MOPAN released its most recent assessment of UNCTAD in 2019.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964, UNCTAD is a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly. Its mission is to promote international trade, especially with a view to accelerating economic development, particularly of developing countries, as well as to provide policy analysis, facilitate consensus building and offer technical cooperation. It does so through informing national and international policies, while giving priority consideration for the needs and interests of developing countries. Within the United Nations (UN) system, it is the focal point for the integrated treatment of trade and interrelated issues in the areas of investment, finance and technology as key drivers of the inclusive, equitable global economic environment for sustainable development.
UNCTAD is responsible for assisting developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs), and countries with economies in transition in integrating beneficially into the global economy, in support of inclusive and sustainable growth and development. Its mandate derives from the priorities established in relevant General Assembly resolutions and decisions, including the quadrennial sessions of UNCTAD.
UNCTAD is mandated to “strategically position itself by applying three principles: comparative advantage; differentiation of its work with respect to other organisations; and complementarity so as to put the organisation’s strengths to the best use to address – [through its three pillars] − the needs and priorities of developing countries for sustainable development and strengthening their role in the global economy.” UNCTAD’s thematic focus is to build productive capacity to transform economies; promote a development focus and more efficient markets; and to tackle vulnerabilities, build resilience and strengthen multilateralism. UNCTAD gives priority to Africa, LDCs, landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), small island developing states (SIDS) and other vulnerable and small economies, as per its mandate. In doing so, it is expected to give due account to cross-cutting issues, mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE), sustainable development and productive employment, strengthened engagement with government and all relevant stakeholders, and enhanced organisational efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability. UNCTAD fulfils this mandate through three closely interlinked functions or pillars:
Providing a forum for intergovernmental deliberations (the consensus-building pillar)
Undertaking research, policy analysis and data collection to inform these deliberations (the research and analysis pillar)
Providing technical assistance to developing countries (the technical co-operation pillar).
