BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Digitization, food security and transportation costs are among issues to be addressed when the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) holds its first Global Supply Chain Forum in Barbados early next year.
Rebeca Grynspan, General Secretary of UNCTAD and Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of BarbadosThe forum which is intended to bring together government officials, business leaders and experts, “will explore how to promote development through sustainable and resilient transport and logistics, improved connectivity and trade facilitation”, a statement from UNCTAD said.
Carded to take place from May 21 to 24, 2024, the forum will also discuss climate change, the financing needs of developing countries and how to better manage the energy transition in international transport.
A statement from UNCTAD said the forum was organized in response to a call from the Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley “during the 15th UNCTAD ministerial conference, urging the world to build resilient supply chains in developing countries. This call is underlined by the Bridgetown Covenant adopted at the conference”, adding that it will focus on “the policy actions required to better prepare countries to cope with future shocks to global supply chains”.
UNCTAD Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan said the forum is designed come up with ways to alleviate the current supply chain crisis.
“To help resolve the current cascade of global crises and prepare for the future, we need shipping and supply chains to be more efficient, more resilient and far greener,” Grynspan said.
Barbados Ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Wilson said the forum will offer countries a platform to create solutions that support climate change adaptation, food security and economic growth.
“Strong, resilient and predictable supply chains will be critical to help developing countries manage the ongoing impact of the poly-crisis,” Wilson said.
The statement from the UNCTAD said that “for the last three years, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, climate change and geopolitics have wreaked havoc on maritime transport, logistics and cross-border trade.
“The confluence of crises has clogged up ports and closed others, reconfigured routes, extended delays and raised shipping and logistics costs.
“Ships deliver over 80% of world trade, so disruptions in ports and on shipping lanes mean food, energy, medicine and other essential items don’t reach those in need. Populations and businesses are left without supplies. And prices for producers and consumers soar,” the statement said.
It said that countries of the Caribbean are among those hardest hit by supply chain disruptions, adding that “with the impending energy transition in international transport, especially in air and maritime shipping, further disruptions may occur, hence the need to prepare global supply chains better”.
