UNCTAD´s technical cooperation activities are a significant element in achieving the objectives and policies outlined in the Accra Accord, adopted by the Conference at its twelth session held in Accra (Ghana) in April 2008.

Technical Cooperation represents the practical manifestation of the organization´s commitment to national, regional and global development exploiting the interrelationships between policy analysis, intergovernmental deliberations and operational activities.

As the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development and the interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development, UNCTAD´s technical cooperation activities address these issues in a mutually complementary fashion. Arrangements for the funding and provision of UNCTAD´s technical cooperation are diverse.

The Trade and Development Board adopted in October 2003 a new Strategy for UNCTAD´s technical cooperation (TDB decision 478 L). The Strategy provides the scope, guiding principles and objectives of UNCTAD´s technical cooperation.

The main focus of technical cooperation activities is also outlined in the Strategy as well as modalities for monitoring and evaluation of the projects. TDB decision 492 (LIV) of October 2007, and 495 (LV) of September 2008 as well as the Accra Accord (Subtheme 4, Part c) further elaborated and updated the UNCTAD technical cooperation strategy.

The thrust of UNCTAD´s technical cooperation is capacity development in the four main areas of its work i.e. globalization and development; international trade in goods and services and commodities; investment and enterprise development; trade logistics and technology; services infrastructure for development and trade efficiency.

UNCTAD´s technical cooperation aims at enhancing capacity development in beneficiary countries. In pursuing that goal, UNCTAD´s technical cooperation activities seek to enhance the human and institutional capacities of developing countries to strengthen their national development policies and to create an environment conducive to sustainable development.

UNCTAD´s technical cooperation is provided in partnership with other agencies providers of trade related technical assistance, in consonance with respective mandates, expertise and areas of comparative advantage.

This partnership and co-operation helps to minimise the incidence of duplication, results in the creation of synergies and insures sequencing of activities. UNCTAD leads the CEB Interagency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity.