INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

International Business

International Business

Introduction

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy. The Organization aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development. Established in 1964, UNCTAD is the principal organ of the General Assembly in the field of trade and development.

Among the major aims of the World Trade Organization are the protection and the sustainable development of the natural environment of the planet earth. These aims are mentioned in the Marrakesh Agreement, which is responsible for the establishment of the World Trade Organization.

The rules of trade formulated by the World Trade Organization are enacted in a way that the trade barriers that are there throughout the various countries of the world would be relaxed. They also want to bring down the levels of discrimination that persist in the various countries of the world as far as the global trade relations are concerned.

Outline aims and objectives

UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development.

Background to the agency selected

UNCTAD undertakes its mandate through three key functions: (i) as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, supported by discussions with experts and exchanges of experience, aimed at consensus building; (ii) undertaking research, policy analysis and data collection; and (iii) providing technical assistance tailored to the specific requirements of developing countries, with special attention to the needs of the least developed countries (LDCs) and of economies in transition.

When appropriate, UNCTAD cooperates with other organizations and donor countries in the delivery of technical assistance. It also cooperates with civil society and the business sector. UNCTAD has 193 Member States. Its annual operational budget is approximately US$50 million, which is drawn from the United Nations regular budget. Technical cooperation activities, which have developed as a result of UNCTAD's sectoral expertise and are financed from extra-budgetary resources, amount to approximately US$31,5 million in 2007. The Secretary-General of UNCTAD is Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi who took up office on 1 September 2005. UNCTAD has a staff of about 400.

Analysis

UNCTAD cooperates with civil society actors by setting up formal and informal mechanisms for NGO participation and contribution to UNCTAD's activities, including participation in conferences, workshops and seminars, producing copublications, information-sharing and policy analysis through exchange of ideas and implementation of technical cooperation programmes. The Civil Society Outreach Unit organizes regular consultations, briefings and seminars with civil society organizations. UNCTAD's Trade and Development Board (TDB) has institutionalized hearings with civil society and the private sector since 2004. Such hearings are now convened as part of the annual session of the TDB.

Arrangements for the participation of NGOs concerned with trade and development in the activities of UNCTAD are governed by Rule 77 of the ...