WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
15 November 2011  
 
(11-5869) 
Committee on Trade and Development 
Aid for Trade  
 
 
 
AID-FOR-TRADE WORK PROGRAMME1 
 
2012-2013 
 
"DEEPENING COHERENCE" 
 
 
I. OVERVIEW 
1. The Third Global Review of Aid for Trade, held  on 18 and 19 July 2011, showed that Aid for 
Trade is achieving results.2  A strong and vibrant narrative emerged of Aid for Trade building 
long-term capacity in developing countries, along with a rich and varied picture of the impacts of Aid-for-Trade implementation activities on the gr ound.  The Third Global Review advanced the 
debate on Aid for Trade from one based on discussi on of priorities and resource mobilization to one 
which also now includes examination of the effectiv eness of Aid for Trade.  This debate should be 
further elaborated so as to ensure that Aid-fo r-Trade support is as effec tive as possible.  Future 
support should be informed by past experien ce.  Pursuing effectiveness should be a common 
endeavour for the Aid-for-Trade community. 
2. Showing results is a key component of mainta ining momentum.  Developing countries, and in 
particular Least-Developed Countries (LDCs), continue  to face supply-side capacity and trade-related 
infrastructure constraints which inhibit their ability to implement and to benefit from WTO 
Agreements and more broadly to expand their tr ade.  Furthermore, the economic downturn and 
continued global economic uncertainty has aggravated many of these constraints and thus emphasized the imperative of addressing these needs.   
3. Operationalization of Aid for Trade lies in the hands of developing countries, regional 
economic communities (RECs) and their development pa rtners.  Mainstreaming of trade into national 
and regional development programmes helps ensure that demand for Aid for Trade is expressed in 
dialogues with development partners; demand agains t which Aid-for-Trade support can be aligned.  
Implementation of Aid-for-Trade programmes is  multi-faceted, encompassing a diverse range of 
delivery mechanisms and development partner organizations including, inter alia , bilateral donors, 
international financial instituti ons (including the World Bank Group and regional development 
banks), RECs and multilateral agencies. 
                                                      
1 This Work Programme is issued under the responsibility of the Chair of the Committee on Trade and 
Development (CTD). 
2 The Third Global Review of Aid for Trade review ed implementation of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative, 
notably as related to implementation of the 2010-2011 Aid-for-Trade Work Programme.  
 WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
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  4. The Third Global Review underscored the con tinued high level political interest in the 
Initiative.  The Review hosted the UN Secretary General, President of the World Bank, Secretary-General of the OECD, Heads of Re gional Development Banks  and Regional Economic 
Communities, in addition to Ministers of developed and developing countries.  The following results 
were reported at the Review, inter alia : 
 Additional Aid-for-Trade resources.  In 2009, Aid-for-Trade commitments reached 
approximately US$40 billion, a 60 per cent increase from the 2002-2005 baseline period.   
 Better integration of trade objectives into na tional development strategies.  The joint 
OECD-WTO monitoring and evaluation exercise which fed into the Third Global Review and 
the "Aid for Trade at a Glance" 2011 report high light that partner countries are getting better 
at articulating, mainstreaming and comm unicating their trade-related objectives and 
strategies, notably in LDCs.  In turn, this is having positive impacts on the alignment of 
assistance with national needs. 
5. Impacts of Aid for Trade were identified at three main levels:  
 The Review highlighted various examples of wher e trade opening, allied to regulatory reform 
and supported by Aid for Trade, has helped a ttract domestic and foreign investment and so 
stimulated economic growth resulting in poverty alleviation.  One further conclusion which 
emerged was that the extent of these imp acts is also determined by appropriate 
complementary policies. 
 Positive results at a programme and project level from Aid-for-Trade support.  The Global 
Review showcased results of trade-related assist ance based on the contribution of over 270 
case stories, half of which were provided by developing countries.  Impacts reported ranged 
from increased export volumes to more employment, notably of women, to faster customs clearance and border transit times and impacts on poverty. 
 Research which highlights positive associations  between Aid for Trade and improved trade 
performance.  While this area is still an emerging discipline and only limited econometric studies have been undertaken to date, research points to positive correlations between Aid for 
Trade and improved export performance.  
6. The Aid-for-Trade Initiative emerged stronger from the Third Global Review and more robust 
for embracing accountability.  Results were shown,  but there was also recognition that further 
attention needs to be given to various areas, including, inter alia : improving the effectiveness of aid; 
strengthening confidence in reporting systems, not ably by supplementing case stories with other 
techniques and more analysis of flows; further r esearch on Aid-for-Trade impacts, notably on poverty 
alleviation;  more focus on the particular difficulties faced by some countries in mainstreaming processes and accessing Aid-for-Trade funding; conti nued focus on private sector development in 
partner countries; and actions to mobilize a dditional financing from the private sector.   
7. A further theme identified during the Third Global Review was the "intersection" of trade 
with the broader sustainable development agenda, and important elements of this agenda such as,  
inter alia , food security, gender equality, green growth and energy.  The inter-relationship between 
trade and development was also highlighted in resp ect of Intellectual Property, Services, Standards, 
and Trade Finance.  As such, the new Work Prog ramme for the Aid-for-Trade  Initiative is based on 
the theme of "Deepening Coherence".   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
 Page 3 
 
 
  8. The Work Programme is complemented by an indicative calendar of Aid-for-Trade events 
(Annex 1).  The calendar, which envisages a Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade in 2013, will be 
regularly updated through addenda to this document.  The aim of the Work Programme is to promote 
deeper coherence and an ongoing focus on Aid for Trade, notably on showing results, which will 
generate continued impetus to the implementation process.   
II. OBJECTIVES 
 The Aid-for-Trade Initiative is contributing to greater coherence in trade and development 
policy.  The Third Global Review underscored th e dialogue which has been promoted by the 
Initiative between the trade and development community - at national, regional and global level.  It is important that this momentum  is sustained and coherence further deepened, 
notably in areas where the Aid-for-Trade Initia tive intersects with the broader coherence 
agenda related to issues such as, inter alia , sustainable development, gender equality, food 
security, green growth and climate change.    
 Mobilizing additional, predictable, sustainable a nd effective financing remains at the heart of 
the Aid-for-Trade Initiative.  Significant pr ogress has been made in mobilizing additional 
resources since 2005. Against the backdrop of an uncertain global economic outlook and fiscal pressures in donor countries, mobilizing Aid- for-Trade financing is challenging.  It is 
important therefore that existing pledges shoul d be met and that other sources of financing 
should be leveraged.  The increasing, comple mentary role of South-South trade-related 
cooperation should be recognized and further en couraged.  Support should be aligned with 
national and regional priorities and take due c onsideration of the specific circumstances of 
partners.  
 
 Better mainstreaming of trade into national and regional economic development planning 
frameworks is increasing demand for Aid for Tr ade - and promoting greater coherence in 
policymaking on trade and development issues.   Mainstreaming is an ongoing challenge 
which requires the political will of all stake holders.  Continued a ttention and support is 
needed to promote dynamic mainstreaming processes across developing countries at all levels of development. 
 
 The Aid-for-Trade Initiative has demonstrated va lue-added in promoting support for regional 
trade integration - and highlighted ongoing challe nges, notably in Africa.  Particular emphasis 
within the Work Programme should be placed on encouraging further attention to supporting 
regional trade integration among national and regi onal partners, including the RECs, bilateral 
donors and international financial institutions.   
 
 Private sector development in partner countries is fundamental to the effectiveness and 
sustainability of Aid for Trade, and to achieving poverty reduction objectives.  Outreach activities need to be further expanded and the pr ivate sector encouraged to participate in 
Aid-for-Trade implementation.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
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   Monitoring and evaluation of Aid for Trade is helping create incentives to advance the 
Aid-for-Trade agenda, notably by surveying ai d effectiveness.  Furthe r work is needed on 
how to improve the effectiveness of support by feeding back the lessons of past support into the design of new programmes and strengthening  confidence in reporting systems.  Findings 
about the positive impact of Aid for Trade on the ground need to be further elaborated, 
notably through more in-depth exploration of impacts on economic growth and poverty 
alleviation.  To facilitate monitoring and eval uation, there is a need for further work on a 
menu of pragmatic, straightforward indicators which can be accepted by all.   
III. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 
9. The Aid for Trade Task Force reported in 2006 th at "additional, predictable, sustainable and 
effective financing is fundamental for fulfilling th e Aid-for-Trade mandate".  Efforts to mobilize 
Aid-for-Trade financing remain at the core of the Initiative.  Resources are needed to match the 
growing demand for Aid for Trade articulated thro ugh processes which more effectively mainstream 
trade into planning frameworks in developing c ountries and RECs.  Significant progress has been 
made in mobilizing additional resources, but an  uncertain global economic outlook and fiscal 
pressures in donor countries make mobilizing Aid-for-Trade financing challenging. 
10. Resource mobilization efforts to date have b een successful.  Aid-for-Trade resources reached 
approximately US$40 billion in  2009, a 60 per cent increase from the 2002-2005 baseline.  The 
growth in Aid-for-Trade resources has not been at  the expense of other categories of assistance.
3  
Monitoring by the OECD and WTO as part of the self-assessment exercise for the Third Global 
Review also reports improvement in predictability , sustainability and effec tiveness - although further 
progress is still needed by all stakeholders. 
11. Against a backdrop of uncertain global economic conditions and fiscal pressures in key donor 
countries, a key challenge is to sustain current le vels of financing.  Monitoring by the OECD and 
WTO as part of the self-assessment exercise for the Third Global Review indicates that the outlook for Aid for Trade appears stable, although the pr eviously high growth rates have declined.  
Aid-for-Trade flows grew by 2 per cent between 2008-2009; as compared with the annual rates of 
increase of 10 per cent in the period 2006-2008. 
12. The commitment made by G20 leaders as part of the Seoul Multiyear Action Plan on 
Development to at least maintain levels of Aid -for-Trade expenditure that reflect the average of 
2006-2008 expenditure is fundamental in this rega rd.  Existing Aid-for-Trade pledges should be 
honoured and new pledges encouraged.  The devel opment or renewal of operational Aid-for-Trade 
strategies by donors is an important step in this regard.  
13. The Seoul G20 Multiyear Action Plan on Developm ent also stated that leaders "resolved to 
strengthen the role of South-South trade cooperation and to reinforce the involvement of the private 
sector".  Responses to the 2011 self-assessment qu estionnaire by South-South partners reported 
increases in the trade-related assistance which they provide.  The Third Global Review of Aid for 
Trade underscored the specific complementary nature  of South-South trade-related assistance and 
highlighted increasing demand from developing countri es - and response from South-South partners.  
                                                      
3 Monitoring of Aid of Trade is based on reporting of Official Development Assistance (ODA) flows to 
the OECD's Creditor Reporting System.   The share of Aid for Trade in se ctor allocable ODA actually declined 
from 35.6 per cent in 2008 to 33 per cent in 2009.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
 Page 5 
 
 
  14. An important contribution to future Aid-for-T rade financing should also come from other 
sources.  Research led by the World Bank suggests th at the private sector is active in Aid-for-Trade 
capacity-building efforts (investment for trade).4  Private foundations are also active in the trade area.  
Innovative funding instruments which aim to promote financial inclusion offer potential, particularly 
in the context of structural access constraints, such as trade finance.  Furthermore, the effectiveness of 
trade-related financing may be increased thr ough scaling up such techniques as using grant or 
concessional financing alongside non-concessional trad e-related financing.  Additional work is 
needed to survey these ac tivities by providing organizations enga ged in such activiti es the opportunity 
to relate their experiences and by publicizing the Aid-for-Trade Initiative with the private sector at 
local, regional and global level.   
15. Although the outlook for total Aid for Trade remains stable, monitoring by the OECD of 
flows suggests that important changes are occurring in  the distribution of Aid-for-Trade flows.  The 
share of Aid for Trade to LDCs in total Aid for Trade rose from 26.5 per cent during the period 
2002-2005 to 30.4 per cent in 2009 - at a time when tota l Aid for Trade also increased by 60 per cent.  
Between 2008-2009, flows to LDCs increased by  20 per cent, while global flows increased by 
2 per cent between 2008-2009.  Furthermore, suppor t for multi-country programmes (i.e. global and 
regional) had reached US$7 billion by 2009 - more than triple the amount between 2002-2005.  An 
important aspect of the monitoring of Aid-for-Trade flows is to highlight where changes are occurring 
in regional, national and sectoral allocations.   
16. Recapitalization in 2010 and 2011 of the Wo rld Bank Group, Asian Development Bank 
(AsDB), African Development Bank (AfDB), Inter-American Development (IaDB) and the 
replenishment of concessional funding instru ments, notably International Development 
Association-16, the Asian Development Fund IX an d the African Development Fund 12, has helped 
expand flows of trade-related resources, notably during the global recession of 2008-2009.  These 
processes should help the multilateral developmen t banks to sustain the expansion in their 
trade-related activities in response to the global crisis.  This process h as been particularly important in 
the area of non-concessional trade-related financ ing - which jumped by 112 per cent between 
2008-2009 to reach US$50.5 billion.  In addition, multilateral development banks have also created 
specific Aid-for-Trade instruments,  such as IaDB's Aid for Trade thematic fund or the World Bank's 
multi-donor trust fund for trade. 
17. Recommendations: 
 Additional, predictable, sustainable and effec tive financing remains fundamental to fulfilling 
the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference mandate on Aid for Trade.  Demand for Aid for Trade 
from developing countries, and in particular LDCs, and regional organizations is growing.  
Significant progress has been made in m obilizing additional resources, but an uncertain 
global economic outlook and fiscal pressures  in donor countries make mobilizing 
Aid-for-Trade financing challenging. Against this background, it is important that:  
 Existing funding pledges are met, and commitm ent to provide Aid-for-Trade financing is 
continued; 
 The increasing, complementary role of South-South trade-related cooperation is 
recognized and further encouraged; 
 Private sector investment in developing trade  capacity should be further stimulated;  
                                                      
4 The Role of International Business in Aid for Trade - Building Capacity for Trade in Developing 
Countries, World Bank, 2011. WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 6  
 
   Innovative financing mechanisms be explored and, where they prove effective, scaled up. 
 Aid-for-Trade resources should be aligned with  the needs expressed by developing countries, 
and regional organizations.  The Istanbul Progr amme of Action and the particular financing 
needs for LDCs are reca lled in this context.  The import ance of the role of the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework (EIF) for LDCs is also underscored.   
 Multilateral development banks are encouraged to  respond to the rising demand for Aid for 
Trade by increasing their trade-related activ ities.  Members are encouraged to participate 
positively in the timely replenishment of con cessional financing instruments and specific Aid- 
for-Trade instruments.  Multilateral developm ent banks are requested to showcase best 
practice, and to provide further informati on on the Aid-for-Trade support available to 
Members at all levels of development, includi ng through outreach events, new media, and at 
their annual meetings. 
 Due consideration should be given to cross- cutting challenges faced by particular partner 
countries (e.g. low income, small economies, landlocked economies, etc.) and challenges 
faced in particular areas (e.g. trade finan ce, trade facilitation, etc.) and appropriate 
measures taken to address these challenges. 
 Aid for Trade is complementary to the D oha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations, and 
important in its own right.  Compliance with  existing agreements and implementation of new 
agreements is expected to increase the need fo r assistance, for instance to ease adjustment 
costs, and to make use of new market access.
5   
 Recognizing the value of monitoring of Aid-for-Trade flows, further analysis of the nature and 
direction of flows with regard to grants and con cessional loans is encouraged.  More in-depth 
and differentiated reporting of non-concessional trade -related financing is also encouraged.  
Further work with partner countries, regional  organizations and other parties to identify 
actions they may be able to take to improve the tracking of flows at national and regional 
level are also recommended.  Within the work programme period, further in-depth reporting 
may be necessary on specific i ssues requested by Members as part of more general reporting 
on flows (for example flows to LDCs or small economies) or anal ysis of particular issues (e.g. 
sustainability, predictability and alignment).   
 Research which complements and reviews the joint work of the OECD and WTO on 
Aid-for-Trade flows is encouraged.  The par ticular value added by the members of the 
Director-General's Aid-for-Trade Advisory Gr oup is underscored in this regard and research 
encouraged by civil society and academia.   
IV. MAINSTREAMING 
18. Mainstreaming of trade into development pl ans and programmes is well under way.  The 
necessity of integrating trade into national and re gional development planning and implementation 
lies at the heart of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative.  Harnessing the power of trade in support of economic 
development and poverty reduction is the conceptual foundation on which the Initiative rests.  
Mobilization of financing and developing countr y ownership of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative is 
intrinsically tied to mainstreaming processes.  Without effective national and regional dialogues, 
governments and regional economic communities face pr oblems in setting clear priorities.  Without 
clear priorities, development partners face difficu lties in responding appropriately to demand-driven 
requests.  Political will is an essential part of the mainstreaming process.   
                                                      
5 The Recommendations of the Task Force on Aid for Trade (WT/AFT/1) outline the complementary 
relationship between the DDA and Aid for Trade .  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
 Page 7 
 
 
  19. Mainstreaming trade is essential for coheren ce in development planning and for assuring 
coherence between trade and othe r broader objectives, such as, inter alia,  food security, gender 
equality, poverty reduction, sustainable development,  energy and green growth.  Deepening coherence 
requires an ongoing commitment to trade mainst reaming which seeks to operationalize it across the 
broad spectrum of policy areas with which trade interacts.   
20. The 2006 Task Force on Aid for Trade reported that "A commitment to country ownership 
and country-driven approaches - as well as a commitment of governments to fully mainstream trade into their development strategies - is key to the effectiveness of Aid for Trade."  The Third Global 
Review of Aid for Trade underlined the veracity of  this Task Force conclusion, highlighting further 
progress made in mainstreaming processes since the last Review in 2009 and underscoring the 
importance of supportive complementary policies wh ich improve the effectiveness and sustainability 
of Aid-for-Trade interventions.   
21. Joint OECD-WTO monitoring highlighted various  factors driving changes in Aid-for-Trade 
priorities among partner countries, including new deve lopment strategies, national trade policies and 
the strengthened role of the Enhanced Integrated  Framework in LDCs.  The economic crisis also 
appears to have sharpened partner countries' focu s on competitiveness, export diversification and 
resilience to economic shocks and underscored their needs in trad e-related infrastructure.  The 
self-assessment exercise underscored that progress is be ing made in bringing trad e considerations into 
planning frameworks, consultations with natio nal stakeholders and dialogue with donors.  
Furthermore, the quality of these dialogues is impr oving resulting in greater national ownership.  In 
turn, ownership has a close, positive correlation with  effectiveness; national ownership was the most 
frequently cited factor for success mentioned in Aid-for-Trade case stories. 
22. Mainstreaming of trade in national and regi onal planning frameworks is also critical for 
appropriate complementary policies.  Compleme ntary policies (e.g. good governance, monetary, 
fiscal, investment, labour, regulatory and other policies) impact on the effectiveness and sustainability of Aid-for-Trade support.  Supportive complementary policies are essential for maximising the impact 
of Aid for Trade on trade, growth and development.   The co-chairs' report of the Regional Technical 
Group (RTG) on Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific underscores how Aid for Trade in support of outward-oriented development strategies has improve d the investment climate thereby stimulating 
foreign direct investment and thus economic growth and poverty reduction.
6  The Third Global 
Review also underlined how the external debt s ituation of a partner country may influence the 
effectiveness of Aid-for-Trade support.  Deepen ing coherence by better understanding how Aid for 
Trade interacts with complementary national and regional policies is essential.   
23. In its recommendations, the Aid for Trade Task Force stated that "Donors should give more 
attention to trade issues in their aid progra mming".  Joint OECD-WTO monitoring has shown 
progress by donors in implementing this recommenda tion.  Aid-for-Trade strategies have been 
developed and updated by bilatera l and multilateral donors.  Trade h as also been given a greater 
profile in aid policies among donors which have not a dopted specific strategies.  Noteworthy in this 
context is that in 2011, the World Bank adopted  a Group-wide trade strategy for the period 
2011-2021.7 
24. The Third Global Review highlighted that more  than half of donors are in the process of 
revising, or are planning to revise their Aid-for-T rade strategies.  Economic  growth, poverty reduction 
and regional integration remain the main focus of policy, but other priorities from the broader 
                                                      
6 Aid for Trade in the Asia-Pacific: It s Role in Trade Driven Growth.   
7 The strategy is axed around four priority areas : trade competitiveness and diversification; trade 
facilitation, transport logistics and trade finance; suppor t for market access and intern ational trade cooperation; 
and managing shocks and promoting greater inclusion.   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 8  
 
  coherence agenda are increasing in importance in donor  strategies.  A further trend which emerges is 
the growing focus by donors on results - and on ways  in which results can be taken into account in 
future Aid-for-Trade programming.   
25. Although significant progress has been made in ma instreaming, much more can still be done.  
Research by UNDP, the Aid-for-Trade analysis in Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs), the replies to the 
joint OECD-WTO Aid-for-Trade questionnaire, and the case stories highlight that further 
improvements are necessary to support effective ma instreaming processes.  The Enhanced Integrated 
Framework plays a critical role for LDCs in this  regard.  Further atten tion should be given to 
mainstreaming processes in non-LDCs "International Development Assistance (IDA)-only" countries - and how such processes are being supported.  Fu rther attention may also be required as to how 
national and regional trade in tegration processes inter-relate .  The 2010/2011 monitoring and 
evaluation exercise was the first to survey regional  organizations and highlighted specific challenges. 
26. The Third Global Review underlined that th ere is a growing body of experience in 
mainstreaming processes and lessons which can be learnt from good practice.  In particular, knowledge is growing of how tr ade and development interfaces with existing WTO agreements, 
notably TRIPs, GATS, SPS, etc.  The Trade Policy Reviews of developing countries and LDCs are 
instructive in this regard.  IaDB support in the development of Aid-for-Trade strategies to Members 
undergoing the TPR process is a model which should be  further replicated in Latin America and the 
Caribbean and other regions. Learning lessons from good practice would be useful for partner 
countries, donors and international organizations alike.  
27. Recommendations: 
 Significant progress has been made in trade ma instreaming, but more can and should be done 
by developing countries, regional organizatio ns and their development partners.  Trade 
mainstreaming is not a one-off action, but an ongoing process which requires the political 
will of all stakeholders.  Trade mainstreaming is  integral to development effectiveness and for 
ensuring coherence with the broader policy obj ectives with which trade intersects.   
 There is much scope for learning lessons from good practice.  In this context: 
 The Secretariat is requested to pursue TPR follow-up activities and to compile a review 
of the Aid-for-Trade sections of Members' TPRs in preparation for the Fourth Global 
Review of Aid for Trade. 
 Analysis of the interface of Aid for Trade with the broader coherence agenda is 
encouraged as part of the next monitoring and evaluation exercise in preparation of the 
Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade.  Further work on complementary policies should 
also be pursued. 
 Further research on mainstreaming processes is encouraged from all sections of the 
Aid-for-Trade community.  
 Continued targeted, effective support is required  for mainstreaming.  Trade objectives should 
continue to be integrated into national development compacts such as Poverty Reduction 
Strategy Papers, Country Assistance Strategi es, Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies, 
Regional Assistance Strategies and other policy documents.  The EIF plays a key role in 
promoting mainstreaming among LDCs.  Consideration should be given to how 
mainstreaming processes in non-LDCs are bei ng supported and whether further support is 
needed.  Specific assistance to ensuri ng coherence between national and regional 
mainstreaming processes should also be considered.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
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   Additional mainstreaming support may be required  in the context of using management for 
development results approaches to Aid for Trade .  With greater attention to results and 
effectiveness, national development plans should be adapted to include trade objectives with 
clear baselines and measurable objectives   
V. REGIONAL DIMENSION  
28. One of the recommendations of the Aid for Trad e Task Force in 2006 was the need to devote 
more attention to regional, sub-regional and cro ss-border issues.  Regional integration is an area 
which can deliver particular returns in wealth creat ion, sustainable development, peace and security 
and the management of shared natural resources, particularly where there has been a substantial 
increase in intra-regional trade and investment.  The response from the Aid-for-Trade community has 
been noteworthy.  The joint OECD-WTO "Aid for Trade at a Glance" 2011 report underscores the 
impact which the Aid-for-Trade Initiative has had on funding for regional programmes.  In 2009, 
US$7 billion was committed to multi-country progra mmes; more than triple the amount allocated 
during the baseline period of 2002-2005.   
29. The Aid-for-Trade Initiative has proven effectiv e in catalyzing support for trade integration 
processes at regional level.  Donors, notably mu ltilateral development banks, have increased their 
capacity to respond to rising demand for regional Ai d for Trade.  Examples of activities in support of 
regional integration include: 
 The Asian Development Bank is working thro ugh established regional fora for which it 
provides the Secretariat services (i.e. the Central Asia Regiona l Economic Cooperation 
(CAREC), the Greater Mekong Delta Sub-region)  and is an important  partner in other 
regional trade integration processes in the Asia -Pacific region.  The RTG on Aid for Trade in 
Asia and the Pacific, established in 2007, also  serves as an important informal regional forum 
for discussing Aid-for-Trade issues and proposals, and for building partnerships;   
 Among the many efforts that the African Develo pment Bank is making in support of regional 
integration, are the development of Regional Integration Strategy Papers for Central, 
Northern, Southern and West Africa which focus on building regional infrastructure and capacity building (including trade facilitati on, regional public goods, micro-economic 
convergence, and knowledge mana gement and networking) and collaborating with the United 
Nations Economic Commission for Africa;   
 The Inter-American Development Bank has set a target of 15 per cent of its operations (or 
US$1.8 billion annually) to be devoted to glob al and regional integration in Latin America 
and the Caribbean through simulta neous investment in "software" (e.g. trade and regulatory 
frameworks) and "hardware" (e.g. investments infrastructure) issues.  The IaDB has also 
established an Aid-for-Trade Strategic Fund.  These investments aim to  help intra-regional 
trade grow by more than 50 per cent by 2020; 
 The Islamic Development Bank Group is suppor ting regional integration through the UN 
Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (UN-SPECA); 
 World Bank support for trade corridors, particular ly for landlocked economies, and analytical 
and financial backing to regional trade integra tion processes (in particular through the Africa 
Region's Regional Integration Department a nd the Trade Facilitation Facility) are also 
noteworthy; 
 Various donors are actively engaged in the deliv ery of regional Aid-for Trade support, both 
through their own programmes and through their funding of multilateral development banks.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 10  
 
   
30. Most of both bilateral and multilateral donors surveyed, as part of the joint OECD-WTO 
monitoring and evaluation exercise, reported an in crease in demand for regional Aid for Trade across 
all Aid-for-Trade categories of support – an observa tion also repeated by South-South partners.  
Furthermore, the Third Global Review highlighted  the ongoing need for regional Aid for Trade across 
all regions, and noted the particular constraints faced in regional trade integration in Africa. 
31. The joint OECD/WTO monitoring and evaluati on exercise highlighted successes in regional 
Aid-for-Trade programmes, as well as areas wher e performance could be improved and areas where 
continued support is needed.  Competitiveness, li mited export diversifi cation and inadequate 
trade-related infrastructure were the constraints most frequently cited by regional organizations.  
Respondents also reported that implementation of regional strategies was complicated by, inter alia, : 
membership of overlapping regional organizations ; dependence of government on tariff revenue; lack 
of implementation of regional agreements; poor ar ticulation with national strategies; informal 
restrictions; high adjustment costs; and na tional and regional capacity constraints.   
32. Further factors reported included inhibiting acces s to Aid-for-Trade funds, notably difficulties 
in needs identification and prioritization, in deve loping bankable projects, in accessing loan financing 
and in aligning national Aid-for-Trade with regional priorities.  Additional concerns highlighted at the 
Third Global Review included the role of informal cross-border trade (and the often precarious position of female traders), energy generation as a ma jor productivity constraint and the difficulties of 
sequencing Aid for Trade interventions in region al programmes.  Furthermore, some regions 
highlighted that they have not received the sa me level of attention as other regions.   
33. Recommendations: 
 Mobilizing additional resources for regional Aid-fo r-Trade processes is an area in which the 
Aid-for-Trade Initiative has enjoyed noteworth y success.  Monitoring suggests that demand 
for regional Aid for Trade is growing and that a variety of issues still constrain improving 
regional trade performance. Against this background, it is important that financing continues to be mobilized to meet the growing demand for regional Aid-for-Trade projects.  G20 
processes in support of regional trade integrati on in Africa and infrastructure financing are 
underscored in this context. 
 Regional organizations are inv ited to prioritize their needs related to Aid for Trade, to 
mainstream these issues in thei r related regional policies, to coordinate amongst themselves 
and with their member states (notably as re gards the national transposition of regional 
commitments) and to follow aid effectiveness principles.  
 Cooperation is further impro ved with regional, sub-regional and cross-border entities to 
increase intra-regional trade and pursue Aid-fo r-Trade objectives and support offered, as 
required, to improve the capacity of such or ganizations, to promote intra-regional trade and 
investment. 
 Further Aid-for-Trade events are organized in support of regional trade integration 
processes.  The aim of these events should be  to promote implementation activities which 
advance regional trade integration processes, contribute to learning between regions and 
which aim to learn lessons fr om good practice.  They should respond to priorities identified 
by regions themselves and should be steered by  the main stakeholders in the region, in 
collaboration with development partners.  Par ticular emphasis should be placed on regions 
not thus far covered by regional activities, notably Central Africa, and pursuing ongoing 
activities in other regions, such as Central As ia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the 
Pacific.  Further regional activities in Africa are also recommended.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
 Page 11 
 
 
  VI. PRIVATE SECTOR 
34. Private sector development in partner countries is a critical component of the Aid-for-Trade 
Initiative.  It is fundamental to the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of Aid for Trade.  Private 
sector development in partner countries is intrinsi cally linked to employment creation and income 
generation.  In turn, employment creation, not ably for women, influences the poverty reduction 
impact of Aid-for-Trade support.  The Aid for Tr ade Task Force recommended that "an increased 
dialogue between the public sector and private entrepreneurs would improve effectiveness in 
assessing Aid-for-Trade needs, in diagnostics, an d in implementation, as well as in evaluating 
effectiveness in implementation" and that the pr ivate sector "should be provided an opportunity to 
report on their Aid-for-Trade contributions".  Engage ment of the private sector in partner countries is 
essential to the success of the Aid-for-Trade Initiative - and a harmonious and productive 
public-private partnership is an essential component of that success.   
35. The Third Global Review was the first to enga ge substantively the private sector.  Outreach 
activities undertaken by the World Bank and WTO in  advance of the Third Global Review were 
important in galvanizing interest among large firm s.  The complementary case story exercise led by 
the World Bank highlighted the increasingly active role of multinational business in Aid-for-Trade 
activities.  Furthermore, whereas in the past th ese activities have been channeled through private 
sector foundations, they are becoming more established features of corporate strategies in new markets (investment for trade).  In addition to the activities being undertaken by the private sector 
itself, at the Third Global Review the IaDB highlig hted the value of public-private partnership in 
stimulating foreign direct investment and crea ting new opportunities for female entrepreneurs.  
36. Outreach activities with multinational business complements the ongoing activities of the 
International Trade Centre (ITC) with trade s upport institutions and smal l- and medium-sized 
enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries and in par ticular LDCs.  Of particular note in this regard 
are the surveys undertaken by the ITC in Kenya,  Mauritius, Rwanda and Uganda on "Aid for Trade 
and Export Performance - A Business Perspective"  as well as ITC's work on export strategies and 
women in trade.  The growing work of the World Bank on competitiveness strategies is also relevant 
in this regard.  
37. One key message emerging from the Third Global Re view of Aid for Trade is that the private 
sector is an essential partner in en suring the sustainability of ODA proj ects (e.g. by ensuring that new 
value chains remain after the end of a project), and an increasingly active participant in private 
capacity-building initiatives.  In addition to offering an opportunity to levera ge additional funding, the 
engagement of the private sector can help brin g value-added in monitoring and evaluation (as 
demonstrated by the World Bank partnership with th e private sector in the trade facilitation area) and 
are integral to successful mainstreaming at national and regional level.  
38. A prerequisite for effective Aid for Trade is an enhanced dialogue with the private sector at 
all levels and across all areas of the Initiative an d its operational implementation.  Aid-for-Trade 
events have highlighted the importance of involving the private sector and its needs, but a more 
systematic approach to showcasing the private sector is  required.  In this context, it is noteworthy that 
many donors and multilateral agencies run extensiv e private sector development activities - activities 
which are integral to Aid-for-Trade delivery, but not often highlighted in the discussion of 
Aid-for-Trade implementation.  Discussion of best  practices, innovative approaches and shortcomings 
in relation to private sector development activities, and public-private partne rships, notably in such 
areas as trade finance (particularly for SMEs), woul d add value for all members of the Aid-for-Trade 
community.   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 12  
 
  39. Recommendations: 
 Private sector development in partner countries is a critical component of the Aid-for-Trade 
Initiative; it is fundamental to the effectiveness  and long-term sustainability of Aid for Trade 
and influences poverty reduction impacts. Outrea ch activities need to be expanded and the 
private sector engaged as a valued partner in all aspects of the implementation of the Work 
Programme and operational implementation on the ground in developing countries.  New and 
innovative approaches to engaging the private se ctor need to be further explored, notably 
with a view to the integration of partner count ries' suppliers into global supply chains of 
goods and services.  
 The Aid-for-Trade community is requested to  share its experiences of private sector 
development and public-private partnerships in s upport of trade-capacity building, notably in 
specific areas such as trade fi nance (particularly for SMEs). 
 The Aid-for-Trade community is urged to sha re its experience of supply chain development in 
developing countries, and in particular in LDC markets.  
 Special attention needs to be paid to identifyi ng viable and effective ways of engaging SMEs 
and micro-enterprises within the Aid-for-Trade Initiative.   
VII. MONITORING AND EVALUATION  OF IMPLEMENTATION AND 
DEVELOPMENT EFFECTIVENESS 
40. In 2006, the Aid for Trade Task Force re commended that "Monitoring and evaluating 
progress is essential in building confidence that increased Aid for Trade will be delivered and 
effectively used.  It will also provide strong incen tives to both donors and recipients to advance the 
Aid-for-Trade agenda. It is importa nt to emphasize the need for concrete and visible results on the 
ground."  The framework established by OECD and WTO,  the three joint reports "Aid for Trade at a 
Glance", the regional analyses of the case stories, and other research from UN agencies, civil society 
and academia have generated a high degree of transp arency in the monitoring and evaluation of Aid 
for Trade – and have promoted the incen tives recommended by the Task Force.   
41. The joint monitoring and evaluation exercise s undertaken in 2007 and 2009 examined how 
the Aid-for-Trade Initiative was making progress in tw o main areas: (i) greater awareness (i.e. trade 
mainstreaming leading to increased demand for Ai d for Trade; and (ii) increased Aid-for-Trade 
resources (i.e. donor response to increased demand leading to more resources).  The 2010/2011 
monitoring and evaluation exercise further developed the analysis of these first two themes and added 
a third: surveying the implementation and impact of  Aid-for-Trade interventi ons.  To examine this 
third theme, self-assessment questionnaires were su bstantially redesigned and a call for case stories 
issued.   
42. The Aid-for-Trade community enthusiastically  embraced the third Aid-for-Trade monitoring 
and evaluation exercise, submitting a total of 275 case stories and 140 self-assessment 
questionnaires.
8  A vast amount of information has been collected from a diverse range of different 
sources about the implementation and impact of Aid-for-Trade support.  A strong and vibrant 
narrative emerged of Aid for Trade building long-term capacity, along with a rich and varied picture of the impacts of Aid-for-Trade implementation activities on the ground.  Types of impact reported 
were diverse, ranging from increased export volumes to more employment, notably of women, to 
faster customs clearance and border trans it times as well as impact on poverty reduction. 
                                                      
8 The Aid-for-Trade case stories can be accessed at:  www.aid4trade.org .    WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
 Page 13 
 
 
  43. One innovation of the 2011 monitoring report, "Aid for Trade at a Glance 2011", was to 
examine Aid-for-Trade implementation through th e lens of the aid effectiveness principles.9  Progress 
was registered in a number of areas including: alignm ent, national ownership (primarily due to better 
trade mainstreaming processes and improved na tional coordination with public and private 
stakeholders), improved dialogue between donors and partner governments, and greater 
harmonization of efforts by donors.  Particularly  encouraging was that many of the improvements 
were reported by the LDCs.   
44. The case stories cited various factors as critical for success: ownership at the highest political 
level and active engageme nt of all domestic stakeholders, including the private sector and civil 
society; long-term donor commitment and adequate  and reliable funding; le veraging partnerships, 
including with providers of Sout h–South cooperation;  combining public and private investment with 
technical assistance; and supportive macroeconomic  and structural adjust ment policies as well as 
good governance.   
45. The monitoring and evaluation exercise also unde rlined various shortcomings, both in terms 
of the approaches used to survey  results and what has been ach ieved on the ground.  Areas where 
improvements could be achieved were identified for a ll partners in the Aid-for-Trade Initiative.  One 
conclusion emerging from the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade is that these issues are not particular to Aid for Trade, but shared across other areas of ODA.  Against this background, the 
Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea in November 2011 should further catalyse efforts to address aid effectiveness issues.  It is important that 
the delivery of Aid for Trade should continue to be guided by the Aid Effectiveness principles and 
further guidance emerging from the Busan process, par ticularly with reference to ensuring broader 
development effectiveness.   
46. A particular point signalled at the Third Globa l Review of Aid for Trade was the need to 
improve confidence in reporting systems.  Attribu tion was cited by all as an ongoing challenge, while 
at the same time many donors insist ed that the linkage of Aid for Tr ade to poverty alleviation needed 
to be more clearly established both at a methodologi cal level and through reporting on Aid-for-Trade 
implementation on the ground.  A number of practical  steps were identified which could be taken to 
strengthen reporting systems, notably more system atic recourse to management for development 
results approaches based on results-based management.  It was recognized that while case stories were 
a useful first step, more systematic analysis was also required.  One step recommended by many was 
the further in-depth analysis of th e material collected as part of the monitoring and evaluation exercise 
and the commissioning of further in-depth analysis.   
47. Strengthening the methodological foundations of monitoring and evaluation work by 
improving the stock of indicators used to track impl ementation was identified as an important action.  
It was also recognized that a growing body of work was being generated which used innovative 
methods such as impact evaluation and econometric studies.  The growing number of donors, 
multilateral organizations, civil society and academic s engaged in monitoring and analysis was also 
highlighted.  The relevance of the results frame work being developed by the EIF for LDCs was 
underscored.  Existing good practice was cited, such as the results-based frameworks developed by 
the AsDB for the CAREC initiative and the IaDB fo r the Mesoamerica Integration and Development 
Project and in national Aid-for-Trade strategies.  It  was noted that implementation of the World Bank 
                                                      
9 The 2006 Task Force on Aid for Trade recommended that "Aid for Trade should be guided by the 
Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, applicable to all parties involved ( donors, agencies and beneficiaries), 
including key principles such as co untry ownership, mutual accountability, aligning aid to national development 
strategies, effective donor coordination, harmonization of donor procedures, use of programme-based aid modalities, managing for result, transparency, and predic table and multi-year commitments, which should be 
built into all programming." WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 14  
 
  Group's Trade Strategy would generate a growing stre am of data and research, notably in focus areas 
such as trade facilitation and competitiveness.  The value of research by members of the 
Director-General's Aid-for-Trade Advisory Gro up was highlighted and the evaluations already 
programmed by donors of their Aid-for-Trade pr ogrammes noted.  Against this background, the 
importance of sharing lessons was further underlined and the value of regional training events for this 
purpose underscored. 
48. A particular recommendation emerging from the Th ird Global Review is that monitoring and 
evaluation needs to be taken down to the nationa l and regional level - a nd ways found to help 
developing countries to improve national systems in this regard.  The importance of aligning 
monitoring and evaluation systems with national and regional priorities and systems so as to ensure 
mutual accountability and ease of use was stressed .  Other pertinent recommendations included the 
need to recognize that monitoring  and evaluation needs to be an educative process with the goal of 
improving effectiveness at its core.  In this contex t, further consideration should be given as to how 
monitoring and evaluation can incentivize effective Aid-for-Trade implementation.  Key in this 
respect is ensuring that future support is informed by  past experience.  Ensuring that lessons are learnt 
is a fundamental criterion for effectiveness.   
49. Recommendations: 
 The Third Global Review of Aid for Trade furt her underlined the valu e of the transparency 
generated by the monitoring function of the OECD and WTO and associated research from other organizations.  Extending this function to track impacts of Aid for Trade on the ground, 
in addition to examining mainstreaming and resour ce mobilization, represents an important 
evolution of the monitoring function; and one which should be further developed in future 
monitoring exercises.  Pursuing effectiveness  should be a common endeavour for the 
Aid-for-Trade community. 
 The importance of showing results to stimulate mainstreaming and to mobilize additional 
resources is recognized.  Projects or program mes should also demonstrate linkages to 
economic growth and poverty alleviation.   Against this background, it is imperative that the 
focus of future monitoring and evaluation research should be at the national and regional 
level and ways found to help developing countries to improve systems in this regard.   
 The particular importance of researching the impact of Aid for Trade on poverty alleviation 
is underscored.  The role played by complementa ry policies is also noted in this context.   
 Further work is needed to build on the pre liminary analysis of the impact of Aid for Trade 
undertaken in the Aid-for-Trade case story exercise.   Further in-depth analysis of case stories 
is encouraged.  Joint analysis by partn er countries and their development partners is 
encouraged, along with research by the broad er Aid-for-Trade community on the wealth of 
information collected during the 2010/2011 mo nitoring and evaluation exercise.  In this 
context, particular emphasis is placed on learning between regions, with regional 
development banks encouraged to learn from each other's good practice.  
 In developing further work on monitoring and evaluation of Aid for Trade, particular 
attention needs to be paid to pragmatic appr oaches which strengthen mutual accountability 
systems and which reflect national and regiona l priorities (i.e. which engage partner 
countries as an equal partner in monitoring and evaluation).  The value of the systematic use 
of well-established methods such as manage ment for development results and results-based 
management is underscored and Members are en couraged to share their experience of 
applying results based management to their Aid-for-Trade projects and programmes.  
Monitoring and evaluation should seek to incentivi ze effective Aid-for-Trade implementation.  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
 Page 15 
 
 
   Efforts to apply the principles of Aid Effectiven ess in Aid-for-Trade implementation should be 
redoubled.  The Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan is of particular relevance in this regard. Future analysis of Aid- for-Trade implementation through the lens of 
the aid effectiveness principles is encouraged.  
 Further work to encourage the development of  robust indicators to track the impacts of 
Aid-for-Trade support is encouraged.  Furth er consideration should be given to showing 
results in Aid for Trade in straightforward, pragmatic ways on which all agree: for example, 
(i) increased exports; (ii) increase in higher va lue-added exports; and (iii) reduced costs and 
time to do business in countries.   Existing b est practice, notably in the regional monitoring 
activities is also noted, and the ongoing wo rk in multilateral development banks and by 
members of the UN Chief Executives Board (UNC EB) is recalled.  The importance of sharing 
knowledge and experiences, both pos itive and negative is highlighted.  
 The role played by National, Regional and Global  Reviews of Aid for Trade is recalled.  
These events help ensure that monitoring and evaluation is not a passive activity but is 
complemented and reinforced through feedback to donor and partner countries, and provide 
an environment for dialogue, k nowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices.  The 
valuable role which the Trade Policy Review  mechanism can play in this regard is 
underlined.  A Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade is envisaged in 2013.  
VIII.  COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT 
50. The Aid-for-Trade Initiative is a global partners hip.  Participation has become ever more 
active and diverse, notably among developing coun tries and in particular LDCs, who are taking 
greater ownership of the Initiative.   
51. WTO's role is that of advocacy, analysis and debate, using its convening power and 
monitoring function to mobilize Aid-for-Trade financing, to highlight the needs of its Members and 
Observers, and to showcase effective implementati on, including through periodic reviews.  The 
Director-General of the WTO has a particular functio n in this regard, encouraging action in support of 
implementation of all aspects of this Work Progra mme through fora such as the G20, the annual 
meetings of multilateral de velopment banks, the UNCEB
10 and his contacts with delegations and the 
private sector.  
52. The Committee on Trade and Development in Aid-for-Trade session (CTD Aid-for-Trade) 
has a critical role to play in the Aid-for-Trade In itiative.  It provides an important forum in which 
partner countries, South-Sout h partners, donor Members and multilateral donors can discuss 
Aid-for-Trade issues.  Operationalization of Aid fo r Trade lies in the hands of developing countries, 
regional economic communities and their development partners.  The CTD Aid-for-Trade provides an 
essential oversight role, notably as regards sharing best practice; a role which complements the 
periodic global reviews.   
53. Periodic CTD Aid-for-Trade workshops on issues  of interest to Members supplement this 
oversight function and provide an opportunity to  deepen understanding of specific themes.  
Workshops are envisaged which will examine the "int ersection" of trade with the broader sustainable 
development agenda, and more specifically elements  of this agenda such as green growth and food 
security.  These events also provide an opportunity  to explore the interface of Aid for Trade with 
existing WTO agreements, such as, inter alia,  TRIPs, GATS, SPS.    
                                                      
10 For more information see:  http://www .unsceb.org/ceb/brochure/overview/ceb WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 16  
 
  54. The Work Programme is complemented by an indicative calendar of Aid-for-Trade events 
(Annex 1).  The calendar, which envisages a Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade in 2013, will be 
regularly updated through addenda to this document.  The aim of the Work Programme is to promote 
deeper coherence and an ongoing focus on Aid for Tr ade, notably on showing results and promoting 
effectiveness, which will generate continued impe tus to the implementation process and help further 
mainstream Aid for Trade within the WTO.  
55. Recommendations: 
 The CTD Aid-for-Trade should continue to pr ovide a forum in which Members can oversee 
implementation of the Aid-for-Trade Work Programme and discuss Aid-for-Trade issues.  
 Members, Observers and Observer Organizations (i ncluding regional organizations) are 
encouraged to share their experiences in a ll areas of implementation of this Work 
Programme, notably as regards best practice.  A nalysis of Aid for Trade  conducted as part of 
the Trade Policy Reviews and follow-up events is  particularly relevant in this regard.   
 The WTO Secretariat is encouraged to exam ine how Aid for Trade interfaces with the broader 
coherence agenda, both with the work of other Committees and with external organizations, 
notably through the organization of periodic workshops on topics of interest to Members.   
 The WTO Director-General and Secre tariat are encouraged to continue their interactions 
with the Aid-for-Trade community in suppor t of implementation of this Work Programme.  
.  
   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30
 Page 17ANNEX 1 
AID-FOR-TRADE EVENTS 
 
End 2011-2013 
 
 
DATE  
  
MEETING  
COMMENTS 
2011  
10 November SPECA Aid-for-Trade 
Implementation and Monitoring Council Meeting 
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan The session will focus on the role the Working Group should play in the follow-up to the Ministerial 
Conference on the Aid-for-Trade Roadmap for SPECA coun tries.  Projects correspond ing to regional priorities 
and strategies for obtaining donor support will be identified. Future working modalities and challenges to 
developing regional trade will also be discussed. 
10 November 22nd Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
14 and 16 November Trade Polic y Review of Ecuador For more information see:  http://www.wto.org/englis h/thewto_e/minist_e/min11_ e/min11_e.htm 
28 and 30 November Trade Policy Review of  Thailand For more information see: http ://www.wto.org/english/th ewto_e/minist_e/min11 _e/min11_e.htm 
29 November -  
1 December 4th High-Level Forum on Aid 
Effectiveness 
Busan, Republic of Korea The meeting will conclude the OECD/DAC-led process on aid effectiveness launched by the Paris Declaration 
in 2005.  Discussion will focus on achievement of target s and commitments of the Accra Agenda for Action by 
the 2010 deadline and future directions for more ef fective development aid. For more information see: 
http://www.aideffectiv eness.org/busanhlf4/  A side-event is being organized by OECD and WTO on Aid for 
Trade.  
12 December OECD DAC/Working Party of the 
Trade Committee Meeting on Aid 
for Trade The working party will discuss two themes:  (1) Monito ring, evaluation and results;  and (2) Connecting Aid 
for Trade to the broader trade and development agenda. 
15-17 December WTO Eighth Ministerial Conference 
(MC8) For more information see:  http://www.wto.org /english/thewto_e/minist_e/min11_e/min11_e.htm 
2012    
25 and 27 January  Trade Policy Review of Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia For more information on individual TPRs see: http://www.wto.org/english /tratop_e/tpr_e/tpr_e.htm  
 
February (tbc) CTD AfT workshop Workshop on Aid for Trade and Green Growth.  The Earth Summit on 4-6 June will focus on two spe cific 
themes: a green economy in the context of poverty eradication and sustainable development, and an institutional framework for sustainable development.  The aim of this workshop will be to look at how the Aid-
for-Trade Initiative is contributing to these objectives. 
February (tbc) 23rd  Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade   
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 18  
DATE  
  
MEETING  
COMMENTS 
1 and 3 February Trade Policy Review of Nepal For more information on individual TPRs see: http://www.wto.org/english /tratop_e/tpr_e/tpr_e.htm  
7 and 9 February Trade Policy Review of Kuwait For more information on individual TPRs see: http://www.wto.org/english /tratop_e/tpr_e/tpr_e.htm  
March (tbc) Islamic Development Bank Group 
event on Aid for Trade for Poverty 
Alleviation  
16-19 March Inter-American Development Bank 
annual meeting Uruguay  
20 and 22 March Trade Policy Review of the 
Philippines For more information on individual TPRs see: http://www.wto.org/english /tratop_e/tpr_e/tpr_e.htm  
31 March - 4 April Islamic Development Bank Group 
annual meeting Khartoum, Sudan   
April (tbc) Central African Review of Aid for 
Trade  
April (tbc) CTD AfT workshop Workshop on Finance.  This meeting will be scheduled so as to coincide with the next meeting of th e 
Director-General's expert group on tr ade finance so as to permit experts to participate in the CTD workshop. 
April (tbc) 24th Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
1st Quarter (tbc) OECD Expert Seminar on Managing 
Aid to achieve Trade and Development Results Launch of pilot studies examinin g country-level trade results. 
1st Quarter (tbc) 
 5th meeting of the Regional 
Technical Group on Aid for Trade in 
Asia and the Pacific The meeting will discuss a new work programme for the Regional Technical Group on Aid for Trade in Asia 
and the Pacific.  For more information s ee: http://aric.adb.org/aid-for-trade-asia/ 
1st and 2nd Quarters 
(tbc) Regional EIF Monitoring and 
Evaluation capacity building 
workshops  Two regional workshops (one in French, one bilingual English and French) will roll out the EIF M&E 
framework. 
21-26 April  UNCTAD XIII 
Doha, Qatar  
May (tbc) Fourth Meeting of LLDC Trade 
Ministers 
Almaty, Kazakhstan Preparatory review conference on the implementation of the Almaty Programme in preparation for the 
Almaty+10" in 2013. 
May (tbc) Islamic Development Bank Group 
event on Aid for Trade for Trade in Services   
   WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30
 Page 19 
DATE  
  
MEETING  
COMMENTS 
May (tbc)  OECD DAC/Working Party of the 
Trade Committee Meeting on Aid 
for Trade  
4-6 May  Asian Development Bank annual 
meeting Manila, Philippines  
31 May to 1 June African Development Bank annual 
meetings 
Arusha, Tanzania  
June ECOWAS Aid for Trade Review  
July (tbc) CTD AfT workshop Workshop on Aid for Trade and Intellectual Property. 
July (tbc) 25th Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
3rd Quarter (tbc) Regional workshop on Gender  In partnership with  ITC, the ES will be running a regional workshop on gender mains treaming for French 
speaking countries. The purpose of the training is to build the capacity of NIUs and other stakeholders to 
incorporate gender as a cross-cutting issue into Tier 2 projects.  
October  Annual Meetings of the International 
Monetary Fund and the World Bank 
Group Tokyo, Japan  
November (tbc) CTD AfT Workshop Workshop on Aid for Trade and Services. 
November (tbc) 26th Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
4th Quarter OECD Policy Dialogue on Aid for 
Trade Outcomes of pilot studies – trade-related targets and measures. 
Ongoing throughout 
2012 EIF workshops  In partnership with UNDP, the Executive Secretariat (ES) will organi ze two workshops in Senegal and Zambia 
supporting LDCs to enhance mainstreaming trade into c ountry processes.  Based on the experiences with the 
pilot countries, two regional workshops to support LDCs in mainstreaming trade will be held in the second and 
third quarter in 2012, one in English one in French.  
In addition, the ES will organize two pilot workshops supporting LDCs to formulate and implement 
communications strategies including stakeholder mapping, stakeholder engagement and multimedia communications approaches.  A further four pilot workshops supporting LDCs in formulating medium-term 
programmes to implement their DTIS Action Matrix priorities will also be held.  
  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/30 
Page 20  
DATE  
  
MEETING  
COMMENTS 
2013  
February (tbc) CTD AfT workshop Workshop on Aid for Trade and Standards. 
February (tbc) 27th Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
May (tbc) CTD AfT workshop To be determined. 
May (tbc) 28th Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
30 May to 31 May  African Development Bank annual 
meetings Marrakech, Morocco  
TBC Fourth Global Review of Aid for 
Trade  
November (tbc) 29th Session of the CTD Aid for 
Trade  
 
__________