Cooperation and political will have been suggested as being key to addressing the issues confronting the global supply chain, at the just-concluded United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF).
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, who described the GSCF as “an overwhelming success”, during its closing ceremony, stressed that collaboration, innovation, and commitment to building a sustainable and resilient global supply chain ecosystem are needed for the future development of small island developing states (SIDS).
Mr. Symmonds also told those in attendance that political will is necessary to execute the initiatives discussed and proposed during the GSCF and that Barbados is determined to act on any decisions made. However, he noted that one country’s actions cannot achieve the initiatives and a multilateral approach is required.
“This effort, if it is to be what we hope it to be, will require … a lot of political will. Madam Secretary General, I give you the assurance of Barbados’ unswerving and unstinting political will…. It is incumbent on us to recognise that little Barbados is not going to solve this problem by itself. None of us can solve this problem by ourselves.
“So that we’ve settled on the view that it is perhaps best for us to go back to the multilateral platform that vital and indispensable platform … where we can sit and talk and try to make sense of some of the most defined issues which confront the global community – the supply chain, which feeds ourselves, feeds our families, keeps our businesses afloat, keeps our country’s growing and our economies wholesome. That is one of the issues which has to be confronted and wrestled to the ground,” Minister Symmonds stated.
He concluded that the GSCF was the first collective step to address supply chain issues. “It is a vital step in helping to do one thing that is essential, bring down the cost of living and make businesses more effective in all the countries of the world,” he said.
In her closing remarks, UNCTAD’s Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan also noted that the forum was a “resounding success”, and it is an affirmation that UNCTAD and participants of the GSCF are on the right track to forge a resilient and sustainable future for global supply chains.
She, too, underscored the power of cooperation and the need for commitment from all stakeholders.
“The past few days have been a testament of the power of collaboration, the importance of innovation, and the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders to build a better future for our global supply chains. We have heard inspiring stories of resilience and determination; we have witnessed the power of partnerships to drive change, and we have seen firsthand the potential of technology to transform the way we do business….
“So, let’s ensure that the momentum we have built here continues to propel us forward, as we strive to build a more sustainable and resilient global supply chain ecosystem…because multilateralism is today, more important than ever,” Ms. Grynspan emphasised.
The next Global Supply Chain Forum is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026.