Key trends in international transport and implications for development

The Trade and Development Commission

1. Takes note of the UNCTAD report on recent developments and trends in international maritime transport affecting trade of developing countries;
    
2. Recognizes the major importance of global sea shipping services for trade and trade competitiveness, as well as the necessity to foster access to such services by developing countries. Access to global sea shipping services can be improved, while taking into account the challenges faced by some developing countries, through development of the transportation industry and services, infrastructure improvements, and enabling regulatory and institutional frameworks, as well as comprehensive national and regional transport and trade facilitation policies and strategies;
    
3. Acknowledges the importance of fostering the technical and financial capabilities of developing countries, including through activities and programmes, to adopt and implement sustainable freight transport development policies in order to preserve and support their trade competitiveness in the future;
    
4. Recognizes the need for developing countries to have access to the necessary technical and financial assistance as well as capacity-building in the implementation of trade facilitation, with a view to increasing their effective participation in the global trading system;
    
5. Requests UNCTAD to continue to coordinate where possible with the relevant international organizations in monitoring, analysing and assessing the evolution of international transport systems and trade facilitation and to assist developing countries in better understanding and addressing the emerging challenges and opportunities of trade logistics in order to gain from the global trading system;
    
6. Requests UNCTAD to continue providing its support in building long-lasting capacities in developing countries to design and implement their national priorities, development strategies and specific policy actions in the areas of trade logistics, trade facilitation, customs automation and transport infrastructure and services; and encourages continued cooperation for the implementation and follow-up of its work in this regard.