The Importance Criteria of UNCTAD

There is no denying the fact that, as UNCTAD'spossesses considerable expertise. Here the proposal
mandate has become multidimensional, so itsis not to alter its earlier position, but to focus more
achievements have therefore been of different kinds.strongly on specific matters which are covered little if
The most significant achievements included. a) theat all by other organizations. In trade field UNCTAD
agreement on Generalized System ofshould give importance on consensus building. As
Preferences(GSP)1971; b) the setting up of the GlobalUNCTAD provides a universal forum for policy
System of Trade Preferences among developinganalysis, so for consensus on trade policy issue it can
Countries(1989); c) negotiation of Internationalhelp to prepare ground for later negotiations within
Commodity Agreements; d) the establishment ofWTO. UNCTAD and WTO should co-operate with
transparent market mechanisms in the form ofeach other in the field of international trade. It is
intergovernmental commodity expert and studyencouraging that two organization has already started
groups, involving consumers and producers; e) thetheir co-operation. In their joint meeting held in 8th
negotiation of the Common Fund forOct. 1996 WTO Director General said "the
Commodities(1989); f) the adoption of the resolutionconvergence between WTO and UNCTAD was
on the retroactive adjustment of terms of Officialevidenced in regular meetings between the heads of
Development Assistance debt of low-incomethe two organizations, joint research projects,
developing countries; g) the establishment ofco-ordinated technical assistance and generally a
guidelines for international action in the area of debtmore intense working relationship at all levels of the
rescheduling(1980); h) the Programme of Action fororganizations." As the main functions of WTO are the
Least Developed Countries for the 1990s and I) theimplementation and negotiation of contractual trading
negotiation of convention in the area of maritimerules and discipline, there is considerable scope for
transport. In addition to above UNCTAD made somecomplementarity between WTO and UNCTAD.The
contributions on matters for implementation in otherpolicy analysis and consensus building functions of
forums. For example, it has contribution in theUNCTAD can make essential contribution to the
improvement of the Implementation compensatoryintergovernmental consideration of trade issues to
facility for export earnings shortfalls of developingthe point where they can be fruitfully negotiated in
countries; the creation of the Special Drawing RightsWTO.d) In post cold war economic environment, the
by IMF; the reduction of commercial bank debt forneed for collective action by the Third World
the highly indebted countries promoted by the Worldcountries to meet the evolving challenges is more
Bank. UNCTAD had also some contribution in the areaimportant than ever. UNCTAD is the only body in the
of code of conduct for the transfer of technology,UN which has some scope to deal with global
computerized systems in the area of customs andeconomic issues from a development perspective.
debt management.UNCTAD should be equipped for that purpose.e)
Although for many limitations as I mentioned earlierUNCTAD's monitoring and analytical capacities should
UNCTAD could not fulfil all expectations but it hasbe increased sufficiently.f) Its efficiency in the area
tried and still trying with its limited resources to do itsof foreign investment, technology transfer,
work. For the cause of the developing countries thecompetition policy regarding Multinational Corporation
role of UNCTAD should be strengthen. To make itshould be strengthening.g) UNCTAD should prepare
more dynamic and effective some measures shouldits answer for Third World country regarding
be taken like as follows:a) The Third World countriesliberalization and regional groupings.
should minimize their differences and have to sacrificeSince it has been reorganized to make it more
their own interest for the sake of other developingefficient there is no need to dismantle it. Because it
countries. It will be easier for UNCTAD to work in astill serves a primary purpose to achieve international
co-operative atmosphere than of conflict.b) UNCTADco-operation in solving international problems of an
should give emphasis those issues in which iteconomic nature.