The General Secretary of the UN Conference for Trade and Development (Junctad) Rebka Greenspan. Interview | The head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development: “In the digital world, countries without going to the sea have no geographical restrictions” Economic development Even if the country does not have access to the sea, it has access to digital space – and this can become the key to development. This was announced in an interview with the UN news service by the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Junctad) Rebka Greenspan. On the fields of the third UN conference by countries that have no access to the sea, she told how digitalization, regional integration and competent investment strategies can help these states become part of the global economy. 62 ~ UN news service: we understand that the answer can be long, but if possible, tell us briefly: how the Junctad helps developing countries that do not have a way out Sea ?~ 60 > Ribka Greenpension: First of all, we help them in trade relations. We are experts in the field of logistics and port infrastructure. Where the work of river ports is possible, we contribute to their development so that they become more effective, and trade through them is more fast and uninterrupted. 62 ~~ 60 > 62 ~We are also engaged in the digitalization of customs procedures. More than 100 countries and territories use the Junktad platform for the digital transformation of customs. This accelerates the crossing of the border, makes processes more transparent, and most importantly – allows countries to exchange data, bring the standards and regulatory approaches closer. All this greatly simplifies foreign trade. and another important element is digitalization in a broader sense. There are no geographical restrictions in the digital space: there are no ports, no boundaries, no paperwork. We help the countries develop digital strategies so that they can strengthen the export of services and increase internal performance due to digital solutions. ~ 60 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62UN news service: what measures, in your opinion, are especially important right now, so that developing countries without going out to the sea achieve success ? 60 ~/p >~ p > RG: I would allocate three key directions. The first is regional integration. For such countries, this is especially important: when you are integrated, commodity flows pass through you, which can strengthen your position in the region. ~ 60 > second – logistics. Infrastructure is needed to ensure the movement of goods for export and import. Therefore, the regional infrastructure is so important. and third – simplification of trade: digitalization of customs, standards, rapprochement of the regulatory framework. If each country has its own rules, it is expensive and difficult. Simplification of trade is an important component of solving logistics and economic problems for developing countries without access to the sea. ~ 60 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62UN news service: how digital instruments and online trading helps such countries integrate into the global economy and how the Junctad is promoted in this ? ~ 60 >~ 60 > RG: one of the main problems of these countries is dependence on raw materials export: More 80 percent of them depend on the supply of raw materials. This makes them vulnerable to market fluctuations, reduces stability and interferes with the creation of high -quality jobs. ~ 60 > to solve this problem, you need to diversify the economy. And here regional integration is again important – it helps to join the global chains of added value. It is necessary not only to export, but to add cost. Therefore, we help countries develop diversification strategies. If they remain raw exporters, their chances of sustainable development will decrease. Even with a good level of education, the population will not be able to find a decent job. Therefore, it is necessary to develop digital solutions, services and depart from raw material dependence. UN news service: problems with transport and infrastructure – a serious obstacle to these countries. What new approaches or partnerships can help ? ~ 60 > RG: as I have already said, the regional infrastructure is of key importance. For example, the northern transport corridor in Africa reduced the waiting time at the borders by 150 percent. This means reducing costs and increasing competitiveness. Digitalization at the border, transparency and accelerated procedures are also important. If the process can be started before arriving at the border, then instead of three days it will take three hours to design. This is extremely important to increase efficiency and integration into the world economy. 62 ~UN news service: what results do you expect from the Avazinsky program of actions and how the Junctad will maintain its implementation ? 60 > RG: There are several areas in which we can play a key role. I fully support the proposal so that countries, without access to the sea, can act as a single block in negotiations in the WTO. We are ready to support them, as we already support the least developed and small island developing states. ~ 60 > read Also: interview & nbsp; | As the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan with the support of the UN, geographical barriers in trade 60 > Junctad are responsible in the UN system for foreign investment issues. We help to form a legal framework and simplify the procedures to attract direct foreign investment. And finally, it is necessary to increase the share of the service sector in export. At the beginning of the century, these countries managed to double the export of goods with added value. But since 2013, this share has not grown. Now they are only 1.2 percent of world exports, and without taking into account raw materials – only 0.3 percent. We can help develop strategies for diversification and strengthening of production potential. UN news service: what can be done to attract more investments in such Countries ?RG: The situation is not easy. These countries held 135 reforms in the legislation and the regulatory framework to attract investments. They really tried. But over the past 10 years, the influx of direct foreign investment has decreased by an average of 2 percent. They create conditions, but investments do not come. We believe that this is not only their responsibility. There is a systemic problem: perception of risk by investors, lack of guarantees. so we need multilateral development banks. They can play the role of a catalyst – reduce risks and attract private investments. Long -term projects are also needed. Infrastructure cannot be built with a loan period of 20 years – you need 30-50 years. 60 > finally, acceptable cost of borrowing is important. If interest rates are too high, there will be no investment. We need to change the international financial architecture so that these countries can really gain access to investment flows. ~ 60 > UN news service: how important the conference is like this ? is it possible to talk about already about this Success ?~ 60 > RG: This conference is extremely important – it makes the problems of developing countries that do not have access to the sea are more visible. Otherwise, they will simply forget about them. We conducted a business forum, here are also representatives of civil society, other countries and regional partners. All this is very important. I hope that the dialogue, facts and data that we present will increase awareness and help develop a competent policy. ~ 60 > It is important that the global dialogue is based on facts so that developing countries can voice their problems without going out to the sea, and the rest of the world to hear them and respond with a specific action plan. Only in this way will these states be able to move to sustainable development.