Background information: In accordance with the Bangkok Plan of Action, UNCTAD, in cooperation with other institutions, has played an important role in identifying trade and environment issues that could yield benefits for developing countries. The Doha Work Programme and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation adopted by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) have emphasized the major role that trade can play in achieving sustainable development and reducing poverty. The need for capacity building, as well as strengthened coordination between UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and regional and other organizations has been emphasized. The UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development (CBTF) was first launched at UNCTAD X. At the WSSD, the UNCTAD and UNEP secretariats launched the second phase of the CBTF. The UNCTAD secretariat has been implementing the project Building Capacity for Improved Policy Making and Negotiation on Key Trade and Environment Issues, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Purpose: It is envisaged that the roundtable will focus on opportunities for developing countries to derive sustainable development benefits from trade and environment linkages. Issues to be addressed include:·
- Opportunities arising from niche markets for environmentally preferable products, in particular organic agricultural products
- Environmental goods and services, including the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises
- Options for harnessing traditional knowledge for trade and development
- Benefits that can be derived from proactive adjustment policies to legitimate environmental requirements
Based on its consideration of these issues, the roundtable will consider capacity building to assist developing countries in increasing awareness and implementing policies to take advantage of opportunities.
Expected outcome: Expected outcome: The roundtable is expected to create awareness of opportunities to promote trade for sustainable development; identify means to strengthen the CBTF; and promote coordination in capacity-building activities to assist developing countries in addressing trade, environment and development linkages. The roundtable will also:
- Explore means to expand markets for environmentally friendly products and services from developing countries.
- Assist in identifying environmental goods and services of sustainable development interest to developing countries and disseminate national studies.
- Announce new CBTF activities.
- Consider the outcome of the pre-UNCTAD XI workshop on "Environmental Requirements and Trade" (Rio de Janeiro, 7 and 8 June).
- Promote networking, in particular for capacity building.
Contact: Ms. Sophia Twarog, UNCTAD. E-mail: sophia.twarog@unctad.org