Nearly half of the world’s population is directly dependent on biodiversity for their livelihoods. Today over 3.2 billion people depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods, but the globe’s biodiversity resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. In Europe alone, the cost of biodiversity loss is estimated about 3% of its GDP, or €450m (£400m), a year [1]. “If we are going to address the issue of biodiversity, we also have to look at the fundamental issues
On June 2018, the Andean Community Secretariat, together with UNFSS launched its first dialogue in Peru on ‘Sustainable Trade between Peru and the EU’ with the inception to support Peruvian SMEs exporters and policy makers into implementing sustainable measures in order to access the lucrative EU’s renowned “Sustainable” market. UNFSS supports three key outcomes in the region, policy dialogue among national and regional VSS stakeholders, research and analysis in the region, and capacity building activities to promote sustainable exports from
Indonesia, represented by Badan Standardidasi Nasional (BSN) has been part of the UNFSS’s National Initiative network since 2016. BSN has been involved in several VSS-related activities and have also witnessed the launch of their counterpart’s National Platform. This November, Indonesia will be taking a leap forward into establishing an informed dialogue on VSS at national level. In collaboration with the German Development Institute (DIE) Managing Global Governance (MGG) programme, the International Seminar “Public Awareness and Internal Meeting on Voluntary Sustainability
Recognizing the immense value of international standards can make, ISO recently launched a campaign to inform members, policy makers, businesses and organizations on how ISO standards can contribute to the United Nations Development Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). A dedicated section on its Website features a mapping tool that highlights more than 600 standards that contribute directly to achieving the Goals, as well as an informative brochure. It is intended to serve as a valuable resource
NTMs Week expert-meeting summary on: “UNFSS 3rd Flagship Report on VSS, Trade and Sustainable Development” Thursday 11th October 2018, 11.30am-1pm. Watch recorded session here UNFSS Coordinator and UNCTAD Senior Economist, Santiago Fernandez de Cordoba delivered an introductory presentation highlighting the key components of UNFSS as a neutral, independent platform to harness the potentials of VSS to achieve the SDGs, mainly through facilitating developing countries’ access to the global markets and stimulating well-informed policy dialogue among key stakeholders on the national and international level.
With around 500 participants, the International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS) welcomed over 20 nationalities from diverse sectors along the supply chain. The convention in itself addresses 12 key topics through panel discussions, from the challenges of multiplicity to the challenges of global value chains connected to social accountability. discusses thematic sessions on ways to strengthen multi-stakeholder initiatives and responsible sourcing decisions in agri-food, fisheries, textiles and forestry, each of which were chaired by the UNFSS Steering Committee members. raises
Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) Week Trade Regulations and Voluntary Sustainability Standards Date: 9-11 October 2018 Venue: Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva Hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the NTM week will provide a platform for policymakers, practitioners and researchers to discuss cutting-edge issues surrounding the impact of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs), including voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), on international trade and sustainable development. Together, they will consider ways of “shaping sustainable trade amid protectionism”. Regulatory and non-regulatory measures have become more
3rd UNFSS Flagship Report: Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), Trade and Sustainable Development The relationship between Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), trade and sustainable development are among the most pronounced concepts sought-after the realm of green global value chains. We typically see the benefits of imposing sustainability standards as a positive advantage contributing to the environment, social and the economy. The VSS system has in fact influence the export landscape to either facilitate market access or become an obstacle to trade, especially for importing countries that have turned to
How do trade contribute to SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”? Find out at the T4SD Forum 2018! Registrations are now open! bit.ly/T4SDForum2018 The International Trade Centre (ITC), one of UNFSS’s composed agencies, will be hosting its fifth Trade for Sustainable Development Forum at the ITC headquarters in Geneva from 1-3 October 2018. The T4SD Forum 2018 will be held in parallel with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2018. Working in the same direction as UNFSS’s goal towards “better trade
International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards Leveraging Trade, Global Value Chains, and Standards as engines of Sustainable Development 17-18 September 2018 | New Delhi, India The International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS) is organized by the India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standards (India PSS Platform) and convened by the Quality Council of India, in collaboration with UNFSS. Registrations Open (link below). From topics on international trade, innovations in sustainable global value chains, and sustainability standard settings, to government policies and multi-stakeholder
