UNCTAD will present the outcomes of the technical cooperation project “Advancing consumer information and consumer protection in alignment with multilateral environmental agreements though a synergistic partnership between UNEP and UNCTAD” on 12 November 2025, from 3 to 4.30 p.m. (CET), at Casa FIRJAN, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Consumer choices are at the heart of sustainability. Yet, consumers often lack the information and protection needed to make environmentally responsible decisions. To address this, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNCTAD have partnered to explore how consumer information and protection policies can support the effective implementation of key multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) — including the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and ongoing negotiations on plastic pollution.
This presentation will showcase the main outcomes of the UNEP-UNCTAD joint project. It will highlight findings from regional capacity-building activities and unveil the Guidance Note on Empowering Consumers, Protecting the Planet on integrating consumer sustainability information and protection into MEA implementation. The event will also share policy recommendations for the One Planet Network Consumer Information Programme to strengthen links between sustainable consumption, circular economy, and environmental governance, as contained in the document Consumer information, protection and Multilateral Environmental Agreements: Pathways for policy integration.
Heads of consumer protection authorities from Latin America and the Caribbean will gain insight into how informed consumers, empowered regulators, and responsible businesses can collectively advance environmental sustainability goals. The session will include presentations UNCTAD experts, followed by an interactive discussion with policymakers, consumer organizations, academia, and private sector representatives.
This event is organized in the framework of the Iberoamerican Forum of Government Consumer Protection Agencies.
Who should attend:
Government officials, consumer protection agencies, sustainability policymakers, businesses, civil society, and academia interested in consumer empowerment and environmental policy integration.
Participation:
In-person participation is by invitation from the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro-Brazil), the National Consumer Service (SERNAC-Chile) and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC-Colombia).
