3. W HO W E A RE ? UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy Ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development

4. It functions as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, supported by discussions with experts and exchanges of experience, aimed at consensus building It undertakes research, policy analysis and data collection for the debates of government representatives and experts.

5. 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 UNCTAD cooperates with other organizations and donor countries in the delivery of technical assistance

6. In performing its functions, the secretariat works together with member Governments and interacts with organizations of the United Nations system and regional commissions, as well as with governmental institutions, non- governmental organizations, the private sector, including trade and industry associations, research institutes and universities worldwide

8. W HAT W E D O ? Main Goals To work as a laboratory of ideas and to provide on-the-ground assistance to help developing countries raise living standards through trade, investment, finance and technology To help developing countries benefit from the globalized economy

9. A CTIVITIES Globalization and Development Strategies Identify broad trends and prospects in the world economy, such as the recent rise in "South-South" trade Identify solutions to the economic development challenges of African countries

10. Analyse the effects on least developed countries of international aid and of other efforts to promote development Help with the restructuring of developing- country debt

11. A CTIVITIES Trade in Goods and Services Assist developing countries in all aspects of their trade negotiations Analyse the impact of competition laws and policies on development Encourage the inclusion of environmental issues, such as climate change and preservation of biodiversity, in trade and development policies

12. A CTIVITIES Commodities Examine the factors influencing commodity markets Help developing country efforts to achieve sustainable commodity exports Help commodity-dependent countries diversify their economies

13. A CTIVITIES Investment and Enterprise Development Analyse trends in foreign direct investment and their impacts on development Help countries participate in international investment agreements Advise governments on their investment policies through investment policy reviews, guides, and training

14. Help with the creation and nurturing of small and medium-sized enterprises Help countries establish and observe international standards for accounting

15. A CTIVITIES Trade Logistics and Human Resource Development Cooperation in Transit transport systems for landlocked and transit developing countries Research in Maritime and Sustainable Transport Build training networks and organize training in all areas of international trade, in particular for least developed countries

16. G ENEVA, 1964 I N RESPONSE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRY (L EAST D EVELOPED C OUNTRY, LDC) ANXIETY AT THEIR WORSENING POSITION IN WORLD TRADE, THE U NITED N ATIONS G ENERAL A SSEMBLY VOTED FOR A ' ONE OFF ' CONFERENCE. T HESE EARLY DISCUSSIONS PAVED THE WAY FOR NEW IMF FACILITIES TO PROVIDE FINANCE FOR SHORTFALLS IN COMMODITY EARNINGS, AND FOR THE G ENERALISED P REFERENCE S CHEMES WHICH INCREASED ACCESS TO N ORTHERN MARKETS FOR MANUFACTURED IMPORTS FROM THE S OUTH. A T G ENEVA, THE I DCS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR PROPOSAL FOR THE CONFERENCE WITH ITS S ECRETARIAT TO BECOME A PERMANENT ORGAN OF THE UN, WITH MEETINGS EVERY FOUR YEARS.L EAST D EVELOPED C OUNTRYU NITED N ATIONS G ENERAL A SSEMBLYG ENEVA

17. N EW D ELHI, 1968 T HE N EW D ELHI C ONFERENCE, HELD IN F EBRUARY AND M ARCH 1968, WAS A FORUM THAT ALLOWED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO REACH AGREEMENT ON BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT POLICIES. W HILE THE FIRST CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN G ENEVA IN 1964, THE SECOND CONFERENCE IN N EW D ELHI WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHEMES TO BE FINALLY APPROVED. T HE CONFERENCE PROVIDED A MAJOR IMPETUS IN PERSUADING THE N ORTH TO FOLLOW UP UNCTAD I RESOLUTIONS, IN ESTABLISHING GENERALISED PREFERENCES. T HE TARGET FOR PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL FLOWS TO LDC S WAS RAISED TO 1% OF THE N ORTH ' S GNP, BUT THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES FAILED TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO ACHIEVING THE TARGET BY A SPECIFIC DATE. T HIS HAS PROVEN A CONTINUING POINT OF DEBATE AT UNCTAD CONFERENCES. T HE CONFERENCE ALSO LED TO THE I NTERNATIONAL S UGAR A GREEMENT, WHICH SEEKS TO STABILISE WORLD SUGAR PRICES.N EW D ELHIG ENEVAN EW D ELHIGNP

18. S ANTIAGO, 1972 T HE S ANTIAGO C ONFERENCE, A PRIL 15, 1972, WAS THE THIRD OCCASION ON WHICH THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HAVE CONFRONTED THE RICH WITH THE NEED TO USE TRADE AND AID MEASURES MORE EFFECTIVELY TO IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. D ISCUSSION CENTRED ON THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM, AND SPECIFICALLY ON THE S OUTH ' S PROPOSAL THAT A HIGHER PROPORTION OF NEW SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS (SDR S ) SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO LDC S AS A FORM OF AID ( THE SOCALLED ' LINK '). I N S ANTIAGO, SUBSTANTIAL DISAGREEMENTS AROSE WITHIN THE G ROUP OF 77 (G77) DESPITE PRECONFERENCE MEETINGS. T HERE WAS DISAGREEMENT BOTH OVER THE SDR PROPOSAL AND BETWEEN THOSE WITHIN G77 WHO WANTED FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES SUCH AS A CHANGE IN THE VOTING ALLOCATIONS IN THE S OUTH ' S FAVOUR AT THE IMF, AND THOSE ( MAINLY THE L ATIN A MERICAN COUNTRIES ) WHO WANTED MUCH MILDER REFORMS. T HIS INTERNAL DISSENT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED THE G ROUP ' S NEGOTIATING POSITION, AND LED TO A FINAL AGREED MOTION WHICH RECOMMENDED THAT THE IMF SHOULD EXAMINE THE LINK AND THAT FURTHER RESEARCH BE CONDUCTED INTO GENERAL REFORMS. T HIS AVOIDED FIRM COMMITMENTS TO ACT ON THE ' LINK ' OR GENERAL REFORM, AND THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY CONFERENCE.S ANTIAGOS ANTIAGOG ROUP OF 77

19. B ELGRADE, 1983 T HE SIXTH UN CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT IN B ELGRADE, 6–30 J UNE 1983 WAS HELD AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF EARLIER UNCTAD S WHICH HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY FAILED TO RESOLVE MANY OF THE DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, AND OF A WORLD ECONOMY IN ITS WORST RECESSION SINCE THE EARLY 1930 S. T HE KEY ISSUES OF THE TIME WERE FINANCE AND ADJUSTMENT, COMMODITY PRICE STABILISATION AND TRADE.B ELGRADE

20. A CCORDING TO UNCTAD,R EAL GDP G ROWTH AND E MPLOYMENT G ROWTH