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, food systems, 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 and Green Industrial Policies

Trade and Finance

Standards and Regulations

Environmental Goods, Services, and Technologies

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.

Multilateral Trading System

Multilateral Trading Sytem

TESS supports inclusive cooperation for environment and sustainable development in the multilateral trading sytstem.
Plastics Treaty Negotiations

Plastics Treaty Negotiations

TESS supports cooperation towards an ambitious, effective, and fair plastics treaty.
International Expert Groups

International Expert Groups

TESS mobilizes international expert groups for guidance on critical issues at the interface of trade and sustainability.

Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate

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

Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade

TESS serves as the anchor organization of the joint Secretariat of the IFCCT.