UN General Assembly
2012

effective role and function attributed to it by the Charter. In that context, we also welcome the reaffirmation of the mandate of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at Doha. UNCTAD must continue to serve as the focal point of the United Nations system for the integrated treatment of trade and development and the interrelated issues of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development. As the world engages in the current debate on global solutions, we must promote more economic exchanges among developing nations. Regional integration and cooperation are key to future development. Trade and investment must also be accompanied by greater regional cooperation through the pooling of resources and the provision of public goods. Pooling entails increased economies of scale and makes it less costly to acquire technology. One area where regional cooperation can make a significant contribution is the energy sector. Pooling resources and coordinating policies at the regional level and among groups of developing countries with common requirements can facilitate the development of technology and the implementation of renewable energies.