Our vision
Our vision is a world where the global trading system
effectively addresses global environmental crises and advances
sustainable development goals.
Our mission
Our mission is to foster inclusive international cooperation and action on trade and sustainability.
Our approach
Our work aims to support the multilateral dialogue, inclusive international cooperation, and policy action necessary to align trade and trade policies with the urgent need for environmental action, sustainable development, and just transitions.
Our work is informed by the imperative of global action to address the triple planetary crises of climate change, nature loss, and pollution. It is informed by the need for progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.
We aim to serve the trade, environment, and sustainable development communities through a versatile, needs-driven, and outcome-focused set of activities designed to catalyse inclusive and collaborative policy action.
We add strategic value to existing efforts by supporting collaborations and coordination among existing actors and policy communities and by drawing in the perspectives and expertise of a diversity of international stakeholders.
In so doing, we actively support the engagement and participation of developing countries.
Our niche
We occupy a unique niche among the landscape of actors working on trade and sustainability due to our direct engagement in supporting multilateral cooperation, based in International Geneva.
Our origins
Launched in 2021, TESS was created as a partnership of the Geneva Graduate Institute and the United Nations Environment Programme. At the institute, we are housed at the Geneva Trade Platform within the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration.