United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 with the aim of promoting the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the global economy. As an authoritative knowledge-based institution, UNCTAD effectively helps shape current policy debate and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are complementary forces in bringing about sustainable development.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 with the aim of promoting the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the global economy. As an authoritative knowledge-based institution, UNCTAD effectively helps shape current policy debate and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international action are complementary forces in bringing about sustainable development. To fulfill this mandate, UNCTAD carries out three vital functions: 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; and 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. When appropriate, UNCTAD cooperates with other organizations and donor countries in the delivery of technical assistance.

Energy at UNCTAD

In the field of energy, UNCTAD has given high priority to biofuels since 2005, and particularly as a trade and investment opportunity for developing countries. Under the Kyoto Protocol and in the field of alternative energy technologies and climate change, UNCTAD has supported efforts to engage the private sector in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) as part of a programme giving emphasis to the work in LDCs.

Services provided by UNCTAD include:

• Conducting economic analysis on the links between trade and climate change, for example by assessing the trade and development impacts of specific emission reduction proposals Developing training materials on the rules of the CDM, so that an increasing number of developing nations can make use of it
• Organizing technical meetings and intergovernmental conferences to discuss the links and mutual supportiveness of trade and climate change policies
• Conducting policy analysis on the trade and development implications of the biofuels sector, including by assessing the WTO-consistency of specific measures and regulations. This includes providing data on tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting biofuels and related feedstock and technologies and providing a forum for discussion and exchange of views and experiences
• Supporting specific developing countries in designing national biofuel strategies that contribute to economic growth, energy independence and climate change stabilization, while minimizing social and environmental risks
• Organizing an annual Africa Oil and Gas Trade and Finance Conference aimed at bringing together major players from the private and public sector, facilitating multistakeholder dialogue on topical issues in the African energy sector, and strengthening consensus on how to develop this sector.