26th Regional Course on Key Issues on the International Economic Agenda for the Latin American and Caribbean region

The course will focus on the links between trade, investment, finance and development, including in the context of international trade negotiations.

It aims to:

• Enhance understanding of the relationships among these areas and their links to countries' development strategies.

• Provide participants with knowledge and skills for the design and implementation of trade and development policies, and for trade negotiations corresponding to the needs and interests of their countries.

The syllabus of the course will draw upon UNCTAD's perspective, its analytical work and the lessons learnt from its technical cooperation activities, and will be enriched by the expertise of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and of national experts, in these areas of work.

The course is mainly aimed at mid-level government officers in ministries and institutions dealing with trade, investment, finance and development issues, who are involved in the formulation and implementation of national trade and development policies. As appropriate, and depending on the availability of places, other applicants such as academics could also be considered.

The course will be given in English, with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish. Training materials will be made available in English, with some documentation in Spanish. Candidates are expected to have a full working of knowledge of English.

UNCTAD member States in the Latin American and Caribbean region are invited to nominated qualified candidates for the course. Applications will be accepted until 23 November 2012.

Member States/successful candidates will be notified of the UNCTAD selection committee's decisions by 7 December 2012.

Member States are encouraged to nominate more than one candidate per country, in which case they may wish to rank the candidates. The selection committee will take this ranking into consideration, provided that the preferred candidate meets the eligibility criteria.