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KSA Will Host the UNCTAD Forum 2026
Minister of Transport Announces KSA Will Host the UNCTAD Forum 2026
His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the second edition of the UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum, scheduled to take place in November 2026, in partnership with the United Nations and the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani).
The announcement was made during His Excellency’s participation in the sixteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), held in Geneva, Switzerland.
In his address, His Excellency Al-Jasser welcomed the countries participating in the forum and expressed his pleasure in announcing the Kingdom’s hosting of this global event. He stated that hosting the forum reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s leading global position in supporting international trade, strengthening cooperation among nations, and enhancing logistics connectivity.
He added that the forum aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for transport and logistics connecting continents, expressing his hope for active participation from member states in supporting efforts to shape the future of global trade.
His Excellency noted that the Kingdom enjoys one of the world’s most strategic geographic locations, situated between three continents and serving as a key passage point for more than 13% of global trade. Saudi ports also rank among the world’s leading ports in operational efficiency and are among the fastest-growing port systems globally.
He affirmed that the Kingdom has become a global leader and pivotal hub for supply chains, not only through its strategic location, ports, airports, and land ports, but also through major strategic investments in infrastructure, digital transformation, and pioneering green transition initiatives. These efforts reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a trusted and influential partner in shaping the future of global trade.
His Excellency further noted that the forum will be held at a time when global trade is facing growing challenges, from rising costs to geopolitical disruptions and climate change impacts. He explained that these challenges create a collective responsibility to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.
He added that, through this forum, the Kingdom seeks to serve as an active global partner in building a more efficient, equitable, and sustainable trade ecosystem, based on its belief that international cooperation is the path to shared prosperity and to strengthening the Kingdom’s pivotal role in leading the future of global supply chains.
The UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum is a major international platform that brings together leaders, decision-makers, experts, specialists, and international organizations to shape the future of global trade. The forum will discuss ways to enhance the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of global supply chains, while exploring future opportunities to develop this vital sector.
The forum also serves as a global dialogue platform aimed at stimulating investment in sustainable development and shaping the international investment landscape in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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