WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/BFA/W/204 
17 May 2010 
 (10-2759) 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  
  
 
REPORT ON DIVERSITY IN THE WTO SECRETARIAT 
 
Response to Measures Proposed in Joint Statement by Brazil, China,
 
Ecuador, Egypt, India, Pakistan and South Africa  
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. At the meeting of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (CBFA) on 
11 March 2010, the Secretariat presented its firs t Annual Report on Diversity in the Secretariat 
(WT/BFA/W/195).  A Joint Statement on the Report on Diversity by Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, 
India, Pakistan and South Africa, was also tabled .  The purpose of this document is to provide a 
response to the measures proposed  in the joint statement.  
2. The discussion in the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration following the 
presentation of the first annual report on diversity was of great value to the WTO Secretariat.  Several 
practical and useful suggestions were made, for ex ample, in relation to increasing outreach to attract 
the best qualified candidates from Members as a way to  further continue to broaden the diversification 
of the Secretariat staff.  
3. The Secretariat and the Director-General place great importance on diversity and will work to 
ensure that the positive trends highlighted in the Secretariat's Annual Report on Diversity are not only 
continued but reinforced over time.  Increasing the pool of highly qualified applicants from the full 
Membership is key to achieving this and developing  a stronger partnership with Members will greatly 
enhance the potential for success in this area. 
II. PROPOSED MEASURES AND SECRETARIAT ACTIONS 
4. The table below sets out the proposed measur es presented in the Joint Statement on the 
Report on Diversity by Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egyp t, India, Pakistan and South Africa and planned 
actions by the Secretariat. WT/BFA/W/204 
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Table 1
 
 
Secretariat Response & Actions to Proposed Measures presented  
in the Joint Statement on the Report on Diversity  
by Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Pakistan and South Africa . 
 
Measures proposed in Joint  
Statement to the CBFA  Secretariat Response and Actions 
1. A Strengthened Diversification Policy. 
This could be achieved by revising the Staff 
Regulation  with more elaborated language on 
diversification or by formulating a separate 
statement or policy paper on diversification to 
be approved by the General Council.  The 
language could be closely aligned along UN 
Organizations, World Bank, IMF, ITC, etc. 
  The WTO Staff Regulations (Staff Regulation 3.1) set 
out the principles of  merit and equal opportunity for 
all, as well as the objective of ensuring the broadest 
possible diversification of the Secretariat. As stated in 
the Secretariat's report on diversity, staff recruitment 
is firmly based on these principles, with merit being the principal selection criteri on.  When candidates are 
equal on merit, diversity needs are taken into account and reflected in the final selection decision.  The UN, World Bank, IMF and ITC statements on diversity are aligned to these same principles. 
 To reinforce and increase communications and 
awareness of the Staff Regulations and principles of merit and diversity, the Secr etariat will take forward 
the following actions in 2010/2011: 
- Implement Diversity Training within the 
Secretariat, with a focus on further raising managers' and selection panels' awareness of the importance of merit and diversity in recruitment.   
- Increase communication, internally and externally, 
on the WTO recruitment process and diversity as set out in the WTO Staff Regulations (e.g. diversity recruitment brochure, diversity statement on WTO website, employment at the WTO booklet to make available at WTO events). 
2. An Enhanced Recruitment with 
Diversification.  This could be achieved by 
inserting in future recruitment notices a clear-
cut language to give preference to candidates  As set out above, it is the view of the Secretariat that 
the current recruitment policy, as set out in Staff Regulation 3.1, remains appropriate.  Maintaining merit as the prime consid eration in recruitment  WT/BFA/W/204 
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  Measures proposed in Joint  
Statement to the CBFA  Secretariat Response and Actions 
from under/non-represented members subject 
to their meeting eligibility criteria.  
 ensures that the best talent is selected and the highest 
quality of services is provided to Members by the Secretariat.    
 The Secretariat is of the vi ew that measures such as 
increasing awareness of diversity and strengthening outreach and communication will be effective in increasing the pool of diverse, qualified applications from all Members, especially under-represented Members.  These actions will ensure that the positive trends highlighted in the report on diversity are not only continued but reinforced, while retaining/improving organizational effectiveness and excellence. 
- A short text on the Secretariat's commitment to 
merit and diversity in line with the WTO Staff Regulations will be reinforced in future vacancy notices.  
3. An Improved Outreach to Potential 
Candidates.   This could be achieved by 
adding new dimension to existing activities of 
the WTO, particularly the TRTA activities 
such as Trade Policy Courses, Regional and 
National Workshops, Public Forum and 
Geneva Week to further improve the 
dissemination of relevant information and 
reach out to potential can didates, particularly 
those from under/non-represented Members.   As proposed by several Members, the Human 
Resources Division will increase outreach by providing greater information and communication on WTO recruitment criteria an d procedures during Trade 
Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) activities such as: the Trade Policy Courses, Workshops, Public Forum and Geneva Week.  For example, the Human Resources Division gave pres entations on Recruitment 
and Diversity and how Member s can assist in helping 
the Secretariat to attract and increase the pool of 
qualified applicants, at the following activities: 
- at Geneva Week on 7 May 2010; 
- it is also planning future presentations later in the 
year at Public Forum, Trade Policy Courses and 
other workshops. 
 WT/BFA/W/204 
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  Measures proposed in Joint  
Statement to the CBFA  Secretariat Response and Actions 
 The Human Resources Division also stands ready to  
assist Delegations with any questions or needs they may have related to recruitment.  It is clearly in the interest of the Secretariat to ensure maximum outreach 
so as to increase the pool of highly qualified applicants from the full Membership. 
4. A Regular Review of the Situation and 
Discussion on Way Forward.  This could be 
achieved with a regular review based on the 
annual report by the Secretariat on diversity as 
contained in DG’s 2010-2011 biennium 
budget proposals and subsequent discussion 
among Members on the way forward.  CBFA 
should report such reviews and discussions 
and possible measures to be taken to the 
General Council.  
  The Secretariat will provide Members with regular 
updates through annual reports to the CBFA on Diversity:  
- 2009 Annual Report on Diversity in WTO was 
presented to CBFA in March 2010. 
- 2010 Annual Report on Diversity in WTO will be 
presented to CBFA at its first meeting in 2011.  
 The Secretariat stands ready to support further 
discussion among Members on the subject of diversity, including by providing additional updates. 
 
III. CONCLUSION 
5. The Human Resources Division will continue to carry out planned actions as outlined above, 
and will report to the CBFA on progress in this area. 
6. The Secretariat will present its second Annual Report on Diversity in the WTO Secretariat 
during 2010 at the first meeting of the CBFA in 2011. 
 
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