Berne Union and UNCTAD strengthen cooperation on trade, investment and risk mitigation
DOHA, 26 October 2026 – 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 intention to deepen cooperation on trade, investment, risk mitigation and economic development.
The Declaration builds upon established collaboration between the two organisations including contributions from the Berne Union and its members to UNCTAD’s work on the role of political risk insurance in de-risking investment, as well as joint engagement during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) on the role of export credit, guarantees and investment insurance in supporting trade and investment in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).
Berne Union President Yuichiro Akita (NEXI) and Nan Li Collins, Director of UNCTAD's Division on Investment and Enterprise at the World Investment Forum in Doha
The Berne Union and UNCTAD intend to deepen cooperation across a range of areas, including:
- Research collaboration and technical exchange on global trade, investment and risk trends
- Awareness-raising and policy dialogue on the role of export credit, guarantees and investment insurance in supporting trade, investment and economic development
- Exploring cooperation around risk sharing in blended finance and the role of insurance and guarantees
BU President Yuichiro Akita comments, “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 comments “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.”
The partnership reflects a shared recognition of the important role that export credit agencies, investment insurers and guarantee providers play in facilitating international trade and investment, particularly in markets where commercial and political risks may otherwise constrain economic activity.
For the Berne Union and its members, closer cooperation with UNCTAD will create opportunities for greater engagement with international trade and investment policy discussions, enhanced analytical exchange, and deeper collaboration on issues affecting the global trade and investment landscape.
About UNCTAD: UNCTAD is the UN’s leading body on trade and development. Founded in 1964, it supports 195 member states with expert analysis, technical assistance, and serves as a platform for intergovernmental dialogue. UNCTAD helps developing countries make trade, finance, investment, and the digital economy work for inclusive and sustainable development.
About Berne Union: The Berne Union is the international association of export credit and investment insurers. The 92 members include government-backed export credit agencies, private credit and political risk insurers and multilateral agencies from across the globe supporting approximately 13% of global cross-border trade annually.
