Government

Global Supply Chain Forum Tackles Rising Costs and Logistics Challenges for Small Island States

The inaugural United Nations Trade and Development Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) kicked off in Barbados this week, shining a spotlight on the significant transport and logistics challenges facing small island developing states (SIDS). The four-day event, hosted by the Government of Barbados and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), brought together over 900 delegates from 127 countries to address these pressing issues.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley set the tone for the forum, highlighting the dire situation faced by SIDS during the COVID-19 pandemic. She revealed that shipping costs for these island nations had skyrocketed by a staggering 76% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This surge in costs, coupled with geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, has had a debilitating effect on SIDS, driving up prices for importers, carriers, and consumers.

Mottley emphasized that SIDS pay more for transport, insurance, and maritime imports than any other country grouping. Furthermore, liner connectivity for these islands has declined by 10%, surpassing the global average drop of 8%. “We’re the first to lose market share,” she lamented, adding that SIDS are often the “last to be seen” and bear the brunt of the global pursuit of unsustainable lifestyles.

The Prime Minister also underscored the additional challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters. In 2021, Barbados experienced events that led to the closure of its air and seaports for several days and the temporary closure of 38 buildings due to volcanic dust from the eruption of La Soufriere in St. Vincent.

*Members of the audience at the UNCTAD Conference*

Recognizing the need for comprehensive solutions, Mottley called for the pursuit of the Bridgetown Initiative and reforms to the global financial architecture, ensuring fair opportunities for developing countries, including vulnerable middle-income countries and SIDS.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, highlighting the disproportionate impact of higher maritime costs on inflation in SIDS compared to the rest of the world. She emphasized the need for inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience in supply chains, and expressed hope that the forum would provide concrete tools and technical assistance to address these challenges.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed described the GSCF as a pivotal moment in charting a way forward, urging participants to seize this opportunity to forge a brighter future where no nation is left behind and global trade remains a force for economic growth, prosperity, and sustainable development.

As the forum continues, delegates will engage in discussions and seek solutions to address the multiple disruptions to global supply chains and the significant impacts on developing countries, with a particular focus on the unique challenges faced by SIDS.

Government

Barbados Votes To End Embargo On Cuba

Barbados joined the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in condemning the United States’ economic embargo of Cuba for the 32nd consecutive year, when the resolution entitled: “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba” was considered during a meeting held on Wednesday, October 30.

The United Nations overwhelmingly passed the resolution by a vote of 187 (in favour) to two (against), with one abstention. Only the United States and Israel voted against it.

During the delivery of the national statement, Chargé d’Affaires/Deputy Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, Kereeta Whyte, informed the UNGA that: “The sentiments we express today are not new. They reflect the deep conviction we have articulated in this Assembly over the years. Indeed, since this resolution was first introduced in the General Assembly at its 46th session, in 1991.

“The Government of Barbados once again calls for an immediate end to the embargo and urges the removal of Cuba from the US Department of State’s list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that only exacerbates the suffering of the Cuban people.

“We believe that dialogue is the path forward. Barbados values its strong relations with both the United States and Cuba and calls on the US Government to engage in meaningful negotiations with Cuba to normalise relations. This step would not only reduce tensions but also pave the way for greater peace, cooperation, and development in our region.

“Barbados will continue to advocate for the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade, which is critical for the people and Government of Cuba to achieve full prosperity.” (PR/GIS)

Government

MORE WORK NEEDED TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

As the year 2030 quickly approaches, countries, including Barbados, need to speed up their efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This word comes from Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Senator Chad Blackman, as he addressed Friday’s Validation Workshop for the Baseline Study on the Priority Sustainable Development Goals Indicators for Barbados at the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business, where he insisted that countries had become too lax in meeting the necessary targets for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which adopted by all UN Member States almost a decade prior.

He said, “We are virtually at the end of 2024, which now leaves us just six years to that magic number of 2030. Whilst there are a lot of goals that Barbados has achieved, the world, including Barbados, has still not met a number of them in the way that we should. And, therefore, we have six years to really redouble, or some might argue, re-triple our efforts, so as to be able to tangibly achieve these objectives. But, we can’t do it alone.
He added, “The government can’t do it on its own; the private sector can’t do it on its own; civil society can’t do it on its own; it has to be government, private sector, civil society, the man on the street…. So that the entire society moves forward in a cohesive way…to meet these targets. Therefore, it calls for an out of box approach so as to ensure that we can meet these targets. Therefore, we have to use all our creativity. We have to use nonconventional ways of trying to help us to achieve these targets.”
Blackman noted that an “out-of-the-box” will be necessary for Barbados and other countries to effectively move the needle to reach the set targets.

Government

XVI Ministerial Forum On Development Starts October 30

The Government of Barbados, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will host the XVI Ministerial Forum on Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, as a space to discuss opportunities to build resilience against future shocks that continue to challenge development in the region.

The Forum will be held from Wednesday, October 30 to Friday,1 November at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle. The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, and ECLAC Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, and is expected to have over 150 participants, including more than 20 Government delegations from the region. The full agenda is available here.

This gathering builds on the discussions initiated at the XIII Ministerial Forum in Antigua and Barbuda in 2021, which discussed disasters and social protection systems in the context of protracted crises. The XVI Ministerial Forum will discuss how the region can advance and protect social gains in the context of more frequent and intense shocks.

A Ministerial Declaration is expected to be the outcome of the Forum. The Declaration aims to be a roadmap for transformative policy action and impactful initiatives that transcend boundaries, ultimately steering the region toward a more equitable and resilient future.