Topic outline

  • Short Courses

    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 first semester, three courses will be provided at Palais des Nations - on 19 March, 23 April, and 08 May 2020 respectively. 

    • Thursday 19 March 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - Investing in the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Diplomats
    • Thursday 23 April 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - New Instruments, Approaches and Frameworks in Trade Policy Towards Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment
    • Friday 08 May 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - Competition and consumer protection policies for inclusive and sustainable development

  • Thursday 19 March 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - Investing in the Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Diplomats

    Governments worldwide have long encouraged foreign direct investment (FDI) to support economic growth and development objectives. They do so through improvements in their investment regimes, marketing of their locations, targeted promotion efforts towards investors and the facilitation of investment projects. While national investment promotion agencies (IPAs) naturally play a central role, many other ministries and public and private sector entities are also involved. Ministries of Foreign Affairs and their network of diplomatic services have a real opportunity to support the promotion and facilitation of Sustainable Development Goal-relevant investment. Having a permanent presence in strategic market locations abroad can be very helpful to support a country’s investment promotion mission. In the absence of overseas IPA representations, diplomats and commercial attachés can act as liaisons to facilitate links with potential investors. Mobilizing diplomats to contribute to the promotion of investment in Sustainable Development Goal-related sectors is in line with the broader trend in diplomacy worldwide which is increasingly economic, and Goal-oriented.

    The interactive short course will first provide diplomats with a general background on FDI trends worldwide, the financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and estimates on how much investment has been channeled so far to the individual Goals. The edition will also shed light on UNCTAD’s upcoming handbook on investment promotion for diplomats, which will reflect the latest developments in general investment promotion, and specifically covers the promotion of investment in Goal-related sectors and projects. It will look particularly at the tools and practices and the network of stakeholders that diplomats need to develop. The short course will inform diplomats on the potential of private sector investment contributions, including FDI, to Sustainable Development Goal-related sectors and the role that diplomats can play in attracting such investments.


    • Thursday 23 April 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - New Instruments, Approaches and Frameworks in Trade Policy Towards Gender Equality and Women's Economic Empowerment

      After briefly discussing 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 walk participants through new instruments, approaches and frameworks in trade policy towards gender equality and women's economic empowerment, including the recent FTAs which contain trade and gender chapters; the Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment; and ex-ante and ex-post gender evaluations of trade policy measures. It will also deal with the current backlash against international trade and will try to address its causes and the appropriateness of the responses.


      • Friday 08 May 2020, 10 a.m. (Room XXVI) - 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.