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41st UN/CEFACT Forum: Workshop on Emerging developments and opportunities in Green Trade Facilitation

04 October 2023 14:00 - 16:45
ESCAP Bangkok Thailand

Introduction

In today’s global landscape, with the climate crisis continuing to worsen, the need to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship is more crucial than ever. Green – or climate-smart – trade facilitation is playing an increasingly important role as countries strive to transition towards low-carbon and sustainable economies. This workshop will introduce the concept of green trade facilitation, and examine related developments and opportunities, including strategies, initiatives and good practices that enable trade to be more efficient and environmentally friendly, and contribute to climate goals. Following the opening remarks, each thematic session features a moderator and 3-4 speakers with a question & answer segment at the end.

Together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as part of the 41st UN/CEFACT Forum week, this workshop is organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Regional Organizations Cooperation Mechanism for Trade Facilitation (ROC-TF) partners.

Agenda

14:00 – 15:00

Session 3: Safeguarding Biodiversity and the Environment through Trade Facilitation

Moderator: Mr. Pierre Bonthonneau, Senior Trade Facilitation Adviser, ITC

Presentations:

  • Integrated approach to trade and transport facilitation
    Mr. Shubham Gupta, Partner, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India
  • Management of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) trade through iPIC mechanism
    Ms. Vika Rogers, Programme Management Officer, United Nations Environment Programme
  • ePhyto – enhancing safe trade in plants and plant products
    Mr. Simon Padilla, Economic Affairs Officer, Standards and Trade Development Facility*
  • Electronic CITES permitting systems
    Mr. Salehin Khan, Programme Management Officer, CITES Secretariat

15:00 – 15:15

Break

15:15 – 16:15

Session 4: Advancing the Circular Economy and Trade in Waste

Moderator: Mr. Yern Fai Lee, Associate Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP

Presentations:

  • Tackling waste trafficking to support a circular economy
    Ms. Ioana Cotutiu, Programme Officer, UNODC Unwaste
    Ms. Latifahaida Abdul Latif, Assistant Director, ASEAN Secretariat
  • Facilitating cross-border reverse supply chains
    Mr. Shunta Yamaguchi, Policy Analyst, OECD Environment Directorate
  • e-Basel – supporting efficient transboundary movement of hazardous and plastic waste
    Mr. Norbert Pfaffinger, UN/CEFACT Environmental Management Domain Coordinator

Discussant(s)

  • Mr. Jack Barrie, Research Fellow, Chatham House*

16:15 – 16:45

Closing and Way Forward

  • Ms. Maria Teresa Pisani, OiC of Trade Facilitation Section, UNECE
  • Mr. Yann Duval, Chief of Trade Policy and Facilitation Section, ESCAP
  • Mr. Kijin Kim, Senior Economist, ADB
  • Mr. Pierre Bonthonneau, Senior Trade Facilitation Adviser, ITC Discussant(s)

Presentations

51779 _ Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2021 _ 384225 _ English _ 773 _ 395988 _ pdf
51779 _ Climate-smart Trade Facilitation _ 384226 _ English _ 773 _ 395992 _ pdf
51779 _ ESG, Digitalization, and Trade Finance _ 384227 _ English _ 773 _ 395993 _ pdf
51779 _ The Green Customs Initiative _ 384228 _ English _ 773 _ 395994 _ pdf
51779 _ From paper to bytes: Digital innovations for sustainable trade _ 384229 _ English _ 773 _ 395995 _ pdf
51779 _ UN/CEFACT Transport & Logistics _ 384230 _ English _ 773 _ 395998 _ pdf
51779 _ Trade Digitalisation: TradeTrust _ 384231 _ English _ 773 _ 395999 _ pdf
51779 _ Integrated Approach to Trade and Transportation Facilitation _ 384232 _ English _ 773 _ 396002 _ pdf
51779 _ Electronic CITES Permitting Systems _ 384235 _ English _ 773 _ 396008 _ pdf
51779 _ Standards and Trade Development Facility _ 384236 _ English _ 773 _ 396010 _ pdf
51779 _ Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community _ 384237 _ English _ 773 _ 396012 _ pdf
51779 _ Securing Reverse Supply Chains for A Circular Economy _ 384238 _ English _ 773 _ 396013 _ pdf
51779 _ Advancing the Circular Economy and Trade in Waste _ 384240 _ English _ 773 _ 396016 _ pdf