UNCTAD Background Guide - National Model United Nations

Annotated Bibliography
Collier, Paul. (2007). Laws and Codes for the “Resource Curse”. Retrieved August 8, 2012, from
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~econpco/research/pdfs/LawsandCodesforResourceCurse.pdf.
Paul Collier is a renowned expert on the role of natural resources in conflict, development, and
politics and economics professor at Oxford University. In this paper, he discusses market volatility
trends and failed measures to combat the resource curse in a number of states. Important to the
work of this committee, Collier’s focuses his discussion on the role that an international
agreement could play as well as the challenges to creating such a code.
Natural Resources Charter. (2010). Natural Resources Charter. Retrieved August 8, 2012, from
http://naturalresourcecharter.org/sites/default/files/NRC%20Eng_2011.pdf.
The Natural Resources Charter is a non-governmental document created by an independent group
of experts in the field of sustainable resource extraction to serve as a guide to harness the
development opportunities of natural resources. The Charter serves as a guide to citizens and
domestic governments in policymaking, and has the potential to serve as a initial framework for
an international agreement on natural resource extraction. The 12 precepts contained in the
Charter provide delegates with a broad understanding of what policies can be instituted to
harness the development potential of resource extraction.
Jourdan, Paul. (2008). Challenges of LDC Resource-Based Development. Retrieved August 8, 2012 from
http://unctad.org/Sections/ldc_dir/docs/ldcr2009_jourdan_en.pdf.
This background paper serves as a concise discussion on the “resource curse” of extractionbased
economies. Citing academic studies and UNCTAD’s 2007 World Investment Report,
Jourdan presents the long-term and short-term affects of extractive industries. Aside from the
general primer to the topic contained in this paper, delegates should pay particular attention to
the policy options for enhancing development gains from resource extraction.
South Centre. (2005). Problems and Policy Challenges Faced by Commodity-Dependent Developing Countries
(CDDCs). Retrieved September 7, 2012, from
http://www.southcentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=271%3Aproblems-and-policychallenges-faced-by-commodity-dependent-developing-countries-cddcs&lang=en.
The South Centre is an intergovernmental think tank that analyzes development problems and
provides policy support to developing states. This paper, part of the Centre’s T.R.A.D.E. analysis
series describes the inherent problems of commodity dependence. This paper is important to
delegates in understanding the broader issue of commodity market volatility and how that impacts
economic development.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2011). Foreign Direct Investment in LDCs: Lessons
Learned from the Decade 2001-2010 and the Way Forward. Retrieved August 8, 2012, from
http://unctad.org/en/Docs/diaeia2011d1_en.pdf.
Compiling a decade of investment data, this report summarizes investment trends and the
implications to developing states. Part I contains important information on resource extraction
(pages 19-34) and the complicated role of transnational corporations. Delegates will find the
individual state investment profiles in Part II particularly useful in determining the impact of
resource extraction on their state.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2011). Global Commodities Forum 2011 Report. Retrieved
August 7, 2012, from http://unctad.org/en/docs/suc2011d5_en.pdf.
The Global Commodities Forum, first held in 2010, brings together stakeholders from both the
policy and production ends of resource extraction and commodity markets. The 2011 conference
report details various commodity markets (mining, oil, agriculture, etc.) and the effects of
volatility in those markets. Once published, delegates should also view the 2012 conference report
as it specifically addresses resource extraction and development gains.