To take advantage of the presence of the stakeholder and academic communities at COP28, the co-leads of the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate, Ecuador, the European Union, Kenya and New Zealand, sought to foster a conversation with stakeholders on ways that inclusive cooperation on trade can promote climate actions, transitions, and climate-resilient development on the ground.

Accordingly, this roundtable brought together a diverse group of leaders from the climate and trade stakeholder communities to share their priorities in regard to the climate crisis and for collective action and inclusive cooperation on trade and trade policy to support the global climate agenda and sustainable development.

The Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate brings together a group of 57 Ministers from a diverse range of countries from all regions, different levels of development, trade circumstances and climate vulnerabilities. Recalling that one of the core commitments of the Coalition in its Launch Statement is to build strategic alliances and partnerships with climate and finance communities, as well as other relevant stakeholders, this event aimed to provide an opportunity to foster a conversation with thought leaders in the global climate community on priorities for leadership and collective action by Trade Ministers.

Agenda

Welcome and introductory remarks

• H.E. Sade Fritschi, Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, Ecuador

Opening remarks from Coalition members

• H.E. Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President, European Commission
• H.E. Ms. Sonsoles García, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment & Fisheries, Ecuador

Roundtable discussion with leaders from the climate community

A diverse group of invited leaders and experts from the global climate and trade stakeholder communities shared views on priorities and opportunities for inclusive trade-related cooperation and collective action that make a positive contribution to the global climate agenda.

Moderator

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Executive Director, TESS