The United Nations wants countries to speed up their efforts to make trading fairer for everyone. Trade officials worry that small businesses, women traders, and farmers are not getting enough help despite improvements happening around the world. Global trade faces serious problems from new taxes and broken supply chains that make everything more expensive.
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana from the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific says trade systems need to work better and more openly. The latest UN survey shows that countries have made progress over the past two years. Trade facilitation rates jumped up by five points worldwide and reached 70 percent overall.
Rich countries lead the way with 86 percent success rates. Southeast and East Asian nations follow closely behind with 81 percent. Pacific island countries struggle the most with only 45 percent implementation rates.
The Asia-Pacific region improved by five points between 2023 and 2025. Australia and New Zealand show the best results along with East and Northeast Asian countries. Electronic trading systems have grown faster than any other area.
New survey questions this year focus on online shopping across borders and environmentally friendly trade practices. Climate change makes it more important for trade to help protect the planet. The comprehensive study covers 180 countries and helps governments find problems and fix them.
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana from the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific says trade systems need to work better and more openly. The latest UN survey shows that countries have made progress over the past two years. Trade facilitation rates jumped up by five points worldwide and reached 70 percent overall.
Rich countries lead the way with 86 percent success rates. Southeast and East Asian nations follow closely behind with 81 percent. Pacific island countries struggle the most with only 45 percent implementation rates.
The Asia-Pacific region improved by five points between 2023 and 2025. Australia and New Zealand show the best results along with East and Northeast Asian countries. Electronic trading systems have grown faster than any other area.
New survey questions this year focus on online shopping across borders and environmentally friendly trade practices. Climate change makes it more important for trade to help protect the planet. The comprehensive study covers 180 countries and helps governments find problems and fix them.
