UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body of the UN that deals with trade, investment, and development. It has headquarters in Geneva and offices in New York and Addis Ababa. UNCTAD functions as a forum for government deliberations, undertakes research and policy analysis, and provides technical assistance to developing countries. Its main activities include work on trade and commodities, investment, macroeconomic policies, transport, and special programs to support least developed countries. It is organized with a Conference, Trade and Development Board, Commissions on key issues, expert meetings, and a Secretariat led by a Secretary-General.

2. Introduction
■ UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the
United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
■ Headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and have offices in
NewYork and AddisAbaba.
■ UNCTAD is part of the UN Secretariat.
■ UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations General
Assembly dealing with trade, investment, and development issues.
■ The organization's goals are to: "maximize the trade, investment and
development opportunities of developing countries and assist them in
their efforts to integrate into the world economy on an equitable basis.

3. Functions
■ It function as a forum for inter-governmental deliberations.
■ It undertakes research, policy analysis and data collection for
debates of government representatives and experts.
■ It provides technical assistance tailored to the specific requirements
of developing countries, with special attention to the needs of the
developed countries and of economies in transition.

4. Main Activities
■ Trade and Commodities.
■ Investment,Technology and Enterprise Development.
■ Macroeconomic Polices, Debt and Development Financing.
■ Transport, Customs and InformationTechnology.
■ Special programme for least developed, landlocked developing
and small island developing countries.

5. Trade and Commodities
■ Formulating policies for diversifying production of various
commodities.
■ Provides analysis and advice for capacity-building to meet competition.
■ Assists developing countries in all aspects of their trade negotiations
■ Provide trade analysis and information system.
■ Provides information regarding the impact of environment on the
trade.

6. Investment,Technology and Enterprise
Development
■ To participate more actively in international investment rule making at
bilateral, regional and multilateral level.
■ To familiarize governments and the private sector with the investment
environment and policies of a given country.
■ in investment analysis capacity building.
■ In developing science and technology reviews and upgradations.
■ In promoting entrepreneurship and the development of small and
medium-sized enterprises.

7. Macroeconomic Polices, Debt and
Development Financing
■ In formulating policy analysis and research on issues concerning
global economic interdependence, the international monetary and
financial system, and macroeconomic and development policy
challenges.
■ In providing technical and advisory support.
■ Providing computer-based debt management and financial
analysis system specially designed to help countries manage their
external debt.

8. Transport, Customs and Information
Technology
■ Integrated customs system that speed up customs clearance
procedures and helps Governments to reform and modernize their
customs procedures and management.
■ Computerized cargo tracking system installed in 20 developing
countries of Africa and Asia.
■ Building training networks and organizes training in all areas of
international trade to enable developing countries to increase
their competitiveness.

9. Special programme for least developed,
landlocked developing and small island
developing countries
■ Identifying the specific needs of these particularly vulnerable countries
and tailors technical assistance to these needs.
■ Examining the links between developed strategies and poverty
reduction.
■ Coordinating assistance to LDC’s in their negotiations for accession to
the World Trade Organization, and in building greater capacity for future
trade negotiations, along with capacity-building on trade and investment
issues.

10. Organizational Structure

11. It consists of
 Conference
Trade and Development board
 Commissions
 Expert Meeting
 Secretariat

12. The Conference
 The highest decision-making body of UNCTAD is the quadrennial
conference.
 It is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations GeneralAssembly.
 it serve an important fuction.

13. TheTrade and Development Board
■ UNCTAD’s works is guided by theTrade and Development board.
■ Board membership is open to all members of UNCTAD, and accredited
inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations.

14. The Commissions
■ TheTrade and Development Board currently consists of 3
Commissions.
■ UNCTAD secretariat also services the Commission on Science and
Technology for Development
■ It allows governments to exchange views on policy issues in their
respective ambits.
 Commission onTrade in Goods and Services Commodities.
 Commission on Investment, Technology and related Financial
Issues.
 Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and
Development.

15. Expert Meetings
■ The work of the commission is supported by discussions among
specialized technical experts.
■ Up to 10 meetings are conducted in every year.
■ Allows the government representatives attending the
commission.

16. The Secretariat Structure
■ Headed by a Secretary-General
■ Subsequent to the departure of Mr. Rubens Ricupero (Brazil), who was
the Secretary-General of UNCTAD until 14th September, 2004, the
officer-in-charge of UNCTAD is Mr. Carlos Fortin (Chile).
■ Current UNCTAD Secretary-General is Mr.Mukhisa Kituyi and he took
office on 1 September 2013

18. Presented By,
Suraj Sudheer
MBA
Marthoma College of Management
andTechnology (MCMAT), Perumbavoor