This expert roundtable will provide an opportunity to hear findings of Chatham House research on pressures on fresh water associated with globally traded goods in three priority sectors—food and agriculture, textiles, and metals and mining—and the role that trade cooperation can play in reducing water-related risks.

The roundtable will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the findings of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water and their implications for both trade and sustainability.

Issues for discussion will include:

• The interaction between trade and water, exploring the risks that changes the hydrological cycle and increased competition for water in regions of production pose for supply chains.
• Opportunities for trade and trade cooperation in playing a constructive role in managing fresh water fairly and sustainably, and avenues for joint work at the bilateral and multilateral level.

14:30–14:35 Welcome, Introductions, and Aims of This Roundtable

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Executive Director and Founder, Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS), Geneva Graduate Institute

Richard King, Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House

Glada Lahn, Former Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House

14:35–14:50 Opportunities for Cooperation on Trade & Trade Policies To Reduce Water Related Risks and Promote Sustainable and Equitable Water Management

• Anna Dupont, Research and Policy Consultant, Global Commission on the Economics of Water
• Sajal Mathur, Counsellor, World Trade Organization
  

14:50–15:30 Initial Findings on Water Footprints in Three Critical Sectors

Experts from the Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House

• Richard King, Senior Research Fellow: Food and agriculture
• Phesheya Nxumalo, Research Associate: Metals and mining
• Bhargabi Bharadwaj, Research Associate: Textiles

15:30–15:55 Open Discussion on the Role That Trade Cooperation Can Play in Reducing Water-Related Risks

Moderator: Glada Lahn

15:55–16:00 Closing and Next Steps

Glada Lahn