The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

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! 

76. All aboard the environment express: Global tourism needs more investment to reach greener heights

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the importance of the right kind of investment in tourism with UNCTAD’s Christiane Stepanek-Allen, chief of UNCTAD's investment partnership section.
Before the Covid pandemic, the tourism industry accounted for about 4% of the global economy. Tourism is bouncing back – helped by a busy summer – but it's having to make up for massive losses during the pandemic and still faces challenges.
Awareness is also growing that travel can have huge costs for the environment. As extreme heat and wildfires in many places showed this summer, the sector is also vulnerable to climate change.
Listen in to UNCTAD legal expert Christiane Stepanek-Allen to find out why investment is key to a greener kind of tourism that helps the industry and also the planet.

75. No time to waste: Why we need far more investment around climate change and sustainable development

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at investing in sustainable development to help save our planet with UNCTAD economists Joseph Clements and Anthony Miller.
Calls are growing more urgent for more spending on a clean-energy future and more support for developing countries bearing the brunt of climate change. The energy crisis is raising fears that many countries will postpone plans to shift from fossil fuels into cleaner renewable energy. 
The link between investment, development and the environment is now a driving theme – not least at the ongoing COP28 global climate conference. But trillions of dollars are needed to meet climate and development goals and just a small part of that money is now flowing. 
So how can we step up the investment we need for a sustainable future? Listen in to UNCTAD’s Anthony Miller and Joseph Clements to find out.

74. Green light: How trade can drive the clean energy transition and cut global emissions

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast looks at the role that trade has to play in the clean energy transition with senior UNCTAD economist Chantal Line Carpentier. 
Next week, the UN climate summit – COP28 – is dedicating a day to trade and how it can help fight climate change. 
The global production and distribution of goods and services accounts for around a quarter of all emissions. 
But to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, scientists say we must reach net zero for greenhouse gases by 2050. 
That means cutting those emissions to as close to zero as possible – with any remaining ones absorbed from the atmosphere by oceans and forests.  
Listen in to UNCTAD’s Chantal Line Carpentier to find out why trade is vital to achieving the climate targets and how it can help cut global emissions. 

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.