In the run-up to the Fourteenth Session of the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (14-18 March 2016) in Lima, Peru, UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi held discussions with representatives of civil society groups.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi has met with representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations to exchange views on the organization's quadrennial ministerial conference in Lima, Peru, in March 2016.
Dr. Kituyi said that the meeting, which took place in Geneva on 12 May 2015, was part of ongoing consultations he was undertaking with various stakeholders in the run-up to the Fourteenth Session of the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development, also known as UNCTAD XIV. The conference determines UNCTAD's mandate for the four-year period up to 2020.
Dr. Kituyi welcomed feedback from civil society organizations on the proposed theme and subthemes of UNCTAD XIV, over which UNCTAD member States are currently deliberating. The Secretary-General's Report to the Conference will be published later in 2015.A number of speakers from participating civil society organizations thanked Dr. Kituyi for the opportunity to participate in preparations for the Lima conference.
"We are much enriched by this exchange," Dr. Kituyi said, adding that he looked forward to further meetings with civil society groups on the road to Lima.Around thirty civil society organizations attended the meeting, with thirteen representatives making interventions.
The groups represent the interests of various civic alliances and networks affected by trade and development policies. UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Joakim Reiter, who joined the organization in April 2015, was also present.
