Events

Our Events page provides you with a round-up of events related to international economic development, trade and business development from various entities. This information does not constitute an endorsement on the part of the United Nations which assumes no responsibility or liability for the themes, opinions, or accuracy of these proceedings. 

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Connecting African Markets

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Cairo, Egypt

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the
AfCFTA Secretariat, brings you the 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) to be hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt in Cairo. IATF2023 will provide a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people with a GDP of over US$3.5 trillion created under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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Korea-LAC Innovation & Trade Forum

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Mexico City, Mexico

Korea-LAC Innovation and Trade Forum will take place on October 18 & 19 at the Hotel Presidente Intercontinental in Mexico City. The event is jointly organized by the IDB Group, the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Korea (MOEF), the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will engage in a series of panel sessions with the aim of identifying clear avenues of cooperation between Korea and LAC to boost trade and investment, foster mutual investment, and promote technological innovation.

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FT Africa Summit

London, United Kingdom

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the FT Africa Summit will gather a prestigious line-up of businesses, policymakers and thought leaders from Africa and around the world. The Summit is widely recognised as one of the most important international forums for serious and productive discussion about the continent’s challenges and aspirations.

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Investing in Africa

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London, United Kingdom

AFSIC is the largest annual Africa investment event taking place outside the continent. Sponsored by the US, UK, German, French, and Dutch Governments and many leading African companies and investment bankers, AFSIC has become a vital conduit for investment in Africa. The event is focused on connecting attending companies seeking funding with the right African investors to secure the investment they need.

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11th Business Opportunities Fair 2023

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Manila, Philippines

During the pandemic in 2020-2022, ADB's Procurement, Portfolio and Financial Management Department (PPFD) transitioned its business opportunities outreach initiatives from in-person to virtual format. In 2023, ADB will conduct its first in-person Business Opportunities Fair (BOF) after the pandemic. The ADB BOF is a one-stop forum for consultants, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and civil society organizations looking to provide goods, works, and services for ADB projects.

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UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA - The Global Africa Business Initiative

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New York City, United States

Africa has staked its position as the cornerstone of the world’s future. The continent is now positioned to be the most important driver of global business with a $2.5 trillion market opportunity. The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) is a solution-oriented global platform connecting leaders to drive and invest in the unstoppable opportunity of Africa’s economic growth. Every sector of the continent’s economy from manufacturing to agriculture to services to finance is on a growth trajectory.

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UN Global Compact Leaders Summit

New York City, United States

Live and in person, the 2023 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit will convene changemakers, forward-thinking business leaders, SDG stakeholders, Government and UN officials from across the globe—exceptional leaders shaping our future— for a full-day of inspired conversation, purposeful networking, and meaningful takeaways. Participants will take stock of the private sector's contribution to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and be inspired to set measurable, credible and ambitious targets aligned with the newly launched SDG Movements.

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3rd annual Global Trade and Supply Chain Summit

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Under the stewardship of The Economist editors, our two-day summit will examine the influence of geopolitics on global trade and how to adapt supply chains to this dynamic environment. What are the benefits of digital trade, particularly for developing countries? What is the potential of new technologies, such as blockchain, AI or robotics, in making supply chains more resilient and more sustainable? This 3rd annual event convenes thought leaders from the entire trade and supply chain ecosystem.

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PPP Americas

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Panama City, Paraguay

PPP Americas is the most important forum for discussion on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Latin America and the Caribbean, held every two years by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and hosted by a member government, with the participation of key players from the public and private sectors. Its eleventh edition will be held in Panama City from July 18 to 20, 2023, in coordination with the National Government and other strategic partners. The event will be hybrid. Join us at pppamericas.com! Contact us at pppamericas@iadb.org

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SDG Business Forum

New York City, United States

Taking place during the ministerial segment of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the 2023 SDG Business Forum will provide a unique multi-stakeholder platform to foster public-private dialogues, catalyze new partnerships and alliances, and explore and co-create innovative business solutions to accelerate sustainable development in the remaining 8 years of SDG implementation.

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U.S.-Africa Business Summit

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Botswana, Botswana

The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is the Corporate Council on Africa’s premier annual event, bringing together African heads of state, senior U.S. and African government officials, and top CEO’s and senior business executives from the U.S. and Africa spanning major business sectors that are critical to the continent’s development. These include infrastructure, ICT / digital, health, energy, mining, agriculture, consumer goods, finance, tourism and creative industries.

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Global Trade Review East Africa

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Nairobi, Kenya

For over a decade, GTR East Africa has brought together leading commodity producers and traders, manufacturers, trade finance specialists, risk management experts, and trade tech innovators, providing unrivalled insight on this exciting region.

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Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics 2023: Growth and Resilience

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Washington, DC, United States

The 2023 Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) will focus on "Growth and Resilience" and will be held June 5–6, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Participants may join either in person and online. The ABCDE is organized by the World Bank's Development Economics (DEC) Vice Presidency, and it is one of the world's best-known conferences for the presentation and discussion of new knowledge on social and economic development. The conference aims to promote the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge among researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners.

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GTR West Africa

Lagos, Nigeria

Global Trade Review returns to Lagos on April 26-27, where GTR West Africa 2023 will once again bring together the leading minds in West African trade, supply chain, export and infrastructure financing for two days of unrivalled networking and lively debate.

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Business Innovation Summit

London, United Kingdom

The economic climate is uncertain, with inflation and a potential recession on the horizon. How are you navigating the impact of the cost of living crisis upon your employees? The companies that will excel are those that have a strong purpose and look to future growth opportunities once the storm has passed. Technology is constantly evolving; what does the dawn of the metaverse and generative AI mean for your strategy? This event tackles the pressures affecting leaders at global companies.

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GTR Africa

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Cape Town, South Africa

GTR Africa is set to return to sunny Cape Town, South Africa on March 16-17 to provide a one of a kind event for the trade and export finance community. Over two days, the event will welcome around 600 participants from the region’s trade, commodity and export finance community.

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Indonesia Summit

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Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia boasts a large population of young, technologically literate and upwardly mobile citizens, which has resulted in a thriving e-commerce sector. Growth in the fintech industry is increasing financial inclusion, enabling entrepreneurs to benefit. Meanwhile, the country’s vast resources of copper and nickel have attracted the attention of electric vehicle makers and their supply chains. How can Indonesia sustain these positive trends?

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Green Biz23

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Scottsdale, United States

Amid challenging times, the sustainability profession is evolving — with new concerns, opportunities and concepts emerging faster than ever. Join the dynamic GreenBiz community to explore the latest trends, learn from your peers and form valuable connections. Join more than 1,600 sustainable business leaders for GreenBiz 23 (February 14-16, Scottsdale, AZ) to harness the knowledge of experts, peers and new voices to help you achieve net zero, advance the circular economy, elevate social justice, safeguard biodiversity, build resilient supply chains and more - GreenBiz 23 | GreenBiz

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Africa Investments Forum & Awards

Paris, France

The 6th edition of the Africa Investments Forum & Awards, organized by Leaders League group, will be held in Paris on the 7th of February 2023 in a new location : InterContinental Paris Le Grand hotel. This not-to-be-missed event aims to bring together African and European leaders around an insightful conference program, a prestigious Awards ceremony and various networking opportunities

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2nd annual Sustainability Week Asia

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Marine Bay Sands, Singapore

Countries and business leaders perceive economic, social and environmental sustainability as a mainstream method for creating new business opportunities and a better future. As the world’s economic situation changes, it is critical to ensure that boards, wider corporate teams and stakeholders are focused on practical action. Sustainability Week Asia aims to help you cut through the noise surrounding sustainability, giving you an independent guide to achieving your goals.

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US-Africa Business Forum

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Washington, DC, United States

The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, to be held December 13–15 in Washington, DC, demonstrates the United States’ longstanding commitment to Africa and strengthens ties between the United States and African nations.

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VII Energy Week

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Panama City, Panama

The Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) organize the VII Energy Week, which will take place in the city of Panama, Panama, from December 12 to December 16, 2022.

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OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY AFRICA

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Cape Town, South Africa

Offshore Technology Africa (OTA) launches in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2022 to enable Governments, Financiers, Developers, Solution and Technology providers to come together to expedite the unlocking of Africa’s vast and transformative offshore energy potential. Offshore Technology Africa will take the form of interactive boardrooms, allowing all participants to get involved in collaborative and productive discussions. All attendees should come prepared to participate in a collaborative environment and leave with productive outcomes

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Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development

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Geneva, Switzerland

The Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development was a core outcome of UNCTAD’s fourteenth Ministerial Conference, held in 2016 in Nairobi (Kenya). The purpose of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts is to provide a forum for discussion on the issues, concerns and challenges raised in the implementation and follow-up of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and Agenda 2030.

https://unctad.org/meetings-search?f%5B0%5D=product%3A336

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GTR US 2022

New York City, United States

GTR US returns to Manhattan on November 29th for a day packed with trade-focused debate and high caliber in-person networking. US companies and their financiers face a growing multitude of macroeconomic and operational challenges, from the rapidly rising cost of goods and financing to the proliferation of counterparty risks posed by hardening financial markets and geopolitical turmoil.

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The 14th Annual Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum will take place on November 3rd and 4th in Seoul, South Korea

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Seoul, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

The Institute is partnering with Seoul National University’s Global R&DB Center (GRC) to deliver a dynamic program exploring the future of smart cities and intelligent infrastructure. With 50+ global project developers, the forum brings together multisector leaders and public sector decision-makers defining the future of smart cities, data sharing, automation, and the innovative finance and policy solutions we need to succeed in the coming 4th industrial revolution. 

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Innovation@Work US

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San Jose, United States

The future of work is a hot topic, especially during times of crisis where it takes imagination, skill and leadership to effect positive change. In an uncertain climate, gain the tools to innovate, adapt and collaborate for your own improved workforces.Innovation@Work provides answers to pressing questions surrounding digital tools and technologies, positive leadership and hybrid ways of working, to enable a collaborative solution that will move your business forward.

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GTR Africa 2022

Cairo, Egypt

Returning for the first time since 2017, October will see participants and experts from a range of industries and sectors descend on Cairo for GTR Africa 2022 Ciaro, to reflect on the latest developments across the world of regional and global trade.

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Finance in Common Summit 2022

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Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The Summit will provide an opportunity to highlight the key role of Public Development Banks (PDBs) in supporting the transformation of economies and financial systems towards sustainability.

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ICC FIDIC Conference on International Construction Contracts

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

ICC and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) will hold their annual ICC-FIDIC Conference in person this year!