The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has officially announced that it will host the second edition of the UN Global Supply Chain Forum in Riyadh later this year.
This landmark event follows a period of intensive collaboration between UNCTAD and Mawani to bolster global trade resilience. As international markets face increasing fragmentation and shifting trade policies, the Forum arrives at a pivotal moment to redefine the future of global logistics.
According to UNCTAD’s latest Global Trade Update, shifting geopolitical landscapes are rapidly reshaping trade patterns. With seaborne trade accounting for over 80% of global merchandise flows, the need for a coordinated international response has never been more urgent.
The 2026 Forum builds on the inaugural success of the 2024 event in Bridgetown, Barbados. It will serve as a high-level platform for government leaders, industry titans, and international organizations to transition from dialogue to concrete, implementable action.
The Riyadh Forum will focus on addressing systemic risks, including climate-related disruptions, infrastructure gaps, and technological transformations. Key objectives include:
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Policy Harmonization: Promoting regulatory frameworks that support low-carbon and digitally integrated logistics systems.
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Inclusive Growth: Supporting vulnerable economies—specifically Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)—which are disproportionately affected by rising freight costs.
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Digital Integration: Advancing the adoption of AI and blockchain to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential goods during global crises.
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Sustainable Infrastructure: Mobilizing investment for “green” ports and resilient maritime corridors.
The selection of Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s accelerating transformation into a premier global logistics hub. This partnership reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its proactive role in safeguarding international commerce against future shocks. “The 2026 Forum will be the crucible where we forge practical policy solutions to ensure that global supply chains remain a driver of economic growth, rather than a casualty of global volatility.”
