United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
 | |
| Founded: | 1964 |
| Headquarters: | DC2-1120, United Nations New York, NY 10017 |
| Email: | info[at]unctad.org |
| Website: | UNCTAD |
| Twitter: |  @UNCTAD
|
| Key People | |
| Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General Petko Draganov, Deputy Secretary-General | |
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy, as well as shape current policy debates and thinking, with a particular focus on domestic policies and international actions enhancing development.
The UNCTAF Secretariat works with United Nations system, regional commissions, governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, the private sector (including trade and industry associations), research institutes and universities worldwide.[1]
History
UNCTAD was formed to discuss the growing issues in the trading community of developing countries in early 60s. Raúl Prebisch became the first general Secretary of organization. The first conference of UNCTAD was held in Geneva in 1964. After which it takes place every four years.
In the first decade of work UNCTAD launched several agreements including:
- Generalized System of Preferences (1968)
- International Commodities Agreements
- Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences
- Control of Restrictive Business Practices
Regarding the development of poor countries UNCTAD organized first UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in 1981. In 1986 UNCTAD played its role in the launch of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade General Agreement on Trade in Services. It made an Agreement on the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries in 1989.
Concerning financial crisis UNCTAD proposed development-oriented “international financial architecture” in 1990s. The organization is now focused on analytical research on trade, investment, technology, enterprise development and link between them. Also to expand work on international investment issues. UNCTAD has increased its technical assistance, which include training trade negotiators and addressing trade-related issues; debt management, investment policy reviews and the promotion of entrepreneurship; commodities; competition law and policy; and trade and environment.[2]
UNCTAD & IT
Since January 1999, UNCTAD has been promoting e-commerce in the world, with special consideration for developing countries.[3] It organizes e-commerce workshops to be held in developing countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Peru.[4] It also publishes reports on Information Technology economics. These reports can be downloaded through the official website.[5] UNCTAD has organized a domain name dispute resolution policy which can be read here.
Key Functionality
The basic responsibilities of UNCTAD are summarized in three points:
- Provision of a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, supported by discussions for building consensus of experts;
- Carrying out research, policy analysis and data collection for the debates of government representatives and experts;
- Provision of assistance in building economy of developing countries.[6]
Activities
Relationship with International Organizations
UNCTAD works with several other international organizations for the betterment of the developing countries.
WTO
UNCTAD signed Memorandum of Understanding with World Trade Organization in April 2003. Both organizations work together frequently to provide consultation on technical issues.
Events
Conferences
UNCTAD conferences are held every four years. The upcoming UNCTAD conference is set for 21 to 26 April, 2012 in Doha, Qatar. The last four conferences were held in:
- Accra, Ghana from 20 to 25 April 2008.
- São Paulo, Brazil from 13 to 18 June 2004.
- Bangkok, Thailand from 12 to 19 February in 2000.
- Midrand, South Africa from 27 April to 11 May in 1996.[7]
ICT Events
UNCTAD arranges WSIS workshops and events regularly.[8][9] In the field of Information and Communication Technologies, UNCTAD has hosted following events:
- Open Consultation held in October 2009 concerning financial mechanisms for meeting the challenges of ICTs for Development.
- ICT 4 All Forum Tunis+4, in November 2009.[10]