CUTS Daily Bulletin # 03 | October 22, 2025
PANEL 1: GLOBAL COMMODITIES FORUM 2025
 
Panel 1 of the Global Commodities Forum 2025, titled “Harnessing Critical Energy Transition Minerals for Diversification and Global Supply Chain Resilience,” was held on 22 October 2025 during the 16th UNCTAD Conference. The session explored how developing countries can capture greater value from critical minerals driving the global energy transition. Key takeaways included:
  1. Moving from Extraction to Transformation: The discussion emphasized a shift from raw material exports to domestic value chain development through policies promoting local processing, limiting unprocessed exports, and expanding refined output to boost jobs, industry, and resource retention.
  2. Regional Cooperation as the Foundation of Resilience: Speakers highlighted regional integration as key to overcoming logistical, financial, and market barriers. The African Continental Free Trade Area was noted as a platform to harmonize standards, attract investment, and build integrated value chains. A coordinated alliance of mineral producers was also encouraged to align production, stabilize prices, and strengthen global influence through collective action.
  3. Policy Coherence and Long-Term Industrial Vision: Developing countries were urged to adopt coordinated, long-term strategies for sustainable mineral sector industrialization. Aligning policies across trade, environment, energy, and industry ministries is essential to ensure diversification supports both economic growth and sustainability.
  4. Embedding Sustainability and Equity in the Transition: The panel emphasized that the global energy transition must avoid repeating past extractive models. Strong environmental safeguards, inclusive green industrialization, and fair value distribution were identified as essential to ensuring transparency, community benefits, and long-term resilience in the mineral sector.
  5. International and South–South Cooperation for Shared Prosperity: Strong international partnerships were deemed vital to closing financial, technological, and capacity gaps. Triangular cooperation among governments, development partners, and private investors is key to mobilizing capital and expertise, while broad collaboration is essential for building sustainable, diversified mineral supply chains.

    The session featured H.E. Julien Paluku Kahongya, H.E. Julia Imene-Chanduru, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, H.E. Francisca T. Beloubé, and Luz María de la Mora.
(Reporting by Peter Maundu, CUTS International, Geneva)
PANEL 2: GLOBAL COMMODITIES FORUM 2025
 
Held on 22 October 2025, Panel 2 of the Global Commodities Forum 2025, titled “Critical Energy Transition Minerals: Principles on Benefit-Sharing, Value Addition, and Economic Diversification,” examined how resource-rich developing countries can move beyond raw mineral exports to capture greater value in the global energy and digital transitions. Key takeaways included:
  1. Diversification goes far beyond the mine: Speakers noted that diversification should extend beyond mining, encompassing forward linkages (processing, refining, battery and renewable components), backward linkages (local machinery, equipment, and services), and sideways linkages (chemicals, fertilizers, and agriculture). They also highlighted additional opportunities through services and circular economy initiatives.
  2. Strategy first: choose clear objectives and tailor by mineral & context: “Panellists stressed the need for clear, context-specific strategies, noting that “value addition” varies by goal—revenue, industry, local content, or technology transfer. Success requires coherent policies, stable rules, strong infrastructure, and skills. One-size-fits-all approaches seldom work, as shown by Indonesia’s nickel and bauxite contrast.
  3. Build competitive supplier ecosystems—not just downstream plants: The importance of building competitive supplier ecosystems, rather than focusing solely on downstream plants, was emphasized. Panellists noted that local content should be qualitative—extending beyond basic services—and supported through finance, standards, and risk-sharing to help firms scale
  4. Finance, geopolitics, and risk-sharing will make or break outcomes: Incentives and concessional finance available to high-income countries contrast with the higher-risk restrictions often used by producer nations. Panellists noted that midstream concentration increases geopolitical pressures but also creates opportunities for South–South and triangular partnerships. They emphasized the need for transparent, independent value-addition feasibility assessments to ensure fairer sharing of commercial and policy risks.
  5. Sustainability & circularity are core to creating (not destroying) value: Plan early for environmental and social impacts, mine closure, and future land use. Treat “waste” as feedstock: recover by-products, re-process historic tailings, and use waste rock in construction where safe. Tackle illicit financial and material flows. Power reliability is a binding constraint; integrating renewables strengthens both competitiveness and resilience.

    The key speakers were Clovis Freire Junior, Anabel Marin, Susannah Fitzgerald, Grégoire Bellois, Nagesh Kumar, Gerald Mwila, and Luz Maria de la Mora.

(Reporting by Peter Maundu, CUTS International, Geneva)
BUILDING A RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE DIGITAL ECONOMY WITH CONSUMER ADVOCATES
 
This session, organized by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Consumer International as part of UNCTAD16, brought together stakeholders to discuss the modern consumer in a changing marketplace. The key takeaways from the discussion were:
  1. Consumer Trust and AI Challenges: While 52% of consumers believe AI to positively impact them, only 42% trust AI today, representing a decrease in confidence. The consumer coalition to stop scams shows 71% reporting scam experiences, with 90% identifying privacy and 86% identifying safety as top risks.
  2. Digital Divide and Elderly Population: There is a significant digital divide affecting elderly populations who face challenges with digital tools. Grievance redressal mechanisms are inefficiently captured, with impersonation scams identified as a high priority, requiring soft skills training and data centre infrastructure development.
  3. Regulatory Harmonization and Standards: Countries like Colombia are updating regulations to meet higher standards equivalent to the EU, with rise of consumer protection measures. There is need for harmonization of approvals, proactive accountability beyond transparency, and collective redress mechanisms as future generations face increased risks.
  4. Competition and Consumer Protection Integration: Consumer protection must go beyond isolated policy to integrate with competition policy, fixing systems for consumer interests. Connection between consumer protection and dispute resolution is essential, with pledges for product safety requiring business commitment alongside regulatory frameworks.
  5. Coordination and Cooperation Needs: Better coordination between consumer protection agencies and telecom regulators is needed, with cooperation on public-private investment fronts. Values must move beyond words through adoption of charters for consumers in digital economy, including rights to access and privacy, with focus on how consumers will look in 2030.

    The key speakers were various stakeholders from organizations like WTO, IKEA, National Consumers Commission of South Africa, and Consumers Korea. 

(Reporting by Priyadarshini Venkatesh, CUTS International, Geneva)
CHANGEMAKERS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRADE: ADVANCING CIRCULAR AND BIODIVERSITY-BASED ECONOMIES
 
This session, organised as part of the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development held on 22nd October 2025, sought to examine strategies for advancing circular and biodiversity-based economies through sustainable trade practices. The key takeaways from the discussion were:
  1. Direct Value Chain Transformation: Participants highlighted how artisans and entrepreneurs are reshaping commodity trading by connecting directly with producers, removing intermediaries that previously captured most of the value. This approach rewards high-quality, biodiversity-friendly production with better prices and fosters more equitable, sustainable value chains.
  2. Biodiversity-Based Product Innovation: Countries showcased practical innovations such as biodegradable fishing gear tackling water pollution, coconut husk alternatives to plastic, and leather projects meeting international standards. Biodegradable gear has also enabled new activities like seaweed farming and lobster trapping, illustrating how trade supports scale and cost reduction. 
  3. Access to Finance and Infrastructure Barriers: Cameroon’s cocoa experience highlighted financing challenges for small cooperatives and farmers adopting sustainable practices, compounded by weak energy, transport, and logistics infrastructure. The panel warned that emerging EU environmental regulations risk exclusion rather than support and urged assistance for countries already advancing traceability reforms, ensuring sustainability enhances competitiveness instead of creating market barriers.
  4. Regulatory Framework Development: Switzerland has integrated sustainability into national policy through regulations promoting biodiversity and public–private partnerships that support sustainable business practices. These include voluntary standards and accreditation systems enabling compliant commodity trade. Key trade priorities include HS codes for new products such as biodegradable fishing gear, third-party benchmarks, and preferential agreements to reduce high tariffs.
  5. Systemic Approaches and MSME Support: Development practitioners emphasised resilient, inclusive functioning value chains requiring systemic approaches, bringing micro and small industries together for collaborative solutions. Adrie El Mohamadi outlined improved sector governance, verifiable quantitative data, employment data collection, government engagement, and research development initiatives.

    The key speakers were Pedro Manuel Moreno, Lisa Emelia Svensson, Monica Rubiolo, Pierre Marcolini, Emma Algotsson, Adrie El Mohamadi, and Ebenezer Laryea.

(Reporting by Mritunjai Kapila, CUTS International, Geneva)
INCLUSIVE TRADE IN A CHANGING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE: MAKING TRADE POLICY WORK FOR WOMEN
 
This session, organized by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as part of UNCTAD16, discussed the intersection of trade policy and gender equality, examining how current trade dynamics may severely affect women's employment, particularly in sectors impacted by high tariffs and new trade barriers. The key takeaways from the discussion were:
  1. Women's Economic Vulnerability in Trade Shifts: A significant share of women work in sectors affected by high tariffs and new trade barriers, putting them at risk of job losses and wage insecurity. Countries like Cambodia have feminized export sectors with 80% women representation in industries targeting US and EU markets which had made them particularly vulnerable to trade disruptions.
  2. Visibility and Untapped Potential: Women need to be made visible in trade policy, as they provide welfare to society and innovation. When women thrive, society moves forward, and globalization must benefit everyone by tapping the potential of 50% of the population that cannot be renounced.
  3. Policy Integration Strategies: Countries are implementing priority actions including pentagon strategies, trade sector strategies, and integration strategies to promote mainstreaming of gender considerations. Examples include Spain's data analytics sector led by women in services, Chile's significant transformation in exports, and business incubation programs in sectors including textiles.
  4. Market Diversification and Skills Development: There is need to diversify markets and products while developing skilled labor, particularly for women. This includes closing information gaps, building resources for committees and work plans, and focusing on services and digital economies where women can participate more effectively.
  5. Institutional and Political Representation: Greater engagement with civil societies and parliament members is needed, as women's representation in parliaments remains very low. Regional frameworks like AfCFTA, still under negotiation, show prospects for advancing women in trade through more inclusive trade agreements. 

    The key speakers were Rebeca Grynspan, Teresa Ribera, Mokhethi Shelile, Tekreth Kamrang, Maria Amparo López Senovilla, Sofia Boza Martinez, Trudi Hartzenberg and Patricia Benedetti. 

(Reporting by Priyadarshini Venkatesh, CUTS International, Geneva)
BUSINESS LEADERS DIALOGUE: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
 
This session, organized by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as part of UNCTAD16, examined how international investment and finance can be strategically realigned to support sustainable and inclusive development amid declining global foreign direct investment. The key takeaways from the discussion were:
  1. Trust and Predictability as Investment Foundations: Trust is key in securing investments, with countries that demonstrate predictability and openness becoming trustworthy destinations. Examples like Panama show how creating negotiable and stable environments with intelligent incentives and institutional frameworks builds trust through transparency, though there is a paradoxical situation where FDI is decreasing despite needs.
  2. Sustainability Integration Beyond Resource Mobilization: Sustainability must be integrated into global strategy not only for capacity of mobilizing resources but also for quality sources attached. This requires collaborative frameworks bringing the best capabilities together, with trust, transparency, and loyalty as foundational elements for long-term growth rather than short-term safety.
  3. Energy and Digital Transition Platforms: Energy and digital transitions are happening in developing economies, requiring a shift from competing as individual markets to creating global platforms. This ecosystem approach combines public, private, and multilateral capital towards greener and more efficient solutions, with examples like Panama's 75% renewable energy sources and innovative finance mechanisms including green bonds.
  4. Local Approaches and Capacity Building: Locally grounded, financially sustainable approaches are needed, with focus on young entrepreneurs and opportunities for them. Capacity building and talent development are important in developing countries, while recognizing that climate change is real and sectors like tourism, contributing significantly to global GDP, depend on human connection and skilled workforce.
  5. SME Integration and Diversification: SMEs are integral to business and industry but face challenges like banks viewing activities (such as rice harvesting) as highly volatile requiring high collateral. Solutions include upskilling and reskilling through digital platforms, building regional communities, diversifying investments, and setting aside capital deliberately for philanthropic support of small businesses.     

    The key speakers were Pedro Manuel Moreno, Julio Moltó, Ángela Pérez, Alan Chan, André Hoffmann, Ahmad Mohammed A.Y. Al-Sayed, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, Boon Heong Ng, Alfonso Líbano Daurella, Rebeca Grynspan and Damon Embling. 

(Reporting by Priyadarshini Venkatesh, CUTS International, Geneva)
PLENARY SESSION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL
 
This session, organized by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as part of UNCTAD16, showcased the UN Secretary-General's address on UNCTAD's role in the broader UN agenda amid global trade and economic disruptions. The key takeaways from the discussion were:
  1. Trade Resilience and Adaptation: Trade and the global economy face the biggest disruptions, but contrary to expectations of decline this year, trade is growing through adaptation and resilience. However, resilience helps adapt to disruption while stability ensures long-term sustainability, and these are not the same concepts.
  2. Fair Global Trading System Requirements: Trade requires a level playing field with investment, finance, and economic coordination. Digital commerce crosses borders at the speed of light with increased regional trade agreements. While protectionism in some cases might be inevitable, it should at least be rational and invest in people's prosperity.
  3. Climate Finance and Development Priorities: There is a mobilization of $1.3 trillion annually for climate finance for developing countries, helping them harness renewable energy and leverage private finance. Too many developing countries have not reaped trade benefits, requiring investment in their prosperity and sustainable development.
  4. UNCTAD's Foundational Role: UNCTAD was born as a voice for developing countries and stood for calls of justice, ensuring all countries can drive trade, environment, and development forward. Building bridges remains both necessary and urgent through evidence-based analysis and capacity building with clear, realistic strategies.
  5. Multilateral System Strengthening: Multilateralism remains alive and essential, requiring system strengthening despite seeing trade barriers and restrictive measures. Member states expressed support for UN80 reform program and UNCTAD, with focus on achieving SDGs despite resource constraints, promoting priorities of developing states and landlocked countries, and reaffirming belief in the power of trade.

    The key speakers were Secretary-General António Guterres, Rebeca Grynspan, Teresa Ribera and other officials form Member States. 

(Reporting by Priyadarshini Venkatesh, CUTS International, Geneva)
TOWARDS RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE SUPPLY CHAINS AND TRADE LOGISTICS
 
This ministerial roundtable, organised as part of the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development held on 22nd October 2025, sought to examine strategies for building resilient, sustainable and inclusive supply chains and trade logistics systems in response to recent global vulnerabilities from the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate change impacts. The key takeaways from the discussion were:
  1. India's Self-Reliance Strategy: India emphasised lessons from COVID-19 disruptions and maritime challenges, launching Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Sufficient India) to identify supply chain vulnerabilities, prevent monopolisation, and create jobs. India launched a trillion-dollar master plan to expand domestic infrastructure as the fastest-growing large economy, doubling port capacity in the last decade while building extensive rail, road, and inland waterway networks. Self-reliance proved crucial for vaccine production and expanding free trade agreements with friendly countries to strengthen international competitiveness.
  2. Digital Innovation for Cost Reduction: India highlighted its digital payment methods as a model that can significantly reduce costs for developing countries, offering to share the system to cut operational problems, especially for the Global South. India emphasised that UNCTAD should facilitate collaboration and the sharing of successful examples across countries to build best practices.
  3. Regional Connectivity and Routes: Algeria positioned itself as a Europe-Africa link with 11 trade ports available to central African countries through land and cross-desert routes, building 800-kilometre roads. Saudi Arabia, with 30% of international trade passing through its territory, announced that it will host the World Supply Chain Forum in November 2026. Geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea, which carries 13% of global trade, underscore the need for alternative corridors and regional integration beyond maritime routes.
  4. Landlocked Countries' Challenges: Lesotho highlighted long port clearance times, high transportation costs, and dependency on South African cooperation affecting CBD exports, noting border disruptions create unemployment spillover. Comoros emphasised supply chain shocks and import dependency, launching a national plan until 2030 to develop local resources and agro-food industries while promoting green funding and South-South cooperation to transform vulnerabilities into opportunities.
  5. UNCTAD's Facilitation Role: Countries identified specific areas for UNCTAD leadership, including shaping policy frameworks, facilitating public-private dialogue, providing legal certainty for digital trade, improving trade finance access, and addressing data governance barriers affecting SMEs. Comoros urged technical assistance on risk management for LDCs and increased international aid for trade, while Lesotho stressed UNCTAD's role in helping landlocked countries secure trade facilitation and transit agreements.
    The key speakers were Shri Piyush Goyal, Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Julio Molto, Kamal Rezig, Moustoifa Hassani Mohamed, Mokhethi Shelile, Stephane Graber, Ricardo Viegas D'Abreu, and Naledi Moleo.

(Reporting by Mritunjai Kapila, CUTS International, Geneva)
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