The UN’s trade and development body has downgraded its global economic growth projection for 2022 to 2.6% from 3.6% due to the Ukraine war and to changes in macroeconomic policies made by countries in recent months.

In a statement, eight UN organizations stress that international transport and integrated supply chains are critical in recovering from COVID-19 achieving the SDGs.

During the Special Session of the D-8 Commission Meeting held under the chairmanship of Turkey, UNCTAD presented the key elements of the joint D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation - UNCTAD Guiding Principles for Investment Policy making. Important agenda items regarding the forthcoming D-8 Summit Meeting were discussed.

The coronavirus disease pandemic, while above all a public health crisis, has presented the African continent with unprecedented economic challenges. In order to contain cross-border transmission of the virus, countries have introduced various restrictions to cross-border and transit freight transportation.

The supply of raw materials to produce rechargeable batteries — crucial to move to cleaner energy — is uncertain, a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on June 25, 2020.The report Commodities at a glance: Special issue on strategic battery and minerals, for facilitating research into battery tech

As countries adopt radical measures to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, international trade and transport systems are under tremendous stress. Early evidence shows that international trade is collapsing, threatening access to goods and critical supplies.

The global economic recession and financial turmoil from COVID-19 are derailing implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).