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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

(Reference)

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), established in accordance with UNGA Resolution 1995 (XIX) on December 30, 1964, is one of the universal and global forums for considering and making recommendations on development issues and related issues of trade, finance, and debt , investment, technology transfer, etc. The headquarters of the Organization is located in Geneva.

UNCTAD members are 194 states. 114 intergovernmental and 211 non-governmental organizations have the status of observers.

General Secretary UNCTAD is appointed for a four-year term by the UN Secretary General and approved by the UNGA. Since September 1, 2013 this post has been occupied by Muhisa Kitui (Kenya). Since April 1, 2015, the Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD has been the former Permanent Representative of Sweden to the WTO, Jakim Reiter.

In accordance with its mandate, UNCTAD carries out its activities in three main areas: analytical work, consensus building on topical trade and development issues, and implementation of technical assistance programs.

The powers of UNCTAD also include holding international negotiations, participating in the implementation of the decisions of global forums, promoting constructive approaches and recommendations, as well as political initiatives on issues considered by other international organizations. An important aspect of the Organization's activities is the principle of universality, which implies the need to take into account the specific interests of all member countries and groups of countries.

The budget of UNCTAD consists of a regular budget (for the period 2014-2015 - 147.9 million US dollars), approved by the UN General Assembly and covering the functioning of the secretariat of the Organization, carrying out the main body of analytical work and preparing publications, and a fund for the implementation of technical assistance programs, formed at the expense of contributions from donors (states, private companies, as well as project financing by other IOs of the UN system, such as UNDP). In 2014-2015 the amount of extrabudgetary funding for programs amounted to 75.5 million US dollars.

The highest body of UNCTAD is the ministerial conference, which is convened every four years. The dates and venue of the event are set by the UN General Assembly. The first UNCTAD Conference was held in Geneva in 1964. The last - UNCTAD-X - in 2000 in Bangkok, UNCTAD-XI - in 2004 in Sao Paulo, UNCTAD-HP - in 2008 in Accra, UNCTAD-XIII - in 2012 in Doha. The UNCTAD-XIV conference took place on July 17-22, 2016 in Nairobi.

The Trade and Development Board (TCB) of UNCTAD coordinates the work of the Organization between ministerial conferences. The Council includes 155 countries. The BC meets once a year (in autumn) for a regular session, as well as up to three times a year - for executive sessions.

The Chairman of the BC is elected during the session of the Council from one of the regional groups in rotation for a period of one year. Currently, the Chairman of the STR is the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN Office in Geneva, Alberto Pedro D'Alotto.

The Presidium of the BC (12 members) assists the Chairman in the work and makes recommendations on topical issues of the Organization's activities. Its composition is composed of representatives of all regional groups on the basis of the principle of equitable geographical distribution.

The UNCTAD commissions are subsidiary bodies of the STR. They are convened once a year to discuss topical issues under the jurisdiction of the Organization and develop appropriate recommendations. Currently, in accordance with the Accra decisions on the structural optimization of the Conference, three commissions are functioning:

UNCTAD Commission on Investment, Enterprise and Development.

UNCTAD Commission on Trade and Development.

UNCTAD Commission on Science and Technology for Development (a subsidiary body of ECOSOC).

The work of the commissions is supplemented by UNCTAD expert meetings of one or more years, during which more specific aspects of trade and economic issues are discussed. Each of the Commissions convenes two or three expert meetings annually. Topics for meetings and meetings of experts are selected based on proposals member countries Organizations.

The status of UNCTAD implies participation in the activities carried out by the Organization by representatives of national governments endowed with appropriate powers. However, taking into account that the UNCTAD work format does not actually imply the adoption of legally binding documents for all member countries (this may rather relate to the participation of individual countries in specific technical assistance projects), powers are “formalized” only for delegates participating in ongoing every four years UNCTAD ministerial conferences. In this regard, there are cases of participation in meetings of experts by representatives of national executive authorities, who, nevertheless, work at these events “in their personal capacity” and do not make statements on behalf of their states.

In fact, the representation of states at events held in Geneva through UNCTAD is ensured in the overwhelming majority of cases by diplomats of national permanent missions. This equally characterizes the practice of both developed and developing countries.

The “expansion” of national delegations (mainly due to the secondment of representatives of the Foreign Ministries and ministries in charge of the trade and economic bloc from the capitals) can occur if high-ranking representatives of the authorities participate in these events (for example, as panellist speakers or who are in Geneva for meetings and negotiations with UNCTAD management or the secretariat), or if there is a special interest in the issues on the agenda of a particular event (all materials and reports for upcoming meetings are posted on the Organization's website in advance). On the whole, there are no "patterns" in sending such extended delegations.

There is a practice of UNCTAD divisions sending out invitations to experts (including governmental ones) directly, “bypassing” the Geneva permanent missions, which caused recent times numerous complaints from member countries. The management of the organization is trying to systematize and unify the procedure for sending such invitations and continue to use official channels for this.

In addition to the events that the UNCTAD secretariat is directly responsible for preparing, a number of industry events are held annually under the auspices of the Organization and with the participation of its experts (for example, the Global Resources Forum and the Intergovernmental Forum on the Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector and its Mineral Resources Base). The Public Symposium, held in the summer, is intended to help expand UNCTAD's engagement with civil society.

The staff of the UNCTAD Secretariat consists of approximately 400 employees (including 10 Russian citizens). Structurally, the Secretariat is divided into five departments:

Department of Globalization and Development Strategies;

Department of Investments and Entrepreneurship;

Department of International Trade in Goods, Services and Commodities;

Department of Technology and Logistics;

Department of Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programs.

Assistance Programs

The topics of the programs and the selection of experts for their implementation are largely determined by the governments of the donor countries. Accordingly, these projects are focused primarily on the needs of donor countries and reflect their economic interests in the recipient countries. Currently, this tool is actively used not only by Western countries - traditional ODA donors, but also by developing countries such as China and Brazil, especially in the African region. In this regard, studying the experience of effective use of donorship in terms of UNCTAD technical assistance projects is of undoubted interest for Russia as well.

Considering that the main beneficiaries of UNCTAD's technical assistance programs are developing countries (this follows directly from the Organization's mandate), Russia's participation as a recipient of assistance in most of them is not possible. At the same time, being a recognized center of world expertise in the field of trade and economic policy, UNCTAD is open to working with stakeholders to develop new projects that reflect the interests of specific states and regional blocs (in the case of Russia, the CIS region). At the same time, one should proceed from the existing objective limitations, in particular, the two-year cycle of budget planning.

So, the plan for the period 2016-2017. is currently being agreed and we can talk about the development of new projects, the implementation of which is expected within the specified time frame.

Of UNCTAD programs that have been in operation for many years the greatest interest in terms of possible participation (or expansion of participation) of Russia are the following.

Country reviews of investment policy. One of the most targeted and effective, according to the estimates of the recipient countries and UNCTAD management, technical assistance tools in the Organization's arsenal.

When preparing the review, UNCTAD assesses the current situation, studies the medium and long-term prospects in the country in terms of attracting foreign direct investment. At the same time, the “active phase” of collecting information “in the field”, with the deployment of UNCTAD experts to the country of review, usually takes about one year. Based on the results of the study, a strategic action plan is developed to implement UNCTAD recommendations, which is submitted to the government for approval.

The preparation of an investment policy review by UNCTAD experts and its subsequent presentation on its “fields” undoubtedly refers to high-profile events in the calendar of the Organization and, in addition to practical benefits for the customer state bodies responsible for the formation of investment policy, gives a noticeable positive signal to foreign investors. There is also a practice of evaluation by UNCTAD experts of the implementation of prescribed recommendations and their effectiveness.

In total, UNCTAD conducted more than 30 such reviews, including three reviews for the CIS member states - Uzbekistan (1999), Belarus (2010) and Moldova (2014). In all cases, the project was funded by UNDP. According to our partners, after the reviews, there was a noticeable positive effect in the process of attracting FDI, the mechanisms of state regulation of investment processes were improved.

The preparation of an investment review for Russia could bring a similar “stimulating effect” and increase the investment attractiveness of our country on the world stage. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately US$ 150,000 per year (includes preparation of the review - usually within two years, as well as possible follow-up activities for expert support of the implementation of the recommendations prescribed in the review into national policy). At the same time, one should proceed from the fact that for Russia, as a large developed state, the allocation of donor funds from UNCTAD trust funds is practically impossible.

UNCTAD Virtual Institute. It is a network of educational and research institutions with a focal point in Geneva. Formed in 2004 by decision of the UNCTAD-XI Ministerial Conference (Sao Paulo). The main objective of the Virtual Institute is to develop links between national academic institutions specializing in economic issues, as well as international trade and development issues. As conceived by the organizers, this project is designed to mobilize the expert participation of the academic community in the discussion of topical issues within the competence of UNCTAD.

Currently, the Virtual Institute brings together 96 higher education institutions and research centers in 43 countries.

EMPRETEC. Since 1988, UNCTAD has been implementing the EMPRETEC program in the field of supporting small and medium-sized businesses (from the Spanish emprendedores - entrepreneurship and tecnologia - technology). The main core of the project is a 6-day educational seminar-training conducted by certified EMPRETEC teachers on the methodology of Harvard University. The training is aimed at the formation of self-motivation and the cultivation of the psychology of a successful entrepreneur.

Currently, the program is being actively implemented in 34 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Jordan, South Africa, Uganda, Romania, and others.

The key product of the program is the training of entrepreneurs through special seminars and trainings. In many countries (mostly in Latin America), EMPRETEC is part of national strategies for entrepreneurship and job creation.

ASYCUDA. In the area of ​​customs facilitation, UNCTAD has been running the ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data) project since 1981, designed to promote international trade by automating the customs clearance process (one-stop-shop concept).

ASYCUDA is a package software, which allows registering the passage of goods through customs, electronic declaration of goods, as well as automated control over the timely payment of all types of customs payments, excises, etc. An important function of the system is also the automation of the issuance of certificates, licenses and other permits. The FEA participant and regulatory agencies have the opportunity to check the status of execution of such documents in real time. ASYCUDA also enables effective cross-agency risk management based on cross-validation against databases.

The system was developed in accordance with best practices, recommendations of UNECE, WCO, ISO, ITU and other organizations. The software package provides ample opportunities for adaptation to the requirements or existing technical infrastructure of a particular state. After the launch, debugging and transfer of management skills by ASYCUDA experts (carried out on a non-commercial basis - that is, only the actual costs associated, for example, with the dispatch of UNCTAD experts and the salaries of project coordinators) are covered, the functioning of the system is fully provided by the relevant national authorities.

According to UNTCAD management, ASYCUDA is one of the Organization's most successful and sought-after "products" (it is also the largest project in terms of coverage - it is being implemented in 90 countries, mainly in Africa, the Caribbean and South-East Asia).

UNCTAD-Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). The dialogue between UNCTAD and the EEC is being built on the basis of a bilateral memorandum of cooperation signed on May 23, 2013 in Astana. Prospects for the development of interaction were discussed during the meeting between the Member of the Board for the main areas of integration and macroeconomics of the EEC T.D.Valova and the Deputy Secretary General of UNCTAD J.Reiter (Geneva, July 2015). Among other things, the parties discussed the issue of the possible organization of joint analytical work on the study of integration processes within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

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General information

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The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental structure and is an organ of the UN General Assembly. The main tasks of UNCTAD are to promote the development of international trade and fair competition, to establish a favorable investment climate in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and to provide them with technical assistance in these areas.
UNCTAD is a universal global forum for the comprehensive consideration of international trade and development issues, related issues of investment, finance, debt, technology transfer and the development of relevant resolutions, which are of a recommendatory nature. Under the auspices of UNCTAD, relevant multilateral agreements and conventions are being developed.
The mandate of the Organization also requires it to come up with constructive approaches, recommendations and political initiatives on similar issues considered by other international organizations (primarily the WTO). In doing so, UNCTAD is called upon to play a leading role in building consensus on new issues on the international trade agenda, especially those with implications for developing countries and countries with economies in transition, in facilitating the adaptation of these States to new trading conditions and their integration into the global trading system. UNCTAD is the initiator of the development of the idea of ​​the Generalized System of Preferences, issues of trade in services, studies on tariff escalation, South-South trade, brain drain, etc. Many ideas of the Conference, for example, special and differential treatment for developing countries, have entered the GATT WTO.
UNCTAD includes 192 States, i.е. all members of the UN. Many intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations also take part in its work. The headquarters of the Conference is located in Geneva.
The supreme body of UNCTAD is its session (Conference), which is convened at least once every four years at the ministerial level to adopt program documents. The date and place of the sessions are set General Assembly th UN. The first session was held in 1964 in Geneva, the last (twelfth) - in Accra (Ghana) in 2008.
The theme of the XII session of UNCTAD is "Opportunities and challenges posed by globalization for development". The session adopted the final document "Accra Accord", which defines priority areas activities of UNCTAD in the near future, incl. promoting greater coherence in global policy development at all levels for sustainable development and poverty reduction. XIII session was held in 2012 in Qatar.
The executive body of UNCTAD is the Trade and Development Council (STR). The regular session of the Council is held annually (in autumn) and includes a one-day High-Level Segment to discuss the main agenda item. As a rule, executive sessions of the BC are convened three times a year, at which mainly current issues are considered. At the decision of the Council or at the request of the majority of the members of the Council, sessions of UNCTAD or the UN General Assembly, special sessions are convened.
Within the framework of the STR, there are two permanent commissions: on trade and development; on Investment, Entrepreneurship and Development (meetings are held once a year). Within the framework of the commissions, meetings of working groups and meetings of experts are regularly held throughout the year. UNCTAD also hosts meetings of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, which is formally a subsidiary body of ECOSOC.
Outside of the standing committees, on a regular (sessional) basis, there is a working group on the medium-term plan and budget, which considers proposals for budget programs for a two-year period and analyzes the progress in the implementation of approved programs. UNCTAD's financial resources are formed from contributions from the UN regular budget (section "Trade and Development") and extrabudgetary funds (voluntary contributions spent primarily on financing technical assistance). The budget of UNCTAD in recent years is drawn up in accordance with the principle of zero real growth (adjusted for inflation): in 2004-2005. - 110.2 million dollars, in 2006-2007. - 112.5 million dollars, in 2008-2009 - 117.3 million dollars, in 2010-2011. - 133.1 million dollars, 2012-2012 - 139.1 million dollars. The amount of voluntary contributions is constantly increasing, which, as a result, increases the dependence of the Organization on the political preferences of donor countries and causes concern for developing countries.
The STR Bureau is the permanent body regulating the work of UNCTAD between the annual sessions of the Council.
The UNCTAD secretariat is located in Geneva and employs about 400 people. It is headed by the Secretary General. At the end of May 2013, in connection with the end of the second term of office (September 15, 2013) of Supachaya Panitchpakdi (Thailand), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon submitted for approval by the UNGA the candidacy of Muhisa Kitui (Kenya) as the new Secretary General of UNCTAD for the term of office for 4 years.
The Secretariat is organized into six divisions: Division of Globalization and Development Strategies; Department of Investments and Entrepreneurship; Department of International Trade in Goods, Services and Commodities; Department of Technology and Logistics; Africa, LDCs and Special Programs Division; Department of Administrative Affairs.
The Executive Directorate includes the Secretariats of the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretaries-General, the Program Planning and Evaluation Unit, the Technical Cooperation Coordination and Evaluation Unit, and the UNCTAD Senior Counsel Service. The administrative service and the intergovernmental mechanism support service are not formally included in the executive directorate, but work under its control.
Recently, there has been a certain marginalization of UNCTAD. Today, global negotiations on finance, trade and investment are largely conducted outside of it. In this regard, a discussion was initiated in UNCTAD on the tasks and directions of the work of the Organization. The main reference document for this discussion is the Report of the Panel of Eminent Persons entitled "Strengthening the Role and Impact of UNCTAD in Development Matters", published in December 2006.
The informal consultations that lasted for several months demonstrated the ambiguous attitude of various states towards this document. Developing countries express a very reserved attitude towards the recommendations of "eminent persons". In their view, the practical implementation of the recommendations could limit UNCTAD's mandate and increase the Organization's dependence on the will of donor states. In the vision of developing countries, the Commission can and should play an important role in overcoming existing asymmetries in international trade and economic relations, creating a more equitable world economic order, and increasing the degree of participation of developing countries in the management of globalization processes. They express their interest in UNCTAD continuing to be a forum for testing various ideas, based on the principle of pluralism of opinions.
Western states are emphasizing the need to "improve internal management" of UNCTAD, improve the quality of technical assistance projects and strengthen donor control over the use of the Organization's financial resources. In practice, they would like to turn UNCTAD into a kind of "technical assistance agency for developing countries". In this regard, the countries of the EU, the USA, Canada, and Switzerland are in favor of the earliest practical implementation of the recommendations, understanding by this the “soft reform” of UNCTAD.
Work on recommendations to improve the effectiveness of UNCTAD was carried out in preparation for the ministerial conference UNCTAD-XII. As a result, a number of decisions were made in Accra to improve the institutional effectiveness of UNCTAD, including on optimization of analytical work, consolidation of technical assistance projects, etc. The role of STR has been strengthened, incl. in terms of participating in the editing of the annual resolution of the UN General Assembly on trade and development. Summing up the interim results of the implementation of the Accra Agreement in the framework of the regular session of the BC in September 2010 revealed the need to reorganize and improve the efficiency of the UNCTAD Secretariat in this direction. At the same time, contradictions remain in the approaches of Western countries (linking donor assistance with the introduction of “good governance” systems, environmental standards, liberalization of investment regimes) and developing countries (promotion within UNCTAD of concepts of interest to them " new geography world trade”, “space for policy maneuver”).
Beginning in 2008 and up to the present, the problems of the global financial and economic crisis have come to the fore in UNCTAD's activities. Analytical reports prepared by the organization's secretariat in 2009 on "anti-crisis" topics contain very harsh criticism of the economic and trade policies of developed countries that preceded the crisis. In 2010, the issue of employment was added to the range of issues discussed at the UNCTAD platform, which is becoming increasingly important in the light of overcoming the global recession, which led not only to a sharp increase in the number of unemployed, but also to the exacerbation of a number of specific problems in the labor markets, in features in developing countries.
In July 2013, the Eurasian Economic Commission received UNCTAD observer status. The new format of cooperation between organizations provides more opportunities for the EEC, including for the implementation of the cooperation program for 2013-2015. between ECE and UNCTAD.
Russia uses the UNCTAD platform in discussing issues of international trade and defending its own interests in this area, and makes extensive use of the reference and analytical materials of the Organization. We are consistently pursuing a policy of preserving UNCTAD's mandate and the principle of universality in its activities.

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Introduction

trade foreign economic world conference

The progress of the world community is inextricably linked with the dynamic development of the world economy and foreign economic activity. By the end of the twentieth century, they acquired a new quality, which manifests itself:

In the formation of international forms of production, global systems of trade and finance;

In the activities of transnational companies and banks, which have concentrated a significant part of the goods, capital, and technologies formed in the world economy;

In the development and introduction of international rules and regulations for foreign economic relations and the world economy.

An important process affecting world economy became the processes of multilateral trade economic organizations. Including a trade and economic organization such as UNCTAD.

Its main tasks are: to encourage international trade, primarily between developed and developing countries; develop recommendations on the development of international trade and economic relations; serve as a center for coordinating the policy of governments and regional economic groupings of trade and related aspects of economic development; contribute to the coordination of the activities of other UN agencies on international trade.

The most important task of UNCTAD is to promote the development of international trade.

1. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

The United Nations Organization, the UN is an international organization created to maintain and strengthen international peace and security, to develop cooperation between states.

"The UN remains a universal forum endowed with unique legitimacy, the supporting structure of the international system of collective security, the main element of modern multilateral diplomacy."

« UNCTAD- The UN Conference on Trade and Development is an organ of the UN General Assembly. The conference was founded in 1964. The headquarters of UNCTAD is located in Geneva. To date, the conference has 194 countries. UNCTAD's decisions are taken in the form of resolutions and are advisory in nature. The General Secretary is Supachai Panitchpakdi. from 01.09.2013

The main tasks of UNCTAD are:

· promoting the development of international trade;

· equal, mutually beneficial cooperation between states;

· Participation in the coordination of activities of other agencies of the UN system in the field of economic development of economic relations and the promotion of international trade.

The executive body is the Trade and Development Board, which is responsible for ensuring that activities are generally consistent with the agreed priorities. The UNCTAD secretariat cooperates with the governments of member states, interacts with UN organizations and regional commissions.

Since 1990, UNCTAD has introduced an indicator that characterizes the degree of involvement of TNCs in foreign economies: the Index of Transnational Companies. It is calculated on the basis of partial indicators:

Share of foreign assets

Share of overseas sales

Share of workers employed abroad

The Member States are divided into four groups according to socio-economic and geographical principles.

In the 1970s and 1980s, UNCTAD was closely associated with the idea of ​​the New International Economic Order.

2. Objectives of UNCTAD

· promoting the development of international trade in order to accelerate economic growth and development, especially in developing countries;

· establishing principles and policies relating to international trade and related economic development problems, in particular in the areas of finance, investment, transfer of technology;

· consideration and assistance in organizing the activities of other agencies within the UN system in the field of international trade and related economic development problems;

· taking, if necessary, measures for negotiating and approving multilateral legal acts in the field of trade;

· harmonize the policy of governments and regional economic groupings in the field of trade and related development, acting as a center for such harmonization. The activities of UNCTAD are based on the functions defined by Resolution 1995 (XIX) of the UN General Assembly. The terms of reference of UNCTAD cover almost all relevant economic and legal aspects of modern international trade and related issues of economic development.

3. Main directionsI UNCTAD activities are as follows

1. Regulation of trade and economic relations between states; development of concepts and principles for the development of world trade. A special place in this activity is occupied by the development of the “Principles of International trade relations and trade policy. The essence of the principles can be reduced to the following basic provisions: the implementation of trade and other economic relations between countries on the basis of equality, respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and mutual benefit; inadmissibility of discrimination and methods of economic pressure in any form; consistent and universal application of the most favored nation treatment in all matters of trade with the provision by developed countries of special benefits in favor of developing countries, without extending them to developed countries; the abolition of preferences enjoyed by certain developed countries in developing countries; facilitating the access of goods of third countries to the markets of member countries of economic groupings; stabilization of commodity markets through the conclusion of international commodity stabilization agreements; improving the commodity structure of developing countries' exports by increasing the share of finished and semi-finished products in it; promoting the improvement of the invisible trade of these countries; economic and technical assistance and the provision of concessional, public and private, credits by developed countries to developing states in order to complement and facilitate the efforts of the latter without any conditions unacceptable to them of a political, economic, military or other nature. Subsequently, these principles formed the basis of the “charter of economic rights and obligations of states” (1976) developed within the framework of UNCTAD. The resolution adopted by the 1st session of UNCTAD notes the need to: stop the further growth of protectionism, reduce and eliminate quantitative restrictions on trade; the adoption by developed countries of measures to abolish the application of anti-dumping procedures and countervailing duties that are detrimental to third countries; seek changes in the international trading system with a view to improving and strengthening it through respect for the principles of most favored nation; renunciation of measures of economic coercion - the policy of trade restrictions, blockades, embargoes and other economic sanctions against developing countries.

The ninth session of UNCTAD, held in 1996 and devoted to the problem of “promoting growth and sustainable development in a globalized and liberalized world economy”, determined the further directions of UNCTAD's work in the field of trade and development, aimed at the full integration of developing countries, in particular the least developed, and countries with economies in transition into the world economy and into the system of world economic relations. These objectives and specific practical recommendations were articulated in the Final Act of the session entitled “Partnership for Growth and Development”. The conference also adopted a declaration recognizing the different starting points and different impacts of the globalization process on individual countries and stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation between developed and developing countries, between developing countries themselves, between multilateral organizations, as well as dialogue and cooperation between public and private sectors to strengthen development cooperation.

The beginning of the IX session of UNCTAD was preceded by a meeting of the "Group of 77" at the ministerial level and a meeting of ministers of the three regional groups, which preliminary discussed the issues of stimulating growth and development in the context of the liberalization and globalization of the world economy.

2. Development of measures to regulate international trade in commodities. UNCTAD plays a leading role in the entire system of international organizations involved in the regulation of world commodity markets. These issues are considered both at UNCTAD sessions and in the Trade and Development Council, and at various kinds of special meetings held within UNCTAD.

As a result of the intergovernmental negotiations held within the framework of UNCTAD, a number of international commodity agreements were concluded; study groups on commodities have been set up with the participation of producing and consuming countries; signed conventions and agreements in various fields. In the system of regulation of world commodity markets, an important role was played by the Integrated Program for Commodities - IPTS, the decision to develop which was taken at the IV session of UNCTAD in 1976. The task of the program was to improve conditions on world markets for 18 commodities of particular importance for exports of developing countries. To this end, an agreement was signed in 1980 to establish a Common Fund for Commodities to finance the buffer stocks of raw materials provided for in separate commodity agreements concluded under the IPTS. The ultimate goal of the IPTS is to stabilize commodity prices on world markets and to increase the participation of developing countries in the processing and marketing of their commodities.

3. Development of measures and means of ready policy and economic cooperation. Within the framework of UNCTAD, a general system of preferences was created for the import of goods from developing countries, which came into effect in 1976; developed: measures to eliminate tariff barriers; the main measures to assist developing countries in the restructuring of the economy; new forms of agreements on industrial and trade cooperation. At the VI (1983) and VII (1987) sessions of UNCTAD, the main problems of enhancing economic development and international trade on the basis of multilateral cooperation were formulated; assessed current economic trends, including the role of the private sector in development, as well as global structural changes; developed policies and measures in the following areas: resources for development, currency issues; commodities; international trade; problems of the least developed countries. In the Final Act following the results of the VII session, the listed problems were assigned to UNCTAD as the main directions of its activities. This has helped to strengthen UNCTAD's mandate to operate in virtually all areas of world trade. The VIII session of UNCTAD recognized the need for institutional adjustments in order to take advantage of new opportunities in international cooperation for development, including the development of guidelines for enhancing UNCTAD's work on sustainable development (the interface between trade and environmental policy, the sound management of natural resources, environmentally sound technologies, the impact of production and consumption practices on sustainable development).

4. Promoting the development of economic cooperation among developing countries; negotiating the creation of a global system of preferences among developing countries; development of a program of action for the world community to assist in overcoming the economic backwardness of the least developed countries.

5. Holding meetings of experts, government representatives, diplomatic negotiating conferences to agree on the policy of governments and regional economic groupings on the development of world trade and other problems.

In addition to issues related directly to international trade, UNCTAD deals with a wide range of other issues of international economic cooperation: currencies and finance; shipping; technology transfer insurance; economic cooperation among developing countries; special measures in favor of the least developed, island and inland developing countries. In 1992, UNCTAD member states decided on a new partnership for development, the Cartagena Agreement (UNCTAD-VIII). This agreement articulates policies and measures in the interrelated areas of finance, trade, commodities, technology and services, and makes recommendations to address both old and emerging trade and development challenges. The analytical part of the activity includes a systematic study of the impact of national and international policies on development, with a focus on management issues.

The regulation of world transport problems has become important. Within the framework of UNCTAD, the following were developed: the Convention on Transit Trade of Inland States (1965); Code of Conduct for Linear Conferences (Shipowners' Cartels) (1974); UN Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods (1980).

6. Regulation of restrictive business practices is carried out through the development of a Code of multilaterally agreed principles and rules for the control of restrictive business practices, as well as various measures to regulate the activities of transnational corporations. For many years, UNCTAD has been working on the creation of a Code of Conduct on Technology Transfer.

7. Conducting analytical work on a wide range of issues. In particular, the IX session of UNCTAD (1996) identified four major areas:

· globalization and development, including the study of specific questions relating to the participation in international trade and investment of developing countries, to the stimulation of their growth and development, to the monitoring of the implementation of the Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s;

· investments, development of enterprises and technologies, including the preparation of printed publications with the analysis of investment data, assistance in the development and implementation of development strategies in enterprises; determination of policy directions for technological development and innovation;

· international trade in goods and services and preparation of printed publications on assistance to developing countries in the development of the service sector; on issues related to competition law, trade integration facilitation, environmental protection and development;

· development of infrastructure in the service sector with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of trade, in particular, through the development of global telecommunications networks, modern means of information transmission, and the implementation of training programs.

UNCTAD publishes the following publications: Reports on the least developed countries; Bulletin of UNCTAD; Transnational corporations; Science and technology today; Advanced Technology Assessment System; Sea transport; commodity prices; UNCTAD Review is a monthly newsletter.

A decision was made to establish a computerized data bank in UNCTAD on measures affecting trade in services. It should be an important tool in supporting the efforts of developing countries to participate more effectively in international trade in services.

The information array will indirectly serve the penetration of service providers from developing countries into the world market by providing them with structured information relevant to the service sector, including laws and industry regulations that affect access to this market.

8. Acting as a forum to analyze the discussion and compare the positions of governments of different countries on a wide range of issues of international economic relations, as well as for negotiations between various groups of countries on a number of specific issues of international trade and development.

9. Facilitate the coordination of activities within the framework of the UN on issues of international trade; preparation of documents for the General Assembly, ECOSOC and other organizations on the development of world economic relations; cooperation on a number of aspects of international trade with the UN ECOSOC regional commissions.

10. Cooperation with international economic organizations, primarily with the WTO, with the International shopping center UNCTAD/WTO to eliminate duplication and harmonize activities.

Organizational structure. The supreme body of UNCTAD is the Conference (two concepts should be distinguished: the Conference as the name of the organization itself and the Conference as the name of the supreme body). The conference meets in sessions every four years at the ministerial level to determine the main directions of policy and to decide on issues related to the program of work. A total of 10 sessions were held.

I session - in 1964 in Geneva (Switzerland); II - in 1968 - in Delhi (India); III - in 1972 - in Santiago (Chile); IV - in 1976 - in Nairobi (Kenya); V - in 1979 - in Manila (Philippines); VI - in 1983 - in Belgrade (Yugoslavia); VII - in 1987 - in Geneva (Switzerland); VIII - in 1992 - in Cartagena (Colombia); IX - in 1996 - in Midrand (South Africa), X - in 2000 - Thailand.

With the creation of the WTO, opinions began to be expressed almost openly about whether this organization is needed at all. However, an understanding has now been reached that the world community needs UNCTAD, since it develops general trade and political principles in the context of the development of the world economy, while the WTO is left mainly with purely trade issues.

Decisions taken by consensus at UNCTAD sessions are not legally binding. But even at the second session, it was unanimously recognized that they "should lead to actions favorable to international trade." Thus, UNCTAD documents are formally less binding than the WTO. Such documents include, for example, the Principles of International Trade Relations and Trade Policy Conducive to Development and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States.

In the field of trade in finished and semi-finished products, which account for 3/4 of the world trade turnover, the most important event of UNCTAD was the creation of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which has been operating since 1971. This system provides for the reduction or elimination of customs duties by all industrialized countries in trade with developing countries. states on a non-reciprocal basis, i.e. without demand from the last counter trade and political concessions. Although many donor countries have made various exemptions from their schemes of such preferences (in relation to certain groups of goods and countries receiving preferences), the CAP plays a large role in facilitating the expansion of exports of manufactured products of economically lagging states.

UNCTAD sessions are multilateral economic forums held within the UN system. Most UNCTAD decisions on the merits of the issues under consideration are non-binding and are advisory in nature. Over 160 resolutions have been adopted at the past first seven sessions of UNCTAD; the number of resolutions developed at regular and special sessions of the Trade and Development Board exceeded 400. UNCTAD has developed a wide range of other multilateral documents: conventions, agreements, agreed conclusions, codes with various legal effect.

The executive body of UNCTAD is the Council for Trade and development, which provides work between sessions of the Conference. The Council submits annually to the Conference and the General Assembly, through ECOSOC, reports on its activities. Access to the Council is open to all UNCTAD member countries. In 1996, the number of members was 115.

The Trade and Development Board holds regular sessions once a year in the fall for 10 days. In addition, the Council holds special sessions, meetings of commissions and other subsidiary bodies on a wide range of problems of world trade and the economy. At regular sessions, issues of global politics, the interdependence of the economies of the countries of the world are discussed; problems of trade and monetary and financial relations; trade policy, structural adjustment and economic reforms. The Council oversees the entire scope of UNCTAD activities, oversees the implementation of the Program of Action for the least developed countries, as well as the UN New Agenda for African Development.

The working bodies of the Council since 1997 are commissions, which coordinate activities in the areas assigned to them: on investment, technology and financial issues; on trade in goods - mi and services; for the development of private entrepreneurship. The commissions held their first sessions in 1997. A maximum of 10 annual meetings of experts/ad hoc working groups are planned. The commissions replaced the four standing committees that had existed until 1996.

Secretariat forms part of the UN Secretariat and is headed by the Secretary General. It consists of two services: policy coordination; foreign relations, as well as nine departments; (1) commodities; (2) international trade; (3) services and trade efficiency; (4) economic cooperation among developing countries and special programs; (5) global interdependence; (6) trans - national corporations and investments; (7) science and technology; (8) least developed countries; (9) services in the field of management and operational and functional support of programs. It also includes joint divisions that work jointly with the regional commissions. The secretariat services two subsidiary bodies of ECOSOC, the Commission on International Investment and Transnational Corporations and the Commission on Science and Technology for Development.

The activities of UNCTAD have had a significant impact on the entire multilateral system of regulation of international trade. In particular, this led to the implementation of the modernization of the GATT. A new fourth part appeared in the General Agreement, which recognizes the special role and special place of developing countries in international economic relations. Related to the work of UNCTAD are also changes in the activities of the IMF and IBRD, expressed in a certain turn towards the needs of developing countries and especially the least developed ones. UNCTAD initiated the provision of non-reciprocal and non-discriminatory preferences, which are important elements of the modern system of international trade regulation. UNCTAD has made a significant contribution to the creation of a new integrated system of regulation of world commodity markets.

Within the framework of UNCTAD, the "Group of 77" was formed and acquired its modern role, named after the number of developing countries that have created a common platform for protecting their economic interests in international trade. The "Group of 77" played an important role in shaping the UN's international strategy on economic issues and relations with developing countries. UNCTAD has developed and is implementing new organizational forms of work that make it possible to find a balance of interests of various countries and various groups of countries on the problems of international economic cooperation. A characteristic of UNCTAD's work is the preliminary determination of positions within each group of countries, which ensures a more balanced consideration of the interests of the countries represented in the development of common decisions.

Conclusion

This international body designed to regulate global trade relations. The fact is that the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was created and operated outside the framework of the UN. Therefore, many countries set the task before the UN - to have in its structures an independent and universal body, called on behalf of the world community to regulate the complex problems of international trade. To this end, an autonomous UN body was founded in 1964 to promote international trade, negotiate and develop international treaties and recommendations in this area, it currently includes about 170 States. The main body of UNCTAD is the conference, which is convened in session twice a year. The secretariat is located in Geneva. Sessions of UNCTAD committees are convened more often - on commodities, on finished products and semi-finished products, on shipping, technology transfer, economic cooperation between developing countries, etc. Regular meetings and ad hoc committee on preferences.

It should be noted that in a number of cases, especially from the point of view of the interests of developing countries, UNCTAD has been successful. Thus, at the first session of UNCTAD in 1964, the document "Principles of International Trade Relations and Trade Policy" was approved. In this document, for the first time in the UN system, attempts were made to summarize the positive experience of international trade and trade policy, highlight the fundamental principles of such a policy and put them at the basis of relations between countries in the field of trade relations. In particular, such principles were proclaimed as equality and sovereignty in trade, mutual benefit, non-discrimination, the spread of the most favored nation regime in trade, the provision of numerous benefits to developing countries, etc. the basis for setting goals within the framework of the platform of the new international economic order.

Although far from all UNCTAD recommendations are implemented in practice, it is nevertheless important that this influential international body develops and actively “brings” the most acute, topical problems of our time into the sphere of international economic relations, contributing to proper formation world public opinion tuned" to their decision. At the same time, the most important requirements for participants in international trade were developed by the GATT (now the WTO) - they also play a methodologically priority role in the development of UNCTAD documents.

Bibliography

Avdokushin E.F. International economic relations. - M.: Jurist, 2002

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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was established in 1964 as an organ of the General Assembly. It is a representative multilateral trade and economic organization. Its members are 186 states, including Russia. Seat of UNCTAD- Geneva, Switzerland). UNCTAD's highest governing body is Conference, made up of member states. The sessions of the Conference are usually held every four years at ministerial level to determine the main directions of policy and to decide on issues related to the program of work.

The executive body of UNCTAD is Trade and Development Board– ensures the continuity of the work of the organization between sessions of the Conference. In addition to overseeing the entire field of UNCTAD's work, he examines the international implications of macroeconomic policies, issues relating to the interdependence of the world's economies, as well as issues of trade and monetary relations, trade policy, structural adjustment and economic reforms. The Council holds two sessions annually (spring and autumn). It reports to the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The main tasks of UNCTAD:

1) encourage international trade, primarily between developed and developing countries;

3) to serve as a center for coordinating the policies of governments and regional economic groupings in trade and related aspects of economic development;

4) to promote the coordination of the activities of other UN agencies on international trade. Membership in UNCTAD open to any state- a member of the UN, UN specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Decisions taken by consensus at UNCTAD sessions are not legally binding. But even at the second session, it was unanimously recognized that they "should lead to actions favorable to international trade." Thus, formally, UNCTAD documents are less binding than the WTO. Such documents include, for example, the Principles of International Trade Relations and Trade Policy Conducive to Development and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States.

The flagship event of UNCTAD in the field of trade in finished and semi-finished products, which account for 3/4 of the world trade turnover, was the creation of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which has been operating since 1971. This system provides for a reduction or cancellation in trade with developing countries, all industrialized countries on a non-reciprocal basis , i.e., without demand from the latter, counter trade and political concessions, customs duties. Although many donor countries have made various exemptions from their schemes of such preferences (in relation to certain groups of goods and countries receiving preferences), the CAP plays a large role in promoting the expansion of exports of manufactured products of economically lagging states.

Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

UN body established by the resolution of the 19th session of the UN General Assembly of December 30, 1964 to promote international trade and economic development and designed to serve as a center for coordinating the policies of governments and regional economic groupings in trade and related aspects of economic development, to promote coordination of activities of other UN agencies on international trade. 191 countries, including Russia, participate in UNCTAD activities. The headquarters is in Geneva, the post office is in New York.

Structure of UNCTAD

The main governing body of the Conference is the UNCTAD Session, which is convened at least once every three years. Between sessions, the governing functions of the Conference are carried out by the Trade and Development Board, which meets twice a year. Every year, the Council submits a report on its activities to the UN General Assembly. Within the Council there are various standing committees and working groups that prepare studies and recommendations to the Council in various fields. There are three standing committees:

· Commission on Trade in Goods and Services;
· Commission on investments, technologies and financial issues;
· Commission on Entrepreneurship, Business Promotion and Development.

Any Member State of UNCTAD that has submitted a declaration of interest to be a member of a particular subsidiary body may participate in Council committees. The work in the Commissions is carried out in expert groups, which include competent technical specialists from different countries on certain issues.

The Secretary General of UNCTAD is appointed by the UN General Assembly for a term of three years. He directs the work of the Council, its subsidiary bodies and the UNCTAD Secretariat. For regular sessions of the UN General Assembly and ECOSOC, UNCTAD submits reports on its work for the relevant period. UNCTAD activities are financed from the UN budget.

UNCTAD activities

The main focus of UNCTAD's work is on the involvement of developing countries in international trade agreements. An important organizational feature of the functioning of the UNCTAD mechanism is the method of work on groups of countries. There are four groups: A - Afro-Asian, B - developed Western countries, C - Latin American countries, D - countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The "Group of 77", which consists of countries in groups A and C, has no formal status in UNCTAD, but makes a significant contribution to its activities. Characteristic for the work of UNCTAD bodies was the preliminary determination of positions in each of the groups and the presentation at UNCTAD sessions of each group, as a rule, in a united front. UNCTAD has developed and adopted a number of constructive documents, decisions and recommendations. Thus, in particular, in 1964 the principles of international trade and trade policy were approved; in 1966 the Declaration on the World Food Problem was approved; in 1970, a decision was made to create a Generalized System of Preferences; in 1972, a number of resolutions and recommendations were adopted at the session, which laid the foundation for the development of documents defining a new international economic order, recommendations were approved for the further development of maritime transport, the expansion of trade between developing countries; in 1976, the International Code of Conduct in the field of technology transfer was developed, which was of great importance for the development of the scientific and technological potential of developing countries; Decided in 1980 to establish the Commodity Integrated Program Common Fund, or Common Fund for Commodities; in 1979-1981 a program of assistance to the least developed countries has been developed. Within the framework of UNCTAD, a number of important provisions of the international development strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade, the Program for the Establishment of a New International Economic Order were developed, and international agreements were concluded on various goods. Since there is a close relationship between trade and industrial development between the environment, technology transfer and development and development planning, UNCTAD works closely with UNEP, UNIDO and other organizations, and implements UNDP technical assistance projects. The first X session of UNCTAD in the 21st century took place on February 12-19, 2000 in Bangkok /Thailand/. The 2,000 delegates from 171 countries of the world, including Russia and Belarus, who took part in the forum, noted that in the context of the opportunities created by the technological revolution, the opening of markets and globalization, the main goals of UNCTAD are to accelerate the processes of economic growth and sustainable development, ensuring equity and participation. The session adopted the Bangkok Declaration and Plan of Action. The Declaration noted that the activities of UNCTAD should take place in the context of the Millennium Declaration (Millennium Declaration) of the United Nations, i.e. aims to combat poverty in general (halving by 2015 the number of people living on less than one dollar a day). Among the priorities of UNCTAD in the new century were the effective integration of all countries into the world trading system and the support of the knowledge-based economy as an integral part of the effective participation of developing countries in the world economy.

UNCTAD's relationship with Russia

At one time, the Soviet Union participated in the creation of UNCTAD, proposing to include the item "On the Convocation of an International Conference on Trade Problems" in the agenda of the 17th session of the UN General Assembly. Then, at the 26th session of ECOSOC, the Soviet Union presented its proposals on the organizational and legal principles of such an organization. The General Assembly, in accordance with a resolution of December 8, 1964, convened the UN Conference on Trade and Development on March 23 - June 15, 1964, then establishing UNCTAD on December 30, 1964 as an organ of the General Assembly. The role of Russia in solving the problems dealt with by this organization is still very constructive. UNCTAD experts invariably pay close attention to the state of the Russian economy. One of UNCTAD's main activities is to ensure fair and stable prices for commodities in developing countries and to improve the access of these commodities to the markets of industrialized countries. Since January 1, 1993, Russia has been included in the list of beneficiary countries of the Generalized System of Preferences of the European Community, which was a manifestation of the readiness of the EEC (now the European Union) to open its market for Russian goods, a kind of key that would allow Russia to open the doors to the European market. It should be noted that the beneficiaries of the EU are countries registered in UNCTAD as developing, dependent territories and other countries. General system Preferences is a tool of trade policy, and its purpose is to provide developing countries with a customs tariff that gives them advantages over developed countries by giving their exported goods preferential access to the European Union market. In the UNCTAD annual report, published in September 1993, two years after the start of the real reform process in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, UNCTAD experts Special attention the authors of the report paid attention to Russia in the light of the unsatisfactory results of "shock therapy". According to UNCTAD experts, in the Russian Federation, as in other countries in transition, the state is called upon to actively participate in the transformations. At the same time, UNCTAD experts called for the development of a new coordinated program of creditor countries with regard to Russia's external debt. Among the countries that emerged in the space former USSR, Russia is perceived as a state, economic relations with which, at least for several years, will influence the situation in the economy and other republics of the former USSR. In turn, the course of reforms in Russia, as well as its political stability, will have an impact on the situation throughout the subregion. The Commonwealth of Independent States /CIS/ has had observer status in UNCTAD since April 19, 1994. On May 5, 1994, an agreement on cooperation was signed between the CIS executive secretariat and the UNCTAD secretariat, which provides, in particular, for the exchange of economic information and technical assistance. Russia also cooperates with UNCTAD in the field of regulation of competition and development of entrepreneurship within the framework of the Interstate Council on Antimonopoly Policy of the CIS countries. It is promising to achieve the development of technical assistance projects in the field of competition policy and consumer protection in the CIS countries.

At the 8th session of UNCTAD in Cartagena (Colombia, 1992), a special Program was initiated to create "Trade Points" - CVT ("Trade Point"). These Centers are designed to promote the involvement of new entities (primarily small and medium-sized enterprises) in the international division of labor and international trade, and to help increase the efficiency of world trade. The main tasks of the Centers are information support for participants in foreign trade activities, assistance to exporters and importers when entering foreign markets, attracting investments for small and medium-sized businesses, performing specific foreign trade operations, using electronic data exchange to reduce document flow when making and concluding transactions, simplifying trade procedures using modern data transmission standards, incl. UN EDIFACT standards. (EDIFACT - Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport, - a structured data language for describing virtually all types of commercial activities, built on the basis of the latest business science - information logistics).

At the UN World Symposium on Trade Efficiency (Columbus, Ohio, USA, 1994), the results of the work of the Centers, which by that time had already been established in 60 countries, were discussed, and a decision was made to create a Worldwide TsVT-GTPNet (Global Trade Point Network) http://www.gtpnet-e.com, which united all the Centers of the world through the global Internet. Russia joined this Program in 1995. and took practical steps to implement it. Within the framework of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation, on the basis of the State Unitary Enterprise - Association "InformVES", a pilot Russian Information Center for Foreign Trade (RCVT) was created in Moscow. A pilot regional St. Petersburg Center for Trade and Export Development (SPb CVT) has also been established. These Centers have become the initial link in the emerging Russian network of TsVT.

Russia joined this program in 1995. The Russian Information Center for Foreign Trade (Russian National Trade Point-RNTP) http://www.rusimpex.ru/Content/Links/Interorg/TradePoint/rntp was created on the basis of InformVES. htm.

The Russian Information Center for Foreign Trade (RCVT) - Russian National Trade Point (RNTP) operates within the system of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation, is accredited by the UN / UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) as a national organization that promotes development of trade and the introduction of international electronic commerce, is a member of the World Federation of Trade Centers - WTPF (World Trade Point Federation). The RCVT project provides for the creation of a network of information processing centers for international e-commerce in the regions Russian Federation which will ensure internal and external cooperation of trade participants within a single information space, decentralization of information exchange, reduction of costs and improvement of international trade conditions by creating a favorable information environment using modern telecommunications and information technologies in the format of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) electronic data interchange standards. ).

The RCVT works within the framework of the "Federal Target Program "Electronic Russia" for 2002-2010" and the UN/UNCTAD Special Program for Trade Efficiency.

RCVT is a participant in the Federal Program to Support Small and Medium Businesses, a participant in the implementation of the Small Business Information Support System (SIOMP) and the Foreign Trade Information Support System (SIO VTD), co-executor of the Russian part of the international Business and Trade Information Exchange Project with the US Department of Commerce - BISNIS ( Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States), participant in the Project for creating an information space between the CIS and Baltic countries in the field of trade development, carried out under the auspices of the International Trade Center UNCTAD / WTO, RCVT is the organizer and participant of a number of international conferences, seminars on the problems of increasing the efficiency of trade, Russian and international exhibitions, the First All-Russian Congress representatives of small enterprises of the Russian Federation (Moscow, Kremlin, 1996).

In 1997 UNCTAD has designated RCVT as "Operational One".

RCVT is the initiator of the development of the "Concept for the creation of the Russian network of TsVT", supported by UNCTAD and approved by the Coordinating Council for Foreign Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations of the Russian Federation, which served as the basis for the development of the project in the regions and the creation of Trade Centers there.

The spread of the CVT project in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation led to the creation in 1997 of a non-profit organization - the Interregional Association of Trade Points (CVT-Associations) -Interregional Russian Trade Point Association (RTP-Association) to coordinate the activities of regional TTCs, represent and protect the interests of members of the Association - participants of the UNCTAD Project.

At the sixth and seventh annual World Trade Point Meetings in November 2000 and 2001. in Geneva (Switzerland), a decision was made and specific work was carried out to organize the World Trade Point Federation (WTPF), which RCVT entered as a full member of the Federation.

The seven-year experience of RCVT in the information services market has allowed us to accumulate experience and form information resources that best meet the needs of an entrepreneur.

The Russian network of Trade Centers is part of the World Trade Center Network, which unites Centers in more than 190 countries of the world via the Internet computer network. It's around the clock operating centers e-commerce, which unite physically or virtually firms that provide information on foreign trade transactions, provide exporters and importers (primarily small businesses) with a range of services for the implementation of foreign trade operations.

The project is part of the Federal Program for the Support of Small and Medium Businesses and provides foreign trade information support within the framework of the Information Support System for Foreign Trade Activities (SIO VTD) and the Information Support System for Small Businesses (SIOMP).

The main activities of the RTsVT.

· promoting the development of international trade and cooperation, reducing trade costs through the use of electronic data interchange and the principles of electronic commerce;
· search for partners to attract foreign investment in various production, construction, information, telecommunications and other projects, especially for small and medium-sized businesses; assistance in attracting investments, implementing investment projects and programs;
· Support for the Russian regional e-commerce centers existing and being created within the framework of the UNCTAD program; design, creation and system support of information computing systems and networks and their organizational and technical infrastructure;
· assistance to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation and other bodies of federal and local government in the implementation of the Russian CVT program;
· representation and protection of interests of other Russian CVTs in Russian governing bodies and in international organizations, conferences, meetings, foundations, etc.;
· implementation of constant contacts with UNCTAD and its working bodies responsible for the implementation of the CVT Program;
· assistance in the implementation by the Russian CVT of a unified information technology and methodological policy in accordance with the recommendations of UNCTAD, world and regional conferences;
· information and consulting services for Russian and foreign participants in foreign economic activity upon request, provision of various information and reference materials; exchange of economic, commercial, regulatory and reference information;
· placement of commercial offers in the Global Network of Trade Points (GTPNet); promotion of information about goods and services with the involvement of Russian regional offices and Trade Representatives abroad;
· monitoring of exports and imports of goods and services, including the price environment and information about exporters and importers;
· consultations and professional assistance at all stages of preparation of a foreign trade transaction;
· conducting marketing research and preparing analytical reviews on various aspects of foreign economic activity;
· Creation and support of electronic representations of the companies in the Internet;
· conducting a public examination of the Centers for Trade Issues being created for their compliance with the provisions of the UNCTAD Program;
· cooperation with UNCTAD on the issues of certification and awarding the status of "Trade Point" to the newly created TTC;
· participation of RCVT and members of the CVT-Association in the implementation of Russian and international programs in the field of e-commerce; in federal and regional programs aimed at supporting export-import, small and medium-sized businesses;
· assistance and participation in the development of standards, norms and legal framework in the field of electronic data interchange with the phased introduction of elements of electronic commerce;
· organization and implementation of training and advanced training of the staff of the RCVT and members of the CVT-Association in Russia and abroad;
· collection, generalization, analysis and dissemination of the experience of Russian and foreign Trade Centers.

In order to develop information support for foreign trade, it was created on the basis of the Agency for Foreign Economic Relations and Telecommunications "INRADE" - the Development Center of the Russian Information Center for Foreign Trade (Development Center of RNTP), which, within the framework of the special program SPTE UN / UNCTAD - Special Program for Trade Efficiency supported real foreign economic server "RUSSIA - EXPORT - IMPORT" www.rusimpex.ru

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

UNCTAD - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is the main body of the UN General Assembly (GA) in the field of trade and development, an important tool for multilateral interstate regulation of trade and economic policy. It was created as a permanent intergovernmental organization at the First session of the Conference held in 1964 in Geneva. In the context of the collapse of the world colonial systems, the establishment of UNCTAD reflected the desire of developing countries to integrate into world trade on “fair conditions.” Other international institutions created at that time, including the GATT, did not fully represent the interests of countries with weak economies, so the UN General Assembly decided to create a permanent organization, the main idea (goal) of which includes the analysis of trends in the development of the world economy and trade, the formulation and implementation of trade policies that promote the economic growth of developing countries.

UNCTAD does not have a statute. Objectives, functions, organizational structure, all procedures related to the activities of UNCTAL. set out in UNGA Resolution No. 1995. In accordance with this resolution, the members of the Conference are those states that are members of the UN, its specialized agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency. By the beginning of 2004, UNCTAD included 194 states, including all 12 CIS countries.

The Conference defined as its main functions:

• - encouragement of international trade, in particular between countries at different levels of development;
• - establishing principles and policies relating to international trade and related problems of economic development,
• - promoting the coordination of the activities of other agencies within the UN system in the field of international trade and economic development;
• - implementation of the harmonization of the policies of governments and regional economic groups in the field of trade.

Each State represented at the Conference shall have one vote. Decisions are taken by a 2/3 majority of representatives present and voting.

UNCTAD's annual budget is approximately US$50 million and is allocated from the regular budget of the United Nations. Technical cooperation activities are financed from extrabudgetary resources provided by donors, beneficiary countries, as well as various organizations - about 25 million US dollars per year.

UNCTAD works closely with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNDP, the International Trade Center, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, the IMF and other organizations. The sessions in Midranta (1996), Bangkok (2001) and Sao Paulo (2004) set out the programmatic directions for UNCTAD's activities at the beginning of this century, the main ones being:

Globalization and development strategies. UNCTAD studies the main trends in the development of the world economy, in particular globalization, and evaluates its impact on the development of the economies of different groups of countries. Specific development problems and success stories that can be useful for developing countries and countries with economies in transition are analyzed. Issues related to financial flows and debt are being studied. Assistance is rendered to developing countries in the settlement of debt relations. Databases relating to trade and development issues are expanding.

International trade in goods and services and commodity issues. UNCTAD develops policies aimed at:

• - improving the functioning of commodity markets by reducing imbalances affecting supply and demand;
• - Ensuring the gradual reduction of developing countries' over-reliance on the export of non-processed raw materials through horizontal and vertical diversification of production and exports, as well as crop substitution;
• - the gradual elimination of trade barriers in the field of raw materials;
• - minimization of risks associated with fluctuations in commodity prices, including the use of a price hedging mechanism (commodity futures, options, swaps);
• - compensatory financing of the reduction of export earnings.

Investment, technology and enterprise development. UNCTAD studies global trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and their relationship to trade, technology and development. As part of the activities of the Conference, mechanisms are being developed to support small and medium-sized businesses. It defines policies to encourage the development of technological capacity and innovation in developing countries. The conference provides assistance to developing countries and encouragement of investment inflow and improvement of their investment! climate.

Also of great importance is the development and implementation of programs for the training of qualified personnel to create an infrastructure of services for the establishment of efficient trade. UNCTAD as a whole is doing a lot of work in developing national policies for the development of infrastructure for services, and it is helping to expand global e-commerce by facilitating access to information technology for developing countries.

UNCTAD and the least developed, landlocked and island developing States. UNCTAD coordinates work on least developed country (LDC) issues, including the provision of technical assistance in the form of integrated country programmes.

The Conference participates in the programs of action for the least developed countries, the Barbados Program of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and the Global Program for Cooperation in Transit Transport among Landlocked Developing Countries. Trust funds for LDCs are being administered.

The fight against poverty. UNCTAD recognizes the need for an integrated approach to combat poverty. The conference focuses its efforts on such areas as the development of human resources and social infrastructure; creating jobs and increasing the productivity of the poor, the distribution of income and social benefits. The impact of trade expansion on poverty alleviation is being studied.

Economic cooperation among developing countries UNCTAD is studying the experience of subregional, regional and interregional economic cooperation among developing countries; develops action programs for the world community to overcome the economic backwardness of the LDCs.

Some results of UNCTAD activity for 40 years of its existence. As a result of the 11 sessions of UNCTAD, a number of important international agreements were adopted for the purpose, including:

In the field of trade:

generalized system of preferences (1971). Thanks to the existence of the GSP, goods exported by developing countries are subject to preferential (preferential) treatment in the markets of developed countries;

• - Agreement on the global system of trade preferences (GSTP) between developing countries (1989);
• - a set of multilaterally agreed fair principles and rules for the control of restrictive business practices (1980);
• - the Global Network of Trade Centers (GNTsT), created as a result of the work of the UN International Symposium on Trade Efficiency (1994).

In the field of commodities:

• - international commodity agreements on cocoa, sugar, natural rubber, jute and jute products, tropical timber, tin, olive oil and wheat;
• - general background for commodities, established to provide financial support for the operation of international stocks and the implementation of R&D projects in the field of commodities (1989);

In the area of ​​debt and development:

• - since the adoption by the Council of the resolution providing for retroactive debt adjustment in low-income developing countries (1978), the debt burden has been reduced by more than $6.5 billion for more than 50 poor developing countries;
• - guidelines for international measures in the field of debt restructuring (1980);

In support of least developed and landlocked developing countries and transit developing countries:

• - Agreement on a Global Framework for Cooperation in Transit between Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and the Donor Community (1995);
• - program of action for the LDCs (1990s);
• - program of action for the LDCs for 2001-2003;
• - in the field of transport:
• - UN Convention on the Code of Linear Conferences (1974);
• - UN Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea (1978);
• - UN Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods (1980);
• - UN Convention on Conditions for the Registration of Ships (1986);
• - UN Convention on Maritime Liens and Mortgages (1993).

The vigorous activity of UNCTAD contributed to the adoption of the following important decisions by international organizations and governments:

• - an agreement to set targets for PNAs, including the allocation of 0.7% of GDP for developing countries as a whole and 0.15% for LDCs;
• - improvement of the mechanism of compensatory financing for the reduction of export earnings of developing countries, created by the International Monetary Fund;
• - reducing the debt of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) to international commercial banks.

One of the important functions of the Conference is its publication of annual reports on trade and development. These reports contain an analysis of current international and regional trends and the interaction of trade, investment and financial flows. For example, the World Investment Report provides an analysis of trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) and the activities of TNCs; the report on the least developed countries (LDCs) provides an overview of the main problems of the LDCs and measures for their international support. The Statistical Handbook on International Trade and Development published by UNCTAD contains the main indicators of world and regional development: GDP per capita, growth rate, composed of balance of payments, FDI, financial and debt flows, an overview of trends in maritime transport. UNCTAD's annual Guide to Publications lists other periodic and ad hoc studies of importance to countries and a source of normative input in national and international lawmaking.

The conference is convened at least once every four years at the ministerial level. The date and place of the sessions of the Conference are established by the UN General Assembly, taking into account the recommendations of the Conference or the Trade and Development Board. Between sessions, the permanent executive body of UNCTAD is the Trade and Development Board (hereinafter referred to as the Board). The Council meets as needed - usually twice a year. In addition, the Council holds special sessions and meetings of commissions on global politics, the interdependence of the world's economies, trade problems and monetary and financial relations, structural adjustment and economic reforms. Since 1997, the working bodies of the Council have been three commissions: on trade in goods and services; on investment, technology and financial matters; on entrepreneurship and business. The Council submits annual reports on its activities to the Conference and the General Assembly of the United Nations. From 1964 to 2004, 11 sessions were held:

• - first session --1964 (Geneva, Switzerland);
• - second session --1968 (Delhi, India);
• - third session --1972 (Santiago, Chile);
• - fourth session --1976 (Nairobi, Kenya);
• - fifth session --1979 (Manila, Philippines);
• - sixth session --1983 (Belgrade, Yugoslavia);
• - seventh session --1987 (Geneva, Switzerland);
• - eighth session --1992 (Cartagena, Colombia);
• - ninth session --1996 (Midrand, South Africa);
• - tenth session - 2000 (Bangkok, Thailand);
• - Eleventh -- 2004 (Sao Paulo, Brazil). .

UNCTAD sessions are interstate economic forums dedicated to discussing the most pressing problems of international trade in the context of overcoming the economic backwardness of developing countries. As a result of the session, resolutions, conventions, agreements, codes with different legal force are adopted. The decisions made are advisory in nature (Fig. 22.4 shows the structure of UNCTAD).

However, the role of the organization's analytical reports should not be underestimated. Based on a fundamental research base, they enable different countries and their organizations to track the general trade and economic situation in the world and actually use the published data in their plans for the development of foreign economic relations.

Thus, the creation of UNCTAD was originally due to the collapse of the colonial system and the desire of young politically independent states to integrate into world trade on new parity grounds. UNCTAD was supposed to assist in these tasks. One of the main objectives of UNCTAD in modern conditions-- this is the consolidation of the efforts of developing countries in their struggle for more favorable conditions for international trade. This will create the necessary basis for strengthening their economic independence and developing national economies. The Conference is financed from the UN budget and from extrabudgetary resources. UNCTAD's work has two central areas:

• 1) strengthening the positions of developing countries in the world commodity and agricultural markets;
• 2) gradual overcoming of the existing disproportion in the commodity structure of exports of developing countries in favor of expanding groups of goods of deep processing