Saudi Arabia to Host 2026 UN Global Supply Chain Forum Amid Push for Resilient Trade Networks – Global Trade Magazine

Report on the 2026 UN Global Supply Chain Forum and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Global Partnership for Sustainable Logistics

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the second UN Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) in November 2026. This biennial event, organized in partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI), represents a significant global collaboration under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The forum will convene international governments, industry leaders, and experts to develop strategies for building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient supply chains, directly contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasized the forum’s objective to address critical challenges, including geopolitical instability and climate impacts. The focus will be on ensuring a “just transition” towards zero-carbon, digital, and reconfigured trade routes, a goal that intersects with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Navigating Global Trade Disruptions in the Context of the SDGs

The 2026 GSCF is scheduled at a time of significant stress on global trade systems. UNCTAD data indicates a slowdown in seaborne trade growth, with persistent disruptions leading to increased emissions, freight rates, and port delays. These challenges directly impede progress on several SDGs.

• Climate Action (SDG 13): Conflict-related rerouting and capacity bottlenecks have driven up emissions from international shipping, undermining global climate targets.
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Developing regions, particularly least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS), are disproportionately affected. These vulnerable economies face freight costs up to three times the global average, hindering their economic integration and development.
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9): The fragility of current logistics systems highlights the urgent need for investment in resilient and sustainable infrastructure to ensure the steady flow of essential goods.

Key Forum Priorities for Advancing the 2030 Agenda

The GSCF agenda will build upon the outcomes of the inaugural forum in Barbados, focusing on targeted global collaboration across five core areas, each directly linked to specific Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Strengthening Trade Infrastructure: This priority involves upgrading ports, corridors, and inland transport systems to build resilient infrastructure, a core target of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
2. Accelerating Digital Trade Systems: Enhancing efficiency and cybersecurity through digital innovation contributes to the infrastructure and technology targets within SDG 9.
3. Supporting Small and Vulnerable Economies: By simplifying trade regimes, expanding access to finance, and offering technical assistance, the forum aims to reduce inequality and support the specific needs of LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, directly addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
4. Decarbonizing Maritime Transport: Promoting fleet modernization and sustainable shipping practices is essential for SDG 13 (Climate Action) and protecting marine ecosystems as outlined in SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
5. Empowering the Logistics Workforce: Investing in skills, safety, and decent work conditions for logistics professionals is a direct contribution to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to Sustainable Global Trade

Hosting the 2026 GSCF aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national blueprint for economic diversification and sustainable development. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, stated the forum reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to “building resilient, human-centered, and environmentally responsible supply chains.” This commitment supports the nation’s efforts to achieve its SDG targets by strengthening logistics infrastructure (SDG 9), expanding digital trade (SDG 9), and fostering international cooperation (SDG 17) to ensure global trade serves as a vehicle for shared prosperity.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the UN Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on creating global supply chains that are not only efficient but also sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. The key SDGs identified are:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article mentions empowering the logistics workforce by investing in skills, safety, and decent work conditions. It also touches upon economic diversification through Saudi Vision 2030, which aims for shared prosperity.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – This is a central theme, with a strong focus on strengthening trade infrastructure (ports, corridors), accelerating digital trade systems, and building resilient supply chains to support economic development.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article explicitly highlights the need to support vulnerable economies, including least developed countries, landlocked nations, and small island states, which face disproportionately high freight costs. The goal is to create more inclusive trade systems.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – A major priority discussed is the decarbonization of maritime transport. The article mentions the “triple transition to zero-carbon shipping” and promoting sustainable shipping practices to address climate impacts.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The entire GSCF event is an example of this SDG. It is a partnership between the United Nations (UNCTAD) and a member state (Saudi Arabia) to convene governments, industry leaders, and experts for global collaboration on shared challenges.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the priorities and themes discussed in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.8: “Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…” This is directly addressed by the GSCF’s priority to “Empowering the logistics workforce: Investing in skills, safety, and decent work conditions.”
2. Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being…” The article’s focus on building “resilient supply chains” and “strengthening trade infrastructure: Upgrading ports, corridors, and inland transport systems” aligns perfectly with this target.
3. Target 9.a: “Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries… through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to… least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.” This is reflected in the forum’s aim to “spotlight the needs of vulnerable economies” and provide “technical assistance” and “access to finance.”
4. Target 10.a: “Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries…” The article supports this by mentioning the need to help vulnerable economies that “face freight costs up to three times higher than the global average” by “simplifying trade regimes.”
5. Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The GSCF’s agenda to address the “triple transition to zero-carbon shipping” and promote the “decarbonizing of maritime transport” demonstrates an effort to integrate climate action into global trade strategies.
6. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The forum itself, organized by UNCTAD (public) in partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority (public) to bring together “governments, industry leaders, and global experts” (public-private), is a direct implementation of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Seaborne trade growth rate: The article cites UNCTAD data that “seaborne trade growth slowed to 2.2% in 2024 and is projected to dip to 0.5% in 2025.” This is a direct indicator of the stability and health of global trade flows, relevant to SDG 9.
• Freight rates and port waiting times: The article notes that disruptions have “driven up… freight rates, and port waiting times.” These metrics are key performance indicators for the efficiency and resilience of supply chain infrastructure (SDG 9).
• Greenhouse gas emissions from shipping: It is mentioned that disruptions have “driven up emissions.” Tracking emissions from maritime transport is a critical indicator for measuring progress on decarbonization efforts under SDG 13.
• Disparity in freight costs: The article states that vulnerable economies “face freight costs up to three times higher than the global average.” The reduction of this cost differential is a measurable indicator of progress towards reducing inequalities in trade (SDG 10).
• Investment in workforce development: While not quantified, the priority of “investing in skills, safety, and decent work conditions” implies that indicators could include the amount of investment, number of training programs, and improvements in safety records for the logistics workforce (SDG 8).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: globaltrademag.com