16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16)

The 16th Session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) is scheduled to be held from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Hosted by the Government of Switzerland in collaboration with UNCTAD, the conference convenes every four years as the organisation’s highest-level intergovernmental gathering.

UNCTAD16 aims to bring together Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Trade, Economy, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, along with leaders from international organisations, Nobel Laureates, civil society, business, academia, and youth. The aim is to engage in policy dialogue and strategic reflection on trade, investment, technological change, digital economies, sustainable development, and how these can be harnessed in the service of inclusive growth.

This year’s theme is ‘Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.’ Over the four days, UNCTAD16 will feature more than 40 high-level sessions, including ministerial roundtables, forums for business and civil society, dialogues between public and private sectors, parallel events, and thematic discussions.

A key outcome of UNCTAD16 will be the setting of UNCTAD’s mandate and work priorities for the next four-year period, including the formulation of global policy recommendations that address structural challenges and support equitable development.