GFDD Granted Observer Status with UNCTAD to Advise on International Trade and Development Issues

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) has received official confirmation from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that it has been awarded official observer status. The implications of this decision for GFDD are that the foundation will from now on be able to be represented and to participate in the Trade and Development Board meetings in the public intergovernmental
meetings organized by UNCTAD.

Accreditation is the gateway, for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as GFDD, to establishing close working relations and a firm basis for cooperation with UNCTAD. The benefit of this special relationship for the Trade and Development Board of UNCTAD is aimed at securing information or advice from organizations like GFDD, who have a special competence on trade and development subjects, to help inform and advance policy negotiations in
this field at the United Nations.

Thanks to its new status, GFDD will now also be able to attend the public sessions of UNCTAD inter-governmental meetings and conferences, make oral statements, and circulate written material on matters related to the agenda of the meeting. The foundation will also receive ongoing information on UNCTAD’s current activities, studies, publications and documentation.

The accreditation represents a significant
milestone for GFDD as this will enable it to further strengthen its collaborative relationship with the United Nations (GFDD is already an accredited organization with observer status at ECOSOC, UNEP and has special relations with the Department of Public Information (DPI), the UN Global Compact Office, the Office on Drugs and Crime, and the World Summit on Information). This collaborative relationship will allow GFDD to continue disseminating the work of its programs focused on global
affairs such as the GFDD Global Roundtables (a monthly broadcast interview series on international affairs between GFDD’s Executive Director, Ms. Natasha Despotovic, and public figures that include UN Ambassadors and Agency Directors) and its environment programs such as ReCrearte (local workshops teaching local communities the importance
and economic value of recycling waste into tangible artistic products), EcoHuertos (local workshops teaching school children the importance of school gardens) and the DR Environmental Film Festival – DREFF (GFDD’s annual environmental film festival based in 8 sites across the country). This new platform for debate will be key for GFDD to promote
solutions to end global economic inequalities and generate people-centered sustainable development.

About UNCTAD:
UNCTAD is a forum where representatives of all countries can freely engage in dialogue and discuss ways to establish a better balance in the global economy. In addition, UNCTAD offers direct technical assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, helping them to build the capacities they need to
become equitably integrated into the global economy and improve the well-being of their populations.

UNCTAD holds a ministerial-level meeting every four years to discuss major global economic issues and to decide on its program of work. It also holds discussions with civil society, including at an annual symposium where members of the public can express their views and interact with country representatives.

Related links:
http://unctad.org
www.eco-huertos.org
www.r3crearte.org
www.dreff.org