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From Vision to Action on Trade and Sustainability at the WTO

A Synergies series, curated by TESS.

Offering perspectives from a range of experts from around the world, this series provides a space for constructive reflection on the state of play in the multilateral trading system and how to put sustainability at the top of the agenda.

Expert View

How the WTO Can Help Foster Cooperation on Sustainable Agriculture and Trade

There are several avenues for the WTO to address the sustainability dimensions of agricultural production and trade.

Christophe Bellmann 09 September 2024
Expert View

WTO Reform: Catalyst for a Sustainable Trade System and Transformative Change

The WTO reform agenda should place sustainability at its centre.

Jan Yves Remy 05 September 2024
Expert View

WTO at a “Crossroads” in Addressing Trade and Climate Nexus

The cause of the environment will oblige the WTO to invent new forms of trade commitments and global cooperation.

Jean-Marie Paugam 03 September 2024
Expert View

How Can We Harness Aid for Trade as a Crucial Component of the Financing Landscape for a Just Transition to Sustainable Trade?

Aid for trade is a crucial component of the financing landscape needed for trade to advance sustainable development.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck & Fabrice Lehmann 01 September 2024
Expert View

Making a Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism Work for Climate, Trade, and Equity

The WTO could play a constructive role to enhance understanding of carbon border adjustment mechanisms.

Kasturi Das & Kaushik Ranjan Bandyopadhyay 29 August 2024
Expert View

The Emerging Principle of Common Concern of Humankind and International Trade Regulation

Common Concern of Humankind has the potential to support the application and interpretation of existing trade law.

Thomas Cottier 07 August 2024
Expert View

We Need Serious Conversations on Finance at the Intersection of Trade, Climate, and Sustainable Development

Remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Barbados at the opening plenary of the Aid for Trade Global Review 2024.

Hon. Kerrie D. Symmonds 28 June 2024
Expert View

Unlocking the Potential of International Trade to Promote a Global Secondary Market and the Transition to a Circular Economy: What Role for the WTO?

The transition to a circular economy must be based on multilateral collaboration and coordination.

Antoine Oger & Pierre Leturcq 28 June 2024
Expert View

Promoting Sustainability Through Reforming Subsidies for Agriculture in the WTO

The WTO can catalyse momentum towards a more sustainable and equitable global agricultural system.

Clara Brandi, Christophe Bellmann, Umberto Celli Junior, Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, & Peter Draper 13 June 2024
Expert View

Practical First Steps Towards Comprehensive Subsidy Reform

There is an urgent need for WTO members to embrace subsidy reform, starting with generating a robust analytical base.

Ken Ash, Anthony Cox, & Peter Draper 29 May 2024
Expert View

The WTO Can Help Reform Subsidies to Fossil Fuels That Propel the Climate Crisis

As the world seeks to transition away from fossil fuels, the WTO could expand its role on fossil fuel subsidy reform.

Peter Wooders 22 May 2024
Expert View

Reshaping WTO Subsidy Rules for a Sustainable Future

A fundamental regearing of World Trade Organization subsidy rules offers the potential for transformative change.

Daniel C. Esty & Elena Cima 08 April 2024
Expert View

Critical Minerals Initiatives for Green Supply Chains: How Multilateralism Can Help

Addressing the global issue of critical minerals supply chains properly requires multilateral action.

Henry Gao, Weihuan Zhou, & Victor Crochet 15 March 2024
Expert View

Sustainability at the WTO After MC13: Forging a Proactive Response

The vast majority of WTO members are ready to engage and build cooperation on sustainability and trade at the WTO.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck & Christophe Bellmann 14 March 2024
Expert View

There's a Great Future in Plastics – And Other Takeaways From the WTO MC13 Ministerial

Technical work and informed policy dialogue can facilitate the use of the trade system to achieve environmental goals.

Robert Howse 13 March 2024
Expert View

Trade in the Balance: Aligning the Trading System With Climate and Development Goals

The trade regime must provide incentives for low-carbon, socially inclusive, and climate-resilient growth trajectories.

Kevin Gallagher & Tim Hirschel-Burns 11 March 2024
Expert View

Climate and Trade Cooperation After the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference: Quo Vadis?

It remains imperative to support efforts that promote the reinvigoration of the WTO’s deliberative functions.

David Kleimann, Jodie Keane, & Michai Robertson 07 March 2024
Expert View

Greening Supply Chains: Sleepwalking Into a New Era of Trade Policy?

Trade negotiators are advised to become acquainted with the dynamics of the environmental and financial communities.

Marion Jansen 07 March 2024
Expert View

Trade Can Support the Achievement of a Nature-Positive Global Goal to Reverse Biodiversity Loss

The WTO has immense potential to strengthen inclusive policies for the advancement of nature-positive trade.

Marco Lambertini 06 March 2024
Expert View

Protecting Forests Through Sustainable Supply Chains: A Future Role for the WTO?

For an informal dialogue on trade and environmentally sustainable forests and agricultural commodities at the WTO.

Brendan Vickers 05 March 2024
Expert View

The Governance of Trade as if a Healthy Planet Really Mattered

For the redesign of a trade regime placed at the service of a healthy, balanced, and equitable planetary community.

Mark Halle 29 February 2024
Expert View

Strong Ministerial Engagement is Needed to Strengthen International Cooperation on Sustainability and Trade

There are priority areas for action to consolidate the progress made and provide political impetus for further work.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck & Christophe Bellmann 24 February 2024
Expert View

Voluntary Carbon Markets – Unfinished Business From COP28

The unfinished business of establishing a regulatory framework for carbon markets could provide a new frontier.

David Luke & Cecilia Wandiga 22 February 2024
Expert View

WTO Reform: A Catalyst for Transformative Change in the Caribbean Community

Caribbean Community countries can shape a trade policy framework that is equitable, sustainable, and inclusive.

Jan Yves Remy 22 February 2024
Expert View

Pathways Exist for the Appropriate Design and Implementation of Trade-Related Climate Measures

Existing WTO provisions and jurisprudence provide pathways for the appropriate design of trade-related climate measures.

Ujal Singh Bhatia 22 February 2024
Expert View

How to Avoid Potential Friction in Future Trade in Climate Technologies

There are avenues for cooperation within the WTO and beyond on future low-carbon technology trade.

Brad McDonald & Scott Vaughan 22 February 2024
Expert View

The WTO on Sustainable Trade: Far From Perfect, by No Means the Enemy of the Good

There are many practical steps to collaborate through the WTO to make trade for the green economy easier.

Kimberley Botwright 22 February 2024
Expert View

Transparency is Vital to Sustain State Support for the Clean Energy Transition

A free-for-all between governments able to afford subsidies to mitigate climate change has arisen.

Simon J. Evenett & Fernando Martin 22 February 2024
Expert View

Why Delivering a Fisheries Subsidies Agreement Matters for Small Islands

Governments must reach consensus on a transformational agreement on fisheries subsidies.

Matthew Wilson 14 February 2024