The Trade and Development Commission is a subsidiary body of the Trade and Development Board and, as defined in the Bridgetown Covenant (para.121), will consider the outcomes of expert meetings and synergies between the three pillars (research and analysis; consensus-building; and technical assistance) and the work of the subprogrammes of UNCTAD.

Critical minerals:

Critical energy transition minerals are essential to produce clean energy technologies, which include solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and battery storage. The success of the energy transition hinges on securing a supply of critical energy transition minerals for all countries, while mitigating the potential pitfalls associated with their extraction and trade.

The Commission will discuss pathways available to member States to navigate the challenges raised by increasing demand for critical energy transition minerals and propose policy options to shape a future where critical energy transition minerals not only power global clean energy aspirations but also contribute to industrialization, responsible resource management and sustainable, inclusive economic growth for developing countries.

Sustainable fuel for maritime transport:

Maritime transport is responsible for a small but growing fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions. As an essential component of global supply chains, maritime transport can greatly influence trade costs and have oversized impact for countries that rely heavily on maritime transport in their trade flows, which is the case of small island developing States.

The Trade and Development Commission will discuss the potential role of sustainable fuels in facilitating the energy transition of maritime transport and the trade and development implications of an energy transition that rely heavily on such fuels in maritime transport.

Reports of 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
• Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy
• 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.