More than 60 years on, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) continues to stand as a beacon of support for developing nations.
In 1964, the United Nations General Assembly, through its resolution 1995 (XIX), established UNCTAD as a permanent intergovernmental body. The organization came about at a pivotal moment in global economic history, characterized by decolonization, the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system, and the dawn of rapid technological advancements.
Since then, its cutting-edge research and analysis, technical cooperation, and consensus-building efforts have shaped fairer, more sustainable economic and trade policies worldwide. Today and everyday, its mission remains to empower developing countries to access the benefits of globalization and catalyze prosperity for all.
Echoing this unwavering commitment, UNCTAD rebranded to ‘UN Trade and Development’ earlier this year, as part of its 60th anniversary commemoration (UNCTAD60). The rebranding highlights a transformative approach to amplifying the voice of developing economies in global trade, economic, and development policy dialogues.
Pioneering economic and development thinking
For decades, UN Trade and Development has been at the forefront of bridging gaps and addressing discrepancies in the global economic system by proposing action-oriented policy solutions.
Among its most influential and long-standing flagship publications are the Trade and Development Report, the World Investment Report, the Digital Economy Report, the Economic Development in Africa Report, the Review of Maritime Transport, the Technology and Innovation Report, and the Least Developed Countries Report.
In addition, its statistical output, such as the Handbook of Statistics series and UNCTADstat Data Centre, provides freely accessible, internationally comparable data sets to governments, academia, businesses, journalists, and civil society organizations. These resources inform research, public debates, and evidence-based decision-making.
Moving the needle on pivotal issues
A fierce advocate for developing countries, UN Trade and Development calls for a more equitable and inclusive global trading system that drives economic growth, reduces poverty, and fosters social progress.
Economic diversification: UN Trade and Development helps developing economies build resilience to external shocks, identify new growth sectors, and design strategies to reduce commodity dependence.
Gender mainstreaming in trade: The organization works to leverage trade as a tool to empower women and foster inclusive development. Since 2010, it has collaborated with developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to examine the gender-differentiated outcomes of trade policies, providing valuable insights for policymaking.
Debt management: Tackling the growing debt burdens, UN Trade and Development advocates for comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture. Its Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) program has enhanced the public debt management capacities of over 115 institutions in 75 countries.
Easing global trade: The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) program has enabled over 100 countries to improve trade efficiency by streamlining and expediting customs clearance. ASYCUDA is UN Trade and Development’s largest technical cooperation project and has been in operation for more than 40 years.
Sustainable trade: To ensure that trade is part of the solution to climate change, the organization helps developing countries access energy-efficient goods and technology for the energy transition, to support environmental objectives in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Accolades worldwide
A strong turnout at the Global Leaders Forum in June – which headlined UNCTAD60 celebrations – underscores the profound and lasting impact of UN Trade and Development on the world stage.
Speaking at the forum’s opening, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres praised the organization’s decades-long legacy that continues to inspire current and future generations.
“We must channel the courage and wisdom of those who built UNCTAD, to reimagine a world where trade is a force for shared prosperity, not geopolitical rivalry, where global supply chains are a source of green innovation and climate action, not environmental damage, and where sustainable development is a central goal, not an afterthought,” said Mr. Guterres.
Leaders from the Global South – including heads of state and government, 28 ministers of trade and foreign affairs who addressed the forum in Geneva – also spoke highly of UN Trade and Development’s growing effectiveness.
They commended the organization’s work in advancing South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue towards a fairer and more inclusive global economy, reaffirming its mission to ensure prosperity for all.