Globalization has played a seminal role in shaping the contemporary international economic system. It has spurred economic growth, enhanced levels of prosperity and helped lift millions out of poverty. Yet, inequality and poverty persists, necessitating a coordinated, well-resourced and integrated global approach to addressing a myriad of economic, social and environmental challenges.

Pakistan advocates for an international economic system that recognizes the interdependence and amplifies the benefits of trade, finance, investment, technology and development for all.

Pakistan considers international trade as an engine for inclusive economic growth, poverty eradication and  the promotion of sustainable development. Pakistan continues to promote a universal rule based, open, transparent, predictable, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system.

Pakistan emphasizes the importance of enhancing the scale of financing for development and forging strong global partnerships to realize the SDGs' vision of leaving no one behind. Accordingly, Pakistan calls for expanding North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation, while taking into account that South-South Cooperation is not a substitute, but a complement to North-South Cooperation.

The Pakistan Mission works with, engages and advocates for its priorities, perspectives and positions on economic and trade related issues at various platforms including UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Trade Centre (ITC), South Centre, UN Economic Commission in Europe (UNECE), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Group of 77.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)                                     

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), headquartered in Geneva, was established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body by the United Nations General Assembly.  194 states are members of UNCTAD. The body has over 470 staff and an  annual regular budget of approximately US$69 million from the United Nations, and on an average of US$30-40 million in extra-budgetary technical assistance funds.

UNCTAD is mandated to pursue economic and sustainable development issues with a focus on trade, finance, investment and technology. It helps developing countries to participate equitably in the global economy. UNCTAD conducts economic policy research, produces useful analyses and makes policy recommendations to support government decision-making.

UNCTAD publishes a number of flagship reports: - Trade and Development Report - World Investment Report - The Least Developed Countries Report - Economic Development in Africa Report - Information Economy Report - Technology and Innovation Report - Review of Maritime Transport.

Pakistan is an active member of UNCTAD and has played an important role in strengthening its mandate for the integrated treatment of trade and interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development through policy advice, policy analysis and technical assistance.

Pakistan encourages UNCTAD to mobilize all means of implementation – financial and human resources, technology and capacity building, including through technical assistance to enable full implementation at all levels of the multilateral commitments and targets agreed in 2015.

Pakistan is an ardent supporter of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has aligned its long term vision with SDGs, providing a comprehensive long-term strategy to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Pakistan believes that the SDGs have the potential to end poverty, fight inequality and protect the planet with a timeframe that reflects the urgency of these issues.

For more information on Pakistan’s position on trade and development issues, please click here.

International Trade Centre (ITC)

Established in 1964, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, headquartered in Geneva. All UN and WTO members are governing members of the ITC.

ITC’s main focus is to facilitate SMEs connect with international markets and businesses and to help improve their international competitiveness. The Centre offers integrated solutions by building institutional, managerial and entrepreneurial capacities simultaneously at government, institutional and enterprise levels. It also works with the private sector to support its capacity as buyers, investors, and providers of technical assistance.

ITC brings together public and private sector actors to jointly contribute to a conducive business environment.

The Mission engages with the ITC and works as a liaison between it and institutions, bodies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

Established in 1947 by ECOSOC, the UNECE is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations.

The UNECE facilitates greater economic integration and cooperation among its fifty-six member States with a focus on sustainable development and economic prosperity through policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments, development of regulations and norms, exchange and application of best practices. The Commission also provides economic and technical expertise to countries.

As host to the UN conventions and agreements on road safety, the UNECE supports cooperation for safer transport and works with countries to build capacities for road safety plans.

The worldwide technical harmonization of vehicles is governed by 1958 Agreement, introduced by the UNECE. The agreement provides the legal and administrative context for establishing international regulations with uniform standards. On 24 February 2020, Pakistan acceded to the 1958 Vehicle Regulations agreement.

Pakistan and UNECE are also working together to promote sustainable transport which is safe, clean and competitive, through the development of freight and personal mobility by inland transport modes, by improving traffic safety, environmental performance, energy efficiency, inland transport security and efficient service provision in the transport sector.

UNECE also hosts the Secretariat of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975). The Convention facilitates the international carriage of goods from one or more customs offices of departure to one or more customs offices of destination (up to a total of four customs offices departure and destination) and through as many countries as necessary. As a rule, the vehicle remains sealed throughout the TIR transport and, thus, goods are generally not inspected at border crossings. However, customs authorities can inspect vehicles randomly, based on risk management approach. The Convention applies to transport with road vehicles, combination of vehicles as well as containers and allows for the use of the TIR Carnet for all modes of transport, provided that some portion of the journey is made by road. 

In 2015, Pakistan deposited its instrument of accession to the TIR Convention and became the sixty-ninth Contracting Party, paving the way for inter-regional economic integration and connectivity, especially along the regional trade corridors linking the 10 members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan) which are all TIR Contracting Parties.

Since 18 April 2018, the TIR system has become active for Pakistan. Pakistan National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (PNC-ICC) acts as TIR issuing and guaranteeing association for Pakistan.

South Centre

Established in 1995, the South Centre is an intergovernmental policy research think tank of developing countries based in Geneva, with currently 55 developing country member States from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Centre conducts research on international development policy issues, and provides analysis and advice on these issues to developing countries for their effective participation in international negotiating processes that are relevant to the achievement of SDGs.

The Centre also supports technical assistance and capacity building activities and promotes South-South cooperation through the sharing of views and experiences. The Centre publishes books, research papers, policy briefs, news bulletins and training papers.

The South Centre also collaborates with research institutes and universities working on sustainable development, climate change, global governance, economic and social development, global economic conditions, intellectual property, technology transfer, access to knowledge, health, trade agreements and food security.

Pakistan is a founding member of the South Centre and an active advocate of South-South co-operation.

The Mission works closely with the Centre in advancing common priorities, exchange of experiences and fostering joint approaches with respect to global economic, political and strategic issues at the intersection of sustainable development, sovereignty and security. The Mission also facilitates linkages between the South Centre and national research and academic institutions.

World Economic Forum (WEF)

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Geneva, the World Economic Forum (WEF) is an International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum brings together business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

It is a membership-based organization, made up of the world's largest corporations.

The organization hosts an annual meeting at the end of January in Davos attended by over 2500 political and business leaders, economists, celebrities and journalists for up to five days to discuss global issues, across 500 public and private sessions.

The organization also convenes some six to eight regional meetings each year in locations across Africa, East Asia, Latin America, and South Asia. It also holds two annual meetings in China and the United Arab Emirates.

WEF 2023 theme was "Cooperation in a Fragmented World" with the aim to address economic, environmental, political, and social fault-lines exacerbated in the midst of geopolitical tensions in the post-pandemic period. The discussions centered around addressing the current energy and food crises, high inflation, low growth, high debt economy, industry headwinds, social vulnerabilities, geopolitical risks, and ensuring a more inclusive future of work remained the main topics of discussion at various public and private forums.

Pakistan has been actively engaged with WEF. Pakistani leadership has participated in the annual meetings. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan attended the Forum in January 2023.