Subprogrammes
(UNESCAP Programme of Work, 2008-2009)

Subprogramme 4 - Trade and investment

Objective of the Organization: to achieve a more equitable distribution of benefits from the globalization process through increased trade and investment in support of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

Expected accomplishments of the Secretariat

(a) Increased national capacities to negotiate, conclude and implement multilateral and regional trade and investment agreements designed to promote inter- and intra-subregional trade and investment flows
(b) Increased national capacities to develop and implement trade and investment policies and programmes designed to enhance supply-side capacities and international competitiveness of exports

Strategy

The substantive responsibility for this subprogramme lies with the Trade and Investment Division, with support from the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery. The strategic direction of the subprogramme derives mainly from the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, the 2005 World Summit Outcome, the Shanghai Declaration, the statute of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery, as well as managing globalization through strengthened regional cooperation in trade and investment. The challenge will be to provide for a more inclusive and equitable process of globalization among countries. ESCAP will collaborate at the regional, subregional and national levels and with the agencies within the United Nations system, as well as with other bilateral and multilateral agencies. Additionally, further collaboration will be undertaken with relevant regional, subregional and national intergovernmental bodies, as well as with private sector and civil society organizations and networks within Asia and the Pacific.

To meet its objectives, the subprogramme will support the efforts of ESCAP members and associate members to develop the capacity, institutions and legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to participate more effectively and competitively in international trade and investment activities. A key element will be to support the effective implementation of policies and programmes to enhance the trade and investment environment and to meet international obligations. This approach will contribute to more sustainable growth, poverty alleviation and realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

The subprogramme will assist countries in the region to strengthen trade and investment policy regimes. In particular, assistance will be provided through issue-specific and practical training, exchange of experiences, provision of information and toolkits, integrated regional programmes, targeted advice and regional consensus-building, including multi-stakeholder policy dialogues. In undertaking trade capacity-building assistance, the subprogramme will accord priority to developing countries including the special needs of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, countries with economies in transition and small island developing States.