Dear Quynh Anh (Quuiin Anne), Chair of this IGE and Deputy Chairperson of the Vietnam Competition Commission,
Dear Juan Marcelo Estigarribia López, Vice Chair of the IGE and Executive Secretary at the Secretariat for Consumer and User Defense of Paraguay,
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear friends,
The 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals are not just a set of targets; it is a promise we made to ourselves and to future generations. It is the last collective roadmap in a world that is more polarized than ever, a world in desperate need of solidarity and multilateralism.
And yet, in a context of cascading crises, by nearly every measure, we are moving backwards. Backwards on ending poverty. Backwards on hunger. Backwards on women’s rights. And backwards on development, with only 12 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals on track.
But let me emphasize one thing: it is not just statistics and percentages that lie at the heart of this crisis; it is people, from all over the world. People as workers, as parents, as entrepreneurs, as students, as consumers.
It is against this stark background that we meet today, at the highest annual meeting on consumer protection at the global stage. And this background should remind us that consumer protection is not just a policy or a regulation. It is the armour that shields us all from harm, deception, and fraud. It is the foundation upon which trust is built, and it is trust that fuels the engines of progress and multilateralism.
This 7th Session of the IGE on Consumer Protection focuses on digital divides and climate degradation, issues which are extremely important. During these testing times, unscrupulous elements are finding new ways to exploit the vulnerable in the digital arena. We have witnessed a surge in online scams, counterfeit products, and predatory lending, all aimed at the consumers who are struggling to make ends meet.
The "platformization" of the digital economy is also creating challenges for consumer’s privacy, quality-assurance, and responsible advertisement. We must ensure that information made available to consumers is adequate, clear, and timely; ensure that consumer reviews are truthful and that social media influencers respect advertising and endorsement rules.
Similarly, to press pause on climate degradation, and meet the Paris targets, we need a profound revolution in how we produce and consume. According to the IPCC, 70% of all greenhouse gas reductions must come from demand-side policies. But consumers will only play this transformative role if they have the right education and awareness, if adequate labelling and information are provided to them, if rights are protected and upheld.
I am proud to announce that UNCTAD recently became co-lead of the United Nations Environmental Programme One Planet Network – Consumer Information for Sustainable Consumption and Production, along with the Government of Germany and Consumers International. In so doing, I hope to bring UNCTAD’s convening power and experience in consumer protection and decisively contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.
Your excellencies, dear delegates,
These accelerating challenges remind us that we must act now to build a consumer protection framework that is not just reactive but proactive. One that is robust enough to adapt to the changing tides of technology, and flexible enough to address the unique challenges faced by different communities at the frontlines of climate change.
This is therefore not just a matter of safeguarding economic interests – as I said already, at the very core, this is an issue of trust. For instance, when parents buy medicine for their sick child, they trust that it will heal and not harm. When students invest in an online course, they trust it will pave the way for a brighter future. When we purchase products labelled as sustainable, we trust that we are contributing to the well-being of our planet.
We must ensure transparency, so that our citizens can make informed decisions. We must hold companies accountable, not just for the quality of their products, but for the impact they have on our society and our planet. We must empower consumers through education, giving them the tools to discern and to demand their rights.
Rising to these challenges is a collective effort - involving governments, businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders. This IGE is the premier place to spearhead this crucial international cooperation, where work has been relentless since 2015, when the General Assembly entrusted UNCTAD with the mandate on consumer protection.
In this seventh session, apart from discussing the topics I mentioned already (digital divides and climate degradation), we will:
- Hear about the implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection from members of Government and Heads of Consumer Protection Authorities;
- Undertake the Voluntary Peer Review on Consumer Protection Law and Policy of Gabon, which is our sixth peer reviewed country.
- And share important new UNCTAD research on consumer protection, including a paper on social infrastructure for health, a report on Strengthening consumer protection in health services; and a report on Competition and Consumer Protection Policies for Sustainability.
I therefore am thrilled to welcome you all here today. Thank you all for joining us and thanks to the team for the excellent work done in preparation of this IGE. I wish us all a very successful meeting.
Thank you.