www.unctad.org
HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Focal Point: Rebecca Rellstab / Henrique Pacini
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE
“Today more than ever, we all need to move in a new direction towards greater equality, sustainability and economic resilience. In UNCTAD we are convinced that trade, investment, finance and technology must drive inclusive and sustainable development for all.”
Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD
Mission
UNCTAD supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively. And we help equip them to deal with the potential drawbacks of greater economic integration. To do this, we provide analysis, facilitate consensus-building, and offer technical assistance. This helps them to use trade, investment, finance, and technology as vehicles for inclusive and sustainable development.
With climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss representing serious challenges to countries and societies across the globe, environmental issues have been increasingly integrated in UNCTADS's work (as also reflected in the Geneva Consensus – UNCTAD’s quadrennial conference outcome document). Analytical work, consensus building and technical cooperation in support of a green transition feature prominently on UNCTAD's website as well as in UNCTAD's social media channels. UNCTAD's engagement at the annual climate and biodiversity COPs, as well as in the Oceans and INC Processes, has now a dedicated website to feed the global dialogue and position our message.
Alignment with the strategy for Sustainability Management in the United Nations System, 2020–2030
UNCTAD is a non-resident agency co-located at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. All operations are managed by the United Nations Office at Geneva, and this includes offsetting emissions, managing waste and water, energy efficiency, sustainable cafeterias, park management and more.
Emission Reduction
At UNCTAD, efforts are underway to become more sustainable. The organization eliminated all 400 printers and replaced them with network printers. Most desktop computers were replaced with laptops. It also created an enabling environment in which most files and workflows have been digitized. As a result, the organization significantly reduced printing-related emissions by consuming less supplies, paper and energy. It continues to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic to host and engage in virtual and hybrid events when appropriate. This reduces carbon emissions, thanks to less travel and the need for paper documents.
Offsetting
Annual carbon offsets are now purchased through a centralized United Nations Secretariat initiative to compensate for UNCTAD’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, 100% of UNCTAD’s calculated emissions were offset. Environmental reporting and offsetting follow the United Nations reporting cycle and are typically completed with a one-year time lag.