Rising protectionism, COVID-19 implications on trade and investment to be discussed at regional UN meeting

Senior government officials and key stakeholders will convene from 25 to 29 January to deliberate issues of importance to trade and investment policymaking in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Week, hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), features several engaging virtual events on trade facilitation, trade and investment agreements, science, technology and innovation policies, and responsible business practices.

The ESCAP Committee on Trade and Investment – the key platform for regional dialogue and intergovernmental collaboration on trade and investment — will also convene its seventh session during the Week, from 27 to 29 January 2021. The Committee will review recent trends and developments in trade and investment in Asia and the Pacific such as the impacts of rising protectionism and the COVID-19 pandemic, and promoting inward and outward foreign direct investment in the post-COVID-19 era.

Members of the media and public are invited to watch the proceedings virtually: 

When:                                    25-29 January 2021

Watch online:                     https://www.youtube.com/UNESCAP

Key speakers:                      Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Mr. Vangelis Vitalis, Deputy Secretary, Trade and Economic, New Zealand, and Chair of the APEC2021 Senior Officials’ Meeting

Key Events:                                       

25-26 January                      Sixth Meeting of the Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group on Cross-Border Paperless Trade Facilitation

26 January                             Webinar on Enhancing Trade Information Portals

27 January                             Webinar on LDC Graduation and Trade

27-29 January                      Seventh Session of the ESCAP Committee on Trade and Investment