BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a5265e9d53fa DTSTART:20251021T143000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20251021T160000Z LOCATION:Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:UNCTAD16 ministerial roundtable: Regionalism in a time of uncertain ty CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Watch the ministerial roundtable on regionalismMultilateral neg otiations face increasing fragmentation driven by geopolitical tensions an d the rise of unilateral trade-restrictive measures. In this challenging e nvironment\, regional and megaregional initiatives offer a pragmatic and f lexible alternative\, particularly for countries seeking to maintain momen tum on trade liberalization and economic cooperation. Originally conceived as complementary to multilateralism\, regional trade agreements provide d ynamic platforms for cooperation among geographically and economically lik e-minded countries.They can contribute to expanding markets\, attracting i nvestment\, creating jobs and fostering inclusive development. The long-st anding support of UNCTAD for regional integration\, including through init iatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement\, the As sociation of Southeast Asian Nations and the Global System of Trade Prefer ences\, continues to be instrumental in advancing on this path.Discussions at this round table will explored how open regionalism can respond to the present trade challenges through offering the predictability and certaint y needed for sustainable economic growth. To guide the future work of UNCT AD on harnessing regionalism for development\, discussions drew on diverse regional experiences\, distilled key lessons learned and examined how int egration efforts can respond to emerging priorities such as the digital ec onomy and environmental sustainability\, while complementing and reinforci ng multilateral initiatives.ProgrammeOpening remarks: Rebeca Grynspan\, Se cretary-General\, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)Panel 1: Regionalism as a response to trade policy uncertaintyQuestionsHow can open regionalism p rovide the predictability and certainty that trade and investment require in the current global context of increasing unilateralism and stalled mult ilateral negotiations?Which lessons can be drawn from existing regional an d mega-regional trade agreements in promoting inclusive and sustainable de velopment\, particularly for developing economies\, and how can such agree ments be made more effective towards achieving this objective?SpeakersRyad Mezzour\, Minister of Industry and Trade\, Government of MoroccoNazar Hal nazarovich Agahanov\, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations\, G overnment of TurkmenistanTekreth Kamrang\, Secretary of State\, Ministry o f Commerce\, Kingdom of CambodiaPanel 2: Regional integration as a buildin g block for multilateralismQuestionsHow can regionalism complement multila teralism and how can developing countries use regional platforms to influe nce global trade norms more effectively?Which key elements should modern r egional trade agreements include to ensure that they are effective tools f or economic integration\, resilience and inclusive growth?What role can UN CTAD play in helping developing countries devise regional trade agreement models in support of development?SpeakersLyonpo Namgyal Dorji\, Minister f or Industry\, Commerce and Employment\, BhutanAtheer Dawood Salman Al Ghra iri\, Minister of Trade\, IraqRegina Akoth Ombam\, Principal Secretary\, S tate Department for Trade\, KenyaModerator: Luz Maria de la Mora\, Directo r of the Division on International Trade and Commodities\, UN Trade and De velopment (UNCTAD)Format: Davos-style<\;h3>\;Watch the ministerial rou ndtable on regionalism<\;/h3>\;<\;div class="\;ratio ratio-16x9 mb-3\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/unctad16/ministeria l-roundtable-regionalism-time-uncertainty DTSTAMP:20260711T154857Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR