The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

27. A hungry future: The climate change risks to food security

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast talks about how climate change endangers our food supplies across the globe with Janvier Nkurunziza, head of UNCTAD's commodities branch. 
The Horn of Africa is on the verge of famine. We’ve had devastating floods in China and Pakistan and heat waves across much of Europe this year.   
As global warming increases, so does the likelihood of extreme weather, withering crops and depleted livestock. It affects the one thing we can’t do without – food – and the problems will only get worse unless we really tackle carbon emissions.  
In just 30 years, the world will have 2 billion more people to feed. How can we ensure there is enough for all to eat and that food can be produced in a climate friendly way? Listen to UNCTAD’s Janvier Nkurunziza to find out.  

26. Better or worse? Looking ahead to 2023 with UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan

In this special episode of the Weekly Tradecast, we’re talking to UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan – and looking back at the many challenges of this year and ahead to 2023. 
This year has been unprecedented.  The recovery from COVID-19 is still shaky. The war in Ukraine has ramped up the costs of food and energy. Inflation is high, interest rates are rising, and many countries face distress over their debts.
The impact is worst for developing countries, but many developed economies are also feeling the strain.
One bright spot was the renewed flow of vital food supplies from Ukraine and Russia in deals brokered by the UN and Türkiye.
Can the world resolve the multiple crises in 2023? What will it take to make progress on development and climate goals?
Tune in to UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan to find out her priorities – and hopes – for the new year.

25. Africa online: Women tech entrepreneurs reshape the future

In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we talk to two “eTrade for Women" advocates helping to bridge the gender and digital divide. 
Birame Sock from Senegal and Damilola Olokesusi from Nigeria tell us about the massive opportunities for women in Africa’s emerging technology sector. 
But the stigma persists that tech is a "male industry", leaving women under-represented and often excluded.  
How can Africa better support women to set up viable tech businesses that create decent jobs and economic growth? Tune in to this episode to find out. 

24. Are we there yet? Travel bounces back but full recovery still awaits take-off

As people start thinking about taking off for the holidays, this episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at tourism in a post-pandemic world with UNCTAD economist Claudia Roethlisberger.
In 2019 – the year before the Covid outbreak – the tourism industry was worth around $3.5 trillion. The United Nations says it lost about that much during the pandemic. 
Tourism provides work for one in 10 people around the world, so there’s an economic urgency to getting travellers back on the road and in the air. 
But after two years of Covid restrictions, many parts of the travel industry – especially airlines – were just not ready for the surge in demand.  And journeys may not be much smoother for the many millions of people travelling over the year-end holidays.
Will the travel industry return to its pre-pandemic heights, or will it be a turbulent ride ahead? Tune in to UNCTAD’S Claudia Roethlisberger to find out. 

23. Unbearable burden: Rising rates, a strong dollar and pricey food weigh down developing countries

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the impact of higher interest rates, rising inflation and a strong dollar on developing countries with Miho Shirotori, head of UNCTAD’s trading systems, services and creative economy branch.
As countries emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns, the soaring demand for goods overwhelmed supply chains and transportation. The war in Ukraine brought fresh turmoil, along with even more expensive food and energy. 
With inflation running high, central banks have raised interest rates sharply and rapidly. The US dollar has also strengthened against other currencies as investors seek a safe place in times of trouble.
For developing countries, this combination is a disaster. With crisis after crisis, what can be done to help them cope?
Tune in to UNCTAD’s Miho Shirotori to find out how we can protect developing countries and the global development goals.

22. Currency Chaos: Cost of living crisis gets worse as US dollar surges

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast talks to UNCTAD senior economist Penelope Hawkins about the sharp rise of the US dollar – and its effects on economies and people.
With inflation soaring, the rapid rises in United States interest rates and a healthy US economy have prompted investors to flood to the dollar as a safe place in times of trouble.  As the dollar surges in value, other currencies are being pushed to weaker lows. 
Many developing countries are even worse off as they find it harder to borrow and struggle with mountains of debt. With uncertainty running high, weaker currencies make food and other imports even more expensive during the global cost-of-living crisis.  
Will this raise the risk of investors pulling money and what does it mean for countries that rely on funding for development? Tune in to UNCTAD’s Penelope Hawkins to find out. 

21. Environmental costs: Who should pay to fix climate change?

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at who should pay to fix the damage from climate change with Katie Gallogly-Swan from UNCTAD’s globalization and development strategies division.
At the recent COP 27 climate summit, world leaders agreed to set up a "loss and damage" fund to support developing countries hit the worst by storms and drought as the planet heats up.
But the big question about who should pay was left unanswered. Money has long been a sticking point – along with making good on existing commitments.  
A decade ago, the world’s most industrialized countries pledged to mobilize $100 billion every year by 2020 to help developing countries move to cleaner energy and protect themselves against more intense heat waves and floods as the planet warms.  
So far, those promises have not been met. Is the advanced world failing to meet its climate finance commitments? Tune in to UNCTAD’s Katie Gallogly-Swan to find out.  

20. Unhealthy interest: How high can rates go?

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast talks about central banks raising interest rates to tackle soaring inflation with Anastasia Nesvetailova, head of UNCTAD's macroeconomic and development policies branch. 
Prices of food, energy and most other things have been rising sharply. Part of that is the impact of the war in Ukraine and part is a rise in consumer spending as COVID-19 restrictions ease.  
By raising rates, central banks seek to control inflation by making it more expensive to borrow money. But it's a tough balancing act – especially in a tough economy. Higher rates on mortgages and loans tend to hurt consumers and businesses, raising the risks of slower economic growth and recession. 
How high will rates go and how bad could the impact be? Listen to UNCTAD’s Anastasia Nesvetailova to find out.