Topic outline

  • Short Course

    Short Courses for Geneva-based Diplomats - 2020 series


    The UNCTAD secretariat is pleased to announce another series of short courses in 2020 on key international economic issues for delegates from permanent missions to the United Nations Office at Geneva and the World Trade Organization.

    The aim of the courses is to give delegates from permanent missions an opportunity to become better acquainted with topical issues and developments in the international economic agenda as they are reflected in the work of UNCTAD. More detailed information on the content of individual courses may be found below.

    In the second semester, three courses will be provided at Palais des Nations - on 18 September, 13 October, and 13 November 2020 respectively. 

    • (Completed) Friday 18 September 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XIX) - Investing in the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Diplomats
    • (Completed) Tuesday 13 October 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XIX) - New Instruments, Approaches and Frameworks in Trade Policy Towards Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment
    • Friday 13 November 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XII and online) -  Competition and consumer protection policies for inclusive and sustainable development

  • Friday 13 November 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XII) - Competition and consumer protection policies for inclusive and sustainable development

    The short course will shed light on UNCTAD’s mandate and work in the areas of competition and consumer protection. Additionally, it will address the current challenges in these areas; the role of competition and consumer protection policies for inclusive and sustainable development and the linkages between these two policy areas and their contribution to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.

     This edition will lead to increased knowledge amongst delegates on UNCTAD’s mandate and work on competition and consumer protection; familiarity with the UN Set on Competition and the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection; the challenges faced in these areas, especially by developing countries and how countries respond; and the relevance of competition and consumer protection to inclusive and sustainable development. Additionally, the edition will zoom on the contribution of competition and consumer protection to the SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 10 on reduced inequalities.


    • Tuesday 13 October 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XIX) - New Instruments, Approaches and Frameworks in Trade Policy Towards Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment

      After providing an analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and the role of trade in mitigating its negative effects, the presentation will move to briefly addressing the channels through which trade impacts women’s economic empowerment and well-being, and the channels through which gender inequality impacts trade performance and competitiveness. The session will then walk participants through new instruments, approaches and frameworks in trade policy towards gender equality and women's economic empowerment. The final presentation will be devoted to present results, initiatives and partnerships of the Trade, Gender and Development Programme.

    • Friday 18 September 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XIX) - Investing in the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Diplomats

      The beginning of the next “decade of action” (2020–2030) to push for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been marked by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact to the global economy. The effect of the crisis on SDG financing and investment can be substantial, as public and private investment needs are likely to become more important while investment flows to developing countries have decreased, public budgets are under strain, and an economic recovery may take years. At the same time, the pandemic has highlighted that investing in the SDGs, including in resilient health and agriculture value chains, is now more relevant than ever. While investment promotion agencies (IPAs) naturally play a central role in this endeavor, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and their network of diplomatic services have a real opportunity to support the promotion and facilitation of SDG-relevant investments fundamental for post-COVID-19 recovery. Mobilizing diplomats for this quest is also in line with the broader trend in diplomacy worldwide which is increasingly economic, and SDG-oriented.

      The interactive short course will first provide diplomats with a general background on FDI trends worldwide, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FDI prospects and investment promotion, the financing gap to achieve Agenda 2030, and estimates on how much investment has been channelled so far to individual Goals. The course will also shed light on UNCTAD’s upcoming handbook on investment promotion for diplomats, which will reflect the latest developments in this field, including the promotion of investment in Goal-related projects providing best practices and tools for diplomats.