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21 October 2025 — At a high-level panel during UNCTAD16 in Geneva, experts and policymakers discussed strategies to strengthen productive capacities and financial sustainability in developing countries. With available finance falling $4 trillion short of annual needs, and many nations burdened by high debt servicing costs and sluggish export earnings, participants emphasized the urgent need to expand productive capacities to build resilience and achieve inclusive growth. The event, opened by Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), explored mechanisms such as debt swaps for productive capacities and the role of UNCTAD’s new Productive Capacities Index and Sustainable Development Financial Assessment Framework in supporting evidence-based policymaking. Speakers: H.E. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, The Gambia H.E. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Republic of Kenya H.E. Tekreth Kamrang, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia Prof. Xiaowen Fu, Head of Department, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr. Taffere Tesfachew, Senior Advisor on Economic Transformation in Africa, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Mr. Gilson Pina, National Director for Planning, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Cabo Verde flickr-54884221256.jpg

In this photo: Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54872080919.jpg

21 October 2025 — At a high-level panel during UNCTAD16 in Geneva, experts and policymakers discussed strategies to strengthen productive capacities and financial sustainability in developing countries. With available finance falling $4 trillion short of annual needs, and many nations burdened by high debt servicing costs and sluggish export earnings, participants emphasized the urgent need to expand productive capacities to build resilience and achieve inclusive growth. The event, opened by Pedro Manuel Moreno, Deputy Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), explored mechanisms such as debt swaps for productive capacities and the role of UNCTAD’s new Productive Capacities Index and Sustainable Development Financial Assessment Framework in supporting evidence-based policymaking. Speakers: H.E. Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, The Gambia H.E. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Republic of Kenya H.E. Tekreth Kamrang, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia Prof. Xiaowen Fu, Head of Department, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr. Taffere Tesfachew, Senior Advisor on Economic Transformation in Africa, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Mr. Gilson Pina, National Director for Planning, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Cabo Verde flickr-54883384487.jpg

In this photo: Umid Abidhadjaev, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, Government of Uzbekistan The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54870971867.jpg

In this photo: Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, Government of Egypt The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54869651068.jpg

The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54872128800.jpg

The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54869356491.jpg

In this photo: Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the Executive Secretariat , Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-enhance-developing-countries-financial-sustainability" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-en...</a> flickr-54869809378.jpg

The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. flickr-54871828241.jpg

In this photo: Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Government of The Gambia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-enhance-developing-countries-financial-sustainability" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-en...</a> flickr-54869826014.jpg

In this photo: Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Government of The Gambia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-enhance-developing-countries-financial-sustainability" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-en...</a> flickr-54868720737.jpg

In this photo: Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Saudi Arabia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872063983.jpg

In this photo: Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Saudi Arabia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872063938.jpg

In this photo: Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Saudi Arabia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54870971582.jpg

The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. flickr-54872064133.jpg

In this photo: Regina Akoth Ombam, Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade, Government of Kenya The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-regionalism-time-uncertainty" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-regionalism-ti...</a> flickr-54869809368.jpg

In this photo: Regina Akoth Ombam, Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade, Government of Kenya The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-regionalism-time-uncertainty" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-regionalism-ti...</a> flickr-54869576801.jpg

In this photo: Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Saudi Arabia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872063898.jpg

In this photo: Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Saudi Arabia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872063888.jpg

In this photo: Tekreth Kamrang, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-enhance-developing-countries-financial-sustainability" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-en...</a> flickr-54869809443.jpg

In this photo: Xiaowen Fu, Head of Department &amp; Professor in Engineering Management, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54869809448.jpg

In this photo: Xiaowen Fu, Head of Department &amp; Professor in Engineering Management, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54868720837.jpg

In this photo: Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Government of Zimbabwe The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872128455.jpg

In this photo: Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Government of Zimbabwe The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54870971492.jpg

In this photo: Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Government of Zimbabwe The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54871827936.jpg

In this photo: Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Government of Zimbabwe Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce, Government of Saudi Arabia The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872128405.jpg

In this photo: Taffere Tesfachew, Senior Advisor on Economic Transformation in Africa , Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-enhance-developing-countries-financial-sustainability" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-en...</a> flickr-54869809488.jpg

In this photo: Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Government of Zimbabwe The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital-economy-inclusive-and-sustainable-through" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/ministerial-roundtable-making-digital...</a> flickr-54872063773.jpg

In this photo: Gilson Pina, National Director for Planning, Ministry of Finance , Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-enhance-developing-countries-financial-sustainability" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16/expanding-productive-capacities-to-en...</a> flickr-54868720847.jpg

In this photo: Philip Fox-Drummond Gough, Secretary for Economic and Financial Affairs, Government of Brazil The 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) runs from 20–23 October 2025 in Geneva. The conference theme is: &quot;Shaping the future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.&quot; Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, it convenes global leaders, experts, changemakers, and civil society for dialogue on trade, investment, development, and the digital economy. More info, live stream &amp; full programme: <a href="https://unctad.org/unctad16" rel="noreferrer nofollow">unctad.org/unctad16</a> flickr-54872080809.jpg