Glossary:United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, abbreviated as UNCTAD, was established in 1964. As the main organ of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly dealing with trade, investment and development, its mission is to integrate developing countries into the world economy, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development.
UNCTAD fulfils its mandate by carrying out three key functions:
- acting as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, with a view towards consensus building;
- undertaking research, policy analysis and data collection for databases of government representatives and experts;
- providing technical assistance tailored to the specific requirements of developing countries, cooperating where appropriate with other organizations and donor countries.