Towards a More Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient World – UNCTAD16 in Geneva
Against this backdrop, European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera represented the European Union at the conference, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and inclusive trade.
During her visit, Ribera held several high-level bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, and other senior international partners.
At the General Debate, Ribera delivered the EU statement, highlighting the urgent need to promote sustainable and inclusive growth in response to today’s multiple global crises:
We must emphasize the need for economic growth that is decoupled from environmental degradation and that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient.
She also underscored the EU’s contribution to global development, noting that in 2023 the EU and its Member States provided €95.9 billion, representing 42% of global aid, and are advancing transformative initiatives such as the Global Gateway investment strategy.
Ribera further emphasized that in today’s interconnected world, emerging development partners and South-South cooperation play a crucial role in strengthening global resilience. She underlined that with this role also comes a shared responsibility to ensure that actions remain aligned with the 2030 Agenda and uphold the indivisible link between peace, security and human rights.
At the Women and Trade event, she delivered a keynote spotlighting gender equality in trade:
When women participate fully in trade, they create jobs, strengthen families, and build more resilient economies. When women thrive, societies move forward, our economies become stronger, more resilient, and more innovative.
In closing, Ribera reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development, stressing that strong partnerships are key to tackling global challenges.
The EU will remain a principled and consistent partner, as we work together to shape an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global economy
The Conference concluded with the adoption of the “Geneva Consensus” that will guide UNCTAD’s work over the next quadrennial. This negotiated document renews UNCTAD’s mandate as a key forum for dialogue, research, analysis and technical cooperation in the areas of trade, technology, investment, finance and sustainable development. It paves the way to 2030 and beyond towards strengthened and equitable trade and investment based on a rules-based multilateral trading system, inclusive digital transformation and more resilient, just and sustainable economies.
