United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has signed a new agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to enhance trade benefits in Pacific nations.
The logic behind the pact is that joint initiatives will improve the ability of countries in the Pacific to better tackle challenges such as climate change and pandemics such as COVID-19.
The memorandum of understanding signed on October 7 by UNCTAD Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi, and PIF Secretary-General, Dame Meg Taylor, marks an important milestone in the cooperation between the two organisations.
“With globalisation facing headwinds from the pandemic and the climate challenge, closer cooperation between UNCTAD and the Pacific Islands Forum can help chart a course towards more climate-resilient regional value chains and greater benefit from new digital markets”, Kituyi says.
Ms. Taylor said the commitment to work together provided a clear framework for joint action. She appealed to development partners to support the partnership “towards our common goal of a more inclusive and resilient blue Pacific.”
The memorandum will heighten cooperation between the two organisations, strengthening ongoing regional work on e-commerce and priority areas of the Pacific Aid-for-Trade strategy, such as quality infrastructure, connectivity, services and trade facilitation.
Planned joint initiatives will improve the ability of countries in the Pacific to better tackle challenges such as climate change, pandemics such as COVID-19, and improve disaster preparedness and relief.
