World Development Information Day

The 2026 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-Up (FfD Forum) – a key mechanism of the Financing for Development process, will be held on 20-24 April 2026. Special High-Level meeting with the WTO and UNCTAD Focus on the implementation of the Sevilla Commitment actions on trade 2026 in-depth review: International trade as an engine for development International trade as an engine for development in a changing global landscape The Forum this year assumes added importance and a critical role in mobilizing momentum and concrete solutions from the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) held in Sevilla in June 2025. The 2026 Forum will feature in-depth reviews of four action areas - on Domestic and International Private Business and Finance, International Trade as an Engine for Development, International Financial Architecture and Systemic Issues, and Data, Monitoring and Follow-up, as well as Special focus on Debt and Debt Sustainability, International...

The 2026 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-Up (FfD Forum) – a key mechanism of the Financing for Development process, will be held on 20-24 April 2026. 2026 in-depth review: International financial architecture and systemic issues (Ministerial session) Transforming the international financial architecture: Priorities for reform General Debate The Forum this year assumes added importance and a critical role in mobilizing momentum and concrete solutions from the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) held in Sevilla in June 2025. The 2026 Forum will feature in-depth reviews of four action areas - on Domestic and International Private Business and Finance, International Trade as an Engine for Development, International Financial Architecture and Systemic Issues, and Data, Monitoring and Follow-up, as well as Special focus on Debt and Debt Sustainability, International Development Cooperation and Development Effectiveness, and Domestic Public Reso...

During the week of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, the Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors of developing countries will launch the Borrowers' Platform to improve their debt management capacity. The initiative is Member State-led, with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) serving as the secretariat. With remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors from eligible developing countries:H.E. Mr. Ahmed Kouchouck, Minister of Finance, Egypt H.E. Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Pakistan The Borrowers' Platform was agreed by Member States at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (July 2025) under the Sevilla Commitment. It addresses a gap in the international financial system, where developing countries remain underrepresented while creditor coordination has expanded. The Platform will: Strengthen South-South cooperation and knowledge-sharing...

The United Nations World Development Information Day , will be celebratedon October 24th as a global platform to raise awareness about the world’s development challenges and also sheds light on the imperative need for enhanced international cooperation to resolve them. Tracing back to 1972, the UN Conference on Trade and Development recognized the importance of information in addressing trade and development issues . The ensuing resolution, led to the establishment of the Day. It is actually a call to action – emphasizing the necessity for global citizens to focus on developmental issues . Recent years have seen a shift in how this day is observed; and it now prominently features modern information technologies , such as the Internet and mobile telephony, and their pivotal role in raising awareness and finding solutions to trade and development problems . In this era of instant global communication, information is really power, and harnessing that power is integral to tackling ...

  International AI governance initiative s are highly fragmented and dominated by developed countries. AI technology is largely controlled by a few technology giants, which are likely to prioritize profits over societal benefits, and it can be deployed virtually anywhere, extending its influence beyond borders. Therefore, Governments should act to establish international guidance on AI development that favours public interest and promotes AI as a public good. Most developing countries have significant stakes in the future of AI but have limited influence over the direction it takes, which may result in a failure of global AI governance. This requires multi-stakeholder cooperation to make AI accessible and beneficial for everyone and foster inclusive innovation in tackling global challenges. A comprehensive global framework for AI should incorporate accountability mechanisms for companies, Governments and institutions. UNCTAD, in this report, advocates an AI-for-all approach, addres...

Global Services Forum 2025 & 5th UNCTAD Youth Forum (Final session). The  16th conference on trade and development (UNCTAD16)  takes place from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with the theme " Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development ". Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, the conference convenes Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Trade and Economy, Nobel Laureates, leaders of international organizations, representatives of civil society and renowned experts to engage in high-level dialogue on global trends and policy perspectives on trade, investment, development and the digital economy. Related Documents:  Global Services Forum 2025  &  5th UNCTAD Youth Forum (Final session) Watch the UNCTAD16 - Global Services Forum 2025 & 5th UNCTAD Youth Forum! Conferences

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   The General Debate of the  16th conference on trade and development (UNCTAD16)  is the opportunity for member States to express their views on the substantive issues of the Conference through formal statements. All statements will be made available to download as PDF and video recordings. The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) takes place from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with the theme "Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development". Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, the conference convenes Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Trade and Economy, Nobel Laureates, leaders of international organizations, representatives of civil society and renowned experts to engage in high-level dialogue on global trends and policy perspectives on trade, investment, development and the digital economy. Related Sites and Documents:  Lea...

   The General Debate of the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) is the opportunity for member States to express their views on the substantive issues of the Conference through formal statements. All statements will be made available to download as PDF and video recordings. The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) takes place from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, with the theme "Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development". Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, the conference convenes Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Trade and Economy, Nobel Laureates, leaders of international organizations, representatives of civil society and renowned experts to engage in high-level dialogue on global trends and policy perspectives on trade, investment, development and the digital economy. Related Documents:...

The UNCTAD Press conference ahead of the 16th Conference on Trade and Development - UNCTAD-16 Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN trade and development, will hold a press conference ahead of the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) that will take place from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The theme of UNCTAD-16 is "Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development". Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, the conference will convene Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Trade and Economy, Nobel Laureates, leaders of international organizations, representatives of civil society and renowned experts to engage in high-level dialogue on global trends and policy perspectives on trade, investment, development and the digital economy. Held every four years, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development is the most important intergovernme...

Signing of Memoranda between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Malawi, Slovak Republic, and UNCTAD and UNDP. Related Sites and Documents:  Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries website . Watch the Press Conference: Signing of memoranda between Turkmenistan and foreign countries and UN agencies (LLDC3)! 00:12:58 Conferences

Guests will present the analysis of the World Investment Report 2025. In a special briefing the Secretary General of UNCTAD, the UN leading trade body, will offer the latest analysis on global foreign direct investment, impact of global trade tensions and the debt situation of developing countries. Through the World Investment Report 2025 UNCTAD alerts of sharp declines in foreign direct investment in developing countries amid global trade tensions/uncertainty, rising debt and shrinking aid. Speakers: Rebeca Grynspan, United Nations Trade and Development Secretary General Nan Li Collins, Director for Investment and Enterprise, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Luz María de la Mora, Director for International Trade (UNCTAD) Moderated by Amalia Navarro, Chief Communications and External Relations, UNCTAD Related Sites and Documents:  More Info . Watch the launch of the World Investment Report, Press Conference - 4th International Conference on Financing for Development ...

Guests will brief on the new Borrowers Forum initiative at the FFD4 Conference. At the FFD4 Conference, UNCTAD and partners will spotlight solutions and the urgent political will needed to act. The event will highlight a major commitment under the "Compromiso de Sevilla": the establishment of a Borrowers' Forum, supported by the UN as secretariat. This is also a key proposal from the UN Secretary-General's Expert Group on Debt. This briefing will emphasize the UN's firm commitment to support the member-state initiative and outline how the forum will be structured to deliver on its promise of fairer global financial rules and enhanced representation for borrower countries. Speakers: Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda and Chair of the Expert Group Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Egypt Carlos Cuerpo, Minist...