This seminar will present a broad vision of the relationship between international trade and sustainable development, identifying those aspects in which the exchange of goods and services can complement the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The links will be reviewed considering the current state of compliance with the SDGs in Latin America, emphasizing both regulatory aspects, such as trade agreements, and business practices, particularly private sustainability standards. The way in which environmental and social sustainability is supported in global value chains and how governments and producers in Latin America face growing demands for information from consumers in developed countries will also be explored in depth.
Representatives of international organizations and the public sector of the region, as well as experts and entrepreneurs, will participate in this seminar. It is expected that the presentations and debates generated in each of the three modules will serve as inputs for reflection and the initiation or strengthening of public-private dialogues within the countries, for the future definition of joint actions to incorporate the sustainability in the export strategies of the region.
Agenda
Wednesday, July 18
08:30 – 09:00 Registration
09:00 – 09:30 Inauguration
Session 1. Potential contributions of international trade to sustainable development
This session explores the contribution that international trade can make towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Moderator: Keiji Inoue, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, International Trade and Integration Division - ECLAC
09:30 – 09:50 International trade and sustainable development in Latin America
Nanno Mulder, Economic Affairs Officer, Chief of the International Trade Unit within the Division of International Trade and Integration – ECLAC
09:50 – 10:10 Sustainability and cooperation commitments in the free-trade agreements of the Republic of Korea
Wonho Kim, Professor of Latin American Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), Republic of Korea
10:10 – 10:30 The contributions of international trade to the 2030 Agenda
Alice Tipping, Coordinator, Environment and Natural Resources Programme, International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development – ICTSD (by videoconference)
10:30 – 10:45 Q&A. Summary by moderator.
10:45 – 11:05 Coffee break
Moderator: Sebastián Herreros, Economic Affairs Officer, International Trade and Integration Division – ECLAC
11:05 – 11:25 The trade and sustainable development agenda of the European Union
John Bazill, Official of the Trade and Sustainable Development Unit – DG Trade, European Commission (by videoconference)
11:25 – 11:35 Q&A
11:35 – 11:55 The governance of international trade and inclusive sustainable development
Ambassador Guillermo Valles
11:55 - 12:15 Gender equality and international trade
Alicia Frohmann, Consultant of the International Trade and Integration Division – ECLAC
12:15 – 12:35 Q&A
12:35 – 12:45 Summary and conclusions by the moderator
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch (4th floor)
Session 2. International trade as a driver of corporate sustainability initiatives
The business sector is a major actor for the achievement of more sustainable trade outcomes. Incorporating sustainability standards in exports is an opportunity to differentiate products, meet new requirements in international markets and achieve greater efficiency and productivity. This session identifies some good business practices that contribute to more sustainable exports.
Moderator: Octavio Sotomayor, Economic Affairs Officer, Agricultural Unit, Division of Production, Productivity and Management - ECLAC
14:30 – 14:50 Environmental and social sustainability standards in the food sector in Latin America
Ximena Olmos, Consultant of the International Trade and Integration Division – ECLAC
14:50 – 15:10 Environmental footprint and sustainable coffee exports
René León-Gómez, Executive Director of PROMECAFE
15:10 – 15:30 Sustainability as a requirement on the international market: the case of palm oil
Maria Amparo Albán, UNDP RED+ Consultant, Ecuador
15:30 - 15:50 Q&A
15:50 – 16:20 Coffee break
16:20 – 16:40 International trade as a driver of environmental and social sustainability in small and medium enterprises
Christoph Sommer, Researcher, German Development Institute, Germany
16:40 – 17:00 Sustainability standards in the Latin American fashion industry
Adriana Marina, Latin American Ethical Fashion Forum, Argentina
17:00 – 17:20 Responsibility, traceability and sustainability in the mining industry
Jorge Cantallopts, Director of Resarch and Public Policies, COCHILCO, Chile
17:20 – 17:50 Q&A
17:50 – 18:00 Summary and conclusions by the moderator
Thursday, July 19
Session 3. International cooperation and new sustainabilty practices in international trade
Sustainability standards for products and companies developed by different markets have a significant impact on supply chains and international trade. This session identifies sustainability standards which adapt to the needs of suppliers and buyers.
Moderator: Alicia Frohmann, Consultant of the International Trade and Integration Division – ECLAC
09:00 – 09:20 International cooperation and promotion of exports of environmental goods and services in the Republic of Korea (by videoconference)
Minah Kim, ECLAC Consultant, Republic of Korea
09:20 – 09:30 Q&A
09:30 – 09:50 Tools to promote sustainability standards in international trade
Ann-Kathrin Zotz, Associate Expert, International Trade Center (ITC)
9:50 – 10:10 Fair Trade Standards and social conditions of small producers in Latin America
Marco Coscione, ECLAC Consultant, Chile
10:10 – 10:30 Q&A
10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:20 The BioComercio Azul Program in Latin America
René Gómez-García, Coordinator of the Green Business Unit, Environment and Climate Change Directorate – DACC/CAF
11:20 – 11:30 Q&A
11:30 – 11:50 B-Corp businesses and international trade in Latin America
Alfredo Zepeda, Executive Director, Sistema B, Chile
11:50 – 12:10 The Global Compact and supply-chain sustainability
Margarita Ducci, Executive Director, Red Pacto Global, Chile
12:00 – 12:20 Q&A
12:20 - 12:45 Summary and conclusions of the Seminar
12:45 – 13:45 Lunch (4th floor)
News
Briefing note
infographic