Strategic Priorities

Our work is currently organized around four core themes and a number of specific policy areas, responding to evolving and emerging policy developments. Alongside, we are engaged in several initiatives that reflect cross-cutting priorities or respond to strategic policy opportunities. In line with our mission, all of our activities aim to foster inclusive international cooperation on trade and sustainability.

Our Work Themes

Climate Crisis

Trade that advances climate mitigation and adaptation, climate-resilient development, and fair transitions.

Nature, Food, and Resources

Trade that supports biodiversity and promotes sustainable agriculture and use of natural resources.

Plastic Pollution

Trade that supports international efforts to end plastic pollution.

Circular Economy

Trade that enables a circular economy, which serves sustainable development priorities.

Our Work Policy Areas

Subsidies

Technology

Sustainability, Trade, and Finance

Standards and Regulations

Environmental Goods and Services

Initiatives

Alongside our work on thematic priorities and policy areas, we are engaged in several initiatives that reflect cross-cutting priorities or respond to strategic policy opportunities.

Expert Group on Trade, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Development

Expert Group on Trade, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Development

TESS has mobilized an international expert group for guidance on the trade dimensions of circular economy policies.
Expert Group on Environmentally Harmful Agriculture Subsidies

Expert Group on Environmentally Harmful Agriculture Subsidies

TESS has mobilized an international expert group for guidance on tackling environmentally harmful agriculture subsidies.
Expert Group on Principles for the Design of Trade-Related Climate Measures

Expert Group on Principles for the Design of Trade-Related Climate Measures and Policies

International legal expert group guidance on principles for the design of trade-related climate measures and policies.
TESS and the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations

TESS and the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations

Promoting trade and trade policy cooperation to support the global plastics treaty negotiations.
TESS at the World Trade Organization

TESS at the World Trade Organization

Supporting inclusive cooperation on trade, environment, and sustainable development at the World Trade Organization.
Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate

Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate

TESS hosts the Secretariat of the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate.