UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme Year in Review 2024 Summary E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme Year in Review 2024 UNCTAD/DTL/ECDE/INF/2025/1 (Summary) E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme Year in Review 2024 Message from Torbjörn Fredriksson, Head, E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch Summary © 2025, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development The designations employed and the presentation of material on any map in this work do n ...

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of sustainable forest management and the role of data in achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in the context of climate change and the need for carbon emission reductions [12][70][73] - It highlights the evolution of forest products and their significance in human society, noting that wood products are essential for various applications, including construction, energy, and health [8][48][64] - The report discusses the historical context of forest product trade and the need for comprehensive data collection to understand global production and consumption patterns [16][18][20] Summary by Sections Past and Future Foundations - Forests have sustained human society for thousands of years and will continue to do so in the future, with various species providing essential resources [7][8] - Indigenous peoples recognize the intrinsic connection between trees and human survival, referring to significant species as "trees of life" [8] Recording Supply and Demand - The establishment of the FAO has transitioned forest product trade from obscurity to transparency, enabling better understanding of global trade dynamics [14][16] - The FAO's statistical department has been a key player in providing authoritative data on forest products for over 75 years, aiding in sustainable forest management and market identification [18][20] The Rise and Fall of Forest Products - The report notes that the demand for wood products has evolved, with significant shifts in consumption patterns influenced by economic changes and technological advancements [48][61] - The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated certain trends, such as increased demand for packaging materials, while traditional paper products have seen a decline [61][84] Carbon Storage and Timber Products - Wood products serve as carbon sinks, capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere, which is crucial in combating climate change [70][73] - The FAO supports countries in estimating carbon storage levels in timber products, which is vital for international climate agreements [73][75] Pulp Production and Paper Products Usage - The report tracks the global trends in pulp production and its various applications, highlighting the ongoing demand for cellulose-based products despite a decline in traditional paper usage [81][88] - Innovations in cellulose-based products are emerging, which could replace fossil fuel-based materials and contribute to sustainability goals [88]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The ASYCUDA program has significantly improved customs revenue collection, with Sri Lanka reporting a 53% increase in customs revenue during Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023 [2] - ASYCUDAWorld has been upgraded to version 4.4, introducing features like dynamic selectivity for better risk management and customs inspections [18][46] - The program has facilitated the training of over 600 workers in the clearing and forwarding industry, with 40% being women [6] Summary by Sections ASYCUDA Impact - ASYCUDA has been implemented in various countries, enhancing customs operations and revenue collection [12] - In Suriname, customs revenue increased by 89% from 2022 to 2023, following the implementation of ASYCUDAWorld [72][76] Innovation in Trade Facilitation - ASYCUDA has developed innovative solutions for customs digitalization, trade digitalization, and smart logistics [17] - The introduction of eCITES has improved the management of international trade in endangered species [47] Humanitarian Aid Coordination - Over 50,000 trucks were cleared for humanitarian aid delivery through ASYCUDAWorld [5] - ASYCUDA has developed ASYREC for automated coordination of humanitarian actors [39] Capacity Building and Training - ASYCUDA conducts over 300 capacity-building sessions annually for more than 3,000 participants [85] - The program emphasizes the importance of local capacity building to ensure sustainability and ownership of trade facilitation systems [86] Regional Developments - In the Pacific region, ASYCUDA has rolled out its systems in 15 small island developing states, enhancing trade facilitation [98] - The integration of ASYCUDAWorld with external systems has improved customs operations in countries like Turkmenistan [78][104] E-Commerce and Digitalization - ASYHUB has been developed to enhance e-commerce capabilities by streamlining customs clearance processes [128] - The platform has facilitated a 67% reduction in postal clearance time in Vanuatu following its launch [128] Environmental and Regulatory Compliance - ASYCUDA supports green transition efforts by promoting paperless customs clearance and compliance with environmental regulations [149][151] - The program has implemented systems to manage the trade of ozone-depleting substances [151]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report highlights the fragility of post-COVID-19 recovery globally, primarily linked to subdued economic growth and increasing inequality, which poses risks to economic security and trust in multilateral systems [11][30][44]. - It emphasizes the need for wage-led growth strategies to address inequality at both national and international levels, suggesting that current trends in income distribution are detrimental to sustainable economic recovery [11][30][44]. Summary by Sections A. Introduction - The report discusses the structural dimensions of inequality exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting a significant decline in the labour income share and an increase in profit shares since the 1980s [30][43]. B. Inequality in the Macroeconomic Context - The labour income share has decreased by approximately 5.5 percentage points globally since 1984, translating to an estimated $6.1 trillion shift from wages to profits in 2024 alone [30][43]. - Wage repression, driven by weakened labour market institutions, has prevented wages from keeping pace with productivity and living costs, leading to a projected continued decline in the labour income share [30][43]. C. Sectoral Analysis - The report identifies a significant productivity slowdown across various sectors, with job creation increasingly shifting towards lower-productivity sectors, which further exacerbates inequality [50][59]. - It notes that the service sector's expansion has not uniformly translated into productivity gains, particularly in economies lacking sector diversification [59]. D. Policy Recommendations - The report calls for a new international policy compact aimed at reversing key asymmetries in income distribution and promoting equitable growth [11][30][44].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry analyzed. Core Insights - The study highlights significant changes in the United States' import diversification patterns from China between 2017 and 2022, indicating a decline in China's market share due to trade policy changes and industry characteristics [8][9][65]. - The analysis reveals that while the overall value of imports from China increased, its market share decreased from nearly 25% in 2017 to less than 20% in 2022, representing a decline of about 5 percentage points [8][65]. - The report emphasizes that the decline in China's market share was more pronounced across various sectors compared to other countries, suggesting a shift in supply chain dynamics influenced by geopolitical tensions and trade policies [9][41][67]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The introduction discusses the impact of geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and policy changes on supply chain resilience, particularly focusing on the trade relationship between the United States and China [8][9]. Data and Definitions - The analysis utilizes disaggregated data at the HS 6-digit level covering U.S. imports from 192 countries between 2017 and 2022, excluding products with total imports below US$ 10 million [21][22]. Descriptive Statistics - From 2017 to 2022, the U.S. import concentration index fell by over 15%, primarily driven by a more than 20% decline in China's market share [41][41]. - The report notes that while China's market share decreased, the concentration of suppliers from other countries declined significantly less, indicating a more substantial shift away from reliance on Chinese imports [41][41]. Econometric Analysis - The econometric analysis identifies that the decline in China's market share was influenced by trade policy changes and existing trade policy stances, rather than geographic proximity or geopolitical alignment [12][12]. - The analysis also highlights that import diversification strategies become more challenging when supply is already highly concentrated [12][12]. Trade Diversion Effects - The report finds that trade diversion effects have benefited certain countries, primarily driven by the U.S. trade policy stance and the economic competitiveness of those countries [9][12]. - Lower tariffs have attracted more trade, with countries that were already competitive exporters more likely to benefit from the U.S. import diversification [12][12]. Conclusions - The conclusions summarize that the U.S. experienced stronger import diversification from China compared to other countries, with significant declines in market share across various sectors, particularly in critical sectors like ICT [67][69]. - The report suggests that the diversification trends are influenced by factors such as import composition and sectoral characteristics, indicating a complex interplay of market dynamics [61][69].

Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the importance of food safety as a critical area for investment and development, aligning with global health and economic goals [9][19]. Core Insights - The interdependence and vulnerability of agricultural food systems are highlighted, with up to 600 million people falling ill annually from contaminated food, leading to productivity losses of up to $95 billion in low- and middle-income countries [9]. - The report advocates for sustainable agricultural practices that incorporate food safety principles, aiming to reduce environmental risks while ensuring food production and processing are environmentally friendly [12][13]. - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is committed to supporting social change and technological innovation to create a food system centered on safety, which is a key focus area in its strategic framework for 2022-2031 [16]. Summary by Sections Vulnerable Food World - The need for food safety systems that mitigate various risks is emphasized, particularly as agricultural food production evolves [7]. Food Safety Science - Food safety is the result of extensive research, codification, and policy-making, with scientific advice being crucial for managing food safety risks [23][24]. Food Safety and Sustainable Development Goals - Food safety is integral to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger, and Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being [18][20]. Food Regulatory Systems - Effective national food regulatory systems are essential for ensuring food safety and quality in domestic and international trade, combating food fraud, and promoting economic opportunities [72][76]. Crisis Prevention and Management - The report discusses the importance of maintaining food safety to prevent local issues from escalating into international incidents, highlighting the role of the FAO in providing guidance during food safety crises [100]. Future of Food Safety - The report notes that evolving food technologies and consumption patterns present new safety challenges that need to be addressed [112].

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the significant impact of animal husbandry on climate change, highlighting that livestock farming contributes approximately one-third of methane emissions from human activities [20][22]. - It discusses the dual role of livestock in climate change, both as a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and as a sector vulnerable to the effects of climate change [24][25]. - The report outlines the importance of sustainable livestock practices to ensure food security while minimizing environmental impact [27]. Summary by Sections Animal Husbandry Overview - Animal husbandry has been a crucial part of human civilization for thousands of years, providing essential resources such as meat, skins, and eggs [9]. - The industry has evolved into a large-scale system focused on increasing production, adapting to various environments [9]. Climate Change Impact - Climate change is defined as long-term alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns, significantly influenced by human activities [16]. - The average global temperature has risen by 1.1°C over the past century, leading to more frequent extreme weather events [16]. Methane Emissions - Ruminants like cows and sheep produce methane during digestion, with each cow generating 40-140 kg of methane annually [22]. - Livestock farming accounts for a significant portion of methane emissions, necessitating strategies to reduce these emissions to combat global warming [22][29]. Solutions for Sustainable Practices - The report suggests improving animal nutrition and feed quality to reduce methane emissions during digestion [29]. - It advocates for selective breeding of livestock to produce breeds that emit less methane and are better suited to specific environments [33]. Global Actions and Initiatives - The Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognize the importance of agriculture, including livestock production, in addressing climate change [27]. - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is actively involved in helping countries manage livestock emissions and adapt to climate change [27]. Community and Individual Actions - The report encourages balanced diets that include animal products as a source of high-quality protein while promoting sustainable agricultural practices [39]. - It highlights the role of individuals in advocating for sustainable livestock practices and reducing food waste [40].

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization of the ACTIVITY BOOK Livestock and climate change Required citation: FAO. 2024. Activity book – Livestock and climate change. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd2619en The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city o ...

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Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the urgent need for countries to enhance their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to align with the Paris Agreement targets, indicating a critical investment opportunity in climate-related sectors [19][18]. Core Insights - The report highlights that global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high of 57.1 gigatons of CO2 equivalent in 2023, necessitating a 42% reduction by 2030 to stay on a 1.5°C pathway [19][21]. - It stresses that without significant action, the world is on track for a temperature rise of 2.6°C this century, underscoring the importance of immediate and ambitious climate action [19][18]. - The report identifies that increased deployment of renewable energy technologies, particularly solar and wind, could contribute significantly to emission reductions, representing 27% of the total potential by 2030 [19][18]. Summary by Sections Chapter 1: Introduction - The report sets the stage for the upcoming NDC submissions, emphasizing the need for increased ambition and action to meet climate targets [19][18]. Chapter 2: Global Emissions Trends - Global emissions increased by 1.3% in 2023, with the power sector being the largest contributor at 15.1 GtCO2e, followed by transport and agriculture [20][21]. - The G20 countries accounted for 77% of global emissions, highlighting the disparity in emissions among major emitters [23][24]. Chapter 3: NDCs and Long-term Pledges - The progress of G20 economies towards their NDCs has stalled, with many countries failing to strengthen their targets since COP 28 [27][29]. - The report indicates that collective G20 NDC targets are insufficient to meet the required reductions for 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios [30][29]. Chapter 4: Emissions Gap in 2030 and 2035 - The report outlines significant emissions gaps for 2030 and 2035, stressing the need for immediate action to close these gaps [19][28]. Chapter 5: Bridging the Gap - It discusses the necessity for a whole-of-government approach and a substantial increase in mitigation investments to achieve climate goals [19][18]. Chapter 6: Sectoral Transformation - The report identifies sectoral transformation benchmarks and the need for increased investments to accelerate action in various sectors [19][18].