Watch the ministerial roundtable on investment and entrepreneurship
UNCTAD, in World Investment Report 2025, delivers an urgent warning: productive international investment is shrinking, with the greatest impact on developing countries. This decline is driven by rising uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, increasing trade barriers and heightened scrutiny of foreign capital.
At the same time, long-term structural shifts, particularly technological change, are transforming global value chains. Investment in sectors critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is decreasing. Yet opportunities are emerging, particularly in sectors driving the green and digital transitions. In this context, investment and entrepreneurship policies are central and mutually reinforcing tools with which to address these challenges.
Discussions at this round table explored how such policies can align with sustainable development objectives; highlight strategies to unlock investment, foster enterprise competitiveness and promote scalable solutions and partnerships that direct investment to where it is most urgently needed; and aim to chart a bold, inclusive multi- stakeholder action agenda, reshaping the global investment and entrepreneurship landscape to support sustainable development for all.
Programme
Opening remarks: Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Panel 1: Investing in a sustainable future - latest trends and perspectives
Discussions at this panel will examine the latest trends in investment and entrepreneurship for sustainable development; highlight both the risks associated with declining investment flows and the emerging opportunities presented by the green and digital transitions; and explore how policymakers and development stakeholders navigate the current complex investment climate, marked by geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, while leveraging new growth areas, to build resilience and inclusive prosperity.
Questions
- What are the emerging trends in international investment and private sector development and their impact on sustainable and inclusive development?
- How are countries addressing emerging risks and opportunities through national and international investment and entrepreneurship policymaking?
- Which policy tools, measures and/or instruments are countries using to foster entrepreneurship and attract investment in critical areas, such as resilient supply chains, the energy transition, the digital economy and transition and other key development sectors?
- How can effective enterprise and investment policies, along with institutional frameworks, be aligned to promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development?
Speakers
- Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Botswana
- Steven Collet, Vice Minister for International Cooperation, Netherlands
- Eiman Bin Habbas Al-Mutairi, Vice Minister of Commerce, Saudi Arabia
- María Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Trade, Spain
Panel 2: Towards a multi-stakeholder agenda on investment and entrepreneurship for development
Despite the significant potential of sustainability finance and investment, large parts of the economy remain insufficiently funded. Discussions at this panel will focus on shaping a practical, results-driven, multi-stakeholder agenda that mobilizes investment and entrepreneurship for development’ and highlight successful multi-stakeholder initiatives and replicable approaches in support of equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.
Questions
- What lessons can be drawn from successful global and regional initiatives?
- What role can multi-stakeholder collaboration play in driving investment and entrepreneurship development outcomes?
- Can policymakers and decision makers strengthen international coordination to mobilize cross-border financing in Goals-critical sectors?
- What concrete steps can be taken to build a multi-stakeholder coalition that leverages investment facilitation and promotes joint financing mechanisms at the international level?
Speakers
- Diana Morales, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Colombia
- Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, The Gambia
- Zdenko Lucić, State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Croatia
- Febrian A. Ruddyard, Vice Minister of National Development Planning, Indonesia
Moderator: Damon Embling, Director, Headline Media UK
Format: Davos-style
In September 2021, Rebeca Grynspan was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), becoming the first woman to lead the organization in its 60-year history.
Rebeca Grynspan, an economist and former Vice President of Costa Rica, is an experienced leader of international institutions with a substantive track record in government, UN diplomacy, economic policy and multilateral cooperation at the global level.
Prior to joining the United Nations, she was Vice President of Costa Rica and held cabinet positions as Minister of Housing, Minister Coordinator of Economic and Social Affairs and Deputy Finance Minister.
Previously, she served as Secretary-General of the Ibero-American Conference (2014–2021), chairing regional summits of Heads of State and Government; United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She was a member of the UN Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti, representing the UN Secretary-General.
At UNCTAD, Grynspan has been at the centre of critical negotiations to address global trade and development challenges. She played a decisive role in the successful Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered between the UN, Türkiye, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which enabled the safe export of over 32 million tons of grain, lowered global food prices by 22% and prevented millions from falling into food insecurity. She also leads the UN Global Crisis Response Group on food, energy and finance, and has represented the UN in G20 summits.
Her leadership has been recognized widely. In 2024, she received the Doha Negotiator of the Year Award for spearheading UN efforts to restore Black Sea trade routes. In 2025, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation awarded her the inaugural Isabel Oyarzábal Women in Multilateralism International Prize for her contribution to multilateralism.
Ms. Grynspan holds degrees in economics from the University of Costa Rica and the University of Sussex, and honorary doctorates from several European universities.
The Honourable Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof is The Gambia’s current Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
Prior to this role, he served as Minister for Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination, and Delivery. Born in The Gambia in 1963, Hon. Joof holds a Master’s Degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hull, UK, in 2002, and a Teacher Training Certificate from The Gambia College in 1989.
His career began in education, teaching in primary schools across The Gambia from 1988 to 1996. During this time, he actively represented teachers as a grassroots volunteer for the Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU). In 1996, GTU leadership entrusted him with establishing a cooperative credit society for its members. Hon. Joof went on to lead the Gambia Teachers’ Union Cooperative Credit Union (GTUCCU) as CEO for 26 consecutive years.
He is a graduate of the inaugural Africa Development Educators Program (2014) and an International Credit Union Development Educator (2016), following training in the United States. Hon. Joof has served as a resource person and trainer for the Gambia Teachers’ Union, a technical advisor to the National Association of Cooperative Credit Unions of The Gambia, and a contributor to ACCOSCA (African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations).
Beyond his technical work, Hon. Joof is also known as an inspirational speaker, having addressed numerous national and international forums.
Zdenko Lucić, State Secretary for Trade and Development Cooperation at Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has 20 years of experience in attracting and facilitating domestic and foreign investments, trade related issues, development cooperation, PPP as well as business management. He has extensive knowledge and experience in public and private sector.
Zdenko was Managing Director of national Agency for Investments and Competitiveness, Member of Supervisory Board of Croatian Energy Market Operator, State Secretary for Investments, Competitiveness and PPP at Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia. His other responsibilities included positions like Head of Committee for Croatian accession to the OECD and Deputy Commissioner General of the Republic of Croatia for Expo 2020 Dubai.
He currently serves as Deputy Chief Negotiator for Croatian accession to the OECD, Member of OECD Istanbul Centre Advisory Board, National Coordinator for the Implementation of Development Strategy of South East Europe 2030, Commissioner General for the Republic of Croatia for Expo 2025 Osaka, Head of Committee for amicable resolution of investors to state disputes, and Chair of the UNECE Steering Committee on Trade Capacity and Standards.
He graduated with high honours from the Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, and holds MBA degree from Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Croatia. He speaks English and uses German language.
H.E. Mr. Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard was appointed as the Vice Minister of the National Development Planning/Vice Head of National Development Planning Agency on 20 October 2024.
He served as Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations in Geneva from December 2021 to January 2025.
During his tenure in Geneva, Ambassador Ruddyard was elected to numerous strategic positions in international organizations, among them: President of the Trade and Development Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2023- 2024), President of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (February 2024), Vice President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (2024), Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva (2023), Chair of the MIKTA Group (2023), Chair of the Working Group on Situations of the United Nations Human Rights Council (2022), President of the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Experts on e-Commerce and the Digital Economy of the UNCTAD (2022) and many others.
Ambassador Ruddyard served as Deputy Minister for Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta from 2017 – 2021.
Ambassador Ruddyard joined the Indonesian diplomatic corps in 1990 and has a long record of working in various areas of issues and positions. Among others are Director for Middle East Affairs (2013-2014) and Director for International Security and Disarmament Affairs (2010-2013).
From 2015 to 2017, Ambassador Ruddyard served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at Indonesian Embassy in Vienna. His diplomatic assignment includes the Indonesian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, and Riyadh. Ambassador Ruddyard also served as the Coordinator of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Disarmament Affairs in New York from 2007-2010.
Ambassador Ruddyard holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Birmingham. He is married with three sons.
Steven is a change maker, with a passion for both international and organizational development.
He has been working on economic development, trade and investment throughout his career, active in multilateral, bilateral and private sector arena’s.
He served as a diplomat in Tanzania and Vietnam.
He was Chief of Staff and Director for Sustainable Economic Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He was Executive Board member of IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, making the business case for sustainable global value chains.
Steven studied Social Sciences in Brussels and Nijmegen. He is alumnus of THNK, the School for Creative Leadership.
In addition to her role in the Ministry of Commerce, H.E. Al-Mutairi also concurrently serves as the CEO of the National Competitiveness Center and Supervisor General of the Saudi Business Center. With 27 years of leadership experience, she drives regulatory and policy reforms to enhance Saudi Arabia's business environment, foster private sector growth, and boost national competitiveness, with a strong focus on empowering youth and women.
Dr. Al-Mutairi holds a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genetics and Molecular Biology from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in Bio-Organic Chemistry from the University of Bristol, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from King Faisal University.
Maria Amparo López Senovilla has been Secretary of State for Trade at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business of Spain since May 2024, and President of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, a public business entity integrated into the structure of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business, under the Secretary of State for Trade.
Before that, she held the following appointments:
- Undersecretary of Economy, Trade and Business from December 2023 until May 2024.
- Undersecretary of Economy and Business from June 2018 until January 2020.
- Undersecretary of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation from January 2020 until December 2023.
- Member of the Board of Directors of SEPI, member of the Governing Committee of the FROB and member of the Consortium of the City of Toledo since June 2018.
- Legal advisor to the Ministry of Justice for the Working Group for the reform of the European Regulation on Insolvency Proceedings from 2012 until 2013.
- Head of the Spanish Delegation of UNCITRAL Group V, Insolvency Law from April 2014 until June 2018 and rapporteur of the 53rd session.
- Legal advisor to the Working Group for the Proposal for a Directive on Restructuring and Second Chance since January 2017.
- State Lawyer coordinating the legal assistance agreements with Consorcio Ciberesp, Portel Servicios Telemáticos S.A., Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) and with the Sociedad Estatal de Infraestructuras del Transporte Terrestre (SEITTSA).
- Head of the Insolvency Department in the Subdirectorate General of the Contentious Services of the State Attorney's Office, from September 2013 until June 2018.
- Deputy Chief State Attorney, Coordinator of Insolvency Matters, Legal Service of the State Tax Administration Agency, Central Services, from November 2010 until July 2013.
- State Attorney before the Central Contentious-Administrative Courts between January and November 2010.
- State Attorney at the Barcelona State Attorney's Office before the High Court of Justice of Cataluña, between November 2005 and January 2010, where she worked as coordinator of the Contentious-Administrative Courts and Criminal Courts.
Ms. Amparo López Senovilla holds a Bachelor´s Degree in Law, with a specialization in European Union Law, San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, 1998. She has been a Civil servant of the High Corps of State Lawyers since November 2005.
A BBC-trained journalist and broadcaster, Damon Embling has 25 years of professional media and communications experience.
He has worked as a TV correspondent and presenter, video journalist, radio reporter and digital content producer in the UK and globally for a range of media outlets, including BBC News, BBC World News, Euronews and The Associated Press Television News (APTN), among others.
Mr. Embling currently divides his time between producing TV programmes and leading Headline Media UK, a company specialising in spokesperson media training, communications consultancy and video production.
He also moderates debates and discussions, both online and at international conferences/events.
