COP26 Blue Zone | High-level dialogue: How can cooperation on trade support climate action and sustainable development?

When: 6 November 2021 | 12:10 to 14:10 PM GMT (UK Time)

Where: Online, register here

Chatham House, the GCRF TRADE Hub, UN Environment Programme, and the Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS), are convening a high-level dialogue at COP26 on how trade and trade policy can support nature positive climate action and sustainable development. Speakers will address three key themes:

• Multilateral approaches and the role of international organisations.
• Opportunities for trade ministers to support action on climate mitigation and adaptation
• Stakeholder perspectives on opportunities to align climate and trade agendas and strategies to build cooperation.

Segment 1 (12:10-12:50)

Multilateral approaches and the role of international organisations.

• How can we strengthen multilateral cooperation on sustainable trade and trade policy that supports achievement of the Paris goals on climate mitigation and adaptation?
• How can we promote greater coherence and alignment of climate and trade regimes in ways that support nature and wider sustainable development goals?
• How can strengthened coordination among international organisations support coherence between climate, trade, development and environmental regimes and in policy making by governments?
• What are the political challenges and what immediate actions could make a difference?

Speakers:

• Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme
• Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UNCTAD
• Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre
• Mari Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank
• Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director-General, WTO

Segment 2 (12:50-13:30)

How can trade ministers boost cooperation on sustainable trade and nature positive climate action?

• What is the role of trade policymakers in aligning trade and trade policies with nature positive climate action?
• What are the challenges to stronger cooperation among governments and how can these be addressed?
• How can trade, environment and climate policymaking be made more coherent, both at the national and the international level?

Speakers:

• Valdis Dombrovskis Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
• Andrés Valenciano Yamuni, Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica
• Honorable Sandra Husbands, Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Trade Barbados
• Participation by three further trade Ministers (Canada, Jamaica, Indonesia, Kenya and Bangladesh have also been invited) will be confirmed later.

Segment 3 (13:30-14:10)

Stakeholder voices on ways forward for sustainable trade that supports climate action and nature.

• What are the key challenges facing producers and exporters in the global South and how can these be addressed equitably to promote trade that is fair and supports environmental goals?
• What role can businesses play in promoting the shift to more sustainable trade?

Speakers:

• Neil Burgess, Chief Scientist, UNEP-WCMC, Trade Hub
• John Denton, Secretary-General, International Chamber of Commerce
• Roopa Mehta, President, World Fair Trade Organisation