Topic: 2024-Supply Chain Stability
Country: Canada
Delegate Name: Shriya Nallan Chakravarthi
The 21st century showcased to the world just how fragile our supply chain has been. Sharp vulnerabilities have been brought to light in global supply chains–from grains to semiconductors to manufacturing chemicals. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tension, and environmental disasters, these challenges have underlined the urgent need for resilient, efficient systems that support global commerce and security, while continuing to keep low prices.
Canada holds a crucial role in trade, innovation, and multilateral cooperation. Canada’s government is committed to resilient, sustainable, and diversified supply chain systems that can meet the future tests of pandemics, wars, and natural calamities. By leveraging excellence in logistics, advanced technologies, and global collaboration, Canada is determined to reinforce global supply chains for everyone’s benefit. Firstly, Canada advocates for strategic investments in infrastructure and technology to reduce inefficiencies and improve reliability. The National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) modernizes transportation networks and reduces bottlenecks to ensure the seamless movement of goods. As for technology, AI-powered forecasting through Scale AI is effective in improving supply chain transparency and scaling. To mitigate risks and minimize waste, investment is crucial. Secondly, diversification is paramount in reducing reliance. Canada’s extensive trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), facilitate access to alternative markets and foster resilient sourcing strategies. Encouraging businesses to adopt regional supply hubs will decrease dependency on single points of failure and enhance global supply chain resilience. However, none of this is possible until corporations use these practices. Thus, Canada emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships and international cooperation to reinforce supply chains against global disruptions. By collaborating with the United Nations, national governments, and private industry, Canada fully supports the development of frameworks for risk management, strategic reserves, and disaster response. These efforts must be complemented by sustainability initiatives, such as the Net Zero Accelerator, to ensure that supply chains are environmentally resilient.
The Dominion of Canada urges the committee to emphasize sustainable and diversified solutions to global supply chain instability. Canada promotes international cooperation in leveraging innovation and investment in resilience toward the protection of supply chains from future vulnerabilities. Increased funds and investment in better transportation, efficient practices, business incentives, and global risks, if tackled, would protect not only the flow of vital goods but also economic stability and improved quality of life globally.
