UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

The Digital Economy Report 2024 underscores the urgent need for environmentally sustainable and inclusive digitalization strategies. Digital technology and infrastructure depend heavily on raw materials, and the production and disposal of more and more devices, along with growing water and energy needs are taking an increasing toll on the planet. Developing countries bear the brunt of the environmental costs of digitalization while reaping fewer benefits. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) calls for bold action from policymakers, industry leaders and consumers. It urges a global shift towards a circular digital economy, focusing on circularity by design through durable products, responsible consumption, reuse and recycling, and sustainable business models. Explore the Digital Economy Report 2024: unctad.org/der2024

The global economy may have seen a soft landing, but for too many we're drifting away from the #GlobalGoals, staring at a future of missed opportunities and broken promises. To change course, we must tackle the liquidity, investment, and debt challenges that hinder the possibilities of developing countries to achieve sustainable growth. With Brazil at the helm, the #G20 has a unique chance to make a real difference.

The world gathers in Paris to celebrate the power of sport to bring hope, unite people and promote mutual respect. These are also the ideals of the United Nations. I wish every success to the Olympians and Paralympians. You inspire us to dream bigger. May the Olympic flame light the path to a world of peace and harmony. #Paris2024

“It was through UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that I first learned about things such as the Sustainable Development Goals and got to interact with people from around the world to help build the future that we want to live in,” said LeAundre Knight, coordinator of the UNCTAD Youth Action Hub from Barbados. Join us for #UNCTAD60 ▶️ https://lnkd.in/eHV5meUA

World Tariff Profiles 2024, published by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), World Trade Organization and International Trade Centre, details tariffs and non-tariff measures for over 170 countries and customs territories. It includes summary tables of average "bound" and applied tariffs for agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. Detailed one-page profiles provide tariff data by product groups based on the 2023 Multilateral Trade Negotiations Categories and show tariffs on exports by main trading partners. The report also covers non-tariff measures like anti-dumping, countervailing measures, and safeguards. This edition focuses on tariffs for critical electric vehicle (EV) minerals, including cobalt, graphite, and lithium, essential for EV batteries and renewable energy technologies. Explore the report: https://ow.ly/fCyf50SKSs2

Reform tracker tool bolsters trade facilitation. The tool from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) helps nearly 30 countries better monitor, coordinate and fast-track actions to reduce the time and cost of trade. Between April 2022 and June 2024, only nine out of 95 developing and least developed countries reported early implementation of measures related to the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization. The TFA helps reduce bureaucracy and lower trade costs for businesses, particularly benefiting developing countries. It simplifies and streamlines international trade procedures, making it easier and faster to move goods across borders. Among these front runners, Cambodia, Egypt, Eswatini, and Maldives, participate in the “Accelerate trade facilitation” programme, jointly implemented by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Customs Organization. The programme, funded by the United Kingdom, features an online reform tracker tool that enables better coordination and monitoring of trade facilitation reforms. Full story: https://ow.ly/eOkB50SKOb8

UN Trade and Development highlights significant shifts in gender-related aid’s sectoral focus. In 2012, education received the highest share at 37%. By 2022, however, other sectors had passed it. The transport, storage and communications sector saw the most significant increase, with its gender-related share of Official Development Assistance (ODA) rising from 5% to 39%. Conversely, health and commodity aid, including food assistance, saw a decline in focus on gender equality over the last decade. These shifts underscore the need for balanced aid in order to achieve gender equality goals. Increased focus on sectors like transport and agriculture and rural development can enhance women's access to opportunities, but a declining focus on health could undermine gains in their well-being. Funding gender equality is essential for achieving the inclusive world envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals. Without stronger and more focused efforts, progress will stall, leaving gender disparities unresolved and hindering global development. Full story & data: https://ow.ly/INFE50SqKQj

Safe travels: Why we all need the United Nations tourist protection code. With the summer holidays starting, the #WeeklyTradecast looks at travel and consumer protection rights with Alicia Gomez Alapont, Legal Counsel at UN Tourism. With millions of people on the move this summer, many holiday makers have no idea of their rights or the protections in place when something goes wrong. During the pandemic, millions of flights were cancelled and many tourists stranded abroad. The crisis exposed the disparities of consumer rights, highlighting the need for an international legal framework to help tourists in distress. Tourism is worth nearly 10 trillion US dollars and provides work for more than one in 10 jobs, so there's an economic urgency to keeping the industry moving and consumers confident, especially in Developing countries where tourism can make up a major part of the economy. Listen in to Alicia Gomez Alapont for more on how an international code to protect tourists – created by UN Tourism – offers better legal support in a world with new risks from technology and the rise of online tourism. https://ow.ly/u1Vl50SKcEf

Check out the 10 key takeaways from the first UN Global Supply Chain Forum, which addresses solutions for escalating disruptions in supply chains. This event was co-organized by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Government of Barbados, in collaboration with 103 partners. Learn more at https://ow.ly/aVzc50SJWSM #UNSupplyChain

Honored to participate in the #G20 Development Ministerial Meeting. It's inspiring to see more women leading delegations. These women leaders play a key role in the G20 discussions on critical issues such as reducing hunger, inequality, and poverty; combating climate change and managing energy transitions; and promoting global governance reform.