The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

84. Money on the move: How remittances and trade work together for development

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the importance of remittances with UNCTAD economist Bruno Antunes.
Around the world, migrants send home more than $830 billion in remittances, of which about $650 billion go to developing countries, according to estimates from the World Bank.
That money helps to reduce poverty, improve nutrition and broaden access to education. 
Listen in to Bruno Antunes to find out how policies and reforms can help us better use remittances and the opportunities they offer.

83. Precarious passage: Red sea ship attacks strain supply chains

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the impact on shipping, supply chains and trade from insecurity in the Red Sea with Jan Hoffman, head of UNCTAD's trade logistics branch. 
About 80% of the world’s goods move by sea. But escalating attacks by Houthi rebels on ships passing through the narrow waters towards the Suez Canal have disrupted shipping routes and raised geopolitical tensions.  
Red Sea shipping lanes carry around 15% of global trade but many ships have been diverted. UNCTAD estimates the trade volume going through the Suez Canal fell 42% over the last two months.
Without the Red Sea shortcut, longer routes between Asia and Europe add significant time and cost to shipments. That's fuelling fears of more shocks to the economy – with inflation still high and supply chains still shaky after disruptions during the pandemic. 
Tune in to UNCTAD's Jan Hoffmann to find out more about the Red Sea disruptions and other threats to maritime trade from clogged shipping lanes and climate change.

82. Measuring what matters: Why inclusive growth means more than just GDP

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at UNCTAD’s tool to measure sustainable growth and some of the signs of progress with Anu Peltola, who is in charge of the organization’s statistics unit.
For nearly 80 years, gross domestic product (GDP) has been the headline number to measure a country’s prosperity.
To get a more detailed picture, UNCTAD's Inclusive Growth Index goes further by combining GDP with other data on living conditions, equality and environmental sustainability. Launched in 2022 and expanded last year, the index now covers 93% of the world’s people and 96% of the global economy.
On average, developed countries score nearly twice as high as developing countries for inclusive growth. But some gaps are getting smaller.
Tune in to UNCTAD’s Anu Peltola to find out where and why.

81. Israel-Gaza crisis: Palestinian economy needs billions to rebuild and much more to grow

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the impact of the Israel-Gaza crisis on the Palestinian economy with UNCTAD economist Rami Alazzeh.
Since the deadly assault by Hamas militants on October 7, Israel's military response has destroyed more than 37,000 buildings – about 18% of the Gaza Strip’s total structures – and displaced most of the 2.3 million people in the tiny enclave.
With so much damaged or destroyed, UNCTAD says in a new report that rebuilding Gaza will take decades, a concerted international effort and many billions of dollars. That rebuilding will be all the more difficult given the already dire state of the economy from Israel’s decades-long blockade.
When the war ends and investment is needed, recovery priorities for Gaza’s economy include supporting the workforce, restoring the airport, building a seaport and developing natural gas fields.
Tune in to UNCTAD's Rami Alazzeh to learn more about Gaza's path to recovery and longer-term development.

80. Foundations for the future: Why the global financial system needs big changes to boost sustainable development

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the global financial architecture with UNCTAD senior economist Penelope Hawkins. 
The war in Ukraine, a global cost of living crisis and the lingering pandemic have disrupted economies and piled on debt pressure with higher interest rates. For many countries, the debt distress presents stark choices between repaying loans, investing in development and coping with climate change. 
So how can vulnerable countries manage their debt burdens and free up financing for a high-value and low-carbon future? 
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Penelope Hawkins to find out why financial systems and rules need to evolve to help investment and trade flow smoothly and more sustainably. 

79. SOS for the SDGs: Why saving the development goals needs trillions of dollars in investment

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how much it will cost to achieve them with Nour Barnat, chief of methodology at UNCTAD Statistics.   
In 2015, UN members signed up to 17 SDGs that range from ending extreme poverty to tackling the climate crisis. The goals are supposed to be met by 2030 but most are off track because of the pandemic, economic turmoil and geopolitical tensions. 
It's estimated that the investment needed to hit the targets is around $6 trillion every year for the next seven years. That's equal to at least $750 per year for each person on the planet.   
Can we salvage the Sustainable Development Goals and where will the money come from? 
Tune in to UNCTAD's Nour Barnat to find out how we can meet the targets and fulfil the promise of a better future for people and the planet.   

78. Bleak or bountiful future: Why fertilizer is vital to global food supplies

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast talks about fertilizer and how harvests could wilt without more supply at cheaper prices with UNCTAD’s Sangram Rane, who is part of the UN task team focused on tackling global food insecurity.
Before the war, The Russian Federation and Ukraine together accounted for almost a third of global wheat exports. Russia is also a major exporter of fertilizers and of key ingredients – such as ammonia – that are used to make them.  
Earlier UN-led deals with Ukraine and Russia on grain and fertilizer exports helped to reduce food prices and lessen the impact of the global cost-of-living crisis. But fertilizer remains expensive and in short supply as high energy prices raise production costs. 
Without enough fertilizer this year, the UN is warning there may not be enough food.   
Tune in to UNCTAD’s Sangram Rane to find out why.

77. Ring in the new: A look back at the big issues of 2023 and where we go from here with UNCTAD experts

In this special episode of the Weekly Tradecast, we’re looking back at some of our most popular podcasts over 2023 and the many challenges they address. 
And what a year it’s been. Economic recovery is shaky as conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere fuel tensions and uncertainty. A cost-of-living crisis persisted throughout the year, with developing countries in particular feeling the pain of a sharp rise in interest rates. 
Another big issue of 2023 was extreme weather and the impact of global warming. We looked at investing in the green transition and how trade can make a big difference in protecting the planet. 
As technology transforms every aspect of our lives, we explored the risks and opportunities of e-commerce and the digital economy. 
With UNCTAD celebrating its 60th birthday in 2024, we also took a tour of the archives and some of the more unusual aspects of our history. 
The Weekly Tradecast returns in early January with new episodes and more insights on the world of trade and development. Happy holidays!