News

Guidelines to help governments, companies and consumers benefit from sustainable trade in precious plants and animals now include elements such as climate resilience and marine biodiversity.

By David Vivas Eugui, Legal Officer, UNCTAD

A new call to action urges countries to make BioTrade a lever for recovery and resilience in the wake of the pandemic.

The project is a point of convergence for conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, and a driver for a blue and green recovery from COVID-19.

UNCTAD15, the UN trade and development body's fifteenth quadrennial conference, will take place under the theme “From inequality and vulnerability to prosperity for all” as the world seeks solutions for a global new normal.

The pandemic has led to a surge in pollution from disposable products like plastic face masks and hand sanitizer bottles. Effective trade rules can help limit the spread of coronavirus waste.

Written by Mukhisa Kituyi, UNCTAD Secretary-General, and Dona Bertarelli, UNCTAD Special Adviser for the Blue Economy

The increasingly unsustainable use of marine resources for economic activities has hurt the health of our oceans, seas and coasts. Governments and businesses have the opportunity to turn the tide and make blue economy sectors more "green" in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

The Swiss sailor, ocean conservation advocate and philanthropist will help the UN trade and development body promote the responsible use of our ocean, seas and coasts for economic growth.

The pandemic is inflicting economic and social harm on those working in fisheries sectors, but it opens a window to make seafood industries more sustainable.