Our role in the UN and WTO

Formed in 1964, ITC has been the focal point within the United Nations system for trade related technical assistance (TRTA).

In line with our joint mandate from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), we support our parent organizations’ regulatory, research and policy strategies. We focus on implementing and delivering practical TRTA projects.

Working together

Our work focuses on the areas of expertise where ITC can have the greatest impact:

• Strengthening the integration of the business sector of developing countries and economies in transition into the global economy,
• Improving the performance of trade and investment support institutions for the benefit of SMEs, and enhancing the abilities of trade support institutions to better support them
• Improving the international competitiveness of SMEs.

Along with our United Nations family and partner organizations, we continue to connect ITC projects and programmes with global efforts to achieve UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the Aid for Trade agenda. ITC remains the only international organization focused solely on trade development for developing and transition economies. To deliver effective trade-related technical assistance (TRTA) and to achieve the goal of expanding exports requires all the major players, including ITC, to develop effective working partnerships as well as greater levels of coherence and coordination. Our goal is to build on our capabilities and that of our partners to bring about even greater trade impact for good.