The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

59. Disruption and demand: How Africa can help diversify global supply chains

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at how Africa can deepen global supply chains and develop its own economies at the same time, with UNCTAD director Paul Akiwumi.
Geopolitical and economic disruptions have everyone from manufacturers and shippers to investors and governments looking at ways to strengthen and diversify global supply chains.
The UN's latest Economic Development in Africa Report sets out a roadmap for how the continent of 1.4 billion people could turn these disruptions into opportunities.
Africa has vast resources of materials needed by the electronics, renewable energy and other high-tech sectors – along with potentially huge consumer markets. 
Tune in to UNCTAD’s Paul Akiwumi to find out how African countries can seize the moment by adding value to raw materials and enhancing supply chain connections. 

58. Cracked rice bowl: Why an essential crop needs to be bigger but also better for the environment

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at rice, its importance for development and its impact on the environment with UNCTAD senior economist Miho Shirotori.
Rice is a vital crop as the main source of nutrition for more than half of people around the world.
Demand is only expected to soar as populations grow in Asia and Africa. Some estimates suggest the world will need almost one third more rice by 2050.
But production is faltering. At the same time, excessive use of pesticides, fertilizer and irrigation is depleting and polluting soil and ground water.
How we can boost rice output without putting more strain on our environment? Tune into UNCTAD’s Miho Shirotori to find out.

57. Key to progress: Why landlocked countries need extra help with trade and development challenges

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the unique challenges for landlocked countries that impede their trade and development with UNCTAD senior economist Mussie Delelegn.
There are 32 developing countries without access to the sea, leaving them with far higher bills to import and export goods by road and rail. In many places, poor infrastructure and border bureaucracy add time, cost and complication. 
These extra demands put even more pressure on vulnerable economies being hit by higher costs of food, energy and debt. 
Tune in to UNCTAD’s Mussie Delelegn to find the key to unlocking better prospects for trade and development in landlocked countries.

56. Going Green: Simple ways to make our lives more environmentally friendly

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at some cheap and easy ways for all of us to be greener with UNCTAD economist Henrique Pacini.
Protecting our environment is a vital task and everyone can play a part. The three Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – are a good starting point.
We can cut down on plastic by using cloth shopping bags. We can take our own mugs to the coffee shop. Buying things second-hand and repairing rather than replacing are other ways to cut down on pollution and our carbon footprint.   
Tune into UNCTAD’s Henrique Paccini for some simple changes we can all make to help protect our planet.

55. Population pressure: What do 8 billion people (and more) mean for the world’s resources and development?

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the growing global population and its implications for a sustainable future with Anu Peltola, who leads UNCTAD’s statistics work.
The United Nations estimates there are now eight billion people on Earth, meaning the number of human beings has doubled in less than 50 years.
People are living longer because of better medicine and nutrition. But a rising population presents many challenges around having enough food, water, energy, living space and public infrastructure for everyone.  
The strains on societies, resources and the environment will only grow, especially for developing countries. 
Listen to UNCTAD’s Anu Peltola to learn what our future holds in a more crowded world.

54. How green is green? Why we need more scrutiny to ensure sustainable investment really helps our planet

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the popularity and the pitfalls of green investing with UNCTAD economist Joseph Clements.
To help protect our planet, many people want to put their money into companies that meet certain environmental, social and governance standards. 
These ESG credentials are big business, attracting trillions of dollars in investment and the creation of new funds and bonds to capitalize on the trend. But not all companies are genuine in their fight against climate change.
What can we do to ensure that our investments are actually benefitting the planet and society? Listen in to UNCTAD’s Joseph Clements to find out. 

53. World Investment Report 2023: Weak FDI threatens clean energy transition and development goals

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the UN’s latest World Investment Report with Richard Bolwijn, in charge of UNCTAD’s investment research branch.
Last year, global flows of foreign direct investment fell – after nosediving in 2020 and recovering in 2021.
Developing countries did better than most as their FDI flows grew in 2022. But the heavy pressures on all economies remain from the war in Ukraine, high food and energy prices, financial turmoil and debt difficulties.
With a massive $4 trillion annual funding gap threatening the Sustainable Development Goals in developing countries, the report calls for greater investment in clean energy.
Tune into UNCTAD’s Richard Bolwijn to find out how we can boost investment and ensure developing countries do not get left behind.

52. Greener getaways: Why sustainability is the ticket for tourists, countries and the travel industry

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about greener and more sustainable travel, just ahead of the summer holidays, with UNCTAD economist Bruno Antunes
Tourism is one of the biggest employers in the world. Many developing nations rely on it, so there’s economic urgency to getting travellers back on the road and in the air as the industry recovers from the pandemic.
But there's also growing awareness that travel can have huge costs for the environment. Beyond pollution from planes, ships and cars, experts are warning that many natural wonders and pristine areas risk being ruined by hoards of tourists.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Bruno Antunes to find out how we can protect the livelihoods of people in developing countries without harming local communities and the environment.