UNEP launches Environment and Trade Hub

UNEP_Logo

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched the Environment and Trade Hub, an initiative which will assist countries to use sustainable trade as a vehicle for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Hub helps unlock the true capabilities of developing countries, using trade as a motor for sustainable development and environmental protection, and benefitting every single one of us, said UNEP executive director Achim Steiner in a statement.

The Hub was formally launched at an event on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi.

Trade is a key means of implementation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable trade can impact positively on goals across the board, in areas such as food security and sustainable agriculture, sustainable management of water and sanitation, access to modern energy, and mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Steiner underlined the many ways in which cross-border trade, not to mention investment, now drive global economic growth.
Many countries are unable to make effective use of international markets, gain access to sustainable global value chains to equitably grow their economies, and attract overseas investment to build modern, sustainable industries and contribute to global value chains.

African countries, for example, account for less than 2 percent of international trade.
Countries need support to change this – not only from UNEP and other international organizations, but from multiple partners around the world dedicated to working with countries to build their capacity to engage in sustainable trade.

The Hub aims to enhance the capacity of countries to design and implement trade policies that foster environmental sustainability and human well-being.

It also aims to assist countries in the realization of trade opportunities arising from a transition to greener economies and strengthen the sustainability aspects of cross-border trade and investment agreements in negotiations.

The hub also aims to realize a shift of trade practices and trends to more sustainable pathways.

The Hub offers capacity building services for developing countries such as tailored technical trainings to support international, regional and national design and implementation of sustainable trade and investment policies.

It also provides targeted stakeholder trainings; technical assistance in designing trade and environment related agreements; development of tools, methodologies and indicators for sustainable trade;

The hub also supports identification and dissemination of best practices; support to stakeholder consultations and national, regional, and international dialogues on advancing sustainable trade; and the identification of sector- or region-specific sustainable production and trade opportunities.

Rajani Baburajan

[email protected]