UNCTAD provides technical assistance tailored to the needs of the developing countries. Special attention is paid to the needs of the least developed countries (LDCs) and countries with the greatest needs. UNCTAD technical cooperation activities are a significant element in achieving the objectives outlined in the Nairobi Maafikiano adopted by UNCTAD 14, held in Nairobi (Kenya) in July 2016.
In its Decision 529 (LXIII) of December 2016, the Trade and Development Board "reiterates the relevance of the technical cooperation pillar of UNCTAD, as reaffirmed in the Nairobi Maafikiano, in contributing to inclusive development in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals".
As the focal point within the United Nations system for the integrated treatment of trade and development and interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment, and sustainable development (see paragraph 12 of the Nairobi Maafikiano), UNCTAD addresses these issues in a mutually complementary fashion, including through its technical cooperation activities.
UNCTAD technical cooperation is implemented in partnership with other agencies that provide trade-related technical assistance, in consonance with their respective mandates, expertise, and areas of comparative advantage. In the delivery of its technical cooperation services, UNCTAD coordinates its activities with its partners, and in particular, members of the United Nations Inter-Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity.
UNCTAD's technical cooperation is provided and implemented by its substantive divisions.
UNCTAD's Technical Cooperation Service supports divisions in this endeavor and promotes a holistic, cross-divisional perspective, with a view to enhance synergies, increase cost-effectiveness and share best practices and lessons learned in the design and implementation of technical assistance activities. It plays a major role in matchmaking between donor funding strategies, requests of recipient countries and the respective UNCTAD core programmes.