Sustainable trade after COVID-19: Can we do better?

This event, convened by H.E. Mr Chad Blackman with the support of the WTO Secretariat on the occasion of World Environment Day 2020, will bring together perspectives from government, business and international organizations on the following key questions: What is the role of sustainable trade after COVID-19? How can global supply chains be rendered both greener and more resilient to environmental and other shocks? What concrete action could WTO members consider to support and facilitate efforts to rebuild economies in line with the SDGs?

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique window of opportunity to rebuild economies in a way that
recognizes and reinforces the close links between human wellbeing and a healthy environment. Trade
and trade policies can help societies fulfill their needs and aspirations in the post-Covid era by helping
steer the economic recovery onto a more sustainable and resilient track. But ensuring that trade plays
this role requires countries to step up cooperation, not least at the WTO, and coordinate efforts to
ensure that trade policies are fit for purpose and coherent with broader efforts to build back better.

Speakers

Ambassador Chad Blackman, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations and Other
International Organizations in Geneva and Chair of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment
Ambassador Andrew Staines, Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO and other
International Organizations in Geneva, United Kingdom
Diane Holdorf, Managing Director, Food and Nature, World Business Council for Sustainable
Development
Steven Stone, Chief, Market and Resources Branch, Economy Division, UNEP
Daphne Ewing-Chow, Senior Contributor, Forbes
Céline Charveriat, Executive Director, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and
Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Senior Researcher, Graduate Institute

Moderator: Aik Hoe Lim, Director, Trade and Environment Division, WTO

Live Event

Follow the event on the WTO website and WTO social media accounts

Send your questions to the panellists at environment@wto.org