Regional Course on Key Issues on the International Economic Agenda - for developing countries and least developed countries in Africa

The course will focus on the links between trade, investment, finance and development, including in the context of international trade negotiations.

Its aim is as follows:

1. Enhance understanding of the relationship between these areas and their links to country development strategies.

2. Provide participants with knowledge and skills for the design and implementation of trade and development policies, as well as for trade negotiations, corresponding to the needs and interests of their countries.

The course syllabus will draw on the perspective of UNCTAD, its analytical work and lessons learned from its technical cooperation activities, and will be enriched by the competence and expertise of representatives of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and of national experts in these areas of work.

The course is aimed primarily at mid-level government officers in ministries and institutions dealing with trade, investment and finance and development issues, who are involved in the formulation and implementation of national trade and development policies. As appropriate, and depending on the availability of places, other applicants, such as university academics, may be considered.

The course will be given in English, with simultaneous interpretation into French. Training materials will be made available in English, with some documentation in French. Candidates are expected to have a full working knowledge of English.

In the interest of efficiency, the application process is divided into two steps. First, UNCTAD member States from Africa are invited to present the names and e-mail addresses of qualified candidates as soon as possible through their permanent missions in Geneva. Second, these candidates will be contacted by the secretariat to complete an application online on the course website; this process must be completed by 7 November 2016.

It is therefore advisable that the names and e-mail addresses of candidates be submitted as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for them to submit their applications through the online process. Member States and/or successful candidates will be notified of the decision of the UNCTAD selection committee by 25 November 2016.

Member States are encouraged to nominate more than one candidate per country, in which case they may wish to rank the candidates. The selection committee will take this ranking into consideration, provided that the preferred candidate meets the eligibility criteria.