Background information: Assuring development gains from the international trading system and trade negotiations is a subtheme of UNCTAD XI’s agenda. The building and strengthening of trade and trade-related human, institutional, regulatory and entrepreneurial capacities of developing countries are critical to the continued development of an enabling policy, institutional and business climate for development gains to be assured from international trade.

Purpose: The Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme for African Countries (JITAP), implemented jointly by ITC, UNCTAD and WTO, will contribute to addressing this challenge in respect of the multilateral trading system (MTS). The event will focus on showcasing JITAP as a practical and integrated response by UNCTAD, WTO and ITC and participating donor countries in building and/or strengthening, in partner African countries, human, institutional and entrepreneurial capacities for trade negotiations, implementation of WTO agreements, and related trade policy formulation and export strategy development through participatory and inclusive national stakeholder discussion and decision making.

Expected outcome: The deliberations at the event are expected to aim at identifying best practices and approaches in MTS building in ensuring development gains for African and other developing countries. Identified best practices and approaches, together with the papers submitted, will be issued after the conference in a compendium in print and CD-ROM formats and disseminated to all JITAP countries and other developing countries.

Quick links: | JITAP website |