BRAZIL TO HOST UNCTAD XI IN JUNE 2004

BRAZIL TO HOST UNCTAD XI IN JUNE 2004

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 13 June (UNCTAD) -- The eleventh United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XI) will be held at the Anhembi Conference Centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 13 to 18 June 2004.

The UNCTAD, the United Nations focal point for development issues in the fields of trade, finance, investment and technology, holds its ministerial-level conference every four years to set the organization’s priorities and guidelines for action.  The conference is UNCTAD's highest governing body and also includes a high-level debate on current issues involving economics and development.

For UNCTAD Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero, UNCTAD XI represents an “unprecedented opportunity” to help developing countries meet the challenges ahead.  It will, he says, “strengthen the links between international and national efforts to promote economic growth and sustainable development”.

At the international level, such efforts involve processes and negotiations ranging from resolving financial crises to multilateral trade talks.  Nationally, the focus is on diversifying and enhancing productive capacity.  Specifically, Mr. Ricupero says, the conference will endeavour to formulate the best public policies for increasing export competitiveness.  Such policies can include the use of national innovation systems, the creation or adaptation of technologies, enhancing value added, and increasing the skills of the workforce.

“Enhancing coherence between national development strategies and global economic processes towards economic growth and development, particularly of developing countries” is the theme for next year’s conference.  There are four subthemes:

-- Development strategies in a globalizing world economy;

-- Building productive capacity and international competitiveness;

-- Assuring development gains from the international trading system and trade negotiations; and

-- Partnership for development.

During an official visit to Brazil from 12 to 16 May, Mr. Ricupero met with ministers and with the governor and mayor of Sao Paulo to begin preparations for the conference.  Brazilian political leaders said they shared UNCTAD’s views on development-related matters and promised to make every effort on the political, analytical and logistical levels to ensure a successful conference.  Participants will include representatives of governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector from throughout the world.

The UNCTAD’s previous quadrennial conferences have been held in Bangkok (Thailand) in 2000; in Midrand (South Africa) in 1996; in Cartagena de las Indias (Colombia), 1992; Geneva (Switzerland), 1987; Belgrade (former Yugoslavia), 1983; Manila (Philippines), 1979; Nairobi (Kenya), 1976; Santiago de Chile (Chile), 1972; New Delhi (India), 1968; and Geneva (Switzerland) in 1964.

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