The Weekly Tradecast closes the year with a special episode highlighting key moments and voices in global development in 2024 and the paths we’re forging for a more inclusive and resilient future.

It’s been a transformative year, marked by extraordinary challenges and opportunities. From rising economic uncertainties and shifting trade landscapes to the collaborative spirit of the Global Leaders Forum and the UN Summit of the Future, the need for innovative solutions has never been greater.

Tune in to see how trade can drive sustainable development, transforming the world’s challenges into opportunities and shaping a better future for everyone.

The Weekly Tradecast returns in early January with more insights on the world of trade and development. We wish you happy holidays and a new year filled with possibilities.

The 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 in to global business leader and advisor John Denton from the ICC.

This week, after the COP29 global climate summit, The Weekly Tradecast is looking at renewable energy and why trade, aid and investment policies need a rethink.

Join Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and Carlos Razo from the UN Global Crisis Response Group for insights on our urgent need to harness other kinds of energy as the global population grows, fossil fuels run out and our planet gets hotter.

A new report by UN Trade and Development says trade in solar and wind technologies is booming but that the expansion must be faster, smoother, cheaper and more universal. Without investment and support from rich countries, developing nations may be sidelined.

Tune in to Francesco La Camera and Carlos Razo for a deeper look at how to better support development and a greener future with renewable energy.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at how we can make sustainable fabrics and other materials recycled from agricultural waste with UN Trade and Development economist Henrique Pacini.

For every banana or pineapple we eat, much of the plant is discarded during harvesting or processing.

But this trash can be treasure. Transforming waste from bananas and pineapples into dresses and sneakers may seem farfetched but these eco-materials could help offset the environmental damage from fast fashion. 

Listen in to UN Trade and Development’s Henrique Pacini to find out how these innovative fibres not only promise to reduce plastic and other synthetics but are also creating new jobs and economic opportunities.

With the COP29 global climate summit underway, The Weekly Tradecast looks at how to get the money we need for the green transition with economist, finance expert and sustainability advisor Sony Kapoor.

It will take trillions of dollars to meet climate and development goals. The world’s advanced economies have pledged billions to help developing countries but, so far, few of the promises have been met and just a small amount of the funding is flowing.

Listen in to special guest Sony Kapoor to follow the money and find out how we can finance the green transition and really make a difference.

As the COP 29 global climate summit gets underway, The Weekly Tradecast looks at the role of trade and investment in getting to a greener future with UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Chantal Line Carpentier.

Making trade cleaner and greener is vital to achieving global climate targets. At the same time, large investments are needed to move to cleaner greener energy, cut emissions and adapt to climate change.

Tune in to senior agricultural and environmental economist Chantal Line Carpentier to hear how economic growth and development, lower emissions and a zero-carbon future are all possible – with the right policies and actions.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at how carbon markets can help the most vulnerable countries address inequalities and protect the planet with UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Paul Akiwumi and Jean-Paul Adam from the UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa.

Least developed countries (LDCs) suffer much of the human and economic toll of climate change – even though they do little damage themselves. To help them, UNCTAD's latest report on LDCs looks at how the trading of carbon to mitigate climate change can also open up extra funds for development.

Carbon trading seeks to limit emissions by allowing production in one place, such as a factory, to be offset against reductions in another place. But critics say it gives rich countries a licence to pollute and that many developing countries see few benefits.

How can carbon trading help support sustainable and inclusive growth? Tune in to Paul Akiwumi and Jean-Paul Adam to find out. 

The Weekly Tradecast looks at why we must rethink development strategies as growth slows and social discontent rises. Anastasia Nesvetailova, a senior economist at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), shares her insights from the latest report showing that stagnating economic growth is not strong enough for developing countries to tackle their many challenges. 

On top of climate change and multiple crises, low global growth and weak investment are worsening economic divides and fueling discontent. But the disruption also opens the way for the Global South to reshape trade, development and the green transition. 

Tune in to Anastasia Nesvetailova, director of UNCTAD's macroeconomic and development policies branch, for more from the report on how we can adjust our thinking, investments and actions to best support inclusive development.

The Weekly Tradecast talks to Richard Baldwin – professor at IMD Business School and an expert on globalization – for his insights on the big economic shifts from manufacturing to services and what they mean for developing countries.

Services have proven to be resilient to crises in recent years and are growing rapidly — offering opportunities to developing countries for growth in jobs, incomes, investment and trade.

Tune in for more on these big shifts from Richard Baldwin, who the Financial Times calls "one of the most important thinkers in this era of global disruption".

The Weekly Tradecast looks at why trade, smart diversification and wider investment in development hold the keys to a more stable and sustainable future with special guest Célestin Monga, who teaches public policy at Harvard University.

In June, we marked the 60th birthday of UN Trade and Development with the Global Leaders Forum.

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

For a deeper look from the forum, tune in to special guest economist, author and former World Bank official Célestin Monga.

With the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund happening this month, the Weekly Tradecast is looking at Bretton Woods with special guest Danny Quah, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

The Bretton Woods agreement of July 1944 – about a year before the end of World War Two – aimed to create an efficient foreign exchange system and promote trade and economic growth.

All of the countries in the system agreed to a fixed peg of their currencies against the U.S. dollar, which in turn was pegged to the price of gold.

The currency peg and the system collapsed in the early 1970s. But out of the Bretton Woods system came various multilateral organisations that remain as fixtures of trade, development and the global financial architecture.

Today, there are calls for new approaches as climate change threatens the planet, a series of crises hit the global economy and many countries suffer from debt distress that is stunting their growth.

Tune in to special guest Danny Quah from the National University of Singapore to learn more about the 80-year legacy of Bretton Woods and how the global financial system could better support development.

The Weekly Tradecast talks about a potential energy source that could play a vital role in the fight against climate change with economist and atmospheric physicist Robert Hamwey, who formerly worked at UN Trade and Development.

Hydrogen is clean, green and abundant. But there are challenges -- not least that it's expensive to make and often uses natural gas in the production process.

It is also very flammable. To liquefy it for shipping, it must be chilled to just shy of absolute zero. Energy companies already make most of the world’s hydrogen fuel, leaving critics to complain about vested interests.

Is hydrogen really an answer to our energy needs or just an expensive diversion? Listen in to Robert Hamwey to find out.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at how the global economy is evolving in a more fragmented world with special guest Isabella Weber, assistant professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Since 1964, when UN Trade and Development was created, the world has changed profoundly in response to many challenges and opportunities.

Now, technology and climate change are major forces transforming our work, lives and futures. At the same time, a series of crises and conflicts are creating a greater sense of fragmentation.

In June, we marked the 60th birthday of UN Trade and Development with the Global Leaders Forum. Heads of government, leading economists and other experts convened in Geneva to chart a new development course in a changing world.

Listen in to special guest Isabella Weber for her perspective from the Global Leaders Forum on how we can better support trade and development while building global resilience in the midst of disruptions and difficulties.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the UN’s Summit of the Future and how any hopes for sustainable and inclusive development depend on us making fundamental changes in how we think and act.

Since 1964, when UN Trade and Development was created, the world has seen huge transformations of economies, technologies and societies. To meet our new realities, world leaders at this week’s Summit of the Future will be shaping how we recover from multiple crises now and create greener, more inclusive progress for generations to come.

At the summit – an initiative by UN Secretary General António Guterres – leaders are expected to agree on new measures and reforms covering the multilateral system, climate change, the digital world, the Sustainable Development Goals and more.

In the face of crises and complexities, listen to the voices of eminent economists, young people, the private sector and UN Trade and Development Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan on how we can work collectively to build a better world.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the devastating impact of the Israel-Gaza war on the Palestinian economy with Rami Alazzeh, an expert in conflict and development economics at UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

On October 7 last year, Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.

Since then, the response by Israel's military has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Much of the tiny territory has been reduced to rubble and most of its 2 million people have been displaced in a humanitarian crisis. A new report by UN Trade and Development says the economy in Gaza has collapsed and few people have any work.

Beyond Gaza, Palestinians in the West Bank are increasingly feeling the effects of the war on trade, tourism and jobs.

Tune in to UN Trade and Development’s Rami Alazzeh to hear more about the economic impact and what it will take to help the Palestinian economy recover and rebuild.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at international aid and how more is needed to boost economies and people with Julia Gruebler from the technical team of the UN Global Crisis Response Group.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) is more than just cash. The grants, loans and technical assistance from various governments can support societies with access to electricity, clean water, healthcare and education. Along with remittances and foreign direct investment, ODA is one of the most stable kinds of external financing for developing countries, especially in times of crisis.

The good news is ODA jumped to record levels in 2022, even during a pandemic. But developing regions actually saw ODA shrink by 2 percent – affecting more than 70 countries and nearly 3 billion people.

As conflict, geopolitics and financial pressures reshape priorities, the aid landscape is undergoing huge shifts that could undermine development in many countries.

Listen in to UN Trade and Development’s Julia Gruebler for more on aid under pressure and the future of ODA.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the economic power and potential of creativity with our special guest, John Howkins, who coined the term "creative economy".

Countries, companies and universities around the world are eager to embrace innovation and people with fresh ideas.

The creative economy – ranging from art, film and theatre to advertising, fashion, music and video games – is already worth at least $1.5 trillion and it's growing fast.

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says the industry and its creative solutions can support sustainable development, promote diversity and help overcome global challenges. 

So how do we make money from ideas and how can that power a brighter future for everyone?

To find out listen in to John Howkins visiting professor at the University of Lincoln and vice dean and visiting professor at the Shanghai School of Creativity.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at cocoa and the impact of climate change with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) senior economist Rodrigo Cárcamo-Díaz.

Cocoa beans are the key ingredient of chocolate and also an important part of health supplements, cosmetics, fragrances and more.

But cocoa prices have risen sharply this year, driven up by poor harvests in West Africa, which produces the bulk of global supplies and the El Niño weather phenomenon earlier this year. Hotter temperatures and shifts in rainfall caused by climate change also have an impact on harvests.

Soaring prices are squeezing chocolate makers and hitting consumers. But the higher prices are not translating into gains for farmers – who are struggling with higher production costs and lower crop yields.

Tune in to UN Trade and Development's Rodrigo Cárcamo-Díaz to find out if we’re in a cocoa crisis?

The Weekly Tradecast looks at lead-acid batteries and why they remain so popular despite the world moving towards greener energy with UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Henrique Pacini.

Invented more than 160 years ago, lead-acid batteries are still the most widely used rechargeable batteries. Reliable and relatively cheap, they're found in everything from cars and trucks to electric wheelchairs and backup power supplies.

But they carry significant costs for the environment and our health. Making the batteries creates greenhouse gases, and lead is a toxic metal that is especially harmful to children and pregnant women.

In developing countries, economic need often outweighs safety as people melt down the valuable lead to repair and reuse old batteries.

Listen in to UN Trade and Development’s Henrique Pacini to see how we can make recyclable batteries that are affordable – and also safer for our health and our environment.

As we celebrate International Youth day, The Weekly Tradecast looks at the importance of investing in the skills and opportunities of the young with Chidinma Udeogu and Arlette Verploegh.

Chidinma Udeogu is part of the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) youth network, and Arlette Verploegh created and coordinates the global group of 18- to 30-year-olds to share their ideas, experiences and voices to shape trade and development.

In many countries, there are too many young people chasing too few jobs. That's bad for the economy and can also fuel tensions in society.

At the same time, there are not enough workers with the skills needed for the economy of the future.

Tune in to Chidinma Udeogu at the Nigeria Economic Zones Association and UN Trade and Development’s Arlette Verploegh to find out how we can help young people get ready for work, encourage entrepreneurs and support trade and development in the future.

As 2024 is UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) 60th birthday, The Weekly Tradecast takes a step back in time with Danielle Hughes, chief of the records management unit.

The United Nations was created after the Second World War to preserve peace as the forum for countries to work together towards common goals.

But it was not until 1964 that UNCTAD was set up in Geneva as its own agency to promote the interests of developing countries in world trade.  

Tune in to Danielle Hughes for stories from the formation of UN Trade and Development and our evolution over the last 60 years to keep improving the lives of billions of people around the world.

With the summer holidays starting, The Weekly Tradecast looks at travel and consumer protection rights with Alicia Gomez, Legal Counsel at the UN World Tourism Organization.

With millions of people on the move this summer, many holiday makers have no idea of their rights or the protections in place when something goes wrong.

During the pandemic, millions of flights were cancelled and many tourists stranded abroad. The crisis exposed the disparities of consumer rights, highlighting the need for an international legal framework to help tourists in distress.

Tourism is worth nearly 10 trillion US dollars and provides one in 10 jobs, so there's an economic urgency to keeping the industry moving and consumers confident, especially in Developing countries where tourism can make up a major part of the economy.

Listen in to Alicia Gomez for more on how an international code to protect tourists - created by the UN - offers better legal support in a world with new risks from technology and the rise of online tourism.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the Sustainable Development Goals with a special guest - Marina Ponti, Director of the UN SDGs Action Campaign.

In 2015, UN members signed up to 17 SDGs that range from ending extreme poverty to tackling the climate crisis. The goals are supposed to be met by 2030 to fulfil the promise of a better future for people and the planet.

But trillions of dollars are needed to meet the targets - and efforts are faltering at a time of turmoil and tensions.

Since 1964, when UN Trade and Development was created to promote a fairer economic system, the world has seen many sets of challenges and opportunities. Now - and into the future - the SDGs are vital ways to improve people's lives by addressing inequality, sustainability and climate change.

Tune in to the UN's Marina Ponti to find out how can we get back on track.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the Digital Economy Report from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) with Torbjorn Fredriksson.

Around the world, greater access to technology has revolutionised the way we live and work. While the changes are delivering many benefits, the new report says how we manage the digital transformation will have a major influence on the future of humanity and the health of our planet.

With technology and digitalisation evolving quickly, the environmental footprint is also growing - from the rising demand for minerals, water and energy to the creation of more pollution and waste.

For many developing countries, they are seeing only limited benefits from the digital economy but are highly exposed to the environmental impact.

Listen in to Torbjorn Fredriksson, Head of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch, to hear how new business models, policies and strategies can help maximise the positive aspects of digitalisation and minimise the negative effects.

The Weekly Tradecast dives into the benefits and potential of seaweed with UN Trade and Development lawyer David Vivas.

Climate change is affecting harvests around the globe. But seaweed is one of the few food crops that have a positive effect on the environment. 

It’s also high in protein, making it a promising substitute for meat and an even more sustainable alternative than soya.

Seaweed also has potential in pharmaceuticals and as a substitute for some plastics, reducing the use of fossil fuels that are a main cause of climate change.

To find out more, listen in to UN Trade and Development’s David Vivas for how this versatile plant could transform many parts of our lives.

BBC credit

The Weekly Tradecast looks at why we need to chart a new course for development – with insights from our Global Leaders Forum. 

UN Trade and Development is celebrating our 60th year of promoting a fairer economic system and access to the benefits of global trade. As we mark this milestone of transforming people’s lives, we're also evolving to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

"Charting a new development course in a changing world" was the focus of our recent anniversary event in Geneva with hundreds of senior officials and leading thinkers. 

In the face of crises and complexities, tune in to this week’s episode to find out how we can build a better future.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the World Investment Report 2024 and the latest trends with UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Richard Bolwijn. 

Global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) declined by 2% to $1.3 trillion dollars last year. 

The headline number included big swings in a small number of conduit economies – which often act as intermediaries for FDI destined for other countries. Without those drivers, FDI globally would have been even lower. 

This year should be better but risks and uncertainties persist – especially for developing countries that need investment to grow now and adapt in the future. 

Tune in to Richard Bolwijn, Head of Investment Research, to hear how investment policies and decisions are being shaped by technology, sustainability and geopolitical tensions.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at today's challenges and the opportunities of tomorrow with special guest UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan.

We’ll be talking about her vision for UN Trade and Development, how to address new challenges and why we must move forward together to create an inclusive and sustainable future.

Founded in 1964 as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – or UNCTAD – our organization promotes a fairer economic system and helps developing countries to access the benefits of global trade.

Now UN Trade and Development is building on six decades of success as our work evolves to keep improving the lives of billions of people around the world.

Tune in to Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan to find out what it takes to lead this global organization and get her perspective on the course of development in a changing world.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the evolution of science and technology with one of the most influential women in UK tech, special guest Sana Khareghani.

Since 1964, when UN Trade and Development was created, the world has seen a series of new realities, challenges and opportunities. 

These days, advances in artificial intelligence and other technologies are racing ahead, transforming education, finance, medicine and many other fields at a lightning pace.  

The benefits are enormous but so are the risks. As some countries, sectors and workers see great gains, others may lose out.  

With technology such a driving force, listen to Sana Khareghani, professor of practice in AI at King’s College London, to find out how to get on track to a better future for all. 

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the need for rules to balance the benefits and risks with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) legal expert Arnau Izaguerri Vila.

Innovations in AI are racing ahead as machines get better and faster at analysing information on a vast scale. Already, the advances are transforming many fields of work and also reshaping our social interactions.

The potential benefits are enormous but so too are the risks. As some countries, sectors and workers see great gains, others may lose out. And as AI blurs the boundaries of reality, it creates worrying new tools for disinformation.

To keep up with these astonishing advances, tune in to Arnau Vila and find out why the United Nations says we need bold strategies and broad cooperation to develop shared standards around AI.