WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   WT/COMTD/W/160 
2 November 2007 
  (07-4787) 
Committee on Trade and Development Original:   English 
  
 
BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PLAN 
2008 - 2009 
 
Table of Contents
 
Page 
 
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................2  
II. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... .5 
III. KEY FEATURES OF THE BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND 
TRAINING PLAN 2008-2009..................................................................................................7  
IV. THE PRODUCTS ................................................................................................................... 12 
A. GENERAL WTO-R ELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING ......................................13  
B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING ................................22  
C. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY -BUILDING ..............................................31  
D. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS ..............................................................................34  
E. E-L EARNING PROGRAMME .......................................................................................................36  
V. PARTNERSHIPS................................................................................................................... .38 
A. THE SECRETARIAT 'S APPROACH TO PARTNERSHIPS ..................................................................38  
B. REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS ........................................................................................................43  
VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION .................................................................................44  
VII. FUNDING........................................................................................................................ ........45  
ANNEX  1 : THE  PRODUCTS  MATRIX:  TABLE  OF CONTENTS ..........................................48  
ANNEX  2: THE  PRODUCTS  MATRIX:  LIST  OF ACTIVITIES .............................................50  
 WT/COMTD/W/160 
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  I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
1. The Doha Development Agenda (DDA) rec ognizes that technical assistance (TA) and 
capacity-building are core elements of the developm ent dimension of the multilateral trading system 
(MTS).  A well planned, targeted and coordinate d delivery of such activities will not only assist 
resource-constrained Members to adjust to WTO rules and disciplines, implement obligations and 
exercise the rights of membership, but will also s upport domestic efforts to mainstream trade into 
national plans for economic development and st rategies for poverty reduction.  The critical 
importance of trade capacity-building was again e xplicitly recognized by Ministers in Hong Kong 
(December 2005), reaffirming the priorities estab lished in para 38 of the Doha Ministerial 
Declaration. 
2. The Institute for Training and Technical Coope ration (ITTC) provides support to beneficiaries 
in discharging their WTO obligations, and taking ad vantage of the opportunities and benefits provided 
to beneficiaries through the Technical Assistance and Training Plans (TA Plans) which provide the 
backbone for the Secretariat's approach to the deliver y of Trade-related Techni cal Assistance (TRTA).  
Particular emphasis is put on maximizing synergi es between training and technical cooperation. In 
view of the demand driven nature of TRTA provide d by the Secretariat, the TA Plans combine offer 
and demand, i.e. in addition to the courses and wo rkshops that are on offer for all beneficiaries, 
support is tailored as much as possible to meet the specific demands/needs of the beneficiaries. In 
order to identify the needs, beneficiaries are i nvited to conduct a national needs assessment, thus 
strengthening both the analytical basis for the support, while at the same time enhancing ownership.  
3. This year, in consultation with Members, a nd in line with recommendations made in the 
Strategic Review (SR) of the WTO Secretariat's TRTA, conducted last year, it was agreed to move 
towards a medium-term planning of TRTA. As a result,  and for the first time, a biennial TA Plan has 
been prepared, covering the years 2008-2009.  A multi-year programming approach would be in 
support of the Secretariat's efforts to ensure sust ainable and cumulative capacity-building, but at the 
same time it would contribute to ensuring more  transparency and predictability in securing the 
necessary financing of the WTO's TRTA activities, specially for activities that are funded through 
extra-budgetary contributions. 
4. The TA Plan builds on experience and lessons learned from the implementation of previous 
TA Plans and takes into account the recommendations made during the SR process.  Some of the main challenges include: continuing strengthening  the synergies between training and technical 
cooperation; improving the quality of the activities;  further refining the methodology of training; 
enhancing the training material and the course cont ent; consolidating the needs assessments as a basis 
for the delivery of TRTA, particularly at the na tional level; continuing strengthening the strategic 
cooperation with partner agencies; building on the experiences with the use of eTraining and using 
that mode as a tool for disseminating informa tion and knowledge, including through the reference 
centres but also in conducting the selection process of  participants to the ac tivities, so as to create 
homogeneous groups participating in the training ev ents and finally, to ensure follow up to the 
training events.  Separately, another main challe nge consists of enhancing the predictability in 
securing the necessary finance for the TRTA activities, bearing in mind that the cost of 
implementation of the TA Plans amounts to some SwF 30 million annually, mostly financed through 
extra-budgetary resources.  
5. The TA Plan is based on the assumption that, i rrespective of the state of play of the DDA 
negotiations, beneficiaries are fully entitled to  training and TRTA, as mandated in the Doha 
Declaration.  In view of the uncertainties about  the outcome of the DDA negotiations, however, the 
TA Plan builds in flexibility to en sure that the programmes and the ac tivities could be adjusted to take 
into account the evolving realities and developmen ts in the MTS as well as the evolving needs of  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 3 
 
 
  beneficiaries.  The ways in which such adjustment s would need to be made and reflected in the TA 
Plan, will have to be discussed and agreed with th e Members.  Hence, the fact that the present TA 
Plan is designed for two years, rather than for one , will not make it less dynamic.  Adjustments will be 
made if and when necessary. 
6. While in the delivery of TA activities a geographi cal balance will be maintained, one of the 
main challenges and priorities continues to be assis ting least-developed countries (LDCs) to integrate 
into the MTS, to benefit from progressive trade lib eralization in world trade and assist LDCs to 
participate fully in the negotiating process of th e DDA.  Hence, priority will be given to LDCs, 
including through the Integrated Framework (IF), JITAP and other specific  programmes designed for 
them.  
7. In order to facilitate access to online info rmation on all TRTA-rela ted products, a TRTA 
webpage called 'Building Trade Capacity' was recen tly developped, which is new and can be accessed 
through the official WTO Website.  Updated a nd specific information can be obtained on the 
activities themselves in the so-called 'activity sheets' , but also on the question who is eligible and how 
to participate.  In addition, the webpage aims at providing more visibility to the extra-budgetary 
contributions used to finance TRTA programmes. 
8. The products can broadly be grouped in five categories: 
• general WTO-related TA and training, whic h broadly covers some the Secretariat's 
'flagship' products, including the Geneva-b ased Trade Policy Courses (TPCs), as well 
as the field based Regional Trade Policy Courses (RTPCs), lasting up to twelve weeks.  These Courses are geared towards government officials with a broad overall 
WTO responsibility, hence generalists.  The pa rticularity of the RTPCs is that they 
are intended to fully associate the local partne r institutions to the training event, so as 
to not only bring in the local and regional dimension, but also enhance ownership of 
the activity.  Through the 'Geneva Week ', representatives of non-residents from 
capitals and from Europe-based miss ions are invited to Geneva. 
• specialized and advanced TA and training, which, obviously is geared more towards 
the specialists.  Relevant activities can be held  in Geneva or in the field, including at 
the regional and national level, but the ma in purpose of such support is to address 
issues that cannot be covered in the broader, general courses and workshops. 
• academic support for training and capacity-build ing, which is part of the Secretariat's 
efforts to develop partnerships with the trade policy-related academic community in 
Member countries.  These partnerships are designed to promote 'joined up' capacity building, simultaneously e nhancing the academic capacity for such training in 
developing countries. 
• trainee programmes and internships, incl uding the Netherlands Trainee Programme 
(NTP), the WTO Regional Coordinator Internship and the Mission Internship Programme, have the common underlying objective of building capacities in a 
systemic and cumulative manner.  They provide an opportunity to officials to get first hand exposure to the functioning of the MTS and/or to provide support to the 
respective beneficiaries' permanent missions or regional secretariats to the WTO. 
• the e-Learning programme, which takes fu ll advantage of information technology 
and the Internet as a complement as well as an alternative to traditional training 
programmes, enhances outreach to academic institutions and indi vidual students and WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 4  
 
  develops WTO –related training material  which would not require simultaneous 
presence of the trainees and trainers in Geneva or in the regions. 
9. The Secretariat, in line with the Hong Kong Mini sterial Declaration, is exploring options to 
address the financial situation and to find ways to  secure more predictable and stable funding of 
WTO's TRTA programmes.  Members requested th e Secretariat to prepare an Issues Paper 
(JOB(07)/140) to address the ways to secure more  predictable and stable funding, including the 
question of possibly transferring the funding of  some of the activities from the DDAGTF to the 
regular budget, which were discussed at informal c onsultations in September.  While a biennial TA 
Plan requires a biennial budget, it is not sugg ested to ask Members to make their biennial 
contributions at once.  What would be useful, ho wever, is to work towards a more coordinated 
approach between the Committee on Budget Finan ce and Administration (CBFA) and the Committee 
on Trade and Development (CTD) communities in pr eparing all aspects of the TA Plan, so as to 
provide more time for Members to anticipate the budgetary implications. 
10. In short, the underlying biennial TA Plan is expected to address several issues in support of 
trade capacity-building, including predictability, st ability and security, both in the design phase of the 
activities and in their implementation, but equally important, in providing a sound financial basis for 
the delivery of the activities.  Continued efforts are pursued to address the financial issues relating to 
the TA Plan from a systemic angle and suggestions are made to enhance its stability and security.  
11. Finally, as indicated earlier, and provided this new approach to TA planning is endorsed by 
Members, the TA Plan would need to be reviewed in light of new developmen ts and more specifically 
in light of progress made in the DDA negotiations.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
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  II. INTRODUCTION 
12. Following consultations with Members, discussions at the CTD and in line with the 
recommendations made in the Technical Coopera tion Audit (TCA) Report (WT/COMTD/W/158) as 
well as the conclusions and recommendations that em erged from the Strategic Review (SR) of WTO's 
TRTA (WT/COMTD/W/152), the Secretariat proposes a biennial TA Plan covering the years 
2008-2009.  This TA Plan builds on the TA Plan for the year 2007 as well as on experience gained 
with, and lessons learned  from the implementation of previous TA Plans.  The TA Plan thus further 
consolidates the approach adopted for the delivery of  TA and training since 2004, and refines some of 
the products and concepts.  It also integrates the vi ews of the Members, both donors and beneficiaries, 
that have been put forward in the course of form al and informal consultations, as well as during the 
meetings of the CTD.  So it is not  "business as usual", and takes into account the negotiating 
environment. 
13. At the time of preparing the TA Plan, the eventual outcome of the DDA negotiations and 
timeframe for its conclusion were still uncertain.  While this should not stand in the way of 
conceptualizing and designing a biennial TA Plan, it also means that the TA Plan should have 
sufficient flexibility to ensure that the programme and the activities contained in the Annex could be 
adjusted to take into account the evolving realities a nd developments in the MTS.  As at the time of 
drafting the TA Plan, the needs and requirements of beneficiaries could not be anticipated, the products may need further improvements and refinements to best tailor them to beneficiaries' needs in 
light of changing circumstances.  Obviously, the new two year TA Plan approach could also have implications for the ways beneficiaries make their requests for national activities.  Requests could be 
made either for each year, or for both years, so as to encroach the notion of cumulative capacity-
building. 
14. One of the main objectives of designing a bie nnial TA Plan is to develop multi-year 
programmes, which would contribute to sustainabl e human and institutional capacity-building, to 
strengthen interlinkages between programmes with a view to building synergies, assuring coherence 
and cost-effectiveness in the delivery of TRTA.  Whenever feasible, the programmes would be 
cumulative, thus gradually moving to higher levels  of learning.  Another main objective is to 
contribute to ensuring transparency and predicta bility in securing the necessary financing of the 
WTO's TRTA activities, more particularly for tho se activities that are funded through extra-budgetary 
contributions.  It would, hopefully, ease the proc ess of making the budgetary allocations at the 
national level.  While Members are not expected to make their financial contributions for two years at 
once, it will facilitate the timely preparation of the funding requirements. 
15. The structure and organization of the TA Plan  are similar to those of the previous TA 
Plans: emphasis continues to be put on fully in tegrating training and technical cooperation and 
maximizing synergies between the two, which was one of the main purposes of establishing the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC ) in 2003.  The TA Plan is designed in such a 
way as to: 
• put emphasis on the quality of the activities; 
• enhance the methodology of training and of the material itself, course content, etc.; 
• use needs assessment systematically  as a basis for the delivery of TA; 
• further strategic cooperation with other ag encies, based on comparative advantage; 
• strengthen the selection process of participants; 
• work towards a follow-up to activities; 
• strengthen the use of eTraining, as a tool for disseminating information, enhancing 
the knowledge base, a precursor to the face to face courses and for selecting participants; WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 6  
 
  • explore effective ways to outsource so me activities, including with academics. 
 16.  The TA Plan is designed to enable the WTO Secretariat to pursue in a coherent and cost-
effective fashion key objectives mandated by Memb ers.  These are: to enhance institutional and 
human capacity in beneficiary countries to addr ess trade policy issues and concerns; 'mainstreaming' 
trade into national development and poverty reduction policies; fac ilitating fuller participation of 
beneficiaries in the MTS; and effec tive participation in the negotiations .  It reflects the principles and 
priorities laid down in the Ministerial Declaration ad opted at the fourth Ministerial Meeting in Qatar 
in November 2001, the DDA, and takes into acc ount the Decision adopted by the General Council 
(GC) on 1 August 2004 (the 'July Framework Agre ement') and the Hong Kong, China, Ministerial 
Declaration (22 December 2005).  Th e TA Plan will be adjusted in light of any decisions taken by 
Members in the course of the negotiations. 
17. More importantly, the assumption is made that i rrespective of the state of play of the DDA 
negotiations beneficiaries are entitled to training an d TA, as mandated in the Doha Declaration.  An 
enhanced knowledge based on the Agreements and the negotiating issues would support informed 
decisions by Members.  The present programme thus  continues to be linked to the need for the 
enhancement of capacity in relation to Members'  rights and obligations in the MTS and to the 
negotiations.  Members can rest assured, however, th at the content of the TRTA will very carefully 
reflect the needs of beneficiaries in light of the s ituation prevailing in 2008 a nd 2009.  It will also no 
doubt be appropriate to relate the action of the Secr etariat to the eventual outcome of the discussion 
on Aid for Trade, and to the operationalization of  the enhanced Integrated Framework (IF) (cf. 
paragraphs 208 et seq.  below).  If the TA Plan itself needs to be adjusted, that will be done. 
18. The DDA recognizes that TA and capacity-buildin g are core elements of the development 
dimension of the MTS.  A well planned, targeted and coordinated delivery of such activities will not 
only assist resource-constrained Members to adju st to WTO rules and disciplines, implement 
obligations and exercise the rights of membersh ip, but will also support domestic efforts to 
mainstream trade into national plans for economic development and strategies for poverty reduction.  
Consistent with the Doha Ministerial Declaration,  the development dimension will be fully reflected 
both generically and in specific modules of the TA Plan. 
19. The TA Plan features a range of products whic h can be used in the delivery of TA and 
training as well as some programmes.  All the products, whether in Geneva or in the field, are geared towards achieving the same general objective.  Th e products can be applied individually or in 
combination.  Moreover, the TA Plan is designe d in such a way that all eligible Members and 
Observers can systematically benefit.  In light of their pressing trade development needs, priority will 
be given to LDCs.  This priority will be artic ulated through specially designed events and, for 
beneficiaries of the IF, activities will be linked to their processes of mainstreaming trade into their national development plans.   
20. New activities contained in the TA Plan and organized by the WTO are announced and 
publicised well in advance.  The newly establis hed WTO webpage on TRTA will be an important 
means for disseminating relevant information on TA activities.   
21. The TA Plan is structured as follows:  Ch apter III discusses the key features of TA and 
training for the years 2008-2009, followed by a pr esentation in Chapter IV of the products and the 
objectives they are meant to achieve.  Chapter V pr ovides information on partnerships.  Chapter VI 
addresses monitoring and evaluation, and Ch apter VII covers the issue of funding. 
22. 
The Annexes provide practical information and more details on the TA and training activities 
to be conducted in 2008 and 2009, or in both years.  The Annexes follow the same  order as the text of 
the TA Plan.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
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  III. KEY FEATURES OF THE BIENNIAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING 
PLAN 2008-2009 
23. The key features of the TA Plan are: 
• quality-oriented :  while it is important to ensure that Members are offered an 
appropriate number of activities, it is even more important to ensure high quality;   
• product-oriented :  the TA Plan is centred around the delivery of products.  For each 
of these, there are well defined specific objectives.  These products include trade 
policy courses of varying duration, which can be held in Geneva or in the field, regional seminars, workshops, national activities, etc.; 
• process- and programme-oriented
:  besides the products, the TA Plan contains several 
processes and programmes geared towards fac ilitating the integration of beneficiaries 
into the MTS (IF, Joint Integrated Tec hnical Assistance Programme (JITAP), 
internships); 
• development-oriented :  in keeping with the thrust of the DDA, special emphasis is 
given to the developmental dimension in all aspects of the TA Plan; 
• impact and results-oriented :  the TA Plan lays emphasis on activities that have been 
proven to build, or to be likely to build , sustainable human and institutional capacity.  
The TA Plan is intended to "leave a trace"; 
• geographically balanced :  there is a considerable reliance on regional activities so as 
to ensure an equitable coverage of beneficiaries; 
• broad and deep in coverage :  to ensure that all the WTO Agreements and the 
negotiating issues of the DDA are addressed, with the appropriate degree of detail;  
• simple and flexible :  the TA Plan is simple, transparen t and flexible.  It plans what is 
plannable (core activities, whether in Geneva  or for the regions) and leaves room to 
address priority needs and to accommodate specific requests from beneficiaries;  it 
will particularly take into account the needs of LDCs, small and vulnerable 
economies, as well as non-residents;  and, 
• designed to build and strengthen st rategic partnerships and coherence : 
o with the beneficiaries, i.e. in-country cooperation and capacity-building, 
designed to create conditions which w ill allow transfer of ownership and 
responsibility for training progressively to the beneficiary over time, and through a participatory approach, iden tify needs and establish priorities for 
TA and training; 
o with the donor community, to achieve greater coherence among providers of 
TA and training, avoid overlap and duplication in activities and enhance 
efficiency; 
o with regional training institutes, bodies and other internati onal organizations, 
to share responsibility and take full  advantage of complementarities and 
available expertise;  and, 
o with academia, to work with the academ ic community to meet local needs 
and to encourage WTO-related teaching and  research. 
24. This TA Plan builds on previous years' expe rience, with a view to making it even more 
effective as the blueprint for the delivery of trai ning and TA.  The recommendations and lessons 
learned that have emerged from the monitoring and ev aluation reports have been particularly relevant WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 8  
 
  in the design of the TA Plan.  The TA Plan  has been conceived with due regard to the 
recommendations made in the TCA Reports since 2002,  which may contribute to better planning and 
delivery of TA, as well as the draft recommendations that emerged from the SR of WTO's TRTA
1, as 
available at the time of drafting this TA Plan, were taken into account. 
(a) Beneficiaries 
25. WTO's TRTA programmes and activities are prim arily geared towards government officials 
from WTO Members and acceding countries, who are di rectly responsible for WTO-related issues, 
including the implementation of the Agreements  of the MTS and the DDA negotiations.  The 
Secretariat is gradually reaching out to address a broa der audience, such as the academia and the civil 
society, including parliamentarians and private sect or representatives.  This can be done either 
through WTO's specific programmes and products (e.g. academia) or as part of partnership 
arrangements (cf chapter IV). 
(b) How to participate? 
26. In order to benefit from TRTA activities organized  by the Secretariat, beneficiaries receive a 
letter of invitation normally through the Geneva-bas ed Permanent Mission.  For beneficiaries without 
representation in Geneva, the letter of invitation would be sent dir ectly to capital.  For national 
activities, requests need to be addressed  to the Secretariat i.e. to the Director of ITTC.  Also, reference 
is made to the trade capacity-building webpage, whic h contains information on how to participate.  
For each specific activity, the Secretariat would normally conduct a selection process of participants, 
based on the specific objectives of the activity and th e applicant's qualifications.  The objective of the 
selection process is to ensure as much as possible creating homogeneous groups, with similar levels of 
knowledge of all participants.  
(c) Selection of participants  
27. One of the main challenges in the delivery of TA is to ensure that the participants' and 
Secretariat's expectations match.  It has been proven that the outcome of an activity with a 
homogeneous group of participants in  terms of knowledge is signifi cantly higher than a group with 
varying levels of knowledge.  Wh ile this may apply differently to courses with exhaustive substantial 
coverage and/or long duration, such as Trade Po licy Courses (TPCs), for which a selection process is 
already established and conducted routinely, it appli es more specifically when the level of required 
expertise increases, such as  in specialized workshops and training courses.  In order to ensure that the 
right match is achieved prior to the activity, there are responsibilities on the side of the Secretariat as 
well as on the side of the beneficiary.  The Secretariat has to ensure that the letter of invitation for an 
activity clearly states the objectives and expected outcome of the activity, as well as the required 
qualifications of the participants.  The beneficiar ies need to propose the right candidates for the 
activity, who fully correspond to the indicated profile .  Thus, in order to match expectations, the 
selection process is strengthened fu rther and conducted more systematically, prior to the start of the 
activity, not only for the Geneva-based training c ourses, but equally for field-based workshops and 
specialized, topic-related seminars and training courses, and more particularly for advanced and 
higher levels of training.  Such a selection pr ocess will naturally differ per activity, as discussed 
further.  The beneficiaries should ensure the eff ective participation of the officials throughout the 
activity, so as to avoid cancellations and/or early drop-outs, which reduce the participation rates and 
undermine the effectiveness of the activity.  Th e activity sheets contained in the webpage, which 
provide detailed information on each activity, should contribute to clarifying the expected 
qualifications of participants.  The Secretariat mainta ins a database of all participants, which allows to 
                                                      
1 WT/COMTD/W/111 - 28 March 2003, WT/COMTD/W/125 - 22 March 2004, WT/COMTD/W/138 
– 15 April 2005,  WT/COMTD/W/148 - 14 April 2006 and WT/COMTD/W/158 -  7 May 2007  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 9 
 
 
  check to what extent a participant has alread y acquired knowledge in a specific field through 
participation in previous activities. 
28. The selection process can include, as is alr eady done by some divisions, sending out 
questionnaires or other forms for assessment of the ca ndidates, by electronic means (e.g. e-course as a 
precursor to the activity), which would provide some  indication and assurance to the organizers of the 
activity that the required expertise is available.  This can be done in writing, and can also include 
direct interaction with the candidates over the tele phone.  Such a process is particularly important 
when the activity is geared toward s experts in a specific field when higher levels of learning are the 
objective and when activities exceed a certain time, involving high costs incurred.  This can apply to 
advanced courses for anti-dumping practitioners, di spute settlement, services, market access etc., 
where the main purpose is to provide higher levels  of training, thus moving away from the basic 
capacity-building.  These specialized courses are incr easingly delivered on an interactive basis, with 
participants conducting simulations, group work, sh aring of experiences etc, which can only be 
performed successfully if overall levels of participants  are comparable.  In the same vein, participants 
attending more advanced and/or specialized activities are increasingly required to have a solid base 
knowledge, so that they are at par prior to the cour se.  In order to synchroni ze levels of knowledge, 
the Secretariat often prepares lists of readings, which can be sent to the participants directly, or can be 
accessed electronically, e.g. on  a dedicated WTO Website.  Candidates who are known to have 
previously participated in training activities, what ever their nature (including eTraining) make it 
possible to deliver higher-level training, either more  focused or more sophisticated, or both.  When 
necessary, the Secretariat should be in a position to inform the candidate and/or the relevant 
authorities if it feels that the official does not co rrespond to the profile required for the activity, as 
spelled  out in the letter of invitation. 
(d) Coordination and Consultations  
29. The ITTC, and more particularly the Technical Assistance Management Committee (TAMC), 
play a central role in coordinating the implementati on of the activities contained in the TA Plan.  The 
implementation of the TA Plan will involve virt ually all WTO divisions, as well as partner 
institutions, regional development banks and other ag encies.  In addition, there is the process of 
informal consultations which has proven to be a valuable mechanisms for frank and open discussions 
and exchanging views among stakeholders, in a cons tructive spirit, on issues of common concern in 
the field of TRTA.  
30. Various sources of information which have assisted in designing the TA Plan in the past 
continue to be of importance:  the Secretariat inte racts with Members in various ways, e.g. through the 
committees, direct contacts with Geneva-based dele gations, with visiting of ficials, including high 
level officials attending the Geneva Week, during missions, in the course of regional and national 
seminars/workshops, during the TPCs, held either in Ge neva or in the field.  The Secretariat regularly 
interacts with regional groupings to discuss TRTA rele vant to countries in the region and also directly 
consults with other international organiza tions and agencies active in the field.  
31. In the course of committee meetings and consu ltations, which are regularly held by the ITTC 
with operational divisions and donor s and potential beneficiary countries or groups of countries, the 
Secretariat has an opportunity to shape the progr amme of activities.  The committees, through the 
Secretary, are invited to submit their proposals for ac tivities in specific areas to the ITTC in a timely 
manner, so as to allow for their in clusion into the TA Plan.  The analyses contained in Trade Policy 
Review (TPR) reports are also helpful in assisting the Members and the Secretariat to identify suitable 
issues for TA.  The strengthened cooperation be tween the ITTC and the Trade Policy Review 
Division (TPRD) in support of needs identification is  paying dividends.  It should also be noted that 
certain institutional mechanisms, su ch as the IF, which includes a phase of diagnostic study of country 
needs, continue to be valuable tools in defini ng TA programmes.  Finally, through the back-to-office WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 10  
 
  reports (BTORs), a better appreciation can be obtai ned as to the requirements for follow-up activities.  
Operational divisions have a particular role to  play because of their in-depth knowledge of each 
country's situation with respect to each Agreement.  More generally, if "demand" (which is not always 
coterminous with "need") is to be accurately  assessed and usefully channelled, canvassing of 
requirements, as defined by Member s, is particularly important. 
(e) Quality vs quantity 
32. A systematic needs assessment of the TRTA requirements of Members and continuous 
dialogue with the Secretariat in meeting those needs is expected to result in  a more target-oriented 
selection from among the products of the TA Plan.  Th is approach, coupled with closer attention to 
the selection of the participants, could lead to more re levant TA and lasting results.  It is expected to 
facilitate the development of a multi-year appro ach for the delivery of TRTA, thus leading to 
sustainable and cumulative capacity-building.  In pr eparing each activity, more attention will thus be 
paid to the quality, rather than the quantity of activities.  Thus, if circumstances permit, a gradual 
reduction of the number of discrete activities could ev entually be envisaged, to the benefit of longer 
lasting high quality activities, with expected higher impact.  The quality of the activities can be further 
enhanced through the design of the activities, by including lists of readings, providing more detailed 
information on the contents of the (draft) progra mme, as well as on the documentation.  Follow-up to 
the activity should gradually become an integral pa rt of the activity itself.  The TRTA webpage is 
expected to provide timely information on all aspects of the planned TRTA activities and to 
enhancing transparency.  
33. The quality of TRTA would be improved further with the systematic use of case studies, 
simulations and other practical exercises which have direct relevance for the region.  Such 
problem-solving exercises would provide the opportuni ty for participants to interact with resource 
persons as well as with fellow counterparts from ot her countries.  The training material, including the 
exercises and simulations, will as much as possible be  tailored to the (sub-) regional situation, thus 
increasing the direct relevance for participants in the activity.  The training would gradually become 
more interactive with particular emphasis being put  on sharing of experiences between participants.  
Local resource staff would increasingly be used in or der to put more weight on the local dimension of 
"problem-solving".  The homogeneity and manageable  size of groups would thus be of the essence.  
Groups of participants would normally not exceed 30 in total in order to ensure that courses can 
indeed be made interactive.  As to the duration,  in line with recommendations made, the quality of 
TRTA can improve by putting more emphasis on trai ning courses of medium to longer duration, with 
more in-depth treatment of the issues, rather th an undertaking a high number of activities of short 
duration, which may have less impact. 
(f) Needs assessments 
34. Members have emphasized the necessity for bene ficiaries to identify and prioritize their 
requests for assistance, based on a pr ocess of needs identification.  Guidelines (JOB(04)/113) were 
developed, which can assist beneficiaries in unde rtaking their own needs assessment.  Moreover, a 
global approach was developed in cooperation with  TPRD to assess the needs of beneficiaries in a 
more systematic manner and in direct relation to countries' TPRs.  Other needs assessments processes 
are conducted as part of the Trade Facilitation Pr ogramme, IF, Aid for Trade, as well as through 
various WTO committees.  All initiatives are geared  towards achieving the same objective, which is 
to have a better knowledge of the needs of a benefi ciary, so as to better match offer and demand.  The 
ITTC will endeavour to centralize and coordinate a ll relevant information so as to make the most 
effective use of it in preparation of TRTA activit ies for beneficiaries.  This would contribute to 
making TRTA more results-oriented, quantifia ble in terms of delivery, and effective.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 11 
 
 
  (g) Webpage  
35. The TRTA webpage was created in 2007, and launc hed in the summer on the official website 
of the WTO2.  The main objective of this online information tool is to provide access to all 
TRTA-related information and products .  This gateway also gives more visibility to the coordinated 
efforts undertaken by the Secretariat in the fields of TA and training.  
36. The public at large can consult the different  TA Plans, learn more about WTO's TRTA 
programmes and products, access information on each of  the activities listed in the current year's TA 
Plan, and review relevant documents .  In addition, the TRTA gateway provides direct links to external 
websites with trade capacity-building components,  such as the Joint WTO/Organization for Economic 
Co-operation and Development (O ECD) Trade Capacity Building Database (TCBDB), the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework (EIF), the JITAP, the Aid for Trade monitoring, and the International Trade 
Centre (ITC).  In line with the recommendations inscribed in the Strategic Review of WTO TRTA 
conducted in 20053, the webpage also strongly refers to pa rtnership programmes the WTO is involved 
in, either with other internationa l organizations, or regional bodies. 
37. To provide more visibility to the extra-budge tary contributions used to finance TRTA 
programmes, the gateway includes a list of donors a nd the amounts that were contributed to the Doha 
Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) since 2005.  As the implementation of the TA 
Plans require a sum of SWF 30 million on an annual b asis, a fifth of which is funded from the regular 
budget for TA, the remaining SWF 24 million are obtained through the donor contributions.  
Information on those donor countries and the leve l of contributions is now accessible online. 
38. Future developments are also envisaged.  They include the gradual expansion of information, 
the access to systemic training material, as well as extended e-Learning programmes. 
(h) Outcomes and follow-up  
39. In line with suggestions made by TCA and the SR , deliberate efforts are made, in the design 
phase, to ensure more coherent and logical design of TA programmes, which will include realistic, 
measurable and achievable objectives, supported by performance indicators, set out prior to the 
delivery of the TA.  The activity sheets on the we bpage will provide relevant information.  TCA 
provides its support to that effect.  More attention is paid to the outcome of the training, as well as to the follow-up to the courses, thus ensuring that  the activity has strengthened the knowledge base of 
the participants in measurable ways and that the information obtained and the knowledge acquired 
through the training will be put to use.  Testing of knowledge can be done in  various ways, including 
through quizzes prior to and after the delivery of the course, as well as through question and answer 
sessions that allow the trainers to have a better a ppreciation of the knowledge acquired.  Such testing 
is increasingly becoming part of the activity itself.  As to the follow-up, this can include report writing 
by the participants with feedback on the outcome of the course and how that information will be put 
to use in the day to day work of the official, or how it will be disseminated to colleagues in capital.  
Follow-up can also be assured through continued inte raction with the trainers and other participants 
following the course, participating in courses on the same  topic at higher levels of specialization, etc.  
Other ways and methods of assuring a follow-up to th e activity will be explored, so as to establish 
durable links between the trainers and the particip ants, e.g. through an electronic forum where past 
participants in seminars and courses  remain in touch. 
                                                     
 
2 www.wto.org 
3 WT/COMTD/W/152 WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 12  
 
  (i) Comparative advantage 
40.  The WTO would exclusively undertake activities that fall within its mandate and in which it 
has a comparative advantage, hence the WTO Agreements and those areas that are directly part of the 
DDA negotiations.  It will cooperate and partner as mu ch as possible with all relevant international 
bodies and agencies in order to deliver the TRTA in  the most efficient ways, bearing in mind the 
specific competences of each of the partner organizations. 
(j) Least-developed countries (LDCs) 
41. The main challenge for the WTO is to assist LD Cs to integrate into the MTS and to benefit 
from progressive liberalization in worl d trade.  Another challenge is to  assist LDCs to participate fully 
in the negotiating process of the DDA.  In the S ecretariat's experience, one way of addressing these 
challenges is to identify and put in place appropria te cost-effective mechanisms that the Secretariat 
can deploy to encourage LDCs to take advantage of the full range of TA and training programmes, 
including national seminars. 
42. LDCs are associated with over 40 per cent of all TRTA delivered, including national activities 
held in Least-developed countries, regional semin ars, workshops and training activities to which 
LDCs are invited.  Thus, in line with the Doha Decl aration, priority attentio n is and will continue to 
be given to LDCs.  Some products are specifically or  largely geared towards LDCs, e.g. the EIF, and 
JITAP, the three-week Introduction Courses for LDCs, Geneva Weeks, the Reference Centres 
Programme, the Netherlands Trainee Programme  (NTP), Mission Internship Programme, support 
provided in the needs assessments and TPRs.  LD Cs are entitled to three national activities and 
receive priority attention in the accession process.  More generally and whenever possible, priority is 
given to LDCs in the selection process for Geneva-based courses. 
(k) Outsourcing 
43. The WTO's policy on outsourcing is based on the Note by the Secretariat circulated to 
Members (document WT/COMTD/W/116, dated 16  June 2003), and which is presently being 
reviewed.  Experts to be considered for the roster  are former trade officials, ex-delegates, former 
GATT/WTO staff members, academics (including the co-lecturers on the Regional Trade Policy 
Courses (RTPCs), recognized experts in a specific fiel d, trainers and officials from other international 
organizations, to be drawn from all regions.  A da tabase was created and has been operational since 
early 2004.  Administrative procedures have been established to guide the process of applications, 
selection and implementation of ou tsourcing of activities by divisi ons, as well as for the process of 
evaluation of performance of resour ce persons and reporting.  The ai m is to have the database as the 
first source for reference if there is a need to entrust activities to outside resource persons.  The 
database is administered by the Human Resour ces Division (HRD) and jointly managed with the 
ITTC. 
IV. THE PRODUCTS 
44. The products are designed to ensure a feas ible number of high quality activities, with 
expected durable effects.  Each product comes w ith clearly identified objectives.  In this way 
outcomes become measurable, making evaluation more meaningful.  The key features discussed 
above are reflected in the design of the products an d related TA and training activities, and in their 
implementation.  In defining the products, the appr oach that was adopted re flects the situation that 
each product targets a different need and is based on different levels of  knowledge of the participants.  
Given the different nature of the TA and trai ning activities proposed and the objectives for each 
product, it is important that, prior to enrolling a participant on a specific course, the needs of the 
participants and the expected benefits for the beneficiary country are carefully assessed.   WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 13 
 
 
  45. The products can be grouped broadly in five main categories: 
 A. GENERAL WTO-RELATED TA AND TRAINING;   B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TA AND TRAINING;  C. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING;  D. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS; 
 E. E-LEARNING  
46. There are two main programmes, the JITAP and the EIF for trade-related TA to LDCs, which 
are processes or mechanisms for the delivery of  TA implemented in pa rtnership with other 
organizations, rather than products per se  they are discussed in Chapter V. 
47. The main characteristics of these products are pr esented in this document, followed by a more 
detailed listing of corresponding activiti es in the Annexes.  The activiti es can be undertaken in either 
2008 or 2009, or in both years (cf Annex II).  A dist inction is made between products that are geared 
towards basic learning, requiring relatively lower levels of base knowledge of the WTO MTS, and 
products that require increasingly specific a nd/or advanced knowledge and training.   
A. G
ENERAL WTO-R ELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING  
48. This first category covers activities geared towa rds government officials with a broad overall 
WTO responsibility and a general knowledge of the MTS and who are therefore generalists.  This also 
includes officials who have recently assumed respons ibilities with regard to the WTO and have not 
had much exposure to the theory and practice of WT O rules and regulations and for whom this is an 
opportunity to exchange information and share e xperiences.  Training is geared towards either 
generalists who want to get thorough introduction to particular areas of the work of the WTO, and/or 
towards the specialists/technicians who want to re fresh their understanding of the basics related to 
specific topics.  The main purpose is to initiate o fficials to the rules and functioning of the WTO 
and/or to raise the general le vel of knowledge and provide opportunities to improve their skills. 
49. This category of product mainly includes training activities designed to offer a broad 
understanding of all WTO-related matters.  Trai ning performed under this category is therefore 
general in nature and not addressed primarily to sp ecialists and/or experts. This category of product 
also includes activities that address specific topics a nd issues.  Moreover, a reflection is currently 
ongoing on follow-up training activities related to Gene ral WTO-related TA and training.  Modalities 
for such activities need to be further defined. 
1. Trade Policy Courses (TPCs) 
50.  There are a total of nine TPCs in 2008 and eight in 2009:  four in Geneva and five/four in the 
regions.  They last 12 weeks and through these Gene va-/ and field-based courses, a total of around 
200 participants is reached annually.  This kind of overall exposure is critically important in countries 
where the human resources devoted to the MTS are insufficient to permit a high degree of 
specialisation and/or where national committees co ordinating WTO matters need to strengthen the 
knowledge of their staff.  They also serve as a general introduction for those who may become 
specialists at a later stage. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 14  
 
  (i) Geneva-based Trade Policy Courses (TPCs) 
51. Four TPCs are organized annually at Headquarters.  The courses comprise a series of 
interactive modules, with lectures, exercises and simulations, and revision sessions, covering all the 
areas of work of the WTO.  They also include vis its to other internationa l organizations active in 
trade-related matters.  Regular briefings on WTO wo rk-in-progress, and attendance to WTO meetings, 
are an integral part of the TPCs.  Contacts with  WTO experts and experts from Missions and other 
international organizations are also a common featur e.  Moreover, participants are encouraged to 
establish contacts with experts in relevant divisions , pursue discussions of interest to their country 
with experts in specific field, prepare for national and regional training events with the regional desks 
in ITTC and build working relations with WTO offi cials, thus facilitating follow-up, once the official 
returns to capital.  An abundant reference documenta tion is distributed to the participants, on paper 
and/or electronic formats, with an invitation to di sseminate this information to their colleagues once 
back in their capital. 
52. In terms of objectives, it is expected that, at the end of the Geneva-based TPCs, the 
participants will have: 
• developed a good understanding of all aspects of the WTO, including the Agreements 
(transfer of knowledge); 
• improved analytical and negotiating skills (improvement of skills); 
•
 learned to use effectively the relevant in formation and documentation on trade-related 
issues (autonomy); 
• strengthened capacity to work in teams a nd in an international environment (team 
work); 
• established and/or strengthened a networ k of contacts with each other and the 
trainers/experts (network). 
53. The TPCs are organized by the ITTC, and call on experts from operational divisions and the 
specialized support of outside consultants.  Guest  speakers from other organizations, in particular 
from the ITC, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World 
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and th e World Bank (WB) are regularly invited.  
Presentations of the activities of the Advisory Centre for WTO La w (ACWL) and the Agency for 
International Trade Information and Cooperation (AITIC) also cons titute regular features of the 
programme. 
54. Government officials from developing count ries and LDCs, economies in transition and 
acceding countries are eligible to participate in the TP Cs.  Invitations are sent well before each course, 
through the Permanent Missions or, for non-r esidents through one national focal point.  
Twenty-five participants financed by the WTO ar e selected for each course.  A limited number of 
additional seats are made available to participants from the same e ligible countries (auditors) who are 
not financed by the Secretariat.   These officials are usually, but not necessarily, from the Ministry of 
Trade.  In fact beneficiaries are strongly encouraged  to ensure that officials from other ministries, who 
deal with trade issues, are also given the opportunity  to participate in these courses, as well as in other 
products.   
55. A selection process is conducted for each course.  It seeks to ensure an equitable distribution 
among eligible countries over a cycle of six courses:  four in English, one in French and one in 
Spanish.  A Committee is constituted to conduct the process of selection, which includes such 
elements as the eligibility of candidates, their qua lifications, geographical and gender balance, and 
equitable coverage of beneficiary countries.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 15 
 
 
  56. In 2008, the following five c ourses will be held in Geneva4: 
• the 43rd and 44th TPCs for English-speaking officials to be held simultaneously as from 
14 January to 4 April 2008;  
• the 45th  TPC for Spanish-speaking officials to be held from 21 April to 11 July 2008;  
and, 
• the 46th TPC for French-speaking officials to be held from 15 September to 
5 December 2008. 
 
57. In 2009, the following four c ourses will be held in Geneva5: 
• the 47th and 48th TPCs for English-speaking officials to be held simultaneously; 
• the 49th TPC for English-speaking officials; and 
• the 50th TPC for English-speaking officials. 
 58. The training methods used put emphasis on in teractive learning, simulations, practical 
exercises, case studies, round tables and debates.  Standardized training material, including 
background material, visual supports, exercises, simulation and reference documents, is being 
consolidated. 
59. The costs of Geneva-based TPCs, including fello wships for the participants covering travel, 
lodging and insurance, are financed through the regular budget. 
60. Progress of participants is evaluated during the training activity, using different methods, 
including self-assessment tests, exer cises, etc.  At the end of the course an evaluation is made to 
assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the course.  This information is fed back into the process of 
designing and constantly improving the quality of the course per se .  An ex-post evaluation is now 
systematically conducted, in coope ration with the TCA Unit, to improve the Secretariat's capability to 
collect elements to measure the impact of training on beneficiary countries. 
(ii) Regional Trade Policy Courses (RTPCs) 
61. RTPCs are built on a model similar to the Geneva-based TPCs and are delivered in 
partnership with an institution of higher learning in different regions of the world.  Government 
officials from each specific region participate in the training and the courses adapt to regional 
specificities in terms of number of participants from each country.  The courses are co-delivered by 
officials from the WTO Secretariat and academics and trade policy specialists from the region.  There 
is a natural complementarity between the WTO expe rtise and regional expertise which renders this 
type of training comprehensive and adapted to lo cal needs.  WTO lecturers provide authoritative 
explanations of WTO provisions and the workings of the institution, and specialists from the region 
deliver lectures and discussions with a strong emphasis on regional concerns.  This dual-delivery approach provides the training with a regional rele vance and context that is unique to RTPCs.  
62. While the key objectives of RTPCs are the same as for the Geneva-based courses, and 
provide similar training opportunities, the RTPCs are also expected to contribute to: 
• building institutional partnerships at the regional level for capacity-building activities; 
• giving the course a regional focus and relevance;  and, 
• fostering networks among institutions of  higher learning and their academics. 
                                                     
 
4 tentative dates 
5 dates to be communicated at a later stage WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 16  
 
  63. A selection process for participants is conduc ted.  A Committee is constituted to conduct the 
process of selection, which includes such elements as  the eligibility of candidates, their qualifications, 
geographical and gender balance, and equita ble coverage of beneficiary countries. 
64. In conjunction with each RTPC, a preparatory th ree-day Workshop is held for academics and 
trade specialists who co-deliver the course.  The workshop provides a detailed briefing on the 
objectives of the RTPC project, bilateral meetings  with WTO trainers, updating on the status of 
ongoing work in the WTO and exchanges on research activ ities.  The workshop is an integral part of 
the RTPC project as it helps to bui ld the institutional partnership, contextualizes the joint lecturing 
arrangements and facilitates the building of an academic network. 
65. The institutional partnerships by definition can onl y be forged with a single institution within 
a region at any one time, but the co-lecturers are drawn from institutions of higher learning and other 
sources from throughout the region.  Thus, linkages are established and/or reinforced with the 
academic community as part of an integrated approach for sustainable capacity-building. 
66. The partnership between the regional instituti on and the ITTC evolves over time, with the 
RTPCs being considered as Phase 1 of the project (see section III C(b) for follow-up to RTPCs, 
Phase 2). 
67. It is envisaged to organize five RTPCs in 2008,  two of which will be undertaken with new 
partner institutions:   
• for the Caribbean; 
• for English-speaking Africa; 
• for French-speaking Africa; 
• for Asia and the Pacific; and 
• for Latin America. 
 
68. Following the delivery of three RTPCs in partne rship with the University of Namibia and 
with the University of Chile (2005-2007), these partnerships will move into Phase 2 in 2008.  
Accordingly, the WTO will enter into new partnershi ps with institutions of higher learning in both of 
these regions. 
69. For the Caribbean region, in 2008, a RTPC will be re-introduced to the region following the 
running of a three-week Consolidation Course held in 2007 for former Caribbean participants to the 
RTPCs and Geneva-based TPCs.  The consolidation course was aimed at consolidating the capacity 
built over the previous years of RTPCs in the region and it was held in lieu of an RTPC.  
70. It is envisaged to organize four RTPCs in 2009, all of which will be held with the same 
partner institutions as in 2008: 
• for English-speaking Africa; 
• for French-speaking Africa; 
• for Asia and the Pacific; and 
• for Latin America. 
 
71. For the Caribbean, in 2009, it is proposed to hold two further Consolid ation Courses in lieu of 
the RTPCs.  The Consolidation Course will be of four weeks duration and will be held twice during 
2009.  The Course will consist of four modules, each of one a week duration, dealing with issues that 
are important for that region and treating them in greater depth than during the RTPCs.  The training will include topical case studies and interactive par ticipation.  The courses will be organized in  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 17 
 
 
  partnership with the University of the West Indies and will closely involve regional lecturers in the 
planning preparation and delivery of the training. 
72. This approach of alternating between RTPC s and Consolidation Courses takes into account 
the high level of interest by governments in the Caribbean region in RTPCs but also takes into consideration the demands such Courses impose on limited government human resources.  Alternating 
an RTPC with Consolidation Courses for former part icipants continues the objectives of the RTPCs of 
increasing the WTO knowledge of government officials in the regions and enha ncing the institutional 
capacity of the partner university to deliver WTO-re lated training in a manner consistent with the 
human resource situation of the region.  The C onsolidation Courses respond to a request for more 
specialized training by former participants to th e RTPCs and TPCs.  The three-month Courses provide 
participants with an introduction to WTO Rules an d Agreements, as well as providing them with 
practical communication and negotiation skills.  Howe ver, participants have indicated that they 
require more in-depth knowledge of trade disci plines identified as important for the Caribbean, 
through the provision of a more detailed training e xperience/deeper immersion in the subject area. 
73. With regard to RTPCs in regions not yet cove red, such as the Arab and Middle East, and the 
Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus (CEECAC) regions, discussions with 
representatives from these regions will be undertak en with the view to assessing the appropriate 
timing for the organization of a RTPC. 
74. Progress of participants is evaluated during the training activity, using different methods, 
including self-assessment tests, exer cises, etc.  At the end of the course an evaluation is made to 
assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the course.  This information is fed back into the process of 
designing and constantly improving the quality of the course per se .  
75. The costs incurred for the organization of RTPC s, including fellowships for the participants 
covering travel, lodging and insurance, are covered by the trust funds. 
2. Geneva-based Introduction Courses 
76. The main purpose of these Courses is the dissemination of general information about the 
WTO, its basic rules and disciplines and its functio ning.  The Courses usually last three weeks, and 
are held at Headquarters.  Briefings on overall WTO work progress are an integral part of the Courses.  The development dimension constitutes an impor tant module in the programme of Introduction 
Courses.  The Courses are often conducted with th e participation of representatives of ITC, 
UNCTAD, WIPO and the World Bank (WB).  Presenta tion of the activities of other international 
organizations and institutions also constitutes re gular features of the programme (ITC, UNCTAD, 
WIPO, WB, ACWL and AITIC).  
77. In terms of objectives to be reached, it is e xpected that at the end of the Courses the 
participants will have: 
• developed a general understa nding of all aspects of the WTO, including the 
Agreements (transfer of knowledge); 
• learned to use efficiently the relevant in formation and documenta tion on trade-related 
issues (autonomy); 
• strengthened capacity to work in teams a nd in an international environment (team 
work);  and, 
• established and/or strengthened a networ k of contacts with each other and the 
trainers/experts (network). WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 18  
 
  78. The Introduction Courses are organized by th e ITTC in cooperation with experts from 
operational divisions.  Guest speakers from other or ganizations active in the specific area of work 
concerned may also be invited to co-train. 
79. Government officials from LDCs are eligible to  participate in the two Introduction Courses 
organized annually.   
80. The training methods used put emphasis on inte ractive learning, practical exercises and case 
studies.  Exercises are used to transfer skills to participants. 
81. A selection process is conducted for each course.  It seeks to ensure an equitable distribution 
among eligible countries over a yearly cycle of two courses:  one in English, one in French.  A 
Committee is constituted to conduct the process of selection, which includes such elements as the 
eligibility of candidates, their qualifications, geograp hical and gender balance, and equitable coverage 
of beneficiary countries. 
82. In 2008, the following cour ses will be held in Geneva
6: 
• 13th  Introduction Course for English-speaking officials from LDCs to be held from 
9 to 27 June 2008;  and, 
• 14th  Introduction Course for French-speaki ng officials from LDCs to be held from 
3 to 21 November 2008. 
83. In 2009, the following cour ses will be held in Geneva7: 
• 15th Introduction Course for English-speaking officials from LDCs; and, 
• 16th Introduction Course for French-speaking officials from LDCs. 
84. Progress of participants is evaluated during the training activity, using different methods, 
including self-assessment tests, exer cises, etc.  At the end of the course an evaluation is made to 
assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the course.  This information is fed back into the process of 
designing and constantly improving the quality of the course per se . 
85. The costs of the Introduction Courses, including  fellowships for the participants covering 
travel, lodging and insurance, are financed through the regular budget. 
3. Geneva-based Thematic Courses 
86. These Courses, introductory in nature, focus on one or a group of WTO-related topics, and 
usually last one or two weeks.  Briefing on WTO work progress in the topics concerned is an integral part of these courses.  The training methods used put emphasis on interactive learning, practical 
exercises, case studies and debates.  Simulation ex ercises are often used to offer participants 
opportunities to strengthen their skills.  
87. In terms of objectives, it is expected that at th e end of the courses the participants will have:   
• strengthened their theoretical understanding of  the WTO-related topic(s) specifically 
addressed in the Course (transfer of knowledge); 
                                                     
 
6 tentative dates 
7 dates to be communicated at a later stage  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 19 
 
 
  • strengthened their topic-related skills (improvement of skills); 
• strengthened their confidence to activel y engage in topic-related WTO work 
(confidence); 
• strengthened their capacity to work in te ams and in an international environment 
(team work); and 
• established and/or strengthened a networ k of contacts with each other and the 
trainers/experts (network): 
88. The Thematic Courses are organized by th e ITTC in cooperation with experts from 
operational divisions and sometimes with the ad ho c support of outside consultants or professors.  
Geneva-based delegates and guest speakers from other organizations active in the specific area of work concerned may also be invited to co-train.   
89. Government officials from developing count ries and LDCs, economies in transition and 
acceding countries are eligible to participate in th e Thematic Courses.  Government officials from 
developed countries are also invited to particip ate in the Thematic Courses on Dispute Settlement, 
Rules and Procedures, which are organized pursuant to Article 27.3 of the DSU. 
90. Subject to confirmation, the following topi cs will be covered in 2008 and 2009: Dispute 
Settlement (three one-week courses), and Trade Negotiati ons (one or two two-week course(s)), and/or 
possibly one other topic to be defined at a later stage (one two-week course). 
91. The following Geneva-based Thematic Courses are scheduled for the year 2008
8:   
• the 20th (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course for English-speaking officials, to be 
held from 5 to 9 May 2008; 
• the 7th (Thematic) Course on Trade Negotiations, for English-speaking officials, to be 
held from 19 to 30 May 2008; 
• the [...]th (Thematic) Course on [subject to be determined at a later stage], for 
[language to be determined at  a later stage]-speaking officials, to be held from 6 to 
17 October 2008; 
• the 21st (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course fo r French-speaking officials, to be 
held from 27 to 31 October 2008; and 
• the 22nd (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course for English-speaking officials, to be 
held from 1 to 5 December 2008. 
92. The following Geneva-based Thematic Courses are scheduled for the year 20099: 
• the 23rd  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course fo r [language to be determined at a 
later stage]-speaking officials; 
• the 8th (Thematic) Course on Trade Negotiations, fo r [language to be determined at a 
later stage]-speaking officials; 
                                                      
8 Indicative dates 
9 dates to be communicated at a later stage WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 20  
 
  • the [...]
th  Course on [subject to be determined at  a later stage], for [language to be 
determined at a later stage]-speaking officials; 
• the 24th (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course fo r [language to be determined at a 
later stage]-speaking officials; and 
• the 25th (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course fo r [language to be determined at a 
later stage]-speaking officials;. 
93. A selection process is conducted for each course.  It seeks to ensure an equitable distribution 
among eligible countries over a cycle of six courses:  four in English, one in French and one in 
Spanish.  A Committee is constituted to conduct the process of selection, which includes such 
elements as the eligibility of candidates, their qua lifications, geographical and gender balance, and 
equitable coverage of beneficiary countries. 
94. Progress of participants is evaluated during the training activity, using different methods, 
including self-assessment tests, exer cises, etc.  At the end of the course an evaluation is made to 
assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the course.  This information is fed back into the process of 
designing and constantly improving the quality of the course per se . 
95. The costs incurred by the organization of Them atic Courses held in Geneva are covered by 
the regular budget.  For the Dispute Settlement Co urses, the participation of a limited number of 
developing countries, including LDCs, is financ ed through the regular budget, while the other 
participants are self-financed. 
4. Introduction Day 
96. WTO Introduction Days are usually held three times a year in Geneva and are intended for 
newly arrived delegates in Ge neva, non-governmental organiza tions, new WTO staff members, 
interns working in the Secretariat and interested officials from other international organizations.  
Other interested delegates and staff members are also welcome to attend the presentations. 
97. In terms of objectives to be reached, it is expect ed that at the end of the Day the participants 
will have:   
• acquired a general understanding of the WTO, its functioning and fundamental 
principles; 
• learned how to access WTO-relevant resour ces through information technology;  and, 
• updated their knowledge on WTO current activities (including negotiations). 
98. These courses are organized by the ITTC in c ooperation with experts from other divisions and 
mainly consist of a presentation on the state-of-play of the negotiations, the historical background of 
the MTS, the WTO basic principles, the functioning of the Organization, as well as the different ways 
to access WTO-relevant information.  The courses,  provided with interpretation, are held at 
Headquarters.   
5. Geneva Week 
99. 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 2008 and 2009 respectivel y.  By the end of the week the participants:  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 21 
 
 
  o will have become familiar with the stat e of play of work and work processes 
in the WTO and the range of TA on offer;  and, 
o will have benefited from opportunities – dur ing their stay – to be involved in 
the work of WTO bodies;  and from interaction with officials from other Geneva-based agencies and delegations. 
100. The "Geneva Week" for Non-Residents is funded through the regular budget.   
6. Geneva-based Topic-Specific Symposia 
101. Stand-alone symposia on specific topics will be organized in Geneva for capital- or 
Geneva-based officials.  The symposia are often he ld back-to-back with mee tings, which then become 
part of the activity for the participants.  While  Members recognize the hi gh cost associated with 
organizing such events, particularly when capital-ba sed officials are invited to attend the workshops 
and symposia, they also recognize the possible me rits of such symposia and the usefulness of 
associating capital-based officials with Geneva di scussions.  In consultation with Members, it was 
agreed that the money allocated to such events should be limited and that the ITTC would have to use 
its discretion, in consultation with divisions, and with councils and committees on the symposia 
requested.  Possible ways of reducing the cost of or ganizing such events are to cover travel costs, a 
lump sum per diem exclusively for LDCs and when necessary for non-residents and limit their 
duration to a maximum of three days. 
102. The costs will be met from the trust funds.  
7. Other Geneva-based support 
103. A variety of different support is provi ded directly in Geneva, which include: 
104. 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 meetings and activities, as well as on upcoming 
activities.  The Newsletter is prepared on a monthly basis, but supplemented periodically by 
additional communications; 
105. ad hoc assistance ;  such assistance is provided to vis iting delegations, for whom specialized 
programmes, lectures, briefing sessions are designed and meetings organized;  equally, delegations 
frequently seek direct support from WTO divisions on specific WTO Agreements (no direct costs); 
106. 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 simultaneously through th ese means with the WTO Headquarters, so as to 
ensure an interactive dialogue.  Such conferenc es are very cost-effective (cost is related to 
video/telephone connection); 
107. 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, 
108. advisory role on legal issues :  the Secretariat h as, since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round, 
provided legal advice in accordance with the requi rement in the Dispute Settlement Understanding 
(DSU) Article 27.2 to any developi ng country which so requests in the event of that country being 
involved in dispute settlement (cos ts covered by the regular budget). WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 22  
 
  8. Regional and Sub-regional Capacity-Building Programmes 
109. Short Trade Policy Courses (STPCs) (which can last between one and three weeks), are 
proposed either by the WTO, or are part of the partnership arrangements
10 with other organizations 
and institutions, or with regional/sub regional S ecretariats, and are held in the field.   
110. 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. 
111. 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 (cf Chapter V), such act ivities will clearly need to generate value added 
and contribute to the work of the WTO in build ing capacity and in support of the DDA.  The 
advantages of cooperation with partner agencies in these courses are numerous, as often the partner 
agencies not only take charge of (part of) the logi stical and administrative burden of organizing such 
events, as well as a share of the costs, but also e nhance the quality of the courses, with more emphasis 
on the regional dimension than what the WTO coul d ensure.  Local resources are used, including 
officials that have been trained under the RTPCs.  Su ch STPCs are held  in nearly all regions with the 
local partners, as discussed in more detail in Chapter V.  Some of the partners have at their disposal 
regional training centres, offering local facilities wher e the activities can be conducted.  Increasingly, 
such cooperation becomes institutionalized.  Expe rience has shown that for the cooperation with 
partners to be effective and add value, and in  order to enhance owners hip of these programmes, 
sharing in the costs of the activity as well as in th e logistical and administrative preparations is a sine 
qua non .  Without such practical cooperation the or ganization of these courses cannot be assured. 
112. Any part of the costs of such courses accr uing to WTO will be covered by trust funds. 
B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING  
113. This category of products includes activities that  address specific topics and issues.  Training 
is geared towards the initiated and specialists/tech nicians.  They include national and/or regional 
seminars and workshops, as well as specialized courses, and can be held in Geneva or in the field.  
Given their specific nature, the profile of participan ts must be related to the topics addressed by each 
training event.  The criteria for participation are clearly indicated in the letter of invitation and a 
selection process is most generally conducted.  Sel ection is systematically performed in the case of 
the Geneva-based courses.  This category includes othe r products which are specific in nature, such as 
technical missions and workshops, as well as ta ilor-made programmes for experts and visiting 
delegations in Geneva, and advice provided by the Secretariat in specific fields.  Rather than 
providing 101 type of basic information, the activitie s are increasingly geared towards the specialists, 
with more focus on qualitative and in-depth training, enhancing skills that have direct practical value 
in implementing WTO Agreements and enforcing rights  and obligations.  This can also imply a longer 
duration of some courses, so as to provide suffi cient room to carry out simulation exercises and 
undertake self-training, with practical examples relate d to the (sub-) region.  The courses often consist 
of follow–up activities, or are meant to be followed up at higher levels of learning. 
1. Geneva-based Specialized Courses  
114. Geneva-based Specialized Courses focus on one or  a group of WTO-related topics.  Briefing 
on WTO work progress in the topics concerned is an integral part of the Specialized Courses.  The 
                                                      
10 See chapter V for a more detailed discussion on the partnerships.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 23 
 
 
  training methods put emphasis on interactive learning, practical exercises, case studies and debates.  
Simulation exercises are sometimes used to offer pa rticipants opportunities to strengthen their skills.  
115. The Specialized Courses are organized by the oper ational divisions in charge of the selected 
topics, often in cooperation with experts from othe r organizations, and with the ad hoc support of 
outside consultants or professors.  Geneva-bas ed delegates and guest speakers from other 
organizations active in the specific area of work concerned may also be invited to co-train.  
Specialized Courses are, in principle, financed out of the DDAGTF. 
116. Government officials from developing count ries and LDCs, economies in transition and 
acceding countries are in principle eligible to participate in the Specialized Courses.   
117. For the schedule for the years 2008 and 2009, please refer to the table annexed to this 
document. 
2. National Technical Assistance Activities 
118. In terms of general objectives, each 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 participants. 
(i) Topic-specific Activities 
119. The national activities focus on specific issues at the national level that, in terms of priority 
needs and depth of treatment, cannot be adequately c overed in the regional seminars and in the TPCs.  
Occasionally, national seminars are of a broad and general nature.  National seminars and technical 
workshops are conducted as a complement to the TP Cs and regional seminars .  The national demand 
would thus mainly be a function of what cannot be  dealt with efficiently in the other training and 
assistance provided including through regional seminars and ipso facto , cannot always be 
anticipated.11  In order to better target the TRTA, bene ficiaries would need to base their requests on a 
needs identification, which can be undertaken with th e support of the WTO Secretariat.  In addition, it 
would help if countries were in a position to indicate what assistance is already provided bilaterally 
(e.g. by donors) or multilaterally (e.g. by other agen cies), so that overlap can be avoided and the WTO 
can provide its expertise.  ITTC will play a coordi nating role in centralizing relevant information and 
organizing the delivery of the activity. 
120. 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 issu ed in the most appropriate way and as required.  
Requests for national TA and training activities can be  made to the Secretariat, either directly (in 
writing) or through the respective WTO Bodies.   Such national activities will therefore not 
specifically be listed in the TA Plan, but will be re gistered in a database and managed by the ITTC.  
Their implementation by the WTO will depend on a num ber of considerations and criteria, including: 
                                                      
11 For acceding countries, the provision of national technical assistance is particularly critical.  
Acceding countries' technical assistance needs are specific in nature and vary  with the stages of the accession 
process.  The type of assistance th at can be provided to acceding countri es by the WTO is broad and ranges 
from awareness activities (seminars, workshops) and th e preparation of documentation to technical advice on 
legislation and enforcement mechanisms. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 24  
 
  • the specificity of the request and the prio rity/relevance of the issue in terms of 
domestic policy-making and/or multilateral trade negotiations; 
• whether the request could be or has been addressed in a regional seminar, previous 
national training course, eTraining or unde r a joint programme (e.g. JITAP, IF); 
• the Secretariat capacity to undertake the activity;  and, 
• scope for meeting the request through a partner agency and/or donor (i.e.. 
outsourcing). 
121. It is the responsibility of the beneficiary country  making a request to ensure that this request 
reflects a national priority.  This is particular ly important, as individual departments sometimes 
approach the Secretariat directly for assistance.  That is why Members are urged to address their 
requests for national activities to the Secretariat th rough the established official channels.  Also, a 
geographical balance needs to be maintained.  This  implies that the Secretariat will ensure that 
national activities will be conducted in all regions and in equal proportion, of course mainly 
depending on demand.  Given the limitations in WTO resources, the number of demands that can be 
met in respect of a beneficiary country will be limit ed, but through this approach the Secretariat will 
be in a better position to adapt its TA to Members' de mands as they are identified.  This can only lead 
to more focused and relevant assistance.   
122. The Secretariat is making budgetary provisions to undertake the same number of national 
activities that were conducted in recent years, i.e.  around 250 each year, although it is noted that the 
number of annual requests is considerably lower.  Given the number of potential beneficiaries, this 
would amount to an anticipated average of about two national activities per country.  This figure is indicative and should ensure that a disproportionate  allocation of national seminars to the same 
beneficiary would not occur.  The 'first- come fi rst-served approach' will not be applicable.  LDCs 
would a priori be able to have up to three nationa l activities, based on their specific requests.  It has 
been noticed that beneficiaries occasionally cancel or postpone activ ities, at the last minute, and 
frequently without explanation, and then expect the Secretariat to reschedule the activity.  There is, however, no automatic 'entitlement' to two or thr ee activities, and it cannot be transferred from one 
year to the next.  Such transfer can exceptionally be considered when the Secretariat  is not in a 
position to deliver the activity in a given year, e.g. in light of human resources constraints. 
123. The allocation of national seminars is mainly a function of the demand, and all requests will 
be given serious and equal consider ation.  Regional coordinators in the ITTC will be pro-active, and 
in dialogue with the beneficiary, the relevant WTO divisions and possibly donors and other agencies, 
will consider how the request can best be met.  Me mbers are thus encouraged to contact the ITTC and 
particularly the regional coordinators, who will gu ide them further in the process regarding their 
requests.  Should the Secretariat not be in a pos ition to execute the activity within a reasonable 
timeframe, e.g. because of capacity constraints, it w ould consider and suggest possible alternatives in 
consultation with the beneficiary country.  For exampl e, the request may be redirected to one of the 
agencies/institutions with which the WTO has cooperative arrangements.  The Joint WTO/OECD 
TCBDB may provide guidance in that regard.  In an y case, priority will be given to the most urgent 
requests, particularly from LDCs a nd from small and vulnerable economies. 
124. National activities for LDCs would be over and above TA and training activities inscribed in 
joint programmes, including JITAP and EIF, to the exte nt that they do not overlap.  It should also be 
noted that there continue to be a number of LD Cs who do not utilize their right to request national 
seminars.  The reasons for this can vary, e.g. lack  of awareness, lack of capacity to identify and 
prioritize needs, or a lack of capacity to host a natio nal event.  The Secretariat will pursue its efforts to 
associate all LDCs with all aspects of the TA Plan.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 25 
 
 
  125. National topic-specific activities will be fina nced from the regular budget and from trust 
funds. 
(ii) Technical Assistance within the Trade Po licy Review Mechanism (TPRM) Framework  
126. The TPRM is a valuable forum for achieving tr ansparency in, and understanding of, the trade 
policies and practices of Members.  TPRs 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. 
 
127. 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. 
128. 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 
UNDP on the trade component of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS), the diagnostic step in the IF process, with the reviews being an integr al part to the framing of the DTIS.  The ITTC and 
TPRD have jointly elaborated a methodology to us e TPRs more systematical ly as a tool for needs 
assessment (see below).  Increasingly, through the participation 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. 
(iii) Assisting Beneficiaries in Conducting Needs Assessments 
129.  It is generally recognized that WTO's TRTA can more effectively contribute to building 
lasting capacity if it is planned and designed on the basis of a thorough assessment of the Members' needs.  Guidelines for needs assessment s prepared by the Secretariat are to be used by beneficiaries in 
conducting their own needs assessment for TRTA (JOB (04)/113).  Beneficiaries will regularly be 
reminded of the value of the needs assessment process, thus providing a sound analytical basis in the 
delivery of TRTA 
130. The objective of these guidelines is that Me mber countries use them in the process of 
identifying their needs, bearing in mind that this task is the prime responsibility of the beneficiary 
country.  The design of these proposed guidelines is based on the pilot needs assessments that were 
conducted through desk studies by the Secretariat.   The guidelines are not prescriptive in any way and 
countries are encouraged to adapt the approach to  their own conditions.  The Secretariat can assist 
beneficiaries in undertaking their needs assessmen t by providing data and information of direct 
relevance.  Also, as part of the tasks to be perfo rmed by trainees under the NTP direct support can be 
provided in undertaking a needs assessment. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 26  
 
  131. The new process often leads to the inclusion of  the needs assessment in the policy statement 
(government report) which outlines the main principl es and directions of a country's trade policies or, 
as an attachment to the same document.  It is understood that each Member decides on the form of 
such statements.  In some cases and in order to  lighten the burden on capacity-constrained Members, 
an official from the Member under review ma y be recruited under the Netherlands Trainee 
Programme to conduct the needs assessment for TRTA .  Following the successf ul conclusion of this 
assessment, TRTA activities will be planned and conduc ted at the national or regional levels for the 
concerned Members. 
(iv) Reference Centres  
132. The WTO Reference Centres is a dedicated place,  mostly established at the national level of 
eligible beneficiaries, generally attached to the Mi nistry of Trade.  Exceptionally, Reference Centres 
can be established at the Permanent Mission a nd/or at the level of regional bodies and/or 
organizations. The main objective of establishing  and strengthening Refere nce Centres is that 
government officials, the press, business community, academia, and other authorized users have better 
access to WTO-related trade information and documen tation.  In addition, the Reference Centres 
could increasingly be used for carrying out WT O's e-Learning programmes.  Resource persons, 
namely coordinators, are attached to the Referen ce Centres, to help users find their way through the 
technical and legal documentation. 
133. The establishment of a WTO Reference Centre consists of the following elements: 
(a) For LDCs the WTO provides a set of thr ee high-performance computers connected 
as an interface with the Ministry local area  network, when available.  More than 
50 GB of WTO data published on CDs and DVDs are loaded and accessible 
off-line.  The on-line connection to the In ternet for access to the WTO Website is 
performed through the installation of softwa re, and the establishment of the Internet 
and e-mail configuration. 
(b) For non-LDCs, an external disk is provided containing 50 GB of WTO data 
published on CDs and DVDs.   
(c) For all Reference Centres, a local "libra ry" is created containing WTO documents 
and publications, including CD-ROMs, DVDs  and machine-readable materials.  
(d) hands-on training in using relevant soft ware, access to the WTO databases, the 
web-browser, hyperlinks, and e-mail to communicate with the WTO. 
134. The Reference Centre gives direct access to th e public and in the case of authorized users, 
restricted WTO websites and databases, including  Documents Online, the In tegrated Database (IDB) 
the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS), WTO Serv ices Electronic Schedules, Statistical databases, 
the text of the Agreements, and other official pape rs released during negotiations.  Electronic versions 
of WTO publications and the public website are also provided on CD-ROMs/DVDs.  The Reference 
Centre not only provides written and electronic inform ation to users, but also connects them with 
knowledgeable WTO resource persons, who can help th em to understand and to interpret the rules and 
their developmental implications and to res pond to questions on specific trade issues.   
135. In 2008-2009, the Reference Centres programme  will essentially benefit the LDCs, small 
economies and JITAP beneficiaries.  In order to avoid duplication with JITAP, WTO TA related to 
Reference Centres will be closely coordinated with JITAP staff.  It is envisaged to undertake 12 
missions each year for the establishment and upgrad ing of WTO Reference Centres, to be financed 
through trust funds.  The programme will concentrate on training the participants in the efficient use  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 27 
 
 
  of the WTO websites and databases.  Particular atte ntion will be paid to the quality of the computer 
equipment provided to beneficiary countries.  In the case of LDCs, the activities to be executed during 
the year 2008 will focus on the upgrading of the WT O Reference Centres installed in 2000 and 2001.  
Connection to the Internet will continue to be provided through the SITA's Network12 unless a reliable 
and reasonably priced local Internet Service Provi der (ISP) can be used.  In addition, other WTO 
Reference Centres will be installed in cooperation with the ITC as mentioned under paragraph 53 of 
the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. 
136.  In order to progressively enhance sustainabilit y, and whenever possible, the installation and 
upgrading of the WTO Reference Centres during the years 2008-2009 will be undertaken in cooperation with the International Trade Centre (ITC) . The key objective of this new approach is to 
facilitate the Trade Information Management, thr ough training sessions on in formation management 
tools and techniques for the staff operating the Refe rence Centres, by using and mastering Internet 
search techniques and other web applications, by learning how to disseminate information in an 
efficient manner, and by networking and sharing information with other Reference Centres.  
137. The additional training will also focus on the IT C Market Analysis tools such as Trade Map, 
Market Access Map, Product Map and Investment Ma p. In order to maximize the resources and to 
understand the real needs of the end-users, the C oordinator and staff of the WTO Reference Centres 
will be trained during two additional days on the a bove mentioned ITC data base. The training will 
also include collecting, classifying, converting an d organizing relevant da ta and the corresponding 
information, which can be technical, legal, econom ical, commercial. This information will enhance 
awareness and sustainability of the WTO Reference Centres.      
3. Regional Seminars 
138. As a result of the regional seminars and workshops, the beneficiaries:   
• will be equipped with practical knowle dge and improved understanding of the 
Agreements and issues of negotiation, and ade quate skills to solve specific problems, as 
needed; 
• will have shared information and experiences;  and, 
• will have placed and analysed the va rious issues in a regional context. 
 
139. Regional seminars for capital-based officials, allow the WTO to reach a homogeneous 
audience based in the region and interested in th e same subject matter.  Regional seminars are 
considered cost-effective, it being clear that it w ould be impossible to address every issue in every 
country at the national level.  It also facilitates exchange of information, sharing of experiences and 
networking among participants.  Regional semina rs increasingly move away from providing basic 
explanations to more adva nced levels of training. 
140. While this regional approach may be suitable for many WTO-related topics, it has become 
apparent that this approach may be less appropria te for some areas, which rather require a more 
focused national approach.  In view of the observati ons made by participants and trainers, especially 
through the BTORs, it is proposed to reduce th e frequency of topic-rela ted regional seminars, 
particularly in those areas that are not directly part of  the negotiations.  It is considered that a biennial 
cycle will suffice for most topics, bearing in mind that all Agreements are systematically covered 
through the Geneva-based training as well as through the RTPCs. 
141. Regional seminars will be conducte d in some or all regions, or sub-regionally if considered 
more practical.  The regions that will be covered are:  
                                                     
 
12 (*) Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautique (SITA) WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 28  
 
  • Africa (English); 
• Africa (French); 
• Arab and Middle East countries; 
• Asia and the Pacific; 
• the Caribbean; 
• CEECAC;  and, 
• Latin America. 
142. Some subjects will be covered over a two-year cycle,  partly to reduce costs, partly to alleviate 
some of the pressure on WTO staff, and partly to reduce the pressure on participants, who have a broad range of training events on offer.  Annex 2 provides detailed information with regard to the 
activities to be carried out in 2008 or 2009 or in both  years.  Priority will be given to topics in the 
negotiations, which will, in principl e be covered in all regions.  In all cases, coverage of these topics 
will be ensured in the TPCs and the RTPCs.  In some cases, and for pragmatic reasons, there may be 
additional regional or sub-regional seminars which ar e therefore not included in the TA Plan, because, 
for example, further explanations are required on a specific issue, which cannot be anticipated, or 
because there is a critical mass of national demand that can be met more cost-effectively through a 
regional activity .  Regional seminars cover the Uruguay Round Agreements, as well as other WTO-
related topics, the degree of coverage being de termined essentially by decision of the Members.  
While each of the seminars will be designed accordi ng to the specifics of the field covered, such 
seminars will, as much as possible, take into account different levels of  knowledge and degrees of 
specialization.  In some cases they will be tailored to experts and 'technicians' with highly specialized 
knowledge, e.g. in the area of Rules, Dispute Settle ment, Market Access, Sani tary and Phytosanitary 
Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). 
143. The level of expertise required (target audience)  will always be specified in the letter of 
invitation (as well as in the relevant activity sheet) and it will be the primary responsibility of the 
beneficiaries to ensure that their attendees have th e required level of knowle dge and expertise.  As 
discussed earlier, a selection process may also be conducted for some of these activities, depending on 
their format and the Secretariat maintains the right, if felt necessary, to reject a candidate.  
Increasingly, 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, seminars 
increasingly include self-assessment exercises and/or simulations as part of the training, which to some extent, allow participants to 'measure' whether the inform ation 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. 
144. Seminars to be conducted at the regiona l level will be in the following areas: 
(i) Agriculture; 
(ii) Dispute Settlement; 
(iii) Government Procurement (P lurilateral Agreement); 
(iv) Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA); 
(v)
 Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs); 
(vi) Rules (Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and CVDs, Safeguards, State Trading); 
(vii) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures;  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 29 
 
 
  (viii) Services negotiations and GATS; 
(ix) Technical Barriers to Trade; 
(x) Trade and Development, including:  Special and Differential Treatment and 
Small Economies; 
(xi) Trade and Environment; 
(xii) Trade Facilitation;  and, 
(xiii) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellect ual Property Rights (TRIPs) (e.g. 
geographical indications, TRIPs and p ublic health, biotechnology/traditional 
knowledge/biodiversity). 
145. The proposed work programme on some issues, particularly those relating to the DDA, takes 
into account the Decision adopted by the GC on 1 August 2004, as well as the outcome of the Hong 
Kong Ministerial Conference, December 2005.  Specifi c attention will be given to Trade Facilitation, 
for which the GC Decision explicitly refers to TA to be provided, to Agriculture, NAMA and 
Services.  The Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration c ontains a particularly strong mandate for trade 
capacity-building and TA to be provided in the area of Trade Facilitation (para. 6 of Annex E). 
146. There are also other products which could be de livered in conjunction with regional seminars, 
the TPCs and RTPCs, including those geared toward s assisting trade negotiators in the formal and 
informal negotiating process, at both bilateral and multilateral levels.  Some of the products proposed 
have been developed by the WTO and others in  collaboration with academia and regional or 
international institutions, e.g. the IDB and the CTS da tabase, with the software applications to allow 
the extraction, analysis and use of data:  the IDB Internet Analysis Facility, the IDB CD-ROM and the 
IDB Reporting Tools. 
147. 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. 
148. There are several other TA and training products  discussed later in the TA Plan, which will 
also be delivered at the regional level.  Alt ogether, there are some 20 specific topics covered 
regionally.  The total of anticipated regional seminars  to be undertaken annually would be close to 70.  
They will be financed from trust funds. 
4. Advanced Training Programme for Senior Government Officials 
149. An Advanced Training Programme designed for senior capital-based  officials will be 
organized in the regions.  The main objective of  the Advanced Course is to inform national 
decision-makers on the key issues in the DDA and strengthen their knowledge base, in order to put 
them in a better position to fully participate in the negotiations.  These programmes would be 
conducted in close collaboration w ith partner institutions in the various regions.  Costs will be 
covered by trust funds. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 30  
 
  5. Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 
150. In addition to the Thematic Course on Trade Nego tiations held in Geneva  on an annual basis, 
the WTO organizes an Intensive Course on Trade Ne gotiations Skills, which is  designed to provide 
participants with skills and knowle dge concerning appropriate strategi es and tactics for the conduct of 
negotiations, as well as techniques of systematic d ecision analysis for monitoring and managing the 
negotiating process. 
151. The Course contributes directly to the objec tives of the DDA by improving, deepening and 
enhancing participants' understa nding of the negotiations, more particularly the 2004 July package 
and decisions contained in the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration.  The core of the Course encompasses all the stages in trade negotiations, from the consultation stage to actual negotiations, 
involving real give-and-take. 
152. The training provides instructions in pre-negotia tion 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 theoretical comprehension of previous 
and present negotiations, enhancemen t of skills and techniques, simulations, case studies and use of 
data extracted from existing databases. 
153. 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.  Cost s will be covered by trust funds. 
6. Outreach Activities for Parliamentarians and Civil Society 
154. Outreach activities for parliamentarians and civil 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.  Outreach activities are demand driven and consist of national wo rkshops organized in 
response to requests from WTO Members (referred to  in a separate section) and regional workshops 
organized jointly with partner ins titutions and conducted in selected regions.  Preparation for regional 
seminars are conducted in close cooperation with Members and the host country.  In view of the 
limited capacity in the Secretariat, the number of  regional activities covering outreach will not exceed 
six, the number of national activities will be a func tion of demand.  The inclusion and implementation 
of outreach activities in the TA Plan will remain  part of the review process conducted through the 
CTD in order to ensure that the focus of TA an d capacity-building efforts remain on key priorities 
identified by the developing Members and in line with the mandate
13 contained in the Doha 
Ministerial Declaration and in the 2004 July package. 
155. Regional workshops are introductory-level and wo rking-level activities.  They are interactive 
and presentations are routinely supported by written material and background documentation.  Also, 
to the extent that regional workshops are co-organ ized and co-funded with partner institutions, they 
allow for cross-fertilization of ideas.  Governments in the various host countries are informed of the 
regional workshops, associated to the preparator y process and routinely invited to contribute. 
156. The objectives of the regional workshops aim at:   
                                                      
13 Paragraphs 38-41 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 31 
 
 
  • fostering greater understanding of and interest in the MTS; 
• informing parliamentarians and civil society representatives on the basic operations 
of the WTO, key issues on the internationa l trade agenda, and status of the DDA;  
and, 
• encouraging dialogue and exchanges of vi ews and ideas among parliamentarians and 
civil society representatives on trade-related and development-related issues of particular relevance to their regions. 
157. In the regional workshops, participants recei ve a basic introduction to the MTS covering its 
history, structure, functions, principles, membership  and operating procedures.  Participants are also 
briefed on the workings of the WTO Secretariat and decision-making procedures of the Organization.  
In addition, participants are informed on ke y WTO Agreements and the status of the DDA 
negotiations.  Regional workshops are designed as we ll to cover issues of special interest to the 
particular region/group;  in this regard guest  speakers from the region and representatives from 
international and regional organiza tions are regularly invited to address the workshops.  Throughout 
the regional workshops, parliamentarians and civil society representatives are encouraged to consider 
their respective roles in multilateral processes a nd ways to increase parliamentary and public 
awareness of the international trade agenda. 
158. The cost of outreach activities are covered from trust funds, and from the regular budget. 
C. A
CADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY -BUILDING  
159. The ITTC is engaged in a process of developing partnerships between the WTO Secretariat 
and the trade policy-related academic community in Member countries.  These partnerships are 
designed to promote "joined up" capacity-building,  simultaneously enhancing the capacity of the 
WTO to train government officials, building ins titutional and human capacity for such training in 
developing countries, contributing to the devel opment of WTO-related curricula in academic 
institutions of higher learning, and promoting WTO- relevant research intended to strengthen national 
and regional negotiating capacity.  The partnershi ps build on various activities already being 
undertaken by the WTO Secretariat.  They will e volve over time, with certain activities increasingly 
becoming the responsibility of partners. 
160. This integrated approach has two elements.  These elements can in principle stand alone, but 
there is a strong argument in favour of their integration in order to increase prospects for 
sustainability.  The elements of this integr ated approach to academic partnerships for 
capacity-building are: 
(a) training government officials through the establishment of joint lecturing 
arrangements at the regional level with academics and specialists;  
 
(b) building institutional partnerships at  the regional level and creating academic 
networks with institutions of higher lear ning; these academic networks have several 
elements on which to build, including: 
 
(i) curriculum development; 
(ii) increasing knowledge through training; 
(iii) development of didactic material; 
(iv) information exchange; WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 32  
 
  (v) encouragement of joint research by academics from developing countries and 
the WTO; 
(vi) a programme for support of doctoral studies; 
(vii) arrangements for short-term research visits to the WTO by academics;  and, 
(viii) broader public access to WTO-related information in Universities. 
161. With a view to making efficient use of resour ces and enhancing synergies, the ITTC will 
continue cooperating with other internationa l organizations (UNCTAD, ITC, United Nations 
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and th e Pacific (UNESCAP), United Nations Economic 
and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Organization of American Stat es (OAS) and Inter-American Development Bank-
Institute for the Integration of Latin Amer ica and the Caribbean (IaDB-INTAL)) in the 
implementation of joint activities which combine common objectives related to TA and capacity-building involving academic institutions.  Similarly, the ITTC seeks to promote informal 
partnerships with universities with a view to f acilitating the extension of these activities among 
national academic communities.    
162. Costs for these activities will be met principally from the trust funds. 
163. Activities geared towards building partnerships for training and capacity building include: 
1. Regional Trade Policy Courses (RTPCs) 
164. As discussed in section A(a)(ii), RTPCs form a key component in building such partnerships, 
the main objective being to transfer and enhance lo cal ownership and to build capacity at the regional 
level. 
2. The University Programme 
165. A number of activities will be implemented in the context of the University Programme of the 
ITTC.  This programme seeks to implement an integrated and coherent set of activities aimed at strengthening and developing acad emic cooperation links, with a view to support institutional 
capacities in academic institutions at the national leve ls.  The focus of the University Programme will 
gradually shift to activities within the framework of the follow-up to the RTPCs, as the number of 
activities in this programme are increasing as the resu lt of the rotation of RTPCs to new venues.     
However, flexibility will be reta ined in order to implement, on a case-by-case analysis other 
complementary activities in the fields of academic support.  These activities include: 
(i) Follow-up to RTPCs 
166. The partnership between the regional institution and the ITTC are evolving over time, with 
the RTPC being considered as Phase 1 of the proj ect.  The increased capacity and expertise of the 
regional partner and the academic network, resultin g from a series of RTPCs,  would be harnessed to 
move on to Phase two, in which the regional partne r assumes a growing share of the responsibility for 
delivering follow-up on WTO training activities in th e region.  The Secretariat would reduce its 
involvement and continue with the partnership on this basis.  The le vel of involvement would have to 
be sufficient to respond to particular needs and to allow the WTO to continue to lend its name to the 
activities, while leaving most aspects of organizing and implementing them to the partner.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 33 
 
 
  167. The timeframe for progress from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the project depends on each partner, 
the aim being to ensure sustainability.  However, and from experience so far, it is reasonable that 
Phase 1 partnerships in organizing the RTPCs should last for three years.  This timeframe allows 
space for dealing with the inevitable start-up issues, a nd then for the partner institutions to focus more 
and more on building their own capacity as they gain experience in organizing the courses.   
168. Follow-up actions can include universiti es establishing academic programmes on WTO 
matters (e.g. a multidisciplinary Masters programme or  a module in an Undergra duate or Postgraduate 
Degree), with the WTO also supporting academic activities (e.g. seminars, training programmes) 
organized by these partner universities, in the form  of speakers and the donation of publications.   
169. Other follow-up activities and features can include: 
• regional specialized courses on specific i ssues jointly taught with academics from the 
region; 
• participation of WTO officials in academic  events organized by the universities; 
• enhanced utilization of regional academics, as  consultants, in the delivery of TA and 
training activities;  
• inputs into vocational training; 
• eTraining activities;  and, 
• curriculum development. 
 
170. The organization of these Phase 2 activities will be closely related to the efforts of the WTO 
Secretariat to reinforce its links with the academic community in developing countries.  
(ii) Workshops for University Professors on WTO Matters 
171. Workshops will be organized on a periodic basis to solidify and advance partnerships with 
academics.  They are essential for adequate coor dination and networking.  These events address 
different components of our joint activities involving teaching and research, all of which aim at increasing the capacity of Members to participate e ffectively in the WTO.  Elements for discussion 
include discussions about research being conducted at the WTO and by academic institutions from the 
regions, training on trade-related research, curri culum development, information exchanges, 
evaluation of joint teaching activities aimed at gove rnment officials, and possible joint research.  
Furthermore, these meetings are used to update  the academic partners on progress in the WTO 
negotiations and work programme, and equally ser ve to prepare for RTPCs organized by the 
Secretariat in the regions. 
172. The workshops last three days and each one i nvolves up to 30 academics from the region.  
The Secretariat aims at delivering three of these wo rkshops in 2008 and 2009, w ith a view to covering 
the regions not yet encompassed by RTPCs, and pr oviding continued support to academic institutions 
in the Caribbean, in coordination with the university partner for the RTPC. 
(iii) National Workshops for Academics 
173. Seeking to expand academic c ooperation links with national institutions, the ITTC will 
implement national activities aimed at supporting un iversities and research institutions on WTO and 
trade-related programmes and events.    Th e cost will be met from the regular budget. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 34  
 
  (iv) Document Dissemination Programme for Universities 
174. The main objective of the Document Dissem ination Programme is to contribute to the 
creation and/or strengthening of a WTO "library" at universities from developing countries with a 
view to facilitating access to this information by the student population. 
175. The WTO disseminates, on a yearly basis, a set of WTO publications, in both hard copy and 
electronic formats to groups of universities from deve loping countries.  The cost will be met from the 
regular budget. 
3. Support Programme for Doctoral Studies  
176. The main objective of such a Support Programme is  to contribute to a continuing renewal and 
enlargement of academic WTO expe rtise in developing countries. 
177. 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 stude nts' academic supervisors.  Students qualifying 
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 young academ ics in WTO-related research of direct policy 
relevance to governments, the inten tion is to accommodate up to 12 students at any one time.  In 2008 
and 2009, budget provisio ns will be made for 12 students for each year. 
4. Programme for Visiting Academics 
178. 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. 
5. Research Collaboration 
179. The main objective of research collaboration is to develop joint research initiatives on  
WTO-related matters with academics from developi ng countries.  Such collaboration will increase 
engagement by the scholarly community in WTO -relevant research, to increase the supply of region 
and country-based analysis of WTO-related policy issues.  The cost of planned joint research 
programmes in 2008 and 2009 will be met from the GTF. 
D. T
RAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS  
180. The WTO internship system has been fully de veloped and consolidated.  There are three 
different components to the WTO Internship Prog ramme.  These programmes vary in nature and 
duration, however, they all have the common underl ying objective of building human capacities in a 
systematic and cumulative manner.   
1. The Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP) 
181. The Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP) wa s launched in Spring 2005, with an initial 
lifespan of four years, but with the possibility of the programme being extended.  The aim of the NTP is to assist in the economic and social developmen t of Least-developed countries (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  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 35 
 
 
  countries.  The official will receive a lump sum of SWF 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 
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: 
(a) building sustainable capacity in beneficiary countries, by providing officials with an 
opportunity to participate directly in the WTO's work in Geneva; 
(b) 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; 
(c) facilitating the implementation of Members' commitments in the WTO; and, 
(d) contributing to the achievement of the goa ls of the DDA and more specifically, those 
set out in the Decision of the GC of 1 August 2004 and in the Hong Kong Ministerial 
Declaration. 
182. In order to participate in this programme, app lications should be sent to the Director of the 
ITTC, with specific indications of the tasks, a co mplete CV, as well as a letter of support from the 
national authorities.  Candidacies will be reviewed by a WTO Selection Committee. 
2. The WTO Regional Coordinator Internship 
183. In the WTO Regional Coordinator Internship Programme, the Mission of a rotating 
coordinator of each of nine designated groups is elig ible 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).  These groups are:  
(a) the ACP – both the Geneva Secretariat and the office of the rotating country 
coordinator; 
(b) the WTO African Group; 
(c) the CARICOM; 
(d) the GRULAC; 
(e) the SAARC; 
(f) the WTO LDCs’ Consultative Group; 
(g) the Informal Group of Developing Countries; 
(h) the Arab Group;  and, 
(i) the Pacific Islands Forum. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 36  
 
  184. The internship system is strictly limited to these nine groupings.  Interns under this system are 
paid SWF 5,000 per mont h, plus travel expenses, from theDDAGTF; 
3. The WTO Mission Internship Programme 
185. This Programme was developed in early 2001, with a similar objective as the NTP, for the 
benefit of Geneva-based missions.  The candidates wo rk in their own country Mission in Geneva and 
not in the WTO Secretariat, and can represent their country in the various bodies within the WTO.  
This Programme is available primarily to missi ons of LDCs and small a nd vulnerable economies.  
Since resources for this Programme are limited, pref erence is given to countries with the least number 
of staff in Geneva.  For this Programme, interns are selected by the ITTC and the HRD, together with 
the Mission concerned on the basis of a list of de tailed CVs and possible telephone interviews.  In 
short, the selection criteria are similar to that for entry level positions at the WTO.  Continuation of 
this Programme depends on the availability of resour ces, which rely on earmarked funds.  Such funds 
sometimes specify which countries may benefit.  Interns under this system are paid SWF 5,000 per month, plus travel expenses, for a period of te n months.  Requests for Mission interns should be 
addressed to the Director of ITTC.  
E. E-L
EARNING PROGRAMME  
186. The e-Learning Programme takes full advantage of information technology and the Internet as 
a complement as well as an alternative to traditional training programs; enhances WTO outreach to academic institutions and individual students and develops WTO-related training material which 
would not require simultaneous presence of the trai nees and trainers in Geneva or in the regions. 
187. To that effect, the Secretaria t will continue the development of a comprehensive e-Learning 
Programme consisting of different types of IT-based  TA and training tools.  Each type of product 
targets different categories of par ticipants and will meet distinct n eeds.  The WTO Reference Centres 
will continue to be extensively used as depositori es of IT-based offline products, i.e. CD-ROMs and 
DVDs, and as venues for participants who do not have  access to computers and/or Internet in their 
offices.   
1. eTraining 
188. The eTraining Programme provides interactive courses over the Internet for government 
officials from developing and least-developed Me mbers and Observers.  It has the following 
objectives: (a) by the end of the courses, par ticipants will have ac quired homogeneous and 
strengthened understanding of the MTS, (b) familiarity  with the basic principles of the WTO and the 
legal structure of the Marrakesh Agreement, (c) enha nced knowledge of the core elements of the main 
provisions of specific multilateral Agreements a nd (d) improved capability to interpret relevant 
information and documents on WTO-related issues as  well as to use the WTO legal texts and legal 
background material.  Furthermore, eTraining aims  at establishing and encouraging the network of 
useful contacts between participants and WTO tutors. 
189. In 2008-2009, the focus will be on increasing (i) the variety of subjects covered, (ii) the 
number of offered courses, and ( iii) the development of new course components such as multimedia 
files,  case studies, practical exercises and didactic tools.  In particular, two new courses on TRIPS and on Trade and Environment, respectively, will be developed, validated and delivered for the first 
time in 2008.  In addition, a third new course may be developed, validated and delivered in 2008 for 
journalists from recipient Members and Observers, pr ovided that funds are allocated for this project. 
The development of new training material on other WTO topics is planned to continue in 2009 as 
well.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 37 
 
 
  190. It is expected that, with the increase of th e number of eTraining courses and the continuous 
improvements made to the programmes and their delivery, efficiency gains could be realized, as requests for national activities could gradually dimini sh.  In addition, ways will be considered to 
group certain national topic-specific requests, so as to provide the relevant training and information 
electronically, either prior or instead of national activities.  In the same way, requests for specific 
support that emerge at the regional and/or sub-region al level could also be considered for eTraining 
purposes.  Separately, synergies could be further strengthened with the Reference Centres, which 
could be used more systematically for the delivery of  eTraining courses, either at the general level or 
for specific activities. 
191. Online courses will continue to be organized by  terms, grouping several courses delivered in 
one WTO working language.  This will allow chat sessions and documentation to be in a common 
language; at the same time, the administrative burde n on Missions and the Secretariat will be reduced.  
As a result of the development of new courses and experience gained, a total of 24 online courses will 
be delivered on the eTraining website in 2008, re presenting a 33 per cent increase relative to 2007.  
The number of participants in online courses is likel y to increase in a similar manner in 2009.  This 
will require additional work to keep the high sta ndards of quality in monitoring participants’ work. 
192. In 2008 and 2009, specialized introductory courses on specific WTO topics such as trade 
remedies, agriculture, SPS measures,  TBT will continue to be used as pre-requisite for a number of 
advanced regional workshops on the same subject s.  The objective of these online courses is to 
provide more advanced TA activities while ensuri ng a certain common level of understanding of the 
relevant WTO agreement for the advanced face-to-face activity. 
193. The online courses include training material (reading material, exercises, videos and audio 
files), complemented by a number of interactiv e tools enabling participants to (i) discuss and 
exchange views with colleagues from all over the world (such as the discussion forum) and (ii) 
interact with WTO officials (online chat sessions ).  The interactive functions and the multimedia 
components will continue to be enhanced in 2008 and 2009. 
194. Participants' progress through the course is supporte d by a tutor, a course administrator and an 
online helpdesk for technical matters.  In orde r to strengthen the network connection between 
participants and the WTO Secretariat, a new servi ce – the Enquiry Board - was made available to 
participants in online courses in 2007.  The Enquiry Bo ard provides online ad hoc TA.  It 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, and get a quick answer or advice from 
the relevant expert(s) in the WTO.  Replies to specific requests are published in the Enquiry Board 
within a few days.  The Enquiry Board will be improv ed in 2008 with a view to continue adapting the 
services to users' needs. 
195. Monthly Newsletters will continue to be sent to former participants and registered delegations 
in order to maintain established contacts and forward information on online courses, other TA 
activities and the latest news on the WTO.  The cont ent of the eTraining Newsletters will be adapted 
to best fit users' needs  
2. Self-training: computer-based training modules 
196. A number of computer-based training modules (CBTs) on specific WTO Agreements/Issues 
is available online through the WTO webpage on di stance learning and on CD-ROMs or DVDs.  Each 
CBT includes theory and exercises through multiple -choice questions with an automatic correction 
mechanism.  The CBTs are used essentia lly for self-training.  In 2008-2009,  a total of four or five new 
modules will be developed.  In particular, the on going collaboration with the Institute of Advanced 
Studies of the United Nations University will conti nue in the development of video-based CBTs.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 38  
 
  3. Briefings 
197. This modality consists of a combination of in terrelated media - slide presentations, video files 
and reference documents - all stored on the sa me CD-ROM.  Two briefings in English on the 
Negotiations on Trade Facilitation and on the WTO Coherence mandate are currently available on 
CD-ROM and online through the WTO webpage on di stance learning.  Three to four additional 
modules will be devel oped in 2008-2009.  
198. The e-Learning Programme will continue to be  financed in 2008 and 2009 from both the 
regular budget and trust funds.   
V. PARTNERSHIPS 
A. T
HE SECRETARIAT 'S APPROACH TO PARTNERSHIPS  
199. In order to build and strengthen local cap acity in beneficiary countries and enhance 
ownership, emphasis is increasingly put on partnerships , at varying levels of involvement with other 
providers or sponsors of TRTA.  Su ch partnerships can relate to the design and execution of specific 
programmes, including the EIF and JITAP, as well as to the general coopera tion on TRTA with other 
agencies and organizations.  Basically, in each geogr aphical region partnerships are built and used for 
training purposes and for conducting joint activities.  Th e nature of the partnerships varies widely 
among partner institutions, depending on the ins titution itself, the contents of any signed 
undertakings, where they exist, and on the agreed objectives in the partnership arrangements.  The 
cooperation between institutions and partners agenci es is reviewed regularly in view of ensuring 
synergies, relevance and maximum value-added.  Th e partnerships are primarily pragmatic and aimed 
at reducing complex procedures and arrangements often associated with formal Memoranda of 
Understanding (MoUs).  The Secretariat has, at pr esent, some 30 MoUs, but generally it favours and 
follows a pragmatic approach, which means that th e WTO partners with those agencies that can add 
value in the implementation of activities, irrespec tive of an MoU.  The Secretariat continues its 
reflection on its approaches to pa rtnership arrangements, including the value added of MoUs, as well 
as alternative frameworks for collaboration.  Guidin g principles in pursuing partnerships are a focus 
on trade, complementarities, recognised knock-on  effects and comparative advantage.   
200. The Plan intends to build on what  has already been developed over the last few years.  It has 
been acknowledged that partnerships have greatly improved the delivery of WTO TRTA.  
Partnerships in the delivery of WTO TRTA are also inevitable when considered against the 
background that the training and TA is concerned w ith the WTO Agreements and, more recently, with 
the DDA.  Thus, in practice, the vast majority of all activities are designed and/or executed in 
cooperation with partner instituti ons and specialized agencies. 
201. It is expected that these partnerships will: 
• enrich the quality of training and TA activ ities by using existing capacity, expertise 
and facilities, where available, at the regi onal level and/or in Geneva.  Moreover, 
such cooperation will facilitate the delive ry of TA and the dissemination of WTO 
training programmes; 
• achieve greater coherence among provide rs of WTO-related training and TA; 
• gradually transfer ownership and bu ilding partnerships on TA;  and, 
• optimize the use of resources available.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 39 
 
 
  202. Moreover it is important for the WTO to be represented in meetings held by other 
international organizations, and to provide input to  the debate that carries the WTO brand.  WTO's 
participation is increasingly required at:   
• Seminars and workshops organized by other/ partner organizations, where WTO officials 
are called upon to make specific, topic re lated presentations and give lectures;   
• International meetings and conferences at the po litical level.  Such meetings can in most 
instances not be anticipated, but past expe rience shows that the WTO attends annually 
between 80 to 100 such events.  WTO's partic ipation in such meetings is considered 
indispensable for a variety of reasons:   
(i) it provides opportunities to brief stakeholders on the state of play in the 
negotiations or address and clarify any specific issues regarding the WTO;  and, 
(ii) it can be critical for engaging in policy dialogues with outside communities, 
including the private sector, parlia mentarians and non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs). 
203. In order to better manage WTO's participati on in events organized by other bodies, the 
Secretariat needs to receive a letter of invitation explaining the rational and objectives of WTO's 
participation in the event, as well as practical in formation with regard to the costs related to it, 
duration and expected outcome. 
204. Particular reference is made to WTO's coope ration with ITC.  Through its MTS-related 
initiatives, ITC disseminates WTO-related informa tion to businesses and other stakeholders involved 
in trade negotiations through a network of focal points in 65 countries.  It produces analytical publications on WTO-related issues from a business pe rspective and organizes high-level interactive 
regional meetings gathering national teams of priv ate-public representatives, contributing to analysis 
of negotiating positions from the commercial persp ective and strengthening the coalescing of public 
and private sector concerns.  ITC furthermore c onducts training workshops which aim at enhancing 
the understanding among government officials, business sector representatives and the civil society on 
WTO-related issues such as rules of origin, GATS,  TBT and SPS issues, trade remedies and their 
practical implications for the business sector.  ITC organizes round table in teractive debates among 
experts representing the business interests, acad emicians/trade policy anal ysts and negotiators on 
WTO subjects in order to bring out new market access opportunities and challenges for small and medium business enterprises in developing countries in the new trading environment.  The views 
expressed are reflected in follow-up analytical papers customized at the regional level. 
205. The costs of the WTO's representation at activities that do not have a training component will 
be met from the regular budget.  Other activities may be funded by either the regular budget or the 
DDAGTF, depending on the nature of the activity. 
1. Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme (JITAP) 
206. JITAP is a multi-country capacity-building programme implemented jointly by ITC, 
UNCTAD, and WTO.  The current phase of JITAP was launched in February 2003, and originally 
covered 16 African countries,
14 which included the original eight JITAP countries,15 and an additional 
                                                      
14 Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, 
Mozambique, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Senegal and Zambia. 
15 Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 40  
 
  eight countries selected on the basis of criteria determined jointly by the implementing agencies and 
the donors to the Programme.  The eight original  JITAP countries have since graduated from the 
Programme effective from 31 December 2005. 
207. JITAP aims at building capacity and strengthe ning the national knowledge base on the MTS 
in the beneficiary countries with a view to contributing to their: 
(a) more effective participation in trade negotiations, implementing the WTO 
agreements, and formulating tr ade-related policies;  and, 
(b) improved supply capacity and market know ledge of exporting and export-ready 
enterprises, to derive benefits from business opportunities resulting from better market access under the MTS. 
208. JITAP II's key features and Programme strategy are: 
(a) partnership among the executing agencies, th e participating beneficiary countries, and 
the donor community with involvement of other providers of TRTA; 
(b) building networks and synergies among par ticipating countries and extensive use of 
existing national capacities; 
(c) self-implementation of Programme modules b ased on generic tool kits provided by 
the agencies; 
(d) pooling of resources in a Common Trust F und (CTF) and coordination with other 
TRTA programmes; 
209. The selection of beneficiary countries is based, inter alia , on the following criteria:  
(i) allocation of counterpart resources by the country to support Programme 
activities; 
(ii) setting up a National Steering Committee (NSC) and creation/ 
institutionalization of an Inter-Institutional Committee on MTS;  
(iii) mainstreaming of trade as an engine for poverty reduction;  and, 
(iv) particular attention to gender issues in poverty reduction. 
210. The current phase of JITAP will come to an en d on 31 December 2007.  The JITAP Common 
Trust Fund Steering Group will determ ine, before the end of the year  2007, on whether the agencies 
can prepare for a future phase of JI TAP.  The decision will to a great extent be influenced by donor 
responses to the appeal for new pledges of funding for a new phase.   At that point, a determination would be made on the number and identity of new beneficiaries.  
211. The nature and scope of this future phase of JI TAP is yet to be agreed between the agencies 
and the donors to the Programme.  In any new phase, JITAP is unlikely to make any radical departure 
from its key features and Programme strategy, as well as its modus operandi , which emphasizes the 
joint approach by three agencies to TRTA by making use of the comparative advantages of the 
agencies in various aspects of TA delivery.  Howe ver, necessary changes would need to be made to 
make the programme more sustainable and cost-eff ective.  Greater synergy is also likely to be 
developed with the EIF.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 41 
 
 
  2. The Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to LDCs  
212. The IF is an international initiative thr ough which the IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP, the 
World Bank and the WTO combine their efforts with those of LDCs, donors and other development partners to respond to the trade development needs of LDCs.   
213. The main objectives of the IF for trade-related assistance to LDCs are:   
• to support LDC governments in trade capacity-building and integrating trade issues into 
overall national development strategies; 
 
 To that effect:   
• to ensure that national trade policies are integrated into the overall development and 
poverty-reduction strategies for each country;  and, 
• to coordinate the response provided by the various agencies and other (bi- and 
multilateral) development partners to LDCs' tr ade-related assistance needs, each in its 
own area of competence. 
 
214. The IF process covers some 40 of the 50 LDCs to date which are at various stages of the 
process.   
215. Ministers in Hong Kong in December 2005 expressed their continued commitment to the IF 
and welcomed the Agreement to improve the implem entation of the IF in three specific areas:  
increased, additional, predictable financial resour ces to implement Action Matrices;  strengthened 
in-country capacities to manage, implement and monito r the IF process;  and enhanced IF governance.  
Ministers also welcomed the establishment of a Task Force on an Enhanced IF (EIF) by the Integrated 
Framework Working Group (IFWG) and Integrat ed Framework Steering Committee (IFSC) and 
mandated it to provide recommendations to the IFSC on these areas with a view to the Enhanced IF 
entering into force no later than 31 December 2006.   
216. Working on this basis, on 1 May 2007, the IFWG and IFSC adopted a package of 
recommendations to start the implementation phase of the EIF.   The package contains a compilation of working documents setting out the terms of refe rence and procedures to access funding and of the 
bodies that constitute the EIF.  The package was th e fruit of months of intense working in the EIF 
Transition team and its three clus ters which were set up to opera tionalize the recommendations of the 
Task Force on EIF (WT/IFSC/W/15).  A High Level Donor Meeting on the Enhanced IF is organized 
by the Government of Sweden on 25 September 2007 in Stockholm. 
217. It is recalled that some 40 IF beneficiaries of the current phase of the IF automatically become 
beneficiaries under the EIF now that the EIF is grad ually being phased in.  Thus, the TA activities to 
be undertaken by the WTO in 2008 and 2009 will lik ely be completely guided by the processes and 
available funds under the EIF.  This may include providing inputs to updates of validated DTISs and to some new DTISs,  implementation of certain projects under Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the EIF,  participation in outreach/advocacy work etc...  It should  be noted that while the Secretariat of the IF – 
currently part of the responsibilities of the WTO Development Division -  will be moved to the 
Executive Secretariat of the EIF, which will be gradually established during 2008,  the WTO 
Secretariat will continue to participate actively in all IF-related activities as one of IF's  core Agencies.    
Furthermore, until such time as the IF Executive Secr etariat is fully operational, the WTO Secretariat WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 42  
 
  (including the Programme Implem entation Unit in the Development Division) will continue to 
function as the Secretariat of the IF
16.   
218. More in particular, WTO TA activities will include: 
• participation in meetings of the IF management structure such as the EIF Board  and 
the IFSC; 
• participation in IF-related seminars and c onferences, outreach activities, as well as in 
the workshops for the implementation of the IF, such as Validation Workshops and Implementation Workshops with a country's donor community.   
• The WTO Secretariat will also participate in  the execution of TRTA projects flowing 
from the IF process, defined in the Action Matrices.  It should be borne in mind that the considerable number of LDCs partic ipating in the IF will have a direct 
consequence on the number of IF-related TA activities the WTO Secretariat will participate in. 
 
219. Most of the anticipated activities will relate to  WTO's involvement in national workshops and 
seminars in beneficiary countries, outreach activ ities as well as in meetings of the management 
structure.  Costs are met from the regular budget or from trust funds. 
3. Standards and Trade Development Facility  
220. The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) is a concrete example of Aid for 
Trade.  The aims of the STDF are: 
(i) to assist developing countries enhance their expertise and capacity to analyse 
and to implement international SPS st andards, so improving their human, 
animal and plant health situation, and th us ability to gain and maintain market 
access; and 
(ii) to act as a vehicle for coordination among technical cooperation providers, 
the mobilization of funds, the exchange  of experience and the dissemination 
of good practice in relation to the provision and receipt of SPS-related technical cooperation. 
221. The STDF is both a coordinating and a financing mechanism.  As a coordinating mechanism, 
the STDF acts as a forum for information sharing on  past, present and planned SPS-related technical 
cooperation activities.  Central to the STDF's coor dination role is reporting on technical cooperation 
provided or planned, the sharing of project and programme implementa tion experience and the 
dissemination of good practice in relation to both th e provision and receipt of SPS-related technical 
cooperation.  A further component of STDF's coordination function is to ensure that projects and 
other proposed initiatives do not duplicate past, pr esent or planned technical cooperation activities. 
222. In December 2006, a new Medium Term Strategy was agreed for the STDF.  The Strategy 
runs  from 2007-2011 and it puts emphasis on informati on sharing and coordination in the supply and 
receipt of SPS-related technical cooperation.  Th is objective will be achieved through close contact 
with donors and developing countries, improved repor ting by donors on activiti es in the SPS area and 
research on the experience of both donors and beneficiaries in SPS-rela ted capacity-building.  Lessons 
learnt will particularly assist donors to capture good  practices and avoid duplication with past, present 
                                                     
 
16 The Executive Secretariat of the IF will be admini stratively housed in the WTO and will report to the 
IF Board on policy matters  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 43 
 
 
  or planned activities.  It will also assist beneficiaries in the formulation of technical cooperation 
requests.  
223. An important aspect to this coordination role is  linkage to the Aid for Trade Initiative.  In 
2007, the STDF held a series of side-events at th e regional Aid for Trade events looking at issues 
related to country needs and the provision of SPS-rela ted TA in three pilot regions (Central America, 
East Africa and three countries in the Greater Mekong Delta).  In 2008, these events will be followed 
up with specific activities in each  of the three regions   which will look in more detail at the issues of 
good practice and how best to ensure that the ga p between needs and the supply of SPS-related TA 
can be bridged.  Research will be ex tended to other regions in  2008. 
224. With respect to its financing role, the STDF will continue to make use of project preparation 
grants (PPGs) in future programme development as a means to mobilize funds both from within the 
STDF and from the wider donor community.  PPGs conti nue to be a key mechanism to meet the target 
to devote 40 per cent of Facility resources to LD Cs and other Low Income Economies (OLIEs) – a 
target which has been retained for both PPGs and proj ects.  PPGs will be used to ensure synergy with 
other ongoing initiatives, such as the identification of  SPS needs under the IF for TRTA to LDCs, and 
assist in conducting surveys of national capacity in the SPS area, for instance through the use of 
capacity evaluation tools.  Greater reliance will be  placed on the use of PPGs to provide a basis for 
project interventions.   
225. The STDF will continue to fund projects, but eligibility criteria have been tightened and will 
be more rigorously applied, in particular by the Secretariat at the initial review stage.  Technical 
cooperation projects should be innovative, sustainable,  preventative and replicable; address gaps in 
SPS information and training materials; or aim to improve coordination among SPS technical 
cooperation providers.  Furthermore,  linkages with other programmes, notably the IF, will be further 
strengthened. 
B. REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS  
226. Partnership arrangements have been establishe d at the regional level, and by way of 
illustration, these include the following: 
• in Africa, training and technical coopera tion activities are undertaken in partnership 
with the United Nations Economic Commi ssion for Africa (UNECA), the African 
Development Bank (AfDB), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Secretariat, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), South African Development Community (SADC), West African Economic and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU) etc.  The "Agence internationale de la francophonie" is also a partner in 
this region.  Its "Rexpaco" Programme dovetails well with WTO's Programme of 
activities with Academics and is specifica lly aimed mainly at African French-
speaking states; 
• for Arab and Middle East countries, close cooperation is undertaken with the 
Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), the Islami c Development Bank (IsDB) and the United 
Nations Economic and Social Commis sion for Western Asia (UNESCWA); 
• in Asia and the Pacific there is coopera tion with the United Nations Economic and 
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacifi c (UNESCAP), the Pacific Islands Forum 
Secretariat (PIFS), the International De velopment Law Organization (IDLO),  and 
with the Asian Development Bank; WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 44  
 
  • institutional cooperation for training for count ries in Central and Eastern Europe and 
Central Asia takes mostly place with the Join t Vienna Institute (JVI).  The WTO will 
have slots of a total of some six weeks fo r conducting seminars and training courses;  
in addition, the Secretariat undertakes training through the so-called Applied Economic Policy Course.  Cooperation also takes place with UNESCAP, as well as 
with the World Bank to design and implemen t joint training events in Central Asia, 
mainly geared towards acceding countries;  
• in Latin America and the Caribbean, the bulk of regional activities are undertaken in 
close partnership with the Inter-American De velopment Bank (IaDB), in particular its 
Institute for the Integration of Latin Am erica and the Caribbean (INTAL).  Every 
year a joint programme is defined and co-financed.  Within the framework of the IaDB/INTAL cooperation, partnerships exis t with regional integration Secretariats 
such as the Latin American Integrati on Association (ALADI), the Andean 
Community, Central American Economic Integration Secretariat (SIECA) and 
Mercosur, as well as with the Organization of American States (OAS).  In the Caribbean, cooperation exists with the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean 
Regional Negotiating Machinery, as well as the Organization of Eastern Caribbean 
States (OECS) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). 
VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 
227. The new biennial TA planning framework fac ilitates the delivery of more systematic 
capacity-building activities.  In 2008-09 the transpar ency of and accountability for TA results will 
continue to be facilitated by internal ev aluations by TA providers and TCA.  I nter alia  they will 
provide for analysing the implementation of  the main recommendations made in the TA Plan for 
2007 and those of the SR to ensure that WTO TRTA  will keep its comparative advantages, continues 
to be relevant to the Members a nd managed efficiently in 2008-09.  The self- and internal-evaluations, 
both on-site and ex-post, will remain the two basic forms of verifying and validating if TA activities 
have been carried out in line with the Plan and de livered the planned benefits to the Members.  The 
revised and more user-friendly BTOR format will c ontinue to be used as the main reporting tool on 
the effectiveness, efficiency and perform ance of the TA Activity delivered.   
228. The discussion of the SR Report of WTO TRTA activities by the COMTD in November 2006 
has led to a series of follow-up actions within the Secretariat.  
229. 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.  TC A will continue to encourage a more regular  
coordination with other TRTA partners with a view to avoiding any possible overlaps or duplication, 
also in the planning phase TCA will continue to encour age the intake of not more than 30 participants 
per TA training activity and the organization of TA events of smaller in number but longer in 
duration.  This will be in line with the Strategy to place quality c onsiderations before quantity.  
230. 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.  
231. Regarding the implementation phase, priority w ill be given to encouraging the divisions to 
develop more case studies and practical exercise s adapted to the recipient countries, which is a  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 45 
 
 
  recurrent request 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. 
232. Regarding the evaluation phase, the proper app lication of the WTO's evaluation procedures 
and tools by ITTC and the operational divisions w ill 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 and TCA r eceives copies of the reports.  TCA will continue 
its efforts to brief and train the staff on the proper application of the established evaluation 
procedures, methods and tools and provide feedback to the TA providers on their evaluation reports.  
Depending on resources TCA will conti nue to conduct some ten to 15  on-site evaluations and carry 
out ex-post evaluations of TAs across the board.  The M&E system, policy, strategy, procedures and 
tools will also be made available for users on the In tranet of WTO and linked to the ITTC's dedicated 
Website. 
233. 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. 
234. In order to fully implement the evaluation ma ndate and the many-folded tasks outlined above, 
the financing of evaluation work has been secured by the inclusion in the Plan an annual ten-month 
professional support to TCA as well as mission credits.  It is expected that the information emanating 
from monitoring and evaluation work will continue to be systematically collected, analysed and 
followed up, thereby capitalizing on the most importa nt source of knowledge of effects and impact of 
WTO TA. 
VII. FUNDING 
235. Pursuant to the commitment contained in para graph 40 of the Doha Declaration, the GC 
approved on 20 December 2001 the creation of th e DDAGTF and defined its terms of reference.
17  
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 terms of reference of the 
DDAGTF provide a monitoring mechanism for the ple dges and for the payment of the contributions.  
The GC also increased substantially the share of the regular budget dedicated to TA, but the 
DDAGTF is now the main source of funding for TA.  
236. The Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration (para. 54) states that: 'In order to continue progress in 
the effective and timely delivery of trade related capac ity-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.' 
237. According to the terms of reference of th e DDAGTF, the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration will have to recommend to the GC a target amount for the DDAGTF in 2008 and 2009.  The target amount will correspond to the estimated value of each of the two years of the Biennial TA Plan as determined by the CTD, taki ng into account the resources available for TA in the 
                                                     
 
17 See document WT/BFA/56, and in particular its paragraphs 13 to 22 and its annexes A and B. WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 46  
 
  regular budget for 2008-2009, and resources contributed by partner institutions in respect of shared 
activities.  
238. It is recalled that under the terms of refere nce of the DDAGTF the global trust fund will be 
operated against periodic benchmar ks and closely supervised by the Committee on Budget, Finance 
and Administration (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 2008 and 2009, this means that contributions of some 
SWF 6 million would 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 fo r 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 targets are manifestly not met, the GC is to meet on an urgent basis to discuss the 
matter.  Proper account will be ta ken of multi-year contributions. 
239. In his statement at the GC on 10 May 2007, the Director-General expressed his concern about 
the financial contributions to the DDAGTF and specifi cally drew Member's attention to the fact that 
the target amount in the DDAGTF end March had not been met and the one for June was also most 
likely to be missed (as it has).  Th e Secretariat, in line with the H ong Kong Ministerial Declaration, is 
exploring options to address the fi nancial situation and at the inform al consultations that were held 
with Members of the CTD on 14 June 2007, it was ag reed to explore ways to secure more predictable 
and stable funding of WTO's TRTA programmes.  
240. Following Member's requests, the Secretaria t prepared an informal discussion paper 
(JOB(07)/140) which addresses ways to secure more  predictable and stable funding, including the 
question of possibly transferring some of the activ ities from the DDAGTF to the regular budget.  The 
issues paper was presented at the informal consultati ons in September.  The paper also considers some 
other elements for developing medium- to l ong-term solutions for financing WTO's TRTA 
programmes, without modifying the terms of refe rence for making extra-budgetary contributions to 
the DDAGTF.  These suggestions include developing a biennial TA Plan, transferring part of the 
DDAGTF to the regular budget, ensuring coheren ce between the officials from the CTD and CBFA 
communities, providing more visibility to the donor contributions and enhance transparency, in view 
of strengthening the coherence betw een the various in-house trade ca pacity-building programmes, and 
developing a marketing campaign.   
241. With regard to the issue of financing the biennial  TA Plan it is noted that, while a biennial TA 
Plan requires a biennial budget, it is not sugg ested to ask Members to make their biennial 
contributions at once.  While Members would have that  option available, if they choose to do so, it is 
not central to the idea.  What would be useful, however, is to work towards a more coordinated 
approach between the CBFA and the CTD communities in preparing all aspects of the TA Plan, so as 
to provide more time for Members to anticipate the budgetary implications. 
242. In order to further increase the predictability and stability of funding, it was suggested to 
consider all implications of a possible transfer of part of the DDAGTF funds to the regular budget, 
both internally, and with the Members, including the loss of overhead revenues of 13 per cent of the 
amount that would be transferred from the DDAGTF to the Regular Budget.  
243. With regard to providing more visibilit y to the donor contribu tions and enhancing 
transparency, the Secretariat has developed a trad e capacity-building webpage, including a specific 
webpage geared towards TRTA, which not only high lights all activities contained in the TA Plan per 
se, but also gives more visibility to donors' contri butions to the DDAGTF.  The webpage provides the 
financial data and contributions ma de by donors since 2005.  The Secretariat will endeavour to further 
enhance visibility by including perfo rmance indicators and practical  benefits and effectiveness of 
TRTA.  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 47 
 
 
  244. A proposal to develop a marketing campaign w as made with a view of preparing video, 
PowerPoint and interviews which could be used in contacts with Members, including by the Director 
General and senior management during field visits.  The preparation of relevant video material is 
underway. 
245. It is noted that, with the exeption of the option to transfer funds from the DDAGTF to the 
Regular Budget, all other initiatives are already pursued.   
 WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 48  
 
  ANNEX
 1 : THE  PRODUCTS  MATRIX:  TABLE  OF CONTENTS 
 
A. GENERAL WTO-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING  
 
1. Trade Policy Courses 
 
(i) Geneva-based Trade Policy Courses 
(ii) Regional Trade Policy Courses 
 
2. Geneva-based Introduction Courses 
3. Geneva-based Thematic Courses 
4. Introduction Day 
5. Geneva Week 
6. Geneva-based Topic-specific Symposia  
7. Other Geneva-based support 
8. Regional and Sub-regional Capacity-Building Programmes 
 B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING  
 
1. Geneva-based Specialized Courses 
2. National Technical Assistance Activities 
 
(i) Topic-specific Activities 
(ii) TA within the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) Framework 
(iii) Assisting Beneficiaries in Conducting Needs Assessments 
(iv) Reference Centres 
 
3. Regional Seminars 
4. Advanced Training Programme for Senior Government Officials 
5. Intensive Courses on Trade Negotiations Skills 
6. Outreach Activities for Parliamentarians and Civil Society 
 C. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING 
 
1. Regional Trade Policy Courses (see A. (a) (ii)) 
2. The University Programme 
 
(i) Follow-up to RTPCs (Phase 2) 
(ii) Workshops for University Professors on WTO Matters 
(iii) National Workshops for Academics 
(iv) Document Dissemination Programme for Universities 
 
3. Support Programme for Doctoral Studies  WT/COMTD/W/160 
 Page 49 
 
 
  4. Programme for Visiting Academics 
5. Research Collaboration 
 
D. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS  
 
1. The Netherlands Trainee Programme (NTP) 
2. The WTO Regional Coordinator Internship 
3. The WTO Mission Internship Programme 
 
E. E-LEARNING PROGRAMME 
 
1. eTraining: online courses 
2. Self-training: computer-based training modules 
3. Briefings 
  
  WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 50 
ANNEX  2: THE  PRODUCTS  MATRIX:  LIST  OF ACTIVITIES 
 
Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
A. GENERAL WTO-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING     
1. Trade Policy Courses 
43rd  Trade Policy Course (English)  60 X  
44th   Trade Policy Course (English)  60 X  
45th   Trade Policy Course (Spanish) 60 X  
46th   Trade Policy Course (French) 60 X  
47th   Trade Policy Course (English) 60  X 
48th   Trade Policy Course (English) 60  X 
49th   Trade Policy Course (English) 60  X (i) Geneva-based Trade 
Policy Courses (TPCs)  
50th   Trade Policy Course (English) 60  X 
Africa (English) Regional Trade Policy Course 60 X X  
Africa (English) Preparatory Workshop for university professors 3 X X  
Africa (French) Regional Trade Policy Course 60 X X 
Africa (French) Preparatory Workshop for university professors 3 X X 
Asia and Pacific Regional Trade Policy Course  60 X X (ii) Regional Trade Policy 
Courses and follow-up 
(RTPCs) 
  
Asia and Pacific Preparatory Workshop for university professors 3 X X  
   WT/COMTD/W/160
 Page 51Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Caribbean Regional Trade Policy Course  60 X   
Caribbean Preparatory Workshop for university professors 3 X   
Latin America Regional Trade Policy Course 60 X X 
Latin America Preparatory Workshop for university professors 3 X X 
Caribbean Follow-up to the Regional Trad e Policy Course - one-month specialized 
course co-delivered with academics and specialists from the region 
(three one-week modules) 15   X  
Caribbean Follow-up to the Regional Trad e Policy Course - one-month specialized 
course co-delivered with academics and specialists from the region 
(three one-week modules) 15   X 
2. Geneva-based Introduction Courses 
13th Introduction Course for Least-developed countries (English) 15 X  
14th  Introduction Course for Least-developed countries  (French) 15 X  
15th  Introduction Course for Least-developed countries (English) 15  X   
16th Introduction Course for Least-developed countries  (French) 15  X 
3. Geneva-based Thematic Courses 
20th  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course  (English) 5 X  
21st  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course (French) 5 X  
22nd  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Course (Spanish) 5 X    
23rd  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Cour se (language to be determined) 5  X  
  WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 52 
Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
24th  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Cour se (language to be determined) 5  X 
25th  (Thematic) Dispute Settlement Cour se (language to be determined) 5  X 
7th   (Thematic) Course on Trade Negotiations (English) 10 X  
8th  (Thematic) Course on Trade Negotiations (language to be 
determined) 10  X 
Thematic Course on (topic and langua ge to be determined) 10 X    
Thematic Course on (topic and langua ge to be determined) 10  X 
4. Introduction Day  
Three Introduction Days (trilingual) 3 X    
Three Introduction Days (trilingual) 3  X 
5. Geneva Week  
Capital-based 
officials 16th Geneva Week 5 X  
Capital-based 
officials 17th  Geneva Week 5 X  
Capital-based 
officials 18th Geneva Week 5  X   
Capital-based 
officials 19th Geneva Week 5  X 
6. Geneva-based Topic-specific Symposia  
Capital-based 
delegates TBT Sixth Special Meeting on Procedures for Information Exchange for 
officials responsible for Notifications and Enquiry Points 3   X  
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on Environmental Goods and Services 2   X  
   WT/COMTD/W/160
 Page 53Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on Good Regulatory Practices 3 X   
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on TRIPS and Public Health for IP/trade officials 3 X X 
Capital-based 
delegates Workshop on the GPA 3 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Joint WIPO/WTO Colloquium for Developing Country University 
Teachers of Intellectual Property 10 X X 
Geneva-based 
delegates Symposium on TRIPS 2   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 Ac tive Trade Remedy Authorities in 
Developing Members 3 X X 
7. Other Geneva-based Support 
8. Regional and Sub-regional Capacity-building Programmes 
Africa 6th  WTO/ADB/ECA Trade Policy Course for African Countries 10   X 
Africa (English) Provision for three Short Trad e Policy Courses (partnership activity) 5 X X 
Africa (French) Provision for three Short Trade Policy Courses (partnership activity) 5     
Arab and Middle 
East countries Provision for two Short Trade Policy Courses (partnership activity) 10 X X 
Asia and Pacific Provision for two Short Trade Policy Courses (partnership activity) 10 X X  
Caribbean Provision for one Short Trade Policy Course (partnership activity) 3 X X  
  WT/COMTD/W/160 
Page 54 
Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia and 
Caucasus Provision for a Short Trade Policy Course (partnership activity) 5 X X  
Latin America Provision for three Short Trad e Policy Courses (partnership activity) 6 X X 
B. SPECIALIZED AND ADVANCED TEC HNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING     
1. Geneva-based Specialized Courses 
  4th  Specialized Course on SPS  (English) 10 X  
  5th Specialized Course on SPS (Spanish) 10  X 
  1st  Specialized Course on TBT (English) 10 X  
  1st  Specialized Course on Trade and Environment (English) 10  X 
  Follow-up activity (related to the third Specialized Course on SPS held 
in 2007) (French) 7 X  
  Follow-up activity (related to the third Specialized Course on SPS held 
in 2008) (English) 7   X 
2. National Technical Assistance Activities 
(i)  Topic-specific activities All regions 250  national activities  X X 
(ii) Technical Assistance 
within the Trade Policy 
Review Mechanism 
(TPRM) Framework All regions included 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 Trade Policies Review.  X X  
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region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
(iii) Assisting beneficiaries 
in conducting Needs 
Assessments All regions included under (i) above  X X 
(iv) Reference Centres  12 WTO Reference Centres (most in partnership with ITC)  X X 
3. Regional Seminars 
Africa (English) Workshop on Agriculture 2  X 
Africa (French) Workshop on Agriculture 2  X 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop on Agriculture 2 X  
Asia-Pacific Workshop on Agriculture 2  X 
Caribbean Workshop on Agriculture 2 X  
Central and 
Eastern Europe and Central Asia Workshop on Agriculture 2 X  (i) Agriculture (Ag)  
Latin America Workshop on Agriculture 2 X X 
Africa (English) Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Africa (French) Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Arab and Middle 
East countries Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5 X  
Asia-Pacific Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5  X (ii) Dispute Settlement 
(DSU)  
Caribbean Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5  X  
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Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia and 
Caucasus Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5  X  
Latin America Special Training Course on WTO Dispute Settlement 5  X 
Africa (English) Workshop on G overnment Procurement 3  X 
Africa (French) Workshop on G overnment Procurement 3 X  
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop on Government Procurement 3 X  
Asia-Pacific Advanced Workshop on Government Procurement 3  X 
Caribbean Workshop 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 G overnment Procurement 3 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on Non-Agricu ltural Market Access Negotiations 4 X X 
Africa (French) Workshop on Non-Agricu ltural Market Access Negotiations 4 X X 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop on Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiations 4 X X 
Asia Workshop on Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiations 4 X X (iv) Non-Agricultural 
Market Access (NAMA)        
Caribbean  Workshop on Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiations 4 X X  
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region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Latin America Workshop on Non-Agricultu ral Market Access Negotiations 4 X X 
Pacific Workshop on Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiations 4 X X  
South-East Asia Sub-regional Workshop on Market Access Issues 5 X  
Africa (English) WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3  X 
Africa (French) WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3  X 
Arab and Middle 
East countries WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3 X  
Asia and Pacific WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3  X 
Caribbean WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3 X  
Central and 
Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3 X  (v) Regional Trade 
Agreements   
Latin America WTO rules on Regional Trade Agreements 3 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on Trade Remedies 4 X  
Africa (French) Workshop on Trade Remedies 4  X 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop on Trade Remedies 4 X  
Asia and Pacific Workshop on Trade Remedies 4  X (vi) Rules  
Caribbean Workshop on Trade Remedies 4 X   
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Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia and 
Caucasus Workshop on Trade Remedies 4  X  
Latin America Workshop on Subsidy Disciplines 4  X 
Africa (English)   Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X 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-Pacific Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X 
(Pacific)  X   
(Asia)  
Central and 
Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4  X (vii) Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures 
(SPS)   
Latin America Applied training in the SPS Agreement 4 X  
TBC Workshop on the GATS and the Services Negotiations  3 X X 
TBC Workshop on the GATS and the Services Negotiations  3 X X 
TBC Workshop on the GATS and the Services Negotiations  3 X X (viii) Services negotiations; 
GATS 
TBC Workshop on the GATS and the Services Negotiations  3 X X 
Africa (English) Training on the implementation of the TBT Agreement for English-
speaking African countries 3  X (ix) Technical Barriers to 
Trade (TBT)  
Africa (French) Training on the implementation of the TBT Agreement  3 X   
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region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Asia-Pacific Training on the implemen tation of the TBT Agreement for Asian 
countries 3  X 
Caribbean Training on the implementation of the TBT Agreement  3 X  
Central and 
Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus Training on the implementation of the TBT Agreement  3 X   
Latin America Training on the implementation of the TBT Agreement  3  X 
Africa (English) Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3 X X 
Africa (French) Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3  X 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3 X  
Asia-Pacific Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3 X X 
Caribbean Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3  X 
Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia and 
Caucasus Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3  X (x) Trade and Development, 
including:  Special and Differential Treatment and 
Small Economies 
Latin America Trade Policy Course on Special and Differential Treatment, LDCs, 
Small Economies and the Integrated Framework 3 X  
Africa (English) Workshop on Trade and Environment  - the work of CTE and Doha 
process 3 X  (xi) Trade and Environment  
Africa (French) Workshop on Trade and Environment  - the work of CTE and Doha 
process 3 X   
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Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop on Trade and Environment  - the work of CTE and Doha 
process 3  X 
Asia-Pacific Workshop on Trade and Envi ronment  - the work of CTE and Doha 
process 3  X 
Central and 
Eastern Europe, 
Central Asia and 
Caucasus Workshop on Trade and Environment  - the work of CTE and Doha 
process 3 X   
Latin America Workshop on Trade and Environment  - the work of CTE and Doha 
process 3  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 and Pacific Workshop on Trade Facilitation 5 X X 
Caribbean  Workshop on Trade Facilitation 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  TRIPS 3  X 
Africa (French) Workshop on TRIPS 3  X (xiii) Trade-related 
Intellectual Property Rights 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop on TRIPS 3 X   
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region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Asia and Pacific Workshop on TRIPS 3 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   
Latin America / 
Caribbean Workshop on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health 3 X  
4.  Advanced Training Programme for Senior Government Officials 
Africa (English) Advanced Training Programme for Senior Government officials 5 X X 
Africa (French) Advanced Training Programme  for Senior Government officials 5 X X 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Advanced Training Programme for Senior Government officials 6 X X 
Asia-Pacific Advanced Programme for Senior Government officials 5 X X   
Latin America 
(Spanish) Advanced Training Programme for Senior Government officials 10 X X 
5. Intensive Courses on Trade Negotiations Skills 
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   
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Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
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  
Latin America Intensive Course on Trade Negotiations Skills 5 X  
6. Outreach Activities for Parliamentarians and Civil Society 
Africa Workshop for NGOs 2 X X 
Africa (English) Workshop for Parliamentar ians  (partnership with CPA) 3 X X 
Asia Workshop for NGOs 2 X X 
TBC - Latin 
America Workshop for NGOs 2 X X 
TBC (English) Workshop for Parliamentaria ns  (partnership with CPA) 3 X X 
TBC (French) Workshop for Parliamentarians  (partnership with Agence Parlementaire 
de la Francophonie) 3 X X 
TBC (Spanish) Workshop for Parliamentaria ns  (partnership with INTAL) 3 X X   
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop for Parliamentarians  (partnership with AMF) 3 X X 
C. ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR TRAINING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING   
1. Regional Trade Policy Courses (see A.1.(ii))   
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region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
2. The University Programme 
(a) Follow-up to RTPCs (Phase 2)  
Africa (English) Phase 2 Specialized Module, Consolidation Course 5 X X 
Africa (French) Phase 2 Specialized Workshop 5 X X 
Asia - Pacific Phase 2 Specialized Workshop 5 X X  
Latin America Phase 2 Specialized Workshop 5 X X 
(b) Workshops for University Professors on WTO Matters 
Arab and Middle 
East countries Workshop for Academics 3 X X 
Asia - Pacific Workshop for Junior R esearchers on Research Tools and on 
Modernizing Curricula of International Trade in Asia-Pacific 
Universities 5 X X 
Asia - Pacific Workshop for Senior Resea rchers - 2nd Academic Workshop on Trade 
Research 3 X X 
Central and 
Eastern Europe and Central Asia Workshop for Academics 3 X X 
Caribbean Workshop for Academics 3 X X   
TBC Curriculum Development to Incorporate WTO Matters: Sharing of 
Teaching and Research Experiences  3 X X  
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Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
(c) National Workshops for Academics 
   National Workshops for university professors   X X 
(d) Document Dissemination programme for universities 
    Document Dissemination Programme for Universities:  the Donation of 
a Basic Set of WTO Publications to Groups of 20 Universities from 
each Region.  X X 
3. Support Programme for Doctoral Studies 
    Support Programme for Doctoral Students 120 X X 
4. Programme for Visiting Academics 
    Programme for visiting academics  X X 
5. Research Collaboration 
    Research Collaboration:  Joint Research Activities with Academics 
from Developing Countries  X X 
D. TRAINEE PROGRAMMES AND INTERNSHIPS 
1. The Netherlands Trainee Programme  10 months X (X) 
2. The WTO Regional Coordinator Internship Programme 6 months X X 
3. The WTO Mission Internship Programme 10 months X (X)  
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region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
E.  E-LEARNING 
1.  eTraining:  online courses  
Capital-based 
officials Introduction to the WTO (2 English, 1 French, 1 Spanish) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Trade Remedies (2 English, 1 French, 1 Spanish) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Agriculture  (English, French, Spanish) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Technical Barriers to Trade  (English, French, 
Spanish) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  (English, 
French, Spanish) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (1 
English, 1 French, 1 Spanish) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Dispute Settlement (English) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Trade and Environment  (English) 8 X * 
Capital-based 
officials Specialized Course on Trade Facilitation (English) 8 X *   
Journalists from 
developing Members and Observers Introduction to the WTO (1 English, 1 French, 1 Spanish) 8 X * 
2.  Self-training: computer-based training modules 
  Capital-based 
officials Overview of the WTO (English, French, Spanish) 2 X X  
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Subject / Programme Region/ Sub-
region Description of the Activity Duration 
(days) 2008 2009 
Capital-based 
officials Dispute Settlement (English, French, Spanish) 4 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Sanitary and Phytosanitary 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 
3. Briefings 
Capital-based 
officials Trade Facilitation (English) 2 X X 
Capital-based 
officials Trade Facilitation Needs Assessment (English) 1 X X   
Capital-based 
officials The WTO Coherence Mandate (English, French) 2 X X 
F.  PRO MEMORIA   
Other Programmes and Support Activities   
 
__________