As part of WTO Trade and Environment Week 2026, the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO and the Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS) co-organized a session to explore how developing countries can better align climate and trade strategies to advance their resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
Session Objectives
Drawing on emerging national experiences, the session
- examined how countries can use trade policies as proactive instruments for domestic transformation;
- highlighted options for integrating trade elements in climate planning, including support for green goods and services, climate-resilient value chains, renewable energy deployment, MSME readiness, traceability systems, and access to finance and technology;
- explored how international cooperation can help developing countries strengthen policy coherence, manage new market requirements, and identify sectors where trade can support both mitigation and adaptation objectives; and
- generated actionable insights on how national trade-climate strategies can be designed and implemented in ways that are development-sensitive, internationally connected, and responsive to real economy needs.
Speakers
- H.E. Manuel Teehankee, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO
- Julian Clarke, Senior Regional Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- Vicente Yu, Independent Expert
- Dawn Cabigon, Campaign Manager of Race to Net Zero Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
- Stefanie Beitien, Managing Director, PCX Solutions
- Yasmin Ismail, Senior Policy Advisor, TESS
From Strategy to Synergy: Aligning Climate and Trade for Resilient and Sustainable Development
Co-organized with
