Topic outline
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Short Courses for Geneva-based Diplomats - 2016 series
The UNCTAD secretariat is pleased to announce another series of short courses in the first semester of 2016 on key international economic issues for delegates from permanent missions to the United Nations Office at Geneva and the World Trade Organization.
The aim of the courses is to give delegates from permanent missions an opportunity to become better acquainted with topical issues and developments in the international economic agenda as they are reflected in the work of UNCTAD. More detailed information on the content of individual courses may be found in the attached programme.
In the first semester, two courses will be provided at Palais des Nations on 12 February 2016 and 15 March 2016.
In the second semester, four courses will be provided at Palais des Nations on 26 September, 14 October, 18 November and 16 December 2016.
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A trade strategy that promotes both poverty reduction and national economic development is key for the least developed countries as well as developing countries. The course will focus on the rationale and instruments for mainstreaming trade, as well as on the importance of a trade strategy that promotes poverty reduction and overall national economic development. Participants will become familiar with the process of sectoral policy articulation and consider how to design poverty reduction strategies that are socially inclusive, taking into account broader gender, cultural, social and institutional factors.
Delivered by: Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes
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The course will cover some of the most relevant issues faced by developing countries in strengthening e-commerce for economic growth and development. Participants will develop an understanding of current trends in e-commerce, the main opportunities offered by e-commerce, as well as the key weaknesses, challenges and bottlenecks that developing countries must deal with. Further, participants will learn about an integrated framework for enabling and assessing e-commerce and explore the key strategies through which e-commerce can strengthen economic growth, promote trade, generate revenue and create jobs. The course will close with an introduction to the ICT Policy Review Programme of UNCTAD, which provides technical assistance and diagnostics to requesting member States in developing national e-commerce strategies. Delegates will also receive an update on the eTrade for All initiative.
Delivered by: Division on Technology and Logistics
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Economic development and social and cultural shifts have contributed to a decrease in gender-related inequalities across the world. These notably include an increase in female educational enrolment compared with that of males and in the participation of women in the labour force. However, these shifts cannot be considered an automatic outcome of development but rather the result of concerted policy action and resource allocation for gender equality. Taking a gender perspective has helped reveal a number of structural inequalities between men and women in social, economic and political spheres, and has encouraged the implementation of measures to redress them. Efforts to mainstream gender equality in policymaking have been critical in this regard.
Delivered by: Division on International Trade and Commodities of UNCTAD
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26 September 2016 (Room XXVI) - Trade logistics, transport, trade facilitation and customs automation: Issues and UNCTAD’s role
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, some of the most compelling issues and challenges faced by developing countries in improving their participation in international trade will be addressed. Such issues may affect the different categories of developing countries in various ways, and the challenges before them will vary in nature and scope. Possible responses will depend on a given country’s geographical situation, circumstances and stage of development. UNCTAD has actively carried out work under these three pillars as well as over nearly a decade and a half; and has developed analytical and technical assistance capacities and the expertise to understand and deal with some of the key pertinent questions.
Delivered by: Division on Technology and Logistics -
15 March 2016 (Room XXVI) - The imperative of transforming rural economies in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
In developing countries the bulk of poverty and other deficits in human development (e.g. in terms of access to education, electricity, water, sanitation, etc.) are located in rural areas. Therefore, fulfilling the recently-adopted Sustainable Development Goals will require transforming the structure of rural economies in both least developed countries and in other developing countries. The short course will discuss the main features of the rural development imperative, as well as policies for rural structural transformation in the areas of finance, agricultural technology, enterprise and innovation, human resources and institutions. These will be discussed in both their national and international dimensions.
Delivered by: Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes (ALDC) -
12 February 2016 (Room XXVI) - Recent developments in international trade and in the use of trade policy instruments
International trade has changed in many ways during the last ten years. These changes have implications for both the patterns of trade and the use of trade policy instruments. This course will inform delegates on some of the most important developments in international trade and the use of various trade policy instruments. It is divided in two sessions. The first will present some of the recent trends in international trade flows with particular focus on the magnitude, motives and implications of the ongoing trade slowdown. The second will provide an overview on the use and importance of various trade policy instruments. It will also present some of the implications relating to the proliferation of regional trade agreements, including mega-regionals.
Delivered by: Division on International Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities
