UNDA Project 1819K: Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies

UNCTAD supports the nation rich in aquatic resources to diversify its exports through the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

An UNCTAD report highlights the opportunities the ocean holds for developing countries and charts a new course to sustainably use marine resources.

The UN Trade Forum 2023 will highlight how developing countries can use trade to tackle global challenges including protecting the ocean, reducing digital and gender inequalities, and building more resilient economies.

The agreement is a milestone towards making all ocean economic activities more sustainable, less harmful and beneficial to all.

Nature abounds in sustainable alternatives to plastics, but companies and countries must work across borders to boost their production and tackle barriers.

UNCTAD and its partners promote trade in line with environmental, social and economic sustainability criteria as a nature-based solution to the biodiversity crisis.

Plastic waste has become a key driver of pollution across the world, overwhelming marine, terrestrial and aerial ecosystems.

The two organizations will broaden their existing cooperation to promote the ocean economy, curb plastic pollution, support least developed countries, bolster the digital economy and boost gender equality.

A new UNCTAD database provides insight into the ocean economy’s sectors, main players and export opportunities for developing countries as they try to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Paul Akiwumi, Director for Africa and Least Developed Countries, UNCTAD