The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

30. Crypto collapse: Is there still a future for digital currencies?

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the future of cryptocurrencies with UNCTAD economist Marina Zucker.
Regulators in various countries are now investigating after FTX – one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges – filed for bankruptcy protection in late 2022. 
As claims swirl, the high-profile company could owe repayments to as many as one million people. Whether they get the money is another question. 
After other big bankruptcies before and after FTX’s unexpected collapse, digital currencies are facing tougher questions around volatility, security, safety and trust. With the impact hitting investors and other crypto companies, calls are also growing louder for tougher rules. 
Tune in to this episode to find out what could happen and should happen with digital assets.

29. Dirty money: How it undermines the global economy and how we can fix it

In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we talk about illicit financial flows with UNCTAD’s officer in charge of statistics, Anu Peltola. 
Dirty money from terrorists and criminal groups fuels violence and instability, while the Panama Papers have exposed how secretive offshore companies allow corrupt politicians and the wealthy to stash away huge amounts.  
Apart from being illegal, the murky transactions deprive governments of revenues to invest in hospitals, education and services. 
Tune in to Anu to find out why illicit financial flows are so damaging and how we can fix the problem. 

28. The perils of greenwashing: UNCTAD calls out false climate claims

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast is talking about greenwashing with lawyer Arnau Izaguerri Vila from UNCTAD’s competition and consumer policies branch.   
As concerns keep growing about damage to the environment, it's good for businesses to be seen as green. But what happens when companies go too far by exaggerating the “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” credentials of their products and services? 
That's greenwashing – and it comes at a cost to consumers, investors and our planet.  
Listen to Arnau to find out what to do about misleading green claims to help make real progress on protecting the environment.

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.