2001
Statement on the Challenge of Eradicating Poverty for Sustainable Development (May 14, 2001)
At the Third UN Conference on the LDCs, organized by UNCTAD, Kofi Annan said that the developed countries should abolish all their tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in agricultural products, textiles and other products of special interest to the LDCs.
2000
Bilateral Investment Treaties Quintupled During the 1990s (December 15, 2000)
A report released by UNCTAD says that the number of treaties signed between countries increased tremendously from 63 at the end of the 1980s to 833 at the end of the 1990s. (UNCTAD Press Release)
World FDI Flows Exceed US$ 1.1 Trillion in 2000 (December 7, 2000)
Preliminary estimates in an UNCTAD Press Release revealed that Western Europe is still the largest recipient of the foreign direct investment flows. Developing countries' share in the world total however fell to 17%.
Regional Trade Agreements Can Lead to Multilateral Agreements, Say Experts (October 25, 2000)
Can regionalism among developing countries enable them to integrate and participate on equal levels in the world economy? (Earth Times)
UNCTAD Board Urges Closer International Cooperation (October 24, 2000)
As a measure to fill the investment gap to help boost Africa's development, the Trade and Development Board of UNCTAD has stressed the need for increased foreign capital flows, private and official aid and institutional reforms to reverse capital flight. (Third World Network)
UNCTAD Highlights Flaws in Development-Financing Policy (October 12, 2000)
Examining the issue of development financing in the least developed countries, UNCTAD says " the rethink that is taking place in the areas of aid and debt relief and the new development policies that have arisen do not constitute a constructive new beginning".
UNCTAD Urges New Deal For LDCs (October 12, 2000)
In its press release, UNCTAD reports that for Least Developed Countries to benefit from debt relief, the donor countries must increase their efforts to ensure these countries' "sustainable exit from the debt trap". (UNCTAD Press Release)
Two Thirds of UNs Designated LDC Lost Ground to Others in the 1990s (October 12, 2000)
A great number of LDCs are caught in a downward spiral in which economic regression, social stress and violent conflict mutually reinforce each other. Improvements are therefore needed in international development cooperation or these countries remain Pockets of Poverty. (UNCTAD Report)
FDI to Exceed 1 Trillion Dollars (October 3, 2000)
UNCTAD has released the 2000 World Investment Report, addressing Foreign Direct Investment flows, activities of Transnational Corporations and the rising number of Mergers & Acquisitions. (Inter Press Service)
Amid Healthy Signs, Large Imbalances Remain in Global Economy (September 19, 2000)
The UNCTAD's annual Trade and Development Report shows an uneven performance of the world economy, with the US and Asia profiting the most. Future growth prospects for developing countries remain under threat. Includes links to UNCTAD resources. (UN Newservice)
More Is Less: UNCTAD Shows The Way (July 27, 2000)
A doubling of today's development aid could trigger a virtuous circle of rising investment and increased consumption in underdeveloped countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, an UNCTAD study says. These countries' aid dependence could be ended within a decade.(UNCTAD Press Release)
From Washington Consensus to Bangkok Convergence (April 2000)
At the close of the Conference, UNCTAD secretary-general, Rubens Ricupero, spoke of the so-called 'Washington Consensus', which held out the policies of deregulation, privatisation and liberalisation as the prerequisites for economic development, and called for a new international order to serve as as the basis for economic discourse. (Third World Resurgence)
UNCTAD Says Africa May Lose Out In Globalisation (March 29, 2000)
UNCTAD secretary-general, Rubens Ricupero, speaks out about UNCTAD's projects for Africa, calling for actions to help them prepare for multilateral commercial negotiations "which requires a lot of technical skill," he added. (Panafrican News Agency)
Mahathir Concerned Over Emerging World Monopolies (March 16, 2000)
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia expresses concern at UNCTAD X over the plans of corporations in some industries to take advantage of liberalization and globalization through mergers and acquisitions.(Australian Coalition for Economic Justice)
Africa's Potential As Emerging Market Cited (March 9, 2000)
The secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, citing a joint UNCTAD-ICC report said Africa could become a vibrant international market if companies "choose" to invest there. (UN Business Weekly)
Forgiving a Dying Man's Debt Isn't Enough (February 23, 2000)
Applauding the Algerian presidents in depth analysis of the economic plight of Africa and the inadequate response to it by Western governments, this (South-North Development Monitor) article looks beyond UNCTAD X to the future of trade and development policy.
UN Trade Meeting Brings Rich and Poor No Closer (February 20, 2000)
A key unresolved issue among the 160 delegations to the 10th annual UN Trade meeting was a demand by poor nations that the more developed nations open their markets fully to their products, without tariff barriers. (New York Times)
Africa Being 'Wiped Off Map' (February 18, 2000)
Amid protests, Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in a speech concerning the future of the world economy at UNCTAD X, criticized current trade policy, as exclusively benefiting richer developed countries, and "rubbing Africa off" the new world map. (BBC News)
Disputes on Farm Trade and Corruption Block U.N. Plan for Poor (February 18, 2000)
Though uncontroversial in terms, an UNCTAD four year plan aimed at augmenting developing countries participation in world trade was blocked by North-South disputes over Agricultural and Corruption stipulations. (Reuters)
West Blocks UNCTAD Deal (February 18, 2000)
As protests increase at UNCTAD X, industrialized countries refuse to make any concrete concessions on development and trade. (BBC News)
UNCTAD X Hears Representatives of NGOs in General Debate (February 17, 2000)
UN Press Release provides statements made by several NGOs at the tenth UN Conference on Trade and Development in Bangkok.
Narrowing The Gap (February 17, 2000)
Thailand's Deputy Premier, and future WTO chief, Supachai Panitchpakdi sees UNCTAD X as enhancing the role of not only the UN, but of developing nations, in influencing the future direction of trade and development policy. (Far Eastern Economic Review)
Asian Leaders Condemn Multinationals (February 15, 2000)
Asian leaders express concern of the growing power of leading multinational corporations at UNCTAD X. (BBC News)
New Trade Talks Hampered by Divide Between Rich, Poor Nations (February 15, 2000)
High powered trading countries, who are benefiting most from globalization, chose to down play developing countries concerns over the unequal benefits of globalization -- by simply not showing up at UNCTAD X. (Agence-Presse)
ILO Chief in Bangkok Knocks Globalization (February 15, 2000)
The head of the International Labour Organization, Juan Somavia, echoed protestors concerns, stating that the gains of globalization were not reaching enough people.
IMF's Chief Calls for G7 Summit Shakeup (February 13, 2000)
In his last speech at the 10th annual UNCTAD summit, IMF Chief, Michael Camdessus blames inconsistent International policy making as the source of the staggering gap between rich and poor. (Reuters)
UNCTAD has Legitimacy on Development and Trade (February 13, 2000)
Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero starts UNCTAD X by defending UNCTAD'S legitimacy, as an all-inclusive democratic organization, to assist developing countries influence the direction of trade and development policy. (South-North Development Monitor)
Least Developed Countries Increasingly Marginalized in Globalized Economy (February 13, 2000)
UNCTAD reports that the 1990's "has become the decade of increasing marginalization for the Least Developed Countries. Representing 12% of the world's population, these countries participation in world exports and imports has declined by 40% since 1980.
UN Chief Blames Rich Nations for Failure of Trade Talks (February 12, 2000)
Secretary General Kofi Annan calls for a 'Global New Deal' to remedy the imbalances between rich and poor countries. By loosening trade barriers by industrialized countries for a freer flow of goods, jobs and capital, poor countries would also be able to benefit from globalization.(Agence France-Presse)
UNCTAD: Time to Lead, Time to Challenge the WTO (January 31, 2000)
An analytical piece by Walden Bello, tracing the origins of UNCTAD, its development into a voice for the Third World and the subsequent pruning of its mandate by developed countries. The author suggests that in light of the failed WTO talks at Seattle and the loss in legitimacy that the Bretton Woods institutions have suffered, UNCTAD could serve as a counterpoint to discredited neo-liberal ideologies.
Financing for Development: Current Trends and Issues for the Future (January 25, 2000)
Kwesi Botchwey, an economist at Harvard University, delivered this paper at UNCTAD X. As well as providing a comprehensive discussion of the current issues of Financing for Development, the report includes a number of revealing tables on ODA, HIPC debt and FDI. (UNCTAD)
1999
Next Trade Meeting Can Make Amends (December 15, 1999)
The UNCTAD 10th Conference in Thailand, to be held in February, offers a chance for third world trade concerns to be voiced.(UN Wire)
Openness, Deficits and Lack of Development (October/November 1999)
"Jayati Ghosh argues that, in view of the findings of UNCTAD's latest Trade and Development Report, greater trade and financial integration of the developing countries has resulted in the worsening of their balance-of-payments position and domestic economic growth." (Third World Watch)
1998
Analytical Review of the 1998 UNCTAD Report (October, 14 1998)
A series of articles by Martin Khor which present a comprehensive analysis of nations in financial crisis and provide a critique of the IMF approach.
Business and NGOs in the Global Partnership Process (September 1998)
Paper prepared for Partners for Development Summit, UNCTAD 1998 acknowleges business ands NGOs as major players in the global partnership process to promote international development.
Statement by NGOs, on the Need to Review UNCTAD's Approach to a Possible Multilateral Framework on Investment (July 1, 1998)
Submitted to the Secretary-General of UNCTAD.
UNCTAD Sounds Warning on Globalization (September 11, 1997)
UNCTAD press release on its Trade and Development Report 1997.
