U.N.C.T.A.

Rahul Malik
Pooja Kumari
Pooja Gupta
Rishabh Jawa
Presentation Outline
The presentation is divided into 6 different parts as follows;

U - Unraveling of U.N.C.T.A.D

N - Narrative about U.N.C.T.A.D

C - Composition Of U.N.C.T.A.D

T - Tasks and Activities Of U.N.C.T.A.D

A - Advantages & Accomplishments Of U.N.C.T.A.D

D - Denouement Of U.N.C.T.A.D
Unravelling Of U.N.C.T.A.D
Introduction
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was
established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body which is the part of the
United Nations Secretariat dealing with trade, investment, and development issues.

The creation of UNCTAD in 1964 was based on concerns of developing countries over the
international market, multi-national corporations, and great disparity between developed
nations and developing nations. The United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development was established to provide a forum where the developing countries could
discuss the problems relating to their economic development
A Few Critical Specifics Of The U.N.C.T.A.D
Here are a few critical specifics about the U.N.C.T.A.D;

● Year of formation was in 1964.

● The head office is situated at Geneva, Switzerland.
● 195 member countries form up this organisation.
● Staff: 400 employees.
● A bi-annual budget of $138 million in core expenditures and $72 million in extra-
budgetary technical assistance funds
● The Secretary GeneraI of U.N.C.T.A.D is Mukhisa Kituyi (Kenya).
Narrative Of U.N.C.T.A.D
A Brief History Of U.N.C.T.A.D
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.
 Meetings Held By U.N.C.T.A.D
U.N.C.T.A.D 1 - Geneva (1964) U.N.C.T.A.D 8 - Cartegna (1992)

U.N.C.T.A.D 2 - New Delhi (1968) U.N.C.T.A.D 9 - Midrand (1996)

U.N.C.T.A.D 3 - Santiago (1972) U.N.C.T.A.D 10 - Bangkok (2000)

U.N.C.T.A.D 4 - Nairobi (1976) U.N.C.T.A.D 11 - Sao Paulo (2004)

U.N.C.T.A.D 5 - Manila (1979) U.N.C.T.A.D 12 - Accra (2008)

U.N.C.T.A.D 6 - Belgrade (1983) U.N.C.T.A.D 13 - Doha (2012)

U.N.C.T.A.D 7 - Geneva (1987) U.N.C.T.A.D 14 - Nairobi (2016)

Objectives Of U.N.C.T.A.D
The following are the major objectives of U.N.C.T.A.D;

● The primary and most major objective of U.N.C.T.A.D is to formulate policies relating to all
aspects of development including trade, aid, transport, finance and technology
● 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.
● To review and facilitate the coordination of activities of the other institutions within the U.N.
system in the field of international trade.
● It provides technical assistance tailored to the specific requirements of developing countries,
with special attention to the needs of the least developed countries and of economies in
transition
● Another objective of UNCTAD is to reduce and eventually eliminate the trade gap between the
developed and developing Countries in order to accelerate the rate of economic growth of the
developing world.
Composition Of U.N.C.T.A.D
Organizational Structure Of U.N.C.T.A.D
The UNCTAD was set up as the permanent organ of the UN General Assembly. It has its
own structure of subsidiary bodies and a full time secretariat. It has established a
Trade and Development Board to take policy decisions when the conference is not in
session. It has 155 members, elected from among its members in proportion to
geographical distribution. The Board meets twice a year.

The organization has helped improve globalization based on international trade activities,
especially in developing countries. Furthermore, UNCTAD carries out a series of
researches and analysis to handle global financial and economic issues.
A Clear Picture
Contt...
Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes

The division aims to deal with different kinds of challenges in Africa and some other Least Developed
Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing State (SIDS), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
What’s more, the department provides policies and technical help based on a wide range of methods and
channels, such as data research, strategies report, intergovernmental coordinations and more.
Globalization, Interdependence and Development

This department in the UNCTAD org chart mainly contributes to the globalization in developing countries
by regularly analyzing the progress of member countries. Some other aspects, such as the management of
financial debt, are also considered as daily work tasks.
Contt...
Investment and Enterprise

The division normally focuses on issues about investment and enterprise for sustainable development in more than
150 countries. The department also cooperates with the World Investment Forum to generate annual investment
reports.
International Trade and Commodities

This part of the UNCTAD org chart, just as how it sounds, mainly works on long-term international trade
programmes and global partnerships for trade negotiations, trade regulations and consumer analysis.
Technology, Innovation and Trade Logistics

The main goal of this section is to strengthen economic development in developing nations by a series of different
ways, like building trade logistic systems, doing technology and innovation programmes, and undertaking training
activities for local parties. The division also has a number of sub-branches to carry out tasks on science, technology
Tasks Carried By U.N.C.T.A.D
Activities
Capacity Building on Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy
UNCTAD implements trade-related technical cooperation and capacity-building activities that assist in the
beneficial integration of developing countries, especially LDCs, into the international trading system,
international trade and trade negotiations so as to ensure development gains and poverty reduction. This
includes activities aimed at monitoring and assessing the evolution of the trading system from a development
perspective, formulating national trade policies and analyses in relation to poverty reduction, and developing
trade and trade-related capacities.
Trade, Environment and Development
UNCTAD is engaged in a broad programme of work on strengthening the capacities of developing countries,
especially LDCs, to make trade and environmental policies mutually supportive and guided by a development-
oriented approach. The overarching long-term objective of U.N.C.T.A.D’s technical cooperation and capacity
building programme on trade, environment and development is to enhance the capacities of developing
countries to analyse those issues and address them at the national, regional and international levels in a manner
consistent with their development priorities
Contt...
Competition Policy and Consumer Protection
UNCTAD's technical cooperation and capacity-building activities on competition and consumer
policies is directed at assisting developing countries, especially LDCs, as well as economies in
transition, in formulating or revising competition policies and legislation, at contributing to the
building of national institutional capacity, at providing government officials and private entrepreneurs
with a better understanding of competition laws and policies, and at supporting regional cooperation
Commodity Sector Development and Poverty Reduction
UNCTAD’s work on commodities, consisting of a balanced mix of analysis, policy advice and direct
assistance, responds to the needs of the public and private sectors and civil society. UNCTAD’s
technical cooperation and capacity-building activities aim at giving new impetus to formulating and
implementing innovative solutions, in particular based on multi-stakeholder actions, for commodity
problems.
Contt...
Strengthening the Debt Management Capacity of Developing Countries
UNCTAD responds to the needs of countries for effective debt management, a central feature of
financial stability and gaining creditor confidence. This is undertaken essentially through the Debt
Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS)21 Programme, which offers countries a set of
proven solutions for improving their capacity to handle the day-to-day management of public
liabilities and produces reliable debt data for policy-making purposes. This includes its specialized
debt management software, DMFAS – which greatly facilitates the work of the debt office – as well as
advisory services and training activities in debt management.
Advantages & Accomplishments Of
U.N.C.T.A.D
Advantages Of U.N.C.T.A.D To Developing
Countries
The following are the advantages of U.N.C.T.A.D to developing countries;

The organisation provides universities and accounting institutions in developing countries with access to
material and training in a cost-effective way.

The organisation allows students and professionals to learn on their own time, in their own place, at their
own pace.

Study materials and lessons are accessible for online study in least developed countries as well

The organisation provides a balanced mix of analysis, policy advice and direct assistance, responds to the
needs of the public and private sectors and civil society.
The organisation offers countries a set of proven solutions for improving their capacity to handle the day-to-
day management of public liabilities and produces reliable debt data for policy-making purposes
Accomplishments Of U.N.C.T.A.D To Developing
Countries
Tariff reclassification: UNCTAD worked for the development of trade by reclassifying the tariff structure. In

consultation with the customs cooperation council, it conducted several technical studies for the purpose of

developing nations. Products of developing countries were grouped to attract favorable tariff rates. It has also

instructed the Embassies to classify the products correctly so that the developing nations would enjoy concession in

the matter of tariff.

Integrated Programme on Commodities: Wide fluctuations in the prices of primary products being exported by

developing countries cause hardship to them. Foreign exchange earnings from the export of primary products

become uncertain. To stabilize the prices of primary products, UNCTAD suggested creation of buffer stock. A

common fund to stabilize the prices of primary products was created under a programme called integrated

programme on commodities. The initial contribution to the fund is 750 million dollars.
Contt...
Reducing debt burden: UNCTAD reduced the debt burden of developing countries. Large amount of
loans are obtained by underdeveloped countries from bilateral and multilateral sources. As a result, the
debt servicing burden increased for the underdeveloped countries. In some cases, the whole amount
of earnings earned from exports had to be spent on debt servicing. UNCTAD persuaded the creditors
in the developed countries to write-off a part of the debts accumulated. Some of the developed
countries agreed to the proposal and reduced the debt burden of underdeveloped countries.

4. Commodity development facility: Commodity development facility is popularly is known as

second window of the integrated programme on commodities. UNCTAD conference held in May
1979 at Manila strengthened this scheme. Several developing countries contributed to the creation of
commodity development facility. The developing countries benefited very much in terms of
processing, marketing skills, product adaptation and infrastructure facilities.
Denouement Of U.N.C.T.A.D
Denouement Of U.N.C.T.A.D
UNCTAD is the first major attempt of the developing nations to come together with a view to discuss the
problems of international relations and to demand for a restructuring of the world economy.

The paradox of twenty-first century globalization is that despite an endless stream of talk about its
flexibility, efficiency and competitiveness, it is of a common view that advanced and developing economies
are becoming increasingly brittle, sluggish and fractured. As inequality continues to rise and indebtedness
mounts, with financial misery back in the economic driving seat and political systems drained of trust, what
could possibly go wrong.

With such a horizon on the rise in the current global scenario, The U.N.C.T.A.D is the only organisation
standing between developing countries and total economic devastation. This statement alone deciphers the
momentous significance of this organisation
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION

R&R