UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
@unctad.bsky.social
Official account of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). We work to ensure everyone benefits from the global economy. Website: https://unctad.org
The digital economy is a major opportunity for #LDCs—but only if services boost productivity, connect with manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trade. With the right skills, infrastructure and policies, services can drive jobs, exports and resilience. https://ow.ly/vcyW50Ye5lf
February 11, 2026 at 9:48 PM
The digital economy is a major opportunity for #LDCs—but only if services boost productivity, connect with manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trade. With the right skills, infrastructure and policies, services can drive jobs, exports and resilience. https://ow.ly/vcyW50Ye5lf
#LDCReport2025 highlights trade concentration and rising vulnerability: services account for 16% of total exports but are heavily concentrated in travel and transport — sectors exposed to shocks and offering low returns to labour.
Explore the report: https://ow.ly/arlw50Ye4U7
Explore the report: https://ow.ly/arlw50Ye4U7
February 11, 2026 at 9:32 PM
#LDCReport2025 highlights trade concentration and rising vulnerability: services account for 16% of total exports but are heavily concentrated in travel and transport — sectors exposed to shocks and offering low returns to labour.
Explore the report: https://ow.ly/arlw50Ye4U7
Explore the report: https://ow.ly/arlw50Ye4U7
SG Rebeca Grynspan welcomes the recent renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the US. #AGOA provides duty-free access to U.S. markets for 32 sub-Saharan African countries, including 21 least developed countries.
#LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/NayM50Ye3Mm
#LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/NayM50Ye3Mm
February 11, 2026 at 9:01 PM
SG Rebeca Grynspan welcomes the recent renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in the US. #AGOA provides duty-free access to U.S. markets for 32 sub-Saharan African countries, including 21 least developed countries.
#LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/NayM50Ye3Mm
#LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/NayM50Ye3Mm
Labour productivity in the median least developed country is 11 times lower than in the median developed economy.
This gap highlights vulnerability to shocks & weaker structural capacities to sustain growth.
The #LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/m3aG50YbHZE
This gap highlights vulnerability to shocks & weaker structural capacities to sustain growth.
The #LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/m3aG50YbHZE
February 11, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Labour productivity in the median least developed country is 11 times lower than in the median developed economy.
This gap highlights vulnerability to shocks & weaker structural capacities to sustain growth.
The #LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/m3aG50YbHZE
This gap highlights vulnerability to shocks & weaker structural capacities to sustain growth.
The #LDCs Report 2025 has more: https://ow.ly/m3aG50YbHZE
Least developed countries face a huge challenge: Accelerating growth to fight poverty.
But with just 1% per capita growth in 2024, they’re falling further behind other developing economies.
Can the services sector help?
UNCTAD’s #LDCs Report explores: https://ow.ly/FBO050YbGCO
But with just 1% per capita growth in 2024, they’re falling further behind other developing economies.
Can the services sector help?
UNCTAD’s #LDCs Report explores: https://ow.ly/FBO050YbGCO
February 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Least developed countries face a huge challenge: Accelerating growth to fight poverty.
But with just 1% per capita growth in 2024, they’re falling further behind other developing economies.
Can the services sector help?
UNCTAD’s #LDCs Report explores: https://ow.ly/FBO050YbGCO
But with just 1% per capita growth in 2024, they’re falling further behind other developing economies.
Can the services sector help?
UNCTAD’s #LDCs Report explores: https://ow.ly/FBO050YbGCO
Services drive growth & jobs in least developed countries, but most remain low productivity & informal, UNCTAD’s #LDCs Report 2025 shows.
Without targeted policies, growth risks reinforcing inequalities.
Skills, digital tools & industry links are key to better jobs: https://ow.ly/IWvr50YbE1w
Without targeted policies, growth risks reinforcing inequalities.
Skills, digital tools & industry links are key to better jobs: https://ow.ly/IWvr50YbE1w
February 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Services drive growth & jobs in least developed countries, but most remain low productivity & informal, UNCTAD’s #LDCs Report 2025 shows.
Without targeted policies, growth risks reinforcing inequalities.
Skills, digital tools & industry links are key to better jobs: https://ow.ly/IWvr50YbE1w
Without targeted policies, growth risks reinforcing inequalities.
Skills, digital tools & industry links are key to better jobs: https://ow.ly/IWvr50YbE1w
By 2050, least developed countries will need around 13.2M new jobs every year just for people entering the labour market, UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan said launching The #LDCs Report 2025.
Can services help economies grow, create better jobs and boost incomes? https://ow.ly/sa5150YcyPO
Can services help economies grow, create better jobs and boost incomes? https://ow.ly/sa5150YcyPO
February 10, 2026 at 10:10 PM
By 2050, least developed countries will need around 13.2M new jobs every year just for people entering the labour market, UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan said launching The #LDCs Report 2025.
Can services help economies grow, create better jobs and boost incomes? https://ow.ly/sa5150YcyPO
Can services help economies grow, create better jobs and boost incomes? https://ow.ly/sa5150YcyPO
Services can boost industrialization, trade & competitiveness – but only with strong national strategies and a supportive global environment.
Without both, opportunity could turn into exclusion, says UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan at the launch of the latest #LDCs Report. https://ow.ly/kOps50Yca3v
Without both, opportunity could turn into exclusion, says UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan at the launch of the latest #LDCs Report. https://ow.ly/kOps50Yca3v
February 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Services can boost industrialization, trade & competitiveness – but only with strong national strategies and a supportive global environment.
Without both, opportunity could turn into exclusion, says UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan at the launch of the latest #LDCs Report. https://ow.ly/kOps50Yca3v
Without both, opportunity could turn into exclusion, says UNCTAD chief Rebeca Grynspan at the launch of the latest #LDCs Report. https://ow.ly/kOps50Yca3v
Services are growing in 44 least developed countries (#LDCs).
But poor links to factories, exports & tech keep productivity low and inequality rising.
UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025 maps a path forward: https://ow.ly/ln3p50YbFLw
But poor links to factories, exports & tech keep productivity low and inequality rising.
UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025 maps a path forward: https://ow.ly/ln3p50YbFLw
February 10, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Services are growing in 44 least developed countries (#LDCs).
But poor links to factories, exports & tech keep productivity low and inequality rising.
UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025 maps a path forward: https://ow.ly/ln3p50YbFLw
But poor links to factories, exports & tech keep productivity low and inequality rising.
UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025 maps a path forward: https://ow.ly/ln3p50YbFLw
From tourism and transport to finance and telecoms, services now make up around half of economic output in the average least developed country.
Can they transform economies in #LDCs – and under what conditions?
Explore UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025: https://ow.ly/LEWo50YbBVN
Can they transform economies in #LDCs – and under what conditions?
Explore UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025: https://ow.ly/LEWo50YbBVN
February 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
From tourism and transport to finance and telecoms, services now make up around half of economic output in the average least developed country.
Can they transform economies in #LDCs – and under what conditions?
Explore UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025: https://ow.ly/LEWo50YbBVN
Can they transform economies in #LDCs – and under what conditions?
Explore UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2025: https://ow.ly/LEWo50YbBVN
UNCTAD's 2026 data release calendar is out!
All datasets are on our free Data Hub – harmonized, regularly updated and linking trends across trade, investment, digitalization, environment & demographics.
See when new statistics will be available: https://ow.ly/A0Iu50Ybz1Y
All datasets are on our free Data Hub – harmonized, regularly updated and linking trends across trade, investment, digitalization, environment & demographics.
See when new statistics will be available: https://ow.ly/A0Iu50Ybz1Y
New trade and economic data: UNCTAD publishes statistical release calendar for 2026
The calendar helps policymakers, researchers and businesses plan ahead by signalling when new, reliable statistics will be available.
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February 9, 2026 at 10:24 AM
UNCTAD's 2026 data release calendar is out!
All datasets are on our free Data Hub – harmonized, regularly updated and linking trends across trade, investment, digitalization, environment & demographics.
See when new statistics will be available: https://ow.ly/A0Iu50Ybz1Y
All datasets are on our free Data Hub – harmonized, regularly updated and linking trends across trade, investment, digitalization, environment & demographics.
See when new statistics will be available: https://ow.ly/A0Iu50Ybz1Y
This week, UNCTAD was honoured with the 11th #GenevaEngage Award (International Organisations category).
In an age of fragmentation, communication matters only when it clarifies — making complex economics understandable and relevant to real development impact.
Photos: DiploFoundation
In an age of fragmentation, communication matters only when it clarifies — making complex economics understandable and relevant to real development impact.
Photos: DiploFoundation
February 8, 2026 at 1:31 PM
This week, UNCTAD was honoured with the 11th #GenevaEngage Award (International Organisations category).
In an age of fragmentation, communication matters only when it clarifies — making complex economics understandable and relevant to real development impact.
Photos: DiploFoundation
In an age of fragmentation, communication matters only when it clarifies — making complex economics understandable and relevant to real development impact.
Photos: DiploFoundation
The world economy is expected to grow 2.7% in 2026 despite heightened uncertainty.
But resilience will depend less on headline numbers than on today’s policy choices shaping trade, finance and investment.
Analysis by leaders of UNCTAD & UN DESA: https://ow.ly/sLvp50YaPt0
But resilience will depend less on headline numbers than on today’s policy choices shaping trade, finance and investment.
Analysis by leaders of UNCTAD & UN DESA: https://ow.ly/sLvp50YaPt0
The mirage of global economic resilience
By Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
ow.ly
February 7, 2026 at 2:56 PM
The world economy is expected to grow 2.7% in 2026 despite heightened uncertainty.
But resilience will depend less on headline numbers than on today’s policy choices shaping trade, finance and investment.
Analysis by leaders of UNCTAD & UN DESA: https://ow.ly/sLvp50YaPt0
But resilience will depend less on headline numbers than on today’s policy choices shaping trade, finance and investment.
Analysis by leaders of UNCTAD & UN DESA: https://ow.ly/sLvp50YaPt0
Measuring plastic flows across their life cycle: UNCTAD data insights on plastics & non-plastic substitutes trade helped inform new guidelines by UNEP & UNITAR.
Reliable statistics are more essential than ever as the world prepares to advance #INC5 talks on a #PlasticsTreaty.
Reliable statistics are more essential than ever as the world prepares to advance #INC5 talks on a #PlasticsTreaty.
February 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Measuring plastic flows across their life cycle: UNCTAD data insights on plastics & non-plastic substitutes trade helped inform new guidelines by UNEP & UNITAR.
Reliable statistics are more essential than ever as the world prepares to advance #INC5 talks on a #PlasticsTreaty.
Reliable statistics are more essential than ever as the world prepares to advance #INC5 talks on a #PlasticsTreaty.
#BeatPlasticPollution means trade must be part of the solution.
Plastic goods exports have more than doubled since 2005. By 2023 they hit $1.13 trillion – about 5% of global merchandise trade.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/Wvl250Y9TpN
Plastic goods exports have more than doubled since 2005. By 2023 they hit $1.13 trillion – about 5% of global merchandise trade.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/Wvl250Y9TpN
February 6, 2026 at 2:03 PM
#BeatPlasticPollution means trade must be part of the solution.
Plastic goods exports have more than doubled since 2005. By 2023 they hit $1.13 trillion – about 5% of global merchandise trade.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/Wvl250Y9TpN
Plastic goods exports have more than doubled since 2005. By 2023 they hit $1.13 trillion – about 5% of global merchandise trade.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/Wvl250Y9TpN
Plastic exports jumped from 218 million tons in 2005 to 323 million tons in 2023.
That’s about 16.2 million trucks (20 tons each) on the road to move 2023 exports alone. Let that sink in.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/M2N150Y9Rex
#INC5 #BeatPlasticPollution
That’s about 16.2 million trucks (20 tons each) on the road to move 2023 exports alone. Let that sink in.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/M2N150Y9Rex
#INC5 #BeatPlasticPollution
February 6, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Plastic exports jumped from 218 million tons in 2005 to 323 million tons in 2023.
That’s about 16.2 million trucks (20 tons each) on the road to move 2023 exports alone. Let that sink in.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/M2N150Y9Rex
#INC5 #BeatPlasticPollution
That’s about 16.2 million trucks (20 tons each) on the road to move 2023 exports alone. Let that sink in.
UNCTAD data insights: https://ow.ly/M2N150Y9Rex
#INC5 #BeatPlasticPollution
UNCTAD is proud to have received the 11th #GenevaEngage Award.
In an age of fragmentation & constant noise, communication matters only if it clarifies.
Visibility is not impact. Understanding is.
Photos: DiploFoundation
In an age of fragmentation & constant noise, communication matters only if it clarifies.
Visibility is not impact. Understanding is.
Photos: DiploFoundation
February 5, 2026 at 5:24 PM
UNCTAD is proud to have received the 11th #GenevaEngage Award.
In an age of fragmentation & constant noise, communication matters only if it clarifies.
Visibility is not impact. Understanding is.
Photos: DiploFoundation
In an age of fragmentation & constant noise, communication matters only if it clarifies.
Visibility is not impact. Understanding is.
Photos: DiploFoundation
UNCTAD is proud to receive the 11th #GenevaEngage Award (Int'l Organisations category).
Thank you to our partners & supporters worldwide.
We remain committed to delivering trusted policy insights on global trade, the economy & development.
Follow us: https://ow.ly/iJFJ50Y8PF3
Thank you to our partners & supporters worldwide.
We remain committed to delivering trusted policy insights on global trade, the economy & development.
Follow us: https://ow.ly/iJFJ50Y8PF3
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Global crises fracturing foreign investment, impacting developing economies Lower economic growth and trade disruptions in 2024 to impact development UNCTAD rebrands to 'UN Trade and Development' Development aid hits record high but falls for developing countries Critical minerals boom: Global energ…
ow.ly
February 4, 2026 at 3:41 PM
UNCTAD is proud to receive the 11th #GenevaEngage Award (Int'l Organisations category).
Thank you to our partners & supporters worldwide.
We remain committed to delivering trusted policy insights on global trade, the economy & development.
Follow us: https://ow.ly/iJFJ50Y8PF3
Thank you to our partners & supporters worldwide.
We remain committed to delivering trusted policy insights on global trade, the economy & development.
Follow us: https://ow.ly/iJFJ50Y8PF3
Secretary-General Grynspan is in Dubai, UAE, for the World Governments Summit 2026.
The UNCTAD chief speaks about “The tipping point in global trade”— from geopolitical pressures and resilient supply chains to digital finance and global cooperation.
Photo: World Governments Summit
The UNCTAD chief speaks about “The tipping point in global trade”— from geopolitical pressures and resilient supply chains to digital finance and global cooperation.
Photo: World Governments Summit
February 3, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Secretary-General Grynspan is in Dubai, UAE, for the World Governments Summit 2026.
The UNCTAD chief speaks about “The tipping point in global trade”— from geopolitical pressures and resilient supply chains to digital finance and global cooperation.
Photo: World Governments Summit
The UNCTAD chief speaks about “The tipping point in global trade”— from geopolitical pressures and resilient supply chains to digital finance and global cooperation.
Photo: World Governments Summit
Trade facilitation enquiry points worldwide have room to become more accessible and responsive.
To turn compliance into real impact, UNCTAD recommends centralizing services, setting basic standards & using digital tools smarter.
Full analysis: https://ow.ly/rim750Y7KYb
To turn compliance into real impact, UNCTAD recommends centralizing services, setting basic standards & using digital tools smarter.
Full analysis: https://ow.ly/rim750Y7KYb
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Trade facilitation enquiry points worldwide have room to become more accessible and responsive.
To turn compliance into real impact, UNCTAD recommends centralizing services, setting basic standards & using digital tools smarter.
Full analysis: https://ow.ly/rim750Y7KYb
To turn compliance into real impact, UNCTAD recommends centralizing services, setting basic standards & using digital tools smarter.
Full analysis: https://ow.ly/rim750Y7KYb
In 2024, developed economies captured about 75% of digitally deliverable exports like computer services.
Gaps in broadband, digital skills & data policies persist.
Without action, developing countries risk falling further behind.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/VOmX50Y7lge
Gaps in broadband, digital skills & data policies persist.
Without action, developing countries risk falling further behind.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/VOmX50Y7lge
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
In 2024, developed economies captured about 75% of digitally deliverable exports like computer services.
Gaps in broadband, digital skills & data policies persist.
Without action, developing countries risk falling further behind.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/VOmX50Y7lge
Gaps in broadband, digital skills & data policies persist.
Without action, developing countries risk falling further behind.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/VOmX50Y7lge
Global ICT services trade — including telecom and computer services — hit $1.2 trillion in 2024.
Europe leads with 57% of exports, Asia & Oceania 33%, North America 8%, while Africa & Latin America lag at just 2.5%, highlighting a stark global divide.
More insights: https://ow.ly/c4Bx50Y7lCn
Europe leads with 57% of exports, Asia & Oceania 33%, North America 8%, while Africa & Latin America lag at just 2.5%, highlighting a stark global divide.
More insights: https://ow.ly/c4Bx50Y7lCn
February 2, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Global ICT services trade — including telecom and computer services — hit $1.2 trillion in 2024.
Europe leads with 57% of exports, Asia & Oceania 33%, North America 8%, while Africa & Latin America lag at just 2.5%, highlighting a stark global divide.
More insights: https://ow.ly/c4Bx50Y7lCn
Europe leads with 57% of exports, Asia & Oceania 33%, North America 8%, while Africa & Latin America lag at just 2.5%, highlighting a stark global divide.
More insights: https://ow.ly/c4Bx50Y7lCn
Asia dominates ICT (Information and communications technology) goods—nearly 80% of global exports in 2024.
Yet many developing economies are stuck in low-value assembly, limiting gains from the digital & energy transitions.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/jXET50Y7kP1
Yet many developing economies are stuck in low-value assembly, limiting gains from the digital & energy transitions.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/jXET50Y7kP1
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Asia dominates ICT (Information and communications technology) goods—nearly 80% of global exports in 2024.
Yet many developing economies are stuck in low-value assembly, limiting gains from the digital & energy transitions.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/jXET50Y7kP1
Yet many developing economies are stuck in low-value assembly, limiting gains from the digital & energy transitions.
More data insights: https://ow.ly/jXET50Y7kP1
Global trade is changing fast. Behind the numbers lie critical insights on opportunity, inequality and transformation.
Explore UNCTAD Data Insights and engage with the data shaping today’s policy debates. https://ow.ly/VNkR50Y7k7s
Explore UNCTAD Data Insights and engage with the data shaping today’s policy debates. https://ow.ly/VNkR50Y7k7s
Data insights | UNCTAD Data Hub
Data Insights of UN Trade and Development highlight key messages extracted from UNCTADstat data through careful analysis, highlighting key global trends in trade and development. Decision-makers, researchers and stakeholders can explore the numbers behind the critical issues shaping the future.
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February 1, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Global trade is changing fast. Behind the numbers lie critical insights on opportunity, inequality and transformation.
Explore UNCTAD Data Insights and engage with the data shaping today’s policy debates. https://ow.ly/VNkR50Y7k7s
Explore UNCTAD Data Insights and engage with the data shaping today’s policy debates. https://ow.ly/VNkR50Y7k7s
Latin America has strategic assets to offer the world, Secretary-General Grynspan told a top forum in Panama this week. The UNCTAD chief cited the region’s commitment to peace & cooperation, its critical minerals, biodiversity & renewable energy, a large market, plus a young & educated population.
January 31, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Latin America has strategic assets to offer the world, Secretary-General Grynspan told a top forum in Panama this week. The UNCTAD chief cited the region’s commitment to peace & cooperation, its critical minerals, biodiversity & renewable energy, a large market, plus a young & educated population.