BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6af8764de0a43 DTSTART:20250416T090000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20250416T103000Z LOCATION:Online\, SUMMARY:Webinar – Understanding traceability and due diligence in the lea ther supply chain: Perspectives from Pakistan and Bangladesh CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:The leather industry plays a vital role in the economies of bot h Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Pakistan\, leather is the third-largest expo rt sector\, contributing approximately 4% to GDP. In Bangladesh\, the sect or is the second-largest source of foreign exchange and a livelihood for o ver a million people. Despite its economic significance\, the industry fac es critical challenges related to environmental sustainability\, ethical s ourcing\, and compliance with evolving global trade regulations.One of the major issues in the leather supply chain is the lack of traceability and transparency—from raw material sourcing to finished goods. This opacity makes it difficult to verify sustainable and responsible practices\, creat ing compliance risks for businesses. With increasing global scrutiny\, esp ecially from regulations like the Regulation on Deforestation-free Product s of the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) (EUDR) and other envir onmental and ethical sourcing requirements\, the pressure on leather-produ cing countries to ensure traceability and responsible sourcing is greater than ever.This webinar brings together experts and industry stakeholders t o examine the challenges and explore potential solutions for improving tra nsparency in the leather industry\, with a particular focus on Pakistan an d Bangladesh through insights from two projects supported by the Sustainab le Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programme. Transparenc y can be enhanced by improving traceability along the leather value chain\ , from where animals are raised to slaughterhouses and tanneries\, enablin g risk identification\, mitigation\, verification\, and potential certific ation.  Funded by the Foreign\, Commonwealth &\; Development Office of the United Kingdom (FCDO-UK) and implemented by the UN Trade and Developm ent (UNCTAD)\, SMEP is addressing key challenges in the leather industry b y enhancing traceability\, reducing environmental pollution\, and supporti ng circular economy practices.  ObjectivesRaise awareness of transparency issues and potential incentives for compliance within the global and Sout h Asian context\, explicitly linking these to EUDR implicationsExplore pra ctical and evidence-based solutions that respond to policy challenges and industry needs\, drawing on SMEP project insights\; andFacilitating cross- sector collaborationKey outcomesEnhance awareness of the current challenge s faced by the leather industries in Pakistan and Bangladesh\, as well as the additional challenges anticipated with the implementation of the EUDR  in January 2026. The regulation will be directly applicable to EU import ers/traders. Exporters (e.g.\, in Pakistan and Bangladesh) will be indirec tly affected.Provide insights into potential solutions being developed in both countries under the SMEP programme\, particularly in the areas of tra nsparency and traceability.ModeratorHenrique Pacini\, Economic Affairs Off icer and SMEP Programme Lead\, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)SpeakersSo hail Ali Naqvi\, Director Freshwater Programme and Lead Sustainability and Stewardship\, WWF-PakistanElzette Henshilwood\, Technical Project &\; Relationship Manager\, SMEP programmeAdeel Younas\, Manager Sustainable Su pply Chains-WWF-Pakistan- SMEP projectEbenezer Laryea\, Project Director\, LeatherTrace Bangladesh - Aston University – LeatherTrace SMEP project in BangladeshAnne Nistad\, Senior Manager\, Chain of Custody Standard\, Le ather Working GroupMathieu Lamolle\, Senior Advisor Sustainable Global Val ue Chains\, International Trade Center<\;p>\;The leather industry play s a vital role in the economies of both Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Pakist an\, leather is the third-largest export sector\, contributing approximate ly 4% to GDP. In Bangladesh\, the sector is the second-largest source of f oreign exchange and a livelihood for over a million people. Despite its ec onomic significance\, the industry faces critical challenges related to en vironmental sustainability\, ethical sourcing\, and compliance with evolvi ng global trade regulations.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;One of the major issues in the leather supply chain is the lack of traceability and transparency —from raw material sourcing to finished goods. This opacity makes it dif ficult to verify sustainable and responsible practices\, creating complian ce risks for businesses. With increasing global scrutiny\, especially from regulations like the Regulation on Deforestation-free Products of the Eur opean Union (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) (EUDR) and other environmental and ethical sourcing requirements\, the pressure on leather-producing countri es to ensure traceability and responsible sourcing is greater than ever.&l t\;/p>\;<\;p>\;This webinar brings together experts and industry sta keholders to examine the challenges and explore potential solutions for im proving transparency in the leather industry\, with a particular focus on Pakistan and Bangladesh through insights from two projects supported by th e Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) programme. Transparency can be enhanced by improving traceability along the leather v alue chain\, from where animals are raised to slaughterhouses and tannerie s\, enabling risk identification\, mitigation\, verification\, and potenti al certification. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;Funded by the Foreign \, Commonwealth &\;amp\; Development Office of the United Kingdom (FCDO -UK) and implemented by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)\, SMEP is ad dressing key challenges in the leather industry by enhancing traceability\ , reducing environmental pollution\, and supporting circular economy pract ices. &\;nbsp\;<\;/p>\;<\;h4>\;Objectives<\;/h4>\;<\;ul&g t\;<\;li data-list-item-id="\;e28c0ba0ceb295de4a2713c9e4950ca45\n\nV iew meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/webinar-understandin g-traceability-and-due-diligence-leather-supply-chain-perspectives DTSTAMP:20261114T145509Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR