As the international community prepares for defining the post-2015 development agenda, trade remains a major source of growth and development, and the international trading system is expected to provide an overarching enabling environment for the realization of inclusive and sustainable development.
It is opportune, therefore, to take stock of the current architecture of the international trading system to assess how its contribution can be optimized in the context of rapidly evolving economic realities and development priorities in the 21st century.
Gathering a group of experts, policymakers, trade negotiators and civil society, the expert group meeting is aimed at stimulating reflection and exchange of ideas on innovative and practical ways forward on enhancing the contribution of the international trading system to inclusive and sustainable development.
The meeting will deliberate on:
The contribution of the multilateral trading system to inclusive and sustainable development.
Ways and means to strengthen the multilateral trading system in the 21st century context.
Salient issues arising from new-generation regionalism.
Regional trade agreements from a development perspective.
The meeting's deliberation is also expected to provide useful guidance to the UNCTAD secretariat for identifying possible areas of further research and related activities in the post-2015 development framework.
