprehensive Trade Policy 
Course (TPC).  The ATPC builds upon this sturdy f oundation in furtherance of the implementation of 
progressivity in the ITTC's training activities.  Thus , the ATPC aims to maintain the comprehensive 
substantive coverage of the trad itional TPC, while reorienting towards a more advanced conceptual 
focus.  It is anticipated that, in 2012-2013,  two Geneva-based ATPCs will be held annually. 
69. The ATPC aims to promote a higher level of learning and to encourage the development of 
participants' autonomy to conduct WTO-related work .  The ATPC culminates in the completion and 
presentation of an individual project by the participants on a trade -related topic of their choice.  In 
addition to completing the project, the participants are exposed to the different areas of WTO work 
through the consideration, not only of the legal asp ects of the WTO Agreements and use of certain 
trade policy instruments, but also the economic im plications of implementing the Agreements and 
making use of these instruments.  This is largely achieved by encouraging "learning by doing" 
through shifting the focus from lecture-based teac hing to interactive teaching methods including case 
studies and exercises.  In line with the Director-Gen eral's initiative towards a "paperless" Secretariat, 
each participant is provided with a laptop to enable  access to a "virtual classroom" in which all 
documentation is available as well as to fac ilitate completion of the individual projects. 
(c) Specialist path 
(i) E-Learning 
70. In terms of the E-Learning (level 3) activiti es on the specialist path, the courses will consist 
mainly of online simulations and exercises.  Th e courses will have two components.  First, the 
participants will be required to go through a course consisting of a review  of both theory and practical 
examples.  This will provide them with the requi red knowledge to particip ate in and take full 
advantage of the second part.  Participants that succes sfully complete the first part will participate in 
the online simulations or exercises which will co mplement and consolidate the acquired knowledge.  
The participants will be assigned different roles in the simulations and instructions.  For example, in 
the dispute settlement simulation, the participants will have to prepare submissions and present their 
pleadings in an oral hearing (chat session).  The par ticipants will work individu ally and/or in groups, 
depending on the task.  Trainers and WTO expert s will help and guide them throughout the course. 
(ii) Face-to-face 
71. In terms of face-to-face advanced (level 3) trai ning on the "specialist" path, the Geneva-based 
course curriculum will continue to feature the desi gn and delivery of advanced thematic activities, 
ranging from one to three weeks in duration, addr essing such topics as:  Agriculture, TBT, Dispute 
Settlement, SPS, RTAs and TRIPS (the latter conduc ted jointly with WIPO).  Hallmarks of these 
activities include:  a rigorous selection process, screening candidates on the basis of successful 
completion of online or face-to-face level 2 traini ng activities and/or demonstrably commensurate 
knowledge or professional experience;  active involve ment of the international trade community in 
Geneva;  coordination of the activities with rele vant on-going WTO work, though, for example, 
attendance of relevant meetings of WTO bodies,  and an emphasis on more interactive sessions, 
comprising exercises, case studies and simulations.   Such activities aim to consolidate the knowledge 
already transferred in earlier training steps, and to encourage participants to develop their conceptual 
                                                      
6 In the form of a generalist intermediate (level 2) regional activity, the online E-Learning MTA course 
or possession of demonstrably comm ensurate knowledg e or experience. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 20  
 
  understanding of the topic and their autonomy to analyse and critically assess  issues through active 
application of their knowledge. 
D. I
NTRODUCTION AND FOCUS DAYS 
72. The Geneva-based training programme will be  rounded out by Introduction and/or Focus 
Days.  These are intended for Geneva-based de legates, non-governmental organizations, new 
WTO staff members, interns working in the Secr etariat and interested officials from other 
international organizations.  Intr oduction Days allow for the dissemin ation of information about the 
WTO, its basic principles, its functioning and current issues, as well as about ways to access WTO-related information through the WTO Librar y and Internet.  Based on long-standing demand 
from Geneva-based WTO delegates, Focus Days will ta rget particular WTO agreements or issues, and 
will allow for more in-depth focus and exchange of views and perspectives, as well as networking, 
amongst participants and Secretariat officials. 
E. A
CADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY -BUILDING  
73. Academic cooperation activities by the WTO s eek to assist in the development and 
consolidation of the capacity of academic institutions  in developing and least developed countries to 
design, offer and deliver academic courses, trai ning programmes, as well as conducting research on 
trade-policy and WTO-related matters, with a view to enhancing the contribu tion of these institutions 
to the formulation and implementation of trade policy, as well as to the participation of their respective countries in the MTS.  WTO support is implemented through the Academic Programme of the ITTC. 
74. WTO participation and support may encompass different modalities in the context of 
activities of national, sub-regional, regional and gl obal scope, usually by providing WTO staff as 
invited lecturers in academic programmes, facilitatin g the participation of WTO officials in academic 
events (conferences, seminars, etc.), and by donatin g sets of WTO publications to universities.  The  
WTO may also support: 
 Research activities through fellowships to PhD students and facilitating research by 
visiting scholars; 
 Training government officials through activities organized in partnership with 
academic institutions. 
75. With a view to enhancing coherence among tec hnical assistance and training (TAT) projects, 
the WTO will seek to have greater involvement of  academic institutions in the delivery of its 
TAT Plan, such as for regional and national trad e policy courses jointly taught with academics from 
the region, the participation of regional academic s as resource persons in the delivery of TA and 
training activities, and collaboration with academic institutions for the orga nization of regional and 
national academic events on trade policy and WTO-re lated matters.  In implementing regional and 
national activities, the WTO will seek to involve institutions hosting a WTO Chair. 
76. WTO activities under the Academic Programme are delivered through two components, 
which are described below. 
1. WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) 
77. The WCP began operating in 2010 with the est ablishment of fourteen WTO Chairs in 
universities located in all regions.  The programme accords predictable (up to four years) financial 
support to a limited number of academic instituti ons selected through competitions (see below), for  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 21 
 
 
  the development of projects in the fields of r esearch, course preparation and teaching, and outreach 
activities, and with a view to support the building of sustainable capacities.  The WTO Secretariat also 
provides substantive support to the work undertaken  by each Chair, through staff members acting as 
WTO Secretariat Counterparts.  Wh ile the Chairs have complete ownership over the nature of the 
work conducted, the Secretariat is available to provide substantive support to them as it may be 
pertinent. 
78. The Programme also seeks to promote younger academics rather than bolstering established 
ones and takes gender and geographi cal considerations into account.  As far as possible multiple 
languages are used in the Programme.  The WC P facilitates continuous interaction between 
institutions and individuals associated with the WCP,  including through an internet-based platform of 
services and products, as well as events organized by  the WTO Secretariat.  Universities which have 
participated with the WTO for the organization a nd delivery of Intermediate  Level Training activities 
are encouraged to present proposals for WCP Chairs, as their participation in the WCP would offer a 
means of consolidating relationships that already exist. 
79. While the WCP provides direct support to academic  institutions from developing countries, it 
is also open to scholars and academic institutions  from developed countries, particularly those 
involved in academic cooperation with  developing-country counterparts. 
80. The WTO Secretariat coordinates the yearly assessment of the work conducted by each WTO 
Chair, on the basis of reports submitted by them.  The examination of the reports is conducted with 
the assistance of the WCP Advisory Board, an external body which comprises a number of 
experienced individuals who assist the WTO Secretaria t on decisions pertaining to the functioning of 
the programme.  While the specific balance betwee n research, courses and related outreach activities 
varies depending on the nature of each project, th e overall functioning of the programme will be 
assessed on the basis of certain outcome indicators,  such research projects undertaken, publications 
published, networking and joint activities i nvolving other WTO Chairs, outreach activities 
implemented, etc.  In reviewing the functioning of  the WCP, the WTO Secret ariat will remain aware 
that the WCP is in essence a capacity-building programme. 
2. Academic Support 
81. The WTO Secretariat will continue engaging academ ic institutions of higher learning outside 
the scope of the WCP, taking into account availa bility of funding and resources, by seeking to 
respond to requests submitted to the WTO Secr etariat by universities from developing and 
least developed WTO Members and Observers presenti ng clearly defined priorities in the context of 
on-going or new academic projects.  In essence, by supporting academic institutions not benefitting 
from the WTO Chairs Programme, the WTO seeks to  facilitate new entrants into the Academic 
Programme. 
82. Requesting institutions are expected to assu me significant levels of responsibility and 
ownership in the organization and delivery of activities for which WTO support is requested, such as 
hosting the event, convening other institutions to attend, and ensuring the participation of local 
scholars in the delivery of the activity.  The WTO Secretariat will remain open to collaborate in the 
formulation of the agenda and the delivery. 
3. Regional Academic Seminars 
83. During 2012 and 2013, the WTO Secretariat may organize regional events for academics in 
partnership with the regional intergovernmental a nd academic institutions, in the context of initiatives 
aimed at enhancing trade-related capacities in regi onal academic institutions, such as the regional 
workshops for junior and senior scholars jointly  organized with the UN Economic and Social WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 22  
 
  Commission for Asia and the Pacific (in support of the Art Net project), and joint activities involving 
the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie  (AUF). 
84. The WTO Secretariat may also provide limited funding to support academic events of 
sub-regional and regional scope wh ich are organized by universities and research institutions, taking 
into account their expected impact on regional r esearch capacities on trade policy and WTO-related 
matters, and the strengthening of academic networks. 
4. National Academic Seminars 
85. National events aimed at developing research and teaching capacities in local academic 
institutions may be particularly effective.  The WTO may support universities engaged in the 
formulation and implementation projects leading to the reinforcement or creation of new postgraduate 
teaching programme and research initiatives.  In general, proposals submitted to the WTO should 
include information regarding the na ture and scope of the project (e.g. the launching of a new Master's 
Degree, a training programme for government officials or a new research project), a definition of the type of support requested (e.g. donation of WTO p ublications, WTO lecturers/trainers, participation 
of the WTO in academic events), and the identifica tion of the subject matter to be addressed by the 
WTO.  The WTO Secretariat will seek to support in itiatives involving national groups of scholars, and 
will give preference to activities offering to have a multiplying effect and sustainability. 
5. Library Support for Universities 
86. The main objective of this programme is to cont ribute to the creation and/or strengthening of 
a WTO "library" at universities from developing a nd least developed countries with a view to 
facilitating access to this information by young researcher s and the student population.  To this end, 
the WTO donates sets of WTO publications, in bot h hard copy and electronic formats universities 
from developing countries.  During 2012 and 2013, the WTO will seek to develop synergies between 
its Academic and Reference Centre's Programme s, through the establishment of WTO Reference 
Centres in universities. 
6. Support Programme for Doctoral Studies 
87. The main objective of such a support programme is  to contribute to a continuing renewal and 
enlargement of academic WTO expertise in devel oping countries.  The Secretariat will finance and 
assist doctoral students from developing countries to conduct research at the WTO for periods 
between three and six months, and to provide them with mentoring/advice in close collaboration with 
the students' academic supervisors.  Students qualif ying for this programme will generally be in the 
late stages of completion of their thesis.  Since th is is likely to be a highly effective means of 
engaging young academics in WTO-related research of direct policy relevance to governments, the 
intention is to accommodate up to twelve student s at any one time.  In 2012 and 2013, budget 
provisions will be made for twelve students for each year. 
7. Programme for Visiting Academics 
88. The Secretariat will facilitate visits of up to six months by practising academics who are 
working on WTO-related issues.  This will allow the academics to interact with the Secretariat and the 
trade policy community more generally, and maxi mise the WTO relevance of their work.  Visiting 
academics would be self-financed.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 23 
 
 
  8. Research Collaboration 
89. The main objective of research collaboration is to develop joint research initiatives on 
WTO-related matters with academics from developi ng countries.  Such collaboration will increase 
engagement by the scholar community in WTO-rele vant research, to increase the supply of region and 
country-based analysis of WTO-related policy issues. 
9. Annual Conference, Global Trade Analysis Project, 2012 
90. The WTO Secretariat jointly with the In ternational Trade Centre (ITC), and the 
United Nations Conference on Trade and Devel opment (UNCTAD), will host and co-organize in 
2012 the 15th Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis , in collaboration with the Center for 
Global Trade Analysis of Purdue University.  In this important conference, economists from the entire 
world address trade policy issues of interest for th e research community.  The conference will take 
place at the Centre International de Conferences de Genève  in Geneva on 13-15 June 2012.  The 
Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation an d the Economic Research and Statistics Division 
will coordinate WTO participation.   
IV. REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR TRADE CAPACITY-BUILDING 
A. AFRICA  
1. Background 
91. The full integration of African countries into the multilateral trading system is a priority for 
the WTO.  As such, they continue to be the major beneficiaries of WTO technical assistance and 
capacity building programmes.  Under the TA Plan for 2010-2011, 40 per cent of all national activities and 30 per cent of all regional activi ties were conducted in Africa.  Out of the 
53 African countries, 33 are least developed count ries (LDCs) which, as a group, benefited from 
nearly 50 per cent of all TRTA activities.  In addition, LDCs also benefited from other dedicated 
programmes such as the Enhanced Integrated Fr amework (EIF) and the three-week Introduction 
Courses for LDCs.  They are also given priority  in a host of TRTA programmes, including the 
Standards and Trade Development Facility (STD F).  The Reference Centre Programme, the 
Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP) and the Mission Internship Programme (MIP).  This 
privileged position of African count ries and LDCs is recognised under this new TA Plan.  Technical 
assistance delivery to Africa has covered the entir e WTO work programme, including subjects being 
negotiated within the framework of the DDA, su ch as Agriculture, Development Issues, NAMA, 
Services and Trade Facilitation. 
92. To ensure that activities fully take into account  the regional dimension and give participants a 
holistic view of issues under consideration, the WTO has also strengthened its cooperation with 
regional economic communities, including the Comm on Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(COMESA), the East African Community (EAC),  the Economic Community for Central African 
States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of W est African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern 
African Development Community (SADC) in the pl anning and delivery of TRTA.  Cooperation with 
institutions such as the African Development Ba nk, the United Nations Economic Commission for 
Africa (ECA), the Commonwealth Secretariat and th e, Organization Internatio nal de la Francophonie 
(OIF), has also been enhanced creating synerg ies and avoiding duplication of functions.  . 
93. With a view to building lasting instituti onal knowledge of trade policy matters in 
African countries, the WTO has enhanced its coopera tion with universities and institutions of higher 
learning in Africa.  Five African universiti es (University Cheikh Anta Diop, Mohamed V 
University-Souissi, University of Mauritius, Univers ity of Nairobi and University of Namibia) have WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 24  
 
  been awarded a WTO Chair and it is expected that  through the Chairs' work, they would promote 
greater understanding of the WTO and the multilateral trading system and play a significant role in the formulation and implementation of trade policy in their countries and Africa as a whole.  In 
addition, the WTO also collaborates intensively w ith Universities which host the Regional Trade 
Policy Course.  The Course for French-speaking African  countries is currently hosted by University of 
Abomey-Calavi in Benin, while the course for E nglish-speaking African countries is hosted by the 
University of Swaziland.  The WTO also supports  a number of Universities in Africa by providing 
advice on course content, making available resour ce persons to teach specific modules, donating 
publications and participating in symposia and conferences on interna tional trade and related subjects. 
94. In line with the commitment to create ins titutional knowledge about the WTO and trade 
policy matters in African countries, the WTO would c ontinue to give importanc e to national seminars 
which are able to reach many people as compared  to regional seminars and workshops where 
participation is limited to one or two officials.  To ensure that TA activities correspond to the actual 
needs of requesting beneficiary countries, the WT O has been encouraging countries to base their 
national TA requests on reliable needs assessments ca rried out, for example, within the framework of 
the Trade Policy Review Mechanism or the Enhanced Integrated Framework.  In that context, a new 
standard format for national requests has been de veloped by the ITTC which countries are requested 
to use when submitting their requests. 
95. With the introduction of the Progressive Learning Strategy to ensure that participants 
attending activities have nearly the same level of  knowledge base and are able to enhance their 
understanding of WTO Agreements ge nerally or particular Agreements relevant to their areas of 
work, the Africa Desk has b een encouraging African countries to requ est their officials to complete as 
many E-training courses as possible.  Conscious of  the challenges in several African countries, 
including limited internet connectivity, efforts are being to ensure that they fully benefit from the 
PLS.  In this context, priority is given to A frican countries and LDCs in the Reference Centre 
Programme, under which they are provided with com puters and internet connection enabling them to 
enrol in E-Training courses and keep abreast of developments in the multilateral trading system.  
Greater use of CD-ROMs and other mediums of study are also being promoted among countries which face severe infrastructural challenges. 
2. Outcome of the consultations 
96. The Africa Desk of the ITTC held informal  consultations with Kenya, as Chair of the 
African Group mid-March 2011, to exchange preliminary views on priority activities for 
African countries.  Formal consultations were held with the African Group and the LDC on 
1 April 2011.  In both consultations, the ITTC as sured African countries and LDCs that they would 
continue to be given priority under the new TA Pl an and that the purpose of the consultations was to 
find common ground on which activities would strengthen their capacity to participate more actively in the work of the WTO and derive significant benefits from the multilateral trading system. 
97. Four main areas were highlighted by delegati ons in their interventions as deserving special 
consideration and where assistance would be require d under the new TA Plan.  The first was in the 
area of implementation of existing WTO obligations, including notification obligations and any future 
obligations that might result from the Doha Round.   The second priority area was the scheduling of 
concessions and commitments in goods and services, respectively should the Round be concluded this 
year.  The third was in the area of accessions, wh ere it was noted that while there was support for 
acceding countries during the process of accession, very little assistance existed after the completion 
of the process and admission of acceding countries as WTO Members.  It was suggested in that 
connection that dedicated activities should be organi zed for such countries to enable them to meet 
their obligations and participate ac tively in the work of the WTO.  The fourth was in the area of the 
trade policy review mechanism.  It was noted that while the Secretariat provided support, it was ad  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 25 
 
 
  hoc in nature and did not address the problems fa ced by African countries and LDCs.  Targeted 
assistance was needed to en sure that the "reviewed" countries brought their measures into conformity 
with their WTO Obligations and implemented the policies highlighted in the Report. 
98. The need to build lasting institutional knowle dge about trade policy matters in LDCs and 
African countries was also highlighted.  In that context, it was agreed that significant importance 
would continue to be given to national activities whic h by their very nature are able to reach more 
people and address the specific needs of countries.  For such activities to be successful, requests have 
to be based on verifiable needs assessments conducte d, for example, within the framework of the 
TPR exercise or the EIF.  It was further agreed  to enhance the collaboration between the WTO and 
Universities in African countries, so that they can become centr es of excellence in trade policy 
matters. 
99. The delegates also welcomed the collabora tion between the WTO and regional economic 
communities in Africa as well as with institution s such as the African Development Bank, the 
Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union and the Organisation International de la 
Francophonie .  It was noted that these relationships have had a positive impact on the technical 
assistance and capacity-building programmes of the WTO by ensuring adequate reflection of the 
regional dimension and enabling partic ipants to have a holistic view of  the issues under consideration.  
The increase in synergies should improve efficiency and generate cost savings. 
100. Many delegates welcomed the introduction of the Progressive Learning Strategy as a tool for 
enhancing the knowledge of officials about the multila teral trading system.  They also welcomed the 
possibility of officials being able to enrol in courses throughout the year.  This was seen as a major 
improvement which would enable many officials to complete E-Training Courses.  Some delegates 
stated that given the infrastructural challeng es, including interconnectivity problems in several 
African countries and LDCs, appropriate flexibility should be given to candidates who may not have 
completed E-Learning courses, but nevertheless ha ve the requisite knowledge and experience to 
undertake a course.  In that connection, it was point ed out that the three-week Introduction Course for 
LDCs was accepted as the equivalent of the E-Trai ning Module on Introduction to the WTO enabling 
officials to enrol in Level 2 Courses, includi ng the Intermediate level training activities. 
101. Delegates were also informed about the intr oduction of "Results-based Management" into the 
WTO's technical assistance progra mme.  It was explained that it s hould enable the Secretariat to 
assess the outcomes and impact of activities and, where appropriate, introduce changes that would effectively address the capacity constraints of benefi ciary countries and enable them to enhance their 
participation in the multilateral trading system.  It was suggested that because of human resource 
constraints facing both the Secretariat and benefici ary countries, all WTO subjects would be covered 
on a biennial basis, unless there is justification for doing otherwise.  With respect to national 
activities, it was affirmed that LDCs and developing countries would continue to be eligible for three 
and two activities, respectively.  
102. As a result of the implementation of the RBM strategy, the Africa Desk has strengthened its 
coordination with operational Divi sions and it is expected that dedicated programmes would be 
implemented to realise the priorities articulated by the Africa Group during the consultations.  As regards implementation issues, a segment will be included in relevant national activities on such 
issues in order to help African countries to fulfil their WTO obligations, including notification obligations. It is estimated th at 100 national activities would be conducted in Africa in 2012-2013 and 
implementation issues would be an integral part of  all the programmes for th ese activities.  Trainees 
under the Netherlands Trainee Programme and the Mission Internship programme would be required 
to complete outstanding notification obligations of  their countries and work on other implementation-
related issues during their period of internship.  In the period between 2012 and 2013, it is envisaged 
that were would be about 20 trainees from African c ountries.  The Africa Desk will also work closely WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 26  
 
  with the Agriculture and Commodities Division a nd the Market Access Division to enhance the 
capability of trade policy officials from African count ries to schedule commitments arising out of the 
Doha negotiations.  It is expected that about 60 A frican officials will be tr ained on scheduling issues 
in 2012 and 2013.  The Africa Desk would also work  closely with the Accessions Division and the 
African Development Bank to organise a dedicated seminar for the 8 acceding African countries with 
a view to increasing their knowledge about releva nt WTO rules and processes and strengthening their 
capacity to deal effectively with issues which may arise out of the accession process.  Work with the 
Trade Policy Review Division will also be intensifie d to enhance the capacity of African countries to 
participate actively in the TPR process.  Support wi ll be provided to the relevant countries before, 
during and after the TPR exercise. 
103. Under the TA Plan, African countries woul d benefit from 45 regional activities covering a 
broad range of intermediate and advanced courses as well as from Geneva-based activities and 
national activities which are demand driven. 
BOX 2:  Africa and LDCs 
The consultations with the African and LDCs ' groups resulted in the following priorities: 
 Assistance needed with implementation of existing WTO obligations, particularly in 
the area of notifications as well as future obligations that may result from the Doha 
Round; 
 Assistance with the scheduling of c oncessions and commitments in goods and 
services, respectively should the Doha Round be concluded this year; 
 Dedicated training programmes for acceding countries, particularly after they 
become WTO Members; 
 Support to be given to LDCs and Africa n countries involved in the TPR exercise; 
 Continue giving priority to LDCs and African countries in the WTO Technical 
Assistance and Capacity-Building programmes; 
 Need to build long lasting institutional knowledge about trade policy matters; 
 Priority to be given to national seminars  as they can address the specific constraints 
of countries; 
 Need to strengthen the WTO academic pr ogramme.  Academics s hould be invited to 
participate in national activities; 
 Flexibility in the implementation of the Progressive Learning Strategy; 
 LDCs and African countries should continue to be given priority in the 
WTO internship programme as well as in the Reference Centre programme; 
 Priority areas in the DDA work programme: 
  Agriculture 
  N A M A    Trade Facilitation   Services  
 
B. ASIA AND PACIFIC ECONOMIES  
1. Background 
104. The economies in the Asia and Pacific region cont inue to play an important role in world 
trade with their shares accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the global merchandise trade in 2009.  
Among the world's 20 leading traders, at least ten co me from the region both in merchandise trade and 
in commercial services trade.  At the same time, th ey are also dependent on world trade.  The region 
is both a key contributor and main beneficiar y of a well-functioning world trading system.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 27 
 
 
  105. Despite the general feature of the important role of trade in the economies, economies in the 
Asia and Pacific region are a diverse group, with di fferent levels of economic development, sizes of 
economies, geographical locations, and offensive and defensive commercial interests.  This diversity 
is even greater when it comes to the WTO memb ership, as out of the 30 Members and Observers 
located in the region, three are classified as developed, 17 as developing and ten as least developed 
countries, assuming varying sets of obligations and co mmitments.  It also needs to take account that 
two have either recently graduated or to be graduated from LDC status, resulting in corresponding 
changes in their WTO obligations and commitments.7  Moreover, among the 27 TRTA beneficiaries 
in the region, six are new WTO Members who join ed the organization less than a decade ago, and 
four more, all LDCs, are in the final or near final stage of their accession to the WTO.8  Furthermore, 
distinctive features of the six Pacific Members a nd Observers, including their small size associated 
with vulnerabilities, non-resident status in Geneva, and many of their recently acceded status in the 
WTO, deserve special focus and attenti on even within this diverse region. 
106. Within the context of the WTO technical assist ance and training, the overall objective for the 
ITTC Asia and Pacific Desk is not only to enhanc e the participation of the beneficiaries from the 
region in the work of the WTO, but also to enha nce their sense of ownership and belong to the 
multilateral trading system.  More specifically, the Desk has ensured that technical assistance is 
tailor-made to respond to the specific needs of i ndividual beneficiaries thr ough various products and 
modalities offered in the TA Plan.  In 2010-2011, the Desk coordinated, participated and/or delivered 
69 national activities and 34 regional activities.  Pursua nt to the Progressive Leaning Strategy, at least 
six regional activities were delivered at the advanced  level, in addition to the intermediate level 
12-week Regional Trade Policy Courses which were he ld in Singapore in 2010 and in India in 2011.  
Moreover, nine government officials from the regi on gained their WTO work experiences through the 
Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP) or the Mission Internship Programme (MIP). 
107. Another important focus of the Asia and Pacifi c Desk has been the involvement of regional 
partner institutions in the design and delivery of techni cal assistance.  This is in particular critical as 
most of the economies in the region, whether collectiv ely or individually, are engaged in various trade 
arrangements, both bilateral and regional, and both within and outside the region, with varying 
degrees of coverage in trade opening efforts.  Our partner institutions in the region include:  the 
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Asian Deve lopment Bank (ADB), the Asian Development Bank 
Institute (ADBI), International Institute for Trad e and Development (ITD), the ASEAN Secretariat, 
the APEC Secretariat and Temasek Foundation.  In addition, two regional activities on topical 
WTO issues have been carried out under the MOU with the Government of Singapore every year.  Efforts are on-going to expand the list of regiona l partner institutions.  The involvement of these 
partners has ensured that WTO TRTA activities take  account of the regional dimension and therefore 
provide participants with a more holis tic view of issues under consideration. 
2. Outcome of the consultations 
108. In preparation for the 2012-2013 TA Plan, the Asia and Pacific Desk sent out a questionnaire 
to the beneficiaries in the region, with the obj ective of establishing the needs and priorities for 
TRTA activities.  Eleven delegations responded to the questionnaire.  Thereafter, consultations were 
held with the Asia-Pacific Economies as a Group  on 15 April 2011.  A further round of the 
consultations was held with the Pacific economi es on 5 May 2011, on the margins of the Geneva 
                                                      
7 Maldives graduated from LDC status in January 2010, and Samoa is scheduled for January 2013.  In 
addition, the case for Vanuatu for possible graduation will be examined in 2013. 
8 China (2001), Chinese Taipei (2002), Cambodia (2004), Nepal (2004), Tonga (2007), 
Viet Nam (2007).  Vanuatu and Samoa are expected to conclude their accession negotiations to the WTO in 
2011, while Bhutan and Lao PDR are in the final stage of their accession negotiations. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 28  
 
  Week.  In addition, comments and suggestions raised  during day-to-day bilate ral consultations with 
the delegations have been taken account. 
109. The feedback received from the questionnaires a nd consultations highlighted the following 
priorities which would guide the design of the 2 012-2013 TA Plan.  First, there is an increasing 
demand for WTO technical assistance to focus and address the challenges associated with the 
implementation of the WTO Agreements, while the te aching of the agreements is more effectively 
delivered by the on-line training courses.  A strong preference has been expressed for WTO regional 
activities to offer advanced and specialized level tr aining (with E-training as prerequisite), or to 
provide a platform (e.g. policy dialogue or rou nd table) to discuss the challenges, and share 
experiences and best practices.  Topics suggest ed for such activities with the focus on 
implementation-related challenges include:  SPS, TBT, RTAs, TPRs, accession and post accession, 
and trade policy formulation/consultations.  In  this regard, many have supported a greater 
involvement of regional partner institutions, academic and research institutions, as well as 
Geneva-based missions/res ource persons, in the conduct of such activities. 
110. Second, the beneficiaries in the region have  expressed interest in using WTO technical 
assistance to explore, debate and brainstorm on ne w trade agendas, including those discussed beyond 
the WTO forum, in particular, their linkages to th e WTO.  Possible new trade agendas include:  trade 
and climate change, non-tariff measures, developm ent of international standards, behind-border 
issues, trade and exchange rates, trade and financia l crisis, trade and gender, as well as other issues 
covered in preferential trade arrangements.  In organizing such policy dialogues or round tables, 
emphasis should be given to the involvement of expe rts based in the region, especially from academic 
and research institutions, as well as the private sector. 
111. Third, while the involvement of regional partne r institutions has been a regular feature of 
TA activities in the region, there is a strong desi re to increase the involvement of academic and 
research institutions in the TA delivery, both at the na tional and regional levels.  In particular, the role 
of universities and academic is considered importa nt not only in disseminating research results to 
assist government officials in trade policy formulat ion, but also in sustaining academic interests on 
contemporary trade agendas among students who may later pursue their careers in the field of trade.  The WTO Chair holders, as well as other academic a nd research institutions with strong interest in 
trade, are strongly encouraged to be associated in the conduct of activities in the next TA Plan.
9 
112. Fourth, there has been a growing interest in enhancing the Trade Policy Reviews as an 
instrument and platform to identify and follow up TA needs in support of the implementation of the 
WTO obligations, especially among tho se Members on the six-year cycle.10  More specifically, some 
Members have asked for (i) a TPR follow-up activity  where the findings of the TPR reports and the 
outcome of the TPR meeting, including on the TA n eeds, are shared with domestic stakeholders no 
later than six months after the meeting, and/or (ii) a mid-term or interim TPR exercise, after three to four years from the TPR meeting, to review the fi ndings and TA needs contained in the previous TPR, 
with a view to sensitizing possible issues to be ra ised in the subsequent one.  This post-TPR exercise 
is intended to build on the recent incorporation of  a Chapter Five in the Secretariat report which 
analyses the needs related to Aid fo r Trade of the country under review, with a view to highlighting 
broader challenges the country facing in its effort s to participate in the global trading system.  
Furthermore, the Desk needs to take account of the need for targeted assistan ce which has been sought 
                                                      
9 Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade (China), the University of Gadjah Mada (Indonesia) and the 
Viet Nam National University (Viet Nam). 
10 These include:  Bangladesh (the last TPR held in 2006), Brunei Darussalam (2008), 
Cambodia (2011), Fiji (2009), Macao , China (2006), Maldiv es (2009), Mongolia ( 2005), Nepal (2012), 
Pakistan (2008), Papua New Guinea (2010), Philippines (2 005), Solomon Islands (2009 ) and Sri Lanka (2010).  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 29 
 
 
  for those recently acceded Members wh ich are expected to go through the TPR for the first time in 
2012-2013.11 
113. Fifth, by the end of 2011, the WTO is e xpected to welcome two new Members to the 
organization from the region, where a further two are at the final stage of their accession negotiations.  
They are all LDCs.  While the acceding Members will c ontinue to receive priority attention in the TA 
delivery, the Desk will also focus on post accession support to those recently acceded LDCs.12  Post 
accession support could focus on, inter alia , the implementation of accession obligations including 
notifications, institutional capacity building in suppor t of the participation in regular work of the 
WTO, outreach activities.13 
114. Sixth, LDCs and other low income economies from the region have expressed their strong 
desire to benefit from various internship programm es offered by the TA Plan.  Both the NTP and MIP 
are seen as one of the most concrete and efficient wa ys for junior government officials to transfer their 
acquired knowledge on the WTO into practice by work ing as part of the Secretariat or at Geneva 
missions.  On the job training is particularly effectiv e in establishing networks with Secretariat staff or 
Geneva-based delegations which ar e proved to be useful when they work on WTO matters back in 
capital. 
115. Lastly, as trade dominates an important part of the Asia and Pacific economies, there is a 
growing interest to expand the trade community by increasing the awareness and knowledge by the 
parliamentarians, the business community, the civil society and media on the basic functioning of the WTO and trade issues in general.  While the ma in responsibility of outreach to non-governmental 
stakeholders should remain in the hands of th e government of each Member or Observer, the 
WTO technical assistance can assist their outr each efforts in building up a trade community 
supportive of their agenda.  For instance, the role of  parliamentarians is essential for the ratification of 
an accession package or possible amendments to the WTO Agreements if the DDA negotiations are 
concluded.  Some feel the need for the business co mmunity to be aware of the benefits or potential 
benefits which the WTO or the conclusion of the DDA negotiations could offer, and others feel that 
increased knowledge on the WTO by the media coul d contribute to greater understanding on trade 
issues by the general public. 
116. Overall, the focus of the Asia and Pacific Desk in  the TA Plan 2012-13 is to assist in fostering 
the overall environment which will be conducive to mainstream trade into the national or regional 
development strategies. A total of 27 activities are scheduled to take place in Asia Pacific during the biennium. 
 
                                                      
11 Tonga (2013) and Vietnam (2013) 
12 Vanuatu and Samoa are expected to finalise th eir accession negotiations to the WTO in 2011. 
13 The TA Plan will take account of the discussi on underway in the Sub-Committee on LDCs on the 
proposal for the Establishment of  a work programme for post accessi on support for recently acceded LDCs 
(WT/COMTD/LDC/W/xx). WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 30  
 
  BOX 3:  Asia 
 Assistance needed with implementation of WTO obligations, particularly in the area 
of notifications; 
 Should the DDA be concluded this year, assistance would be needed with the 
scheduling of commitments in goods and services; 
 Dedicated training programmes for acceding countries, particularly after they 
become WTO Members; 
 Support to be given to countries involved in the TPR exercise; 
 LDCs and Asian countries should conti nue to be given priority in the 
WTO internship programme as well as in the Reference Centre programme; 
 DDA work programme: 
 Agriculture 
  N A M A  
  Trade Facilitation 
  Services  
 
C. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN  
1. Background 
117. The ITTC's Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Desk developed a policy that is geared to 
facilitate a better and fuller integration and particip ation of LAC countries in the MTS.  The region 
comprises 34 countries; 19 in Latin America and 15  in the Caribbean.  Thirty three countries are 
WTO Members, whereas one country (The Bahamas)  is in process of accession.  Their level of 
economic development is  relatively homogeneous14 but their economic size and capacity to participate 
in WTO activities is quite diverse.15  Some are G-20 Members16 whereas others, due to their 
smallness, have difficulties in participating ac tively and simultaneously in the monitoring of 
WTO agreements and in all areas of the DDA negotiations. 
118. Bearing this in mind and in order to ensure th at workshops and seminars address the region's 
particularities and constraints, the LAC Desk has put  particular care in making a permanent follow-up 
of the region's economic developments and in ch ecking Trade Policy Review (TPR) reports.  This 
required monitoring, dialogue and consultation on an on-going basis.  As a result, many of our 
regional activities have been adjusted, furnished with  more practical exercises and enriched with the 
participation of regional actors.  Yet more has to be done.  We sen se that our TA activities should be 
extended in time to give more space to par ticipants to exchange experiences, network17 and stimulate 
"policy dialogues". 
119. The LAC Desk has put particular zeal in pursuing regional partnerships with Latin American 
and Caribbean organizations.  Ha ving our regional partners on boa rd of our TA activities serves 
three purposes:  (a) it reduces the financial burden on WTO's budget18; (b) it helps the WTO to tailor 
its TA to the actual regional challenges; and (c ) integrating regional partners to our regional 
TA activities gives a multiplier effect to our effort s to promote multilateralism and policy coherence.  
                                                      
14 All are developing countrie s; only one is an LDC. 
15 It ranges from big emerging markets as Brazil to SVEs (24 in total). 
16 Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. 
17 A LAC Facebook account will be created in order to facilitate networking and the sharing of 
information and experiences among participants in LAC activities. 
18 Something particularly important as many of our donors are implementing fiscal consolidation 
policies.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 31 
 
 
  Outstanding amongst our regional part ners is our very well establish ed cooperative relationship with 
the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) thr ough its Institute for the Integration of 
Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL).  WTO ha s also gained invaluable success in many 
activities through the synergies forged with other re gional partner organisations.  Notably, notably 
those with the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), Organization of American 
States (OAS), Central American Secretariat for Economic Integra tion, (SIECA), Inter-American 
Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), International Development Law 
Organization (IDLO), Andean Community of Nati ons (CAN), Organization of Eastern Caribbean 
States (OECS), Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Economic Commission fo r Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).  
In sum, during the 2010-2011 period regional instituti ons and universities such as Latin American 
School of Social Sciences (FLACSO, one of the selected WTO Chairs
19) have been key partners in 
delivering TRTA in the LAC region.  In the light  of our positive experience, we will continue 
delivering TA during 2012-2013 in close collabora tion with the aforementioned regional partners. 
120. In 2010 and 2011, the LAC Desk coordinated, participated and/or delivered 75 activities 
covering regional and nati onal workshops/seminars, and Short Trade Policy Courses.  In addition 
one government official from the region, completed one year training working on WTO' issues within the NTP programme and two WTO Reference Centres were established thanks to Spain's generous 
financial support.  It is difficult to assess th e level of success of these activities.  Measuring 
TA requires transforming quality into discrete number s and detaching our own subjectivity.  With this 
caveat it is fair to note that both, anecdotal eviden ce and formal surveys show clear benefits of TRTA 
for LAC recipients.  Participants' evaluation re ports (including follow-up conversations) and our 
regional partners' assessments continue to indicate that, following the delivery of our TRTA activities, 
participants have a better understa nding of the subject matter of the activity, of the relevance of 
successfully concluding the DDA negotiations and the im portance of the MTS.  On the red side of our 
balance-sheet we have to acknowledge evidence in dicating the convenience of extending the time 
devoted to some of our regional activities
20, and also the interest in focusing less on the "teaching" of 
the WTO Agreements and more on policy dialogues and practical assistance.   
2. Outcome of the consultations 
121. LAC countries need to feel ownership for the TR TA that WTO supplies in their region.  With 
that aim in mind the LAC Desk has endeavoured to keep close touch with Mi ssions in Geneva and/or 
authorities, as appropriate.  In order to facilitate th e collection of inputs to elaborate this report, we 
circulated a short and thought-inviting questionnai re, and held a consultation with GRULAC on 
1 April 2011.  We have also used  each and every opportunity to enga ge with delegates in Geneva (as 
well as with authorities visiting the WTO, or during our activities on the field) to elicit the challenges and opportunities that LAC countries foresee at  the regional and at the global level. 
122. In the light of the aforementioned consulta tions, as well as follow-up conversations we are 
confident to have a better picture of actual LA C countries' expectations from TRTA.  The vast 
majority of responses reveal that they would welcome using technical co-operation as a vehicle to address practical challenges related to the implem entation WTO rights and obligations; this implies 
moving beyond the sheer "teaching" of WTO agreements.
21  In their view the Secretariat is in the best 
position to facilitate the exchange of experiences a nd technical cooperation should allow engaging in 
policy dialogues (the Secretariat being the "broker" ).  In this rationale many LAC Members expressed 
                                                      
19 Other "WTO Chairs" are the Instituto  Tecnológico  Autónomo  (México); Universidad de Chile and 
the University of the West Indies (Jamaica). 
20 Wherever possible regional workshops should be extended from four to five days. 
21 Although, as we note bellow, for many other LAC countries, the "teaching" of WTO agreements is 
still of great interest. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 32  
 
  interest in having us organize roundtables of experts,  as a means to promote analysis and reflexion by 
policy-makers on some trade-relevant issues, as the interphase between trade and climate change; 
trade and international finances; trade and fiscal an d monetary trade policies; trade and volatility of 
commodity prices, among others. 
123. Several LAC countries also expressed their inte rest in using technical co-operation as a 
vehicle to receive technical advice (as opposed to "t echnical assistance").  They noted that this would 
be facilitated by the participation of other inte rnational organizations and the development of 
networks amongst the participants. 
124. A number of LAC countries, particularly those of  a relatively smaller economic size, still give 
a high value to the use of TRTA to teach the WTO agreements.  Moreover, they encouraged us to 
enhance our internship programmes.  These count ries underscored the multiplier effect of sending 
junior officials to learn-by-working as interns for shor t periods of time at the Secretariat.  Also, some 
SVEs, whereas acknowledging the advantages of E-Learning courses (quality, accessibility, flexibility, cost saving), noted that their reduced  number of professional staff prevented them from 
taking full advantage of our level 2 and level 3 tr aining activities.  They expect a more flexible 
enforcement of pre-requisites
22 to attend these training activities. 
125. LAC countries had a general interest in ensuri ng the participation of international and 
regional organizations, together with academics in ou r TRTA activities.  It was noted that this would 
favour the development of networks and promote trade analysis. 
126. Finally LAC countries showed interest in enriching our TRTA activities by inviting (as 
appropriate and always in agreement with th e host country) parliamentarians, private sector 
representatives and academics.  The possibility of in viting private sector representatives to participate 
in our TRTA activities was considered particular ly relevant in matters as notifications and 
transparency of SPS/TBT.  Regarding the specific ar eas of interest to be covered by future regional 
activities, there was a special  interest in the following23: 
 Services 
 Agriculture 
 Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights 
 Dispute settlement 
 Rules / Trade Remedies 
 Environment 
 Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
 Technical barriers to trade 
 Trade facilitation 
 Rules of origin 
 Non-agricultural market access 
 Notifications 
 Government procurement 
 Trade negotiation skills/techniques 
 Customs valuation 
 Regional trade agreements 
 Import licensing 
                                                      
22 Consistent with the Progressive Learning Strategy but also mindful of the need to apply it with due 
flexibility, we are requiring that candi dates submitted by governments have su ccessfully completed the relevant 
online training or demonstrate having acquired equivalent knowledge through professional experience . 
23 Based on responses to the questionnaire and follow-up conversations.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 33 
 
 
   Special and differential treatm ent provisions (S&D or SDT) 
 Training for compliance with transparency obligations 
 Implementation of the Doha Round commitments upon its conclusion 
 Doha negotiations 
 e-Commerce 
 Introduction to the WTO 
 Multilateral trade and trade negotiations 
 Statistics on trade, especially in Services 
 Outreach 
 
127. In 2012 and 2013, the LAC Desk will coordinate, participate and/or deliver about 34 regional 
activities and Short Trade Policy Courses expected to  benefit about 800 participants from the Latin 
America and the Caribbean. 
BOX 4:  Latin America and the Caribbean 
 Moving from technical assistance into technical advice; 
 Extending the time devoted to some regiona l activities in order to give more space 
to participants to exchange of expe riences and network and stimulate "policy 
dialogues"; 
 Enhancing internship programme for SVEs; 
 Enforcing the PLS pre-requisites with flexibility; 
 DDA work programme: 
  Services 
  Agriculture   Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)  
 
D. CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN CENTRAL ASIAN AND CAUCASUS COUNTRIES 
(CEECAC) 
1. Background 
128. The CEECAC Desk developed a policy that is g eared towards a better and fuller integration 
and participation of the CEECAC in the WTO.  The region comprises of 22 countries and includes, inter alia , the Balkan countries, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Caucasus and Central 
Asian countries. 
129. During 2010 and 2011, efforts were focused on assisting these countries to identify their 
TA needs.  For Members, this was carried out, to the extent possible, in collaboration with the Trade 
Policy Review Division (TPRD) through the trade po licy review mechanism.  For Observers, the 
ITTC has been working closely with acceding gove rnments as well as with the Accessions Division 
with a view of identifying the specific TA needs of each individual Observer. 
130. The CEECAC economies have significantly bene fited from the WTO's technical cooperation 
and capacity-building activities over the past two years (2010-2011). 
131. Due to human and financial resource constrai nts, the Secretariat was not in a position to 
organize a three-month Intermediate Level Traini ng Activities for the CEECAC countries.  Until this 
objective is achieved, the Secretariat has been working closely with academics from the region and 
Istanbul Bilgi University with a view of co-deliver ing some joint activities.  The first such activity 
was held in Istanbul in September/October 2010 an d was very well received by participants and WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 34  
 
  speakers.  Due to the success of this event the collaboration will continue in 2011 and a 
second five-week course is envisaged with Bilgi University in Istanbul in October 2011.  While 
shorter than a normal Intermediate Level Training Activities it will still qualify officials from the region to the new ATPC (level 3) that are held in Ge neva.  For this biennial all regions will be equally 
covered by an intermed iate level 2 course. 
132. During the last biennial, the contribution of regional institutions was critical to the efficient 
delivery of WTO TRTA.  For the CEECAC region, th e Joint Vienna Institute (JVI) is an important 
partner.  A large number of the regional activities (twe lve) were organized jointly with the JVI at their 
Headquarters in Vienna, Austria.  This successf ul collaboration continued to be practical and 
beneficial for the WTO in 2010/2011.  The Istanbul B ilgi University is also an important partner for 
the joint delivery of the short trade policy cour se.  Partnership arrangements ensure high quality 
interaction in the preparation and implementation of joint technical cooperation and capacity-building 
activities. 
133. Several countries in the region also benef ited from the NTP and the mission internship 
programmes.  A few countries in the region also  benefited from other in-house TRTA programmes, 
such as the EIF and the STDF.  Aid for Trade is another important area, work will continue with 
partners and countries in the region in this context.  Moreover, a significant number of officials from the region participated in several Geneva-based activities, including the new Advanced three-month 
Courses ATPCs. 
2. Outcome of the consultations 
134. The CEECAC Desk held a series of consultati ons to interact with representatives from the 
region to discuss their TA needs.  Several countri es expressed support to the efforts undertaken by the 
Secretariat to ensure more harmony among the group of selected participants in a TA event and were 
pleased that the PLS is working effectively. 
135. From the consultations, in particular the bilate ral meetings with individual countries, it was 
clear that the needs remain the same as in the previous biennial.  The needs identified include 
organizing regional events on Accessions, Dispute Settlement, Trade Remedies, Trade Facilitation, 
Agriculture, RTAs, TBT, SPS and Services.  In this re gard, the Secretariat is planning not to organize 
any regional seminar during this biennial on RT As, however, Members and Observers are free to 
request for such activities in the context of their national entitlements anytime during the year.  
Furthermore, a number of interventions highlight ed the importance attached to outreach activities 
targeting Parliamentarians, civil society and the private sector, which should continue. 
136. Out of the 22 CEECAC countries, ten are WTO Members.  Eleven are in accession 
negotiations and one economy, Turkmenistan, has no status with the WTO.  The situation remains 
similar to the previous biennial and specific atte ntion still needs to be dedicated in assisting the 
acceding governments to first identify their TA priorities.   ITTC will continue to work closely with all 
in-house divisions, in particular the Accessions Divisi on to design tailor made events to respond to 
specific demands. 
137. During 2012-2013 the Secretariat is planning to cont inue to work with partner institutions in 
the delivery of regional TA such as, the JVI, th e World Bank Institute, the European Investment 
Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstr uction and Development (EBRD), and the "I nstitut de la 
Francophonie pour l'Administration et la Gestion " (IFAG).  Experience thus far, confirmed that 
partnership arrangements ensure high quality inter action in the preparation and implementation of 
joint TA and capacity-building activities.  These joint activities are financed from the 
WTO DDAGTF.  The Secretariat will seek to furt her strengthen existing partnerships, including by 
sharing financial costs and developing new ones as and when the need arises.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 35 
 
 
  138. Lastly, the CEECAC countries have benefited significantly over the past few years from the 
E-Learning facilities of the WTO.  The delegates welcomed the new approach introduced by the 
Secretariat, which will now allow officials to regi ster at any time during the year for the on-line 
courses.  The Secretariat will continue to use E-Learning as a training and selection tool for the PLS. 
139. A total of 18 activities are scheduled for CEECAC during the biennium. 
E. ARAB AND MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES (AMEC) 
1. Background 
140. The ITTC has developed since 2001 an Arab Strategy contained in the New 
WTO TA Strategy for Capacity Building, Growth a nd Integration, which was the first step taken in 
the re-organization of WTO technical cooperation.  Twelve Arab countries are Members of the WTO, 
while eight others are in the process of accession. 
141. One of the main priorities of the ITTC Arab D esk was to ensure that regional requested topics 
were in line with the needs identified.  A comple mentary way to identify regional needs was through 
the trade policy review mechanism (TPRM).  In this regard, the Desk continued to work closely with 
the TPRD to identify the needs and priorities of Arab  countries that were subject for reviews.  This 
practice was applied in the past on a limited scale, but is now becoming systematic.  Similar work is 
being conducted with the Accessions Division with  a view of identifying the specific needs of 
Arab acceding governments. 
142. Partnership arrangements with the main re gional economic organizations such as the 
United Nations Economic and Social Commi ssion for Western Asia (UNESCWA), the 
Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Islamic Devel opment Bank (IsDB), the Gulf Cooperation Council 
(GCC), continued to play a significant role in achieving the desired common objectives of 
empowering and enhancing the pa rticipation of the Arab countries in the Multilateral Trading 
System (MTS).  Several regional events were or ganized in collaboration w ith partner institutions 
during the past two years.  Moreover, the Secretariat has been working with its partners in the various 
regions to go beyond the traditional TRTA activiti es it provides to government officials, and has 
worked directly with other stakeholders, such as private sector representatives, academia, journalists, 
and civil society.  This collaboration will continue over the course of the next two years and will be 
further strengthened. 
143. Several countries in the region benefited from th e NTP and mission internship programmes.  
In addition, to the regular TRTA provided by the Secretariat, several AMECs benefited from the EIF, 
and STDF.  AMEC (Members and Observers) have been continually invited to all 
Geneva-based activities planned over the last two years, such as the specialized courses and the 
ATPCs. 
2. Outcome of the Consultations 
144. Informal consultations were conducted with the Arab Group with a view of assessing the 
Group's technical assistance and training needs for the biennial.  These consultations were conducted 
with the wider Group of Arab Members and Observer s and bilaterally with individual countries.  
Several key elements were discussed including the new Results Based Management (RBM);  the PLS 
and how it will be reinforced;  E-Learning and its dual use as a training and selection tool;  the new 
mechanisms and databases that were established by  the WTO Secretariat to enhance coordination at 
all levels, inside the Secretariat and with partner institutions in order to avoid duplication and achieve 
positive results;  and, finally the efforts exerted to ensure complementarity and coherence among the 
various technical assistance and training pr ogrammes on offer by the WTO Secretariat. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 36  
 
  145. The consultations focused mainly on how th e PLS functioned over the past two years and 
how it can be further reinforced at the regional leve l.  In this regard, the Secretariat briefed the 
Arab Group on the positive results achieved in the first level-3 GATS Workshop held in Cairo from 
13 to 16 December 2010.  It was clear from the le vel of engagement of the participants and the 
feedback received from the speak ers that the PLS worked well in streamlining and ensuring the 
homogeneity of the Group in terms of background an d knowledge of the subject.  Close to 90 per cent 
of the participants that attended the Cairo ev ent fulfilled the requirements and prerequisites by 
first completing an on-line E-Learning course on the GATS. 
146. Arab Members and Observers also indicated their support for the gradual introduction of the 
PLS at all levels, in Geneva and the regions.  Seve ral delegates also expressed support to minimize, to 
the extent possible, all activities at the regional leve l that are of a general nature on the WTO and shift 
the focus to events that are subject  specific and specialized.  The rationa le behind this is that there are 
sufficient generalist activities on offer by the WT O, such as, the on-line level-2 Multilateral Trade 
Agreements (MTA) course and the intermediate le vel 2 face-to-face courses, which will be equally 
available in all regions in 2012. 
147. Specific priority areas at the regional level were highlighted both during the informal 
consultations with the Arab Group as well as in bila teral meetings with Arab delegates;  including, 
Accessions;  Trade in Services;  Technical Barriers to Trade;  Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights;  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures;  assistance to fulfil notification obligations;  Trade 
Policy Reviews;  Trade Remedies;  and, Trade and Environment.  It was also made clear by several countries that additional events may be required on the DDA negotiating subjects during the course of 
the biennial.  Finally, a number of delegates st ressed the importance of continued engagement with 
Members of Parliament and academia in the Arab world.  The Secretariat reassured the Group that 
they will continue to benefit from th e WTO Outreach and academic programmes. 
148. The political unrest and security situation in the region was flagged by several delegates 
during the bilateral consultations.  Some expressed concern that their officials may not benefit from 
the envisaged activities or that the required minimu m number of participants will not be achieved and 
the event may be cancelled.  Th e Secretariat reassured the Group that in such cases and following 
internal and external discussions creative solutions  will be introduced to address these very special 
circumstances. 
149. Two additional elements were also rai sed during the discussion relating to the 
WTO internship programmes and the limited use of E-Learning courses by Arab countries.  The 
Group reiterated the importance of the various in ternship programmes on offer, including the NTP 
and mission interns as well as the interns that are recruited to assist the coordinators of regional 
Groups.  The Group indicated that these programmes are clearly a priority area for them in the 
biennial.  The Secretariat acknowledged the request a nd encouraged those countries eligible to benefit 
from these programmes to submit names of candidat es for consideration.  Finally, the Group was 
reminded that E-Learning is now instrumental to implement the PLS.  The Secretariat reiterated the 
new approach of E-Learning, contained in doc uments JOBS/TC/1, which now makes the on-line 
courses available all year and encouraged Arab Members and Observers to maximize use of this system. 
150. Finally, these consultations di d not address the specific national technical assistance needs of 
individual Arab Members or Observers as each country will remain entitled to request for 
two-national activities and three for LDCs at any time during the biennial. 
A total of 19 activities will be held in the next bi ennium targeting to benef it about 490 participants. 
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 37 
 
 
  BOX 5:  Arab region 
 DDA work programme: 
 Services; 
 Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS); 
 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS); 
 Accessions. 
 
BOX 6:  CEECAC Region 
 DDA work programme: 
 Accessions; 
 Trade Facilitation; 
 Technical Barriers to Trade. 
 
V. OTHER FIELD-BASED CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES 
A. NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES  
151. In terms of general objectives, national TA  will contribute to building sustainable 
trade-related national capacities, resulting in improv ed knowledge and skills of participants in areas 
defined by the beneficiary country concerned.  Fu rthermore, each national TA will be guided by its 
own specific objectives addressing the needs of the par ticipants.  In order to better target the TRTA, 
beneficiaries would need to base their requests on a needs identification, which can be undertaken 
with the support of the WTO Secretariat.  Requ ests for national TA and training activities can be 
made to the Secretariat, either directly (in wr iting to the Director of the ITTC) or through the 
respective WTO bodies.  Prior to the delivery of a national activity, a TRTA national request form 
needs to be completed, which will provide more de tailed and specific information on the objectives of 
the activity, through needs identification. 
152. In addition to its educational and capacity-bui lding intentions, experience also shows that 
national TA will be needed to address shortages of WTO-related expertise on an  ad hoc basis.  Such 
shortages are more likely to arise in areas such as  services, where a wide range of ministries and 
agencies may need to contribute to a national schedul e, than in other areas where policy competencies 
may reside with a relatively small number of gove rnment entities.  Increased centralization and, as a 
consequence, more permanent expos ure to similar challenges, clear ly facilitates long-term capacity 
building.  In contrast, experts in sector-specific mi nistries, who are rarely confronted with trade policy 
issues, may benefit from targeted assistance in order to translate their specific objectives and concerns 
into "WTO language" whenever the situation arises.  Cases in point are the submission of initial or 
revised offers in services. 
153. Requests for national activities can be made at any time, as flexibility in matching available 
resources in WTO divisions with national demands is  required.  This flexibility is particularly 
important when the national activity focuses on one of the DDA-related areas, given the limited number of experts available in the Secretariat in each area.  Members will be informed of this 
approach in writing, and the steps to be taken fo r obtaining national TA activities will be explained, as 
contained in this document.  Reminders will be i ssued in the most appropriate way and as required. 
154. The Secretariat is making budgetary provisions  to undertake around 250 national activities 
each year, on the basis of two national activiti es per developing country and three for LDCs.  
Regional Desk coordinators in the ITTC are respons ible for responding to the national requests and, in WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 38  
 
  dialogue with the beneficiary, the relevant WTO divisions and possibly donors and other agencies, 
will consider how the request can best be met.  Ot her areas that will receive priority attention, and 
which could be better addressed at the national leve l, include accession issues and notifications.  On 
accessions, support will be provided to acceding countries in meeting the technical requirements associated with the accession process.  Technical assi stance will be provided upon request with a view 
to facilitating the full integration of acceding countries into the MTS.  In the area of notifications, 
efforts will be geared towards assisting beneficiary countries meeting their notification requirements.  Given the specific nature of notification, which di ffers for all WTO Members, it is felt that these 
issues can best be addressed at the national level. 
B. R
EGIONAL SEMINARS  
155. In line with the demand driven approach of TR TA, intensive consultati ons were held with 
beneficiary countries, including the regional groupings, with a view of discussing the new approach developed in the TA Plan and to receive feedback on the regional needs and specific requirements.  
The information received is reflected in Annex 6, which provides detailed information with regard to 
the activities to be carried out in 2012 and/or 2013 or  in both years.  All WTO topic based agreements 
will be covered in all regions over a two y ear cycle, none will be held annually. 
156. Regional seminars for capital-based officials, allow the WTO to reach a homogeneous 
audience based in the region and interested in the sam e subject matter.  It also facilitates exchange of 
information, sharing of experiences and netw orking among participants.  Regional seminars 
increasingly move away from providing basic explanati ons to more advanced levels of training.  The 
specific objectives and expected levels of knowledge of the target audience will always be clearly 
specified in the letters of invitation. 
157. The regional seminars will also address specifi cally the notification requirements for each 
WTO Agreement and additional time w ill be allotted to that effect. 
158. The level of expertise required (target audience)  will always be specified in the letter of 
invitation (as well as in the relevant activity sheet) and it will be the primary responsibility of the 
beneficiaries to ensure that their attendees have th e required level of knowle dge and expertise.  As 
discussed earlier, and as a key element in the RBM  approach, a selection process will be conducted 
for these activities.  Increasingly, e-courses will be he ld as precursors to the face-to-face course, thus 
ensuring that levels of knowledge are homogenous.  As  to testing levels of knowledge at the end of 
the seminars, most seminars include self-assessment exercises and/or simulations as part of the training, which to some extent, allow participants to 'measure' whether the in formation has been fully 
absorbed.  Participants will also be required to  provide indications as to how the knowledge gained 
will be used in the day-to-day work and responsibiliti es.  Ways to ensure follow up to the courses will 
be explored. 
159. As for the venue for the regional seminars, as in  the past this will be decided in consultation 
between the Secretariat and the Members, to en sure a reasonable geographical distribution of 
activities, taking account also of practical consid erations (ease of access, conference facilities, 
security, etc.).  Such consultations will involve the regional coordinators in the ITTC, the operational 
division that will undertake the activity and countri es in the regions where the activity would be 
undertaken.  When and where appropriate, such activit y could also be hosted by a partner institution, 
including a regional development bank, a training cen tre or a regional Secretariat; when that happens 
the venue is determined by  the partner institution.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 39 
 
 
  C. SHORT TRADE -POLICY COURSES (STPC S) 
160. The STPCs, which can be either general or specifi c in nature, are mainly proposed by partner 
institutions, with inputs by experts of the WTO.  In line with WTO's practice and procedures for 
partnership arrangements, such activities will clearly need to generate value added and contribute to 
the work of the WTO in building capacity and in support of the DDA.  The advantages of cooperation 
with partner agencies in these courses are numerous, as often the partner agencies not only take 
charge of (part of) the logistical and administ rative burden of organizing such events, as well as a 
share of the costs, but also enhance the quality of the courses, with more emphasis on the regional 
dimension than what the WTO could ensure.  Local  resources are used, including officials that have 
been trained under the Intermediate Level Training Activities.  Such STPCs are held in nearly all 
regions with the local partners.  Some of the partne rs have at their disposal  regional training centres, 
offering local facilities where the activities can be  conducted.  Increasingly, such cooperation 
becomes institutionalized.  Experience has shown that for the cooperation with partners to be effective 
and add value, and in order to enhance ownership of these programmes, sharing in the costs of the 
activity as well as in the logistical and administrative preparations is a sine qua non .  Without such 
practical cooperation the organization of these courses cannot be assured. 
D. INTENSIVE COURSE ON TRADE NEGOTIATIONS SKILLS  
161. The advanced trade negotiations simulation skills course has been designed to provide 
participants with skills and knowle dge concerning appropriate strategi es and tactics for the conduct of 
trade negotiations, as well as techniques of systematic  decision analysis for monitoring and managing 
the negotiating process.  Participants apply th e Doha framework modalities on Agriculture, NAMA 
and Trade in Services to bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations.  The course contributes directly 
to the objectives of the DDA by improving, deepen ing and enhancing partic ipants' understanding of 
the DDA negotiations, more particularly the Cr awford Falconer Draft Modalities for Agriculture, 
Luzius Wasescha Draft Modalities for NAMA, 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, and the 
2004 July package.  The core of the course enco mpasses all the stages in tr ade negotiations, from the 
consultation stage to actual negotiations, involving real give-and-take.  The use of the DDA mandate 
for the simulation exercise makes this training programme particularly relevant since participants can apply their strengthened skills immediately to r eal world negotiations in Geneva and other fora. 
162. This advanced TNS course comes at the very end of the training cycle, according to 
participants. The TNS draws on knowledge participants already possess on the multilateral trading 
system. Participants apply this knowledge to bilate ral and international trade negotiations to obtain 
various concessions on Agriculture, NAMA and trad e in services from their negotiating partners. 
163. The TNS course requires participants to process a large amount of information, calculate and 
analyze data, manage teamwork dynamics and immerse di rectly into rounds of simulated negotiations.   
164. The design and delivery of the TNS course is hi ghly relevant to the needs of participants. 
After the launch of the DDA negotiati ons, developing countries' trade negotiators felt that there was 
an urgent need to strengthen their trade negotiations  skills to enable them to actively participate in 
WTO negotiations.  The course has been found to be ve ry valuable, bringing participants into real 
negotiation mode. 
165. Sustainability:  Capacity in trade negotiations skills is one of the areas that developing 
countries have identified as a priority for TRTA.  The WTO Secretariat provides large amount of 
documentation on Agriculture, NAMA, Rules and Servi ces negotiations for the participants to ensure 
that institutional and human resource capacities coul d be further developed and sustained in this 
particular area.  The involvement of local counter parts (e.g. academic institutions) in the course and 
documentation provided by the WTO are expected to assi st in the sustainability of capacity building.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 40  
 
  166. Overall, the TNS course has been very successful .  Participants have been very eager to 
obtain deepened knowledge on the WTO and acquire tr ade negotiations skills. Participants have been 
particularly interested in trade negotiation techni ques, formula for calculating trade barrier reductions 
in agriculture and NAMA, services negotiations, rules negotiations, coalition building, as well as 
presentation skills in the negotiating process.  
E. O
UTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS , CIVIL SOCIETY , PRIVATE SECTOR AND 
MEDIA  
167. Outreach activities are part of an overall WTO st rategy to help legislators, civil society 
representatives, including the private sector, and media representatives better understand the agreements and the functioning of the WTO.  These activities also help these stakeholders discuss and 
understand the provisions of the Doha Ministerial Decl aration and the subsequent  developments in the 
DDA negotiations.  They are also a response to chal lenges in the Ministerial Declaration for greater 
transparency in the WTO's operations and improve d dialogue with the public.  In addition to our 
outreach with Parliamentarians and Civil Society, th ere will be a particular focus on private sector and 
media activities for 2012-2013, as was already highlighted  in the regional consultations held by ITTC 
with WTO Membership. 
168.  Throughout the regional workshops, representativ es of all these stakeholders are encouraged 
to consider their respective roles in multilatera l processes and ways to increase parliamentary and 
public awareness of the international trade ag enda.  The programmes will be designed to 
(i) strengthen the "dialogue style" feature of Outr each workshops (ii) enhance and, where necessary, 
set up specific ways to ensure information is di sseminated to larger constituencies beyond the groups 
participating to the workshops. 
169.  In complement to Outreach workshops, in formation feeds and exchanges are done on a 
regular basis for Media, Private sector and Non-G overnmental Organizations.  A monthly newsletter 
is also prepared and circulated, containing speci fic information relevant to Parliamentarians. 
170. The cost of outreach activities are covered fro m trust funds on the basis of co-funding 
arrangements with Partner organiza tions such as Parliamentary and Non-Governmental associations 
and foundations. 
F. S
UPPORT PROVIDED WITHIN THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM (TPRM)  FRAMEWORK  
171. The TPRM is a valuable forum for achieving tr ansparency in, and understanding of, the trade 
policies and practices of Members.  Trade policy reviews of developing and LDCs Members have increasingly performed a TA function and have been  useful in increasing understanding of the trade 
policy structure in place and its relationship with the WTO Agreements, playing an important part in 
"capacity-building and mainstreaming".  The main objectives of the reviews are: 
- Improved understanding in these countries of  the WTO Agreements, enabling better 
compliance and integration in the MTS;  and 
- Enhanced interaction between government ag encies, also facilitated by the reviews. 
172. The Secretariat reports' wide coverage of Members' policies assists governments to identify 
any shortcomings in policy and specific areas where further TA may be required. 
173. Occasionally, the review process for LDCs a nd a number of other developing countries 
includes a short seminar for their officials on the WT O and, in particular, the TPR exercise and the 
role of trade in economic policy, including experien ce from trade liberalization efforts.  However, as  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 41 
 
 
  more and more countries have become familiar with the TPR exercise, the seminar preceding a TPR 
has usually been reserved for countries being review ed for the first time, or as part of a regional 
configuration. The Secretariat reports for LDCs a nd developing countries  include a section on Aid for 
Trade which, inter alia , covers the country's TA needs and pr iorities, as identified during the review 
in cooperation with the Member concerned.  For LD Cs, the reviews also draw heavily from the needs 
identified in the DTIS conducted under the EIF. 
174. The ITTC and TPRD have jointly elaborated a methodology to use TPRs more systematically 
as a tool for needs assessment.  Increasingly, thro ugh the participation of officials from ITTC in 
TPR missions, developing countries and LDCs that undergo the TPR are sensitized to the TRTA that 
can be provided by the Secretariat and assisted in  undertaking needs assessment as a basis for TRTA.  
These activities are assimilated to national activities,  and the costs covered from both regular budget 
and trust funds.  In addition, TRTA related need s are identified for the purposes of Aid for Trade. 
175. Finally, and as a new element in providing supp ort to beneficiaries, the Secretariat will 
endeavour to organize briefing sessions following and/or en marge  of the reviews taking place in 
Geneva, to engage directly with  the delegation in assessing their TRTA related needs and to establish 
a roadmap for action.  This process was already launched in 2009. 
G. PARTNERSHIPS  
176. The WTO Secretariat continues to place strong em phasis on partnerships - at varying levels of 
involvement and for a variety of training and capac ity-building activities - with other providers or 
sponsors of TRTA.  The promotion of such partne rships is a resource-efficient way to provide 
high-quality, comprehensive and informed cap acity-building, in addition to consolidating 
institutional interlinkages.  It can also establish and strengthen local capacity and, where relevant, 
enhance "ownership" in beneficiary countries. 
177. Many components of training and capacity-building activities are designed and/or executed in 
cooperation with partner institutions and specialized agencies.  Such pa rtnerships enrich the quality of 
training and TA activities by using existing capacity, expertise and facilities, where available, at the 
regional level and/or in Geneva.  Moreover, such cooperation facilitates the delivery of TA and the 
dissemination of WTO training programmes.  Partners hips can relate to the design and execution of 
specific programmes, as well as to general co operation on TRTA with other agencies and 
organizations.  For example, the partnership betw een the WTO and the regional academic institutions 
that lies at the heart of the Intermediate Level Training Activities reinforces the institutional linkages 
between the WTO and the region-based partner.  Si milarly, international institutions and agencies – 
such as the World Bank, UNCTAD, ITC, WIPO and the ACWL – make important contributions to 
the delivery of training in Intermediate Level Training Activities and/or Geneva-based training 
activities. 
178. The cooperation between institutions , partners and agencies is reviewed regularly with a view 
to ensure synergies, relevance and maximum valu e-added.  The TA Plan intends to build on the 
successful partnership progress that has al ready been developed in recent years. 
VI. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS 
A. THE NETHERLANDS TRAINEE PROGRAMME (NTP) 
179. The aim of the NTP is to assist in the economic  and social development of LDCs, low-income 
countries and comparable poor small and vulnerable ec onomies in areas related to trade policy and to 
provide essentially junior public officials with the opp ortunity to learn about matters dealt with in the 
WTO, under the direction of staff members of the WTO.  Particular attention is given to WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 42  
 
  African countries.  The official will receive a lump sum of CHF 5,000-a-month plus travel expenses 
and will spend a total period of up to ten months with the WTO.  The official will be expected to complete specific and well defined tasks in that pe riod in conformity with the objectives of the NTP.  
Tasks will need to have specific relevance for the beneficiary country in terms of capacity building 
and/or in the on-going negotiations, and will be defined prior to the beginning of the traineeship.  The 
main objective of the NTP is to generate tangibl e and measurable results and thus leave a lasting 
trace, through: 
 building sustainable capacity in beneficiary countries, by providing officials with an 
opportunity to participate directly in the WTO's work in Geneva; 
 providing exposure to on-going activities in the Secretariat, which will assist officials 
in enhancing their understanding of the functioning of the WTO and the MTS and providing relevant policy advice to governments; 
 facilitating the implementation of Members' commitments in the WTO;  and, 
 contributing to the achievement of the goa ls of the DDA and more specifically, those 
set out in the Decision of the General Council of 1 August 2004 and in the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. 
180. How to apply:  Following a letter of invitati on sent by the WTO, applications should be sent 
to the Director of the ITTC, with specific indications  of the tasks, complete curriculum vitae (CV), as 
well as a letter of support from the national authorities.  Candidacies will be reviewed by a 
WTO selection committee. 
B. T
HE WTO  REGIONAL COORDINATOR INTERNSHIP (RCI) 
181. In the WTO Regional Coordinator Internship Programme, the Mission of a rotating group 
coordinator is eligible to have an intern, paid by the WTO, for a period of six-months, without 
extension .  At the end of six months, the system will ro tate to the next designated group coordinator of 
the nine identified groupings (groups select their rota ting coordinators).  Interns under this system are 
paid CHF 5,000-per month, plus travel expenses, from the DDAGTF. 
182. How to apply:  a letter should be sent to the Di rector of the ITTC, with specific indications on 
the duration of the coordinating function, and names and CV(s) of the candidate(s) that would provide 
support to the coordinator. 
C. THE WTO  MISSION INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME (MIP) 
183. This Programme has a similar objective as the NTP, for the benefit of Geneva-based 
missions.  The candidates work in their own country Mission in Geneva and not in the WTO Secretariat, and can represent their country in the various bodies within the WTO.  This Programme is available primarily to missions of LD Cs and small and vulnerable economies.  For this 
Programme, interns are selected by the ITTC and the Human Resources Division (HRD), together 
with the Mission concerned on the basis of a list of detailed CVs and possibl e telephone interviews.  
Interns under this system are paid CHF 5,000-per m onth, plus travel expenses, for a period of ten 
months.  Requests for Mission interns should be addressed to the Director of the ITTC. 
184. How to apply:  letters of application should be  sent to the Director of the ITTC, with the 
names and CVs of the candidates for their consideration.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
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  VII. REFERENCE CENTRES 
185. The TA Plan 2010-2011 incorporated the latest developments and the implementation phase 
of the New Strategy of the Reference Centre ( RCs) Programme.  This implementation was delivered 
in close partnership with ITTC's regional desks.  In  line with this new stra tegy, and to respond more 
adequately to specific needs, the Programme focu sed specifically on LDCs, developing countries and 
non-resident members. 
186. In keeping with the Secretariat's strategy to  put in place clear and coherent WTO training 
paths based on a progressive, multi-modular approach , E-Learning will continue to be promoted 
through the RCs in 2012-2013.  This will theref ore enhance the learning function of the RCs.  
Particular emphasis will be put on the E-Learning mode  as an effective means to prepare participants 
prior to face-to-face training.  The ownership of the RCs has been enhanced at the national level, 
through the appointment of a RC manager, who receives adequate training on the management, 
organization and access of WTO information. 
187. In 2012-2013, the implementation of the RC Programme will be conducted through ITTC's 
regional desks, with the support of ITTC's RC Unit.  Periodic reports will be prepared to monitor the 
progress and the achievements, with various criteria being used in the programme's implementation, 
e.g. the number of visitors, queries processed, informa tion retrieved, feedback, the number of visits to 
the website, the number of subscribers to the ne wsletters, etc.  A specific log frame with both 
quantitative and qualitative indicators has been devel oped to monitor and review the impact of the 
Programme.  The RC Unit will monitor the operationa l implementation of the Programme and insure 
a quality and results-based mana gement of this product. 
188. During the 2012-2013 biennium, the RCs Progra mme will be of particular benefit to the 
LDCs, Sub-Saharan African countries and non-resident countries.  It is envisaged that ten missions 
will be conducted each year for the establishment and upgrading of various Centres.  The Programme 
will concentrate on upgrading obsolete materials, tr aining the participants in the efficient use of 
WTO information resources, including the websites,  WTO agreements, databases and trade-related 
software.  Particular attention will be paid to the quality of the computer equipment provided to 
beneficiary countries.  Additionally, informati on management skills training will be provided, 
including organizing and ensuring ready access to re levant information resources and online searching 
skills, which are essential for managers who are responsible for disseminating information on the 
WTO in the member countries. 
189. In the context of streamlining and improving th e internal coherence of its technical assistance 
and training activities, the WTO Secretariat has been combining existing programmes in order to 
enhance their impact in beneficiary countries, su ch as in the case of the RC and the Academic 
Programme whereby WTO RCs could be established in  universities.  A number of potential benefits 
could be derived from this, including enhancing WTO services and products provided to academic 
communities, increasing the available resources for sc holars and students to conduct research, as well 
as providing valuable information resources for th e design and delivery of courses.  Hosting a 
WTO RC at a university would provide the loca l academic community with direct access to 
WTO information resources and trade policy-relate d information.  The establishment of RCs in 
universities could facilitate the organization of pu blic events involving the academic, public and 
private sectors, and the general dissemination of WTO-re lated information to the broader public.  It is 
therefore suggested that RC could be inst alled in selected WTO partner universities. 
190. During the next biennium, specific training events, including theoretical training sessions, 
practical workshops and discussion meetings, will con tinue to be developed.  During these events, the 
use of the tools necessary for the efficient runnin g of a RC will be presented and discussed.  This 
activity will be implemented with a view of creating synergies between the RC Programme and WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 44  
 
  internship and trainee programmes, thereby reinforcing their impact.  Once back in the capital, the 
beneficiaries will be in a pos ition to relay this knowledge. 
191. A global training seminar of the RC Coordinato rs will be organised in Geneva during the 
biennium (Spring 2013).  This will be the second sym posium of its type organised by the Secretariat, 
and aims to provide RC Coordinators with the know ledge and tools necessary to run a RC, including 
skills in information management and accessing rele vant WTO information resources.  The first such 
event, organised in April 2011, was a real su ccess and has contributed to strengthening the 
RC network.  This global workshop will focus on information management tools and techniques for 
the staff operating the RCs by using and mastering o fficial documentation, trade-related information, 
WTO databases and other trade-related web applicati ons.  Additionally, partic ipants will learn how to 
efficiently and effectively disseminate information, and network and share information with 
colleagues in other RCs.  This global training will al so include collecting, classifying, converting and 
organizing relevant data and corr esponding information, which can be  technical, legal, economical, 
and commercial.  Finally, this global traini ng will enhance awareness of the WTO's mandate. 
VIII.  DATABASES AND WEBPAGE 
A. T
HE WTO  TRADE -RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DATABASE  
192. The WTO TRTA database, which is a web-based application, is the result of the merger 
between several stand-alone monitoring tools for trade-related technical assistance, which were consolidated in 2008.  This data base contains data relating to  the planned implementation of 
TA activities undertaken by the WTO, and thus also serves as the source of information for 
WTO activities fed into the new Global trade-related Technical Assistance Database (GTAD). 
193. In the context of enhancing the coordination a nd planning of TRTA, this internal gathering 
and compiling of data, as well as information sharing,  enables the Secretariat to use a centralized tool 
in the preparation of briefings, but also to follo w-up on budgetary and other TRTA-related issues.  
The database facilitates the production of statistics on the implementation of TRTA, the analysis of 
delivery by type of event, region, subject matter, and/or target audience. 
194. Since the introduction of the Progressive Learning Strategy, aiming at gradually and 
progressively moving to higher levels of learning, th e data relating to the participation of officials 
from beneficiary countries has proven its usefulness.  With a view to ensuring that the different levels 
of the PLS are offered in a non-discriminatory ma nner, the selection process by which potential 
participants are identified for the next level course  relies on the records registered in the database.  
The registration of participants and the monitoring  of their attendance to TA-related events have 
therefore become more important.  In addition, th is aspect of information management will, as of 
2012, also be integrated in the re sults-based management approach to be applied by the Secretariat to 
its technical assistance and training activities.  It  is foreseen that, in this new context, the 
TRTA database will be further enha nced, so as to integrate the necessary data and indicators by which 
the impact of the different categories of activities will be measured. 
195. Finally, to illustrate the importance of organizational monitoring tools, the Secretariat's 
TRTA database, served as a model to the World In tellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where a 
similar interface was developed in 2010, thus enabli ng this institution to join in the GTAD.  This 
example illustrates how inter-institutional co-operati on can, incidentally, contribute to enhancing the 
level of inter-agency coordinati on and coherence between programmes, which represent an important 
element in the Aid-for-Trade initiative.  WT/COMTD/W/180 
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  B. THE GLOBAL TRADE -RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DATABASE (GTAD) 
196. While the mandate of the DDA recognizes that TRTA and capacity-building are core 
elements for the development of the MTS, stak eholders concluded at the end of 2008 that a 
well-coordinated and planned de livery of all TRTA activities w ould benefit from a web-based, 
user-friendly interface to share the informati on among them, to supplement continued contacts 
between the different agencies active in the field of TRTA, both at the institutional and individual 
levels. 
197. Following the decision to set up this new inte r-agency information management tool, the 
GTAD was developed to enhance transparency, effici ency and coherence in approaches with bilateral 
donors and partner organizations, providers of TRTA in the field of human and institutional trade 
capacity building, as well as the key regional bodies (e.g. regional development banks). 
198. The GTAD, which was launched at the WTO in November 2010, had been operating on a 
pilot basis since the summer.  Seve ral agencies have now been contributing to the data on a regular 
basis and updates are communicated twice-a-month,  to show future, planned activities of these 
TRTA providers so as to reduce the duplication of  activities.  As time passes, the database also 
contains information on past activities, and may at  some point fulfil an unintended but potentially 
useful reporting function. 
199. The GTAD is being promoted online, at Gene va-based training events, and in the regions 
through the WTO Reference Centres and ot her TRTA activities, not only to assist 
resource-constrained Members to adjust to WTO rules and disciplines, implement obligations and 
exercise the rights of the Membership, but also to support domestic efforts to mainstream trade into 
national plans for economic developmen t and strategies for poverty reduction. 
200. Additional ways to enhance this portal for th e exchange and sharing of information on the 
future execution of TRTA activities will be discussed  at Steering Committee meetings, to be held 
annually.  These gatherings, at which all contribu ting agencies will be represented, will further 
represent an opportunity to strengthen and deepen rela tions with our partners, and continue to enable 
the building of synergies and enhancing efficiency in the global delivery of TRTA. 
201. The GTAD is available to the public on the Internet at the following address: 
http://gtad.wto.org/ , as well as through the WTO trade capacity  building web pages.  The current 
version includes several search criteria, among which an "advanced search" facility combining 
different parameters, as well as links to contributing agencies' trade Websites. 
C. VISIBILITY OF THE WTO  TRTA  PROGRAMMES :  THE TRTA  WEBPAGE  
202. It is recalled that the ITTC developed a nd launched the TRTA webpage, available on the 
WTO Website, to provide background informa tion on the scope of available programmes and 
activities. 
203. Information included in the TRTA webpage gi ves regular updates on TRTA news, explains 
the WTO mandate to carry out technical coopera tion activities, describes the WTO's collaboration 
with other agencies, and provides access to the matrix of WTO TA activities, as well as to 
WTO TA documents.  In line with this new biennial TA Plan, the webpage will be reviewed to further 
promote the new PLS and RBM approach described in this document. 
204. To complement the GTAD, with a focus on WTO TA-related activities, the TRTA webpage 
provides dynamic information on the planning an d implementation of each individual regional or 
global TA activity listed in the Annex to the TA Pl an.  The information is articulated following the WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 46  
 
  chapters of the TA Plan, so as to serve as a refe rence to the agreed programme.  Once a date and 
venue for an activity are confirmed, informati on on the event, such as course description, its 
objectives and programme, target audience, applica tion requirements, and any relevant reading and 
training material are summarized in an "activity sheet" and made available online. 
IX. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 
205. A proper evaluation of the results of WTO TA  activities should logically be the foundation 
for the implementation of any RBM.  The current  evaluation methodology developed by TCA over 
the past decade is articulated around the following elements: 
(a) Input: self-evaluation by the trainers in the BTOR; the BTOR may present 
recommendations in this regard; TCA may provide feedback to the trainers on their 
BTORs in order to improve their content; TCA reports to senior management on the 
availability and content of BTORs on a quarter ly basis; financial costs are recorded 
by the Administration and reported to Members on an annual basis. 
(b) Output:  self-evaluation of the amount of tr aining provided, subjects covered, training 
methods used and public reached by the trainers in the BTOR;  the BTOR may 
present recommendations in this regard;  these are complemented by approximately a 
dozen field visits by TCA each year, which lead to specific recommendations presented to the divisions concerned and management. 
(c) Immediate outcome:  idem;  BTORs should identify the immediate objectives of the 
activities for their participants, a set of pe rformance indicators which the trainers will 
use to measure whether these objectives have been reached, and the trainers' 
documented opinion on the results achieved and the value for time and money 
produced. 
(d) Longer-term outcome:  TCA performs annually, under senior management's 
supervision, approximately one ex-post evaluation of a particular programme 
(e.g. Geneva TPCs, Reference Centres, intermediate level training activities, etc.) and 
formulate recommendations thereon; si nce 2009, TCA also collects anecdotal 
feedback on the effects and impact of the WTO TA in each of the countries in which it goes on a field visit, and reports the main findings to senior management. 
206. This evaluation methodology can validly support the introduction of RBM for 
WTO TA activities.  Nevertheless, certain adjustme nts will be necessary, for example to make sure 
that the evaluation of the immediate outcome of the activities presented in BTORs is based on more 
objective indicators than the sole opinion of the pa rticipants.  The measurement of the longer-term 
outcome of the TA activities, which remained limited t hus far, would also need to be beefed-up.  This 
would require a greater involvement of beneficiary countries in the evaluation process and some additional resources.  These challenges will be a ddressed over the next biennium, according to the 
specifications of the RBM approach adopted by WTO. 
X. FUNDING 
207. Given the fiscal constraints experienced by our major financial contributors and reflected in 
lower contributions to the GTF in 2009 (CHF 19.6 Mio) & 2010 (CHF 16.1 Mio) and the rise in the Swiss franc , it was decided to design a Plan ba sed on more realistic figures and revise the budget 
downwards.  Hence instead of antic ipating voluntary contribution of the magnitude of CHF 24 Mio, 
as in previous years, the TA Plan is budgeted at  an overall amount of voluntary contributions of 
CHF 19 Mio for 2012 and 2013, (principally via th e DDAGTF), and with an additional CHF 4.5 Mio  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 47 
 
 
  coming from the regular budget.  Detailed inform ation on the budget per pr oduct and main activities 
is provided in Annex 6, and a summary in table 1 below. 
Budget Line 2012 
 GTF Regular 
Budget Others Total 
A. General WTO related TA 5,722,032 1,850,700  7,572,732 
B. Specialised and Advanced TA 5,129,008 2,190,700  7,319,708 
C. Academic Support 1,383,258 250,000  1,633,258 
D. Trainee Programmes and Internships 210,000  1,100,000 1,310,000 
E. E-Learning  73,500   
F. Other Programmes 3,500,000   3,500,000 
Total 15,944,298 4,364,900 1,100,000 21,409,198 
Over heads (13%) 2,072,759  143,000 2,215,759 
Grand Total 18,017,056 4,364,900  1,243,000 23,624,956 
 
Budget Line 2013 
 
 GTF Regular 
budget Others Total 
A. General WTO related TA 5,880,621 1,850,700  7,731,321 
B. Specialised and Advanced TA 5,656,318 2,304,200  7,960,518 
C. Academic Support 1,230,400 250,000  1,480,400 
D. Trainee Programmes and Internships 210,000  1,100,000 1,310,000 
E. E-Learning  73,500  73,500 
F. Other Programmes 3,500,000   3,500,000 
Total 16,477,339 4,478,400 1,100,000 22,055,739 
Over heads (13%) 2,142,054  143,000 2,285,054 
Grand Total 18,619,393 4,478,400 1,243,000 24,340,793 
 
208. While the DDAGTF is the main source of direct funding for the TA Plan, the regular budget 
continues to provide resources and TA activities f unded by the regular budget for the implementation 
of the TA Plan in the form of staff time devoted to TA activities. 
209. It is recalled that, pursuant to the commitment contained in paragraph 40 of the 
Doha Declaration, the Genera l Council approved on 20 December 2001 the creation of the DDAGTF 
and defined its TOR.24  One of the main purposes of the DDAGTF was to consolidate the numerous 
extra-budgetary resources of the WTO in a single un-earmarked fund, so as to provide a stable 
financial basis for WTO TA and capacity-building. 
210. Under the TOR of the DDAGTF, the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration 
(CBFA) and the Committee on Trade and Developmen t (CTD) jointly cost the plan and recommend 
to the General Council a target amount for the DDA GTF.  The target amount will correspond to the 
budget for each of the two years of the biennial TA  Plan taking into account the resources available 
for TA in the regular budget for 2012-2013, and resources contributed by partner institutions in 
respect of shared activities.  The CTD and CBFA join tly keep the execution of the Plan and spending 
commitments under periodic review according to the following benchmarks. 
(a) By 31 December of the year preceding the fund's revolving annual target period, 
actual contributions (not only pledges) amounting to 25 per cent of the annual total 
                                                      
24 See document WT/BFA/56, and in particular its paragraphs 13 to 22 and its annexes A and B. WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 48  
 
  should be recorded.  (For each year 2012 an d 2013, this means that contributions of 
some CHF 5 Mio would be required by the end of the year toward the following year's planned spending.). 
(b) By 31 March, another 50 per ce nt should be in hand for an overall 75 per cent of the 
total estimated expenditures for the year. 
(c) By 30 June, 100 per cent of the f unds needed should be received. 
(d) Where contribution receipt targets are manifestly not met, the General Council is to 
meet on an urgent basis to discuss the matter. 
211. The timely and adequate funding of the WTO Secretariat's TRTA activities is essential for 
efficient implementation of the TA plan.  The Secr etariat appreciates the approach of all donors, who 
have made their financial contri butions consistently and promptly over a number of years, and 
recognizes that recent financial realities have made it  harder for some donors to maintain their levels 
of generous support. 
212. The amounts received as voluntary contributi ons, taking into account the buffer and/or 
transfers from previous years have generally been sufficient to cover the costs of the TA Plans.  
However, in 2010, contributions were less than expe nditures.  It is likely that in 2011 contributions 
will again be below target expectations.  This is  a situation that is obviously not sustainable.  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 49ANNEX 1 
WTO Technical Assistance global Log frame  Draft*  
  
 
 Objectives Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions 
IMPACT Greater integration of Developing  
and least developed countries into 
the multilateral trading system  Trade policies are mainstreamed 
  in national development  
 strategies and poverty reduction  
 programmes 
 
 Advanced accessions process for 
 acceding countries, i.e. Working  
 Party report circulated in the  
 WTO Accession Working Party  
 and the Accession Package  
 Approved by the Working Party 
  National Development Plans 
 Government gazettes 
 Trade statistics: 
- UN, World Bank, IMF, OECD, 
WTO, National data sources  Political commitment & 
economic stability 
 Active engagement in the 
negotiations based on 
beneficiaries established 
priorities 
 Implementation of WTO work 
programme 
OUTCOME  Enhanced participation of 
beneficiary countries in the 
core areas of work of the 
WTO and their respective 
Bodies 
  
 
 
 
 Number of notifications 
submitted according to the WTO 
Agreements.  
 
 
 
 
 WTO documents 
 
  Trained staff are retained within 
the relevant positions of the 
Ministry responsible for Trade 
 
 (a) Increased transparency of the 
MTS 
     Trained officials return to capital 
and continue working on trade 
issues.  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 50 
 Objectives Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions 
 (b) Increased participation of TA 
beneficiaries in the WTO 
negotiations 
  Number of facilitators in 
consensus-building among the 
TA beneficiaries, chairpersons, 
coordinators of regional 
groupings or categories of 
Members.  
 Number of focal points for 
specific areas of negotiations or 
regular work.  TPR documents (Secretariat 
and Government reports) 
  An improved negotiating process 
contingent on an effective and 
efficient communication 
between capitals and Geneva 
based delegations. 
 
 (c) Increased capacity of 
beneficiary countries to 
participate in the WTO 
dispute settlement 
mechanisms 
  Number of submissions of 
individual or group proposals.  
 Level of attendance and 
participation in WTO meeting 
and Committee work related to 
trade negotiations. 
 WTO Secretariat reports, 
 documents, minutes 
 - AfT questionnaires & reports 
 - WTO databases 
 - Internal and external  
Evaluations 
  
   Number of former WTO 
Trainees posted to WTO 
missions to follow negotiations. 
 Number of policy and position 
papers presented. 
 Level of participation of 
beneficiary countries in DS TA 
activities. 
Number of countries 
participating in dispute 
settlement.   
 (d) Increased participation of 
TA beneficiaries in TRCB  Number of users of WTO tools 
and instruments e.g. WTO 
Reference Centres 
 Number of former WTO trainees 
holding higher levels of 
WTO-related responsibilities.    
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 51 Objectives Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions 
   Number and quality of new 
research projects undertaken on 
WTO issues by institutions 
receiving WTO TA 
 Implementation of new or 
updated academic or training 
courses and undertaking 
outreach activities.  
 Level of participation in the 
Aid for Trade work programme.   
   Level of participation in the 
work programme of the EIF and 
the STDF. 
 Number of officials from 
acceding countries participating 
in TRCB  Development and/updating of new 
academic programmes, research 
undertake 
  Increased capacity of TA 
beneficiaries to implement 
WTO agreements and make 
full use of Members' rights  
  Number and level of WTO 
Agreements implemented in TA 
beneficiaries 
Number of remedy measures 
initiated by TA beneficiaries WTO documents  Skills and knowledge is retained 
and transferred across ministries;  
 Trade related financial and 
human resources are sustained 
  Increased participation and 
compliance with WTO 
accession process and 
procedures related to TRTA 
  Engagement in the accession 
process 
 Level of attendance in accession 
meetings 
 Preparation and presentation of 
Schedules  
 Number of activities requested 
by acceding countries.  Working Party reports 
 
 Various data sources ranging 
from WTO Secretariat reports, 
documents, minutes to reports 
from partner institutions. 
   
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 52 
 Objectives Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions 
  Training and trade capacity 
building activities in line with 
the biennial TA Plan are 
implemented  
 Implementation of Progressive 
learning completed. 
 Expansion of professional 
networks through i.e. ATPC, 
RTPC participants, Interns, 
Reference Centre managers, 
Academics, WTO staff, E-
Learning participants, 
Geneva-based delegates, and 
other International 
Organizations  Number of eligible countries in 
all regions invited to attend 
relevant WTO trade capacity 
building events 
 Scores by the participants in 
rating the activity or training as 
successful 
 Level of engagement by the 
participants during the training, 
i.e. engagement in the debates, 
questions raised etc.  Various data sources ranging 
from WTO Secretariat reports, 
documents, minutes to reports 
from partner institutions  Establish clear objectives and 
criteria for the activities to be 
undertaken with expected 
outputs 
 Timely and effective 
communication between WTO 
Secretariat, Geneva-based 
missions and Capitals prior to 
the activity and timely 
submission of candidates 
 Adherence to guidelines 
(i.e. participation of experienced 
trainers and compliance with the 
selection criteria of participants) 
OUTPUT  Enhanced skills to undertake 
TRTA needs assessments 
 Preparation of briefing notes, 
conducting research and 
analysis conducted 
 New and updated teaching and 
research academic programmes, 
joint academic or outreach 
activities delivered. 
 Strengthened institutional 
capacity to raise awareness & 
disseminate information on 
WTO issues  Successful completion of 
projects & tasks assigned 
(Internship Programmes)  
 Participants' performance in 
simulations and other case 
studies 
 Quality of presentations of 
projects 
 Completion of training 
programmes on specific topics 
 WTO-related issues feature in 
university curriculum/syllabi 
that has received WTO 
academic support 
 Availability of E-Learning 
activities from WTO-RCs   Availability of qualified 
instructors and funds, training 
infrastructure and facilities, 
including accommodation of 
offices for the interns under 
NTPs/MIPs 
 Identifying adequate locations 
and infra structural and logistical 
support for undertaking the field 
based activities 
 Access to computers and 
adequate internet connection can 
be of critical importance for 
some training events 
  Establishment of WTO 
Reference Centres  Level of progression 
horizontally vertically in PLS 
(participants/country)   Ensuring full support from the 
local and regional partners and 
Secretariats, local experts and  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 53 Objectives Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions 
consultants 
 Understanding and endorsement 
by all stakeholders (Members, 
WTO Management and 
Directors, Trainers) of ITTC's 
progressive learning strategy 
(PLS) 
 Adequate and sufficient 
attendance, i.e. nomination of 
presence of the participants 
throughout the course and active 
engagement 
ACTIVITIES  Implementation of activities, 
as scheduled in the TA Plan.  
- Supervise and manage TA 
programmes 
- Implement of Progressive 
Learning Strategy (levels1,2,3) 
- Ensure availability of E-
learning courses on WTO 
Agreements available 
throughout the year 
- Conduct intermediate level 
training in all regions 
- Undertake field based national 
and regional training events 
  - WTO Secretariat; ITTC, 
Finance Section, HR Division 
etc. - Adequate and timely responses 
to invitations 
- Selection process of participants 
is successfully completed 
- Beneficiaries present well 
qualified candidates 
- Sufficient applications to ensure 
the activity is undertaken 
- Logistics for the activities can be 
assured 
- Political stability in area where 
activity is due to be undertaken; 
- Partner agencies contribute to 
the implementation of the 
activities;  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 54 
 Objectives Indicators Means of Verification Assumptions 
 - Implement the new Reference 
Centre Strategy 
- Implement Biennial TA plan 
with an RBM focus 
- Participate in the Committee on 
Trade & Development   - Participants have followed the 
logic of the Progressive 
Learning Strategy (PLS), 
levels 1-3 
-  Qualified training staff is 
available and is not prevented to 
undertake the travel due to 
overlapping demands relating to 
the DDA negotiations 
    - Experts made available in the 
field by partners have adequate 
substantive knowledge and 
speak the language 
- Requests have been made on the 
basis of a solid needs assessment 
- Adequate and timely donor 
funding is obtained, thus, 
allowing advance planning and 
implementation of the TA Plan 
  Planning of the biennial 
WTO-TA Plan 
- Design Biennial TA Plan 
- Coordinate with all 
stakeholders including regional 
partner organizations 
- Ensure coherence among ITTC 
training programmes 
- Consultations with Members.  
- Prepare customized  & tailored 
training materials and 
programmes to the specific 
national level & regional needs 
- Liaise with donors to obtain 
funding    - Office space is available for the 
interns 
- Strong national support 
- Officials are fully committed 
and apt to undertake their duties 
- Quality, long or medium-term 
projects submitted for WTO 
support  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 55 
 
 
  ANNEX 2 
WTO Progressive Learning Strategy Training "Paths" 
 
  
 
    
 
    
 
     
 
    
 
     
 
    
 
     
 
    
 
  Generalists Specialists 
Level 3 
ATPC  
LEVEL 2 
intermediate regional 
courses, E-Learning 
(MTA) Level 3 
ADVANCED THEMATIC 
Geneva [Region] 
E-Learning Online  
simulation exercises  
LEVEL 2 
THEMATIC 
[Geneva, Region],  
E-Learning  
LEVEL 1 
INTRODUCTION COURSE 
E-Learning / Geneva-based for LDCs WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 56  
 
  ANNEX 3 
E-Learning:  Background Information and Registration 
 
A. E-L EARNING COURSE DURATION  
1. The estimated average study time per course is fro m 50 to 60 hours.  Participants can start 
their course at their convenience and will enjoy access to the course for a three-month period, within 
which they will be free to organize their study pace acco rding to what fits them best.  Participants will 
be assisted by a trainer throughout the duration of their course. Furthermore, the E-Learning platform offers interactive tools to enhance the learning experience.   
B. E-L
EARNING REGISTRATION AND NOMINATION  
2. While the WTO E-Learning material is freely available in the WTO E-Learning website, 
participants have to register and submit a nominat ion form in order to participate in a monitored 
course, access the module exams and obtain a WTO certificate. 
3. ONLINE Registration THROUGHOUT the year at http://etraining.wto.org. 
4. Registration for online courses is at two-track pr ocess.  To register TWO FORMS are to be 
filled and submitted: 
(a) Online Registration Form 
5. Interested officials shall register online fi rst. After the duly completion of the online 
registration form at http://etraining.wto.org, the system will generate a registration number, which 
candidates will need to include in the Nomination Form. 
(b) Nomination Form 
6. The nomination form can be downloaded at http://etraining.wto.org.  The Nomination Form is 
also sent attached to the Invitati on Letter, which is forwarded to Delegations from beneficiaries of 
WTO TRTA. 
7. The registration number will be required.  The participation of each candidate should be duly 
confirmed by the responsible government authoritie s.  Nomination forms should be either sent by 
email (scanned) to elearning.registration@wto.org or by fax to +41 22 739 5191. 
8. Once the registration process is complete, a user name and password is sent to each participant 
by email.  The access codes are available for a thr ee month period, starting from the date of the first 
login into the website.  During these three months  a Trainer and a dedicated Help Desk will be 
available to provide online assistance and course monitoring throughout the course. 
  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 57ANNEX 4 
WTO Progressive Learning Strate gy Activities, 2012-2013 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 Generalists Specialists
LEVEL 3 (Geneva) 
- Advanced Trade Policy Course (E, F, S),  
LEVEL 2  
-  E-Learning: Multilateral Trade Agreements and the WTO (E, F, S), 
 available year-round 
- Intermediate regional courses (venue and dates TBD): 
 for Latin America: Colombia 
 for Caribbean countries 
 for English-speaking Africa: Swaziland 
 for French-speaking Africa 
 for Asia-Pacific: India,  
 for Arab & CEECAC countries  
for Asia Pacific: Indi a
  LEVEL 1 
  - E-Learning:  Introduction to th e WTO (E, F, S), available year-round 
  [- Introduction Course for LDCs (E/F), Geneva] LEVEL 2 
- E-Learning: Agriculture, GA TS, SPS, TBT, Trade Remedies, 
 TRIPS, NAMA, Trade and Environment in E, F, S available 
 year-round  
- [Intermediate thematic courses on: TBD] LEVEL 3 (Geneva, [Regions??]) 
- Advanced thematic courses on: [[TRIPS, TBT, SPS, DS, 
 T&E, RTA]] 
- E-Learning online simulati on on [[dispute settlement 
 procedures, specific notification procedures, trade negotiations, 
 …]] 
E=English, F=French, S=Spanish, TBD=to be determined  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 58 ANNEX 5 
The Products Matrix:  List of Activities 
Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
A. GENERAL WTO-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING 
 1. Trade Policy Courses 
(i) Geneva-Based Advanced Trade Policy Courses - Funding:  
regular budget 
 Level 3 Generalist path  Global  Advanced Trade Policy Course (English)
 60 X  
Global  Advanced Trade Policy Course (English)  60 X  
Global   Advanced Trade Policy Course (French)  60  X 
Global   Advanced Trade Policy Course (English)  60  X 
(ii) Intermediate level ac tivities – Funding: DDAGTF 
 
Level 2 Generalist path 
 
  Africa (English) Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level 
activity for English-speak ing African countries 3 
 X 
Africa (English) Intermediate level activity for English-speaking 
African countries,  organized in partnership with an 
institution of higher learning or with a 
regional/international entity and co-delivered by 
officials from the WTO Secretariat and academics 
from that region 40 X X 
Africa (French) Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level 
activity for French-speak ing African countries 3 X  
Africa (French) Intermediate level activity for French-speaking 
African countries,  organized in partnership with an 
institution of higher learning or with a 
regional/international entity and co-delivered by 
officials from the WTO Secretariat and academics 
from that region 40 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
Countries Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level 
activity for Arab and Mi ddle East countries 3 X   
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 59Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Arab and Middle East 
Countries Intermediate level activity for Arab and Middle East 
countries,  organized in partnership with an institution 
of higher learning or with a regional/international 
entity and co-delivered by officials from the WTO 
Secretariat and academics from that region 40 X X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level 
activity for Asia and Pacific economies 3  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Intermediate level activity for Asia and Pacific 
economies , organized in partnership with an 
institution of higher learning or with a 
regional/international entity and co-delivered by 
officials from the WTO Secretariat and academics 
from that region  40 X X 
Caribbean  Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level 
activity for Caribbean countries 3 X  
Caribbean  Intermediate leve l activity for Caribbean countries , 
organized in partnership with an institution of higher 
learning or with a regional/international entity and 
co-delivered by officials from the WTO Secretariat 
and academics from that region 40 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level activity for Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia 
and the Caucasus 3 
 X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Intermediate level activity for Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, organized in partnership with an institution of higher learning or 
with a regional/international entity and co-delivered 
by officials from the WTO Secretariat and academics 
from that region 40 
X X 
Latin America Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
involved in the delivery of the Intermediate level activity for Latin Am erican countries 3 
 X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 60 Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Latin America Intermediate level activity for Latin American 
countries, organized in partnership with an institution 
of higher learning or with a regional/international 
entity and co-delivered by officials from the WTO 
Secretariat and academics from that region 40 X X 
 2. Geneva-Based Introduction Courses - Funding:  regular budget  
 
Level 1 Global  20th Introduction Course for LDCs 15 X  
Global  21st Introduction Course for LDCs 15  X 
3. Geneva-Based In troduction Days - Funding:  regular budget 
 Global  Three introduction days (trilingual) 3 X X 
4. Geneva Week - Funding:  regular budget 
  
  
    Global
 24th  Geneva Week 5 X  
Global  25th  Geneva Week 5 X  
Global  26th  Geneva Week 5  X 
Global  27th  Geneva Week 5  X 
5. Geneva-Based topic-specific symposia - Funding:  DDAGTF  
 Capital-Based 
delegates Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) - Special Meeting 
on Procedures for Information Exchange for officials 
Responsible for Notifications and Enquiry Points, held back-to-back with the Regular Meeting of the 
TBT Committee 4 
 X 
Capital-Based 
delegates Workshop on TRIPS and Public Health  
Level 2  
Specialist path 4 X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Government Procurement Academy 
Level 3 
Specialist path 4 X   
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 61Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Capital-Based 
officials Joint WIPO/WTO Colloquium for Developing 
Country University Teachers  of Intellec tual Property 
Level 3 Specialist path 10 
X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Special SPS Workshop held back-to-back with an 
SPS Committee meeting  
Level 2 
Specialist path  5 X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Workshop on Rules for Heads of Active Trade 
Remedy Authorities in Developing Members  
Level 3 Specialist path 3 
X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Seminar on Accessions fo r acceding governments 
Level 1 
Generalist path 3 X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Agriculture Notification Workshop held back-to-back 
with the Regular Committee on Agriculture Meeting 
(English) 
Level 3 Specialist path 2 
X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Agriculture Notification Workshop held back-to-back 
with the Regular Committee on Agriculture Meeting 
(Spanish) 
Level 3 Specialist path 2 
X  
Capital-Based 
delegates Agriculture Notification Workshop held back-to-back 
with the Regular Committee on Agriculture Meeting (French) 
Level 3 
Specialist path 2 
 X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 62 Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Capital-Based 
delegates Workshop on Aid for Trade for Capital-Based 
officials:  follow-up to the Aid for Trade Review 
2011, and preparations for the next review in 2013 
Level 2 Generalist path 3 
 X 
Capital-Based 
officials and other stakeholders 4
th Global Review of Aid for Trade 3  X 
Capital-Based 
delegates Seminar on WTO Refere nce Centres for RC 
Managers (global)  5  X 
Capital-Based 
delegates Symposium on the Information Technology 
Agreement to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the 
ITA. 3 X  
Geneva-based 
delegates (114 
participants) Symposium on LDC Needs Assessment to implement 
the TRIPS Agreement  3 X X 
Geneva-based 
officials and other stakeholders Technical Symposium on Access to Medicines  1 
X X 
6. Other Geneva-Based Support (Legal Advisory Role) - Funding:  regular budget  
   Advisory role on legal issues - DSU - Article 27.2 -       
2 Consultants - 4 days/month /12 months 96 X X 
7. Regional and Sub-regional capacity-building programmes - Funding:  DDAGTF  
 
Level (tbd) 
Generalist path  Africa 8
th  WTO/African Development Bank 
(ADB)/UNECA Trade Policy Course for African Countries 10 
 X 
Africa 
(English/French) Short Trade Policy Course   in partnership with 
ECOWAs, UEMOA and the OIF 5 X  
Africa (English) Short Trade Policy C ourse in partnership with SADC 5 X  
Africa (English) Short Trade Policy Course in partnership  with 
COMESA 5  X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 63Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Africa (English) Short Trade Policy C ourse in partnership with  EAC 5  X 
Africa (French) Short Trade Policy Course in partnership with 
CEMAC, ECCAS and the OIF  5  X 
Latin America Short Trade Policy Course in partnership with 
FLACSO  5  X 
Latin America Short Trade Policy Course in partnership with 
ALADI  10 X X 
Latin America Training for High-Level Government Officials in 
partnership with OAS 10 X X 
Pacific Short Trade Policy Course in partnership with 
university of Southern Pacific (TBC) 5 X  
B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TA  
1. Geneva-based Thematic Courses - Funding:  regular budget  
 
Level 3 (Advanced thematic courses) 
Specialist path 
 Global  Advanced Thematic Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement (Spanish and English)  5 X X 
Global  Advanced Thematic course on Agriculture  (tbd) 5 X  
Global  Advanced Thematic Course on Regionalism (English, 
Spanish/French (tbd))  5 X X 
Global  Advanced Thematic Course on Rules (tbd)  3  X 
Global  Advanced Thematic Course - GATS or Advanced 
Course for LDCs  10 X X 
Global  Joint WIPO/WTO Advanced Course on Intellectual 
Property for Government Officials 10 X X 
Global  Follow-up activities related to the 2011(English)  and 
2012 (French) Advanced Thematic Course on SPS 8 X X 
Global Advanced Thematic course on SPS (French in 2012 
and English in 2013) 15 X X 
Global  Advanced Thematic course on TBT (English) 10  X 
Global Advanced Thematic course  Trade and Environment 
(English)  10 X   
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 64 Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
2. National Technical Assistance Activities - Funding:  regular budget and DDAGTF 
(i)  Topic-specific activities (incl. assisting beneficiaries in 
conducting Needs Assessment) All regions 200   national activities  3 X X 
(ii) Technical assistance within the TPRM Framework All regions incl. under (i) above – these events include missions 
to countries for which a TPR report is underway, as 
well as missions to groups of countries being 
reviewed in a single TPR. 5 X X 
(iii) Assisting beneficiaries in conducting Needs Assessment All regions included under (i) above    
(iv) WTO Reference Centres an d enquiry points  All regions 10 national workshops on WTO Reference Centres 
(20 over a two-year period) 5 X X 
3. Regional Seminars - Funding:  DDAGTF  
(i) Agriculture 
 
Level 2 
Specialist path 
  Africa (English)   Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3 X  
Africa (French) 
 Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3 X  
Caribbean Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3 X  
Latin America Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3 X  
(ii) Dispute Settlement 
 
Level 2 or Level 3 (Advanced) Africa (English) Training Course  on WTO Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Africa (French) Training Course  on WTO Dispute Settlement 5  X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 65Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Specialist path 
 Arab and Middle East 
countries Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Advanced Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement 5  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Latin America Advanced Training Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement 5  X 
(iii) Government Procurement (Plurilateral Agreement on) 
 
Level 2  or  Level 3 (Advanced) Specialist path  Africa (English) Workshop on Government Procurement 3 
 X 
Africa (French) Workshop on Government Procurement 3 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Government Procurement 3 X  
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Advanced Workshop on Government Procurement 3  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Government Procurement 3  X 
Latin America Advanced Workshop on Government Procurement 3 X  
(iv) Market Acce ss-related Issues 
 
Level 3 
Specialist path   Africa (English) Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5 
X  
Africa (French) Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5  X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 66 Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Asia Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licensing procedures.) 5 X  
Caribbean  Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5  X 
Latin America Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5 X  
Pacific Workshop on Market Access Issues (tariffs, the WTO 
tariff databases, WTO Sche dules of Concessions as 
well as the Agreements on customs valuation, rules of 
origin and import licen sing procedures.) 5  X 
(v) Regional Trade Agreements    
 
Level 2 Specialist path Africa (English) Workshop on Re gional Trade Agreements 3 
 X 
(vi) Rules 
 
Level 2 Specialist path 
 Africa (English) Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4 
 X 
Africa (French) Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4 X  
Asia and Pacific Economies Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4  X 
Caribbean Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4  X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 67Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4  X 
Latin America Workshop on Trade Remedies or Negotiations 4 X  
(vii) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures   
 
Level 2 
Specialist path 
  Africa (English) Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
Africa (French) Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
Latin America Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
(viii) Services negotiations  
 
Level 3 
Specialist path   Africa (English) Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4  X 
Africa (French) Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4 X  
Asia Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  (partnership with Government of Singapore) 4 X  
Caribbean Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations 4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4  X 
Latin America  Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations 4  X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 68 Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
Pacific Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4  X 
(ix) Technical Barriers to Trade     
 
Level 2 Specialist path 
 Africa (English) Workshop on the TBT Ag reement:  deepened 
understanding on the TBT Agreement, TBT 
Committee's work and TBT dispute cases - enhance 
exchange of experiences on the implementation of the 
TBT Agreement and encourage cooperation between 
beneficiary countries and other Members outside the 
region. 3 
 X 
Africa (French) Workshop on the TBT Ag reement:  deepened 
understanding on the TBT Agreement, TBT 
Committee's work and TBT dispute cases - enhance 
exchange of experiences on the implementation of the 
TBT Agreement and encourage cooperation between 
beneficiary countries and other Members outside the 
region. 3  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop on the TBT Ag reement:  deepened 
understanding on the TBT Agreement, TBT 
Committee's work and TBT dispute cases - enhance 
exchange of experiences on the implementation of the 
TBT Agreement and encourage cooperation between 
beneficiary countries and other Members outside the 
region. 3 X  
Caribbean Workshop on the TBT Ag reement:  deepened 
understanding on the TBT Agreement, TBT Committee's work and TBT dispute cases - enhance 
exchange of experiences on the implementation of the TBT Agreement and encourage cooperation between 
beneficiary countries and other Members outside the 
region. 3 
X  
(x) Trade and Development, incl uding:  S&D and Small Economies 
 Aid for Trade 
 
Level 2 
Generalist path Africa  Aid for Trade: preparation of the Fourth Global 
Review  4  X 
Asia and Pacific Economies Aid for Trade: preparation of the Fourth Global 
Review
 4  X 
Africa (English) Trad e and Development 4  X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 69Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
 
 Africa (French) Trade and Development 4 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Trade and Development 4  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Trade and Development 4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Trade and Development 4   X 
Latin America Trade and Development 4  X  
 (xi) Trade and Environment  
 
Level 2 Specialist path 
 Africa (English) Trade and Environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, 
climate change and green economy) 3 
X  
Africa (French) Trade and environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, 
climate change and green economy) 3 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Trade and Environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, 
climate change and green economy) 3  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Trade and Environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, 
climate change and green economy) 3  X 
Caribbean Trade and Environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, 
climate change and green economy) 3 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Trade and Environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, 
climate change and green economy) 3 X  
Latin America Trade and Environment, including a focus on specific 
topics (e.g. multilateral environmental agreements, climate change and green economy) 3 
 X 
(xii) Trade Facilitation  Africa (Engl ish) Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5  X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 70 Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-regio n Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2012 2013 
 
Level 3 Specialist path  
 Africa (French) Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 
X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X  
Caribbean  Sub-Regional Workshop on Trade Facilitation Needs 
Assessment 5  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 
X  
Latin America Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5  X 
(xiii)  Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) 
Level 2 
Specialist path Africa (English) Workshop on TRIPS 3 X  
Africa (French) Workshop on TRIPS 3  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on TRIPS 3 X  
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop on TRIPS 3 X  
Caribbean Workshop on TRIPS 3 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Joint WHO/WTO training programme on IP and 
Public Health 3 X  
Latin America Workshop on TRIPS 3  X 
4. State of play of the DDA and systemic  and institutional Issues in the WTO ( pro memoria ) 
  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 71 
5. Intensive Courses on Trade Negotiations Skills - Funding:  DDAGTF  
 
Level 3 
Generalist path   Africa (English) Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade 
negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5 
X  
Africa (French) Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5 
 X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade 
negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade 
negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5 X  
Caribbean 
 Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5 
X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5 
 X 
 
Latin America Advanced Course on Trade Negotiations Skills:  
strategies and tactics for the conduct of trade 
negotiations, as well as t echniques of systematic 
decision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 5  X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 72 6. Outreach Activities for Parl iamentarians and Civil Society - Funding:  DDAGTF 
 
 
Level 1 
Generalist path 
 Africa Workshop for the Civil Society 3 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop for the Civil Society  3  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop for the Civil Society  3 X  
The Caribbean Workshop for the Civil Society and Media  3  X 
Latin America  Workshop for th e Civil Society and Media 3 X  
Africa Workshop for Media 3 X  
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop for Media 3  X 
Africa  Workshop for Parliamentaria ns, in partnership with 
the AfDB, the CPA, and the OIF 3 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop for Parliamentarians 3  X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Workshop for Parliamentarians 3 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop for Parliamentarians 3  X 
Latin America and the 
Caribbean Workshop for Parliamentarians 3  X 
7. Accessions - Funding:  DDAGTF 
 
Level 1 
Generalist path  Africa Seminar on Accession issues in partnership with the 
AfDB 3 
X  
Arab and Middle East 
Countries  Seminar on Accession issues  in partnership with 
AMF/ESCWA (tbc) 3  X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 73C. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING  
1. WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) -  Funding:  DDAGTF  
  
  
  Global WCP Annual Conference 2 X X 
Global Continuation of Grants to fifteen WTO Chairs 
selected in 2010  X X 
Global WCP Advisory Board Meeting 2 X X 
Global WTO Chairs Review Exercise - Fifteen missions  X  
Global Support missions to WTO Chair holder institutions:  
Launching Ceremonies and support missions.  X X 
2. Academic Cooperation Programme - Funding:  Regular Budget and DDAGTF   
(i) Regional and global capaci ty-building academic events 
  
 Global 15th Annual Conference of th e Global Trade Analysis 
Project (GTAP): funding of 25 participants from 
developing countries, including WTO Chair holders. 3 X  
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Joint WTO-UNESCAP Workshop for Researchers 3 X X 
Africa Co-sponsoring of a regional seminar for African 
scholars in partnership with a university from the 
region. 3 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
Countries Co-sponsoring the International Symposium in 
partnership with Université Mohammed V-Souissi, 
Morocco for Arab and Middle Eastern scholars. 3 X X 
Asia and Pacific 
Economies Co-sponsoring of a regional seminar for scholars 
from Asia-Pacific, in part nership with a university 
from the region. 3 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus  Co-sponsoring of a regional seminar for CEECAC 
scholars in partnership with a university from the region. 3 
X X 
Latin America  Co-sponsoring of a regional seminar for Latin 
American scholars in part nership with a university 
from the region. 3 X X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 74  
(ii) National Workshops for Academics  – Funding: Regular Budget 
   National workshops for University professors  X X 
(iii) Library support for Univer sities - Funding: Regular Budget  
  The donation of WTO publications to Universities 
and groups of scholars  X X 
 3. Support Programme for doctoral studies - Funding:  DDAGTF  
    Support programme for doctoral  students 80 X X 
4. Programme for visiting academics  
    Programme for visiting academics  X X 
 5. Research collaboration - Funding:  DDAGTF 
    Research collaboration:  join t research activities with 
academics from developing countries  X X 
D. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS  
1. Netherlands Trainee Programme ( 10 months )- Funding:  Netherlands Trust Fund   200 X X 
2. WTO Regional Coordinator Internship (6 months)  - Funding:  DDAGTF  120 X X 
3. WTO Mission Internship (10 months) – Funding:  other trust fund    200 X X 
E.  E-LEARNING  
1. E-Learning:  online courses - Funding:   Regular Budget  
 Capital-Based 
officials Introduction to the WTO (English, French, Spanish) 
Level 1 
Generalist path  X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 75Capital-Based 
officials The Multilateral Trade Agreements and the WTO - 
(English, French, Spanish)  
Level 2 Generalist path  
X X 
Capital-Based 
officials RTAs and the WTO –  
(English, and/or French, and/or Spanish – to be 
determined)  
Level 2 Specialist path   
(X) X 
Capital-Based 
officials Technical Barriers to Trade (English, French, 
Spanish)  
Level 2 Specialist path  
X X 
Capital-Based 
officials DSU in the WTO (English, French, Spanish) 
Level 2/3 
Specialist path  X X 
Capital-Based 
officials Trade and Environment (English, French, Spanish) 
Level 2 
Specialist path  X X 
Capital-Based 
officials Non-Agricultural Market Access in the WTO 
(English, French, Spanish) 
Level 2 
Specialist path  X X 
Capital-Based 
officials Trade Remedies in the WTO (English, French, 
Spanish) 
Level 2 Specialist path  
X X 
Capital-Based 
officials Agriculture in the WTO (English, French, Spanish) 
Level 2 
Specialist path   X X 
Capital-Based 
officials Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 
(English, French, Spanish)  
Level 2 Specialist path  
X X  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 76 Capital-Based 
officials Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (English, 
French, Spanish)  
Level 2 Specialist path  
X X 
Capital-Based 
officials Trade in Services in the WTO – GATS (English, 
French, Spanish)  
Level 2 
Specialist path  X X 
2. Self-training modules: computer-based training modules  
  
  
  
  
          Capital-Based 
officials Overview of the WTO, Dispute Settlement, Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures, Trade in Services, 
Accession Procedures, Trad e Finance, WTO Docs 
Online, WTO Library (English, French, Spanish) 
The WTO:  Legal Underpinnings (English, Spanish) The WTO Coherence Mandate (English, French) The WTO:  Economic Underpinnings, Trade 
Facilitation, Trade Facilitation Needs Assessment 
(English)  
X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 77ANNEX 6 
Budget estimates 
 
WTO Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2012 - 2013  
(Swiss Francs) 
 
     2012    2013  
Chapter  Sub-Chapter  Subject / Programme  GTF  Regular 
Budget  Other  Total  GTF  Regular 
BudgetOther  Total  
A. General WTO-Related 
TA  1. Trade Policy Courses          
  (i) Geneva-based Advanced 
Trade Policy Course  1,169,000   1,169,000   1,169,000   1,169,000 
  (ii) Intermediate Level Activities 3,943,800     3,943,800 4,061,400     4,061,400 
 2. Geneva-based 
Introduction Course     209,700   209,700   209,700   209,700 
 3. Geneva-based 
Introduction days     15,000   15,000   15,000   15,000 
 4. Geneva Week     397,000   397,000   397,000   397,000 
 5. Geneva-based topic-
specific symposia   852,132     852,132 496,221     496,221 
 6. Other Geneva-based 
Support (Legal Advisory 
Role)     60,000   60,000   60,000   60,000 
 7. Regional and Sub regional 
capacity-building 
programmes   926,100     926,100 1,323,000     1,323,000 
A. GENERAL WTO-
RELATED TA Total     5,722,032 1,850,700   7,572,732 5,880,621 1,850,700  7,731,321 
B. SPECIALIZED AND 
ADVANCED TA            
 1. Geneva-based Thematic 
Courses     1,089,100   1,089,100   1,202,600   1,202,600 
 2. National Technical 
Assistance Activities (i) Topic-specific activities 165,240 1,101,600   1,266,840 165,240 1,101,600   1,266,840 
 
 (ii) TA within the Trade Policy 
Review Mechanism Framework 137,700     137,700 137,700     137,700 
 
 (iii) Assisting beneficiaries in 
conducting Needs Assessment          
 
 (iv) WTO Reference centres and 
enquiry points 250,000     250,000 250,000     250,000  
  WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 78      2012    2013  
Chapter  Sub-Chapter  Subject / Programme  GTF  Regular 
Budget  Other  Total  GTF  Regular 
BudgetOther  Total  
 3. Regional Seminars (i) Agriculture (Ag) 270,459     270,459 238,140     238,140 
  (ii) Dispute Settlement (DSU)   318, 465     318,465 396,900     396,900 
 
 (iii) Government Procurement 
(Plurilateral Agreement on) 238,140     238,140 191,079     191,079 
  (iv) Market Access related Issues  396,900     396,900 583,065     583,065 
  (v) Regional Trade Agreements    -     - 79,380     79,380 
  (vi) Rules  264,600     264,600 300,510     300,510 
 
 (vii) Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures (SPS)  360,612     360,612 211,680     211,680 
  (viii) Services negotiations; GATS   317,520     317,520 466,452     466,452 
 
 (ix) Technical Barriers to Trade 
(TBT)  158,760     158,760 158,760     158,760 
 
 (x) Trade and Development, S&D 
and Small Economies     
317,520     317,520  466,452     466,452 
  (xi) Trade and Environment  317,520     317,520 238,140    238,140 
  (xii) Trade Facilitation   318,465     318,465 529,200     529,200 
 
 (xiii) Trade-related Intellectual 
Property Rights (TRIPS) 349,839     349,839 158,760     158,760 
 4. State of play of the DDA 
and systemic and 
institutional Issues in the 
WTO ( pro memoria )           
 5. Intensive Courses on 
Trade Negotiations Skills   396,900   396,900 529,200   529,200 
 6. Outreach Activities    476,280     476,280 476,280     476,280 
 7. Accessions   74,088     74,088 79,380     79,380 
B. SPECIALIZED AND 
ADVANCED TA Total     5,129,008 2,190,700   7,319,708 5,656,318 2,304,200  7,960,518 
C. ACADEMIC 
SUPPORT  1. WTO Chairs Programme   1,095,240     1,095,340 994,620     994,620 
 2. Academic Co-operation 
Programme (i) Regional and Global 
Capacity-building events 131,618 70,000   201,618 79,380 70,000   149,380 
 
 (ii) National Workshops for 
Academics   155,000   155,000   155,000   155,000 
 
 (iii) Document Dissemination 
Programme for Universities   25,000   25,000   25,000   25,000 
 3. Support Programme for 
doctoral studies   86,400     86,400 86,400     86,400 
 4. Programme for visiting 
academics          
 5. Research collaboration   70,000     70,000 70,000     70,000  
   WT/COMTD/W/180
 Page 79     2012    2013  
Chapter  Sub-Chapter  Subject / Programme  GTF  Regular 
Budget  Other  Total  GTF  Regular 
BudgetOther  Total  
C. ACADEMIC 
SUPPORT  Total     1,383,258 250,000   1,633,258 1,230,400 250,000  1,480,400 
D. TRAINEE 
PROGRAMMES AND 
INTERNSHIPS 1. Netherlands Trainee 
Programme        550,000 550,000     550,000 550,000 
 2. WTO Regional 
Coordinator Internship   210,000     210,000 210,000     210,000 
 3. WTO Mission Internship       550,000 550,000     550,000 550,000 
D. TRAINEE 
PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS Total     210,000   1,100,000 1,310,000 210,000   1,100,000 1,310,000 
E. E-LEARNING 1. E-Learning :  online 
courses   73,500  73,500  73,500  73,500 
 2. Self-training modules          
E. E-LEARNING Total    73,500  73,500  73,500  73,500 
F. OTHER 
PROGRAMMES 1. Staffing:  L-Posts and 
other Short-Term Contracts (i) L-Posts 2,900,000     2,900,000 2,900,000     2,900,000 
  (ii) eTraining HR req. 500,000     500,000 500,000     500,000 
  (v) Other consultants 100,000     100,000 100,000     100,000 
F. OTHER 
PROGRAMMES 
Total     3,500,000    3,500,000 3,500,000    3,500,000 
Total     15,944,298 4,364,900 1,100,000 21,409,198 16,477,339 4,478,400 1,100,000 22,055,739 
Overheads 13%     2,072,759   143,000 2,215,759 2,142,054   143,000 2,285,054 
Grand Total     18,017,056  
4,364,900 
 1,243,000 23,624,956 18,619,393 4,478,400 1,243,000 24,340,793 
 
 WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 80  
 
   
Abbreviation Name 
ACWL Advisory Centre on WTO Law 
AfDB African Development Bank 
ALADI Latin American Integration Association  
AMEC Arab and Middle East countries 
AUF Agence universitaire de la Francophonie 
APEC Asia-Pacific Ec onomic Cooperation Forum 
ATPC Advanced Trade Policy Course 
BTOR Back-to-the-office report 
CARICOM Caribbean Community Secretariat 
CBFA Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration 
CEECAC Central and Eastern European a nd Central Asian and Caucasus countries 
CEMAC 'Communauté économique et m onétaire de l'Afrique centrale'  
COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa  
CPA Commonwealth Parliamentary Association  
CRM Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery  
COMESA  Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
CTD  Committee on Trade and Development 
CV Curriculum Vitae 
DDA Doha Development Agenda 
DDAGTF Doha Development Ag enda Global Trust Fund 
DSU Dispute Settlement Understanding 
DTIS Diagnostic Trade Integration Study 
EAC  East African Community 
EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States  
EIB European Investment Bank 
EIF Enhanced Integrated Framework 
GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services 
GPA Government Procurement Agreement 
GRULAC Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries 
GTAD Global Technical Assistance Database 
HRD Human Resources Division 
IADB Inter-American Development Bank 
IDLO International Deve lopment Law Organization 
IFAG  'Institut de la Francophonie pour l'Administration et la Gestion' 
IICA Inter-American Institute fo r Cooperation on Agriculture  
INTAL Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean 
IsDB Islamic Development Bank 
ITC International Trade Centre 
ITD International Institute for Trade and Development  WT/COMTD/W/180 
 Page 81 
 
 
  Abbreviation Name 
ITTC Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation 
JITAP Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme 
JVI Joint Vienna Institute 
LAC Latin American countries 
LDCs Least developed countries 
MTS Multilateral trading system 
NAMA Non-agricultural market access 
NGOs Non-governmental organization 
NTPs Netherlands Trainee Programme 
OAS Organization of American States  
OECS Organization of Eastern Caribbean States  
PIFS Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat 
PLS Progressive Learning Strategy 
RBM Results Based Monitoring 
RCs Reference Centres 
ROO Rules of origin 
RTAs Regional Trade Agreements 
RTPCs Regional trade policy courses 
SAARC South Asian Associa tion for Regional Cooperation 
SADC South African Development Community  
SIECA Central American Secretariat for Economic Integration 
SPS Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
STDF Standards Trade and Development Facility 
SVEs Small and vul nerable economies 
TA Technical assistance 
TACTF TA Coordination Task Force 
TAT TA Training 
tbd To be determined 
TBT Technical barriers to trade 
the TA Plan The second biennial Technical Assistance Plan 2010-2011  
TOR Terms of reference 
TPCs Trade policy courses 
TPR Trade policy review 
TPRD Trade Policy Review Division 
TPRM Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
TRIPs Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights 
TRTA Trade-related technical assistance 
UEMOA 'Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine'   
UN United Nations 
UNCTAD United Nations Conferen ce on Trade and Development 
UNDP United Nations Development Programme WT/COMTD/W/180 
Page 82  
 
  Abbreviation Name 
UNECA United Nations Economic Commission for Africa 
UNESCAP United Nations Economic and Soci al Commission for Asia and the Pacific 
WCP WTO Chairs Programme 
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization 
WTO World Trade Organization 
 
__________