As WTO members prepare the aid for trade work programme from 2022 onwards, ensuring that future work strengthens attention to environmental issues as a key pillar of sustainable trade will be critical to advancing a green, resilient, and inclusive global economy. To contribute to inclusive dialogue on this interface, TESS organized an informal breakfast discussion on aid for trade, the environment, and sustainable development.
The agenda for the Aid for Trade Global Review 2022 includes a strong focus on sustainability, with a plenary session on sustainable aid for trade and numerous sessions focused on environmental topics, including fisheries, climate, circularity, and plastic pollution. In the lead up to the global review in Geneva, TESS organized an informal breakfast discussion on aid for trade, the environment, and sustainable development.
Recognizing the opportunity the global review offers to shape future cooperation on these topics, the breakfast drew together delegates from developing countries and aid for trade donor countries as well as experts from stakeholders and international organisations for an informal exchange on various topics.
Topics for discussion
- Developing country priorities and needs at the interface of trade, environment and sustainable development;
- Existing efforts, recent developments at the WTO, and plans for the Global Review and beyond relevant to environmental sustainability;
- Opportunities for strengthening the contribution of Aid for Trade to a just transition for sustainable trade;
- Ways to promote greater synergies between Aid for trade and wider development, climate, environmental and trade finance.
