In 1974, The United Nations established the Programme on Transnational Corporations. Between 1974 and 1992, it was carried out by the United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations (UNCTC). The UNCTC  was the focal point, within the United Nations system, for all matters related to transnational corporations (TNCs) and foreign direct investment (FDI). The Centre's main office was located in New York.

In 1993, after a brief period in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Development (1992-1993), the Programme on Transnational Corporations was transferred to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva and is now being implemented by UNCTAD's Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development.

The year 2004 marked 30 years of  FDI work in the United Nations. 

To preserve the research work the Programme has done, its publications (and documents) available in paper format were converted into electronic format. They are contained on this site, or links have been established to where they can be found. A bibliography, indexed by year, theme and category of publication provides an overview.

In addition, an evaluation of the research work of UNCTC and UNCTAD in the area of FDI can be found here, as well as reviews of its main publication, the World Investment Report.

I hope this website is of use to those interested in the work of the United Nations on FDI and TNCs.

Karl P. Sauvant, Director

Division on Investment, Technology and Enterprise Development