Progress report on promoting and strengthening synergies among the three pillars related to transport and trade facilitation and cross-divisional capacity-building

GE.15- Trade Development Board Trade Development Commission Seventh session Geneva, 18–22 2015 Item 6 provisional agenda Progress report promoting strengthening synergies pillars Progress report promoting strengthening synergies pillars related transport trade facilitation cross-divisional capacity-building Note UNCTAD secretariat Introduction transport trade facilitation 1. UNCTAD long recognized dimensions freight transport trade facilitation. years, twelfth session United Nations Conference Trade Development held Accra thirteenth session United Nations Conference Trade Development held Doha, UNCTAD carried activities pillars work assist developing countries initiating paradigm shift greater sustainability resilience freight transport trade facilitation. , UNCTAD increasingly harnessing synergies prevail pillars work. 2. 2014, UNCTAD continued assist developing countries making informed policy choices address persistent emerging transport trade facilitation-related challenges , , provide relevant capacity-building technical assistance , inter alia, identify , gaps priorities design policy response measures. 3. 2014 pivotal year landlocked developing countries small island developing States, UNCTAD, mandated work programme field transport trade logistics, intensified work addressing unique transport trade logistics challenges facing vulnerable groups. 4. carrying work field transport trade facilitation, UNCTAD recognizes multiplicity stakeholders emphasizes importance promoting greater coordination consultation Governments, key stakeholders transport industry trade community. United Nations TD//./CRP/7 United Nations Conference Trade Development Distr.: General 13 2015 Original: English TD//./CRP/7 2 II. Research analysis transport trade facilitation 5. 2014 edition Review Maritime Transport – UNCTAD’ long- established flagship publication – launched 20 November 2014. Consistent editions, update relevant maritime transport statistics trends, relevant analysis key trends affecting aspects maritime transport international trade, including demand supply shipping services, markets costs, port developments regulatory framework. special chapter dedicated maritime transport situation small island developing States, suggested effective transport trade logistics States required portfolio measures spanning range areas, including trade logistics, climate change resilience-building, energy financing sustainable resilient transport systems.1 UNCTAD continues publish months electronic newsletter transport information upcoming transport trade facilitation events publications features selected topical articles. 6. regard -recurrent publications, August 2014, UNCTAD published substantive ‎analytical -part report ‎ maritime piracy, : Maritime Piracy, Part : Overview Trends, Costs Trade-related Implications figures statistics describing ‎trends maritime piracy related crimes; Maritime Piracy, Part II: Overview ‎ International ‎Legal Framework Multilateral Cooperation Combat Piracy overview ‎contemporary ‎international legal regime countering piracy identified key examples ‎ international cooperation area ( http://unctad.org/es/paginas/newsdetails.aspxOriginalVersionID=814). 7. backdrop International Year Small Island Developing States, UNCTAD prepared report entitled “Closing Distance: Partnerships Sustainable Resilient Transport Systems Small Island Developing States” (forthcoming). work informed input guidance gathered ad hoc expert meeting held 11 July 2014 ‎ theme‎“Addressing‎ ‎ transport‎‎ trade-logistics challenges ‎small‎island‎developing‎States:‎Samoa‎Conference‎‎”. 8. area trade facilitation, 2014, UNCTAD actively participated supported establishment national trade facilitation bodies developing countries. addition, UNCTAD published report entitled National Trade Facilitation Bodies World. Based -depth analysis 50 trade facilitation bodies, report quantitative analysis existing national trade facilitation bodies -hand set recommendations extracted experiences participating stakeholders. , UNCTAD created online repository case studies countries set bodies, accessible interactive map ( http://unctag.org/TFCommittees). repository kind, online repository attracted attention member States implementation agencies donors adoption Agreement Trade Facilitation World Trade Organization member countries. 9. Work UNCTAD implications climate change maritime transportation focused, 2008, impacts adaptation seaports coastal transport infrastructure. Work area contributed raising awareness advancing international debate climate change-related impacts adaptation 1 Review Maritime Transport 2013, special chapter dedicated maritime transport situation landlocked countries, overview progress understanding impediments accessing sea-shipping services trade goods landlocked territories overseas markets. http://unctag.org/TFCommittees TD//./CRP/7 3 transport. Important synergies created inter-agency cooperation establishment committed multidisciplinary network experts. , work UNCTAD referred chapters Working Group II contribution Assessment Report Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change 2014. UNCTAD initiated port industry survey climate variability change improve understanding weather climate-related impacts seaports assess data , current levels resilience preparedness ports. work ongoing. 10. addition, UNCTAD continued updating -established databases aimed supporting evidence-based research, technical cooperation capacity-building area transport trade facilitation. regard, UNCTAD , years, compiled extensive statistics maritime transport. online coverage maritime transport data includes merchant fleet flag registration type ship, merchant fleet country beneficial ownership, container port throughput, world seaborne trade types cargo country groups Liner Shipping Connectivity Index ( http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx). 11. UNCTAD produced country-level Liner Shipping Connectivity Index annually 2004 ( http://stats.unctad.org/lsci). Index indicator country’ access global liner shipping network overseas markets containerizable merchandise, .. manufactured goods. Index established, complementing global indicators Business project Logistics Performance Index analysis international trade logistics. III. Consensus-building transport trade facilitation 12. 1 4 July 2014, UNCTAD organized expert meetings focusing trade facilitation, session Multi-year Expert Meeting Transport, Trade Logistics Trade Facilitation ad hoc expert meeting national trade facilitation committees. 13. backdrop International Year Small Island Developing States, UNCTAD organized key intergovernmental meetings focus small island developing States transport-related challenges, including climate weather-related threats critical coastal transport infrastructure operations. addition ad hoc expert meeting held 11 July, events 2014 included : () high-level side event held International Conference Small Island Developing States (Samoa Conference), 1–4 September, theme “Harnessing oceanic wealth small island developing States sound trade specialization sustainable resilient maritime transport”.‎ ‎ event benefited effective cross- divisional cooperation Division International Trade Commodities collaboration Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. () session Multi-year Expert Meeting Transport, Trade Logistics Trade Facilitation, 24–26 November. session addressed challenges transport trade logistics faced small island developing States. 14. UNCTAD contributed United Nations Conference Landlocked Developing Countries, held Vienna November 2014, joint side event World Trade Organization theme “Harvesting benefits trade facilitation landlocked developing countries”. relation work climate change-related impacts related adaptation requirements transport, UNCTAD furthered collaboration relevant intergovernmental -governmental organizations, including helping ensure special capacity requirements developing countries TD//./CRP/7 4 consideration. respect, late 2014, UNCTAD joined Working Group Climate Change Adaptation Maritime Inland Port Navigation Infrastructure, established World Association Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. UNCTAD joined Advisory Panel Peer Review Regional Framework Adaptation Climate Change Coastal Marine Areas Mediterranean, developed United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan. IV. Technical assistance capacity-building activities transport trade facilitation 15. 2014, UNCTAD continued carry large number technical assistance projects capacity-building activities area transport trade facilitation. , UNCTAD contributed international teaching programmes, notably : Nanjing University East China Normal University, China; University Basque Country, Spain; University Geneva, Switzerland; executive master global supply chain management, Ecole Polytechnique éérale, Lausanne, Switzerland; World Maritime University International Maritime Organization, Malmö, Sweden. Information substantive work UNCTAD field transport, trade logistics trade facilitation disseminated international regional meetings events : Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum Caribbean Community, held Barbados; sixteenth Congress Colombian Federation Logistic Agents International Trade, held Colombia; forum ports containers organized National Business Association Colombia; Baltic Ports Conference, held Denmark; consultations international organizations 2015 International Transport Forum Organization Economic Cooperation Development, held France; tenth Conference Pan African Association Port Cooperation, held Kenya; Maritime-Insight executive meeting, held Sweden; seminar capacity- building development operation Dry Ports International Importance, hosted International Union Railways United Nations Economic Social Commission Asia Pacific held Thailand. events additional opportunities disseminate results work UNCTAD gain insight relevant issues, establish / renew contact range delegates stakeholders purpose future cooperation. 16. UNCTAD assisted numerous member countries preparing implementation Agreement Trade Facilitation World Trade Organization. financing Government Sweden, UNCTAD supported developing countries developed countries finalization national trade facilitation implementation plans. context, regional event place Santo Domingo March 2014 project implementation plans Agreement Trade Facilitation, initiative financed European Union. 17. UNCTAD German aid agency Deutsche Gesellschaft ü Internationale Zusammenarbeit collaborated provide assistance implementation Agreement Trade Facilitation East African Community. 18. , UNCTAD trade facilitation projects impact development member States major ways. , contribution development easing trade. impact straightforward long recognized. – direct link development – reforms generate quality employment, small traders formal sector, economic activities transparent accountable, promote good governance, strengthen information technology capabilities generally modernize societies. TD//./CRP/7 5 19. Technical assistance activities aimed building capacity developing countries, small island developing States, understand, design implement sustainable transport systems resilient effects climate change include technical assistance projects supported United Nations Development Account implemented, : () Climate ‎change impacts coastal transport infrastructure Caribbean: enhancing adaptive capacity ‎ small island developing States (2014–2017). project initiated light paragraph 56 () ‎ Doha Mandate, states UNCTAD advise small‎island‎developing‎States‎“ design implementation ‎policies addressing specific trade trade logistics challenges linked remoteness ‎geographical isolation”. () Building capacities developing countries shift sustainable freight transport. -year project, implemented Africa Caribbean, aims building capacities providing advisory services developing countries enable reorientation sustainable freight transport sound transport policy measures financing mechanisms. . Customs automation: ASYCUDA 20. 2014, UNCTAD continued deliver technical assistance developing countries programme customs automation modernization, ASYCUDA, largest technical assistance programme. year, countries / territories, Angola, Antigua Barbuda Saint Pierre Miquelon, adopted ASYCUDA. total, 57 operational ASYCUDA technical assistance projects, including regional interregional projects. year, UNCTAD staff consultants undertook 270 support, training advisory missions. , 210 training sessions carried , technical functional, audience 4,000 participants. 2,000 customs officers brokers countrywide trained Afghanistan. 21. salient event 2014 installation ASYCUDA Performance Indicators Module Liberia assistance World Customs Organization funding Norwegian Agency Development Cooperation, current outbreak Ebola virus disease. Initial results rapidly area reduction manual reassignment increased recovery duties taxes due introduction measures supported evidence module. number countries ASYCUDA system expressed interest installing module. 22. 2014, memorandums understanding signed letters exchanged : Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Jordan; Common Market Eastern Southern Africa; Convention International Trade Endangered Species Wild Fauna Flora; Office Coordination Humanitarian Affairs; World Trade Organization. discussions partnerships initiated United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization World Customs Organization, discussions continued United Nations Office Drugs Crime Universal Postal Union. regard ASYCUDA, framework instruments important ensuring prompt delivery technical assistance long-term sustainability cooperation observing intellectual property rights ASYCUDA software. TD//./CRP/7 6 VI. Knowledge development 23. main groups activity undertaken UNCTAD Knowledge Development Branch, centred TrainForTrade Programme courses key issues international economic agenda. 1. Activities Human Resources Development Section: TrainForTrade Programme 24. Activities undertaken context human resources development TrainForTrade focus developing skills knowledge innovative approaches based recognized pedagogical method technological solutions. Technical assistance projects core components international trade development undertaken based cross-divisional cooperation. Activities include Port Training Programme delivered language-based networks. , advice information communications technology promote knowledge sharing, networking competence building. 25. Emphasis training local experts trainers order create sustainable knowledge sharing processes promotion networking South-South cooperation beneficiaries. learning tools continuously developed exploring technological opportunities -learning mobile learning. 2014, TrainForTrade delivered face--face -learning courses interdivisional cooperation. total 1,242 trade operators (38 cent women) 51 developing countries, including 15 developed countries, participated courses. 26. Collaboration place Staff Development Learning Section United Nations Office Geneva providing hosting services Learning Content Management System 1,200 students trimester access materials technical support services. Collaboration continued Office Coordination Humanitarian Affairs -learning activities, including online courses. collaboration established World Food Programme develop -learning programmes staff worldwide. Interdivisional support UNCTAD related capacity development -learning. 27. TrainForTrade launched project West Africa 2013 collaboration Information Communications Technology Analysis Section UNCTAD Commission Economic Community West African States, strengthen capacities area -commerce West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Senegal Togo), ôte ’Ivoire, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria Sierra Leone included beneficiary countries. project follow TrainForTrade strategy, emphasis Millennium Development Goal 8 (develop global partnership development), support implementation existing legal frameworks -transactions national level capacity-building workshops organized 2013 2015. 28. TrainForTrade organized small private online course2 legal aspects -commerce collaboration Information Communications Technology Analysis Section, secretariats Association Caribbean States Latin American Caribbean Economic System. 300 participants 2 Massive online open courses address large numbers students small private online courses restricted specific target population training material protected copyright. TD//./CRP/7 7 (including 130 women) 21 Latin American Caribbean countries. regional workshop harmonization -commerce legislation, held Ecuador, attended 40 representatives 20 Latin American Caribbean countries. , TrainForTrade contributed South School Internet Governance, organized Trinidad Tobago. 29. TrainForTrade capacity-development activities framework Growing Sustainable Business project United Nations Development Programme Angola 2013, Human Resources Development Section preparing launch phase project financed European Commission. financing agreement trade support project signed December 2014 Government Angola representatives European Commission Angola. 30. Follow- workshops legal aspects -commerce held Dakar February 2014 ( French), 23 participants (including women), Accra March 2014 ( English), 22 participants (including women). 31. -learning -commerce practitioners place March April 2014, 150 registered participants (including 27 women). face--face workshop French successfully delivered 25 participants. current outbreak Ebola virus disease West Africa resulted postponement English workshop, initially planned delivery Banjul September 2014, 6 9 March 2015. 32. -learning legal aspects -commerce delivered 13 October 14 November 2014. 168 participants registered (including 29 women), 122 participants (including 28 women) successfully completed . 33. TrainForTrade Port Training Programme plays vital role supporting port communities developing countries quest efficient competitive port management. Talent management leadership development crucial part Programme. Programme operates language-based networks (English, French, Portuguese Spanish) Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe Latin America. Programme hosts high- modern port management entails powerful scheme induce -added solutions port communities. 34. Port Training Programme brings public, private international entities share expertise practices. Partnerships established European ports share knowledge expertise ports South. Annual regional meetings bring port officials countries, promoting sharing experiences expertise. South-South collaboration port communities promoted, crucial knowledge development. , exchange participants encouraged order increase participants’ exposure port set- ups, facilitate transfer knowledge. 35. 2014, 64 courses held globally 460 participants, including 261 trainers 21 countries (including developed countries). English-speaking network 36. Training Trainers Workshop covering modules organized UNCTAD Dublin Port Company 25 March 3 April 2014 Dublin, cooperation Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Drogheda Port Company Port Cork Company support Irish Aid. 37. 18 September 2014, UNCTAD signed memorandum understanding Permanent Representative Ireland United Nations Office international organizations Geneva, board member Dublin Port Company chief executive officer Port Cork Company, reaffirmed strong commitment TD//./CRP/7 8 Port Training Programme 2014–2016. welcoming address, Secretary- General UNCTAD drew attention pivotal role ports play international trade, sea transport accounts important movement goods. Permanent Representative Indonesia expressed strong appreciation Programme, describing excellent technical assistance. Representatives Philippines reiterated importance Programme, nation archipelagic State. French-speaking network 38. French-speaking African members Port Training Programme held final dissertation panels organized training cycles programme Benin, ôte ’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal Togo. annual coordination meeting French- speaking network place 15 16 April 2014 Dakar. Participants Benin, Cameroon, ôte ’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Senegal Togo reviewed activities year, exchanged practices agreed . 39. line action plan agreed coordination meeting, Training Trainers Workshop covering modules organized June 2014 Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port. 23 workshop participants (including women) evaluated workshop positively terms subject matter depth, teaching method, time allocated exercises . Participants commended quality training material developed TrainForTrade. Spanish-speaking network 40. Training Trainers Workshop held Gijó, Spain 3 14 March, collaboration Valenciaport Foundation Port Authorities Valencia Gijó. 41. network completed cycle modern port management Dominican Republic cycle Peru. coordination meeting held Peru, representatives member ports Dominican Republic Peru partner ports Spain expressed satisfaction programme requested start cycle 2015. 42. Port Training Programme, support Irish Aid Philippine Ports Authority, -organized International Port Performance Workshop October 2014 Manila. workshop gave opportunity prepare senior managers English, French, Portuguese Spanish port training networks strategic reforms modern seaports, greater competitiveness based higher standards performance. 2. Activities Policy Capacity-building Section: Courses key issues international economic agenda 43. courses key issues international economic agenda, P166 courses reference paragraph 166 Bangkok Plan Action, aim provide policymakers knowledge skills design implement trade development policies correspond interests countries. unique cross- divisional programme undertaken UNCTAD, staff divisions involved design delivery curriculum. Inputs United Nations Regional Commissions, national experts countries hosting regional courses, form integral part process. TD//./CRP/7 9 44. 2014, regional courses organized, countries economies transition (July, University Belgrade, Serbia) Western Asia (October, Oman). total 34 participants (including 17 women) part courses. 45. event interest 2014 selection multi-year (2015–2019) venues regional courses, : EAFIT University, Medellin, Colombia Latin America Caribbean; Singapore Asia Pacific. 46. 2014, short courses organized Geneva-based delegates issues: rethinking global development agenda – 50-year perspective; information communications technologies development – cloud economy developing countries; UNCTAD programme -tariff measures world trade; proactive fiscal, trade industrial policies role attaining development goals; global chains – enhancing participation small medium-sized enterprises development perspective; transfer technology development – key policy issues national experiences. 150 delegates participated courses. 47. 2014, websites related short courses Geneva-based delegates regional courses key issues international economic agenda upgraded. attention paid ensuring efficient effective procedures registration content management innovative information-technology solutions.