UNCTAD technical cooperation in support of SDGs

TRAINFORTRADE provides technical assistance to developing countries focusing on three areas: (1) port management; (2) international e-commerceSale or purchase of goods or services, conducted over computer networks by methods specifically designed for the purpose of receiving or placing of orders; it can involve business-to-business (B2B) or a business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions -—
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—-.; and (3) international trade statistics. The aim of the programme is to empower countries to participate in, and reap the benefits of, international trade in an equitable and sustainable manner. The programme has enhanced capacities of more than 11 000 participants from 208 different countries from 2017 to 2021. 44 per cent of all participants were female.

The UNCTAD DMFASDebt Management and Financial Analysis System Programme programme advises developing economies in debt management and helps them to record and report reliable debt statistics for policy making. Timely, comprehensive and reliable debt statistics contribute to the formulation of financial policies and strategies, and consequently to improvement of financial stability and governance – even more so relevant in the face of challenges raised by the COVID-19COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 discovered in December 2019. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19 -—
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—-. pandemicCommonly described by the WHO as ‘the worldwide spread of a new disease’, no strict definition is provided. In 2009, they set out the basic requirements for a pandemic: • New virus emerges in humans
• Minimal or no population immunity
• Causes serious illness; high morbidity/mortality
• Spreads easily from person to person
• Global outbreak of disease.
The US Centre for Disease Control uses a similar approach, but with a reduced set of criteria. It is very difficult to gauge whether the spread of a disease should be termed an outbreak, epidemic or pandemic. In other words, when to declare a pandemic isn’t a black and white decision -—
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—-., climate change, and the war in Ukraine.

The DMFAS programme offers countries a set of practical solutions for the management of public liabilities and the production of debt statistics, including software, training and advisory services. DMFAS has trained over 6 300 experts from 67 countries in debt management.

UNCTAD EmpretecEmpretec is a Spanish acronym which blends “emprendedores” (entrepreneurs) and “tecnología” (technology). The term was introduced in Argentina in 1988. promotes entrepreneurship and enhances the productive capacityUNCTAD defines productive capacities as consisting of the productive resources, entrepreneurial capabilities and production linkages that together determine a country’s ability to produce goods and services that will help it grow and develop -—
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—- and international competitiveness of SMEsSmall- and medium-sized enterprise in developing countries. Empretec training is delivered by centres in 41 countries around the world. Since its inception in 1988, Empretec has successfully trained more than 481 000 people. The programme’s Women in Business Awards rewards outstanding businesswomen previously trained by the programme.

Trade facilitation contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, in particular to the integration of developing countries to global trade, tackling trade barriers and improving the efficiency of trade by reducing delays and transaction costs. Since 2016, UNCTAD has developed capacity in 56 countries around the world to improve their trade facilitation. UNCTAD Empowerment Programme, providing intensive professional programme for NTFCs, has trained almost 2 500 people in 34 countries, with average female participation at 42 per cent.

In July 2017, UNCTAD launched a new research paper series. Since that time and up until March 2020, 41 research papers have been published, which have been downloaded almost 86 000 times. The importance of SDGs 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 17 (partnership for the goals) is evident in UNCTAD research papers.

UNCTAD uses its convening power to bring together governments, businesses, civil society, academia and other international organizations to advance sustainable development and inclusive trade and economy for all. Since 2016, almost 60 000 participants attended more than 1200 official and registered meetings; share of female participants has steadily increased, reaching 47 per cent in 2022.

UNCTAD has been supporting Angola in building institutional capacities to foster economic diversification through the EU-UNCTAD Joint Programme of Angola: TRAINFORTRADE II (2017-2023). Over 1 800 people were trained on enhancing economic strength of Angola in 2021 and 2022, 29 per cent female. Many similar activities are ongoing also in other countries to support them in fostering their productive capacitiesUNCTAD defines productive capacities as consisting of the productive resources, entrepreneurial capabilities and production linkages that together determine a country’s ability to produce goods and services that will help it grow and develop -—
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Mobilizing financial resources for recovering from the pandemic is essential to achieving the SDGs. The project produced research papers, policy tools and sessions to support policy makers: 22 research papers have been provided and more than 400 people registered for the events, of which 44 per cent were female. The web-based virtual knowledge platform MobilizingDevFinance.org gathers and disseminates the project’s outputs, and makes them accessible to member countries, CSOsCivil society organizations (CSOs), scholars, researchers and the general public.