Trade has proven to be a force for growth and development. At the same time, LDCs are yet to fully realize the transformative power of trade for their economies and people.

LDCs’ share in global exports remains static below one per cent.

Strengthening LDC participation in global trade is a shared objective of the international community and one of the priority areas of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs for the Decade 2022-2031.

The session will bring the latest thinking on the evolving LDC trade priorities at a time when technologies are breaking trade barriers and offering new trade opportunities to LDCs and the world.

It will also explore how the international community can help LDCs to strengthen their capacity to trade and to become active players in global trade in the next decade.

Expected outcomes

• Examine different forces shaping the global trading landscape;
• Disseminate the findings from UNCTAD’s The Least Developed Countries Report 2022
• Disseminate the takeaways from two regional consultations on trade elements of the Doha Programme of Action and the policy note on "Rethinking LDC trade priorities".

Programme at a glance

Speakers:

• Dr. Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director-General, WTO
• Mr. Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General, UNCTAD
• Mr. Madhu Kumar Marasini, Secretary of Commerce and Supplies, Nepal
• Dr. Marcelo Olarreaga, Professor of Economics, University of Geneva
• Ms. Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir, Director, OECD Development Centre

Summary

A full recording of the side event is available.