Opening of Global Supply Chain Forum – Amina Mohammed, Mia Mottley and Rebeca Grynspan. (PMO)
The inaugural Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) is expected to help drive discussions that will lead to solutions for addressing trade and logistics challenges, especially those adversely affecting small island developing states and their development.
The GSCF, which was jointly organised by the United Nations on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Government of Barbados, under the theme “Transport and Logistics Challenges and Opportunities Relevant To Small Island Developing States”, got under way this morning at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; UNCTAD Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan; and United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, emphasised the importance of the forum and what are the expected outcomes.
Ms. Mottley noted that the inaugural GSCF is a result of Barbados’ request at the 15th Session of UNCTAD to address the multiple disruptions to global supply chains and the significant impacts on developing countries due to global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.
“Today, we start a process where you, over the next few days, will have a number of discussions with respect to the things that ought to matter, the geography of trade and maritime logistics….
“I believe that this forum, this week, will expand the policy options that governments can have, that companies can look to, and what we can all, together collectively, do in order to make sure that the very basic objective of making lives liveable and affordable. Not just for those who have a lot or who want a lot, but for all people because it is not ours to determine who should have and who shouldn’t, but it is ours to ensure that there is fairness and equity available to every single human being on this earth,” Ms. Mottley stressed.
Ms. Grynspan agreed that there should be a fair and equitable way forward. She spoke of what countries have taken for granted – the steady flow of goods and materials across continents, through intricate webs of infrastructure and logistics.
“According to our research, higher maritime costs have five times the impact on inflation in SIDS than in the rest of the world…. So, … a greater, more fair, more sustainable, more inclusive story for globalisation must start in the supply chains that we build,” the UNCTAD Secretary-General stressed.
She said three key areas must be addressed when looking at the way forward – inclusivity, sustainability, and resiliency – and that the forum is expected to provide “concrete tools and technical assistance” in applying these three areas in supply chains.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed noted that the GSCF marks a “pivotal moment” in charting the way forward and the discussions and outcomes of the forum will aid in accelerating progress towards the sustainable development goals; impact and inform the summit of the future; and find an international financial architecture that responds to the needs of the other half of the world.
Ms. Mohammed urged participants: “Let’s make the most of this chance; that is, to use this forum to help forge a brighter future. A future where no nation is left behind; a future where global trade remains a powerful force for economic growth, prosperity, and sustainable development.”
The GSCF runs from Tuesday, May 21, to Friday, May 24, at the LESC, and brings together over 900 delegates from 127 countries, including Ministers of Trade, policymakers, industry leaders, and non-governmental organisations.
For more information on the GSCF, visit UNCTAD’s website at https://unctad.org/conference/global-supply-chain-forum-2024.