Afghanistan’s adoption of the ASYCUDA system has revolutionized humanitarian logistics by slashing paperwork, accelerating customs clearance, and enhancing transparency for faster, more efficient aid delivery.

With global demand for copper set to soar 40% by 2040, UNCTAD warns that supply shortfalls could derail clean energy and digital transitions unless smarter trade, investment, and recycling strategies are urgently adopted.

UNCTAD forecasts global growth will slow to 2.3% in 2025, below the 2.5% global recession indicator, as escalating trade tensions and record-high policy uncertainty trigger financial volatility and erode business confidence worldwide.

As global growth slows to 2.3% in 2025 amid rising trade tensions, UNCTAD urges stronger policy coordination and regional integration to support developing economies.

Antibiotics save lives. But when the supplies run low or bacteria become resistant, the risks grow — especially in developing countries. On this episode of UNCTAD’s The Weekly Tradecast, economist Bruno Casella explores the challenges of securing essential antibiotics, the impact of limited local production, and how better investment and coordination can strengthen supply chains.

UNCTAD’s 2025 report highlights Artificial Intelligence’s massive economic potential, urging investment in digital infrastructure and stronger international cooperation to ensure AI benefits are shared globally.

At the 14th International Debt Management Conference, UNCTAD called for urgent reforms to global debt management to prevent the current debt crisis from hindering long-term development and stability.

Not long ago, we were deep in a cost-of-living crisis. Inflation has now eased a bit but geopolitics remain tense and the global economy is still struggling to recover.

But rather than moving towards more open trade, many countries are becoming more protectionist. Adding to the unease, countries are threatening to slap huge tariffs on major trading partners.

In the current climate, there are fears that escalating tariffs could lead to trade wars - a scenario with grim prospects for many developing countries. For more on the ins and outs of tariffs, tune in to the UNCTAD’s Weekly Tradecast with Emily Blanchard, former Chief Economist at the U.S. State Department and  Associate Professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

A new analysis highlights how small island developing states are utilizing the ocean for climate action and urges increased global support to accelerate their efforts.

UN Trade and Development's BioTrade Initiative promotes sustainable biodiversity conservation, fostering economic development through responsible trade practices while benefiting local communities and aligning with global agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 11% globally in 2024, but excluding conduit economies, it fell 8%, signaling shifts in economic dynamics and persistent uncertainties.

A global tax platform is vital for addressing financial challenges, expanding fiscal space, and enabling developing countries to invest independently by tackling tax avoidance and illicit financial flows.

UNCTAD's Weekly Tradecast looks at trade, industrial policy and the role of the private sector in promoting the interests of developing countries with special guest John Denton, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

With a cascade of crises hitting the global economy, UN Trade and Development convened government leaders, top economists and other experts in Geneva earlier this year to chart a new course for development in a changing world.

For a deeper look at the forum and how the private sector can support inclusive development, listen to global business leader and advisor John Denton from the ICC.

Service exports, representing 25% of global trade, grew by 5% in 2023, outpacing the contraction in merchandise trade and gaining traction as a development strategy.

A UN Trade and Development report highlights the rising global hunger crisis, urging urgent action and emphasizing how trade can stabilize food systems and reduce vulnerabilities.