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Official link: https://unctad.org/news/viet-nam-host-16th-un-conference-trade-and-development-october-2025

In October 2025, Vietnam will host the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), a significant event that will bring together leaders from around the world to discuss pressing issues in trade and development. The conference, themed “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive, and Sustainable Development,” aims to address the complex challenges facing the global economy today, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical shifts, and the impacts of technology and climate change.

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UNCTAD16 will gather an impressive array of participants, including heads of state, ministers of trade and economy from UNCTAD’s 195 member states, Nobel Prize-winning economists, and leaders of international organizations. This conference is UNCTAD’s highest decision-making body, where member states will assess current trade and development issues and formulate global policy responses. It also sets the organization’s work priorities for the next four years.

The conference will focus on several key areas, including diversifying economies, building more inclusive and sustainable economic systems, ensuring stable finance for development, and strengthening multilateralism in a multipolar world. These discussions are crucial as the world seeks to navigate the challenges of sustainable economic growth and equitable development. UNCTAD16 is expected to be a pivotal moment for global cooperation, providing a platform for countries to share experiences and work together toward a more sustainable future.