The United Nations system is currently scaling up an ambitious reform to propose a cohesive response to the transformed international agenda characterized by a series of multiple crises in the political and socioeconomic spheres that acutely affect developing countries.
Member States nurture high expectations regarding the development pillar of the United Nations to promote effective multilateralism with a view to leading to a more inclusive and sustainable world. At the country level, Governments are asking for an agile United Nations system to propose comprehensive assistance, ranging from macroeconomics policy aspects to more local-level needs.
The United Nations Inter-Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity has proved to be particularly valuable, with assistance through it streamlined along the core mandate and expertise of its constituent agencies. With an optimized articulation between headquarters and country-level organizations, the Inter-Agency Cluster offers policy recommendations through tailored joint programmes carried out in the context of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.
In these challenging times, the United Nations Inter-Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity led by UNCTAD could thus greatly contribute to addressing the issue of duplicative efforts and ensuring effective and efficient mandate delivery.
Member States are therefore strongly encouraged to support the Inter-Agency Cluster, as it constitutes an efficient coordination mechanism aimed at enhancing the development impact of trade and trade-related national policies and productive activities.
Rebeca Grynspan
Secretary-General of UNCTAD