20 - 23 October, Geneva
IOI was represented by IOI President Mahin Faghfouri and also by Behzad Alipour Tehranyi, at the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 16) which took place from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Taking place once every four years since its establishment in 1964, the Conference is UNCTAD’s highest decision-making body which sets the organisation’s strategy and work priorities for the coming four years.
The theme of the Conference in 2025 was “Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development”.
UNCTAD 16 was hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, and brought together ministers of trade and economy (80+ ministers and vice-ministers), delegations from 170 countries, leaders of international organisations, representatives from civil society, the private sector, youth and renowned experts to engage in high-level dialogue on trade, finance and debt, investment and digital economy. The Conference covered a general debate, ministerial meetings of country groups, ministerial roundtables, forums, parallel events and exhibitions.
The outcome of the four days of intensive deliberations and negotiations covering current most pressing trade and development challenges, is reflected in a document entitled the “Geneva Consensus” which was adopted by consensus in the late hours of the 23rd October. The “Geneva Consensus” addressed clusters of present economic challenges providing direction for future work of UNCTAD. The issues of ‘environment, climate change and development’, as well as ‘digital economy’, including artificial intelligence also featured among the key issues covered by the Geneva Consensus bearing in mind their profound impact on economic growth and development.
For detailed information, visit the UNCTAD website.