The Accra Accord adopted at UNCTAD XII reiterated the importance of UNCTAD´s technical cooperation activities as one of the main functions of UNCTAD.

The two-track approach for addressing technical cooperation-related issues in UNCTAD — that was put in place two years ago in response to important United Nations system-wide reform — continued in 2007.

At the UNCTAD level, actions were taken to enhance the management of technical cooperation.

The UNCTAD Project Review Committee was established and is now meeting regularly.

Progress was made with respect to reducing the number of trust funds, and moving towards establishment of thematic trust funds.

Contributions to trust funds amounted to approximately $37 million, reflecting a 26 per cent increase, in nominal terms, over 2006.

Expenditures on technical cooperation activities contracted by more than 10 per cent and amounted to $31 million. Geographical distribution of delivery remained more or less unchanged.

Seven new projects, with a total budget of $3.5 million, were approved for implementation by UNCTAD under the fifth tranche of the United Nations Development Account.

The Automated System for Customs Data (Asycuda) continued to remain the largest technical cooperation programme of UNCTAD, accounting for 36 per cent of total delivery.

At the United Nations level, actions were taken in support of the "Delivering as One" reform process and system-wide coherence.

As an instrument and platform for UNCTAD to contribute to that process, the establishment of the inter-agency cluster on trade and productive capacity, led by UNCTAD, was approved by the United Nations Chief Executives Board (CEB) for Coordination.

The cluster met several times and important initiatives were taken and headway was made in several areas.

Within the framework of the cluster, joint programming missions and coordinated operations were undertaken in the "One United Nations" pilot countries.

The cluster is rapidly moving beyond the scope of pilot countries to encompass other initiatives that require inter-agency coordination.

These include:

• Arrangements to ensure a wider role of trade and productive capacity issues in the United Nations development operations.
  
  
• Formulation of common views on Aid for Trade.
  
  
• Inter-agency training programmes for United Nations resident coordinators.
  
  
• Joint operations in the context of the Enhanced Integrated Framework.

The present report contains proposals for action in support of enhancing the effectiveness of UNCTAD operational activities.