The Trade and Development Commission is a subsidiary body of the Trade and Development Board. The role of the commissions, as defined in paragraph 121 of the Bridgetown Covenant (TD/541/Add.2), is to consider the outcomes of expert meetings and the synergies between the three pillars and the work of the subprogrammes of UNCTAD, as well as to conduct policy dialogue on one or two selected issues.
The Geneva Consensus (TD/561/Add.2) mandates the commissions to perform the important function of integrating the substantive inputs received from their respective subsidiary expert bodies, including the intergovernmental groups of experts, into policy-oriented outcomes for the consideration of these outcomes at a political level by the Trade and Development Board.
Reports of the expert meetings
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Commodities and Development
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Trade, Services and Development
- Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport, Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation
- Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development
- Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy
The topics of the two substantive agenda items of the current session are supporting diversification for sustainable and resilient development, and key issues, challenges and opportunities in relation to African ports. The Trade and Development Commission will consider agreed conclusions on the substantive agenda items. In addition, the Commission will review reports of expert meetings, as well as reports of intergovernmental group of experts.
Furthermore, the Commission will examine relevant activities implemented by the secretariat that have promoted and strengthened synergies among the three pillars. In accordance with paragraph 75 of the Geneva Consensus, the outcomes of the commissions of UNCTAD should be inputs for a draft resolution for the consideration of the Trade and Development Board.
Participation
The Commission is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (general and special category) are also eligible to participate as observers.
Registration
Online registration is mandatory for all those wishing to attend the session and is required in order to be included in the list of participants.
