UNCTAD 16 From October 20 to 24, leaders will look for practical ways to restore trade predictability, ease debt pressures and direct investment to the real economy.
“We are seeing a transformational change in multilateral trade and in the decisions we make during this period. UNCTAD 16 will impact the future of policy and debates on trade and global development,” Rebeca Grynspan, secretary general of the agency, said in the Swiss city on Monday.
Business Outlook and Predictability
Grynspan warned that policy changes and uncertainty « can be more disruptive than tariffs », diverting investment, eliminating jobs and eroding competitiveness, particularly in developing countries. She said restoring confidence and stability is “fundamental” for small economies to plan and invest.
Despite geopolitical tensions, it reported resilience in the first half of 2025. Global trade grew by around $500 billion, with the value of goods up 5 percent, services up 6 percent, and South-South trade (excluding China) up 9 percent. She praised developing countries for sustaining their performance in the second quarter, while warning that predictability must be rebuilt for trade to continue to drive growth and investment.
An investment in the service of people
Regarding finances, the UN official highlighted the increasing human toll, noting that « 3.4 billion people around the world live in countries that spend more on debt service than on health and education. »
She called for a fairer, more predictable and more accessible financial system, highlighting the follow-up to the July decision Financing for Development Conferenceincluding efforts to stimulate affordable long-term capital and create a borrowers’ club to strengthen countries’ debt negotiation and management capacities.
Turning to investment flows, Grynspan noted that foreign direct investment in developing countries is declining and too often concentrated in traditional sectors and geographies.
“The goal is not just to attract investment, but to attract the right kind of investment,” she explained, citing priorities such as sustainable infrastructure, green energy, health, education, water and sanitation, agriculture and digital capabilities that create long-term value.
She added that digital commerce and data flows now underpin more than 60% of global GDP growth, while market concentration in cloud and generative AI raises inclusion risks that policies must take into account.
Regarding the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), Grynspan said UNCTAD will present its new report to its board in November, reiterating that the body estimates the time needed for the Palestinian economy to return to the pre-war scenario and not the reconstruction costs, which fall on other agencies.
Conference Overview
UNCTAD 16 will bring together around a hundred countries, including around sixty ministers and 40 vice-ministers, with 1,700 registered participants, seven ministerial round tables and forums on youth, gender, civil society and business.
The UN secretary-general is expected to deliver a special speech later this week. Discussions will focus on trade, development finance, debt, investment, regional trade, supply chains and technology, including AI and the inclusive digital economy.
Grynspan stressed that trade, finance, investment and technology are “four pillars of development” and must be addressed together for the global economy to benefit everyone, “especially the most vulnerable”.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
