What’s happening on the environment at the WTO? Recent developments and WTO Member initiatives in the lead up to MC12

The Forum on Trade, Environment and the SDGs (TESS) held a high-level briefing on “What’s happening on the environment at the WTO? Recent developments and WTO Member initiatives in the lead up to MC12” on Monday, 27 September, 16:00-17:30 CET. The briefing was held as of part of the Geneva Trade Week 2021, hosted by the Geneva Trade Platform.

Speakers provided an update on how environmental issues feature in the regular work of WTO Committees and the Secretariat, and shared views on environment-related priorities and opportunities. Speakers also offered an update on WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies reform and on Member-led environment initiatives in the lead up to MC12, which will take place from 30 November to 3 December 2021 in Geneva.

Watch the briefing: 

Agenda:

• An overview of environmental activities at the WTO:
  Mr. Jean-Marie PAUGAM, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization
• An update on developments and opportunities at the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE):
  H.E. Mr. Manuel TEEHANKEE, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO and Chair, WTO Trade and Environment Committee
• Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability (TESSD):
  H.E. Mr. Stephen DE BOER, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Canada to the WTO (invited)
• Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR):
  Ms. Alison HAMILTON, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the WTO
• Informal Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (IDP):
  Ms. Maria Daniela GARCIA FREIRE, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Ecuador to the WTO

Moderator: Carolyn DEERE BIRKBECK, Director, Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS)