Border closings and mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global value chains, contributing to product shortages and sparking discussions about “reshoring” production. Beyond COVID-19, global value chains also face risks from geopolitical tensions and climate change.

At the same time, global value chains are showing resilience and playing a lifesaving role in delivering protective equipment and vaccines. With the expansion of trade in intellectual property services, global value chains have spread beyond manufacturing, presenting opportunities for more inclusive growth in developing economies.

This event featured a presentation from M. Joseph Mariasingham on ADB’s Global Value Chain Development Report 2021: Beyond Production, released in partnership with the Research Institute for Global Value Chains at the University of International Business and Economics, the World Trade Organization, the Institute of Developing Economies – Japan External Trade Organization, and the China Development Research Foundation.

This event was co-hosted by ADB’s North American Representative Office, Georgetown Anti Poverty Society (GAPS), and the Global Human Development and Asian Studies Programs of Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.