Title of the activity
2026 WTO Workshop on Subsidy Notifications (First Phase)
Activity Type
Thematic course/Workshop
Description
The Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("SCM Agreement") obliges Members to submit a variety of notifications to the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures ("SCM Committee"). However, compliance with the obligation to notify subsidies remains low.
The first phase of this activity consists of an in-person workshop in Geneva and forms part of a broader three-phase project on subsidy notifications. The project aims to bring together officials of selected developing and least-developed-country Members responsible for the preparation of subsidy notifications for a detailed and practical discussion of the notification obligation, as well as for an exchange of experiences and ideas. The objective is to improve participants’ understanding of the notification obligation and to identify ways in which Members could streamline and facilitate their internal processes for preparing notifications. Following the first phase, participants will be encouraged to prepare draft subsidy notifications with the support of the WTO Secretariat through ad hoc virtual follow-up and written exchanges. A possible third phase may be organized in person, depending on the number of draft notifications prepared following the second phase and on the availability of resources and budget. Additional information is provided in the invitation letter.”
The first phase of this activity consists of an in-person workshop in Geneva and forms part of a broader three-phase project on subsidy notifications. The project aims to bring together officials of selected developing and least-developed-country Members responsible for the preparation of subsidy notifications for a detailed and practical discussion of the notification obligation, as well as for an exchange of experiences and ideas. The objective is to improve participants’ understanding of the notification obligation and to identify ways in which Members could streamline and facilitate their internal processes for preparing notifications. Following the first phase, participants will be encouraged to prepare draft subsidy notifications with the support of the WTO Secretariat through ad hoc virtual follow-up and written exchanges. A possible third phase may be organized in person, depending on the number of draft notifications prepared following the second phase and on the availability of resources and budget. Additional information is provided in the invitation letter.”
Venue
Switzerland
City
WTO
Trade topic
Trade remedies
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
3
Activity Level
selection process
This programme will consist of three phases, which are expected to be completed over a period of approximately six months. Only Members that agree to participate actively and fulfil the requirements of each phase will be considered for participation in the programme.
Interested Members are requested to submit the names of four capital-based officials for consideration. A maximum of two officials per Member may be selected. Nominees should have demonstrated substantive professional experience and responsibilities directly relevant to the preparation of subsidy notifications. Officials who are not directly involved in such work will not be considered for participation.
Invitations will be extended to:
• LDC Members, except those that submitted a subsidy notification in the 2025 notification cycle or participated in either the 2023 or 2024 round of this technical assistance activity; and
• Other developing Members that have not submitted a subsidy notification for at least the last four notification cycles, except those that participated in either the 2023 or 2024 round of this technical assistance activity.
Due to capacity constraints, a maximum of 30 participants will be accepted into the programme. If the number of eligible applications exceeds the available capacity, applications will be assessed in accordance with the following priority criteria:
1. LDC Members will be given the highest priority;
2. Other developing Members with pending notifications for more than four notification cycles will be given the second-highest priority; and
3. Other invited Members with pending notifications for four notification cycles will be given the third-highest priority.
Nomination and selection requirements:
- Delegations must nominate four candidates for the two available places.
- Participants will be selected by the Secretariat on the basis of their CVs, professional expertise and the relevance of their current responsibilities to the preparation of subsidy notifications.
- The Secretariat reserves the right not to accept candidates who do not meet the required competencies or whose responsibilities are not directly relevant to the objectives of the programme.
- As part of the selection process, the Secretariat may invite candidates and/or their supervisors to participate in an interview.
Interested Members are requested to submit the names of four capital-based officials for consideration. A maximum of two officials per Member may be selected. Nominees should have demonstrated substantive professional experience and responsibilities directly relevant to the preparation of subsidy notifications. Officials who are not directly involved in such work will not be considered for participation.
Invitations will be extended to:
• LDC Members, except those that submitted a subsidy notification in the 2025 notification cycle or participated in either the 2023 or 2024 round of this technical assistance activity; and
• Other developing Members that have not submitted a subsidy notification for at least the last four notification cycles, except those that participated in either the 2023 or 2024 round of this technical assistance activity.
Due to capacity constraints, a maximum of 30 participants will be accepted into the programme. If the number of eligible applications exceeds the available capacity, applications will be assessed in accordance with the following priority criteria:
1. LDC Members will be given the highest priority;
2. Other developing Members with pending notifications for more than four notification cycles will be given the second-highest priority; and
3. Other invited Members with pending notifications for four notification cycles will be given the third-highest priority.
Nomination and selection requirements:
- Delegations must nominate four candidates for the two available places.
- Participants will be selected by the Secretariat on the basis of their CVs, professional expertise and the relevance of their current responsibilities to the preparation of subsidy notifications.
- The Secretariat reserves the right not to accept candidates who do not meet the required competencies or whose responsibilities are not directly relevant to the objectives of the programme.
- As part of the selection process, the Secretariat may invite candidates and/or their supervisors to participate in an interview.
Pre-requisite
• Only candidates who are currently employed as capital-based officials and directly involved in the preparation of subsidy notifications or similar regulatory functions will be considered. These responsibilities must be clearly detailed in the candidate’s current job description in the application forms.
• Each nominee must be officially endorsed by their delegation. As requested in the application forms, this endorsement should include a confirmation of the candidate’s role and responsibilities as they relate to the project's focus.
• Proficiency in either English, French, or Spanish is required. Candidates must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by their application forms.
• Candidates must be available to participate fully in the project activities, including preparatory meetings, training sessions, and follow-up activities, as scheduled by the Secretariat.
• Candidates must be willing to participate in interviews and any other evaluation processes deemed necessary by the Secretariat. This may include discussions with their supervisors to verify the candidate’s experience and suitability for the project.
• Each nominee must be officially endorsed by their delegation. As requested in the application forms, this endorsement should include a confirmation of the candidate’s role and responsibilities as they relate to the project's focus.
• Proficiency in either English, French, or Spanish is required. Candidates must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by their application forms.
• Candidates must be available to participate fully in the project activities, including preparatory meetings, training sessions, and follow-up activities, as scheduled by the Secretariat.
• Candidates must be willing to participate in interviews and any other evaluation processes deemed necessary by the Secretariat. This may include discussions with their supervisors to verify the candidate’s experience and suitability for the project.
Target Audience
Government officials
Language
Multilingual
Key Result
1. Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and fully realising Members' rights and obligations
Key Output
1.1: Government officials have enhanced knowledge about WTO Agreements, trade policy formulation and conduct of trade negotiations
Programme
Invited Members and Observers:
Armenia
Belize
Benin
Botswana
Burundi
Djibouti
Egypt
Gabon
Grenada
Jamaica
Kuwait, the State of
Lao Peopleʼs Democratic Republic
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Myanmar
Nicaragua
Niger
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Qatar
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tunisia
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Yemen