TABLE OF

CONTENTS
Introduction

History

Organization

Objectives

Functions

Conclusion
INTRODUCTION

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), permanent organ of the United Nations (UN)

General Assembly, established in 1964.

It is established to promote trade, investment, and development in developing countries.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNCTAD has approximately 190 members.

UNCTAD’s efforts were directed toward the challenges globalization poses to developing countries, and special

attention was focused on measures to help the poorest and least developed countries become integrated into the

world economy.

The highest policy-making body of UNCTAD is the Conference, which meets once every four years to set policy

guidelines and to formulate a program of work.

HISTORY
In the early 1960s, growing concerns about the place of developing countries in international trade led many of

these countries to call for the convening of a full-fledged conference specifically devoted to tackling these

problems and identifying appropriate international actions.

The first United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was held in Geneva in 1964.

Given the magnitude of the problems at stake and the need to address them, the conference was

institutionalized to meet every four years, with intergovernmental bodies meeting between sessions and a

permanent secretariat providing the necessary substantive and logistical support.

Simultaneously, the developing countries established the Group of 77 to voice their concerns. (Today, the G77

has 131 members).

The prominent Argentinian economist Raúl Prebisch, who had headed the United Nations Economic

Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, became the organization's first Secretary-General.
ORGANIZATION

Substantive work is carried out by five divisions, under the leadership of the
Secretary-General:

Division for Africa, least developed countries and special programmes

Division on globalization and development strategies
Division on investment and enterprise
Division on international trade and commodities
Division on technology and logistics
ORGANIZATION
In addition, they have a number of services that support these divisions to achieve their
goals:
The communication and external relations section communicates our work online and
through the media, also building relationships with civil society organizations.
The intergovernmental outreach and support service ensures that meetings and
negotiations run smoothly.
The technical cooperation section manages our project databases, providing coordination of
our technical cooperation activities.
The programme support and management service manages our budget, finance,
information technology, and human resources needs.
OBJECTIVES
Comprehend options to address macro-level development
challenges
Achieve beneficial integration into the international trading system
Diversify economies to make them less dependent on commodities
Limit their exposure to financial volatility and debt
Attract investment and make it more development-friendly
Increase access to digital technologies
OBJECTIVES

Help local firms move up value chains

Speed up the flow of goods across borders
Protect consumers from abuse
Curb regulations that stifle competition
Adapt to climate change and use natural resources more
effectively
FUNCTIONS
To promote international trade between the developed and under-developed
countries having diverse socio-economic organisations with special emphasis
upon the accelerated development of the under-developed countries.
To formulate the principles and policies concerning international trade and
related problems of economic development.
To make proposals for putting the said principles and policies into effect and
to adopt measures that may be relevant to this end.
FUNCTIONS

Extension of preferential concessions.

Greater market access for the products of the less developed
countries.
Reduction in tariff and non-tariff restrictions on trade.
Unconstrained flow of international aid.
CONCLUSION
As the UN’s main body dealing with trade and development, UNCTAD holds a unique
position within the United Nations family and beyond, taking to heart the needs of
developing countries.
As part of the United Nations secretariat, UNCTAD reports to the UN General Assembly and
the Economic and Social Council but has its own membership, leadership, and budget.
It is also part of the UN Sustainable Development Group and supports the
implementation of the Financing for Development process.
UNCTAD works with member states, international organizations, academics, non-
governmental organizations, media, civil society and youth.