Webinar on the knowns and unknowns: Economic, social and environmental impacts of non-tariff measures

The UNCTAD secretariat is pleased to inform the permanent missions of member States in Geneva that the Trade Analysis Branch will organize a public webinar entitled “The knowns and the unknowns: Economic, social and environmental impacts of non-tariff measures”.

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are policy measures other than tariffs that potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods.

They are increasingly shaping trade by influencing who trades which products and how much. For exporters, importers and policymakers, NTMs represent a major challenge.

Although many NTMs are primarily aimed at protecting public health or the environment, they also substantially affect trade through information, compliance and procedure-related costs. Understanding the uses and implications of NTMs is essential in the formulation of effective development strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNCTAD and partners have been carrying out research on the impacts of NTMs on trade flows, on the environment and on daily lives.

UNCTAD, through the webinar, will provide an overview of the status quo of research, highlighting discoveries to date and exploring areas yet to be uncovered on the topic. In addition, new areas of research will be addressed on recent trade policies in response to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

This event also serves to kick off an online course on economic analysis of NTMs, which will take place from 17 October to 11 December 2022.