The African continent remains by and large marginalized in the world economy, with over half of its population living under US$1 a day per person.  If the major Millennium Development Goal of reducing poverty by half by the year 2015 is to be achieved in Africa, major policy shifts are required, at national and international levels, to boost growth and development in the region.

UNCTAD, through its analysis of African socio-economic issues, aims to increase global understanding of the development problems of the continent and to promote action at national, regional and international levels to accelerate African development and allow a fuller participation and integration of African countries into the world economy.

To that end, UNCTAD cooperates with relevant regional and international organizations. It also contributes to the New Partnership for Africa´s development (NEPAD) - in particular its cluster on agriculture, market access and diversification - and participates in the annual regional consultations of UN agencies working in Africa.