UNCTAD is the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. It is this institution that coordinates the activities of countries separately, helps to effectively build the mechanism of domestic policy and international relations in their harmonious complementarity.
History
In the early sixties, the question arose of designating the role of developed and developing states in the mechanism of international trade. Such a controversial problem can only be resolved through a centralized discussion and the adoption of necessary measures. Then came the idea of creating and holding a special conference regularly, at which general principles of a global development strategy would be developed.
In 1964, the first UN conference on trade and development was held. The presence of many problems and the need for decades to solve them prompted the adoption of the next solution - the convening of UNCTAD every four years. Between conferences, some members may hold intergovernmental meetings. At that time, the Secretariat and the Group of 77 were created.
The first decade of work was marked by participation in the Agreement on the General System of Preferences, the Convention on the Code of Conduct for Linear Conferences and the Code of Approved Unified Principles and Rules for Practical Control and Restriction of Business.
From 1980 to 1990, they focused on the integration of developing countries into the international trade space: this UNCTAD markedly distinguished itself during the Uruguay round of trade negotiations and the adoption of the General Agreement on Trade in Services.
Today, the organization has focused on stimulating foreign direct investment and globalization processes. She identified the importance of differentiating the problems of developing countries and the features of their most effective solution.
general characteristics
UNCTAD is the key organ of the UN General Assembly on trade and development issues. As was said, it was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental structure. UNCTAD stands for United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
This conference is the focal point in the development and related trade, financial, technological and investment issues. UNCTAD's mission is to help integrate developing countries and third world countries into the global economy using the right trade and investment strategies.
To achieve these goals, the organization conducts research and analysis of political aspects, intergovernmental meetings. There is fruitful technical and scientific cooperation, close interaction with the civilian side and entrepreneurs (small, medium and large sectors).
Structure
The UNCTAD organization consists of committees:
- For commodities.
- For industrial goods.
- For invisible articles and financing, which is directly related to trade.
- On the transfer and exchange of technology.
- On economic cooperation between developing countries and on shipping.
- Ad Hoc Committee on Priority Issues.
The executive body is the Trade and Development Board. Responsible for the implementation of tasks and compliance with selected priorities. The secretariat maintains cooperation with government, other UN organizations and individual commissions.
Classification
UNCTAD divides countries as follows:
- Developed countries, which included fifteen countries in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, the Republic of South Africa and members of the Big Seven.
- Countries of Eastern Europe (territory of the former USSR).
- Socialist countries of Asia.
- Developing countries.
The fourth group is considered more broadly. According to the UNCTAD classification, these states are divided:
- Depending on the specialization of export operations: oil (20 countries) and industrial exporters (Brazil, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, the territory of Yugoslavia), the least developed.
- In terms of per capita income: with a high (more than 4.5 thousand dollars), medium (1 - 4.5 thousand dollars) and low (less than 1 thousand dollars).
Goals
The main objectives of UNCTAD are:
- promoting the development of international trade, subsequently accelerating economic growth in developing countries and the already established "titans of the world market";
- the formation of fundamental principles, a set of rules and recommendations that govern international trade and all problems related to economic progress (also includes financial, investment and technological spheres);
- diverse support for the activities of other agencies within the United Nations structure, which in any way is connected with the problems of the development of trade and the economy as a whole;
- conducting a series of negotiations and approval of multilateral regulatory and legal acts in the trade field;
- equality and mutual benefit in cooperation between states;
- coordination of government policies and local economic groups.
In this regard, the organization must perform three functions:
- Forum for international discussions.
- Analysis of the political and economic environment, information gathering.
- Providing technical support.
Activities
Focusing on the tasks presented, UNCTAD operates in the following areas:
- commodity trading regulation;
- development of political measures in the economy;
- supporting and intensifying the economic partnership of developing countries;
- negotiating the formation of a large-scale system of preferences;
- the creation of special projects to help the least developed territories;
- the development of the fundamental articles of the code, the addition of principles and rules on the control of business practices;
- regulation of multinational companies;
- cooperation with international economic organizations;
- analysis of a wide range of problems.
Thus, the conference conducts diverse activities and considers many aspects that are somehow related to international trade. It promotes the development of all countries thanks to a differentiated approach, increases trade efficiency and stabilizes the global economy.