UNCTAD´s annual Commission on Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities, will hold its 10th session from 6-10 February and will carry out an intergovernmental policy dialogue on a broad range of issues (see agenda) impacting on the trade and development of developing countries. These would include key national and international policy options, as well as sector-specific initiatives. The Commission will also provide an opportunity to have an in-depth discussion of some key development implications of trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and of regional trade agreements (RTAs).
Prominent experts in the field, Geneva-based ambassadors and trade diplomats will try to reach consensus on specific recommendations on trade and development in 2006.
A welcome address will be given by UNCTAD Secretary-General Supachai Panitchpakdi on Monday, 6 February, at 10 a.m., and Mr. Panitchpakdi will also speak at 3 p.m. to open Monday afternoon´s high-level segment on "Climbing the trade and development ladder." This event (3-6 p.m.) will discuss UNCTAD´s pioneering work on the Trade and Development Index. (Information on the Trade and Development Index, unveiled last fall, including a list of national rankings under the index, may be obtained from press release UNCTAD/PRESS/PR/2005/050 of 2 November 2005)
On Tuesday, 7 February, several panels will be held on commodities and poverty reduction. These include the International Task Force on Commodities, "small farmers and supply chains" (10:00 a.m. -1 p.m.), strengthening commodity trade and finance institutions in developing countries, and improving the management of commodity resources (3-6 p.m.).
Panel discussions on Wednesday, 8 February, will focus on environmental matters. One panel will focus on environmental requirements and market access for exports from developing countries, including "the gap between stringent market access requirements and social and economic realities of small producers in developing countries including opportunities arising from the holistic approach under organic agriculture" (10 a.m.-1 p.m.). There will also be a discussion on salient issues in the WTO trade and environment negotiations. A second panel will take up trade, development and investment opportunities from climate change and an emerging market for biofuels among developing countries (3-5 p.m.), including how the EU Novel Food Regulation is affecting the promotion of trade in products derived from the sustainable use of biodiversity in developing countries.
On Thursday, 9 February, two panels will discuss the role of services in development. One panel will examine the assessment of trade in services and development gains (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.). The results of national and sectoral studies and ongoing assessments conducted by UNCTAD in several countries and regions will be discussed. The second panel will examine "The state of play in the GATS negotiations" (3-6 p.m.), and look into the next steps in the negotiations in the aftermath of the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference, focusing on the trade and development interests of developing countries.
Finally on Friday, 10 February, a panel will take up Market access, market entry and competitiveness issues including non-tariff barriers that affect the exports of developing countries and the new and dynamic sectors of world trade (10 a.m. - noon).
A list of panellists will be placed in the Palais newsroom and is available on the UNCTAD website, along with the annotated agenda and other relevant documentation. The documentation covers the state of play and global trends in relevant thematic areas, as well as analyses of their trade and development implications.
The Trade Commission meets once a year to address trade-related issues and provide guidance for the work of the secretariat and UNCTAD Member States. The decisions of the Commission are taken by consensus, and thus agreed conclusions and recommendations reflect the collective political will of UNCTAD´s membership.
