UNCTAD
Accelerating the energy transition in ports
UNCTAD is supporting port professionals through new training focused on practical solutions for cleaner and more efficient port operations.
Read morePress releases, publications and official announcements from UNCTAD, the State of Qatar and the WIF 2026 secretariat.
UNCTAD is supporting port professionals through new training focused on practical solutions for cleaner and more efficient port operations.
Read moreUNCTAD and Founder Institute are joining forces to help entrepreneurs access the networks, knowledge and support they need to start, grow and expand their businesses.
Read moreThe report highlights a defining year for UNCTAD, marked by UNCTAD16 in Geneva and the adoption of the Geneva Consensus, which sets the organization’s direction for the years ahead.
Read moreCaribbean households are paying more for fuel and electricity even as oil markets calm, signaling that the effects of a supply shock outlast the disruption that caused it.
Read moreThe UN-supported initiative offers a lasting space for collaboration and peer learning to amplify borrowing countries' collective voice in global debt discussions.
Read moreThe Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP) is gaining new momentum as it moves from negotiation to implementation.
Read moreGlobal goods trade expanded by an estimated 12.5% quarter over quarter in the first half of 2026, reaching about $13.7 trillion, supported in part by higher prices.East Asia recorded the strongest goods trade growth in the first quarter, well above the global average.AI- and electric vehicle-related products led goods trade growth, with further gains expected.World trade is expected to keep growing, but increasingly unevenly, amid rising geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty.
Read moreActing Secretary-General Moreno calls for the global energy transition to become a driver of sustainable development for mineral-rich developing countries, avoiding a repetition of past extractive models.
Read moreThe São Paulo Round Protocol of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP) is one ratification away from entering into force, marking a major milestone for South–South trade cooperation after almost two decades of negotiations and preparations.UNCTAD estimates that implementation could generate welfare gains of up to $14 billion and tariff reductions of at least 20% on about 6,000 products.Participating countries represent a market of around $18 trillion and more than 4 billion people.Members will meet in Geneva on 20 July 2026 to review progress and prepare for implementation.
Read moreCommodities can drive growth, but over-reliance leaves economies vulnerable to shocks.Next step: Move beyond raw material exports by adding value and strengthening productive capacity.UNCTAD's new dashboard helps countries turn data into informed policy decisions.
Read moreThe State of Qatar and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) today announced that the 9th World Investment Forum (WIF) will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 25 to 27 October 2026.The announcement was made jointly by H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar and UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.WIF is the world’s leading platform for investment and development, convening stakeholders from more than 160 countries, including heads of state, ministers, CEOs, business leaders, sovereign wealth fund executives and representatives of international organizations.Investing in the futureUnder the theme ‘Investing in the Future’, WIF 2026 will examine how investment and finance systems must evolve in response to geopolitical fragmentation, climate urgency and rapid technological change. The Forum will look beyond short-term capital flows to focus on long-term value creation, productive capacity, and economic resilience.WIF 2026 will advance key global initiatives, by linking high-level policy dialogue to concrete action.“At a time of growing fragmentation and uncertainty, investment must once again become a driver of shared prosperity,” said UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. “WIF 2026 will focus on how to align capital with long-term development, resilience, and opportunity.“We are proud to announce Qatar as the host of the World Investment Forum 2026. We intend for Doha to be a place of action, where public and private actors come together to shape the future of investment. We stand ready to partner with UNCTAD on this journey.” said H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar.A platform for action“At World Investment Forum, public and private leaders work together to turn long-term vision into investment action” said Nan Li Collins, Director of Investment and Enterprise at UNCTAD and Head of the World Investment Forum.The Forum’s programme will include the Global Leaders Investment Summit, the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Global Dialogue, the Investment and Enterprise Ministerial Roundtable, and sessions on climate finance, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.Further details on the programme, participation and registration will be announced in due course and shared via the World Investment Forum website.UN Trade and Development and the State of Qatar look forward to welcoming the global investment community to Doha in October 2026.View the WIF video here.About the World Investment ForumThe World Investment Forum is the United Nations’ leading platform for investment and development, organized biennially by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Since 2008, WIF has convened heads of state, ministers, CEOs, sovereign wealth fund executives, stock exchange leaders, and the international investment community to address pressing challenges in investment for sustainable development. Visit worldinvestmentforum.unctad.orgAbout UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)UN Trade and Development helps developing countries benefit from the global economy more fairly and effectively, providing research, analysis, technical assistance, and consensus-building support on trade, investment, finance, and technology. Visit unctad.orgPicture: H.E. Ambassador Hend Al Muftah, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Geneva; H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development, Nan Li Collins, Director, Division on Investment and Enterprise and Head of the World Investment Forum, UN Trade and Development.
Read moreThe flagship UN platform will scale solutions and partnerships to power sustainable investment globally, ensuring finance fosters inclusive growth and shared prosperity.The 9th World Investment Forum will be hosted by Qatar in 2026, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan announced on 22 October during the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) underway in Geneva, Switzerland.Held biennially by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the forum is the leading global platform for investment and development.The 2026 forum will tackle the world’s most pressing investment challenges at a critical moment of global uncertainty, climate pressure, digital transformation and economic fragmentation.The need for inclusive growth, resilient economies and climate-smart finance is greater than ever.“Investment is about trust – trust in the future, trust in partnership, trust in shared prosperity,” said Secretary-General Grynspan.“How can we forge multi-stakeholder coalitions that channel sustainable finance where it's needed most.”The 2026 forum will build on the deliberations of UNCTAD16, notably its Business Leaders Dialogue, and advance other key global initiatives such as the UN Summit of the Future.“The 9th World Investment Forum in Qatar will bring together influential voices from across government, business and finance to shape the future of sustainable investment,” notes Nan Li Collins, UNCTAD director of investment and enterprise, also serving as head of the World Investment Forum.Strong partnership for sustainable developmentLooking ahead to the forum, host country Qatar reaffirms its commitment to advancing multilateral dialogue and mobilizing investment for shared prosperity.“We view this not simply as a ceremonial role, but as a substantive commitment to ensuring that WIF 2026 is action-oriented, inclusive and catalytic,” said Ahmad Mohamed A.Y. Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar.“Let us seize this moment of global challenge as an opportunity, to rewire investment toward resilience, equity and shared prosperity. Qatar stands ready to host, catalyze and partner in this journey,” the minister added.Further details about the World Investment Forum 2026 will follow in the coming months, follow itsofficial websitefor updates.
Read moreThe Secretariat of the World Investment Forum is the Division on Investment and Enterprise at UN Trade and Development. The Division is led by Director Nan Li-Collins and is the focal point within the United Nations systems for all issues related to investment and enterprise development. It conducts cutting-edge policy analysis, provides technical assistance and builds international consensus on investment and enterprise.
Read moreUN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan launched theWorld Investment Report 2025 during a press conference in Geneva on 19 June 2025.
Read moreJames Zhan reflects on achievements and challenges ahead for Unctad's flagship investment event
Read moreUNCTAD’s 8th Women in Business Awards honoured successful entrepreneurs from developing countries who are driving positive change for people and the planet.
Read moreUNCTAD's 8th World Investment Forum underscored the sector's pivotal role in bridging the $4 trillion annual investment gap developing countries face to achieve the Global Goals, especially for food security and biodiversity protection.
Read moreThe call was issued on the second day of the 8th World Investment Forum and underscores the vital need for capital in developing countries, where substantial growth opportunities exist.
Read moreWith over 735 million people facing hunger globally, $680 billion is needed annually from now until 2030 to revamp agrifood systems in low and middle-income countries.
Read moreThe 8th World Investment Forum unveils the winners of the UN Investment Promotion Awards 2023, celebrating their success in supercharging climate action.
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