Global disruptions are causing ships to spend more days at sea and emit higher levels of greenhouse gases, highlighting the growing unreliability and uncertainty of our interconnected world. Against this backdrop, UN trade and development secretary-general Rebeca Grynspan spotlighted the urgent need to make global production and distribution networks more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

The forum addressed the compounded effects of climate change, geopolitical tensions, and the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains. UN Trade and Development has provided critical analysis on these issues. During a visit to the port of Bridgetown in Barbados, Grynspan highlighted the importance of ports in maintaining global value chains through technology and sustainable practices, showcasing Barbados as an example for other small island developing states (SIDS) in implementing sustainable practices, UNCTAD said in a press release.

The forum also highlighted the complexities and opportunities in decarbonizing global shipping, particularly focusing on developing countries with renewable energy resources. Efforts to incentivize low- or zero-carbon fuels, establish safety frameworks for new fuels, and develop port readiness assessment tools were underscored as critical steps towards preparing ports for handling various fuels and ensuring safe bunkering operations.

The forum served as the ideal setting to launch the ‘Manifesto for Intermodal, Low-Carbon, Efficient and Resilient Freight Transport and Logistics.’ This manifesto emphasises the urgent need to transform freight transport to meet global climate targets and enhance socio-economic resilience. Key focus areas include transitioning to zero-emission fuels, optimising logistics systems, and creating sustainable value chains, with the goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Innovations such as blockchain-enabled traceability mechanisms and advanced customs automation systems were showcased as indispensable tools for optimizing trade facilitation processes, enhancing transparency, and mitigating operational risks. UN Trade and Development presented guidelines for developing an electronic single window for trade. Key industry voices emphasized the importance of collaboration and digitalization in the maritime sector, urging ports to become intermodal hubs integrating energy and digital capabilities.

The forum also saw the launch of the UN Trade and Development Trade-and-Transport Dataset. Developed with the World Bank, this groundbreaking repository of global data is the first of its kind. It covers all countries and trading partners, with data on over 100 commodities and various transport modes, offering a holistic view of trade, including mode of transport and associated costs. Accessible for free, the dataset is expected to significantly contribute to better understanding and optimizing global trade flows, as well as improving evidence-based policymaking.

In the run-up to the forum, UN Trade and Development held its first Supply Chain Innovation Challenge, aiming to inspire innovative solutions for making global supply chains greener, more efficient, and resilient. Almost 80 candidatures from around the world presented projects on these themes, with winning proposals presented at the forum.

During the forum, UN Trade and Development and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their existing collaboration. This includes joint activities in trade and investment promotion, trade facilitation cooperation, supply chain-themed exhibitions, public-private dialogues, business matchmaking events, and facilitating exchanges between economic and trade experts, scholars, and think tanks.

The outcomes of this inaugural forum are expected to strengthen global supply chains and the resilience of SIDS. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the second forum in 2026.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)