The Global Commodities Forum was launched in 2010. It provides a high-level, neutral multi-stakeholder platform to discuss issues related to the production and trade of commodities, with a focus on developing countries. The Forum aims to generate partnerships and innovative policy ideas for leaders of government, the private sector and civil society.

The theme of the 2018 Global Commodities Forum is: 'Building skills for sustainable development'.

Participants will examine and discuss the roles that skill development plays in the commodities sector in moving up the value chain, contributing to industrial development (SDG 9) and providing decent work (SDG 8) and professional education (SDG 4). In addition, emphasis will be placed on how human capital development strategies should adapt to the increasing automation of the mining sector, and how these strategies help prepare for the transition to a lower-carbon energy mix in pursuit of universal access to affordable, clean energy (SDG 7) and contribute to increasing the participation of women in skilled vocations in value added activities (SDG 5).

dates: 23-24 April 2018
location: Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
www: http://unctad.org/en/pages/MeetingDetails.aspx?meetingid=1685