The COP28 Presidency, the UAE Ministry of Economy, and the World Trade Organization have partnered with global leaders to support a "menu" of trade policy options for UNFCCC Parties to consider as part of a just and ambitious global response to climate change. It aims to inspire other governments to consider how such measures could be integrated into their national policies and accelerate the transition to a climate-friendly global economy. It will also feature concrete trade policy actions and initiatives that can foster sustainable practices and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.
International trade fosters cooperation by ensuring that countries can supply and access the goods and services needed to increase job opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship, stimulate information access, alleviate poverty, and raise living standards. COP28 offers an opportunity for countries to consider the role of trade policy as part of the response to climate change. With the climate crisis, we must harness the power of trade to support the clean energy transition, scale up climate-friendly goods and services, decarbonize supply chains and high greenhouse gas sectors, and shift markets towards a sustainable trajectory.
Objectives
- Bring together the leaders of the trade ecosystem to build momentum and set the stage for elevating the role of the international trade community in the climate policy ecosystem.
- Launch the WTO-led Menu of Trade Policy Options for the trade community to support the delivery of ambitious, credible climate action efforts.
- Facilitate continuing discussions of climate-related topics after the celebration of International Trade Day, particularly during the UAE's hosting of WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February, 2024.
Outcomes
- Announcement of the WTO Secretariat led "10 Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action".
During this event, governments, businesses, and international organizations will:
- Highlight trade policy options that can both leverage trade policy as a tool for decarbonization of global supply chains and reduce the direct impact of carbon-intensive sectors.
- Address how to promote uptake and use of trade policy actions to increase investments and accelerate uptake in energy efficiency and climate-friendly technologies and equipment.
Programme
Opening Remarks:
- HE. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, UAE
Introducing the WTO Secretariat's 10 Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action
- Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization
Panel remarks on Trade and Climate
- Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization
- Mr. John Denton, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General, UNCTAD
- Mr. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO, DP World
- HE Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Industry and Trade, Kenya
Opening and moderator
- Mr. John Defterios, Visiting Professor of Business, NYU Abu Dhabi
In September 2021, Rebeca Grynspan was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), becoming the first woman to lead the organization in its 60-year history.
Rebeca Grynspan, an economist and former Vice President of Costa Rica, is an experienced leader of international institutions with a substantive track record in government, UN diplomacy, economic policy and multilateral cooperation at the global level.
Prior to joining the United Nations, she was Vice President of Costa Rica and held cabinet positions as Minister of Housing, Minister Coordinator of Economic and Social Affairs and Deputy Finance Minister.
Previously, she served as Secretary-General of the Ibero-American Conference (2014–2021), chairing regional summits of Heads of State and Government; United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She was a member of the UN Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti, representing the UN Secretary-General.
At UNCTAD, Grynspan has been at the centre of critical negotiations to address global trade and development challenges. She played a decisive role in the successful Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered between the UN, Türkiye, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, which enabled the safe export of over 32 million tons of grain, lowered global food prices by 22% and prevented millions from falling into food insecurity. She also leads the UN Global Crisis Response Group on food, energy and finance, and has represented the UN in G20 summits.
Her leadership has been recognized widely. In 2024, she received the Doha Negotiator of the Year Award for spearheading UN efforts to restore Black Sea trade routes. In 2025, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation awarded her the inaugural Isabel Oyarzábal Women in Multilateralism International Prize for her contribution to multilateralism.
Ms. Grynspan holds degrees in economics from the University of Costa Rica and the University of Sussex, and honorary doctorates from several European universities.
