The International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers (Berne Union) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have signed a Declaration of Intent at the World Investment Forum in Doha, expressing their shared commitment to deepen cooperation on trade, investment, risk mitigation, and economic development.
The Declaration builds upon existing collaboration between the two organisations, including contributions from the Berne Union and its members to UNCTAD’s research on the role of political risk insurance in de-risking investment.
Both organisations have also engaged jointly during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), focusing on the role of export credit, guarantees, and investment insurance in supporting trade and investment in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).
What would be the key areas of cooperation?
The Berne Union and UNCTAD intend to deepen their partnership across several strategic areas.
Research collaboration and technical exchange. Joint work on global trade, investment, and risk trends to enhance understanding of market dynamics and risk environments.
Awareness-raising and policy dialogue. Promoting understanding of the role of export credit, guarantees, and investment insurance in supporting trade, investment, and economic development.
Risk sharing in blended finance. Exploring cooperation around the role of insurance and guarantees in blended finance structures to mobilise private sector investment in developing economies.
Berne Union President
Yuichiro Akita (NEXI) said, “This Declaration of Intent is a natural next step in the growing partnership between UNCTAD and the Berne Union. Our cooperation has already brought together UNCTAD’s expertise in trade and investment with the practical experience of Berne Union members in export credit and political risk insurance, from our contribution to UNCTAD’s work on PRI to our joint engagement at FFD4.”
“Both organisations are deeply engaged in the challenges facing trade and investment in emerging markets and developing economies, and I am delighted that we are now reaffirming our intention to deepen this cooperation.”
Pedro Manuel Moreno, Acting Secretary-General of
UNCTAD, said, “This Declaration of Intent reflects our shared commitment to making trade and investment work for sustainable development.”
“By combining UNCTAD’s development perspective with the Berne Union’s expertise in export credit and investment insurance, we aim to strengthen research, knowledge-sharing and policy dialogue on risk mitigation, and support investment, economic diversification and sustainable growth in developing countries.”
Strategic importance for global trade and investment
The partnership acknowledges the vital role of export credit agencies, investment insurers, and guarantee providers in promoting international trade and investment, especially in markets where risks might limit economic activity.
The Berne Union and its members can benefit from closer cooperation with UNCTAD through increased engagement in trade and investment policy discussions, improved analytical exchange, and stronger collaboration on global trade and investment issues.
