The 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), held at Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, from 20–23 October 2025. UNCTAD16 brought together 195 member countries, ministers, economists, and global leaders to discuss trade, finance, debt, investment, and digital economy challenges in the context of inclusive growth and sustainability.
- Theme: “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Development”
- Host: Switzerland & UNCTAD
Outcome Document: “The Geneva Consensus for a Just and Sustainable Economic Order”
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Geneva Consensus and a political declaration, emphasizing development-centred global cooperation.
Key Focus Areas under the Geneva Consensus:
Trade:
- Reaffirmed the importance of a rules-based, open, transparent, and equitable multilateral trading system.
- Highlighted quality trade in services as the new frontier for development.
Investment:
- Addressed uneven global investment flows and called for investment facilitation policies.
- Urged creation of ecosystems that multiply foreign investments and reduce the cost of capital.
Digital Economy:
- Recognized the growing digital divide.
- Called for UNCTAD’s support in capacity-building, digital infrastructure, and inclusive digital frameworks for developing economies.
Debt and Financing for Development:
- Endorsed the creation of a Borrowers’ Forum — a new platform for developing nations to coordinate on debt issues.
- Follow-up to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).
Support for Vulnerable Economies:
- Strengthened commitments toward:
- Least Developed Countries (LDCs): through a dedicated graduation support programme.
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS): to address climate disasters and high transport costs.
- Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs): through trade facilitation and transit corridor initiatives.
Debt Dialogue:
- Launched the Sevilla Forum on Debt to enhance cooperation in managing sovereign debt challenges of developing countries.
Key Institutional Announcements and Support Commitments
Trade & Supply Chains
- Saudi Arabia to host the 2nd UN Global Supply Chain Forum in November 2026 (partnering with the Saudi Ports Authority – MAWANI).
- Focus: Building resilient, efficient, and sustainable global supply chains.
Digital Economy
- Switzerland announced CHF 4 million funding to strengthen UNCTAD’s digital economy initiatives.
- UNCTAD signed an MoU with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) to:
- Improve digital economy data measurement,
- Empower women in digital entrepreneurship,
- Support SMEs and startups globally.
Investment
- Qatar to host the 9th World Investment Forum (WIF) in 2026.
- Objective: Scale up sustainable investment partnerships for inclusive global growth.
About UNCTAD
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Form | United Nations Conference on Trade and Development |
| Established | 1964 by the UN General Assembly |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Membership | 195 countries |
| Parent Body | Part of the UN Secretariat, reporting to the UNGA and ECOSOC |
| Current Secretary-General (2025) | Rebeca Grynspan (Costa Rica) |
| Motto | “Prosperity for All” |
| Primary Role | To promote equitable and sustainable integration of developing countries into the global economy |
Mandate & Functions
- Promotes inclusive trade and investment policies.
- Conducts economic and policy research for developing economies.
- Provides technical assistance for trade facilitation, debt management, and digital growth.
- Facilitates consensus-building on global development challenges.
Historical Background
| Year/Conference | Venue / Highlights |
| 1964 (UNCTAD I) | Geneva – Establishment of UNCTAD under the UNGA. |
| 1989 | Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP) came into effect – enabling tariff and non-tariff concessions among developing nations. |
| 1995 | Formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – shifting global trade governance from GATT framework. |
| 2000 (UNCTAD X) | Bangkok Declaration – “The Spirit of Bangkok” adopted, emphasizing a development-oriented globalization agenda. |
Major Reports Published by UNCTAD
- Trade and Development Report – annual global trade and growth trends.
- World Investment Report – tracks global FDI trends and investment policy developments.
- The Least Developed Countries Report – focuses on progress and challenges of LDCs.
- Digital Economy Report – assesses digital trade and technology impacts on development.
UNCTAD Facts
- UNCTAD is one of the key bodies under the UN’s economic arm, alongside:
- UNDP (Development Programme)
- UNIDO (Industrial Development Organization)
- WTO (though independent, linked via trade policy)
- UNCTAD’s Intergovernmental Machinery:
- Trade and Development Board (TDB)
- Expert Meetings
- Working Parties
- Predecessor Organization: The GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), replaced by WTO in 1995.
- UNCTAD’s Headquarters Building: Palais des Nations, Geneva — also houses UN Office at Geneva (UNOG) and Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meetings.
Significance of UNCTAD16
- Reinforces South-South Cooperation and development finance equity.
- Recognizes digital transformation and debt sustainability as global policy priorities.
- Provides platforms like the Borrowers’ Forum and Sevilla Forum for collective developing country action.
- Strengthens multilateralism amidst global economic fragmentation.