Supply chains are the backbone of globalization. When they function seamlessly, supply chains foster economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in developing countries. However, when disrupted by pandemics, extreme weather events, geopolitical risks or trade policy shifts, vulnerable economies are disproportionately impacted, limiting their integration into global trade.
Although supply chains play a crucial role in our daily lives, they can sometimes appear highly technical and difficult to understand. As a result, younger generations who are inheriting the current system are often unfamiliar with it and are therefore less able to shape it.
The “Next Generation Supply Chains” three-day event aims to bridge this gap by:
- Helping understand what supply chains are and how disruptions disproportionately impact marginalized groups.
- Outlining UNCTAD’s work in support of sustainable, resilient and inclusive supply chains.
- Presenting key insights from UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2025 edition: Staying the course in turbulent waters.
- Exchanging with young professionals on supply chains and on the UNCTAD 16 Youth Declaration.
- Identifying future steps to better integrate Youth into supply chain discussions and inform a Youth Supply Chain Declaration for the 2nd UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum, to be held in November 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Saudi Ports Authority, MAWANI.
During the first UN Global Supply Chain Forum, held in Barbados, in May 2024, UN Trade and Development, the University of the West Indies and LEARN Logistics by Kühne Foundation, co-organized a session on the role of youth in supply chains.
This three-day online event builds on that discussion and on the recent MoU signed between UNCTAD and LEARN Logistics to further integrate young people into supply chain discussions.
Participation
The sessions are designed for young professionals interested in supply chains, but are open to anyone wishing to be part of the discussion.
Registration
Online registration is mandatory for all those wishing to attend the event.
