The organization will lead sessions on disability-inclusive trade, a new plastics economy and circular textile industries, while also contributing to discussions on digitalization, AI-driven supply chains, critical minerals, and trade and climate change.
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UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will play a prominent role at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2024, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 10 to 13 September.
The forum will bring together experts from governments, businesses, civil society and academia under the theme “Re-globalization: Better trade for a better world”.
During the four-day event, UN Trade and Development will drive discussions on critical issues, such as promoting disability-inclusive trade, harnessing digitalization to make trade opportunities accessible to all and reducing waste in key sectors in the global economy.
A highlight will be Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan’s participation in the high-level session "The economic case for inclusivity" on September 12. Ms. Grynspan will join WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to discuss how mainstreaming inclusivity in global trade can boost productivity, drive economic growth and support sustainable development.
Leading sessions on disability-inclusive trade, new plastics and circular textile value chains
UN Trade and Development will lead sessions at the forum to promote inclusive and sustainable trade practices.
On 11 September, as part of the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group on Trade and Disability Inclusion, the organization will co-lead the session "Disability-inclusive trade: Leveraging digital technologies to make trade work for all". It will examine how digital and assistive technologies can enhance job opportunities and working conditions for persons with disabilities, who make up 12.5% of the global population, with 80% living in developing countries.
The following day, UN Trade and Development, in partnership with the Brazilian Foreign Trade Chamber, will organize the session "New plastics economy: How to make a transition possible” to explore trade policies that can promote sustainable plastics alternatives and reduce waste. Global exports of plastics have more than doubled in value since 2005, reaching nearly $1.2 trillion in 2021. The 369 million metric tons exported that year would require 18.4 million trucks, each carrying 20 tons – enough to circle the globe 13 times.
On the forum’s final day, the organization will join the National Board of Trade Sweden to lead the session "Trade as a catalyst for circular and inclusive textile value chains", examining how trade policies can promote circular business models in the industry.
Shaping discussions throughout the forum
In addition to leading sessions, UN Trade and Development will participate in key discussions throughout the forum.
On the opening day, 10 September, the organization’s experts will contribute to sessions on agricultural policies that balance trade, food security and environmental goals, and on the role of critical minerals in supporting Africa's industrialization and green transition.
They will also join panels on harnessing digitalization to enhance trade inclusivity, including improving digital trade in landlocked developing countries, fostering inclusive trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area, promoting digital entrepreneurship in developing nations, and supporting resilient and sustainable e-commerce supply chains.
On 11 September, UNCTAD experts will take part in a session on trade's role in addressing climate change challenges in least developed countries. The following day, they will participate in a session examining the disconnect between barriers and policy solutions in trade agreements.
On the final day, 13 September, the organization will engage in discussions on AI and data-driven supply chains, exploring efficiency, resilience, and global collaboration. It will also join other agencies to provide updates and insights on the upcoming COP29 climate conference.
