The Weekly Tradecast by UNCTAD

73. Shaping the future: Why the right digital path is key to sustainable and inclusive development

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at digitalization and its future with Torbjörn Fredriksson, head of UNCTAD’s e-commerce and digital economy branch.
Technology is transforming every aspect of our lives – how we work, eat, shop, travel and interact.
If done right and governed well, e-commerce and the digital economy can drive growth, innovation, development and better use of our resources.
But the growing digital divides threaten to worsen inequality. Many developing countries are already falling behind.
With such heavy reliance on technology, what are the implications for our privacy, our safety and our rights? 
Tune into Torbjörn Fredriksson to find out why the way we shape digitalization is so important for development and our future.

72. Food for thought: Can fish ever be sustainable as human hunger grows?

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the challenges of sustainable fishing with UNCTAD legal expert David Vivas.
From farmed prawns to wild-caught mackerel, the fishing industry is a vital source of food – and livelihoods – all over the world. If the seas can sustain it, fisheries output is expected to top 200 million tonnes by 2030 as the global population grows. 
But the industry also faces concerns about labour rights and environmental damage – including overfishing and high carbon emissions from trawlers and factories. 
Can fishing ever be sustainable in an ever-hungrier world? Listen in to UNCTAD’s David Vivas to find out what we can do.

71. UN report: After years of lost growth, least developed countries need inclusive finance to meet development goals

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast is looking at the UN’s Least Developed Countries Report 2023 with one of the authors, UNCTAD economist Matfobhi Riba.
The world is facing soaring costs of food, energy and financing – along with extreme weather and geopolitical upheaval. Most vulnerable are the 46 nations classified as the least developed countries (LDCs).
After some years of progress, the pandemic hit the LDCs hard, cutting economic growth sharply and pushing an extra 15 million people into extreme poverty.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Matfobhi Riba to find out why these nations need urgent help to address inequalities and how they can get back on track for the Sustainable Development Goals.

70. Investing in the female future: Why we need better financing for women entrepreneurs

In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we’re talking about women and investment and why a lack of financing is undermining development with UNCTAD economist Stephania Bonilla.   
For developing countries, having more female entrepreneurs offers the benefits of more jobs, new skills and growth for communities and economies.
But gender inequalities in society mean women who are running or starting a business often face daunting challenges securing loans or investment.
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Stephania Bonilla to find out how we can increase investment in women and unlock their full potential.

69. A booster for the future: Why investment in healthcare needs to be bigger and broader

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the urgent need to invest much more in healthcare with UNCTAD economist Bruno Casella.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world have little or no access to essential health services. Improving their well-being is vital to support economic growth and to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.   
But for many countries, there is just not enough money to build up the medical facilities, supplies and staff that their people need. UNCTAD’s World Investment Report says at least 100 billion dollars in extra healthcare investment is needed every year in developing countries alone.
Where will money come from? Tune in to UNCTAD’s Bruno Casella to find out how we can succeed in ensuring greater and fairer access to healthcare.

68. Back on track: How to help small businesses recover from turmoil and return to growth

In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we’re looking at small businesses and ways to help them flourish despite economic turmoil with Arlette Verploegh, chief of UNCTAD’s entrepreneurship development section.
First with the COVID-19 pandemic and now the war in Ukraine, many businesses are fighting for survival as costs of goods, energy and financing stay high and consumers tighten their belts.
For countries already struggling, the tough times threaten to undo any limited gains for trade, investment, gender equality and sustainable development.
So how can we help smaller businesses to survive and thrive? Tune into UNCTAD’s Arlette Verploegh to find out how they can prepare for an uncertain future.

67. Prices and profits: Is commodity speculation making the global food crisis worse?

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.

66. UN trade report: Global economy sees weak growth as many financial and development challenges remain

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.