Alicia Nicholls
Sustainability issues, including issues around climate change and greening supply chains, dominated the discussions on Days 2 & 3 of the historic and inaugural Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) taking place here in Barbados, May 21-24! The parallel sessions touched on diverse topics, all with a sustainability underpinning, and included leveraging pooled procurement, Electronic Single Windows, National Trade Facilitation Committees, food (in)security, climate change, decarbonisation of ports, building resilient supply chains, energy transition of fishing fleets, trade in services for economic diversification, regional connectivity, among others. The sessions allowed for discussing not just challenges, but the sharing of best practices from around the world.
I also wish to make special mention of the panel on Day 3 on Regional Connectivity and the frank discussion which ensued on the challenges and opportunities for improving regional air and sea connectivity and intra-regional trade.
Given the sustainability thrust, it is therefore fitting that the youth voice was also featured over these past two days. Notably, there was a side event forum hosted by the UWI and UN Trade and Development with SG Rebeca Grynspan at the main campus of The UWI Cave Hill on Day 2. There was also a special panel co-organised by The UWI and UN Trade and Development on Day 3 on youth involvement in global supply chains.
A highlight for me was the port tour this morning (Day 3) at the Bridgetown Port where we as delegates on the tour got to see first hand some of the work being done to expand the Bridgetown Port’s capacity and efficiency. This includes for example the new berth 6 under construction and a marina which will feature a small supermarket which is also currently under construction, new cranes being ordered, among other things.
Stay tuned for Day 4 updates, the final day of the forum!
Did you miss our updates from Day 1? Check them out here!