World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is pushing for an increase in the budget to establish a Transformation Office that aims to develop "a vision and strategy for the Secretariat," according to insider sources. The proposed office appears to be modeled after a similar division at the World Bank, where Okonjo-Iweala worked for 25 years.
Some WTO members are concerned about the significant costs of creating the Transformation Office at a time when the organization faces financial difficulties. Consultations on the proposal, led by former WTO General Council Chair Ambassador Dacio Castillo of Honduras, are expected to begin today.
The scope of the exercise is expansive, said a trade envoy who suggested that it is not simply about ensuring a recognition system for staff, but systemic changes are envisioned to develop a strategy and vision by asking some very serious, leading questions.
The envisioned Transformation Office would seek answers to pressing questions concerning key trends and global drivers impacting international trade and trade policy, as well as the future role of the WTO Secretariat. However, some members question whether there is enough interest to pursue this initiative since only a handful have indicated their availability to consult on the matter.
Okonjo-Iweala announced her decision to create the Transformation Office at a Doha Trade Negotiations Committee meeting without consulting members, raising questions about the office's potential influence over the 164 WTO member states.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala announced that the proposed Transformation Office would be led by a Director responsible for spearheading the initiative. She emphasized that members' views would be crucial in shaping the office's strategy and vision. Ambassador Dacio Castillo of Honduras has agreed to assist in gathering input from members through focus groups and consultations.
The Director-General expressed confidence that with members' help, a high-level vision and strategy could be identified relatively quickly. However, some members find it puzzling that a Transformation Office could impose its views on members in a member-driven, rule-based, and intergovernmental organization, potentially undermining the proposals of all 164 members.
DC Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged that budgetary implications need to be considered for the new office, and promised to provide updates on the Secretariat's transformation efforts. She also assured members that the transformation work would remain on the agenda for discussion at future meetings.
In a restricted document (Job/BFA/76), Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard provided an update on the World Trade Organization's transformation work. She informed members that the current focus was on implementing the outcomes approved by the Transformation Steering Committee, with progress most advanced in Rewards Outside Promotion, Procurement, and Mobility.
Ellard reported that the new Recognition and Rewards Program, aimed at reinforcing a culture of recognition and praise in the Secretariat, had entered into effect in early 2023. Additionally, the revised internal Procurement Policy took effect at the beginning of 2023, with ongoing work to update manuals, templates, training materials, and increase digitization in procurement processes.
A pilot project is being carried out to encourage short-term secondments for entry-level staff, showcasing the benefits of mobility within the Secretariat. The work on Risk Management has also progressed, with a small group of staff volunteers defining the responsibilities and functions for a senior risk officer position.
Ellard did not provide cost information for the new posts and whether the budget could accommodate them. She mentioned the ongoing work on promotions and recruitment policies, recognizing existing budgetary constraints, and the digital transformation exercise focusing on the costing and prioritization of use cases.
Acknowledging the limited budget, Ellard stated that an internal governance structure is being developed for coordinated oversight. She emphasized the need to work on developing a vision and overarching strategy for the Secretariat, led by the Transformation Office. The Secretariat will soon share a document detailing their plans with members.
Ellard concluded that the upcoming work would respond to the Committee on Budget, Finance, and Administration's requests for Secretariat processes to be aligned with clear strategic goals.
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