WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
21 October 2009 
 
 (09-5219) 
Committee on Trade and Development  
  
 
BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN 
  2010 – 2011  
Revision
 
 
 
Table of Contents  
Page   
 
I.
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................4  
II. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... .5 
III. KEY FEATURES OF THE BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND 
TRAINING PLAN 2010-2011..................................................................................................8  
A. PROGRESSIVE TRAINING PATHS TOWARDS HIGHER LEVELS OF LEARNING ..........................8  
1. A Progressive Multi-Modular Approach................................................................................8  
2. Pedagogical Tools Adapted to Prog ressive Levels of Learning ............................................9  
3. Inspiring Vision and Facilitating Networking......................................................................10  
B. E-L EARNING PROGRAMME .....................................................................................................10  
1. Online Courses (eTraining)....................................................................................................1 0 
2. Self-Training.................................................................................................................. ..........11  
C. REGIONAL TRADE POLICY COURSES (RTPC S).....................................................................12  
D. GENEVA -BASED ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................13  
1. Advanced Trade Policy Courses (ATPCs)............................................................................13  
2. Thematic Courses: Ba sic and Advanced...............................................................................14  
3. Introduction Courses for Le ast-Developed Countries.........................................................14  
4. Introduction Days .............................................................................................................. .....15  
5. Geneva Week.................................................................................................................... .......15  
6. Other Support Tools............................................................................................................ ...15 
IV. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING  AND CAPACITY-BUILDING.....................16  
1. WTO Chairs Programme (WCP)..........................................................................................16  
2. Academic Support............................................................................................................... ....17  
V. REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR TR ADE CAPACITY-BUILDING ..............................18  
A. AFRICA ............................................................................................................................... ......18  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  1.
 Background ..................................................................................................................... ........18  
2. Outcome of the consultations.................................................................................................19  
B. ASIA AND PACIFIC ECONOMIES ..............................................................................................20  
1. Background ..................................................................................................................... ........20  
2. Outcome of the consultations.................................................................................................20  
C. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN .................................................................................20  
1. Background ..................................................................................................................... ........20  
2. Outcome of the consultations.................................................................................................21  
D. CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN , CENTRAL ASIAN AND CAUCASUS 
COUNTRIES (CEECAC ) .............................................................................................................23  
1. Background ..................................................................................................................... ........23  
2. Outcome of the consultations.................................................................................................24  
E. ARAB AND MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES (AMEC )......................................................................24  
1. Background ..................................................................................................................... ........24  
2. Outcome of the Consultations................................................................................................25  
VI. OTHER FIELD BASED CAPACITY- BUILDING ACTIVITIES.....................................26  
1. National Technical Assistance Activities...............................................................................26  
2. Regional Seminars .............................................................................................................. ....27  
3. Short Trade Policy Courses (STPCs)....................................................................................28  
4. Intensive Course on Trad e Negotiations Skills.....................................................................28  
5. Outreach Activities for Parliamentarians and Civil Society...............................................29  
6. Support provided  within the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) 
Framework ...................................................................................................................... ........29  
7. Partnerships ................................................................................................................... .........30  
VII. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS............................................................30  
1. The Netherlands Train ee Programme (NTP).......................................................................30  
2. The WTO Regional Coordinator Internship........................................................................31  
3. The WTO Mission Int ernship Programme ..........................................................................31  
VIII.  REFERENCE CENTRES......................................................................................................32  
IX. TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  DATABASES...................................32  
1. Trade-Related Technical Assistance  Database....................................................................32  
2. The Global Technical Assi stance Database (GTAD) ...........................................................33  
X. VISIBILITY OF WTO TRTA PROGRA MMES:  THE TRTA WEBPAGE ...................34  
XI. MONITORING AND EVAL UATION (M&E)....................................................................34  
XII. FUNDING........................................................................................................................ ........35  
ANNEX 1 TRTA NATIONAL REQUEST FORM (JOB(09)/55) ...................................................38   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  ANNEX 2 NEW STRATEGY ON REFERENCE CENTRES (RCS).............................................41  
ANNEX 3 WTO CHAIRS PROGRAMME (WCP)..........................................................................44  
ANNEX 4 TRAINING PATHS – OVERVIEW OF LEVELS AND  PREREQUISITES 
FOR SELECTED COURSES................................................................................................47  
ANNEX 5 EXAMPLE COMPARISON OF "LEVEL 2" AND "LEVEL 3"  TRAINING 
ACTIVITIES - DISPUTE SETTLEMENT..........................................................................48  
ANNEX 6 THE PRODUCTS MATRIX:  LIST OF ACTIVITIES.................................................50  
 WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
1. Mindful of the demand-driven nature of th e WTO Secretariat's trade capacity-building 
programmes, the second biennial TA Plan 2010-2011 (t he TA Plan) was prepared in close cooperation 
with the main stakeholders, i.e. beneficiaries and donors, and builds on lessons learned from the 
implementation of the first biennial Plan. A seri es of consultations were conducted during the Spring 
and early Summer with all regional groupings, and with  individual Members, to get as much feedback 
as possible on the specific needs and requirements fo r trade capacity-building. The outcome of the 
discussions and consultations is refl ected in various parts of the document and more specifically in the 
relevant annex, which contains th e regional seminars that are proposed to be conducted over the next 
biennium. The range of activities proposed are not n ecessarily the same in all regions, as there will be 
a differentiation according to the (sub) regional n eeds and priorities that were identified. The 
proposals have been cross-checked with the WTO divisions, so as to ensure that the programme is do-
able in terms of human resources.   
2. In addition to the specific regional requirement s that were identifie d, the consultations 
revealed some areas of broader concern and mostly  related to the Doha De velopment Agenda (DDA) 
negotiations. Beneficiaries indicated the need to star t preparations for the implementation of the future 
outcome of the negotiations and suggested to give priority to such issues as notification obligations 
and scheduling. The new TA Plan takes this requ est into account and will give both topics specific 
and priority attention. Various products will be suited to cover these topics, including national and 
regional seminars, but they will also explicitly be covered in the regional and advanced trade policy 
courses. Another area that will require more specific  attention is the issue of accessions to the WTO. 
Efforts will be pursued to provide adequate s upport to acceding and recently acceded countries to 
integrate into the multilateral trading system (MTS). 
3. At the institutional level, the Secretariat's In stitute for Training and Technical  Cooperation 
(ITTC) has been substantially realigned, aimed at  enhancing its capacity to design and deliver an 
effective programme of capacity-building. This r ealignment has reinforced the capacity of the ITTC 
to interact with beneficiaries in all regions and e nhanced the WTO's coordinating role of trade-related 
capacity-building activities in its field of competence and responsibility, i.e. with regard to the better 
understanding of Member's rights and obligations  within the Multilateral Trading System and 
strengthening their institutional capacities to deal with all the challenges emerging from it. Emphasis 
is put on enhancing coordination of  TRTA at all levels, i.e. in-house, with agencies, donors and 
beneficiaries, as well as enhancing coherence between the products, with a view of creating synergies 
and gradually moving to higher levels  of learning, thus enhancing the impact of the TRTA provided.  
These capacity building efforts are part of a larger  objective and broader initiatives in the context of 
Aid for Trade. 
4. In order to be better prepared to respond to the main challenges in the area of trade capacity- 
building, a new vision for the delivery of TRTA wa s developed, taking into account discussions with 
and views expressed by Members at various Comm ittee on Trade and Development (CTD) meetings, 
with a view to achieving cumulative and sustaina ble capacity-building and enhancing the efficiency 
and impact of the Secretariat's TRTA. The ne w approach builds on the notion of gradual and 
progressive learning, through a multi-modular approach. The new approach of progressive learning refers to the introduction of changes in the sequenci ng of products in order to improve the delivery of 
TRTA, with a view to gradually and progressively movi ng to higher levels of learning.  A major effort 
is deployed to reposition eTraining within the m eans of delivery of TRTA which permeates all other 
products. It is expected that the new enhanced a pproach would contribute to sustainable human and 
institutional capacity-building, to strengthening inter-linkages between programmes, to building 
synergies, assuring coherence and cost-effectivenes s in the delivery of TRTA. The programmes are 
designed in ways, to ensure that the beneficiaries are gradually moving to higher levels of learning.    WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  5. The effective cooperation with re gional partner institutions continues to be a priority for the 
Secretariat with a view to seeking out strategies for enhancing cooperation and relationships. Such 
cooperation is an integral part of the planning of both national and regional semin ars, but is equally of 
critical importance in the programming of the regional trade policy courses, as well as the design and delivery of activities with the academia, so as to enhance ownership of the programmes.  The 
Regional Desks in the ITTC's TA Coordination Sec tion will play a critical role in strengthening the 
cooperation with all regional bodies a nd partner institutions, particularly  through the  organization of 
the regional events. This regional approach to addr essing capacity constraints is consistent with the 
overall approach on Aid for Trade strategies, of which the WTO TRTA programme is one element, 
complementing the work and initiatives taken by bi lateral donors as well as other agencies active in 
the same domain.  WTO's contribution is based on its relative comparative advantage in the field of 
trad capacity building, with particular focu s on the multilateral trade agreements.  The full 
coordination of TRTA programmes has become a priority and a coordination mechanism was established and put into effect to discuss and coor dinate upcoming activities at the agency level.  
Also, a database is set up to give more visibility to  planned activities, so as to minimize the risk of 
overlap and duplication and enhance e fficiency in the delivery of TRTA. 
6. In the same spirit, the Secretariat will pur sue its outreach programmes, including its work 
with parliamentarians, private sector, academics a nd Universities. This includes continued efforts to 
enhance coordination and promote efficiencies in  academic cooperation, by concentrating support 
from the WTO to academic courses, research activit ies, academic networking and public outreach 
through a new WTO Chairs Programme (WCP).  
7. In the design and implementation of the ac tivities, due account will be taken of past 
recommendations, as contained in evaluation reports, in cluding lessons learned.  Due attention will be 
given, inter alia , to maintaining a regional balance, undertaking a careful selection process of 
participants, gender issues and a follow-up to the activities.  An assessment of the first year's 
operation of the Plan will be provided in the annual report.  One of the main challenges in executing 
the TA Plan continued to be its financing, and more  specifically, to ensure timely and adequate levels 
of funding.   
II. INTRODUCTION 
8. The WTO's TRTA programmes and capacity building efforts are one of many delivery 
components in the Aid for Trade work programme. It  is therefore part of the broad spectrum of 
ongoing bilateral, regional and mu ltilateral efforts to enhance the delivery of aid for trade and 
substantially improve its impact on beneficiaries.  
9. The main purpose of the Secretariat's trade cap acity-building programmes, as contained in the 
biennial TA Plan 2010-2011, is to provide direct  support to beneficiaries enhancing their human and 
institutional capacities to take full advantage of th e rules based MTS,  deal with the challenges 
emerging from it and enforcing their rights and obligations. 
10. The Secretariat's ITTC has been substantially realigned, aimed at enhancing its capacity to 
design and deliver an effective programme of capac ity-building. This realignment has reinforced the 
capacity of the ITTC to interact with benefi ciaries in all regions and enhanced the WTO's 
coordinating role of trade-relate d capacity-building activities with a broad spectrum of regional and 
multilateral partners. It has also enhanced internal  coordination of TRTA at all levels within the 
Secretariat. 
11. The new biennial Plan builds on lessons learned fro m the first biennial Plan.  This is reflected 
in the new approaches developed towards progressive learning, the use of new technologies, including 
eTraining and distance learning prior to the face to  face training, follow up on training events and a WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  careful review of all products and strengthening their interrelation.  As to the financial aspects, one of 
the lessons learned is that the more costly regiona l 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.  This has contributed to avoiding cash flow shortages. 
12. In preparing the second biennial TA Plan, cove ring the period 2010-2011, and mindful of the 
demand driven approach, consultatio ns were conducted with the Members in various formats, i.e. 
informal consultations through the CTD, with least-developed countries (LDCs), regional groupings 
as well as with individual Members, so as to get i nputs on the specific needs by beneficiaries.  Also, 
all divisions within the WTO Secretariat that ar e associated with the delivery of TRTA were 
consulted. The activities included in the Annex of  the TA Plan reflect the outcome of these 
discussions, taking into account the regional requir ements for TRTA.  From the consultations 
priorities emerged per region, which are reflected in  the activities listed in Annex 6 to the document. 
More broadly and in line with the DDA negotiations, priority will be given on notification obligations 
and scheduling. 
13. A new vision for the delivery of TRTA was deve loped, taking into account discussions with 
and views expressed by Members at various CTD meetings, with a view of achieving cumulative and 
sustainable capacity building and enhancing the ef ficiency and impact of the Secretariat's TRTA. 
Important modifications have been introduced in te rms of the approach to the structure of the TRTA 
delivery, sequencing of activities and content of th e products.  These modifications not only reflect 
the outcome of discussions with the Membership in recent years, but take into account the 
recommendations made in various intern al and external evaluation reports.  
14. The new approach builds on the notion of gr adual and progressive learning, through a multi-
modular approach. It is expected that the new e nhanced approach would contribute to sustainable 
human and institutional capacity-building, to st rengthening inter linkages between programmes, to 
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.  While it certainly is an objec tive to maintain a gender balance in the conduct of 
activities, the reality is determined by the applica tions of men and women to the activities themselves.  
Experience has shown that it can be harder for wo men to participation such programmes as the NTP 
and MIP, as they can often not stay away from the family for a long period of time. 
15. The first element in the new approach is the notion of progressive learning, which refers to 
the introduction of changes in the sequencing of pro ducts in order to improve the delivery of TRTA, 
with a view to gradually and progressi vely moving to higher levels of learning.  The first stage in the 
learning process consists of eTraining, where levels  of knowledge of participants can be enhanced, 
tested and synchronized. The next level is achie ved through the RTPCs, which address WTO issues 
from a regional perspective. Emphasis is put on interactive learning, case studies and sharing of knowledge and experiences between participants at the regional level. Once these two initial steps 
have successfully been completed, the participants ar e eligible for the highest level of learning, i.e. 
advanced thematic courses on particular topics (e .g. dispute settlement, trade-related aspects of 
intellectual property rights (TRIPs), sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), agriculture, rules) as 
well as the comprehensive Geneva-based advanced  trade policy course (ATPC), which is currently 
being designed so as to fulfil this purpose. 
16. Secondly, a  major effort is deployed to repos ition eTraining within the means of delivery of 
TRTA which permeates all othe r products.  In fact, eTraining 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.  A number of 
new eTraining courses are currently being developed. In addition, the online training materials will 
continue to be improved and up dated to include additionnal didactic components and latest  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  information and developments. Furthermore, sel f training modules on a number of WTO issues will 
be used to complement the online course programme . 
17. A third salient element is the strengtheni ng of the regional dimension of TRTA. The 
Secretariat continues to seek out strategies for enhancing its cooperation and relationships with 
regional institutions and partners. This is bei ng undertaken through a number of activities including 
the RTPCs that are organized and conducted with the participation of regional and national academic 
institutions and experts. A key objective of this programme is to ensure that in designing TRTA 
activities, particular national and regional dynami cs are incorporated to ensure relevance and 
consistency with emerging priorities. The ro le of regional economic communities and economic 
commissions and other relevant regional institutions  in the delivery of TRTA will remain a central 
element of the WTO TRTA programme. The Regional Desks in the ITTC's TA Coordination Section 
will play a critical role in organizing the regiona l events. This regional approach to addressing 
capacity constraints is consistent with the overall approach on aid for trade strategies. 
18. Fourthly, within the Secretariat and more speci fically in the ITTC, the role of the Regional 
Desks was further strengthened with a view of re-enforcing the Secretariat's interaction with 
beneficiaries in all the regions and the regional pa rtners and enhancing the coordinating role of the 
WTO in the field of trade capacity-building. Empha sis is put on enhancing co ordination of TRTA at 
all levels, i.e. in-house, with agencies, donors a nd beneficiaries, as well as enhancing coherence 
between the products, with a view of creating syne rgies and gradually moving to higher levels of 
learning, thus enhancing the impact of the TRTA provided.  
19. Fifthly, the Secretariat will pursue its out reach programmes, including its work with 
parliamentarians, private sector, academics and Un iversities. This includes continued efforts to 
enhance coordination and promote efficiencies in  academic cooperation, by concentrating support 
from the WTO to academic courses, research activit ies, academic networking and public outreach 
through a new WTO WCP. Through a WCP preparatory meeting, the Secretariat got advice and insights from a representative community of scholar s with experience in academic outreach activities, 
in order to optimize the design of the WCP.   
20. 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 the three national activities LDCs are entitled to have, 
some products are specifically geared towards LD Cs, e.g. the three-week introduction courses for 
LDCs, Geneva weeks, the RCs Programme, the Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP), Mission 
Internship Programme, support provided in the need s assessments and trade policy reviews (TPRs).  
21. One of the main challenges in executing the TA Pl an continued to be its financing, and more 
specifically, to ensure timely and adequate levels of funding.   
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 institu tional changes that have been made in the Secretariat to be better 
prepared for a fuller coordination and the deliver y of TRTA, as well as the novelties that have been 
introduced with regard to the various products and the approaches.  The main  new features of the TA 
Plan, including the progressive learning paths that are proposed are discussed in Chapter III. This includes detailed information on the E-learning Progr amme, the new features of the RTPCs, as well as 
explanations on all other Geneva-based activities, e.g. the new ATPCs.  Chapter IV develops the 
Secretariat's thinking on the academic support for tr aining and capacity-building and explains in more 
detail the WCP. Following various rounds of consultations with re gional groupings on their TRTA 
needs, and mindful of the demand driven approach of TRTA, the regional strategies to trade capacity-
building are discussed in a separate Chapter V.  Ot her field based capacity-building initiatives, are WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  discussed in Chapter VI.  The trainee programmes a nd internships continue to play an important 
function in support of trade capacity-building and ar e covered in Chapter VII. A new strategy was 
developed for the installation of RCs and more in formation on the new approaches can be found in 
Chapter VIII. The Secretariat has deployed cons iderable efforts to make information on trade 
capacity-building initiatives available through data bases, which contain data on past activities and 
allow a better coordination of future activities (C hapter IX). Equally important is the increased 
visibility of the WTO TRTA programmes and pr oviding access to all relevant information on 
upcoming events (Chapter X). Monitoring and Evalua tion continue to be essential tools for verifying 
the delivery of the activities and constant reviewing of the tools, methodology and materials (Chapter 
XI). Last, but not least are the issues relating to funding (Chapter XII). 
23. The Annexes provide practical information and more details on the TA and training activities 
to be conducted in 2010 and 2011,  or in both years.  Also, for ease of reference, the annexes contain 
the TRTA National Request Form (Annex 1), the New Strategy for the RCs (Annex 2), the WCP 
(Annex 3).  Training Paths – overview of levels and prer equisites for selected courses (Annex 4), an 
example of comparison of "level 2" and "level 3" training activities - dispute settlement (Annex 5) and 
the listing of all trade capacity-building activities (Annex 6). 
III. KEY FEATURES OF THE BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING 
PLAN 2010-2011 
A. P
ROGRESSIVE TRAINING PATHS TOWARDS HIGHER LEVELS OF LEARNING  
1. A Progressive Multi-Modular Approach 
24. The main beneficiaries of the Secretariat's tr ade capacity-building are government officials 
from developing, least-developed and "economies in transition" Members and Observers.  Since mid-
2008 strategic restructuring of the ITTC, extensive reflection has occurred on how best to position and 
sequence the Secretariat's training activities in order to respond to the need for greater coherence and 
complementarity in WTO capacity-building.   
25. For the 2010-11 period, the overarching aspiration  is to put in place specific WTO training 
paths based on a progressive, multi-modular approach.  The primary aim of this approach is to 
promote higher 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 effec tively in the rules-based MTS.   
26. Mindful of the overarching aspiration to put in place specific WTO training paths on the basis 
of a progressive, multi-modular approach, and based on the current demands and perceived needs of 
beneficiary countries, two broad categories of particip ants have been identified, namely "generalists" 
and  "specialists".   
• "Generalists" are those government officials w ho will need a broad knowledge of the WTO to 
conduct their work, such as capital-based offici als dealing with WTO issues or delegates 
posted to Geneva missions with genera l 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 SPS issues).   
27. On the basis of this distinction, the ITTC ha s identified two broad training paths, one for 
"generalists" and another for "specialists".  It is an ticipated that each training path would consist of a 
sequence of three training levels.  By way of brief example, an envisaged sequencing of TRTA  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  activities would introduce eTraining or Geneva-based Introduction Course for LDCs as the first step, 
to be followed by RTPCs, and finally by advanced Geneva-based  courses, the highest-level of 
learning available under the aegis of the WTO.  Su ccessful completion of each step would constitute a 
prerequisite for progression to the next step.  Such progression might also be possible where a 
participant possesses knowledge or professional experi ence that is demonstrably commensurate with 
the requirements of a given step.   
28. Turning to this progressive multi-modular approach  in more detail, the foundation of the first 
level will be an eTraining online introductory cour se.  This course will become the starting point for 
all those going through the various training paths, whet her generalist or specialist.  It would offer an 
initiation to the role, structure and functioning of the WTO as well as to its legal underpinnings. 
Least-developed country participants who comple te a Geneva-based introduction course for LDCs 
would be deemed to have satisfied the requirements for the first level. 
29. Following completion of the first level trai ning activity, the paths for generalists and 
specialists diverge:  the distinction between genera lists and specialists will play a central role in 
driving the participant towards the most appropriate  learning path.  In respect of the second level of 
training:  
• a generalist would attend a RTPC or complete  a more advanced online course on the WTO 
and the Multilateral Trade Agreements (eWTO) ; while different, both of these products may 
be broadly characterized as providing a basic approach to the agreements and aiming at 
improving the participant's ability to unde rstand and absorb trade policy content;  
• a specialist would move towards a basic thematic  training activity such as an eTraining online 
course, or would attend a basic seminar/workshop on a specific topic. 
30. Following successful completion of the second traini ng level, the third level of training will 
consist of activities at a higher level of learni ng.  These will include the advanced Geneva-based 
courses, including the new ATPCs, which will be th e most sophisticated training product offered by 
the WTO, covering a broad range of issues relati ng to the WTO system and its functioning from a 
horizontal perspective.  Generalists would be encouraged in this direction. For specialists, there will 
also be advanced thematic courses on particular topi cs offered in Geneva and in the field, as well as, 
in some cases, through eTraining.  Annex 4 offers an  overview of the training levels and prerequisites 
for selected courses.  Annex 5 gives an example comparison of "level 2" and "level 3" training activities in the area of dispute settlement.   
31. These clear and progressive training paths will be  made available, and offer opportunities to 
advance to higher levels of learning.  It goes w ithout saying that these training paths are designed to 
increase opportunity for advancement and progression, and are by no means intended as a constraint.  
The WTO Secretariat is well aware of the desirability  of providing sufficient flexibility in its training 
activities and products to best respond to the par ticular 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, by 2011, generally to make the completion of an 
introductory eTraining online course a prerequisite fo r participation in a face-to-face training activity.  
2. Pedagogical Tools Adapted to Progressive Levels of Learning 
32. 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 WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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  expected that certain pedagogical tools and teaching styles are more suited for certain levels and types 
of activity than for others.   
33. In this context, it is anticipated that the more basic level courses will focus on "knowledge 
transfer":  eTraining, presentations and discussions with WTO Secretariat officials as the main information-provider and focal point are thus likel y to predominate in the earlier stages of WTO 
training.  Introductory modules will focus on tran sferring basic knowledge.  Second level activities 
will focus on the transfer and consolidation of kn owledge about the WTO system and/or a particular 
Agreement.  The more advanced levels of trai ning activities will likely favour more interactive 
sessions, comprising exercises, case studies and simula tions.  Such interactive pedagogical tools aim 
to consolidate the knowledge already transferre d in earlier training steps, and to encourage 
participants to develop their con ceptual understanding of the topic and their autonomy to analyze and 
critically assess issues through active application of their knowledge.  
3. Inspiring Vision and Facilitating Networking 
34. 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.  In this  context, the ITTC has recently introduced the idea of 
appointing an official Patron(ess) ("parrain" or "marraine") for each Gene va-based course and RTPC. 
The Patron(ess) provides inspiration, guidance and l eadership to the participants in these courses.  
This highly-appreciated practice will continue in  2010-2011, offering participants a unique and 
powerful bond to unique individuals  and providing opportunities fo r strengthening institutional 
interlinkages.  A symbol of the importance attribut ed to WTO training is the regular involvement of 
the WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, the WTO Deputy Directors-General and numerous Directors in training activities, including Geneva-based cour ses and RTPCs and online "chat" sessions through 
the eTraining platform.  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 trainers  and others involved in training activities.  
B. E-L
EARNING PROGRAMME  
35. The WTO e-learning programme takes full adva ntage of information technology and the 
Internet as a complement - as well as an altern ative - to more traditional training programmes.  In 
addition to establishing networks of useful contacts between course participants and their WTO tutors, 
eTraining aims to give participants a homoge neous and strengthened unde rstanding of the MTS; 
enhanced knowledge of the basic principles of the WTO and the legal structure of the WTO 
Agreements; and improved capability to interpret relevant information and documents on WTO-
related issues, as well as to use the WTO le gal texts and legal background material.  
1. Online Courses (eTraining) 
36. Progressive learning is already an important element in the eTraining programme and this will 
be strengthened further.  Candidat es will be required to complete the online introduction course before 
they can be selected to participat e in an online thematic course. Online Introduction courses will also 
be used systematically as a prerequisite for par ticipation in RTPCs.  Candidates will be required 
successfully to complete an eTraining online intr oduction 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 
RTPC. 
37. Equally, prior to holding regional TA activ ities, eTraining courses are gradually being 
introduced to provide participants with basic concepts and knowledge so that higher levels of learning  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 11 
 
 
  and more productive exchanges can take place in the face-to-face activity.  It will function as a 
selection tool, thus ensuring that, only successful pa rticipants in the online prerequisite course are 
eligible to attend the face-to-face TA activity.  More generally, eTraining will be progressively 
integrated in the selection process of participants in a wider range of TA activities and subjects.  
38. During the biennium, 25 courses will be organized each year on a variety of trade-related 
issues.  The courses will continue to be organized  by terms, grouping several courses delivered in one 
working language.  This will allow interactive activities and documentation to be in a common 
language; at the same time, the administrative bu rden on missions and the Secretariat will be 
reduced. During the training period, participants ar e invited to take part in exchanges and discussion 
with their course colleagues on topics posted to th e site forum every week as well as on live chat 
sessions.  The topics are selected to respond  to the participants’ current concerns. 
39. Each participant is supported by three persons ready to assist him or her in different areas: 
• a Tutor answers substantive questions on th e course content sent by participants.  A 
"Frequently Asked Questions" section, including questions often posed by 
participants in the past and answers to  them, is also available on the website; 
• a training officer is responsible for monito ring participants' progress and motivation, 
sending weekly study goals and answers to qu estions on the course structure, dealing 
with logistics, introducing and moderating interactive activities (forum, chats, etc.); 
and, 
• an Online Help Desk takes care of all technical questions and hurdles.  The 
participants also have at their disposal  a "Frequently Asked Questions" section, 
including answers to problems commonly enco untered by participants in the past.  
Animations also help participants to naviga te around the site.  In addition, a tutorial 
and a site map make it easy for participan ts to familiarize themselves with the 
eTraining environment. 
40. In addition, an Enquiry Board provides online ad hoc  TA. The Enquiry Board is an area in the 
eTraining website where participants can describe a WTO-related problem they are facing at work, or 
post a question on a WTO matter they are working on.  The training officer provides ad hoc  TA, 
which sometimes includes providing inputs from othe r expert(s) in the WTO.  Replies to specific 
requests are published in the Enquiry Board within a few days. 
2. Self-Training 
41. A number of self-training modules on specific WTO Agreements/issues are available online 
through the WTO webpage on distance learning, th e eTraining website and on CD-ROM or DVD.  
The modules are free and open to all website users.   Each module includes theory and exercises 
through multiple choice questions with an automatic correction mechanism.  A series of briefings and 
multimedia presentations consisting of a combination of interrelated media - slide presentations, video 
files and reference documents – are available on the WTO webpage on distance learning.  The self training programme covers a wide range of topi cs 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 finan ce, etc. It will be used as a complement to the 
online course programme.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 12  
 
  C. R
EGIONAL TRADE POLICY COURSES (RTPC S) 
42. Regional trade policy courses are three-month cour ses in partnership with an institution of 
higher learning in different regions of the world and co-delivered by officials from the WTO Secretariat and academics from that region. There is  a natural complementarity between the WTO and 
regional expertise which renders the RTPC comp rehensive and adapted to local needs.  WTO 
lecturers provide authoritative explanations of WT O provisions and the workings of the institution, 
and specialists from the region provide a regional pe rspective on the issues raised. This dual-delivery 
approach, which highlights the regional relevance and context of the knowledge transferred, is a 
unique element of RTPCs. 
43. As a result of the ITTC's reform of its lear ning programmes carried out in 2008, which was 
aimed at establishing more coherent linkages acr oss its products, as well as at better adapting such 
programmes to the different needs of the benefici aries, the objectives of the RTPC programme were 
revised in order to better reflect the core basi c knowledge necessary to reinforce the capacity of 
officials and to promote more informed decision-ma king.  As outlined previously in this document, 
RTPCs now represent the second level of a progressi ve learning strategy which starts with an 
eTraining introduction to the WTO course, (or th e Geneva-based introduction course for LDCs) 
which is required before a candida te can be considered for selection to a RTPC.  As a second level in 
a progressive learning continuum, the RTPC offers a comprehensive curriculum that cover all the 
aspects of the work of the WTO while being corr oborated by practical exercises and simulations.  
44. The architecture of the RTPC programme has been  organized into three interrelated pillars. 
The first segment, which comprises the early weeks of  the activity, is characterized by an in-depth 
analysis of trade policy from a regional perspec tive. It focuses on underlying theories and concepts 
relevant to the conduct of trade policy (with the emphasis on intuition rather than the finer points of theory), the rationale and content of internati onal cooperative arrangements and the practicalities of 
trade-policy making, including the experiences of di fferent countries in this regard. The regional 
resources, comprising regional academics, regional or ganisations and regional Secretariats, will have 
a greater role in the delivery of the first segment  as their regional knowledge will provide a solid 
grounding for the participants with regard to the economic environment in which their countries 
operate. 
45. The second pillar of the RTPC focuses on the study of the WTO Agreements and their 
evolution in the context of th e DDA negotiations, with special emphasis on topics of particular 
interest for the region.  This segment covers th e subsequent five to six weeks of the RTPC. The 
teaching methodology will be based on, inter alia , co-lecturing, presentations and practical exercises. 
The content of this segment will build on the material  already covered by the RTPC participants in the 
eTraining introduction to the WTO course, which th ey would all have successfully completed as a 
pre-requisite to participating in the RTPC.  It is anticipated that since the participants have already 
acquired a basic introduction to the WTO Agreements, that the training delivered during the RTPC 
can build upon that and consolidate the transfer of knowledge.  
46. The third pillar, which is developed thr oughout the course, comprises a workshop on 
communication skills, simulation exercises on trade negotiations and dispute settlement, practical 
exercises such as case studies, debates, team a nd individual written exercises and presentations, all 
developed with the objective of e nhancing the participants' capacity  to apply the knowledge acquired 
during the RTPC.  
47. In conjunction with each RTPC, a three-day pr eparatory workshop will be held for academics 
who co-deliver the course. The workshop programme will include inter alia  sessions on the 
development of material for the first pillar of  th e RTPCs.  With their academic expertise and regional 
knowledge, the regional academics have an important cont ribution to make to this part of the course.   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 13 
 
 
  The workshop also contains detailed briefing on the objectives of the RTPC project, bilateral meetings 
with WTO trainers, updates on the status of ongoing work in the WTO, roundtable discussions on WTO-related topics of interest to the region a nd exchanges on research activities.  These activities 
have the objective of assisting the academics prepare in  their participation as co-trainers in the RTPC, 
through providing relevant material, the opportuni ty to prepare their session with their WTO 
counterpart and to learn from an exchange of views with their peers.  
D. G
ENEVA -BASED ACTIVITIES  
48. The Geneva-based course curricu lum will focus upon the delivery of advanced and thematic 
training activities, most of which will only become  accessible to participants having successfully 
completed the necessary prerequisites in the form of a RTPC, the eWTO eTraining course or 
possession of demonstrably commensurate knowledge or professional experience.  Ranging in length 
from one week to three months, the Geneva-based training curriculum will include the comprehensive 
ATPCs as well as basic and advanced thematic courses on particular WTO-related topics (e.g. trade negotiations, dispute settlement, SPS, Rules, Agricultu re and TRIPs (the latter jointly with World 
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)). In addition,  with a view to ensuring that basic level face-
to-face training remains available to respond to the specific needs of LDCs, the Geneva-based 
calendar will continue to include 3-w eek introduction courses for LDCs.   
49. In order to maximize the effectiveness of its  face-to-face training activities, the pedagogical 
approach followed in Geneva-based training activ ities continues to evolve toward resolutely 
interactive and participatory training.  Moreove r, these training activities constitute synergistic 
laboratories for the development and continuous updating and adaptation of training materials and 
modules.  The material generated is then made widely available in order to support other WTO 
training and capacity-building activities.  
1. Advanced Trade Policy Courses (ATPCs) 
50. The long-standing flagship of Geneva-based training activities has, since 1955, been the 
comprehensive Trade Policy Course (TPC).  The fu ture ATPC will build upon this sturdy foundation 
in furtherance of the implementation of multi-modular progressivity in the ITTC's training activities.  
Thus, the ATPC aims to maintain the twelve-wee k duration and comprehensiv e substantive coverage 
of the traditional TPC, but will henceforth be re-o riented towards a more sophisticated, horizontal, 
conceptual focus.  It is anticipated that, in 2010,  one Geneva-based TPC will be held, in English, in 
order to complete the existing cycle of TPCs a nd facilitate a smooth transition to the future 
progressive curriculum.  Thereafter, the definitive transition will be made in Geneva to ATPCs:  
currently, two ATPCs are envisaged in 2010, and three in 2011.   
51. Conceptualization and design of the renovated ATPC is in progress, in view of the future 
introduction of the introductory eTraining module a nd an RTPC (or eWTO) as prerequisites for this 
advanced training activity.  Certain cardinal elements  may nevertheless be highlighted at this stage.  
ATPCs will be organized by the ITTC in coopera tion with Secretariat colleagues from divisions. 
Rather than featuring the "knowledge transfer" that  will predominate in the prior stages of the WTO 
training programme (in particular, introductory eTraining and RTPC/eWTO activities), ATPCs will 
focus on strengthening participants' conceptual und erstanding and analytical skills as they learn to 
apply their WTO-related knowledge a nd engage in more analysis and evaluation of material.  The 
ATPC aims to promote a higher level of learning a nd to encourage the devel opment of participants' 
autonomy.  Participants will also be encouraged to develop an analytical framework placing their 
country's interests in the context of the WTO system .  It is anticipated that this will contribute to 
building sustainable human and institutional capacity of beneficiary countries to participate most 
effectively in the rules-based MTS.  Emphasis in  the ATPC will be placed on the development of 
horizontal, system-wide, themes, rather than on  clinical compartmentalization of issues on an WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 14  
 
  "agreement-by-agreement" basis.  It  is anticipated that participants will be exposed to issues and their 
interlinkages through pluri-disciplinary presentati ons.  Themes will include how particular topics 
interact with the six key functions of the WTO, touching upon the main negotiating issues in the DDA; trade policy formulation (including the iden tification of flexibilities and how they can be 
utilized); and guidance that may be available from the WTO dispute settlement system on the 
substantive issues in question.   
52. This approach, and these objectives, presuppose th e use of appropriate pedagogical tools and 
methodologies.  In contrast to more basic "knowle dge transfer" – through eTraining and power-point 
presentations that may predominate in prior stages of  WTO training -- the horizontal conceptual focus 
of the ATPC (and of the other Geneva-based advanc ed thematic courses) will favour a series of more 
interactive sessions, comprising exercises, case st udies and simulations, covering virtually all the 
areas of work of the WTO.  Participants will have  the opportunity to derive the full benefit from 
numerous unique attributes inherent in activity's Geneva location at the heart of the WTO and its 
Secretariat through, for example, attending me etings of WTO bodies, regular briefings on WTO 
work-in-progress, and "Round Table"-type discussions (featuring, for example, Geneva-based 
delegates, and members of the Secr etariat dealing with a particular topic or negotiation) and exposure 
to other international institutions in Geneva active in trade-related matters.  Contacts with officials in 
the WTO Secretariat and other international organiza tions – including the International Trade Centre 
(ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation (A ITIC), the World Bank, the Advisory Centre on 
WTO Law (ACWL) and WIPO - as well as delegates from Geneva Missions, will be a common 
feature.  Participants will be in the position to  observe and experience the functioning of the WTO 
directly, and to immerse themselves into the WTO e nvironment. Participants will be 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. 
2. Thematic Courses: Basic and Advanced 
53. The Geneva-based training agenda for 2010-11 also  includes thematic - basic and advanced - 
courses on particular WTO-related topics.  In accordance with the ITTC progressive sequencing 
approach, these courses are generally only availabl e to participants having completed the necessary 
prerequisite courses or possessing demonstrab ly commensurate professional knowledge or 
experience.
1  The courses focus on one or a group of WTO -related topics, and usually last one or two 
weeks.  The training methods used put emphasis on interactive learning, practical exercises, case 
studies and debates.  Simulation exercises are ofte n used to offer participants opportunities to 
strengthen their skills.  In 2010 and 2011, 11 thema tic courses will be offered:  three dispute 
settlement courses and eight other thematic course s.  The courses are organized by the ITTC in 
cooperation with Secretariat colleagues from divisi ons.  Geneva-based delegates and guest speakers 
from other organizations active in the specific area of wo rk concerned may also be invited to co-train.   
3. Introduction Courses for Least-Developed Countries 
54. The main purpose of these basic three week Introduction Courses is the dissemination of 
general information about the WTO, its basic rul es and disciplines and its functioning for the benefit 
of government officials from LDCs.  Briefings on ov erall WTO work progress are an integral part of 
the Courses.  The development dimension, and issues of particular relevance to LDCs, constitute an 
important module in the programme of Introduc tion Courses.  The course often benefits from 
involvement of the ITC, UNCTAD, AITIC, WIPO, the World Bank and the ACWL.  Presentation of 
                                                      
1 Annex 1 offers an overview of the training levels and prerequisites for selected courses.  Annex 2 
gives an example comparison of "level 2" and "level 3" training activities in the area of dispute settlement.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
  the activities of such international organizations and institutions also constitutes regular features of the 
programme.  These courses are currently  being renovated in order to en sure that they best respond to 
the needs and interests of LDCs and provide a basis to follow the ITTC training path.   
55. The introduction courses are organized by the ITTC in cooperation with Secretariat 
colleagues from divisions.  Guest speakers from other organizations active in the specific area of work 
concerned may also be invited to co-train.  Th e training methods used put emphasis on interactive 
learning, practical exercises and case studies.  Exerci ses are used to transfer  skills to participants. 
56. Two introduction courses are held each year:  one  in English, one in French.  These basic 
courses are considered a "level one" activity:  successful completion of this course will permit a 
participant to progress to a "level two" activity, such  as eWTO, or an RTPC (for generalists), or to a 
thematic course on a particular topic (for specialists).  
4. Introduction Days 
57. The Geneva-based course training programme  will be rounded out by three one-day 
introduction days each year.  Intended for newly arrived delegates in Geneva, non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs), new WTO staff members, interns working in the Secretariat and interested 
officials from other international organizations, this  activity allows for the dissemination of general 
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 Library and Internet.   
5. Geneva Week 
58. In order to meet the special challenges faced  by the Non-Residents and to enhance their 
participation in the MTS, the WTO organizes th e "Geneva Week", during which representatives of 
Non-Residents from capitals and from Europe-based missions are invited to Geneva.  Two "Geneva 
Weeks" are scheduled in 2010 and 2011 respectively. 
6. Other Support Tools 
59. A variety of different support is provide d directly in Geneva.  This includes: 
• the Newsletter for Non-Residents  prepared by the Secretariat, seeks to respond to the special 
challenges faced by Members without representation in Geneva in terms of their participation 
in the work of the WTO.  It provides information on recent mee tings and activities, as well as 
on upcoming activities.  The Newsletter is pr epared on a monthly basis, but supplemented 
periodically by additional communications; 
• ad hoc assistance :  such assistance is provided to visiting delegations, for whom thematic 
programmes, lectures, briefing sessions are de signed and meetings organized;  equally, 
delegations frequently seek direct support from WTO divisions on specific WTO Agreements 
(no direct costs); 
• briefing sessions through video-conferencing :  regularly the Secretariat organizes meetings 
with beneficiary countries through video-conferencing, to inform them about a specific issue.  Many countries can be connected simulta neously through these means with the WTO 
Headquarters, so as to ensure an interactiv e dialogue.  Such conferences are very cost-
effective (cost is related to  video/telephone connection); WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 16  
 
  • servicing regional groups :  the Secretariat provides assistance to regional groupings in 
support of their meetings and organizes briefings  on specific WTO-related topics in light of 
negotiations (no direct costs);  and, 
• advisory role on legal issues :  the Secretariat h as, since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round, 
provided legal advice in accordance with the requirement in the DSU Article 27.2 to any developing country which so requests in the event of that country being involved in dispute 
settlement (costs covered by the regular budget). 
IV. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING 
60. Academic cooperation activities by the WTO s eek to assist in the development and 
consolidation of the capacity of academic instituti ons 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. 
61. The WTO supports teaching, training and r esearch activities through several inter-linked 
programmes.  These programmes encompass different  modalities of support, which may include: 
• supporting teaching, research and outreach activities through the WCP;  
• supporting research activities through fellows hips to PhD students and facilitating 
research by visiting scholars;  
• curriculum development of academic courses; 
• training government officials through activ ities organized in partnership with 
academic institutions; 
• lecturing arrangements by WTO staff in academic programmes; 
• participation of WTO officials in academic events (conferences, seminars, etc.); and, 
• donating sets of WTO publications to Universities.  
62. In furthering cooperation activities with academ ic communities in developing countries, the 
WTO will seek to involve partner Universities in the delivery of its TA Plan, including regional and 
national trade policy courses jointly taught with academics from the region, as well as the utilization 
of regional academics as consultants or resource persons in the delivery of TA and training activities.   
63. WTO activities in this field are implemented through the Academic Cooperation Programme, 
which has two main components, as explained below. 
1. WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) 
64. In March 2009, the WTO Secretariat launche d the WCP (Annex 3),  aimed at supporting 
academic institutions and associated individual scholars from developing countries in course 
preparation, teaching, research and outreach activitie s.  These Chairs are allocated on the basis of a 
competitive bidding process, in which Universities wh ich have partnered with the WTO for Regional 
Trade Policy Courses are encouraged to apply.  While the WCP provides direct support to academic institutions from developing countries, participation in activities relating to the WCP is also open to  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 17 
 
 
  scholars and academic institutions from develope d countries, particularly those involved with 
developing-country counterparts.  This latter aspect  of the programme will be the focus of greater 
attention once the WCP is up and running.  
2. Academic Support 
65. In parallel with the WCP, and as in previous  years, the WTO Secretariat will continue 
engaging academic institutions of higher lear ning seeking to address priority objectives and 
programmes identified by Universities and research  institutions. The WTO Secretariat will seek to 
support initiatives involving regional and nationa l groups of scholars promoted by academic 
institutions in developing countries.  The WTO w ill also aim at joining efforts and resources by 
partnering with regional entities and national Univers ities and research centres.  This programme is 
aimed at institutions not benefiting from the WCP.  
66. Under this programme partner institutions ar e invited to assume an increasing level of 
responsibility in the organization of activities, such  as hosting the event, c onvening other institutions 
to attend while the WTO will cooperate in the form ulation of the agenda and the delivery of the 
activity.  Thus, organizing institutions and local sc holars are also expected to increasingly contribute 
to the delivery of the established programme, so as to promote local ownership. These activities may 
include events designed to reach out to other academ ic institutions from the same country and region, 
establishing or consolidating academic programmes on WTO matters (e.g. a multidisciplinary Masters 
programme) and training activities (e.g . seminars, training programmes). 
(i)  Regional Workshops for University Professors 67. During 2010 and 2011, the WTO Secretariat will aims at organizing regional workshops for 
academics in those regions not yet covered by the RTPCs (AMEC, and CEECAC).  Furthermore, the 
WTO Secretariat will seek to partner with region al Secretariats in order to further streamline 
academic cooperation and making bette r use of existing synergies.   
(ii) National Workshops for Academics 68. National activities may also be implemented w ith a view to expanding academic cooperation 
links with national academic institu tions and developing new possible programmes. The ITTC aims at 
supporting a limited number of national activities and events organized by local academic institutions 
by providing lecturers and WTO publications.   
(iii) Library Support for Universities 69. The main objective of this programme is to cont ribute to the creation and/or strengthening of 
a WTO "library" at Universities from developing co untries with a view to facilitating access to this 
information by the student population. The WTO disseminates, on a yearly basis, a set of WTO 
publications, in both hard copy and electronic fo rmats to groups of Universities from developing 
countries.   
(iv) Support Programme for Doctoral Studies 70. 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 competing their thesis.  Since this is  likely to be a highly effective means of engaging WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 18  
 
  young academics in WTO-relate d research of direct policy relevance to governments, the intention is 
to accommodate up to twelve students at any one time.  In 2010 and 2011, budget provisions will be made for twelve students for each year. 
(v) Programme for Visiting Academics 71. 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. 
(vi) Research Collaboration 72. The main objective of research collaboration is  to develop joint research initiatives on WTO-
related matters with academics from developing countries.  Such collaboration will increase 
engagement by the scholarly community in WTO -relevant research, to increase the supply of region 
and country-based analysis of WTO-related policy issues.   
V. REGIONAL STRATEGIES FOR TRADE CAPACITY-BUILDING 
A. A
FRICA  
1. Background 
73. The full integration of African countries into the multilateral trading system is a priority for 
the WTO.  As such, they are the major beneficiar ies of the WTO technical assistance and capacity 
building activities.  In the last TA Plan, 47 per cent of all national activities and 31 per cent of all 
regional activities were held in Africa.  LDCs, as a group, benefited from 42 per cent of all TRTA 
activities.  In addition, LDCs also benefited fro m other dedicated programmes such as the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework (EIF), and the three-week  Introduction Courses for LDCs and the Standards 
and Trade Development Facility (STDF).2  Further, LDCs are given priority in the Reference Centres 
Programme, the Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP), the Mission Internship Programme (MIP), etc.  This focus on Africa and LDCs will continue in  the next TA Plan.  Technical assistance delivery 
to Africa has covered the entire WTO work progr amme, including the negotiating subjects under the 
DDA, such as Agriculture, NAMA, Serv ices, Development Issues, etc.   
74. To take into account the regional dimension, the WTO has also strengthened its cooperation 
with regional bodies in Africa in the planning and deli very of TRTA.  In this regard, cooperation with 
the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA),  Commonwealth Secretariat, Organization 
International de la Francophonie (OIF), has been enhanced.  WTO intends to further develop this 
cooperation with the regional partners in the 2010-11 TA cycle. 
75. The WTO has also cemented cooperation with universities in Africa, as centres for research 
and training on WTO-related subjects.  The focus of  this cooperation has initially been the RTPC, 
which is held annually in both English-speaki ng and French-speaking Africa with the active 
participation of a local university, and regional experts who bring the regional dimension to the 
subjects covered.  It is expected that the uni versities hosting RTPCs could be developed as regional 
centres on WTO-related subjects.  In addition, co operation with other universities not involved in 
RTPCs has also been initiated in a number of countries. 
                                                     
 
2 The STDF aims to devote at least 40% of Facility  project resources to LDCs and other low income 
countries.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 19 
 
 
  76. The WTO would continue to attach great importance to national TA activities given the 
commitment to enhance institutional knowledge on trade policy matters.  Africa would, therefore,  
continue to be the largest beneficiary of national activities under the TA Plan. 
77. To ensure that TA activities correspond to the actual needs of requesting beneficiary 
countries, the WTO intends to encourage countries to base their national TA requests on reliable 
needs assessments carried out, for example, within the framework of the trade policy reviews, or the 
Diagnostic trade integration studies (DTIS) under the EIF, as well as under the Aid for Trade and Trade Facilitation Initiatives and through the STDF. 
2. Outcome of the consultations 
78. The Africa Desk of the ITTC held consultations with the A frican Group on 4 June and on 14 
July.  Consultations were also held with the LD C Group on 29 May 2009.  In both consultations, the 
ITTC reiterated that to make technical assistance more  relevant to the needs of beneficiary countries, 
programmes would be based on needs assessments ca rried out by a government or by a regional or 
multilateral institution. 
79. It was stressed in that context that various forms of needs assessment would be utilized for 
this purpose, including the TPR process, DTIS fo r LDCs, self-assessment by countries based on the 
prevailing Guidelines, etc.  Delivering TRTA on the basis of needs will ensure  the effective utilization 
of finite TA resources. 
80. Technical assistance activities will be provided, in response to the specific needs of the nine 
acceding governments in Africa (Algeria, Comoros, E quatorial Guinea Ethiopia, Liberia, Libya, Sao 
Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sudan).  These ac tivities will be “tailor-made” national activities in 
response to the needs expressed, a regional seminar on  accessions for Africa to be organized with the 
African Development Bank, and a Geneva-b ased seminar for all acceding governments. 
81. Countries welcomed the new policy on progressive  learning, but called for flexibility in its 
implementation given the interconnectivity problems for a number of African countries.  The ITTC 
assured both the African Group and the LDC Group that other alternative modes of delivery, such as 
CD-based training programmes, would be explored.  Further, Reference Centres would be upgraded 
to meet the standard required for effective use in e-training. 
82. The WTO would also put more emphasis on the delivery of TRTA using regional 
configurations, to take advantage of existing structures already developed by regional economic 
organizations, as well as to use the familiarity of these regional bodies with re gional dimensions of the 
WTO issues.  A key objective of this programme is  to ensure that in designing TRTA activities, 
particular national and regional dynamics are incorpor ated to ensure relevanc e and consistency with 
emerging priorities.  This regional approach will also  enable the WTO to fully utilize regional experts 
on various subjects to complement WTO resource persons. Tied to this would be the use of 
participants in presenting national case studies at many  of WTO's activities.  However, the parameters 
of such arrangements with regional bodies will be determined on a case by case basis. 
83. At the regional level, the "key" negotiating s ubjects will be covered on an annual basis for 
each language group (English/French).  The other WTO subjects will be covered on a two-year basis.  
This reflects the relative differences in demand for these two categories of subjects.  Nevertheless, flexibility will be applied in appropriate cases.    WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 20  
 
  B. A
SIA AND PACIFIC ECONOMIES  
1. Background  
84. The WTO Secretariat provides technical coope ration and capacity-building activities across 
the breadth of the WTO's work programme, including aspects related to the on-going DDA negotiations.  Technical assistance is tailored to the specific demands of beneficiaries.   
85. The RTPCs, first in Hong Kong (between 200 4 and 2006) and now in Singapore since 2007, 
have been held for several years with a view of ca pacity-building. In the Asia and Pacific region, the 
partnership arrangements ensure a high quality interaction in the pr eparation and implementation of 
joint technical cooperation and capacity-building activiti es.  In the implementati on of its TA activities, 
lecturers from either regional or national Asia and Pacific partner organizations contribute to the 
delivery of TRTA.  The active participation of these regional or national lecturers brings an enhanced 
strategic vision to Asia and Pacific TA programmes.  Trade-related technical assistance activities have continued to be focused on acceding countries (Bhu tan, Lao PDR, Samoa and Vanuatu) and recently 
acceded countries (e.g. Tonga).  Direct support has been provided by the Accessions Division and other specialized divisions to address all concerns and issues raised.  Support has also been provided 
through the NTP, in particular regarding the el aboration of needs assessments.  Between 2005 and 
June 2009, 13 trainees from the Asia and P acific region participated in the NTP. 
2. Outcome of the consultations 
86. Four rounds of consultations were held by  the Asia-Pacific desk of the ITTC with 
representatives from Asia and Pacific economies, with  the objective being to establish the needs and 
priorities for regional TA activities in favor of Asia and Pacific economies under the TA Plan 2010-
2011. While a variety of specific suggestions were  made, the need was stressed to focus  on 
scheduling and to the implementation of the DDA resu lts, in anticipation of the possible conclusion of 
the DDA negotiations. 
87. As the region counts several countries in accession, including two in Asia (Bhutan and Lao 
PDR), out of a total of 14 Pacific Islands countries, four are WTO Members (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, 
Solomon Islands, Tonga), two are in accession negotia tions (Samoa and Vanuatu ) and eight have no 
legal links with the WTO, tailor-made national semina rs may be requested.  These could be held back 
to back with regional training events, to respond to  the claims made by parliamentarians, officials 
from various ministries, and civil society/NGOs ' representatives for WTO higher knowledge and 
additional clarifications relating to WTO Members' rights and obligations. 
88. The close cooperation with regional partners in  the delivery of regional TRTA activities was 
highlighted as being essential for the delivery of regional TA activities, so as to build synergies 
between the range of projects and programmes for which TA was being offered with the other TA 
providers active in the Asia and Pacific region,  eg. United Nations Economic and Social Commission 
for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the International 
Development Law Organization (IDLO ), International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) and 
Singapore.  
C. L
ATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN  
1. Background 
89. The ITTC's Latin American and Caribbean (L AC) Desk continued delivering TRTA during 
2008 and 2009 fulfilling the requests of WTO Member s from this region according to their needs.  
The delivery of many regional activities was made  successful through WTO collaboration with well  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 21 
 
 
  established partnerships.  For the WTO, the main co nstraints are the availability of human resources 
to meet the demands of Member States.  In tailoring the subject of our activities ITTC is always mindful of the negotiations in Geneva and the na tional or regional macro- economic context.    
90. Notwithstanding these challenges, participants' evaluation reports suggest that after the 
delivery of TRTA activities, Member States genera lly have a better understanding of WTO rules and 
the role that they need to play in taking advantag e of the multilateral trading system for their national 
development.  TRTA normally prompt increased c ooperation, both nationall y and regionally as the 
activities bring together participants that can creat e a network of relevant stakeholders, for future 
collaboration. Improvements in quality and relevan ce of TRTA are derived from consultation with 
Members States both through the missions and thr ough capital based officials to fulfil real and 
prioritised needs.  During the year 2008-2009, LAC desk coordinated and delivered 133 activities 
covering regional and national wo rkshops/seminars, outreach to parliamentarians, Geneva-based 
courses, and conferences. In these activities, anecdotal  evidence and formal surveys show that despite 
the challenges, there are clear benefits of TRTA  to the Latin American and Caribbean region. 
91. The LAC desk aims to deliver TRTA during 2010-2011 fulfilling the requests of the region's 
WTO Members according to deeper consultations on actual needs.  Efficiency and relevance of 
activities will be the key to maximising the impact of  activities.  The desk will continue to collaborate 
with TRTA partners including with the Inte r-American Development Bank (IADB) through its 
Institute for the Integration of Latin America a nd the Caribbean (INTAL).  WTO gained invaluable 
success in many activities through the synergies fo rged with regional partner Secretariats and 
organisations, notably those with the Latin Amer ican Integration Association (ALADI), Central 
American Secretariat for Economic Integration, (SIE CA), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on 
Agriculture (IICA), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), International Development Law Organization (ID LO), Andean Community of Nations (CAN), 
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OEC S), Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery 
(CRNM), Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM), Organization of American States (OAS) 
and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (C PA).  The LAC desk continues to coordinate 
and deliver National TRTA activities based on na tional requests utilising the new TRTA Request 
form to help make requests clearer.   
2. Outcome of the consultations  
92. The LAC desk continuously aims to improve the collection of requests, and delivery of 
activities to its Members.  There has been a series of  consultations with delega tions in various formats 
throughout 2009.  These included consultations with GRULAC – June 2009; Small Vulnerable 
Economies (SVEs)s,-February 2009; CARICOM- March 2009, and individual Geneva-based 
delegations.  Opportunities have also been used  to consult with capital-based officials and non-
resident Missions during their visits to Geneva  for events such as WTO meetings, Geneva-based 
Trade Policy Courses, Geneva Week, and ACP Aid for Trade Preparatory meeting and the Global 
Review.  These consultations help the regional d esk of LAC to have a case-by-case understanding of 
needs of these developing countries and the one least-developed country in the group.   
93. It is recognised that for many developing countr ies it is challenging to actually determine the 
priority of their training and technical assistance ne eds. This situation becomes acute where missions 
are non-resident. In response to a request during consultation with Small, Vulnerable Economies 
group, the LAC desk developed a TRTA Request Form  (in English, Spanish and French), which asks 
simple questions for Member States to complete ensuring the right objectives and justification are 
pellucid for them and for ITTC's coordination of delivery.  This form is now in use and can be submitted by Members with or without a cover letter to ITTC by fax, email, or regular mail, when 
requesting national TRTA.   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 22  
 
  94. The responses of the questionnaires received re veal that many LAC Member countries need 
to raise the trade awareness of their private sector and civil society.  Some note that that there are 
more than one domestic agencies that are involved in trade.  To promote domestic cohesion in trade policy, some TRTA activities should also include th eir participation in the future.  Many others 
expressed that training workshops must be more ha nds on rather than lectures, for example having 
WTO resource persons visit a Ministry to assist the staff in making notifications as part of a national 
activity.   
95. The challenges of the LAC group vary according to their size and levels of development.   
Some Members face the challenge of smallness and/or capacity constraints.  Their smallness affects not only their trade capacity in absolute terms, but also their ability to participate actively and 
continuously in all areas (in all fora) of trade ru le negotiations and implem entation, simultaneously.  
Normally the Missions in Geneva have few technica l staff that has to spread themselves between a 
variety of meetings in the WTO, bilaterals, allia nce and group meetings, meet ings with NGOs, plus 
their duties in other UN bodies.  In capital, the situa tion is similar – few staff who have to cover all 
WTO issues, all bilaterals their country is involv ed in implementing or negotiating, national trade 
awareness especially with private sector and Civil Society, and implementation programmes, plus 
their regional coordination mechanisms.  The challenges are not however unique to small Missions or small Members.    
96. According to consultations w ith LAC delegations, ITTC has identified the following specific 
areas as those of most interest, and training soluti ons that could be covere d in regional activities: 
• Thematic courses and training sessions for relevant functionaries on TRIPS 
• Specific training on SPS/TBT  
• Trade and Environment 
• Notification – A more hands on workshop that helps specific countries to fulfil their 
requirements 
• Organizing a seminar on fisheries management and policies in Geneva.  This would allow 
participants to better understand the interface between trade commitments and sustainable 
fisheries management 
• Seminar on scheduling of commitments 
• Advance courses on all WTO agreements 
• NAMA (including scheduling exercises) 
• Finding a training solution for non-resident Missions based mainly in Brussels and 
London  
• On Trade Facilitation, they indicated that they are concerned that after the needs 
assessments done by the WTO, there is no mech anism to ensure continuity of the task 
force in preparation for the next stage of th e process (follow-up).  They are concerned that 
the process of preparing stakeholders would be wasted because of a lack of follow-up. 
97. Haiti is the only LAC Member benefiting from the implementation of the Integrated 
Framework (IF) activities and the Bahamas is the only acceding country to the WTO in the region. 
Both will be supported through TRTA in their specific fields.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 23 
 
 
  D. CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN , CENTRAL ASIAN AND CAUCASUS COUNTRIES 
(CEECAC ) 
1. Background 
98. The CEECAC Desk developed a policy that is geared to a better and fuller integration and 
participation of CEECAC in the WTO.  The region comprises of 22 countries and includes inter alia  
the Baltic States, the Balkan countries, the Common wealth of Independent States, the Caucasus and 
Central Asian countries.  
99. During 2008 and 2009, efforts were focused on assisting these countries to identify their TA 
needs.  For Members, this was carried out, to th e 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 count ries as well as with the Accessions Division with 
a view of identifying the specific TA needs of ea ch individual observer.  Another innovative tool 
developed by the ITTC is the TA Request Form.  The questions are comprehensive and the form is 
easy to complete and some countries in the region have started using it.    
100. The CEECAC economies have significantly bene fited from the WTO's technical cooperation 
and capacity-building activities over the past two years (2008-2009).  Officials from CEECAC 
economies have participated in 14 WTO regional seminars and training events3, covering the 
Agreement on Agriculture, Special Training Course on WTO dispute settlement, implementation of the TBT Agreement, WTO rules on regional trade agreements (RTAs), the General Agreement on 
Trade in Services (GATS) and the Services negotiations, trade and development, trade and environment, TRIPs, Workshop for Academ ics, and other DDA negotiating subjects. 
101. Due to human and financial resource constrai nts, the Secretariat was not in a position to 
organize a three-month RTPC for the CEECAC count ries.  Until this objective is achieved, the 
Secretariat has been working closely with academi cs from the region with a view of co-delivering 
some joint activities.  The first such activity will be organized in close collaboration with the IDLO 
for government officials for one month.  While shorter than a normal RTPC, it will still qualify 
officials from the region to the new ATPC (level 3) that will be held in Geneva.   
102. During the last biennium, the contributions of re gional institutions was critical to the efficient 
delivery of WTO TRTA. For the CEECAC region, the Joint Vienna Institute (JVI) is an important 
partner. A large number of the regional activities (sev en) 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 2008/2009.  The IDLO is also an important partner for the joint delivery of 
the short trade policy course. Partnership arrange ments ensure high quality interaction in the 
preparation and implementation of joint techni cal cooperation and capacity-building activities. 
103. Several countries in the region benefited from the NTP.  Between 2005 and June 2009, four 
trainees participated in the NTP. A few countries in the region also benefited from other in-house 
TRTA programmes, such as the trade facilitati on needs assessment workshops and the STDF.  
Moreover, a significant number (29) of officials fro m the region participated in several Geneva-based 
activities, including the three-month TPCs.  
                                                     
 
3 Until the 1st of July 2009 and including the forthcoming short trade policy course co-organised with 
IDLO from 28 September to 23 October 2009.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 24  
 
  2. Outcome of the consultations  
104. The CEECAC Desk held a series of consultati ons to interact with representatives from the 
region to discuss their TA needs.  This initiative was welcomed.  Several countries expressed concern 
on the difficulty to harmonize regional activities as the CEECACs are particularly heterogeneous 
coupled by the different needs among the countries.  In particular, among acceding countries, the level 
of negotiations are rather at different levels a nd therefore regional activities in favor of acceding 
countries should be tailor-made.  Efforts by the S ecretariat to ensure more harmony among the group 
of selected participants in a TA event was very  much welcomed by the group including the possibility 
of organizing sub-regional events that are advanced or  introductory in nature.  From the consultations, 
a comprehensive framework has emerged which re flect the regional needs and priorities of the 
CEECAC. 
105. Several priority areas were highlighted by th e Group, including, the necessity to organize a 
fully-fledged RTPC for the region.  Nevertheless, CEECAC countries noted that until the necessary human and financial resources are secured, they w ill continue to benefit from the one-month courses 
that will be organized in 2010-2011, which will qualif y their officials to participate in the new level-
three Geneva-based ATPC.  Countries also expresse d the importance of collaborating with partner 
institutions with the private sector and civil soci ety in the organization of regional activities.  The 
selection of the participants was highlighted as essen tial to the success of TA events.  Furthermore, a 
number of delegates spoke out in  favor of developing a special e-Training course on accessions, as 
some eleven countries in the region are in the accessions process. 
106. Out of the 22 CEECAC countries, ten are WTO Members.  Eleven are in accession 
negotiations and one economy, Turkmenistan, has no st atus with the WTO.  Specific attentions have 
to be dedicated in assisting the acceding countries to first identify their TA needs.  For Members, this 
was carried out, to the extent possible, in colla boration with the TPRD.  For acceding countries, the 
situation required close collaboration with the A ccessions Division as well as other divisions. In 
specific stages of accession negotiations, tailor-made national seminars may be requested at short 
notice to respond to the specific needs of: parliament arians, officials from various ministries, and civil 
society/NGOs' representatives for WTO higher knowle dge and additional clarif ications relating to 
WTO Members' rights and obligations. 
107. The Secretariat will continue to work with part ner institutions in the delivery of regional TA 
such as, IDLO, JVI, World Bank Institute, Europ ean Investment Bank (EIB), European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development (E BRD), and the 'Institut de la Francophonie pour l'Administration 
et la Gestion' (IFAG).  Experience thus far, conf irmed that partnership arrangements ensure high 
quality interaction in the preparation and implementa tion of joint TA and capacity-building activities.  
These joint activities are financed  from the WTO DDAGTF.  The Secretariat will seek to further 
strengthen existing partnerships and de velop new ones as the need arises.   
E. A
RAB AND MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES (AMEC ) 
1. Background 
108. The ITTC has developed since 2001 an Arab Strategy contained in the New WTO TA 
Strategy for Capacity-Building, Growth and Integr ation, which was the first step taken in the re-
organization of WTO technical cooperation.  Twelve Arab countries are Members of the WTO, while seven others are in the process of accessions.
4  Over the past two years and as part of the re-
                                                      
4 WTO definition of the Arab Group: twelve Arab Members, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, 
Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and United Arab Emirates.  Seven Observers: 
Algeria, Comoros Islands, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Yemen.  Syria, applied for accessions, however, the  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 25 
 
 
  organization of WTO technical cooperation, the Arab  Strategy was refined and a Regional Desk has 
been established dedicated to the AMEC.   
109. One of the main priorities of the Desk was to ensure that regional requested topics were in 
line with the needs identified.  A complementary way to identify regional needs was through the trade 
policy review mechanism (TPRM). In this regard, th e Desk continued to work closely with the TPRD 
to identify the needs and priorities of Arab countries that were subject for reviews in 2008-2009 
(Oman, Jordan, and Morocco).  This practice was applied in the past on a limited scale, but is now becoming systematic.   
110. At the regional level, Arab countries have significantly benefited from WTO's technical 
cooperation and capacity-building activ ities. A large number of government officials participated in 
17 WTO regional seminars and training events
5, covering a wide range of WTO-related areas 
including the special training course on WTO dis pute settlement, Agreement on Agriculture, SPS, 
outreach activities for Parliamentarians and civ il society, trade negotiations skills, government 
procurement, WTO rules on RTAs, TRIPs, as well as other DDA negotiating subjects. 
111. Due to human and financial resource constrai nts, the Secretariat was not in a position to 
organize a three-month RTPC for th e Arab Countries.  Until this objec tive is achieved, the Secretariat 
has been working closely with acad emics from the region with a view of co-delivering some joint 
activities.  The first such activity will be orga nized in close collaboration with the Islamic 
Development Bank (IsDB) for government officials for one month.  While shorter than a normal 
RTPC, it will still qualify officials from the region to the new ATPC (level three) that will be held in Geneva. 
112. Partnership arrangements with the main regi onal economic organizations such as the United 
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Wester n Asia (UNESCWA), the Arab Monetary Fund 
(AMF), IsDB, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), con tinued to play a significant role in achieving 
the desired common objectives of empowering and enha ncing the participation of the Arab countries 
in the MTS.  Several regional events were organi zed in collaboration with partner institutions during 
the past two years.  Moreover, the Secretariat has be en working with its partners in the various regions 
to go beyond the traditional TRTA activities it provi des to government officials, and has worked 
directly with other stakeholders, such as private sector representatives, academia, journalists, and civil 
society.   
113. Several countries in the region benefited from the NTP.  Between 2005 and June 2009, five 
trainees from the region participated in the NTP.  Several Arab countries have benefited from needs 
assessments conducted in the context of the trade faci litation negotiations.  Othe rs benefited, from the 
EIF and the STDF.  In addition, to the regular TRTA provided by the Secretariat, several AMECs 
benefited from the EIF, STDF, the Joint Integrated  Technical Assistance Programme (JITAP), Trade 
Facilitation Needs Assessment.  AMEC (Members and Observers) have been con tinually invited to all 
Geneva-based activities planned over the last two y ears, such as the specialized courses and the TPCs. 
2. Outcome of the Consultations  
114. The Desk for AMECs held a series of consulta tions to interact with representatives from the 
Arab Group to discuss their TA needs. 
                                                                                                                                                                    
 
request was never considered by the General-Council.   No Status: Somalia and the Palestinian Authority.   In 
total, 22 countries are Members of the Arab League. 
5 Until the 1st of July 2009 and including the forthcoming short trade policy course co-organised with 
the Islamic development Bank from the 25th of October to 19th of November 2009.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 26  
 
  115. The Arab Group welcomed and supported the ne w progressive approach, in particular the 
advance nature of some of the new products as well as the new short TPC and the pre-academic 
workshop organized for the region, which will contin ue in 2010 and 2011.  The Group requested from 
the Secretariat to further develop and strengthen its collaboration with Arab academics as they are 
instrumental in disseminating information on the WTO and in assisting governments in formulating 
appropriate trade policies.  With regard to e-tr aining, the Group confirmed that they will encourage 
their officials in the capitals to apply and benefit from these practical activities.  They also welcomed 
the partnerships arrangements in place in the regi on, including those with the IsDB and the AMF. 
116. Several countries in the region indicated that th ey are relatively new to tariff negotiations and 
have not actively thus far participated in trade nego tiations.  In this context, several capacity-building 
activities were highlighted to correct this discrepan cy, including in the following areas: environmental 
goods, scheduling simulations on agriculture and NAM A, DSU, fisheries subsidies, notifications, 
rules and activities geared to wards acceding countries. The Group was also pleased by the 
Secretariat's work with parliamentarians, private sect or, journalists and civil society and requested that 
it continues.  Regarding dispute settlement it was proposed to invite judges and lawyers to enhance 
their knowledge on the rules and procedures of the DSU.   
117. The Group mentioned that the accessions process fo r some countries in the region are still in 
the initial stages. The Arab Group welcomed th e handbook on accessions as well as the e-training 
module on accessions to address the specific needs of Observers.  The Group mentioned that targeted 
TA in this area at the national and regional levels  are fundamental.  Accessions remains an area of 
high priority, and the Secretariat has been working closely with organizations in the region to support 
all Arab acceding countries, including, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Comoros Islands, Sudan and 
Yemen.  The latter three countries being LDCs also benefit from the EIF. 
118. As a result of the various rounds of informal consultations with the Arab Group, the activities 
listed in the tables annexed to this Plan were identif ied.  Several of the regional activities contained in 
the TA Plan will still be jointly organized  with regional partner institutions.   
VI. OTHER FIELD BASED CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES 
119. The Secretariat will continue to put emphasi s on field based activities, including through 
national seminars, (sub)regional thematic semina rs, as well as Short Trade Policy Courses (STPCs),  
its Reference Centre Programme, trade negotiations skills, conducting outreach activities and assist 
countries in their TPRs. The duration of the activity  varies between some days for national activities 
and can last up to three weeks for the STPCs. Most of the regional activities  are conducted as part of 
the partnership arrangements
6 with other organizations and ins titutions, or with regional/sub regional 
Secretariats, and are held in the field.  A shor t discussion of these three different approaches follows. 
1. National Technical Assistance Activities 
120. 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 
                                                      
6 See chapter V for a more detailed discussion on the partnerships.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 27 
 
 
  needs to be completed (Annex 1), which will provide  more detailed and specific information on the 
objectives of the activity, through a needs identification.  
121. In addition to its educational and capacity-bui lding intentions, experience also shows that 
national TA will be needed to address s hortages 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. 
122. 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 issued  in the most appropriate way and as required.     
123. The Secretariat is making budgetary provisions to undertake around 250 each year, including 
two national activities per country and three for LDCs .  Regional Desk coordinators in the ITTC are 
responsible for responding to the national requests and,  in dialogue with the beneficiary, the relevant 
WTO divisions and possibly donors and other agenci es, will consider how the request can best be 
met.  Other areas that will receive priority attention, and which could be better addressed at the national level, include accession issues and notifica tions.  On accessions, s upport will be provided to 
acceding countries in meeting the technical require ments associated with the accession process.  
Technical assistance will be provided upon request w ith a view to facilitating the full integration of 
acceding countries into the MTS.  In the area of notif ications, efforts will be reared towards assisting 
beneficiary countries meeting their notification requirements.  Given the specific nature of 
notification, which differ for all WTO Members, it is felt that these issues can best be addressed at the 
national level. 
2. Regional Seminars 
124. 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 2010 and/or 2011 or in both years.  
125. 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. 
126. 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. WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 28  
 
  127. Priority will be given to topics in the negotiati ons, which will, in principle be covered in all 
regions.  In all cases, coverage of these topics will be  ensured in the RTPCs and the TPCs.  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 the required level of knowledge and expertise.  As discussed earlier, a selection 
process will be conducted for these activities. Increasi ngly, e-courses will be held 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 semi nars include self-assessme nt exercises and/or 
simulations as part of the training, which to some extent, allow participants to 'measure' whether the 
information 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 responsibilities.  Ways to ensure 
follow-up to the courses will be explored. 
128. 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 centr e or a regional Secretaria t;  when that happens 
the venue is determined by the partner institution. 
129. The total of anticipated regional seminars to be  undertaken annually would be close to 70.   
3. Short Trade Policy Courses (STPCs) 
130. The WTO will mainly take the lead in organizi ng STPCs in those regions that are not covered 
by the RTPCs.  These courses mostly offer basic tr aining information-dissemination, with a regional 
and/or sub-regional dimension.  Other agencies  will be associated with the preparation and 
implementation of these courses. 
131. The other STPCs, which can be either general or  specific 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 clear ly need to generate value added and contribute 
to the work of the WTO in building capacity a nd 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 ad ministrative 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 RTPCs.  Such STPC s are held  in nearly all regions with the local 
partners.  Some of the partners have at their di sposal regional training centres, offering local facilities 
where the activities can be conducted.  Increasingl y, such cooperation becomes institutionalized.  
Experience has shown that for the cooperation with partners to be effectiv e and add value, and in 
order to enhance ownership of these programmes, shar ing 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. 
4. Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 
132.
 In addition to the thematic course on trade negotia tions held in Geneva on an annual basis, the 
WTO organizes an intensive course on trade negotia tions skills, which is  designed to provide 
participants with skills and knowle dge concerning appropriate strategi es and tactics for the conduct of  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 29 
 
 
  negotiations, as well as techniques of systematic d ecision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 
133. The course contributes directly to the objectiv es of the DDA by improving, deepening and 
enhancing participants' un derstanding of the negotiations. The core of the course encompasses all the 
stages in trade negotiations, from th e consultation stage to actual negotiations, involving real give-
and-take. The training provides instructions in  pre-negotiation planning, effective negotiation 
strategies and tactics, and the management of the negotiation process that leads to a win-win outcome for all parties.  These activities take different approaches, going from theore tical comprehension of 
previous and present negotiations, enhancement of skills and techniques, simulations, case studies and 
use of data extracted from existing databases. 
134. The target group for the Intensive Course on Tr ade Negotiation skills are officials with good 
knowledge of the WTO Agreements a nd who will serve as their governme nt negotiators in regional or 
international trade negotiations.   
5. Outreach Activities for Parliamentarians and Civil Society 
135. Outreach activities for Parliamentarians and civ il society are part of an overall WTO strategy 
to help legislators and civil society representa tives better understand the provisions of the Doha 
Ministerial Declaration and follow the DDA negotiati ons.  They are also a response to challenges in 
the Declaration for greater transparency in th e WTO's operations and improved dialogue with the 
public.  Throughout the regional wo rkshops, parliamentarians and civil society representatives are 
encouraged to consider their respective rol es in multilateral processes and ways to increase 
parliamentary and public awareness of the internati onal trade agenda.  Also, a newsletter is prepared 
and circulated on a regular basis, containing speci fic information relevant to Parliamentarian. 
136. The cost of outreach activities are covered fro m trust funds, and from the regular budget on 
the basis of co-funding arrangements with Partner or ganizations such as Parl iamentary associations 
and foundations. 
6. Support provided  within the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) Framework 
137. 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. 
 138. 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. 
139. Since 2000, the review process for LDCs and a number of other developing countries has 
included a two-to-four-day seminar for their official s on the WTO and, in particular, the TPR exercise 
and the role of trade in economic policy, including  a presentation by the participants from the country 
under review on the experience from trade liberaliza tion efforts and round tables.  The Secretariat 
report for an LDC's review, as well as other less de veloped countries, includes a section on TA needs 
and priorities, as identified in cooperation with the Member concerned, and with a view to feeding 
this into the IF process.  For LDCs, the Secret ariat also works closely with the World Bank and WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 30  
 
  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)  on the trade component of the DTIS, the 
diagnostic step in the IF process, with the reviews bei ng an integral part to the framing of the DTIS.   
140. The ITTC and TPRD have jointly elaborated a methodology to use TPRs more systematically 
as a tool for needs assessment.  Incr easingly, through the participati on of officials from ITTC in TPR 
missions, developing countries and LDCs that under go 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 needs are indentified for the purposes of Aid for Trade. 
141. 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. 
7. Partnerships  
142. The WTO Secretariat continues to place strong emphasis on partnerships -- at varying levels 
of involvement and for a variety of training and capacity-building activities -- with other providers or 
sponsors of TRTA.  The promotion of such partners hips is a resource-efficient way to provide high-
quality, comprehensive and informed capacity-build ing, in addition to consolidating institutional 
interlinkages.  It can also establish and strengt hen local capacity and, where relevant, enhance 
"ownership" in beneficiary countries.  
143. Partnerships in the delivery of WTO TRTA are a natural consequence of the broad, varied 
and complex subject-matter necessarily covered by  training on the WTO Agreements and the DDA, 
and may achieve greater coherence among providers  of WTO-related training and TA.  Thus, in 
practice, many components of training and capacity -building activities are designed and/or executed 
in cooperation with partner institutions and speciali zed agencies.  Such partnerships 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 RTPC reinforces the institutional linkages between the WTO and the 
region-based partner.  Similarly, international institutions and agencies – such as the World Bank, 
UNCTAD, ITC, AITIC, WIPO and the ACWL – make  important contributions to the delivery of 
training in RTPCs and/or Geneva-based training activities. 
144. The cooperation between institutions , partners and agencies is reviewed regularly in view of 
ensuring synergies, relevance and maximum value-a dded. The 2010-2011 TA Plan intends to build on 
the successful partnership progress that has already been developed in recent years. 
VII. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS 
1. The Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP) 
145. The aim of the NTP is to assist in the economic  and social developmen t 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 WT O.  Particular attention is given to 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 WT O.  The official will be expected to complete  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 31 
 
 
  specific and well defined tasks in that period in conf ormity with the objectives of the NTP.  Tasks will 
need to have specific relevance for the beneficiary c ountry in terms of capacity-building and/or in the 
ongoing negotiations, and will be defined prior to the beginning of the traineeship.  The main 
objective of the NTP is to generate tangible and measurable results and thus leave a lasting trace, 
including 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 ongoing 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. 
146.  How to apply: Following a letter of invitation sent by the WTO, applications should be sent 
to the Director of the ITTC, with specific indicatio ns of the tasks, a complete curriculum vitae (CV), 
as well as a letter of support from the national auth orities.  Candidacies will be reviewed by a WTO 
selection committee. 
2. The WTO Regional Coordinator Internship 
147. In the WTO Regional Coordinator Internship Programme, the Mission of a rotating 
coordinator a group 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 rotate to the next designated group coordinator 
of the nine identified groupings (groups select their rotating coordinators).   Interns under this system 
are paid CHF 5,000.- per month, plus  travel expenses, from the DDAGTF. 
148. How to apply: a letter should be sent to the Dire ctor 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. 
3. The WTO Mission Internship Programme 
149. 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 va rious bodies within the WTO.  This Programme is 
available primarily to missions of  LDCs and small and vul nerable economies.  Preference is given to 
countries with the least number of staff in Geneva.  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 possible telephone inte rviews.  Interns under this system are paid 
CHF 5,000.- per month, plus travel expenses, for a period of ten months.  Requests for Mission 
interns should be addressed to the Director of the ITTC.  
150. How to apply: letters of application should be sent to the Director of HRD and/or the Director 
of the ITTC, with the names and CVs of the candidates for their consideration.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 32  
 
  VIII.  REFERENCE CENTRES 
151. As part of the internal restructuring and repositioning of the ITTC, and following a series of 
internal consultations within the WTO Secretariat, a new strategy with regard to the installation and 
operation of the RC was developed (Annex 2).  This new approach takes into account the 
recommendations made through back-to-the-office reports (BTORs), as well as the outcome of 
evaluations conducted in the course of recent year s and to tailor the RC Programme to the specific 
needs of the clients.  
152. In line with the Secretariat's strategy  to put in place clear and coherent WTO training paths 
based on a progressive, multi-modular approach, eTra ining and eLearning will be promoted through 
the RC, thus enhancing the learning function of the RC. Particular emphasis will be put on the 
eTraining mode, as an effective means to prepare pa rticipants prior to the face-to-face training.   
153. In 2010-2011, the implementation of the RC Progr amme will be assured through the Regional 
Desks at the ITTC, with the support of the Head  of the RC programme. Periodic reports will be 
prepared to monitor the progress and the achievements under this programme. Various criteria will be used to monitor progress in the implementation of the programme, e.g. the number of visitors, queries 
processed, information retrieved, feed back (letter of thanks), the number of visits received by the 
website, the number of subscribers to the newsletters. 
154. During the 2010-2011 biennium, the RCs Program me will essentially benefit the LDCs, Sub-
Saharan African countries, and non-resident countries.   It is envisaged to undertake ten missions each 
year for the establishment and upgrading of WTO reference centres.  The Programme will concentrate 
on upgrading the obsolete materials, training the partic ipants in the efficient use of the WTO websites, 
databases and trade-related software.  Particular atte ntion will be paid to the quality of the computer 
equipment provided to beneficiary countries.   
155. A global training seminar of the RC Coordinato rs will be organised in Geneva during the 
biennium. This global workshop will focus on inform ation management tools and techniques for the 
staff operating the RC by using and mastering o fficial documentation management, trade related 
information, used of databases and other trade -related web applications, by learning how to 
disseminate information in an effi cient manner, and by networking a nd sharing information with other 
RC.  This global training delivered by relevant WT O staffs will also include collecting, classifying, 
converting and organizing relevant data and the corresponding inform ation, which can be technical, 
legal, economical, commercial.  Finally, this gl obal training will enhance awareness and sustainability 
of the WTO image and mandate.  
IX. TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  DATABASES  
1. Trade-Related Technical Assistance  Database 
156. The WTO TRTA database is a web-based a pplication containing data relating to the 
implementation of TA activities undertaken by the WT O.  It constitutes the institutional memory of 
WTO TRTA since 1998 (1995 for Geneva-based cour ses).  This database is also the source of 
information for WTO activities fed into the new Global Technical Assistance Database (GTAD). 
157. The TRTA database is the result of the merger between several stand-alone monitoring tools, 
which were consolidated in 2008.  As a result, stand-alone databases were centralized into a unique 
reference tool, available on the Intranet to the en tire Secretariat.  The enhanced tool provides essential 
information for the coordination and planning of TR TA, the preparation of briefings, the monitoring 
of participants, and the follow-up of budgetary an d other TRTA-related issues.  The TRTA database 
was further developed in 2009, to  provide better reporting options, develop increased interaction  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 33 
 
 
  features and enhance follow-up of outstanding files.  As a result, today, all activities contained in the 
Annex 6 to the successive TA Plans, that is Gene va-based training and workshops, RTPCs, eTraining 
modules, field-based regional events, as well as na tional TA activities and internship programmes, 
academic workshops and collaboration,  and participation in events or ganized by other institutions, are 
registered.  In addition to the implementation of  TRTA-related activities, including those undertaken 
with the cooperation of partner ins titutions involved in any of the progr ammes, i.e. joint activities, the 
database provides access to information on participants registered in past events.  A separate roster of 
consultants has been incorporated in the tool in 2009, to provide centralized outsourcing references 
available in the Secretariat and allow a better fo llow-up of experts involved in the delivery of WTO 
TRTA events.  
158. On the basis of registered information as mentioned above, the database enables the 
production of statistics on the implementation of TRTA , the analysis of delivery by type of event, 
region, subject matter, or target audience.  The history of participation in WTO TRTA events has 
indeed become crucial, in light of the notion of  progressive learning, developed further in this 
document, which refers to the introduction of ch anges in the sequencing of products in order to 
improve the delivery of TRTA, with a view to gra dually and progressively moving to higher levels of 
learning.   
159. Finally, the TRTA database provides the bac kground information that constitutes the WTO 
inputs into the new GTAD, described below, which was developed to provide more transparency on 
future TRTA programmes by agencies involved in this  field, thus enhancing the level of inter-agency 
coordination and coherence between programmes, wh ich represent an important element in the Aid-
for-Trade initiative. 
2. The Global Technical Assistance Database (GTAD) 
160. Under the mandate of the DDA, it is recognized  that TRTA and capacity-building are core 
elements for the development of the MTS.  Bear ing this in mind it is now essential that the WTO 
enhances communication and visibilit y with partners, donors of TRTA  and capacity-building.  Well 
coordinated and planned delivery of all TRTA ac tivities among donors is essential for the reduction  
of the duplication of activities.   
161. Several meetings were held w ith bilateral donors and partner organizations to discuss how to 
best enhance the coordination of TRTA programmes of donors and agencies. Also importance was given to how to make available online all info rmation on these programmes and activities.   This 
would thus enhance transparency, efficiency and coherence in approaches with bilateral donors and 
partner organizations, providers of TRTA in th e field of human and institutional trade capacity-
building, as well as the key regional bodi es (e.g. regional development banks). 
162. It was concluded that a well planned, target ed and coordinated delivery of TRTA activities 
will not only assist resource-constrained Members to adjust to WTO rules and disciplines, implement 
obligations and exercise the rights of the Member ship, but will also support domestic efforts to 
mainstream trade into national plans for economic development and strategies for poverty reduction.  
It was therefore decided to devel op the " GTAD".  Data is reported in this first stage of the GTAD's 
"mise en place" by selected agencies, who have agre ed to report.  It will not  report on bilateral donor's 
activities, as agreed with the Members.  The GT AD will show future, planned activities of these 
TRTA providers.   
163. The GTAD, which is expected to be fully oper ational in 2010, will be the portal for this 
exchange and sharing of information on the future execution of TRTA activities, which in turn, should 
strengthen and deepen relations with our partners, and enable the building of synergies and enhancing 
efficiency in the global delivery of TRTA. WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 34  
 
  164. The GTAD will be available to the public on the Internet at the following address: 
http://gtad.wto.org
. It will also be accessible through the WTO trade capacity-building web pages.  It 
will be possible to search the database by many different single criteria.  The GTAD will put emphasis on the "advanced search" facility which w ill make possible searches using more than one 
criteria – i.e. agency (one or more), beneficiary countries (or region), and subject, and also concerning 
a fixed period of time.  This facility will enable anyone to see who is doing what, and where at any 
given time.  Finally, the GTAD will give the possibility of accessing other donors' trade Web pages and TRTA databases by having links to them.  
X. VISIBILITY OF WTO TRTA PROGRAMMES:  THE TRTA WEBPAGE 
165. The ITTC developed and launched the TRTA webpage, which highlights the scope of WTO 
TRTA and is availa ble on the WTO Website
7.  Information included in the TRTA web page8 gives 
regular updates on TRTA news, includes an in troduction describing the ITTC the Technical 
Assistance Management Committee (TAMC), and the financial situation in the DDAGTF, explains 
the WTO mandate to carry out technical cooperation activities, describes WTO TRTA in collaboration with other agencies, and provides acces s to the matrix of WTO TA activities, as well as 
to WTO TA documents.  The TRTA web page also in cludes links to other relevant websites for TA.  
166. At the level of the WTO, the web page provides dynamic information on the planning and 
implementation of each individual regional or global TA activity listed in the Annex 6 to the TA Plan.  
The information is articulated following the chapters  of the TA Plan, and as soon as a date and venue 
for an activity are confirmed, all the relevant info rmation, e.g. the course description, its objectives 
and programme, target audience, application require ments, and any relevant reading and training 
material are summarized in an “activity sheet” and made available online. 
    
 
     XI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) 
167. The biennial TA planning has facilitated the de livery of more systematic capacity-building 
activities.  As noted in the Technical Cooperation Audit (TCA) Report for 2008, many of the 
                                                     
 
7 http://www.wto.org  
8 http://www.wto .org/english/tratop_e/dev el_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm  To consult the TRTA webpage, follow 
the directions below 
 
WTO homepage 
 
 
Building Trade Capacity 
 
 
The main programmes: "TA and Training"
 
 
WTO TRTA homepage 
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 35 
 
 
  recommendations made by TCA have already been  taken on board. It also includes specific 
recommendations in areas where further improvements can be made.  In 2010-11 the transparency of 
and accountability for TA results will continue to be facilitated by internal evaluations by TA 
providers and TCA.  The self- and internal-evaluati ons, both on-site and ex-post, will remain the two 
basic forms of verifying and validating if TA activiti es have been carried out in line with the TA Plan 
and delivered the planned benefits to the Members.  The revised and more user-friendly BTOR format 
will continue to be used as the main reporting tool on the effectiveness, efficiency and performance of 
the TA activity delivered.   
168. The follow-up actions aim to bring improvement s and consolidate the results achieved in each 
phase of the planning, design, implementation, eval uation and reporting of TA.   In the planning phase 
priority will be accorded to the more systematic assessment of the countries' and the participants' 
needs and the selection of the participants.  Wh ile the TCA acknowledges the efforts undertaken by 
the ITTC to strengthen its coordination of TA, it will  continue to encourage the regular  coordination 
with other TRTA partners with a view to a voiding any possible overlaps or duplication.  
169. Regarding the design phase, efforts will continue to ensure the development of more coherent 
and logical design of TA programmes, which wi ll include realistic, measurable and achievable 
objectives, supported by performance indicators and ta rgets, set out prior to the delivery of the TA. 
TCA will continue to provide the required assistance in terms of regular briefing and training to this 
work.  
170. Regarding the implementation phase, the TCA notes that the WTO divisions have 
increasingly developed case studies and practical exerci ses adapted to the recipient countries, in line 
with the requests of the beneficiaries of WTO TA.  Support will also be given to the development of 
standardized training packages, which could further improve the e fficiency of WTO TA. 
171. Regarding the evaluation phase, the proper app lication of the WTO's evaluation procedures 
and tools by the ITTC and the operational divisions will be monitored to ensure that the BTORs put 
forward information not only on the delivery of the TA event but also on its results, and make 
user-friendly recommendations and follow-up actions.  It is crucial that after five years of systematic 
evaluation, the evaluation results (findings, recommendati ons and lessons learned)  be used also in the 
regular work of the Secretariat.  Monitoring actio ns will be taken to ensure that all TA activities 
subject to evaluation will be reported on a nd TCA receives copies of the reports.   
172. TCA will continue its efforts to brief and tr ain the staff on the proper application of the 
established evaluation procedures, methods and tool s and provide feedback to the TA providers on 
their evaluation reports.  Depending on resources TCA will continue to conduct some ten to 15 on-site 
evaluations and carry out ex-post evaluations of TA activities delivered across the board.  The  M&E 
system, policy, strategy, procedures and tools will also  be made available for users on the Intranet of 
WTO and linked to the ITTC's dedicated website. 
173. In accordance with established practices the TAMC  will continue to serve as a forum for 
exchanging across-the-board experiences and views on every phase of planning, design, 
implementation and evaluation of TA, including for a ll activities contained in this 2010-2011 biennial 
TA Plan. 
XII. FUNDING 
174. The biennial TA Plan is, as in previous years, budgeted at an overal amount of some 
CHF 30 mio, with a total of CHF 5,5 mio being fi nanced from the regular budget and the main part 
from the DDAGTF.  Detailed information on the co sting per product and main activities is provided 
in a Conference Room Paper (CRP (09)20), which was circulated to Members.  To assist Members to WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 36  
 
  understand better the sources of financ ing, Annex 6 provides that information.  The determination of 
the source of financing, i.e. re gular budget vs extra-budgetary funding is based on the rules and 
recommendations by the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administratin (CBFA). 
175. The timely and adequate funding of the WTO S ecretariat's TRTA activities, as presented in 
the various TA Plans, have often required the speci al attention of the Secretariat and occasionally 
resulted in  consultations with the donor community .  Continuous efforts have been made to secure 
the timely receipt of the necessary funds. The Secr etariat appreciates the very forthcoming approach 
of all donors, who have consistent ly made their financial contributions over a number of years, and 
welcomes the new donors that have made contributions  more recently. It is a particularly welcome 
development that the list of donors has increased wi th time, thus broadening the sources of funding 
and at the same time testifying of a wider commit ment to contributing to the achievement of the 
DDA's trade capacity-building objectives. It can also  be noted that some donors are at the same time 
beneficiaries, or, in some cases, former benefici aries.  Following the receipt of a donor's financial 
contribution, a press release is issued to acknowle dge the donor's contribution to the DDAGTF.  A list 
with donor's contributions is available on the inte rnet and updated regularly, to reflect the latest 
financial situation. 
176. This should, however, not lead to complacency , as the target amounts specified in the terms 
of reference (TOR) of the DDAGTF,  have never been met. Also, the moneys often enter the accounts 
at different times in the year, including at times when the programming for the year is closed. These 
moneys will then automatically be transferred to the following year. Nevertheless, the amounts 
received, taking into account the buffer and/or tran sfers from previous years, have generally been 
sufficient to cover the costs of the TA Plans. Indeed, the amounts spent annually are lower than 
budgeted, which has several  explanations: the planni ng of the more costly regional events are often 
programmed later in the year, given the financial uncer tainty in the beginning of the year, but also due 
to the occasional cancellation of events, due to insu fficient subscriptions, or for any other reason.  
177. It is recalled that, pursuant to the commitment contained in paragraph 40 of the Doha 
Declaration, the General Council approved on  20 December 2001 the creation of the DDAGTF and 
defined its TOR.
9  One of the main purposes of the DDAGTF was to consolidate the numerous extra-
budgetary resources of the WTO in one single un-earmarked fund, so as to provide a solid and stable financial basis for WTO TA and capacity-building.  This is the reason why the TOR of the DDAGTF 
provide a monitoring mechanism for the pledges and for the payment of the contributions.  The General Council also increased substantially the shar e of the regular budget dedicated to TA, but the 
DDAGTF is now the main source of funding for TA.  
178. The Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration (para. 54) states that: 'In order to continue progress in 
the effective and timely delivery of trade-related cap acity-building, in line with the priority Members 
attach to it, the relevant structures of the S ecretariat should be strengt hened and its resources 
enhanced.  We reaffirm our commitment to ensu re secure and adequate levels of funding for 
trade-related capacity-building, including in the DDAGTF, to conclude the Doha Work Programme 
and implement its results.' 
179. According to the TOR of the DDAGTF, the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration (CBFA) will have to recommend to the General Council a target amount for the DDAGTF in 2010 and 2011.  The target amount will co rrespond to the estimated value of each of the 
two years of the biennial TA Plan as determined by the CTD, taking into account the resources 
available for TA in the regular bud get for 2010-2011, and resources c ontributed by partner institutions 
in respect of shared activities.  
                                                     
 
9 See document WT/BFA/56, and in particular its paragraphs 13 to 22 and its annexes A and B.  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 37 
 
 
  180. It is recalled that under the TOR of the DDAGTF the global trust fund will be operated 
against periodic benchmarks and closely supervised by the CBFA, and the CTD.  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 should be  recorded.  For each year 2010 and 2011, this 
means that contributions of some CHF 6 million woul d be required by the end of the year toward the 
following year's spending.  By 31 March, another 50  per cent should be in hand for an overall 75 per 
cent of the total estimated expenditures for the year .  By 30 June, 100 per cent of the funds needed 
should be received.   Where contribution receipt targ ets are manifestly not met, the General Council is 
to meet on an urgent basis to discuss the matt er.  Proper account will be taken of multi-year 
contributions. 
 
 WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 38  
 
  ANNEX 1 
TRTA NATIONAL REQUEST FORM (JOB(09)/55) 
 
 Consistent with the demand driven nature of TRTA provided by the Secretariat, the attached 
form is designed to assist beneficiary countries, who would like to request a national technical 
assistance activity to be held in their country, in  providing more detailed and specific background 
information on the nature of the activity to be conducted. This includes precise information on the 
objectives set for the activity, the required levels of specificity of the presentations, the target 
audience, expected participants' knowledge of subject(s ) covered, etc.  Also, it would be useful for the 
Secretariat to understand how the activity fits in the beneficiaries' overall stra tegies and if and how it 
is based on a specific needs assessment. This would a llow the Secretariat to better tailor the TA to the 
specific needs of the beneficiary, thus en suring that expectations can be met.  
  To facilitate the process, the Secretariat stands  ready to provide support and can give detailed 
information on the TA that has been provided in beneficiary countries over the past two or three 
years. 
  The Secretariat would kindly request beneficiar ies of TRTA to complete this form and send it 
back as an attachment to the offi cial request. All forms should be addressed to the Director of the 
ITTC and sent by fax to +41 22 739 57 64.  
_______________ 
  
P
LEASE COMPLETE THIS  FORM FOR EACH TRTA AND CAPACITY -BUILDING ACTIVITY  
AND FORWARD IT WITH YOUR COVER LETTER TO : 
 THE ITTC  – WTO  - GENEVA  
FAX: +41  22 739 57 64 
 
Government of ...  
Requesting governmental 
authority   (Ministry, Permanent 
Mission):  
Contact person(s)  in capital 
responsible for the activity: Name:   
 
  Address:   Email: 
 
Tel:  Fax:  
 
Mobile:    WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 39 
 
 
  Topic(s ) for the activity: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Academics  ..................................................... □ 
Accession  ....................................................... □ 
Agriculture  ...................................................... □ 
Competition policy  .......................................... □ 
Customs valuation  .......................................... □ 
Development issues  ........................................ □ 
Dispute settlement  ........................................... □ 
Environment  ............................................. □ 
General capacity-building  ................................ □ 
Government procurement  ................................ □ 
IT / WTO Reference Centre  ............................. □ 
Non-agricultural mark et access............................. □ 
Notifications .................................................... □ 
Outreach............................. .................... ......... □ 
Regional trade agreements ............................... □ 
Rules .................................................................... □ 
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures ................ □ 
Services  .......................... ...................... ......... □ 
Technical barriers to trade  .............................. □ 
Trade facilitation  ............................................ □ 
Trade negotiation skills/techniques  ................. □ 
Trade Policies Review Mechanism  ................... □ 
Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights □ 
Other ...................................................................  □ 
Please indicate if any particular 
aspect of the chosen topic needs 
to be addressed in detail.  
Has this topic been covered by 
other TRTA providers?  
Justification :  Please indicate if 
this request is based, for example, 
on a needs assessment emanating 
from a TPR, a DTIS under the 
EIF STDF, Trade facilitation or 
any other relevant study or 
document.  If not, please provide 
reasons for the request:  
Objectives :  To enable us to 
tailor this activity to the needs of 
your country, please state the 
expected outcomes: 
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 40  
 
  Target audience : Government officials □  Journalists □ 
 Civil society  □  Academics □ 
 Private sector  □   Others  □
   
Parliamentarians  □ 
 
Background/Expertise:  Please 
provide succinct information on 
the background and expertise of 
the participants.   
Resource persons:   Can national 
or other speakers/experts be 
involved in the activity?  
Proposed venue  and preferred 
dates for the activity:  
In which of the WTO official  
language  is the activity  to be 
conducted?  English  □ French □ Spanish  □ 
  
List WTO national TRTA 
requests for the last two years: 
 
 
  
Any additional comments:  
 
 
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 41 
 
 
  ANNEX 2 
NEW STRATEGY ON REFERENCE CENTRES (RCS) 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The WTO Secretariat has operated the RC Programme since 1997, with some 150 RCs having  
been established in over 100 countries. While the value of the programme is unquestionable, it has 
become increasingly complex to manage, with a ve ry limited staff to operate the programmes. Also, 
with the rapid evolution in technological developm ents and innovations, the requirements related to 
maintaining the equipment, servicing and updating it are become increasingly challenging.  In 
addition, there continue to be demand for the est ablishment of new RCs, which can often not be met 
due to human resource constraints.   
 2. As a result, and following a series of internal c onsultations within the WTO Secretariat, a new  
strategy with regard to the in stallation and operation of RCs was developed.  This new approach 
attempts to take as much as possible into account  the recommendations made through BTORs, as well 
as the outcome of evaluations conducted in the cour se of recent years and to tailor the RC Programme 
to the specific needs of the clients.   3. As part of the new strategy, it is proposed to  reduce the number of RCs to be established and  
concentrate the programme, focusing more specifi cally on those countries that are most in need 
(LDCs, Sub Saharan Africa, non-residents). The ow nership of the RCs will be enhanced at the 
national level, through the appointment of a RC Ma nager, who will receive training on the access and 
use of data and act as a focal point for the WTO Secretariat. The materials and services provided to the reference centres will be rethought in clo se collaboration with all the stakeholders. 
 4. In order to ease the management of the Pr ogramme, the procurement of the hardware  
component per se  would be outsourced and the maintenance of the equipment would also be left 
under the responsibility of the local authorities, with the possible support of other agencies. 
Discussions with relevant agencies would be la unched to agree on modalities for outsourcing. The 
Secretariat would then concentrate mainly on the areas where it has a comparative advantage, 
including on the 'intelligence' part, i.e. providing access to the information and data. 
 
5. In short, the new strategy envisages to enhance the quality of information provided as well as  
the efficiency of the operation of the RCs, and do mo re with less. The new strategy will be discussed 
internally with all divisions, then presented to management for their feedback and approval, before 
presenting it to stakeholders, including beneficiaries and agencies, with whom the Secretariat intends to cooperate on the implementation of the new RC Programme. It is expected that the modalities of 
the new strategy can be put in place in the second semester 2009. 
 6. The main elements of the new strategy are discussed below. 
 
II. DEFINITION OF REFERENCE CENTRES 
 
7. 
A WTO RC is defined as dedicated physical locati on open to government officials, business  
representatives, University Professors, students a nd/or the general public where any relevant 
information on the WTO can be accessed via the WTO Internet site, on CD-ROMs, in print format, as 
well as electronic format. In order to establish a RC,  the beneficiary and the Secretariat will sign an 
exchange of letters, based on a set of guidelines, which determine the modalities for the RC. Each RC 
will have a RC manager, who will be responsible fo r its daily operation, including dissemination of 
information. 
 WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 42  
 
  III. WHO ARE THE BENEFICIARIES? 
 
8. The main beneficiaries under this RC Programme  are primarily LDCs, Sub-Saharan African  
countries, and non-resident countries. RCs can also be established in regional/sub regional 
organizations, so as to intensify the cooperation w ith agencies.  Reference centres can be established 
at the level of the government, i.e. at a Ministry , a University for the academic community and the 
level of organized business (e.g. Chamber of Commerce).  
IV. WHAT PRODUCTS ARE OFFERED? 
 9. Reference Centres are equipped with state- of-the-art IT equipment (PCs, printers, 
 photocopiers, scanners), books, CDs, DVDs and any relevant WTO-related documentation, full 
access to WTO databases, publications and training materials on WTO Agreements. The cost of the 
equipment will be covered by the WTO Secretaria t for LDCs, and only for the RCs provided at the 
governmental and academic institutions. 
 
10. Access is provided to WTO official databases,  e.g. the Integrated Database (IDB), the  
Consolidated Tariff Schedules database (CTS), and “Documents online”. The managers of the RCs 
will need to be adequately trained on the use of soft ware to retrieve the requi red data and information 
for dissemination purposes. This includes training  on software used by other agencies (ITC, 
UNCTAD, the World Bank). 
 
11. The RC should offer the best possible selection of books, periodicals as well as any other trade  
related information. Lists will be developed in close consultation with colleagues from the WTO 
library and Economic Research and Statistics Divi sion (ERSD). The cost of relevant documentation 
and material will be covered by the WTO Secretariat. 
 
V. TRAINING OF THE REFERENCE CENTRE'S MANAGERS 
 
12. To provide good services to end users, RC manage rs need to acquire relevant technical  
knowledge and skills, through traini ng and specific coaching. Specific training events will be 
organized, both in Geneva and/or in the field. A programme will be developed and training events 
will be covered in the biennial TA Plan 2010-2011. Collaboration w ith regional economic institutions 
will be encouraged.  13. E-training and e-learning should be promoted th rough the RC, thus enhancing the learning  
function of the RC. Particular emphasis will be put on the eTraining mode, as an effective means to 
prepare participants prior to the face to face tr aining.  Following the completion of the eTraining, 
participants would qualify for the RTPCs, after wh ich they would be eligible for the Geneva-based 
TPCs. Ideally, the RC could perform a function as a training centre, whereby candidates for regional 
seminars, TPC and RTPCs can meet the prerequisite conditions and co mplete an e-training course, as 
required. This implies the need to have a convenien t IT-environment, with a good technical set up and 
a reliable connection to the Internet (broad land). 
 
VI. PROCUREMENT OF THE HARDWARE 
 
14. From the experiences obtained, it seems preferab le to ensure the local procurement of  
hardware, rather than having a centralized proc urement policy, which requires costly and time 
consuming shipment of equipment from WTO headquar ters to the beneficiaries. While the advantage 
of a centralized procurement approach is to ensure  a consistent technical profile throughout all the 
RCs, outsourcing the procurement of the hardware w ould strengthen ownership of the programmes, as 
well as eliminate a burdensome responsibility for the Secretariat. Local procurement could be 
undertaken in close collaboration with other agencies, e.g. UNDP country office, who could also  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 43 
 
 
  ensure the maintenance of the equipment and interv ene in case of malfunctioning. External hard disks 
would be provided by the WTO.  
 
15. In order to implement this new policy, consulta tions will need to be initiated with partner  
agencies, including the UNDP at the regional level (Regional office for Africa), and perhaps other 
agencies, e.g. UNIDO, ITC, UNCTAD and World Ba nk. Some consultations have already started 
(January 2009) with the Organisation Internationale  de la Francophonie (OIF) to set up and/or update 
RCs in francophone countries. A meeting could be he ld in Geneva with a view of discussing all the 
elements of the strategy and define the optim al way to operationalize this new orientation. 
 VII. CREATION OF A WORLDWIDE NETWORK OF WTO REFERENCE CENTRES 
 
16. A webpage could be created for the RC Programme  with a special link to all national RCs.  
Links would also be provided to a selection of  useful Internet resources, a communication and 
discussion platform be established between RC managers , but it could also be used to disseminate 
information on a selection of books and publications on WTO issues. It would allow for an exchange 
of information on the mandate, role and targets of what the RCs can offer.   
VIII. DISSEMINATE A WTO REFERENCE CENTRES NEWSLETTER 
 
17. A RC newsletter could be circulated regularly to enhance communication, increase the  
visibility of the program and re-enforce the dynamics of the network. This ne wsletter would be sent to 
the permanent missions based in Geneva, the na tional RCs, and the relevant ministries in the 
beneficiaries. A mailing list w ill be developed accordingly.  
 
IX. MONITORING OF THE REFERENCE CENTRE PROGRAMME 
 18. An updated list of all RC will be maintained by  the WTO Secretariat, with all relevant  
information, including the date of creation, nam es and contact details, services provided, databases or 
web pages hosted, and other elemen ts, which would be of direct relevance for the entire network.  
 
X. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REFERENCE CENTRES PROGRAMME 
 
19. The implementation of the RC Programmes will be assured through the Regional Desks at  
ITTC, with the support of the head of the RC Progra mme. Periodic reports will be prepared to monitor 
the progress and the achievements under this progra mme. Various criteria can be used to monitor 
progress in the implementation of the programme, e.g. the number of visitors, queries processed, 
information retrieved, feed back (letter of thanks ), the number of visits received by the website, the 
number of subscribers to the newsletters. 
 
20. As the main users of the RC come from LDCs, Africa more specifically, a close collaboration  
with the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) would be required. WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 44  
 
  ANNEX 3 
WTO CHAIRS PROGRAMME (WCP) 
 
Background information and guidelin es for submitting proposals   
 
 
Objectives
 
  The WCP seeks to enhance knowledge and understanding of the trading system among academics, citizens and policy makers in developing countries by stimulating teaching, research and 
public debate on international trade  and trade cooperation at the level of tertiary education and 
research institutions.  
 
The WCP contemplates the establishment of WTO Chairs to support academic institutions 
and associated individual scholars from developing countries in the following areas:  course 
preparation, teaching, research and information.  The programme does not require that all applications 
for Chairs necessarily incorporate all these elements , and selection decisions will give consideration 
to proposals with greater or lesser emphasis in diffe rent areas.  The Chairs will be allocated on the 
basis of a competitive bidding process.    
While these Chairs will provide direct suppor t to academic institutions from developing 
countries, the WCP is open to scholars and aca demic institutions from developed countries, 
particularly those involved in academic cooperati on with developing-country counterparts.  The 
developed country components of the programme, aime d at fostering mutually beneficial cooperation 
among developed and developing country instituti ons and scholars, will be elaborated once the 
Programme is established.  The Programme will seek to promote younger academics rather than 
bolstering established ones and it will take gender a nd geographical considerations into account. As 
far as possible multiple languages will be used in the Programme.   
Building Lasting Relationships with Institutions 
 
 The WCP will accord financial support for a peri od of four years to beneficiary institutions, 
and will facilitate continuous inte raction between institutions and individuals associated with the 
WCP, including though an internet-based platform of services and products. Universities which have 
participated with the WTO for the organization and delivery of RTPCs are encouraged to present 
proposals for WCP Chairs, as their participation in  the WCP would offer a means of consolidating 
relationships that already exist.    
 Applications for Chairs from developing country  institutions must be supported and approved 
by the Rector/Vice-Chancellor/President of the proposing institution.  Even though the primary relationship will be with the institution hosting the chai r, applications must indicate the person within 
the institution who will be directly responsible fo r the programme, or in other words the designated 
Chair-holder acting on behalf of the institution.  The Chair-holder must have a teaching or research 
position in the fields of international economics, in ternational law, political science or international 
relations.    In parallel, the WCP will establish project s and activities with other individuals and 
institutions where there is a demand, which will tend  to be customized and motivated by individuals 
who sell good ideas for consideration by the Advisory Board (see below).    
 
    WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 45 
 
 
  Supporting Teaching 
 
 Through the WCP, the WTO seeks to syst ematize its support for the development and 
delivery of courses on trade policy and WTO-relate d matters in academic institutions.  Teaching 
support may also be provided to Universities in developing countries by the ITTC through its 
Academic Cooperation Programme. 
 
Fostering Research 
 
 The Chair-holders will also be required to undertake research project s, ideally involving 
junior researchers.  The WCP seeks to promote r esearch focused on extendi ng specialized knowledge 
and explaining the policy relevance of existing r esearch.  Universities hosting the Chairs will be 
expected to support academic cooperation with other institutions of the WCP, including in respect of 
possible joint research, cooperation arrangement s on lecturing and visit exchanges.   
 Encouraging and Building Outreach/Communication   
 
 Universities awarded the WTO Chairs will al so be asked to commit to organize public 
activities aimed at disseminating research and info rmation, and promoting discussions regarding 
international trade and trade cooperation.  At the sa me time, the WTO Secretariat will seek to involve 
these institutions as partners in the delivery of WTO TA activities.  
 
 Under the WCP, the WTO Secretariat will orga nize an annual conference seeking to link this 
annual conference activity to other conferences aroun d the world that would attract similar attendees, 
thus taking into account cost savings and efficient use of time.  
 The WTO Secretariat will establish a dedicated  website that will facilitate the sharing of 
information, encourage discussions, and provide links with other relevant websites, with a view to 
promoting internet-based networking among asso ciated institutions and individuals..  
 
Establishing Links with Supporting Universities  and Think-Tanks in Developed and Other 
Developing Countries 
 
 The WCP will establish links with supporting Un iversities and think ta nks in developed and 
developing countries in order to facilitate st udy, learning and research opportunities for young 
developing country scholars under the WCP.  Such ins titutions will be encouraged to become part of 
the WCP network.   The WTO Secretariat will seek to  assist in acquiring donor funding that could be 
used by these institutions to engage in WCP activiti es.  These activities would retain their link with 
the overall WTO programme and would be reported out  to the Advisory Board, but would not be 
driven or supervised by the WTO Secretariat.  
 
Grants 
  The WCP will provide funding to the Chairs for four years, up to a maximum of CHF 
50,000.- per annum.  In the case of research funded by the WCP, the individual researchers will receive funding out of this amount directly, while all other funded activities w ill be channeled through 
the Chair holder.  During this period the WTO Secr etariat and other individua ls and institutions will 
work to establish continuing links and secure additio nal resources in order to ensure the sustainability 
of progamme-related activities over the longer term. 
   
 
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 46  
 
  Governance:  Advisory Board 
   
 An Advisory Board will be established in order to ensure the quality and credibility of the  
WCP.  The Advisory Board will participate in all s ubstantive decisions in respect of the programme.  
Chaired by the WTO Secretariat, it will comprise academic partners, beneficiary academic 
institutions, ad persona  representatives who can make a valuab le contribution, and donors.  The 
Board will meet as necessary but seek as far as possi ble to carry out its f unctions though electronic 
means.    The Advisory Board will implement a system of independent assessment of the output of the 
programme and its quality on a continuing basis.  The Advisory Board will report annually to the 
CTD in the context of the WTO Secretariat's ove rall training and technical cooperation activities. 
  
Selection and Award 
  Partner institutions awarded WTO Chairs will be chosen through competitive selection to take 
place in two phases. The first phase of the sel ection will be based on the quality of written 
applications and an assessment of the University's ability to meet all the requirements.  As noted 
above, particular consideration will be given to proposals of adequa te quality from institutions with 
which the WTO has already been in partnership for the delivery of the RTPCs.  Candidate institutions 
who also applied and reached the final selecti on stage for RTPCs will be accorded careful 
consideration.  In a second stage, candidates retain ed in the first phase of the selection process may be 
requested to supply additional information and may be visited by a team representing the WCP.  A 
deadline will be set for receiving proposals.     
Proposals 
  Applications using the attached form are inv ited from interested institutions and should reach 
the WTO Secretariat by 29 May 2009 and may be su bmitted by post to WTO Chairs Programme, 154 
rue de Lausanne, CH-1211 Geneva 21, Switzerland or by electronic mail to wtochairs@wto.org
. If 
you need further information please contact gerardo.thielen@wto.org  and/or 
fatima.chaudhri@wto.org  
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 47 
 
 
  ANNEX 4 
TRAINING PATHS – OVERVIEW OF LEVELS AND  
PREREQUISITES FOR SELECTED COURSES 
 
  
Level  Course Pre-requisite1 
 
level 1 online eTraining: introduction to the WTO 
 or  Geneva-based introduction course for LDCs  
 none 
level 2 
 
 "generalist": 
 regional trade policy 
course  or  
online eTraining: 
eWTO  "specialist": 
 thematic course, 
e.g. dispute settlement
2 
 or 
 
if offered, online eTraining:  thematic course (e.g. SPS, TRIPS)   
 
online eTraining: introduction to 
the WTO  or  
Geneva-based introduction course 
for LDCs  
level 3 "generalist": 
 
Geneva-based ATPC   "specialist": 
 
advanced thematic course
3 (e.g. 
advanced dispute 
settlement, 
advanced TRIPS) 
 
 "generalist"4: 
regional trade 
policy course  or 
 
online eTraining: eWTO  "specialist": 
 
thematic course, e.g. dispute settlement
5 
 
or  if offered, online eTraining:  
thematic course 
(e.g. SPS, TRIPS)  
                                                      
1 The selection process would ensure that a candidate has completed the prerequisite or permit an 
evaluation as to whether a participant possesses knowledge or professional experience that is demonstrably 
commensurate with the prerequisite for a given activity. 
2 In Geneva or in regions. 
3 In Geneva or in regions. 
4 Note:  level 2 "generalist" courses may also qualify participants for level 3 "specialist" courses.  For 
the purposes of admission to "level 3" activities from 2010 onwards, it is anticipated that participants in RTPCs and pre-2010 TPCs would be deemed to have completed a "level 2" activity.   
5 In Geneva or in regions. WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 48  
 
   
ANNEX 5 
EXAMPLE COMPARISON OF "LEVEL 2" AND "LEVEL 3"  
TRAINING ACTIVITIES - DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 
 
level level 2 ("basic")  level 3 ("advanced") 
aim  allow participants to familiarize 
themselves with the rules and 
procedures governing the WTO 
dispute settlement mechanism  and to understand the role of dispute settlement in the WTO. allow participants who already 
possess a sound knowledge of 
the general features of WTO 
system and its dispute settlement mechanism to deepen their knowledge of the procedures and practices of WTO dispute settlement.   
target audience officials with specific 
responsibilities in dispute 
settlement, with limited or no knowledge of WTO DS procedures; and,     
officials following the "generalist" 
training path (e.g. as part of a RTPC); content and delivery taking into account participants' background and experience.  
 officials with specific 
responsibilities in dispute 
settlement, with sound knowledge of the basic features of WTO DS procedures; and,  officials following the 
"generalist" training path (e.g. as 
part of a future Geneva-based ATPC); content and delivery taking into account participants' background and experience. 
prerequisite1 understanding of basic principles of 
WTO law (acquired through 
eTraining introduction course, introduction course for LDCs, or professional experience).  sound knowledge of basic 
features of WTO dispute 
settlement  (acquired, for example, through thematic dispute settlement course, RTPC, or professional experience). 
treatment of WTO Agreement introduction to, and basic 
explanation of, most important 
DSU provisions;  
 description of panel, Appellate Body rules and implementation procedures;  
introduction to legal interpretation 
and the role of dispute settlement in the WTO; and,  introduction to key negotiating. 
issues. in-depth examination of 
significant procedural questions, 
with reference to main recent 
developments;  in-depth review of selected panel and Appellate Body rulings; and,  
detailed discussion of positions 
and prospects in the negotiations.  
                                                      
1 See Annexes 2 and 3 for more comprehensive information on prerequisites .   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
 Page 49 
 
 
  key mode of delivery presentations; 
 questions and answers; and,  exercises, including short 
simulations. some presentations; 
 interactive discussions;  exercises, including complex 
simulations; and, 
 possibility for presentations by participants to share national experiences. 
main focus knowledge transfer; and 
 
basic skills transfer (e.g. how to 
prepare a request of a panel or a submission to a panel). knowledge application; 
 
development of autonomy and 
capacity to deal with complex procedural issues; and,  legal interpretation and drafting 
development of conceptual 
understanding and analytical skills 
"Geneva advantages "2  currently, session with the ACWL in order to capitalize upon the 
unique expertise and institutional advantages of Geneva, in addition to possible enhanced 
collaboration with the ACWL, 
possibility to involve: experienced Geneva-based delegates; and perhaps private law firms working on WTO dispute settlement issues.  Also 
possibility to attend DSB 
meeting and/or public meeting of panel or Appellate Body (depending on scheduling).  
 
 
 
                                                      
2 Applicable only to Geneva-based courses.  Courses held out of Geneva may also take advantage of 
institutional and other considerations inherent in the activity's location.  For example, organizers might seek to 
hold a regional activity in facilities that have hosted an RTPC.  
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 50 ANNEX 6 
THE PRODUCTS MATRIX:  LIST OF ACTIVITIES 
 
 
Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
A. GENERAL WTO-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING 
 1. Trade Policy Courses 
Global 
 49th Trade Policy Course (English) 60 X  
 Global 
 1st Advanced Trade Policy Course (English)  60 X  
Global 
  2nd Advanced Trade Policy Course (Spanish)  60 X  
Global 
  3rd Advanced Trade Policy Course (French)  60  X 
Global 
  4th Advanced Trade Policy Course (English)  60  X (i) Geneva-based Trade Policy Courses - Funding:  regular budget 
Global 
  5th Advanced Trade Policy Course (English)  60  X 
Africa (English) Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
 3 X X 
Africa (English) Regional Trade Policy Course  60 X X 
Africa (French) Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
 3 X X 
Africa (French) Regional Trade Policy Course  60 X X 
Asia-Pacific Preparatory Workshop for University Professors  3 X X 
Asia-Pacific Regional Trade Policy Course  60 X X (ii) Regional Trade Policy Courses and follow-up – Funding: DDAGTF 
Latin America Preparatory Workshop for University Professors 
 3 X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
 Page 51 
Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Latin America Regional Trade Policy Course  60 X X  
Caribbean Follow-up to the Regional Trade Policy Course - 
specialized consolidation course co-delivered with 
academics and specialists from the region 15 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
Countries Preparatory Workshop for Academics 
 3 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
Countries Short Regional Trade Policy Course   20 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Preparatory Workshop for Academics 
 3 X X (iii) Short Regional Trade Policy Course – Funding:  DDAGTF 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Short Regional Trade Policy Course  20 X X 
 2. Geneva-based Introduction Courses - Funding:  regular budget  
Global  17th Introduction Course for LDCs (French) 15 X  
Global  18th Introduction Course for LDCs  (English) 15 X  
Global  19th Introduction course for LDCs (French) 15  X   
    
  
 Global 
 20th Introduction course for LDCs  (English) 15 
 X 
3. Geneva-based Introduction days - Funding:  regular budget 
 Global  Three introduction days (trilingual) 3 X X 
4. Geneva Week - Funding:  regular budget 
  
  Global  20th Geneva Week 5 X   
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 52  
Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Global  21st Geneva Week 5 X  
Global  22nd Geneva Week 5  X   
  
Global  23rd Geneva Week 5  X 
5. Geneva-based topic-specific symposia - Funding:  DDAGTF  
Capital-based 
delegates Technical barriers to trade - Sixth Special Meeting 
on Procedures for Information Exchange for 
officials Responsible for Notifications and Enquiry 
Points 4 X  
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on TRIPS and Public Health for IP/trade 
officials 4 X X 
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on the Government Procurement 
Agreement (GPA) 3 X  
Capital-based 
officials Joint WIPO/WTO Colloquium for Developing 
Country University Teachers of Intellectual 
Property 10 X X 
Capital-based 
delegates Special SPS Workshop held back-to-back with an 
SPS Committee meeting 5 X X 
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on Rules for Heads of Active Trade 
Remedy Authorities in Developing Members 3 X X 
Capital-based 
delegates Symposium on specific topics within the framework 
of the CTESS 3 X  
Capital-based 
delegates Seminar on Accessions for 28 acceding countries 2 X  
Capital-based 
delegates Special Agriculture Notification Workshop held 
back-to-back with the Regular Committee on 
Agriculture Meeting (September) 3 X X  
Capital-based 
delegates Seminar on WTO Refere nce Centres for RC 
Managers (global) 3 X   
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
 Page 53 
Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on recommendations arising from the 
Fifth Triennial Review of the TBT Agreement 4  X 
Capital-based 
delegates Symposium on Government Procurement 2  X 
Geneva-based 
delegates (114 
participants) Symposium on LDC Needs Assessment 3  X 
Geneva-based 
officials Symposium on TRIPS and Public Policy 2 X X  
Capital-based 
officials Joint WIPO/WTO Symposium on TRIPS and Public 
Policy 3 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  X X 
7. Regional and Sub-regional capacity-building programmes - Funding:  DDAGTF  
Africa 7th WTO/African  Development Bank 
(ADB)/UNECA Trade Policy Course for African 
Countries 10  X 
Africa (English) Short Trade Poli cy Course (partnership – the 
Economic Community of West African States 
(ECOWAS) 5 X X 
Africa (English) Short Trade Policy Course (partnership  – the South 
African Development Community (SADC) 5 X X 
Africa (English) Short Trade Policy  Course (partnership – Common 
Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) 5 X X 
Africa Short Trade Policy Course (partnership - EAC) 5 X X 
Africa (French) Short Trade Policy Course (partnership - 
Communauté économique et monétaire de l'Afrique 
centrale' (CEMAC) 5 X X   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Africa (French) Short Trade Policy Course (partnership – Union 
Economique et Monéta ire Ouest Africaine  5 X X  
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
Page 54  
Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
(UEMOA) 
Caribbean Short Trade Policy Course (partnership) 3 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Short Trade Policy Course (partnership - IFAG) 4 X X 
Latin America Short Trade Policy Course (partnership) 4 X X 
Latin America Short Trade Policy Course (partnership) 5 X X 
Latin America Short Trade Policy Course (partnership ) 15 X X 
Asia-Pacific Public International Trade Law Course (partnership 
with IDLO) 15 X X 
TBD Public International Trade Law Course (partnership 
with IDLO) 15 X X  
TBD Public International Trade Law Course (partnership 
with IDLO) 15 X X 
B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TA  
1. Geneva-based Thematic Courses - Funding:  regular budget  
Global  Thematic Course on Disput e Settlement   (French 
and Spanish) * (*15 financed, 10 self-financed 
pursuant to Article 27.3 of the DSU.)  5 X X 
Global  Thematic Course on Disput e Settlement   (English 
and French)  * (*15 financed, 10 self-financed 
pursuant to Article 27.3 of the DSU.)  5 X X  
Global  Advanced Thematic Course on WTO Dispute 
Settlement (Spanish and English)  5 X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Global  Advanced Thematic course on Agriculture (to be 
determined (tbd) and French)   5 X X 
Global  Advanced Thematic Course on Regionalism 
(English)  5 X X 
Global  Advanced Thematic Course on Rules (tbd)  5 X X 
Global  Joint WIPO/WTO Advanced Course on Intellectual 
Property for Government Officials   10 X X 
Global  Follow-up activity on SPS (Spanish and tbd))    7 X X 
Global  Thematic course on TBT (English) 10 X  
Global Follow-up activity on TBT (English) 3 X X 
Global Thematic Course on Trade and Environment 
(English) 10  X  
Global  Thematic course on SPS   15 X X 
2. National Technical Assistance Activities - Funding:  regular budget and DDAGTF 
(i)  Topic-specific activities A ll regions 250  national activities                              3 X X 
(ii) Technical assistance within the TPRM Framework All re gions 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  X X 
(iv) WTO Reference Centres and e nquiry points  All regions 20 WTO Reference Centres (over a two-year 
period) 5 X X  
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
3. Regional Seminars - Funding:  DDAGTF  
Africa (English)   Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3 X X 
Africa (French) Workshop on the Ag reement 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-Pacific Workshop on the Agre ement 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 Agre ement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3 X  (i) Agriculture 
Caribbean Workshop on the Agreement on Agriculture and the 
Agriculture Negotiations 3  X 
Africa (English) Basic or Advanced Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Africa (French) Basic or Advanced Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Basic or Advanced Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Asia-Pacific Basic or Advanc ed Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5  X 
Caribbean Basic or Advanced Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Basic or Advanced Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5  X (ii) Dispute Settlement    
Latin America Basic or Advanced Training Course on WTO 
Dispute Settlement 5  X  
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
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-Pacific Advanced Works hop on Government Procurement 3  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Government Procurement 3  X (iii) Government Procurement (Plurilateral Agreement on) 
Latin America Workshop on Government Procurement 3 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on N on-agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Africa (French) Workshop on N on-agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Non-agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Asia Workshop on Non-agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Caribbean  Workshop on Non-agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Non-agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Latin America Workshop on Non- agriculture Market Access 
Negotiations 4 X X 
Pacific Workshop on Non-ag riculture Market Access 
Negotiations (partnership with PIFS) 4 X X (iv) Non-Agriculture Market  Access (NAMA)  and other Market Access Issues    
  
 
Africa (English) Workshop on Market Access Issues (rules of origin 
(ROO), customs valuation (CV), IL, Tariffs, etc.) 4 X   
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Africa (French) Workshop on Market  Access Issues (ROO, CV, IL, 
Tariffs, etc.) 4  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Market Access Issues (ROO, CV, IL, 
Tariffs, etc.) 4 X  
Asia-Pacific Workshop on Market Access Issues (ROO, CV, IL, 
Tariffs, etc.) 4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Market Access Issues (ROO, CV, IL, 
Tariffs, etc.) 4  X 
Caribbean Workshop on Market Access Issues (ROO, CV, IL, 
Tariffs, etc.) 4  X  
Latin America Workshop on Market  Access Issues (ROO, CV, IL, 
Tariffs, etc.) 4 X  
Africa (English) WTO rules on RTAs 3  X 
Africa (French) WTO rules on RTAs 3  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries WTO rules on RTAs 3  X 
Asia-Pacific WTO rules on RTAs 3  X 
Caribbean WTO rules on RTAs 3 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus WTO rules on RTAs 3  X (v) Regional Trade Agreements    
Latin America WTO rules on RTAs 3 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on Trad e Remedies or negotiations 3 X  (vi) Rules  
Africa (French) Workshop on Trad e Remedies or negotiations 4  X  
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Trade Remedies or negotiations 4 X  
Asia-Pacific Workshop on Trade Remedies or negotiations 4  X 
Caribbean Workshop on Trade Remedies or negotiations 4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Trade Remedies or negotiations 4 X  
Latin America Workshop on Trad e Remedies or negotiations 4  X  
TBD Workshop on Trade Remedies or negotiations 4 X X 
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 Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  (vii) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures          
Latin America and 
Caribbean Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
Africa (English) Advanced Works hop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4 X X 
Africa (French) Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations  4 X 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 ESCAP) 4 X  (viii) Services negotiations                         
Caribbean Advanced Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations 4 X   
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
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  
Pacific Workshop on the GATS and the Services 
Negotiations (partnership with PIFS) 4 X  
Africa (English) Training on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement for English-speaking African countries 4  X 
Africa (French) Training on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement  4 X  
Arab and Middle East 
countries Training on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement  4 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Training on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement  4  X (ix) Technical Barriers to Trade     
Latin America Training on the implementation of the TBT 
Agreement 4 X  
Africa (English) Trad e and development 3 X X 
Africa (French) Trade and development 3 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Trade and development 3 X  
Asia-Pacific Trade and development 3 X X 
Caribbean Trade and development 3  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Trade and development 3  X (x) Trade and Development, includi ng:  S&D and Small Economies   
Latin America Trade and development 3 X   
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Africa Trade and environment and the work of CTESS 4 X  
Asia-Pacific Advanced Workshop on Trade and environment and 
the work of CTESS (partnership with Singapore) 4 X  
Caribbean Trade and environment and the work of CTESS 4  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Trade and environment and the work of CTESS 4  X (xi) Trade and Environment         
Latin America Trade and environment and the work of CTESS 4 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X X 
Africa (French) Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X X 
Asia-Pacific Workshop on Trade Fa cilitation (partnership with 
ESCAP) 5 X X 
Caribbean  Sub-regional Works hop on Trade Facilitation Needs 
Assessment 5 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X X (xii) Trade Facilitation            
Latin America Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X X 
Africa (English) Workshop on Needs Assessment for LDCs 
 2 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on TRIPS  3  X (xiii) Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights 
Africa (French) Workshop on Needs Assessment for LDCs 
 2 X   
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Africa (French) Workshop on TRIPS  3  X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop on TRIPS 3  X 
Asia, Central Asia, 
Pacific and the 
Caribbean Workshop on Needs Assessment 2 X  
Asia-Pacific Workshop on TRIPS 3  X 
Asia-Pacific Advanced Workshop on TRIPS (partnership with 
Singapore) 5 X  
Caribbean Workshop on TRIPS 3  X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop on TRIPS 3 X   
Latin America Workshop on TRIPS 3 X  
4. Advanced Training Programme fo r senior government officials - Funding:  DDAGTF 
Africa (English) Advanced Tr aining Programme for Senior 
Government officials 5 X X 
Africa (French) Advanced Tr aining Programme for Senior 
Government Officials 5 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Advanced Training Programme for Senior 
Government Officials 5 X X 
Asia Advanced Training Programme for Senior 
Government Officials (partnership with ESCAP) 5 X X   
  
  
  
  
  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Advanced Training Programme for Senior 
Government Officials 5 X X  
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Latin America 
(Spanish) Advanced Training Programme for Senior 
Government Officials  10 X X  
Pacific Advanced Training Programme for Senior 
Government Officials (partnership with PIFS) 5 X X 
5. Intensive Courses on Trade Negotiations Skills - Funding:  DDAGTF  
Africa (English) Intensive Course  on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X X 
Africa (French) Intensive Course  on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X X 
Asia-Pacific Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 5  X 
Caribbean Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X  
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X X   
  
  
  
  
  
  
Latin America Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X  
6. Outreach Activities for Parl iamentarians and Civil Society - Funding:  DDAGTF 
Africa Workshop for the Civil Society 3 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop for the Civil Society 3 X X 
Asia-Pacific Workshop for  the Civil Society 3 X X  
Latin America Workshop for the Civil Society 3 X X  
  WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Africa (English) Workshop for Parlia mentarians (partnership with 
CPA) 3 X X 
Africa (French) Workshop for Parliamentarians (partnership with 
OIF) 3 X X 
Arab and Middle East 
countries Workshop for Parliamentarians 3 X X 
Asia Workshop for Parliamentarians 3 X X 
Caribbean Workshop fo r Parliamentarians 3 X X 
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and Caucasus Workshop for Parliamentarians 3 X X 
Latin America  Workshop for Parliamentarians (Spanish) 3 X X  
Pacific Workshop for Parliamentarians (partnership with 
PIFS) 3 X X 
7. Accessions - Funding:  DDAGTF 
Africa 
 Seminar on Accession issues  in partnership with 
ADB  3  X 
Arab and Middle East 
Countries  Seminar on Accession issues  in partnership with 
AMF/ESCWA (tbc) 
 3 X   
Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia 
and the Caucasus Seminar on Accession issues in partnership with JVI 
(tbc) 3  X 
C. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING 
  
1. WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) - Funding:  DDAGTF  
Global WCP Annual Conference   X X   
  
  Global Allocation and continuati on of twelve WTO Chairs    X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
 Global WCP Advisory Board Meeting   X X 
2. Academic Cooperation Programme - Funding:  Regular Budget and DDAGTF   
(i) Workshops for University Professors on WTO Matters 
Asia-Pacific Workshop for Junior Re searchers - on research tools 
and on modernizing curricul a of international trade 
in Asia-Pacific Univers ities (partnership with 
ESCAP) 5 X X 
Asia-Pacific Workshop for Seni or Researchers - academic 
workshop on trade research (partnership with 
ESCAP) 3 X X  
Global Support to academic events   X X 
(ii) National Workshops for Academics 
   National workshops for University professors  X X 
(iii) Library support for Universities 
   The donation of WTO publications to Universities 
from beneficiary countries.  X X 
 3. Support Programme for doctoral studies - Funding:  DDAGTF  
    Support programme for doctoral  students 120 X X 
4. Programme for visiting academics  
    Programme for visiting academics  X X  
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
 5. Research collaboration - Funding:  DDAGTF 
    Research collaboration:  joint research activities 
with academics from developing countries  X X 
D. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS  
1. Netherlands Trainee Programme - Funding:  Netherlands Trust Fund  
   10 months X X 
2. WTO Regional Coordinator Internship - Funding:  DDAGTF   6 months X X 
3. WTO Mission Internship – Funding:  other trust fund  
    10 months X X 
E.  E-LEARNING  
1. eTraining:  online courses - Funding:  DDAGTF  
Capital-based 
officials Session 1 – English  X X 
Capital-based 
officials Session 2 – French  X X 
Capital-based 
officials Session 3 – English  X X 
Capital-based 
officials Session 4 – Spanish  X X 
Capital-based 
officials Session 5 – English  X X 
Capital-based 
officials Session 6 – French  X X 
Capital-based 
officials Session 7 – English  X X   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Capital-based 
officials Session 8 – Spanish  X X 
2. Self-training modules: computer-based training modules  
  
  Capital-based 
officials Overview of the WTO (English, French, Spanish) 2 X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1
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Subject / Programme 
 Region/ Sub-region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2010 2011 
Capital-based 
officials Dispute settlement (Eng lish, French, Spanish) 4 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Sanitary and phytosanita ry measures (English, 
French, Spanish) 4 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Trade in services  (English, French, Spanish) 4 X X 
Capital-based 
officials The WTO : economic underpinnings (English) 2 X X 
Capital-based 
officials The WTO :  legal underpinnings (English, Spanish) 2 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Accession Procedures (English, French, Spanish) 4 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Trade facilitation (English) 2 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Trade facilitation needs assessment (English) 1 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Trade Finance (English, French, Spanish) 2 X X 
Capital-based 
officials The WTO Coherence Mandate (English, French) 2 X X 
Capital-based 
officials WTO Docs Online (English, French, Spanish) 2 X X   
  
  
  
  
  
  
Capital-based 
officials The WTO Library (English, French, Spanish) 2 X X 
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