It was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 46/235 and provides overall direction to the related programme of work.

Since July 1993, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretariat has been responsible for the substantive servicing of the commission.

The CSTD was established to provide the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council with high-level advice on relevant issues through analysis and appropriate policy recommendations or options.

This is done in order to enable those organs to guide the future work of the United Nations, develop common policies and agree on appropriate actions.

Experts nominated by their respective governments are supposed to possess the necessary qualifications and professional or scientific knowledge.