The 16th session of the Multi-year Expert Meeting provides a platform for sharing national experiences of successful strategies and policies implemented at the national, regional and international levels to effectively promote domestic value addition in commodity-producing developing countries.
Experts will discuss the strategic shift needed for commodity-producing developing countries to transition from exporting raw materials to processing and manufacturing higher value-added products domestically. This approach aims to diversify economies, create jobs and boost national incomes, thereby reducing commodity dependence and promoting resilience and sustainability.
Experts will assess the importance of setting clear sectoral priorities, deploying targeted policy instruments, establishing strong governance frameworks and tailoring diversification strategies to particular geographical and institutional contexts.
They will also identify existing strategies, methodologies and policy actions required to address the related challenges effectively, while considering how to harness global trends such as with regard to renewable energy, digitalization and circular economy principles in order to reinforce a transformational path.
The session will consist of four panel discussions over two days, covering the following: general overview of commodity market trends and prospects; and exploration of the theme of "Strategic diversification for commodity-dependent developing countries".
Each day will be dedicated to a particular commodity category, recognizing their distinct roles in global trade and economics:
- Food and agricultural commodities.
- Extractive commodities, including energy commodities, minerals, ores and metals.
This approach enables focused analysis and policy formulation suited to each category's unique economic impacts, technological dependencies and environmental considerations.
Participation
This session 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 and the private sector, may participate as observers.
Registration
Online registration is mandatory for all those wishing to attend the meeting and is required in order to be included in the list of participants.
Logistics
The session will be held with physical participation in room III of the Palais des Nations. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person will be able to listen to the live audio stream in the six official languages of the United Nations.
The link to listen live will be sent to registered participants, at the email address used for registration, one day in advance of the start of the session.
