The transformation of International Public Organizations: The Case of UNCTAD

As a result of economic globalization, new geopolitical power relations, technological
progress, and a severe financial crisis, international public organizations are under strong
pressure to transform themselves into efficient and effective organizations. This paper presents
the case of UNCTAD, and analyzes the dynamics of change created by the transformation of the
organization's environment. More precisely, this paper studies the interfaces between UNCTAD
and its organizational and ideological environment. It discusses the impact, on UNCTAD, of the
different aspects of globalization along with the new forms of governance and the emergence of
new actors on the development scene, especially actors from the private sector. Finally, it
assesses UNCTAD's transformation against a model we have developed pertaining to the
transformation of public sector organizations more generally.