The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is the UN body dealing with trade, investment, and development issues. It was established in 1964 and has 194 member countries. UNCTAD aims to help developing countries make informed decisions to reduce global economic inequality and promote sustainable development. It undertakes research, provides a forum for discussions, and offers technical assistance on issues related to trade, investment, technology, and the specific needs of developing, landlocked, small island, and least developed nations.

1. UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE
AND DEVELOPMENT
By ,
Name: A.Aiyesha
Roll No : 02
IB– Sem 1

2. WHO ARE THE UNCTAD ?
UNCTAD is the principal organ of the United Nations
General Assembly dealing with trade, investment and
development issues.
It was Established in the year 1964. With over 194
Countries as members.
Its work can be summed in three words : Think ,
Debate and Deliver.
The main aim of the UNCTAD is to help the developing
economies to take informed decisions and promote
the macroeconomic policies best suited to end the
global economic inequalities and to generate people -
centered sustainable development

3. OBJECTIVES
The objective of UNCTAD is
 to reduce and eventually eliminate the trade
gap between the developed and developing
Countries, and
 to accelerate the rate of economic growth of
the developing world.

4. WHAT DOES THE UNCTAD DO?
Globalization and development
o The organization examines global economic
trends and the outlook for developing countries;
o Undertakes studies on development strategies;
o Analyzes debt issues;
o Provides developing countries with technical
assistance on the management of public debt;
and
o Provides assistance to the Palestinian people in
support of their economic development.

5. WHAT DOES THE UNCTAD DO?
Trade and commodities
o UNCTAD promotes development through international trade.
o Produces analyses and collects data to improve understanding of
current and future problems in this area;
o Supports the participation of developing countries in international
trade and international trade negotiations on an equitable basis;
o Seeks to strengthen international trade in services and promotes
an integrated approach to trade, the environment, and
sustainable development;
o Analyzes issues related to competition policy and consumer
protection; and
o Focuses on the contribution of the commodity sector to
development, advocating diversification and risk management.

6. Investment and enterprise
o UNCTAD offers member States expertise on all issues related to
investment and enterprise development.
o Conducts cutting-edge research and analysis in the field of
investment for sustainable development;
o Informs policymakers about the structure and evolution of foreign
direct investment in the world, and outlines the main trends in
investment;
o Provides technical assistance to enable beneficiary countries to
attract more investment for sustainable development, including
through investment policy reviews;
o Focal point for issues related to international investment
agreements;
o Promotes entrepreneurship and enterprise creation and
expansion;
o Participates in the setting of international accounting standards;
and
o Encourages responsible investment through initiatives such as
the establishment of principles for sustainable development in
agriculture.

7. WHAT DOES THE UNCTAD DO?
Categories of countries that receive special attention
o UNCTAD helps more than 90 countries in their efforts to reach the
targets they have set for economic progress. These countries
belong to categories that receive special attention from the United
Nations, and, in many cases, special treatment to compensate for
the disadvantages they face in the global economy.
o UNCTAD helps least developed countries – 49 States were
recognized as such in 2013 – to achieve the socioeconomic
progress that will allow them to graduate from this category;
o Supports landlocked developing countries which refuse to
consider their landlocked nature as an obstacle to development;
and
o Supports small island developing States in their continuing efforts
to become less economically vulnerable, despite the many
challenges they face.

8. WHAT DOES THE UNCTAD DO?
Technology and logistics
o In a globalized, knowledge-based economy, it is essential
to stimulate innovation in developing countries to improve
their competitiveness.
o UNCTAD conducts research in science, technology
(including information and communication technology)
and innovation for development;
o Helps developing countries design and implement
technology and innovation policies for economic growth
and sustainable development; and
o Carries out a broad programme of work to establish
efficient services in transport, trade facilitation, and
customs.

9. MANDATE AND KEY FUNCTIONS
UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of
developing countries into the world economy.
UNCTAD fulfils this mandate through three key functions:
 Providing a forum for intergovernmental deliberations
 Undertaking research, policy analysis and data
collection to inform these deliberations
 Providing technical assistance to developing countries
The mandate and functions of UNCTAD are reflected in
the strategy of the Competition and Consumer Policies
Programme.

10. OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE UNCTAD
 To promote international trade between developed and
developing countries with a view to accelerate economic
development.
 To formulate principles and policies on international trade
and related problems of economic development.
 To make proposals for putting its principles and policies
into effect,
 To negotiate trade agreements.
 To review and facilitate the coordination of activities of
the other U.N. institutions in the field of international
trade.
 To function as a centre for a harmonious trade and
related documents in development policies of
governments.

11. ACTIVITIES OF THE UNCTAD
The important activities of UNCTAD include
 Global delivery of in-depth technical
assistance – COMPAL and AFRICOM
 Multiplying impact through regional leaders-
Indonesia, Brazil,, South Africa, Zambia. Serbia,
Colombia and Peru, etc.
 Strong field-based presence-
Resident Advisers and National Coordinators
 World-class technical expertise-
Intergovernmental Group of Experts

12. RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE UNCTAD
Trade Facilitation and Logistics for
the Palestinian Economy
Efforts to diversify the Palestinian
economy and develop the trade
sector are undermined by prohibitive
transaction costs, which erode the
competitive edge of Palestinian
exports and therefore pose trade
barriers of greater significance than
import tariffs.
This is particularly the case in view of
the occupied Palestinian territory´s
landlocked status, which restricts the
enterprises´ participation in
international trade to their ability to
use neighboring overland and
maritime transport facilities in Israel,
Jordan and Egypt.

14. RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE UNCTAD
This not only undermines the possibility of exploiting existing
and future trade agreements, but also discourages
investment in productive sectors. Indeed, Palestinian
preferential and free trade agreements with regional and
international partners remain largely unexploited due to
prohibitive maritime and overland transport costs.
Technical assistance projects under this programme cluster
seek to support Palestinian trade facilitation efforts, with
strategic frameworks, automated systems and
streamlined procedures that incorporate internationally
recognized standards and best practices.

15. Thank
you