Description
Ports are critical for global trade and development but are at considerable and growing risk of extreme weather and climate impacts, with implications for global supply chains and the sustainable development prospects of the most vulnerable nations. As critical gateways for essential goods and supplies, ports also play a vital role in disaster response and recovery, as well as emergency and humanitarian relief. Many ports across the globe are vulnerable to climate risks such as sea level rise, coastal flooding, extreme heat, and extreme rainfall and flash flooding.
Drawing on UNCTAD's mandate and extensive related work, the session will consider potential hazards and impacts, the cost of inaction, and effective strategies to enhance resilience and reduce delay, operational disruptions and associated economic losses, highlighting among others the important role of policy, legal and contractual approaches, and the need for capacity building and finance for ports in developing countries.
The session is expected to identify key policy and operational measures to enhance the climate resilience of ports, generating practical insights and recommendations that will contribute to advancing the Global Supply Chain Forum's objective of fostering resilient, sustainable and future-ready supply chains in an increasingly climate-constrained world.
