The participation of the least developed countries (LDCs) in global conferences and summits such as UNCTAD XII is still weak. Effective participation – during both the preparatory process and at the Conference itself – requires:
- An adequate assessment of their needs; and
- A clear identification of their common interests.
To that end, the UNCTAD secretariat has designed and implemented a project aimed at contributing to the improved and informed participation of LDCs in the preparatory process for UNCTAD XII and at the Conference itself.
The project assisted LDCs in comprehensively assessing their needs and clearly identifying their collective interests for action at the national and international levels.
The project in particular helped to: - Assess key trade and development challenges and opportunities facing these countries, including those related to trade and trade capacity development;
- Contribute to debates on the current national and international policies and strategies, including their strengths and weaknesses to address the challenges; and
- Identify new policy options and actions required at the national, regional and international levels to effectively address the trade and development challenges facing LDCs and to enable them to take advantage of opportunities arising from globalization.
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The publication Export competitiveness and development in LDCs: policies, issues and priorities for least developed countries for action during and beyond UNCTAD XII is the direct outcome of the project. It assesses the most important trade and development challenges, prospects and potential that exists in the LDCs.