The Trade and Development Commission is a subsidiary body of the Trade and Development Board, its role is defined in paragraph 121 of the Bridgetown Covenant (TD/541/Add.2).
The substantive agenda item of the 15th session is leveraging international trade rules for development. In addition, the Commission will review reports of expert meetings and examine activities implemented by the secretariat that have promoted and strengthened synergies among the three pillars.
Leveraging international trade rules for development
In recent decades, it has been observed that, under appropriate conditions, trade can be a powerful engine for economic growth and poverty reduction. As such, the multilateral trade framework can play a key role in advancing global development objectives. However, developing countries and particularly the least developed countries often struggle to fully leverage this framework, due to capacity constraints and resource limitations. To maximize the benefits of World Trade Organization membership, these countries should make full use of the existing flexibilities and special and differential treatment within multilateral trade agreements.
At the same time, new global developments including new trade rules and the emergence of new issues such as climate change, critical energy transition minerals, biodiversity degradation and rapid technological transformations, are reshaping the trade policy space of developing countries. To benefit from multilateral trade rules, developing counties need to strengthen their capacities to address these issues adequately. UNCTAD stands ready to support member States better leverage development benefits from the multilateral trade rules.
By fostering discussions and bridging policy gaps, UNCTAD aims to help countries better harness the development benefits of multilateral trade rules and advance a more inclusive and sustainable global trade system.
Reports of expert meetings
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Commodities and Development.
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Trade, Services and Development.
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Enhancing the Enabling Economic Environment at All Levels in Support of Inclusive and Sustainable Development, and the Promotion of Economic Integration and Cooperation.
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport, Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation.
- Report of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy.
- Report of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy.
Participation
The Commission is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (general and special category) are also eligible to participate as observers.
Registration
Online registration is mandatory for all those wishing to attend the session and is required in order to be included in the list of participants.
