UNCTAD XI: Issues Emerging and Lessons for Developing Countries

This issue of Trade Hot Topics summarises some of the key issues emerging from the Eleventh Session of the UNCTAD Ministerial Conference, held in São Paulo, Brazil, 13–18 June 2004, and identifies relevant lessons for developing countries. It also examines the sub-themes running through the Conference – on development strategies in a globalising economy; building productive capacities and international competitiveness; assuring development gains from the international trading system and trade negotiations; and building partnerships for development. Other topical issues discussed at the Conference were trade in services, regionalism versus multilateralism, and commodity price policies.