Members of the Trade and Development Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), at a meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, voiced their opposition to unilateralism and trade protectionism, expressing concern over the current tensions in global trade, and over the negative impacts of tariff abuses and trade frictions on developing countries, particularly the least developed countries. Addressing the special meeting focused on economic development in Africa, Ambassador Chen Xu, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, stated that the United States has imposed tariffs unilaterally, triggering worldwide trade tensions, with escalating trade conflicts increasingly impacting Africa and other regions. Chen said that the U.S. abuse of tariffs as a means of exerting maximum pressure and pursuing its selfish interests is a clear example of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion. He cautioned that these actions would significantly obstruct the socioeconomic progress of developing countries, including those in Africa, and undermine global efforts to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Chen highlighted that UNCTAD members are both participants in and beneficiaries of economic globalization. An open, fair, and stable international economic and trade order aligns with the collective interests of all. He called on all parties to uphold true multilateralism, foster solidarity and cooperation, speak with a unified voice, and resolutely defend a rules-based multilateral trading system to guide globalization in the right direction. China's statement resonated widely among participants. The representatives of many countries echoed the call to uphold multilateralism, back the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and oppose unilateralism and trade protectionism, in order to create an international economic environment conducive to sustainable development and shared prosperity. SHOTLIST: FILE: Geneva, Switzerland - 2024 1. Various of United Nations flag; Palace of Nations; flags; FILE: Los Angeles, USA - Date Unknown 2. Various of port; 3. Containers at port; FILE: New York City, USA - Oct 2024 4. Various of port scene, Statue of Liberty; FILE: Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China - 2024 5. Aerial shots of port scene, containers, cranes; FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 6. Various of White House, U.S. national flag. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]