Episodes
Episodes
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the influence big trading companies have on food supplies and prices with Anastasia Nesvetailova, head of UNCTAD’s macroeconomic and development policies branch.
Food costs have soared due to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and extreme weather – pushing vulnerable countries and people to the brink. But as many households and businesses struggle, the largest food trading companies are making big profits.
New research in UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report 2023 highlights how fragmented rules for the food trading industry have played a key role in enabling speculation and profiteering.
Tune in to Anastasia Nesvetailova, the author of the research, to find out why volatility threatens our food security and how we could make commodities trading more transparent.
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we’re looking at the UN’s Trade and Development Report 2023 with Richard Kozul-Wright, director of UNCTAD’s globalization and development strategies division.
The good news: The global economy is growing. But the recovery looks weak as many risks remain and many big economies struggle to get back to pre-COVID-19 growth levels.
The report warns of major challenges from inflation, debt burdens and food and energy insecurity. All of that stress is compounded by climate change and a retreat in public spending.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Richard Kozul-Wright for highlights of the report and insights on how the financial system can adapt to the risks to support developing countries and global resilience.
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2023 with two of the report’s authors, Jan Hoffmann and Luisa Rodriguez.
The report says the volume of trade moving by ship fell slightly in 2022 during the pandemic but is expected to grow by 2.4% this year. That’s good news for the shipping industry and the global economy as more than 80% of traded goods move by sea.
But geopolitical tensions are high with the war in Ukraine, and trade patterns are shifting. The UNCTAD review also says the shipping industry must cut its sizeable carbon emissions, modernize fleets and become more sustainable and digital.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Jan Hoffmann and Luisa Rodriguez to find out about the green revolution in shipping and how the sector can be transformed.
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
Thursday Sep 21, 2023
This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at commodities and the challenges for developing countries in adding value to exports with UNCTAD economist Clovis Freire.
Commodities cover everything from oranges to oil and timber to gold. And every economy needs them to run and grow.
But countries that rely very heavily on exporting commodities can face fickle swings in markets. Many developing countries are especially vulnerable because they ship raw materials for others to process, rather than adding value themselves.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Clovis Freire to find out what developing countries can do to make the most of their commodities while diversifying their economies in sustainable ways.
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
In the second of a two-part series, this episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at inflation with UNCTAD economist Jeronim Capaldo to see the steps being taken to contain it and how new ways of thinking might work better.
When food, fuel and almost everything else gets rapidly more expensive, we see our paychecks buying less and our savings eroded. But a bit of inflation is good for economies, workers and equality.
How can we keep inflation as a positive force rather than a damaging one? Tune in to UNCTAD’s Jeronim Capaldo to find out.
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
62. Rising concerns: The good, the bad and the ugly faces of inflation
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
In the first of a two-part series, this episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at what inflation is, why we need it and when it becomes too much – with UNCTAD economist Jeronim Capaldo.
These days, inflation is high as disruptions from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine drive a global cost of living crisis.
Everyone is feeling the pinch, but for governments and people in developing countries, even basic goods can become unaffordable.
Will inflation start to ease or are we in for more pain? Listen in to UNCTAD’s Jeronim Capaldo to find out why rising prices can be good, bad and ugly.
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the role multilateral lenders play with UNCTAD senior economist Penelope Hawkins.
In early September, leaders from the world’s wealthiest countries meet in India for the G20 summit. With inflation and borrowing costs running high, debt and development are high on the agenda.
Multilateral development banks provide vital funding to countries in need. But critics say financial conditions imposed by the lenders can keep debt burdens heavy and cut into spending on development.
Should these multilateral lenders be reformed? Is there enough money and urgency to help countries drowning in debt?
Tune in to UNCTAD’s Penelope Hawkins to find out how multilateral banks can make funding more available and more sustainable.
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the illegal wildlife trade with David Vivas, an UNCTAD legal officer working on trade and environmental issues.
Every year, huge numbers of animals and plants are bought and sold illicitly as food, medicine, clothing, furniture and even musical instruments.
Wildlife is big business. The illegal trade is estimated to be worth at least $7 billion but it could be much larger.
Trafficking is driving some species – especially rhinos, elephants, tigers, lions and pangolins – towards extinction. Many others are at risk.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s David Vivas to find out how we can crack down on the illegal trade.