JAG 2021

The Joint Advisory Group (JAG)

The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) amplifies ITC’s dedication to keeping its work around the world both transparent and accountable.

After examining ITC’s activities, the JAG makes recommendations to the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board and to the Committee on Trade and Development of the World Trade Organization on ITC’s programme of work.

Governments of Member States of UNCTAD and members of the WTO are invited to this meeting. It is recommended that the representation be at the level of Ambassador or Senior Official.

The JAG meeting is open to United Nations specialized agencies and bodies, and to other intergovernmental organizations with observer status as well as to relevant non-governmental organizations.

JAG 58th session, 2024

The fifty-eighth annual session of the Joint Advisory Group of the International Trade Centre will take place on 25 June 2024 in hybrid format, virtually and in person at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, starting at 10 a.m. in room W.

Registration to the fifty-eight annual session of the Joint Advisory Group, whether attending in person or virtually is mandatory and should be completed by 18 June 2024.

Related documents

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JAG 57th session, 2023

Related documents

JAG23 - Voices from ITC project beneficiaries and partners

JAG 56th session, 2022

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JAG22 - Voices from ITC project beneficiaries and partners

JAG 55th session, 2021

Related documents

  • Statement by the Chair of the 54th Session: H.E. Ms. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Republic of Botswana to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations at Geneva
  • Statement on behalf of the Chair of the 55th Session: H.E. Mr. Paul Bekkers, Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the WTO, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
  • Statement by the UNCTAD Director, Office of the Secretary-General, Mr. Pedro Moreno
  • Statement by the WTO Deputy Director-General, Mr. Xiangchen Zhang
  • Statement by the ITC Executive Director, Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton
  • Presentation of ITC Evaluation Unit: Annual Evaluation Synthesis Report
  • Presentation of the outline of ITC’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025
  • Presentation and video of ITC’s Open Data website
  • Chairperson’s Summary
  • ED Closing Remarks

JAG 54th session, 2020

Related documents

  • Statement on behalf of the Chair of the 53rd Session: H.E. Ms. Kirsti Kauppi, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations Office and International Organizations at Geneva
  • Statement by the Chair of the 54th Session: H.E. Ms. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Republic of Botswana to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations at Geneva
  • Statement by the UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mr. Mukhisa Kituyi
  • Statement by the WTO Deputy Director-General, Mr. Yonov Frederick Agah
  • Statement by the ITC Executive Director, Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton
  • Presentation of ITC Evaluation Unit: Annual Evaluation Synthesis Report
  • Chairperson’s Summary
  • ED Closing Remarks

JAG 53rd session, 2019

Related documents

  • Statement on behalf of the Chair of the 52nd Session: Mr. Jaime Coghi Arias, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the World Trade Organization
  • Statement by the Chair of the 53rd Session: H.E. Ms. Terhi Hakala, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations Office and International Organizations at Geneva
  • Statement by the WTO Director-General, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo
  • Statement by the UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mr. Mukhisa Kituyi
  • Statement by the ITC Executive Director, Ms. Arancha González
  • Statement by the Secretary-General, COMESA, H.E. Ms. Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe
  • Statement by the Commissioner for Industry and Private Sector, ECOWAS, Mr. Mamadou Traoré
  • Statement by the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Commerce, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. Mr. U Aung Htoo
  • Statement by the Minister of Trade, The Republic of Guinea, H.E. Mr. Boubacar Barry
  • Statement by the General Secretary, UEFA Foundation for Children, Mr. Urs Kluser
  • Presentation of ITC Evaluation Unit: Annual Evaluation Synthesis Report
  • Chairperson’s Summary
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JAG 2019 delegates
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Photo JAG 2020
Header lead

The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) of the International Trade Centre meets annually to examine the activities of ITC based on an ITC Annual Report. 

Header color
Cyan
Consultative committee (for relations)
Joint advisory group (for relations)
Contact
First name
Orlane
Last name
Robert
Email
jag@intracen.org
Governance

Transparency

We know credibility and trust are important elements of our work. We build up that trust through maintaining and strengthening the following tools for accountability and transparency. 

 

Results-based management

Decisions on our project portfolio and resource allocation will be consistent with the priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan 2022-2025, although we will regularly review to validate those strategic plan objectives and implementation are necessary in a constantly changing operating environment. Our new results-based management tools - a new dashboard, and new data collection tools developed under the ongoing data management initiative - will provide more easily accessible, granular and timely information. Where poor performance is identified, it will be assessed and addressed. 

Independent evaluation

During the 2022-2025 period, ITC’s Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) will assess progress and demonstrate accountability of our contribution to achieving inclusion, sustainability and prosperity. ITC will integrate evaluative learning more systematically into programmatic and resource allocation decisions. 

Risk Management

Taking risks, combined with good risk management, is essential for the credible stewardship of the resources entrusted to ITC. With the benchmarks of the UN Reference Maturity Model for Risk Management, ITC aims to move from the “established” to “advanced” level. This will imply further staff training, a strengthening of the corporate risk management function and an advanced enterprise risk management platform. 

Reporting

ITC will maintain its transparent reporting, with the annual report of the Executive Director as the main means for reporting on strategic plan progress to the Joint Advisory Group (JAG) and member states. The biannual reports to the Consultative Committee of ITC Trust Fund (CCITF) provide comprehensive information on implementation of the annual operational plans, and programme and budget reports will inform our parent organizations about ITC’s performance in relation to plans. ITC is readily available to outside scrutiny through its reporting to the International Aid Transparency Initiative and the new ITC Open Data Portal.

Controls and Oversight

Our internal controls ensure that results are achieved in line with mandates, organizational policies, regulations and integrity standards. Oversight is provided on behalf of member states through such mechanisms as the Board of Auditors and Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) which conduct internal audits, investigations and organizational evaluations. Their reports and ITC’s management responses are publicly available. 

Budget

ITC’s Regular Budget (RB) is funded in equal parts by the UN and the WTO, and is approved by the UN General Assembly and the WTO General Council. ITC fundraises for RB complementary resources to increase the envelope available for fulfilling ITC’s mandate. Our extra budgetary resources (XB) consist of pledges from donor governments, governmental organizations, other international organizations and civil society, including NGOs, the business sector and a variety of foundations. These commitments often extend over multiyear periods. 

ITC is subject to the Financial Regulations and Rules and the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules of the United Nations, and to the oversight system of the UN. Our accounts are reviewed and audited by the United Nations Board of Auditors. ITC consistently receives an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements, including in 2020, confirming sound financial management practices and full compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

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Header lead

ITC is a joint subsidiary organ of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Header color
Blue
Joint advisory group (for relations)