The 45th annual meeting of the ITC JAG was held in Geneva on 30 June and 1 July 2011. The JAG meets annually to examine the activities of ITC on the basis of the annual report and to make recommendations to the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board and the WTO on ITC’s programme of work.The 2011 meeting was attended by 145 delegates from 73 countries, six international organizations, four intergovernmental organizations, two NGOs and one observer mission. The Secretary-General of UNCTAD and the Director-General of WTO attended the meeting.
Delegates from 36 countries contributed to the discussion following the presentation of the 2010 Annual Report, and their main points, outlined below, are addressed by ITC in its Strategic Plan for 2012–2015 and in its 2012 Operational Plan.
With broad consensus, the JAG commended ITC on its technical assistance programmes and its progress in implementing RBM. Delegates said the annual report represented a significant advance on the previous year and that ITC was on track in establishing a strategic approach to project design and delivery, taking a stronger analytical approach than before.
Some donor-country delegates recommended a stronger overview, linking ITC projects to strategic objectives, a sharper assessment of results and outcomes, and a demonstration of value for money. Several said they believed an improved corporate logical framework would improve the reporting.
Delegates broadly welcomed progress made in the development of a RBM approach to project development and delivery, and also the introduction of quality-assurance mechanisms to enhance ITC’s performance. They also applauded ITC’s increased focus on delivery to the most vulnerable countries — the LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS and SSA States — although some delegates from other countries expressed the hope that donors would not overlook their need for ITC’s support. Concern was also expressed by some delegates that certain regions, namely Latin America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, continued to attract few resources.Delegates acknowledged that changes brought about by the Arab Spring would make the work of the agency even more important, to help countries rebuild their economy.
There was a call for ITC to follow up on the LDC-IV conference in Istanbul. Several countries commended ITC for organizing the WEDF parallel to the LDC-IV with a focus on tourism, the private sector and poor communities, and some delegates recommended that ITC concentrate more on the services sector.
All of the countries involved in the EnACT programme spoke about its importance and positive impact, urging the main donor, Canada, to continue its support and hoping the programme’s activity would intensify. Many countries emphasized the continuing importance of ITC’s work in mainstreaming gender into its activities at headquarters and in the field, welcoming the launch of the Women and Trade programme.
Finally, the importance of close working relationships with all stakeholders was emphasized, in particular with partner countries. One delegate said that, as ITC is a small agency with a broad client base, partnership was critical. Fostering partnerships between governments and the private sector was also an important part of ITC’s work.
ITC Joint Advisory Group Programme
JAG Report 2011
English - French - Spanish - Arabic - Russian - Chinese
Delegates' Statements
List of Representatives and Observers
Annual Report 2010
English - French - Spanish - Arabic - Russian - Chinese
Addendum to the 2010 Annual Report, Statistical tables
English - French - Spanish - Arabic - Russian - Chinese
Photo Galleries
Opening remarks
Reception
ITC's Annual Report discussion
Signature of NTF II project document for Bangladesh
Continuation of discussions
Panel discussion 1
Panel discussion 2
Panel discussions - Closing remarks