UNCTAD

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a forum for
addressing issues related to trade and development among member states of the
United Nations. The latest round of UNCTAD, held in Barbados in October 2021,
focused on the theme of "Inclusive and Sustainable Development: New Challenges
and Opportunities."
The conference brought together representatives from developed and developing
countries, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to discuss a range of
issues related to trade and development. The main focus of the conference was on
how to promote inclusive and sustainable development in the context of the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it has posed to the global economy.
One of the key topics discussed at the conference was the need to ensure that
recovery from the pandemic is inclusive and sustainable. This includes addressing
the needs of developing countries, which have been disproportionately affected by
the pandemic and have limited resources to support recovery efforts. The
conference also highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as debt
sustainability, trade financing, and climate change in the context of the pandemic
recovery.
Another key theme of the conference was the need to promote greater coherence
between trade, investment, and technology policies. This includes ensuring that
trade policies are aligned with development objectives, promoting investment that
supports sustainable development goals, and leveraging technology to promote
inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The conference also addressed a range of other issues related to trade and
development, including the role of international trade in promoting economic growth,
the need for greater collaboration between public and private sector actors, and the
importance of addressing the digital divide to promote inclusive development.

In conclusion, the latest round of UNCTAD focused on the theme of "Inclusive and
Sustainable Development: New Challenges and Opportunities" and brought together
a diverse range of actors to discuss a range of issues related to trade and
development. The conference emphasized the need to ensure that recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic is inclusive and sustainable, and highlighted the importance of
promoting greater coherence between trade, investment, and technology policies to
promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

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