Of all the world’s economic sectors, services is the one that accounts for the highest level of economic activity, contributing to a growing share of gross domestic product, trade and employment through both direct and indirect effects within all sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing. Services act as inputs to other sectors and create production linkages.

In addition, services can help developing countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve goals regarding poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth, the reduction of inequalities, the increasing of exports from developing countries and the doubling of those from least developed countries.

The Meeting is intended to help developing countries and least developed countries to identify the policies and institutions required to allow them to enhance their productive capacity through services.

The session will consider the role of services in the economy and trade. Both theory and empirical evidence relating to the ways in which services can enhance productive capacity will be examined.

National and regional practices and experiences will be shared. International cooperation, including South–South cooperation, and partnerships conducive to enhancing productive capacity through services will also be discussed.

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Participation

This meeting is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Other organizations, including specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general and special categories, as well as academia, research institutions and the private sector, may participate as observers.

Input from Experts

Experts are encouraged to prepare and submit brief papers (5–12 pages) related to the issues contained in the provisional agenda. These papers will be made available at the meeting in the form and language in which they are received.