UNCTAD Backs New GASEZ Working Group on Greener Special Economic Zones

FTZ News: The Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones launched a new working group at the World Investment Forum here on October 27 to help zones attract more sustainable investment.

The Green Zone Working Group was set up under GASEZ, which links more than 2,000 special economic zones in over 120 jurisdictions. UNCTAD and its partners are leading the effort. The group is meant to give zones a place to swap practical experience, develop tools and form partnerships around green investment and cleaner industrial development.

Nan Li Collins, co-chair of GASEZ and director of investment and enterprise at UNCTAD, said special economic zones can play a role in advancing sustainable investment and industrial growth. She added that the working group would help zones build the capacity needed to pursue greener development.

The Green Partnership of Industrial Parks in China and the World Free Zones Organization will co-lead the group. It will also support the further rollout of the Sustainable Development Goals Model Zone initiative, which is intended to help participating zones turn sustainability goals into concrete steps.

The launch came during the World Investment Forum 2026, held in Doha from October 25 to 27./.