The Trade and Development Board serves as UNCTAD’s governing body between its quadrennial conferences, overseeing the organization’s activities and addressing policy, management and institutional matters. It’s made up of 160 members, elected from UNCTAD’s 195 member States based on nominations from regional groups, ensuring equitable geographic representation and inclusivity in decision-making.

The Board meets regularly in Geneva in:

• Annual sessions: Convened to review UNCTAD’s activities, discuss pressing development challenges and elect the Bureau (President, 10 Vice-Presidents and Rapporteur).
• Executive sessions: Held up to three times a year to focus on specific policy, management and institutional matters.
• Special sessions: Convened as needed to address urgent global issues.