Background of the International Institute for Trade and Development
The initiative idea of establishment the International Institute for Trade and Development came from H.E. Rubens Ricupero, Secretary - General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Part of that such idea is to response as an appreciation for the Royal Thai Government on the occasion that Thailand hosted the Tenth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X) held in Bangkok. H.E. Ricupero would like to establish the institute to enhance the potential for trade and development in developing countries in the region and the world.
Therefore, on 17 March 1997 H.E. Rubens Ricupero visited Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyuth along with the senior cabinet together with the objectives of planning and organizing the Tenth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X). The meeting proposed to establish the Institute of Development. The Royal Thai Government and UNCTAD signed a Cooperation Agreement establishing the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD)
During the Tenth Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X) held in Bangkok between 12-19 February 2000, the meeting resolved to establish a center of research and training in the region, and to enhance the potential for trade and development in developing countries in the region and world.
The Royal Thai Government and UNCTAD signed a Cooperation Agreement establishing the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) on 17 February 2000.
Establishment
The Institute was officially inaugurated on 1 May 2002 during the Mid-Term Review Conference of UNCTAD X, hosted by the Thai Government. ITD is a government entity as a public organization established under the Royal Decree on the Establishment of the International Institute for Trade and. Development (Public Organization), B.E.2544 (2001), which aims to provide academic services for training and research in the fields of trade and development. ITD is governed by Board of Directors and has Executive Director as its chief administrator.
