INTRODUCTION The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body.
It 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." (from official website). The creation of the conference was based on concerns of developing countries over the international market, multi-national corporations, and great disparity between developed nations and developing nations. Currently, UNCTAD has 193 member States and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Trade and development report- The Trade and Development Report (TDR), launched in 1981, is issued every year for the annual session of the Trade and Development Board. The Report analyses current economic trends and major policy issues of international concern, and makes suggestions for addressing these issues at various levels.
UNCTAD has 400 staff members and an annual regular budget of approximately US$50 million and US$25 million of extra budgetary technical assistance funds. It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group. Trade and Environment Review Series
The objective of Environment Review understanding of and on the development trade and environment the Trade and is to enhance promote dialogue dimension of key issues.
Each edition of the Trade and Environment Review comprises one or more lead articles on selected topics, commentaries on those articles by a range of experts, and an overview of UNCTAD technical cooperation activities in the area of trade, environment and devp.
WORLD INVESTMENT REPORT
The World Investment Report focuses on trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide, at the regional and country levels and emerging measures to improve its contribution to development. Every issue of the Report has:
Analysis of the trends in FDI during the previous year, with especial emphasis on the development implications. Ranking of the largest transnational corporations in the world. In-depth analysis of a selected topic related to FDI. Policy analysis and recommendations. Statistical annex with data on FDI flows and stocks for 196 economies.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMMODITIES
The goal of UNCTADs programmes on International Trade is to promote the development of developing countries through international trade; provide support for their participation in international trade negotiations; strengthen service-sector capacities in developing countries; promote the integration of trade, environment and development; analyse issues related to competition law, policy and development; and seek to enhance the contribution of the commodity sector to development through diversification and risk management
INVESTMENT AND ENTERPRISE DIVISION
The Division on Investment and Enterprise of UNCTAD is a global center of excellence, dealing with issues related to investment and enterprise development in the United Nations System. It builds on three and a half decades of experience and international expertise in research and policy analysis, intergovernmental consensus-building and technical assistance to developing countries. The Division is led by Mr. James Zhan.
AFRICA AND LDCS
The Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes collaborates with more than 80 countries to ensure growth opportunities from trade and investment, to improve development prospects, and to enable their more effective participation in the global economy. The Division provides timely, targeted research and analysis, as well as innovative policy recommendations regarding development, trade and investment.
