RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/BFA/114 
8 December 2009 
 (09-6348) 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  
  
 
REPORT OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 5, 12, 19, 24 NOVEMBER,  
4 AND 7 DECEMBER 2009 
 
 1. The WTO Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration met on 5, 12, 19 and 
24 November, 4 and 7 December 2009 under the ch airmanship of Ambassador Marie-Claire 
Swärd Capra (Sweden).  The term s of reference and composition of the Committee are set out in 
document WT/L/44/Rev.1.  The agenda containe d in document WTO/AIR/3463/Rev.1 was adopted.  
I. DIRECTOR GENERAL'S BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR THE BIENNIUM 2010-2011 
2. A member of the Secretariat presented the Director-General's budget proposals for the 
biennium 2010-2011.  The Committee was informed  that these budget proposals flowed from the 
Director-General's address to the General Council in April 2009, in which he had presented Members 
with his priorities for the Secretar iat to meet the challenges faced by  the WTO in the global economy.  
The Committee was informed that the budget proposals contained provisions for enhancing the role of 
the WTO in monitoring, surveillance and trade inte lligence, together with a strengthened capacity in 
outreach.  The Secretariat continued to apply high  standards of efficiency and respect for the 
environment.  
3. Conscious of the financial constraints confront ing Members in the global financial crisis, the 
Director-General's budget proposals for the bienni um 2010-2011 amounted to an overall increase of 
3.37 and 3.16 per cent for each of the respective years.  These budget proposals also contained the 
budget proposals of the International Trade Cent re (ITC) regular budget, which represented an 
increase of 8.21 and 5.86 per cent for 2010 and 2011, respectively. 
4. With the exception of the increase for the ITC, the Secretariat summarized the WTO increases 
for the biennium as primarily:  (i) statutory, in order to honour existing commitments with respect to 
the salary adjustment methodology, health insuran ce premiums and pension benefits;  (ii) staff 
increases, namely two additional posts in 2010 and a further four in 2011, with increases in temporary 
assistance to meet special needs;  and (iii) ot her, comprising increases of CHF 0.4 million and 
CHF 1,7 million for 2010 and 2011, respectively,  including the proposed increases of CHF 1,4 million 
and CHF 1,1 million, respectively, in the ITC budget. 
5. The Committee was informed  that, in addition to the funding  of the budget through Member 
contributions and miscellaneous income, the Direct or-General proposed to refund part of the overall 
2008 surplus, in the amount of CHF 2,800,000. 
6. The Members, after having debated and sought a dditional explanations to the different issues 
raised during the examination of the budget proposals, were presented with a revised proposal amounting to 2.50 and 2.54 per cent for each of th e respective years 2010 and 2011, inclusive of the 
provision for the ITC. 
7. This revised proposal included:  (i) a reduction in the ITC budgetary provision;  (ii) an 
adjustment of the provisions made for statutory increases in the light of more recent information;  WT/BFA/114 
Page 2  
 
  (iii) a reduction in the funding requested for new posts by the equivalent of three posts;  (iv) the cost- 
neutral conversion of two director posts to five new posts at the junior professional grade 6;  (v) a 
reduction of the initial temporary assistance allocation;   (vi) an increase in the vacancy factor to 
1.88 per cent of established posts;  (vii) the for eclosure of an existing leasing arrangement;  and 
(viii) the removal, at the request of Members, of the funding related to the CO
2 financial offset 
initiative. 
8. After additional discussions, and at the request  of one Member supported by other Members, 
the Chair proposed that the Secretariat further reduce its proposals in order to limit the increase of the 
WTO portion of the budget (i.e. excluding the ITC portion of the budget) to 4 per cent over the biennium.  The Chair suggested two reductions:  first,  to apply the same estimated salary adjustment 
in 2011 as in 2010, and, secondly, to reduce expenditure for reproduction in 2011.   
9. Members of the Committee took note of the Director General's intention to reallocate 
18 existing posts to new functions in order to meet the evolving priorities of the Organization.  Members were assured by the Secretariat that this r eallocation of existing posts in order to cover new 
staffing requirements would not lead to the creati on of new temporary assistance positions that would 
later become the subject of requests for permanent posts. 
10. One Member expressed concerns that budgetary  savings could impact upon the resources 
available for the official language interpretation av ailable during meetings.  The Secretariat provided 
an assurance that there was no intention to reduce resources for interpretation services. 
11. Members generally supported the initiative to ma ke the Secretariat a greener organization. 
However, some Members considered the purchase of CO
2 financial offsets premature.   
12. Members also expressed their concern over the lengthy delay in presentation and complicated 
examination of the ITC budget proposals.  Severa l Members called for a thorough review of this 
process in 2010.  
13. The Committee concluded with the approval of the following recommendation. 
A. BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2010 
14. The Committee submits to the General Co uncil for consideration and approval the 
following draft resolution on the expenditure of  the World Trade Organization in 2010 and the 
ways and means to meet such expenditure . 
 
The General Council,  
HAVING CONSIDERED, 
  The Estimates of expenditure of the Secretar iat of the World Trade Organization for 2010 
(CHF 188,483,400) and for the Appellate Body a nd its Secretariat for 2010 (CHF 5,506,100) 
amounting to a total of CHF 193,989,500 as set fort h in the Schedules I-A, I-B and I-C annexed to 
this Resolution. 
  WT/BFA/114 
 Page 3 
 
 
  RESOLVE that, 
 1. The financing of the amount of CHF 193,989,5 00 with regard to the Secretariat of the WTO 
and the Appellate Body and its Secretaria t referred to above shall be as follows: 
 
(a) by contributions from Members, on the basis of a minimum contribution of 
0.015 per cent, in the amount of  CHF 189,400,000 (Schedule II); 
(b) by use of the 2008 Surplus in the amount of CHF 2,800,000,   and 
(c) by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,789,500 (Schedule III). 
2. The contributions of the Members shall be assessed in accordance with  the attached scale of 
contributions.  Contributions from Members in re spect of the 2010 budget are considered as due and 
payable in full as at 1 January 2010.  B. B
UDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2011 
15. The Committee, bearing in mind the guidelines on biennial budgeting 
(WT/BFA/W/105/Rev.1) approved by the Gene ral Council (WT/GC/M/82), including the 
reference to revisions to the second year of the biennium,1 recommends to the General Council 
for consideration and approval the following dra ft resolution on the expenditure of the World 
Trade Organization in 2011 and the ways and means to meet such expenditure . 
 
The General Council, 
 
HAVING CONSIDERED,   The Estimates of expenditure of the Secretar iat of the World Trade Organization for 2011 
(CHF 192,521,200), and for the Appellate Body and its Secretariat for 2011 (CHF 5,683,400) 
amounting to a total of CHF 198,204,600 as set fort h in the Schedules I-A, I-B and I-C annexed to 
this Resolution.  RESOLVE that,  1. The financing of the amount of CHF 198,204,6 00 with regard to the Secretariat of the WTO 
and the Appellate Body and its Secretaria t referred to above shall be as follows: 
 
                                                     
 
1 “…if it proves necessary due to unexpected changes in inflation rates and other elements (e.g. the 
levels of translation resources required to cope with a greater or lesser volume of documentation)  when the 
biennial budget was approved …, th e Committee would examine a Revision  to the second year  of the biennial 
budget prepared by the Director-Gener al, which could propose increases, decr eases or reallocations of resources 
for the second year, and make the appropriate recommendation to the General Council for approval. This 
flexibility might be particularly necessary in the first bi ennium.  This approach woul d also seem to provide the 
desired level of predictability while at the same time taking into account the considerations expressed by some 
Members...”  (WT/BFA/W/105/Rev.1). WT/BFA/114 
Page 4  
 
  (a) by contributions from Members, on the basis of a minimum contribution of 
0.015 per cent, in the amount of CHF 196,300,000;  and 
(b) by miscellaneous income estimated at CHF 1,904,600 (Schedule III). 
2. The contributions of the Members shall be assessed in 2010 based on the up-dated trade 
statistics in 2010 as foreseen in Regulation 12.3(b) of  the revised Financial Regulations of the WTO, 
document WT/L/156/Rev.2.  Contributions fro m Members in respect of the 2011 budget are 
considered as due and payable in full as at 1 January 2011.  3. In accordance with Regulations 6 and 10 of the revised Financial Regulations of the WTO, 
any revision of the 2011 budget estimates shall be  submitted in 2010 to the Committee on Budget, 
Finance and Administration for its examina tion and formulation of a recommendation for 
consideration by the General Council. 
 WT/BFA/114 
Page 5 
 
 
  SCHEDULE I – A 
 
2010-2011 PROPOSED REVISED CONSOLIDATED  WTO BUDGET FOR  
THE WTO SECRETARIAT AND THE APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT  
(in Swiss Francs) 
 Part Section/Line 2009 Inc/Dec 
2010 2010 Inc/Dec 
2011 2011 Diff. 2010 Diff. 2011
A Sect  1 Work Years               
 (a) Salary 86,811,900 1,619,400 88,431,300 2,386,800 90,818,100  1.87% 2.70%
 (b) Pension 17,639,300 1,239,200 18,878,500 304,700 19,183,200  7.03% 1.61%
 (c) Common Staff Costs 16,986,000 1,303,500 18,289,500 216,700 18,506,200  7.67% 1.18%
 Sect  2 Temporary Assistance 14,975,500 899,800 15,875,300 117,400 15,992,700  6.01% 0.74%
B Sect  3 Communications               
 (a) Telecommunications 506,500 (20,000) 486,500 20,000 506,500  (3.95%) 4.11%
 (b) Postal Charges 1,305,000 (5,000) 1,300,000 (20,000) 1,280,000  (0.38%) (1.54%)
 Sect  4 Building Facilities               
 (a) Rental 609,000 11,000 620,000 5,000 625,000  1.81% 0.81%
 (b) Utilities 1,876,000 38,000 1,914,000 15,000 1,929,000  2.03% 0.78%
 (c) Maintenance and Insurance 1,211,000 98,000 1,309,000 3,000 1,312,000  8.09% 0.23%
 Sect  5 Permanent Equipment               
 (a) Permanent Equipment 1,266,000 (263,000) 1,003,000 22,000 1,025,000  (20.77%) 2.19%
 (b) Perm. Equipment Lease 932,000 (805,000) 127,000 (63,000) 64,000  (86.37%) (49.61%)
 Sect  6 Expendable Supplies 1,305,000 (114,000) 1,191,000 90,000 1,281,000  (8.74%) 7.56%
 Sect  7 Contractual Services               
 (a) Reproduction 1,425,000 (20,000) 1,405,000 215,600 1,620,600  (1.40%) 15.35%
 (b) Office Automation 3,756,000 35,000 3,791,000 (426,000) 3,365,000  0.93% (11.24%)
 (c) Other 282,000 (63,000) 219,000 19,000 238,000  (22.34%) 8.68%
 (d) Security Outsourcing 3,787,000 96,000 3,883,000 130,000 4,013,000  2.53% 3.35%
C Sect  8 Staff Overheads               
 (a) Training 1,775,000 (250,000) 1,525,000 0 1,525,000  (14.08%) 0.00%
 (b) Insurance 2,622,500 185,500 2,808,000 203,000 3,011,000  7.07% 7.23%
 (c) Joint Services 204,000 51,000 255,000 0 255,000  25.00% 0.00%
 (d) Miscellaneous 32,000 4,000 36,000 0 36,000  12.50% 0.00%
 Sect  9 Missions               
 (a) Missions Official 1,533,000 0 1,533,000 0 1,533,000  0.00% 0.00%
 (b) Missions Technical 1,406,000 0 1,406,000 0 1,406,000  0.00% 0.00%
 Sect 10 Trade Policy Courses 3,823,600 (508,600) 3,315,000 0 3,315,000  (13.30%) 0.00%
 Sect 11 Various               
 (a) Representation and 
     Hospitality 299,000 0 299,000 0 299,000  0.00% 0.00%
 (b) Dispute Settlem ent Panels 1,247,000 (260,000) 987,000 0 987,000  (20.85%) 0.00%
 (c) Experts 50,000 0 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 0.00%
 (d) Appellate Body Members 789,700 3,800 793,500 3,800 797,300  0.48% 0.48%
 (e) Library 700,000 0 700,000 0 700,000  0.00% 0.00%
 (f) Publications 790,000 13,000 803,000 0 803,000  1.65% 0.00%
 (g) Public Information Activities 270,000 110,000 380,000 0 380,000  40.74% 0.00%
 (h) External Auditors 40,000 10,000 50,000 0 50,000  25.00% 0.00%
 (i) Ministerial Operating Fund 0 600,000 600,000 0 600,000  0.00% 0.00%
 (j) ISO 57,000 0 57,000 0 57,000  0.00% 0.00%
 (k) Other 80,000 50,000 130,000 0 130,000  62.50% 0.00%
 (l) Appellate Body Operating  
      Fund 1,575,700 (75,700) 1,500,000 100,000 1,600,000  (4.80%) 6.67%
 (m) Security Enhancement  
      Programme 330,000 (330,000) 0 0 0  (100.00%) 0.00%
 Sect 12 Unforeseen  100,000 (100,000) 0 0 0  (100.00%) 0.00%
D Sect 13 ITC 16,859,900 1,179,000 18,038,900 872,100 18,911,000  6.99% 4.83%
Grand Total 189,257,600 4,731,900 193,989,500 4,215,100 198,204,600  2.50% 2.17%
 WT/BFA/114 
Page 6  
 
  SCHEDULE I – B 
 
2010-2011 PROPOSED REVISED BUDGET FOR 
THE WTO SECRETARIAT  
(in Swiss Francs) 
 Part Section/Line 2009 Inc/Dec 
2010 2010 Inc/Dec 
2011 2011 Diff. 
2010 Diff. 
2011 
A Sect  1 Work Years         
  (a) Salary 84,732,900  1,608,900 86,341,800 2,328,300 88,670,100  1.90% 2.70%
  (b) Pension 17,216,300  1,216,700 18,433,000 294,200 18,727,200  7.07% 1.60%
  (c) Common Staff Costs 16,587,000  1,272,000 17,859,000 212,200 18,071,200  7.67% 1.19%
  Sect  2 Temporary Assistance 14,909,900  899,800 15,809,700 117,400 15,927,100  6.03% 0.74%
B Sect  3 Communications         
  (a) Telecommunications 500,000  (20,000) 480,000 20,000 500,000  (4.00%) 4.17%
  (b) Postal Charges 1,305,000  (5,000) 1,300,000 (20,000) 1,280,000  (0.38%) (1.54%)
  Sect  4 Building Facilities         
  (a) Rental 609,000  11,000 620,000 5,000 625,000  1.81% 0.81%
  (b) Utilities 1,863,000  38,000 1,901,000 15,000 1,916,000  2.04% 0.79%
  (c) Maintenance and Insurance 1,206,000  98,000 1,304,000 3,000 1,307,000  8.13% 0.23%
  Sect  5 Permanent Equipment         
  (a) Permanent Equipment 1,241,000  (263,000) 978,000 22,000 1,000,000  (21.19%) 2.25%
  (b) Perm. Equipment Lease 932,000  (805,000) 127,000 (63,000) 64,000  (86.37%) (49.61%)
  Sect  6 Expendable Supplies 1,285,000  (114,000) 1,171,000 90,000 1,261,000  (8.87%) 7.69%
  Sect  7 Contractual Services         
  (a) Reproduction 1,410,000  (20,000) 1,390,000 215,600 1,605,600  (1.42%) 15.51%
  (b) Office Automation 3,746,000  35,000 3,781,000 (426,000) 3,355,000  0.93% (11.27%)
  (c) Other 282,000  (63,000) 219,000 19,000 238,000  (22.34%) 8.68%
  (d) Security Outsourcing 3,787,000  96,000 3,883,000 130,000 4,013,000  2.53% 3.35%
C Sect  8 Staff Overheads         
  (a) Training 1,750,000  (250,000) 1,500,000 0 1,500,000  (14.29%) 0.00%
  (b) Insurance 2,610,500  185,500 2,796,000 203,000 2,999,000  7.11% 7.26%
  (c) Joint Services 204,000  51,000 255,000 0 255,000  25.00% 0.00%
  (d) Miscellaneous 30,000  4,000 34,000 0 34,000  13.33% 0.00%
  Sect  9 Missions         
  (a) Missions Official 1,496,000  0 1,496,000 0 1,496,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (b) Missions Technical 1,406,000  0 1,406,000 0 1,406,000  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect 10 Trade Policy Courses 3,823,600  (508,600) 3,315,000 0 3,315,000  (13.30%) 0.00%
  Sect 11 Various         
  (a) Representation and  
     Hospitality 298,000  0 298,000 0 298,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (b) Dispute Settlem ent Panels 1,247,000  (260,000) 987,000 0 987,000  (20.85%) 0.00%
  (c) Experts 50,000  0 50,000 0 50,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (e) Library 690,000  0 690,000 0 690,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (f) Publications 790,000  13,000 803,000 0 803,000  1.65% 0.00%
  (g) Public Information  
     Activities 270,000  110,000 380,000 0 380,000  40.74% 0.00%
  (h) External Auditors 40,000  10,000 50,000 0 50,000  25.00% 0.00%
  (i) Ministerial Operating Fund 0  600,000 600,000 0 600,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (j) ISO 57,000  0 57,000 0 57,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (k) Other 80,000  50,000 130,000 0 130,000  62.50% 0.00%
  (m) Security Enhancement  
      Programme 330,000  (330,000) 0 0 0  (100.00%) 0.00%
  Sect 12 Unforeseen  100,000  (100,000) 0 0 0  (100.00%) 0.00%
D Sect 13 ITC 16,859,900  1,179,000 18,038,900 872,100 18,911,000  6.99% 4.83%
Grand Total  183,744,100  4,739,300 188,483,400 4,037,800 192,521,200  2.58% 2.14%
 
 
 
  WT/BFA/114 
 Page 7 
 
 
  SCHEDULE I – C  
 
2010-2011 PROPOSED REVISED BUDGET FOR  
THE APPELLATE BODY AND ITS SECRETARIAT 
(in Swiss Francs)  
 Part Section/Line 2009 Inc/Dec 
2010 2010 Inc/Dec 
2011 2011 Diff. 
2010 Diff. 
2011 
A Sect  1 Work Years         
  (a) Salary 2,079,000 10,500 2,089,500 58,500 2,148,000  0.51% 2.80%
  (b) Pension 423,000 22,500 445,500 10,500 456,000  5.32% 2.36%
  (c) Common Staff Costs 399,000 31,500 430,500 4,500 435,000  7.89% 1.05%
  Sect  2 Temporary Assistance 65,600 0 65,600 0 65,600  0.00% 0.00%
B Sect  3 Communications         
  (a) Telecommunications 6,500 0 6,500 0 6,500  0.00% 0.00%
  (b) Postal Charges 0 0 0 0 0  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect  4 Building Facilities         
  (b) Utilities 13,000 0 13,000 0 13,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (c) Maintenance and Insurance 5,000 0 5,000 0 5,000  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect  5 Permanent Equipment         
  (a) Permanent Equipment 25,000 0 25,000 0 25,000  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect  6 Expendable Supplies 20,000 0 20,000 0 20,000  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect  7 Contractual Services         
  (a) Reproduction 15,000 0 15,000 0 15,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (b) Office Automation 10,000 0 10,000 0 10,000  0.00% 0.00%
C Sect  8 Staff Overheads         
  (a) Training 25,000 0 25,000 0 25,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (b) Insurance 12,000 0 12,000 0 12,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (d) Miscellaneous 2,000 0 2,000 0 2,000  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect  9 Missions         
  (a) Missions Official 37,000 0 37,000 0 37,000  0.00% 0.00%
  Sect 11 Various         
  (a) Representation and Hospitality 1,000 0 1,000 0 1,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (d) Appellate Body Members 789,700 3,800 793,500 3,800 797,300  0.48% 0.48%
  (e) Library 10,000 0 10,000 0 10,000  0.00% 0.00%
  (g) Public Information Activities 0 0 0 0 0  0.00% 0.00%
  (l) Appellate Body Operating Fund 1,575,700 (75,700) 1,500,000 100,000 1,600,000  (4.80%) 6.67%
Grand Total 5,513,500 (7,400) 5,506,100 177,300 5,683,400  (0.13%) 3.22%
 
 WT/BFA/114 
Page 8  
 
  SCHEDULE II  
 
2010
  REVISED DRAFT SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS  
(in Swiss Francs with a minimum contribution of 0.015%)  
 
MEMBER 2009 
Contributions 
after 
Redistribution 
Surplus 2010 
Contribution 
before 
Surplus Refund 
Surplus 
2008 Contribution 
after 
Redistribution 
Surplus 200822010 
Contribution
% Interest3 
earned in 
2008 for 
2010 2010 net 
Contribution 
Albania 40,414  42,284 (616) 41,668 0.022% (321) 41,347 
Angola 246,158  307,520 (4,480) 303,040 0.160% (1,470) 301,570 
Antigua and Barbuda 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (248) 28,162 
Argentina 578,655  643,870 (9,380) 634,490 0.335% (3,469) 631,021 
Armenia 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (179) 28,231 
Australia 2,103,365  2,225,676 (32,424) 2,193,252 1.158% (16,858) 2,176,394 
Austria 2,509,342  2,464,004 (35,896) 2,428,108 1.282% (22,665) 2,405,443 
Bahrain 148,797  174,902 (2,548) 172,354 0.091% (709) 171,645 
Bangladesh 185,537  194,122 (2,828) 191,294 0.101% (930) 190,364 
Barbados 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (89) 28,321 
Belgium 4,708,231  4,868,426 (70,924) 4,797,502 2.533% (35,658) 4,761,844 
Belize 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (94) 28,316 
Benin 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (28) 28,382 
Bolivia 44,088  48,050 (700) 47,350 0.025% (8) 47,342 
Botswana 62,458  65,348 (952) 64,396 0.034% (362) 64,034 
Brazil 1,647,789  1,814,368 (26,432) 1,787,936 0.944% (12,023) 1,775,913 
Brunei Darussalam 71,643  63,426 (924) 62,502 0.033% (621) 61,881 
Bulgaria 260,854  301,754 (4,396) 297,358 0.157% (2,053) 295,305 
Burkina Faso 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (7) 28,403 
Burundi 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Cambodia 62,458  67,270 (980) 66,290 0.035% (207) 66,083 
Cameroon 51,436  65,348 (952) 64,396 0.034% (203) 64,193 
Canada 6,174,157  6,175,386 (89,964) 6,085,422 3.213% (55,438) 6,029,984 
Cape Verde 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Central African Republic 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Chad 27,555  42,284 (616) 41,668 0.022% 0  41,668 
Chile 611,721  688,076 (10,024) 678,052 0.358% (2,374) 675,678 
China, People's Republic of 10,834,626  12,404,588 (180,712) 12,223,876 6.454% (16,208) 12,207,668 
Colombia 356,378  388,244 (5,656) 382,588 0.202% (2,544) 380,044 
Congo 44,088  63,426 (924) 62,502 0.033% 0  62,502 
Costa Rica 157,982  163,370 (2,380) 160,990 0.085% (742) 160,248 
Côte d'Ivoire 113,894  115,320 (1,680) 113,640 0.060% 0  113,640 
Croatia 306,779  324,818 (4,732) 320,086 0.169% (2,242) 317,844 
Cuba 113,894  130,696 (1,904) 128,792 0.068% (650) 128,142 
Cyprus 121,242  126,852 (1,848) 125,004 0.066% (1,040) 123,964 
Czech Republic 1,276,715  1,433,812 (20, 888) 1,412,924 0.746% (8,817) 1,404,107 
Democratic Republic of the 
Congo 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Denmark 1,807,608  1,883,560 (27,440) 1,856,120 0.980% (13,601) 1,842,519 
Djibouti 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Dominica 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Dominican Republic 170,841  169,136 (2,464) 166,672 0.088% (898) 165,774 
Ecuador 167,167  178,746 (2,604) 176,142 0.093% (438) 175,704 
Egypt 455,576  505,486 (7,364) 498,122 0.263% (1,994) 496,128 
El Salvador 99,198  98,022 (1,428) 96,594 0.051% (5) 96,589 
Estonia 161,656  180,668 (2,632) 178,036 0.094% (1,282) 176,754 
European Union 0  0 0 0 0.000% 0  0 
Fiji 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (183) 28,227 
Finland 1,173,843  1,241,612 (18,088) 1,223,524 0.646% (10,212) 1,213,312 
Former Yugoslav Republic  
of Macedonia 44,088  49,972 (728) 49,244 0.026% (388) 48,856 
France 8,663,292  8,891,172 (129,528) 8,761,644 4.626% (70,478) 8,691,166 
Gabon 44,088  44,206 (644) 43,562 0.023% 0  43,562 
Gambia 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
                                                      
2 The 2008 Surplus is distributed on the same basis as the Members' assessed contributions for 2010. 
3 Interest earned in 2008 under the Early Payment Encouragement Scheme (L/6384) to be deducted 
from the 2010 contributions.  WT/BFA/114 
 Page 9 
 
 
  MEMBER 2009 
Contributions 
after 
Redistribution 
Surplus 2010 
Contribution 
before 
Surplus Refund 
Surplus 
2008 Contribution 
after 
Redistribution 
Surplus 200822010 
Contribution
% Interest3 
earned in 
2008 for 
2010 2010 net 
Contribution 
Georgia 36,740  44,206 (644) 43,562 0.023% (245) 43,317 
Germany 16,169,274  17,169,226 (250,124) 16,919,102 8.933% (137,433) 16,781,669 
Ghana 77,154  84,568 (1,232) 83,336 0.044% (41) 83,295 
Greece 887,271  953,312 (13,888) 939,42 4 0.496% (5,145) 934,279 
Grenada 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Guatemala 123,079  136,462 (1,988) 134,474 0.071% (850) 133,624 
Guinea 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Guinea-Bissau 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Guyana 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (104) 28,306 
Haiti 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (146) 28,264 
Honduras 64,295  99,944 (1,456) 98,488 0.052% 0  98,488 
Hong Kong, China 5,228,102  5,289,344 (77,056) 5,212,288 2.752% (48,305) 5,163,983 
Hungary 1,115,059  1,214,704 (17,696) 1,197,008 0.632% (9,796) 1,187,212 
Iceland 84,502  92,256 (1,344) 90,912 0.048% (629) 90,283 
India 2,283,391  2,066,150 (30,100) 2,036,050 1.075% (3,277) 2,032,773 
Indonesia 1,363,054  1,420,358 (20,692) 1,399,666 0.739% (9,868) 1,389,798 
Ireland 2,301,761  2,354,450 (34,300) 2,320,150 1.225% (15,878) 2,304,272 
Israel 878,086  889,886 (12,964) 876,922 0.463% (7,609) 869,313 
Italy 7,101,842  7,384,324 (107,576) 7,276,748 3.842% (117,838) 7,158,910 
Jamaica 80,828  80,724 (1,176) 79,548 0.042% (353) 79,195 
Japan 9,734,263  9,823,342 (143,108) 9,680,234 5.111% (63,786) 9,616,448 
Jordan 130,427  140,306 (2,044) 138,262 0.073% (779) 137,483 
Kenya 82,665  88,412 (1,288) 87,124 0.046% (76) 87,048 
Korea, Republic of 4,755,993  5,072,158 (73,892) 4,998,266 2.639% (31,183) 4,967,083 
Kuwait 475,783  545,848 (7,952) 537,896 0.284% 0  537,896 
Kyrgyz Republic 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (15) 28,395 
Latvia 124,916  144,150 (2,100) 142,050 0.075% (979) 141,071 
Lesotho 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Liechtenstein 44,088  46,128 (672) 45,456 0.024% (409) 45,047 
Lithuania 224,114  251,782 (3,668) 248,114 0.131% (1,559) 246,555 
Luxembourg 718,267  791,864 (11,536) 780,328 0.412% (5,720) 774,608 
Macao, China 137,775  149,916 (2, 184) 147,732 0.078% (1,080) 146,652 
Madagascar 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (122) 28,288 
Malawi 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Malaysia 2,208,074  2,266,038 (33,012) 2,233,026 1.179% (17,906) 2,215,120 
Maldives 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (162) 28,248 
Mali 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Malta 77,154  78,802 (1,148) 77,654 0.041% (669) 76,985 
Mauritania 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Mauritius 60,621  61,504 (896)  60,608 0.032% (534) 60,074 
Mexico 3,686,859  3,699,850 (53,900) 3,645,950 1.925% (17,273) 3,628,677 
Moldova 29,392  32,674 (476) 32,198 0.017% (215) 31,983 
Mongolia 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (22) 28,388 
Morocco 299,431  326,740 (4,760) 321,980 0.170% (1,729) 320,251 
Mozambique 36,740  38,440 (560) 37,880 0.020% (292) 37,588 
Myanmar, Union of 51,436  46,128 (672) 45,456 0.024% (38) 45,418 
Namibia 38,577  42,284 (616) 41,668 0.022% (236) 41,432 
Nepal 29,392  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Netherlands 6,036,382  6,292,628 (91,672) 6,200,956 3.274% (50,769) 6,150,187 
New Zealand 459,250  467,046 (6,804) 460,242 0.243% (3,981) 456,261 
Nicaragua 38,577  42,284 (616) 41,668 0.022% 0  41,668 
Niger 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Nigeria 433,532  507,408 (7,392) 500,016 0.264% (1,535) 498,481 
Norway 1,589,005  1,687,516 (24,584) 1,662,932 0.878% (12,861) 1,650,071 
Oman 224,114  244,094 (3,556) 240,538 0.127% (835) 239,703 
Pakistan 323,312  344,038 (5,012) 339,026 0.179% (1,575) 337,451 
Panama 159,819  165,292 (2,408) 162,884 0.086% (1,175) 161,709 
Papua New Guinea 38,577  36,518 (532) 35,986 0.019% (20) 35,966 
Paraguay 62,458  67,270 (980) 66,290 0.035% 0  66,290 
Peru 249,832  282,534 (4,116) 278,418 0.147% 0  278,418 
Philippines 806,443  793,786 (11,564) 782,222 0.413% (3,987) 778,235 
Poland 1,662,485  1,872,028 (27,272) 1,844,756 0.974% (13,816) 1,830,940 
Portugal 951,566  989,830 (14,420) 975,410 0.515% (1,563) 973,847 
Qatar 288,409  347,882 (5,068) 342,814 0.181% (437) 342,377 
Romania 523,545  616,962 (8,988) 607,974 0.321% (33) 607,941 WT/BFA/114 
Page 10  
 
  MEMBER 2009 
Contributions 
after 
Redistribution 
Surplus 2010 
Contribution 
before 
Surplus Refund 
Surplus 
2008 Contribution 
after 
Redistribution 
Surplus 200822010 
Contribution
% Interest3 
earned in 
2008 for 
2010 2010 net 
Contribution 
Rwanda 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (204) 28,206 
Saint Kitts and Nevis 27,555  28, 830 (420) 28,410 0. 015% (159) 28,251 
Saint Lucia 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (93) 28,317 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (133) 28,277 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 1,702,899  1,912,390 (27,860) 1,884,530 0.995% (12,060) 1,872,470 
Senegal 33,066  46,128 (672) 45,456 0.024% 0  45,456 
Sierra Leone 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Singapore 3,962,409  4,172,662 (60,788) 4,111,874 2.171% (34,463) 4,077,411 
Slovak Republic 551,100  641,948 (9,352) 632,596 0.334% (2,853) 629,743 
Slovenia 328,823  361,336 (5,264) 356,072 0.188% (2,643) 353,429 
Solomon Islands 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (117) 28,293 
South Africa 971,773  1,060,944 (15,456) 1,045,488 0.552% (6,402) 1,039,086 
Spain 4,812,940  5,091,378 (74,172) 5,017,206 2.649% (28,779) 4,988,427 
Sri Lanka 139,612  140,306 (2,044) 138,262 0.073% (153) 138,109 
Suriname 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Swaziland 33,066  32,674 (476) 32,198 0.017% (134) 32,064 
Sweden 2,432,188  2,565,870 (37,380) 2,528,490 1.335% (20,406) 2,508,084 
Switzerland 2,533,223  2,629,296 (38,304) 2,590,992 1.368% (22,110) 2,568,882 
Chinese Taipei 3,313,948  3,353,890 (48,860) 3,305,030 1.745% (808) 3,304,222 
Tanzania 51,436  55,738 (812) 54,926 0.029% (177) 54,749 
Thailand 1,903,132  2,014,256 (29,344) 1,984,912 1.048% (16,516) 1,968,396 
Togo 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
Tonga 27,555  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% (17) 28,393 
Trinidad and Tobago 97,361  128,774 (1,876) 126,898 0.067% (709) 126,189 
Tunisia 222,277  234,484 (3,416) 231,068 0.122% (1,447) 229,621 
Turkey 1,544,917  1,733,644 (25,256) 1,708,388 0.902% (4,319) 1,704,069 
Uganda 29,392  32,674 (476) 32,198 0.017% (29) 32,169 
Ukraine 626,417  705,374 (10,276) 695,098 0.367% (959) 694,139 
United Arab Emirates 1,489,807  1,720,190 (25,060) 1,695,130 0.895% (10,395) 1,684,735 
United Kingdom 9,721,404  9,811,810 (142,940) 9,668,870 5.105% (258,175) 9,410,695 
United States 24,773,782  24,912,964 (362,936) 24,550,028 12.962% (14,545) 24,535,483 
Uruguay 67,969  74,958 (1,092) 73,866 0.039% (150) 73,716 
Venezuela 580,492  645,792 (9,408) 636,384 0.336% (1,949) 634,435 
Viet Nam 453,739  622,728 (9,072) 613,656 0.324% (3,753) 609,903 
Zambia 36,740  44,206 (644) 43,562 0.023% (139) 43,423 
Zimbabwe 31,229  28,830 (420) 28,410 0.015% 0  28,410 
TOTAL 183,700,000  192,200,000 (2,800,000) 189,400,000 100.00% (1,327,420) 188,072,580 
 
   WT/BFA/114 
 Page 11 
 
 
  SCHEDULE III 
 
REVISED ESTIMATES OF MISCELLAN EOUS INCOME FOR 2010 AND 2011 
 
 
 2009 Inc/Dec 
2010 2010 Inc/Dec 
2011 2011 Diff. 
2010 Diff. 
2011 
Sale of Publicati ons & Royalties 500,000 (100,000) 400,000 - 400,000  -20.0% 0.0%
Profit or (loss) on exchange   - - - -     
Savings on previous year's outstanding 
obligations 120,000 74,500 194,500 31,000 225,500  62.1% 15.9%
Rental of meeting room s & office space  88,000 52,000 140,000 - 140,000  59.1% -
Contributions of Observer Countries 650,000 130,000 780,000 35,000 815,000  20.0% 4.5%
Interest on Current Account 60,000 (45,000) 15,000 5,000 20,000  -75.0% 33.3%
Trust Fund contributions 120,000 110,000 230,000 - 230,000  91.7% -
Other 19,600 10,400 30,000 44,100 74,100  53.1% 147.0%
TOTAL 1,557,600 231,900 1,789,500 115,100 1,904,600  14.9% 6.4%
 WT/BFA/114 
Page 12  
 
  II. ADMINISTRATIVE UP-DATES AND PROGRESS REPORTS AS AT 
31 OCTOBER 2009 
A. WTO
 BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORT (CRP(09)21) 
16. A member of the Secretariat presented the situ ation regarding Members' contributions as at 
31 October 2009 showing that CH F 137 million of the assessed CHF 183 million had been received 
and that 94 Members or 61 per cent of the Memb ership had no outstanding balance.  Payments 
received from Observers represented 60 per cent of the total assessment of CHF 0.8 million.  With respect to Members under Administrative Measures, it was reported that 20 Members were currently under Administrative Measures, comprising two in Ca tegory II, three in Category III and 15 Members 
in Category IV (Inactive).  It was added that the Director-General would take the opportunity of the 
Ministerial Conference to review the situation an d discuss the matter with selected Members subject 
to Administrative Measures. 
17. The cash situation showed that the WTO held CHF 51 million on its bank accounts, 
including the working capital fund and extra-budgetary funds.  It could be considered as adequate, but 
lower than the previous year at the same time.  It  was added that some CHF 36 million were needed to 
be received in the last two months of the year in order to avoid a negative impact on the surplus 
account. 
18. The budget performance as at 30 September 2009 was generally on track.  Actual staff 
costs were slightly below budget.  Administrative costs were slightly above budget due to the way 
commitments were booked for the entire year.  Under Pa rt C – 'Other Costs', savings with respect to 
Trade Policy Courses and Dispute Panels were expect ed.  For the last two months, additional pressure 
on the WTO resources was expected, mainly linked to the upcoming Ministerial Conference. 
B. E
XTRA -BUDGETARY FUNDS REPORT (CRP(09)22) 
19. The Committee was informed that, as at 31 October 2009, total funds in the Doha 
Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF)  stood at CHF 25.9 million, which represented 
CHF 1.9 million more than the target set at CH F 24 million for 2009.  This balance plus further 
contributions to be received in the last quarter s hould help to build the 25 per cent reserve required 
towards the following year's spending.  It was a dded that the expenses recorded so far for the 
implementation of the DDAGTF technical assistance activities amounted to CHF 20.8 million, which represented 87 per cent of the level of planned ac tivities.  This left an uncommitted balance of 
CHF 5.1 million. 
20. Members were further informed that for the Trus t Fund to facilitate the participation of LDCs 
in the 7
th Ministerial Conference, voluntary contributions amounting to CHF 960,000 had been 
received from the EU, Chinese Taipei, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.  These contributions and the balance of CHF 750,000 rema ining from the trust fund set up for the Hong 
Kong Ministerial Conference, provided sufficient res ources to facilitate the participation of LDCs in 
the 7
th Ministerial Conference. 
C. HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT (CRP(09)23) 
21. The Committee was presented with an update on the level of temporary assistance contracts 
within the Organization.  It was added that th ere were currently six external vacancies and one 
internal vacancy at various st ages of the recruitment process.  WT/BFA/114 
 Page 13 
 
 
  D. WTO  PENSION PLAN REPORT (CRP(09)24) 
22. The Secretary to the WTO Pension Plan repor ted that the Management Board had decided 
that the revised investment strategy should include 40 per cent of global equities, 40 per cent of bonds and 20 per cent of real estate.  The next steps w ould include the definition of benchmarks and the 
selection of managers for each of the new mandates.  The Management Board had also requested the 
assistance of an insurance broker to gather quota tions for the coverage of in-service death and 
disability risks. 
E. B
UILDING PROJECT REPORT  
23. The Committee was inform ed that the works on the first renovated area in the South Wing 
of the CWR building had been completed on 7 October and that the works in the next area had started 
and would be finished in June 2010. 
24. The construction permit for the intra-muros pr oject had been adapted following meetings 
with the local authorities and was expected to be granted before the end of the year.  The project 
would be presented to the two federal chambers in Be rn at the end of December in order to obtain the 
loan of CHF 20 million at the beginning of 2010.  The call for tender for the selection of the general 
contractor for the intra-muros project would be sent out in mid-December with a view to starting the 
works in July 2010.  With respect to the extra-muros project, Members were informed that the project 
had been revised in order to adapt the design an d the dimensions to the financial envelope of 
CHF 50 million. 
25. It was further reported that the Cantonal Author ities of Geneva had voted an investment of 
CHF 27 million for the construction of a car park of  400 spaces for the WTO.  This car park would 
then fulfil the last condition for the WTO to become  owner of the CWR building and to be registered 
in the 'registre foncier'.  It was added that the car park would be located in the basement of an office 
building to be built on the current Sécheron parking site. 
26. The Committee took note of the reports. 
III. AMENDMENT OF STAFF REGULATION 10.2 (WT/BFA/W/190) 
27. A member of the Secretariat recalled the deci sion of the General Council of July 2009 to 
amend the Regulations of the WTO Pension Plan  as of 1 January 2010 by changing the normal 
retirement age from 62 to 65 years.  It was proposed to amend the WTO Staff Regulation 10.2. accordingly. 
28. Therefore, the Committee, bearing in mind the amendments to the regulations of the 
WTO Pension Plan approved by the General Council in July 2009 (WT/GC/M/121),  
recommends that Staff Regulation 10.2 be am ended as follows effective 1 January 2010 :  
 "Staff Regulation 10.2 - Maximum permitted length of service:
 
Staff members shall normally not be retained in  service beyond the age of sixty-five years ." WT/BFA/114 
Page 14  
 
  IV. DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA GLOBAL TRUST FUND – 
RECOMMENDATION OF THE TARG ET AMOUNTS FOR 2010-2011   
(WT/BFA/W/192) 
29. A member of the Secretariat presented document WT/BFA/W/192 and informed the 
Committee that the Committee on Trade and Devel opment (CTD) had examined and endorsed the 
WTO Technical Assistance and Training Plan for the biennium 2010-2011 in its meeting on 
3 November 2009, including a target amount of CHF 24 million for each year of the biennium.  It was pointed out that, as in previous years, the target amount had not changed. 
30. The Committee endorsed the following recommendation: 
Pursuant to paragraph 40
4 of the Ministerial Declaration adopted at the Fourth Session of the 
WTO Ministerial Conference, the Committee recommends to the General Council that:  
a) the target level of resources in the Doha  Development Agenda Global Trust Fund 
(DDAGTF) be set at CHF 24 million for each year of the biennium 2010 - 2011 ; 
 b) the purpose of the DDAGTF be in 2010 and 2011 to finance the implementation of 
the WTO Technical Assistance and Training Plan, as authorised by the CTD ; 
 c) Members be reminded that, on 19- 20 December 2001, the General Council 
approved the following periodic benchm arks for contribution receipts: (i) by 
December of the year preceding the funds' revolving annual target period, 
25 per cent of the annual total should be in the bank;  (ii) by 31 March, another 
50 per cent for an overall 75 per cent of the total;  (iii) by 30 June, 100 per cent of 
the funds ; 
 
d) in this context, Members be informed th at the projected year-end balance of the 
Fund is likely to be sufficient to cover the 25 per cent of the target amount;  and  
 
e) Governments be urged to make financia l contributions in a manner which would 
preserve the global nature of the programme and facilitate the management and 
reporting with a view to greater tr ansparency (i.e. making un-earmarked 
contributions) and pledge multi-year cont ributions to create more predictability in 
terms of financing . 
V. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) 
A. ITC  BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR THE BIENNIUM 2010-2011    (ITC/BUD/59) 
31. The Executive Director of th e ITC thanked the Committee for the continuing support to 
help the ITC to become a technically strong and highly reputed provider of trade related technical 
assistance.  Concerning the budget proposals for the biennium 2010-2011, she pointed out that the 
budget requests started from a very low base and that , in 2009, regular budget resources were on the 
level of 2005.  Furthermore, the percentage increa ses of the budget over the last three years had been 
very low, even though the productivity between 2000 and 2008 had increased by 69 per cent for 
regular budget expenditure and by 153 pe r cent for extra-budgetary expenditure. 
                                                      
4 "40.  We agree that there is a need for technical  assistance to benefit from secure and predictable 
funding.  We therefore instruct the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration to develop a plan for 
adoption by the General Council in December 2001 that will ensure long-term fund ing for WTO technical 
assistance at an overall level no lower than that of the current year and commensurate with the activities 
outlined above.  WT/BFA/114 
 Page 15 
 
 
  32. The Executive Director explained that the ITC had been undergoing a restructuring 
process by focussing the ITC core competencies on five business lines (Export Strategy, Business and 
Trade Policy, Strengthening Trade Support Institutions, Trade Intelligence, Exporter 
Competitiveness).  In 2008, the Strategic Framework 2010-2011 had been approved and the first four-
year rolling Strategic Plan (2009-2012) had been cr eated.  The proposed leve l of resources was based 
on the Strategic Plan and included 12 new posts, ni ne in order to strengthen the business lines and 
three posts in order to strengthen the outreach and delivery capacity.  It was added that the WTO and 
the UN would each finance 50 per cent of these 12 posts.   
33. During the budget discussions, the Committee t ook note of the eleventh report of the 
Advisory Committee on Administrative and B udgetary Questions (ACABQ) on the proposed 
programme budget for the ITC for the biennium  2010-2011.  The Committee further recommended an 
additional reduction of CHF 500,000 over  the biennium to be applied to  staff and non-staff costs.  The 
proportion of this reduction between staff and non-st aff costs would be deci ded and implemented by 
the ITC. 
34. The Committee recommends to  the General Council that the budget for 2010 of the 
International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO be approved in the amount of CHF 36,427,800.  
With miscellaneous income being estimated at CHF 350,000, the amount to be provided to the 
Centre in the 2010 budget of the WTO represents CHF 18,038,900 . 
35. The Committee recommends to  the General Council that the budget for 2011 of the 
International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO be approved in the amount of CHF 38,172,000.  
With miscellaneous income being estimated at CHF 350,000, the amount to be provided to the 
Centre in the 2011 budget of the WTO represents CHF 18,911,000 . 
VI. IMPROVEMENT IN THE DIVERSIFICATION OF THE WTO SECRETARIAT 
STAFF (WT/BFA/W/191 AND CRP(09)29/REV.1) 
36. A joint proposal on the improvement of diversification of the WTO Secretariat was presented 
by several Members, who pointed out that nati onals from developing Me mbers, which constituted 
more than two thirds of the WTO Membership, am ounted to only one fifth of the total Secretariat 
staff, whereas nationals from the top eight Members,  which were all develope d countries, amounted to 
nearly 70 per cent.  They further suggested that diversification should be a key element of the WTO 
recruitment policy and concrete measures should be sy stematically taken to improve the situation.  
Comparisons with other internationa l organizations showed that dive rsity was of more importance in 
their respective recruitment policies than at the WTO. 
37. In a response to the proposal presented, a member of the Secretariat presented the 'Report on 
Diversity of the WTO Secretariat' (CRP(09)29/Rev.1) and explained that the WTO was required by its own rules to ensure diversity in its hiring pr actices, which was clearly stated in the WTO Staff 
Regulations.  Moreover, the Director-General was firmly committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all, regardless of nationality or gender.  All vacancies were posted on the WTO's 
website and sent out to all Members.  The WTO St aff Regulations referred to the 'highest possible 
standards of competence' as a the primary basis fo r recruitments, and great emphasis was also placed 
on the importance of diversity in the recruitment process.   
38. It was added that the Secretariat had made great progress since creation of the WTO in 1995 
in advancing diversity – both in nationality and gender.  Since 1995, the share of professional staff 
represented by developing and least developed countries had increased from 21 to 32 per cent.  Since 
the appointment of Director-General Lamy in 20 05, the number of professional staff from developing 
countries had increased from 93 to 102, while the numb er from LDCs had increased from 5 to 13.  At 
the Director level, Mr. Lamy's appointments had been split about 50/50 betw een developed countries 
and developing countries/LDCs.  Overall, 46 per ce nt of the non-linguistic professional appointments WT/BFA/114 
Page 16  
 
  between 2005 and 2009 had been from developing a nd least developed countries.  With respect to 
regional distribution, a steady increase in the percentage of staff from Asia, Latin America and Africa could be observed.  It was also explained that an  important gateway for staff to enter the WTO was 
through its various internship programmes, which helped especially candidates from under-
represented developing countries and LDCs gain the expertise and experience to compete successfully 
in a merit-based recruitment system. 
39. It was difficult to determine a single benchmark or comparator by which diversity could be 
measured.  Several comparators were mentioned su ch as each Member's percentage share of the WTO 
budget, or percentages of total world population, to tal world GDP or the r espective shares between 
developed, developing and LDC countries.  Ea ch of these criteria had its advantages and 
disadvantages and revealed significant variations in results among Members with respect to the 
comparator chosen.  It was added that, in the ab sence of one commonly agreed set of criteria, the 
Secretariat tried to view diversity in its broadest  possible terms and not to be rigid in defining a 
standard.  The most important was to improve  the representation of under-represented groups in a 
manner that did not impact on the primary principle of merit-based recruitment. 
40. Furthermore, the member of the Secretariat drew the attention of the Members to the fact that 
the WTO's staff turnover was rather low, with an average of 16 newly appointed professional staff per 
year in the last two years.  This  low turnover m eant that it would take time to address the issue of 
diversity.  Additionally, more than 40 new Members had joined the WTO since 1995, and it also took time for them to find their way into the recruitment process of the WTO.   
41. The Secretariat indicated that a full report presenting the situation on staff diversification at 
the end of 2009 would be presented to the Committee at its first meeting in 2010. 
VII. OTHER BUSINESS 
42. The intervention of two Members with respect to the issuance of joint reports by the WTO 
Secretariat and other international organizations  is attached to this report in Annex 1.  
 
 
_______________ 
 
  WT/BFA/114 
 Page 17 
 
 
  ANNEX 1 
 
Intervention of China and India on the Issue of Published Joint Reports  
by the WTO Secretariat and Other International Organizations  
 
Thank you, Madame Chairperson,  
China and India, together with some other Members,  have expressed our serious concerns on various 
occasions, including at the last CBFA, on the issue of published joint reports by the WTO Secretariat 
and other International Organizations.  
Some of the joint reports have attracted extens ive attention in international media leading to 
unintended misinterpretation and dist ortions. We believe that such dist orted coverage of joint reports, 
while causing confusion, could compromise members positions in other fora and undermine the scope 
of responsibilities and neutrality of the Secretaria t. This gets further compounded when the WTO 
Secretariat and its joint partners fail to come out join tly or individually with robust contradiction to set 
the record straight. 
From our point of view, the problem is not caused by how media or Members read these reports but 
rather by the way those reports have handled cer tain sensitive issues on which Members have highly 
diversified views, particularly when some reports hinted that certain extremely protectionist measures 
could find shelter in the WTO exceptions provisions.  
Having said that, China and India took note of th e explanation by DG Lamy at the last CBFA and 
would like to express their comments as follows:  
Firstly, we remains highly concerned about the pro cedure to allocate financial inputs for developing 
and publishing such reports and would ask the Secretar iat to apply the principle of transparency in the 
future. Necessary information should include, but no t limited to, what reports are requested by what 
Members, what subjects are decided on the Secretar iat’s own initiative, how much will be spent and 
on what.  
Secondly, on those reports requested by Members, it must be pointed out that it must be done with 
express concurrence of all members and not just “a Member” or “some Members”. Transparency and accountability is the hallmark of our Organization and must be applied at  relevant Councils or 
Committees before any concrete action is taken.  
Thirdly, we would ask the Secretariat to be ca utious to develop and publish reports on its own 
initiative, particularly on those sensitive subjects on which Members have highly diversified views.  
Finally, China and India would like to ask this Committee to include in its minutes our intervention as 
it is. To facilitate its work, hard and electronic copies are going to be sent to the Secretariat.  
I thank you, Madame Chairman.  
 
 
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