India Urges Global South Unity at UNCTAD16

At the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) in Geneva, India called on developing and least developed nations to present a united front against global trade challenges. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised the need for the Global South to act collectively in addressing systemic inequalities and barriers that hinder fair trade and development.

UNCTAD16: A Platform for Economic Transformation

The UNCTAD16 conference, held from 20 to 23 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, focuses on the theme “Shaping the Future: Driving Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Development”. Hosted by Switzerland and UNCTAD, the quadrennial gathering brings together ministers, experts, and representatives from 195 member states to set the organisation’s priorities for the next four years and discuss the challenges shaping the global economy.

India’s Call for Collective Action

Addressing delegates, Piyush Goyal urged the Global South to “speak with one voice” to defend shared interests in the face of rising trade restrictions. He highlighted that the international trading environment has become volatile and uncertain, eroding trust in multilateral institutions and the rules-based system. Goyal noted that developing nations continue to face tariff and non-tariff barriers, over-concentrated supply chains, and diminishing special treatment under the World Trade Organization framework.

Concerns Over Unilateral Policies and Emerging Divisions

The Indian minister criticised unilateral environmental measures such as carbon taxes and the growing technological divide that disproportionately affect developing economies. He warned that such policies risk marginalising nations that are still pursuing development goals, poverty reduction, and industrial growth. Goyal further stressed that restrictive services-sector policies and non-market practices are deepening global inequality and undermining fair competition.

Related GK Facts

• UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) was established in 1964 to promote development-friendly integration into the world economy.
• The Global South includes developing and least developed nations primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• UNCTAD sessions are held every four years to determine the organisation’s strategic direction and policy focus.
• Carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) are trade tools used by some countries to impose carbon-related tariffs on imports.

Resetting Global Trade for Sustainable Growth

Piyush Goyal emphasised that the erosion of confidence in global systems and the rise of protectionist measures threaten the development goals of many nations. He called for a “reset” in global trade governance that prioritises inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. As negotiations continue in Geneva, India’s stance underscores the growing demand for reform within international trade institutions to ensure that the voices of developing economies are heard in shaping the future of global commerce.