Fish is an invaluable resource for food security, export and income generation.
It is key to the livelihoods of millions of people, especially coastal populations. But close to 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited or depleted.
Yet many countries spend m billions of dollars in subsidies that contribute to overfishing.
UNCTAD, UNEP and FAO proposed a roadmap to eliminate harmful subsidies.
This is not the only solution, but is a crucial step to stop the tragedy already happening in the seas.
The high-level United Nations Conference under the theme 'Our oceans, our future: Partnering for the implementation of Sustainable development Goal 14' will be convened at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 5 to 9 June 2017.
The Conference aims to be the game changer that will reverse the decline in the health of our ocean for people, planet and prosperity. It will be solutions-focused with engagement from all.
UNCTAD is supporting developing countries to identify the opportunities and challenges that the oceans economy can bring. It also supports national trade authorities to design and create an enabling policy and regulatory environment that promotes the development and emergence of sustainable oceans economic sectors.
E-commerce can become a powerful driver of economic growth, inclusive trade and job-creation across the developing world.
While some developing countries have made significant inroads into e-commerce, the vast majority is still lagging behind.
Numerous development partners, foundations, and private sector actors are working from different angles to unlock the power of the Internet for economic development. However, current efforts are fragmented and lack sufficient scale.
The UNCTAD-led initiative entitled "eTrade for All" aims to improve the ability of developing countries, and particularly Least developed countries, to use and benefit from e-commerce.
The theme will be From Decisions to Actions. The Conference will feature ministerial debates, high-level round tables, thematic events, a World Investment Forum, a Global Commodities Forum, a Youth Forum and a Civil Society Forum, among other events.
On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of UNCTAD, the 2014 Public Symposium explored how widening inequality poses a challenge to sustainable development. In 1964, member States participating in the first UNCTAD conference identified a range of challenges and risks to peace and development that are still relevant today, including growing inequality.