The conference is UNCTAD´s highest decision-making body. It meets every four years to set priorities and guidelines for the organization, and provides an opportunity to debate key economic and development issues.

During the week-long conference, a number of thematic sessions on trade, investment, finance, technology and development-related topics will be organized around the main theme:

Enhancing the coherence between national development strategies and global economic processes towards economic growth and development, particularly of developing countries

Debates will focus on ways to make trade work for development, bearing in mind the outcomes of the recent summits on Financing for Development and Sustainable Development. Emphasis will be on improving competitiveness and building capacity in the productive sector.