The UNCTAD secretariat is pleased to announce that the next regional course on key issues on the international economic agenda, which is designed for economies in Africa, will be hosted by the University of Nairobi, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya. The course will be held from 8 to 20 April 2024.

The course will focus on the links between trade, investment, finance and development, including in the context of the post-pandemic recovery and responses to shocks. Its aims are as follows:

• To enhance understanding of the relationship between trade, investment, finance and development and their links to country development strategies and building resilience;
• To enhance understanding of current economic debates, the post-pandemic recovery, the Sustainable Development Goals and the implications for policymakers in developing countries;
• To provide participants with knowledge and skills that will prepare them for negotiations, as well as to design and implement trade and development policies. These tools are designed to meet the needs and interests of their countries.

The syllabus will draw on the perspective of UNCTAD, analytical work and lessons learned from technical cooperation activities, and will be enriched by the competence and expertise of representatives of the Economic Commission for Africa. Experts from Kenya will share national experiences in promoting and managing trade, investment, finance and development and policies formulated in the context of the post-pandemic recovery.

The course is aimed primarily at mid-level government officials in ministries and institutions dealing with trade, investment, finance, development and technology issues who are involved in the formulation and implementation of national trade and development policies. Depending on the availability of places in the course, other applicants, such as university-level academics, may be considered. Kindly be reminded that participants who have previously completed a regional course on key issues on the international economic agenda may not be nominated again.

The course will be given in English, with simultaneous interpretation into French.

In the interest of efficiency, the application process is divided into two parts. First, UNCTAD member States in Africa are invited to present, by 25 January 2024, the names and email addresses of qualified candidates to the secretariat through their permanent missions in Geneva. Second, these candidates will be contacted by the secretariat to complete an application online;

The application process must be completed by 1 February 2024. It is therefore advisable that this information be submitted as soon as possible. Member States of successful candidates will be notified of the decision of UNCTAD following the selection committee meeting to be held on 8 February 2024.

Member States are encouraged to nominate more than one candidate per country. The selection committee will take into consideration all applications, provided that the candidates meet the eligibility criteria.