In this Annual Report we review our work in 2025 and share some of our main achievements and impacts. We present how we made a difference as we strive for a global trading system that effectively addresses global environmental crises and advances sustainable development.
In 2025, we saw trade-related issues capture the world’s attention in unprecedented ways—from the fallout of US tariffs to the prominence of trade in climate discussions and the reordering of supply chains. Amidst the turmoil of the daily headlines and in a context of cascading environmental crises, pronounced economic uncertainty, and heightened geopolitical tensions, TESS remained steadfastly committed to achieving our mission of fostering inclusive international cooperation and action on trade and sustainability in all three of its dimensions—economic, social, and environmental.
During the year, we achieved results of which we are proud.
At the World Trade Organization, despite the overall turbulence in international trade and the many challenges confronting the organization, we helped sustain progress on sustainability and trade through our hands-on engagement in supporting the day-to-day work of government delegations in Geneva to grapple constructively with complex issues at hand.
At the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil we engaged in a range of events and collaborations designed to support inclusive cooperation on climate, trade, and sustainable development, including a stakeholder roundtable hosted by the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate. COP30 also saw the launch by the Brazilian COP Presidency of the Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT), for which TESS was invited to serve as the anchor organization of the IFCCT's joint Secretariat.
An important part of our work in 2025 was to catalyse cooperation towards an ambitious and fair global plastics treaty. We continued to support the work of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution (HAC) as part of its Secretariat function, while facilitating cooperation with an even wider group of countries, known together as the “HAC and Friends."
In October, we hosted the first edition of the TESS annual Conference on Trade, Climate, and Sustainable Development (TCSD). TCSD brought together a vibrant and diverse community of experts committed to finding pathways for effective, inclusive international cooperation on trade, climate, and sustainable development—and to connect the dots across policy communities, disciplines, and regions.
Many more examples of how we made a positive difference in 2025 are described in this report.
There has been a revival in interest on issues of trade, environment, and sustainability. I have observed with gladness in my heart that more and more TESS activities have been supporting and contributing to the debate at the WTO on these very important issues.
H.E. Mrs. Pimchanok Pitfield, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the World Trade Organization and World Intellectual Property Organization
Wonderful people with innovative ideas and an optimism to follow up on ideas that need to move towards fruition. Thank you very much TESS for organizing TCSD.
Atul Kaushik, Advisor, Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South (COGGS)
We’re strongest when we bring the views of all the constituencies together, especially the most vulnerable and the marginalized. TESS is about inclusion, adding value to the debates, rigorous analytical work, and thought leadership and a genuine desire to do good. From TESS’s work on plastics to carbon border measures, TESS has become a critical part of our knowledge engagement ecosystem.
H.E. Mr. Matthew Wilson, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other International Organizations in Geneva
For Ecuador, as co-lead of the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate, TESS has been a very valuable partner. Their expertise, openness, and constant collaboration have made a real difference in helping the coalition achieve concrete results and continue advancing our shared vision.
H.E Mr. Ambassador José Valencia, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the World Trade Organization
We thank the HAC and TESS for their consistent support to developing countries during the plastic treaty negotiations, helping us adopt a stronger position towards achieving a binding global agreement.
Joachim Pagnibam T. Meba, Environmental Lawyer, Head of Climate Change Division, Environment Department, Togo
Thank you for helping us develop our engagement on the trade policy space. Our partnership is strong and growing. Looking forward to continuations on WTO including reform, plastics—and much more!
Efraim Gomez, Director of Global Policy, WWF International
