Section outline

  • Delivered by the Division on Technology and Logistics. With the Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization now in place, and building on the mandate of UNCTAD in trade and transport logistics, the Trade Logistics Branch will address some of the most compelling issues that developing countries face in improving their participation in international trade. Such issues may affect in various ways the different categories of developing countries. In addition, challenges vary in their nature and possible responses vary depending on geographical situation and circumstances as well as the development stage of a given country. The Branch has actively carried out work under the three pillars of UNCTAD over the past 12 years and developed analytical and technical assistance capacities along with experience to understand and deal with some of the key related questions. This course will include the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

    •      Current trends in trade logistics and implications for participation in global value chains.
    •      Emerging and persisting challenges for developing countries: Climate change impacts, trade and transport security, market-access costs, institutional efficiency, etc.
    •      The role of technology and innovation in improving trade, transit and transport operations.
    •      Customs automation and administrative culture reform.
    •      Implementation of trade facilitation reform at national and regional levels, including the Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization. 
    •      Transport infrastructure development: Long-term sustainability and ownership.

    The above issues will also be discussed from the perspective of landlocked developing countries, small island developing States, countries with economies in transition and least developed countries.