AMBASSADOR RANSFORD Smith, Jamaica's Permanent Representative to the Office and Specialised Agencies of the United Nations in Geneva, has been elected president of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) governing body.
The body, the Trade and Development Board (TDB), is currently engaged in a two-week annual session in Geneva. Government representatives of UNCTAD's 191-member countries comprise the board's membership.
Ambassador Smith, who succeeds Ms. Mary Whelan of Ireland, will hold office for one year from the date of his election. He will still lead representations on behalf of Jamaica in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
NOTEWORTHY RECOGNITION
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. K.D Knight has hailed Ambassador Smith's election as another noteworthy recognition of the outstanding service in the international sphere for which Jamaica is recognised.
The TDB, which meets in regular sessions and up to three times a year in executive sessions, will focus on a number of pressing topics at its current 52nd session. Topics include lessons from the 1990s, globalisation challenges, development in Africa, problems of poorest nations, assistance to Palestinians, as well as matters pertaining to UNCTAD and the WTO.
UNCTAD is the focal point within the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development, and related issues in areas of investment, finance, technology, enterprise and sustainable development. UNCTAD also promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy.
