In a rapidly changing world, how can countries ensure that trade continues to contribute to jobs, growth and sustainable development, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda? How can trade and efforts to address environmental problems complement one another in order to contribute towards a sustainable future?
There are important synergies between trade and environment. Shifting to a more sustainable world economy opens up major new business opportunities, estimated at US$12 trillion or more over the next 15 years. A rapidly growing number of companies, large and small, are already tapping into these business opportunities by innovating in sustainable goods, services, technologies and business models. Coherent trade and environmental policies can play an important role in this shift.
On 2 October, UN Environment Programme and the World Trade Organization will co-host a high-level event titled, “Making Trade Work for the Environment, Prosperity and Resilience,” within the context of the WTO’s Public Forum, this year centered on “Trade 2030”.
Hosted by UN Environment Programme Executive Director, Erik Solheim, and World Trade Organization Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo, the dialogue will call for actions from countries, civil society and the private sector to bring trade into closer alignment with a healthier, sustainable, resilient and prosperous world.
The event will feature a high-level segment, multistakeholder discussions on themes such as subsidies and the circular economy, an exhibition and a leadership dialogue. In this context, the two organizations will also launch a new, joint publication under the same theme, providing an analysis of trade’s role in ensuring a healthy environment and in promoting prosperity and resilience.
Ultimately, it aims to demonstrate the need for trade to protect the environment and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to catalyze multistakeholder partnerships among sustainable trade champions to improve mutual supportiveness between environment and trade policies.
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