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.

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