Topic outline
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Short Courses for Geneva-based Diplomats - 2025 series
The UNCTAD secretariat is pleased to announce another series of short courses in 2025 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 below.
In the first semester, three courses will be provided at Palais des Nations - on 21 February, 3 April, and 19 June 2025. respectively.
The first semester in 2025 includes:
- Friday 21 February 2025, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - Trade Preferences Outlook 2024: Towards a new market access cooperation
- Thursday 3 April 2025, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - Forecast on the global economy and its trends, and debt issues for developing economies
- Thursday 19 June 2025, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - The Technology and Innovation Report 2025: Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for Development
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Friday 21 February 2025, 10 a.m. - Trade Preferences Outlook 2024: Towards a new market access cooperation
Since the 1970s, non-reciprocal trade preferences, such as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), have supported developing countries’ export growth. Yet, the rapidly changing global trade landscape poses new challenges. UNCTAD's Trade Preferences Outlook 2024 found the diminishing impact of preferential tariffs as MFN tariffs fall, free trade agreements proliferate, and non-tariff measures become more prevalent. Moreover, the rise of global value chains and the increasing technological intensity of production have shifted the sources of comparative advantages, necessitating a rethinking of the trade preferences. This course examines the current state of trade preferences for developing economies, particularly LDCs. It will discuss possible ways forward towards enhancing their development impact, including broadening market access cooperation to areas beyond tariffs, such as non-tariff measures, services trade, foreign direct investment and technology. The course is relevant to SDG 17 on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.
At the end of this course, delegates will have gained knowledge of:
- Historical evolution of non-reciprocal trade preferences.
- The empirical evidence on the role of trade preferences in promoting export diversification in developing countries.
- Current trends in preferential trade under the evolving trade landscape.
- Possible ways for enhancing the design and implementation of trade preferences and their development impact, including through new market access cooperation beyond tariff concessions.
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Thursday 3 April 2025, 10 a.m. - Forecast on the global economy and its trends, and debt issues for developing economies
This short course will cover the global economic landscape, with a particular focus on its impact on developing economies. It will examine pressing challenges such as rising debt service costs and deteriorating debt sustainability, fiscal pressures, and the uneven effects of technological and geopolitical changes. Delegates will also hear about opportunities and challenges emerging from climate change, particularly for developing countries, and how these can be navigated to foster sustainable development. Through expert insights and discussions, participants will be better equipped to navigate complex economic environments and contribute to the formulation of policies that promote resilience, the green transition and equitable growth, while paying attention to fiscal and policy space.
At the end of this course, delegates will have gained knowledge of:
- The current global macroeconomic landscape.
- Strategies to address debt sustainability and fiscal challenges.
- Opportunities and challenges presented by climate change.
- Innovative financing mechanisms and how debt can be managed and addressed.
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Thursday 19 June 2025, 10 a.m. - The Technology and Innovation Report 2025: Inclusive Artificial Intelligence for Development
The forthcoming Technology and Innovation Report 2025 will discuss the challenges posed by Article Intelligence to policy-makers in the areas of industrial and innovation policy, with particular emphasis on the implications for developing countries. The report examines how Artificial Intelligence can drive progress toward sustainable development while it attempts to focus on minimizing risks. The short course will focus on the main findings and policy recommendations from the report, particularly from the point of view of promoting inclusive technological progress.
A more detailed programme will be circulated ahead of the short course once the report is finalized.
With this background, and at the end of this course, delegates will have gained knowledge of:
- Insights into national-level policies to support Artificial Intelligence.
- Practical recommendations to harness Artificial Intelligence for sustainable development while mitigating risks.
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