Training Webinar: The relationship between trade and environment in international trade

Context

The interaction between trade and the environment has become an area of ​​critical interest for both multilateral trade policy discussions and market access in South-North and South-South trade.

First, the multilateral trading system, including the WTO, UN Trade and Development and the ITC, plays a fundamental role in shaping the rules and processes that govern international trade and development, which in turn impacts environmental sustainability. Likewise, today there are more than 250 multilateral environmental agreements that generate a great influence on what and how we produce and trade, particularly with respect to the application of environmental sustainability criteria and in terms of safety and health. 

Second, there are growing demands from consumers and other public and private actors in developed countries about the sustainability of products consumed, including those imported from developing countries. This has resulted in the expansion of demand for products with voluntary sustainability certification, and more recently in the introduction (or discussion) of mandatory sustainability requirements, impacting access to these markets for different products, notably food and raw materials of agricultural origin.

Specific topics to discuss at the seminar include:

• The evolution of the nexus between trade and environment in the multilateral trading system
• Trade and environment in regional and bilateral agreements
• The importance of environmental standards (voluntary and mandatory) in international trade in agricultural products
• Trade and the ocean economy and the WTO fisheries subsidies agreement
• Carbon price and instruments in the carbon market
• Trade and Climate Change
• Trade, plastic pollution and the circular economy

Goals

This seminar, organized by UNCTAD, MINCETUR and SECO, within the framework of the Swiss Capacities Program for Trade Policies (C4TP), aims to bring together government officials and other selected public and private actors from various sectors to exchange knowledge and experience. on these issues, as well as building capacity on synergies and current challenges in the links between trade and the environment. This is oriented to the interests of Peru within the framework of the WTO and the relevant trade agreements.

Methodology

The seminar will employ a combination of technical presentations, case studies, interactive online discussions between participants, as detailed in the event agenda. The presenters will be UNCTAD experts with extensive experience and work experience on the specific topics in their charge.