WTO Sets Themes for 'Thematic Sessions' to Expand Exchanges on Climate Measures

The World Trade Organization's Committee on Trade and Environment during its June 19 meeting agreed to center upcoming "thematic sessions" on "trade-related climate measures, technology transfer, and sustainable agriculture," the WTO announced. The selection of the three themes were made in light of Trade and Environment Week, which the committee chair confirmed will take place Oct. 7-11. The environment week will feature a thematic session and "other events," the WTO said.

During the meeting, members were presented with two new proposals -- one from China on advancing multilateral discussions on trade-related climate measures and another from the African Group on advancing WTO committee work to back structural and industrial development in developing nations. The WTO said members "expressed their general support" for the Chinese proposal. India again presented its request to start negotiations on the role of technology transfer for environmental solutions.

Three coordinators of the "Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade" -- Australia, Barbados and Ecuador -- briefed the committee on developments from its June 13 pre-plenary meeting. The trio welcomed three new co-sponsors of the dialogue -- Brazil, Montenegro and Mozambique -- which brought the total membership number to 82.