New initiatives aim to bolster resilience and competitiveness in an increasingly volatile global economy.
© UNCTAD Photo
As geopolitical fragmentation, maritime disruption and climate shocks reshape global trade, Japan and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) are scaling up strategic cooperation to help developing countries strengthen resilience and reposition within shifting value chains.
Announced in Geneva by UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan and Ambassador Atsuyuki Oike of Japan, three initiatives approved for implementation in 2026 will reinforce economic governance, supply-chain resilience and diversification in Africa.
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment. Developing economies are navigating persistent shipping instability, including disruptions in the Red Sea, and volatile commodity markets, amidst the perennial need to capture more value from natural resources. The new initiatives respond directly to these structural challenges.
Turning critical minerals into diversification
One initiative will support a selected developing country in translating its critical energy transition minerals into broader economic transformation.
Building on earlier Japan-supported analytical work, UNCTAD will assess opportunities for value addition and diversification within and beyond the value chain of critical energy transition minerals, strengthen policy frameworks and promote broad industrial development.
As demand for minerals essential to the energy transition accelerates, resource-rich developing countries face a strategic choice: remain exporters of raw materials or move up the value chain.
The initiative aims to help convert mineral wealth into jobs, technology upgrading and more resilient growth.
Smarter logistics to safeguard food security
A second initiative addresses transport and maritime vulnerabilities that undermine food security, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Recent instability in global shipping routes and recurring climate-related disruptions have exposed the fragility of import-dependent food systems.
UNCTAD will develop a tailored, scenario-based simulation tool integrating global shipping data with national and local transport networks.
Policymakers will be able to model disruption scenarios, identify bottlenecks and evaluate policy responses — from upgrading rural roads and port operations to diversifying import routes.
Combined with targeted training, the project will strengthen institutional capacity to respond rapidly to shocks and protect food availability and affordability.
Strengthening consumer protection for market confidence
The third initiative will reinforce consumer product safety frameworks in a selected developing country through regulatory support, institutional capacity-building and stakeholder dialogue.
In an environment of fragmented standards and growing regulatory complexity, effective consumer protection systems are essential to market confidence and integration into regional and global value chains. Stronger frameworks help safeguard consumers while supporting competitiveness.
A strategic response to structural challenges
Japan has long partnered with UNCTAD to advance sustainable and inclusive development. The 2026 initiatives reflect a shared commitment to equipping developing countries with the policy tools, data and institutional capacities needed to navigate a more uncertain global economy.
Ambassador Oike stated that Japan hopes to continue providing meaningful projects in cooperation with UNCTAD, benefiting people in developing countries.
As supply chains are reconfigured and uncertainty becomes structural, Japan–UNCTAD cooperation is focused not only on mitigating risks, but on helping developing economies seize new opportunities in a transforming global landscape.