We interact regularly with leading institutions and experts from both the public and private sectors, while drawing decision-makers and national experts – from both developed and developing countries – into the dialogues supported by the forum.
We use the analytical and empirical work of institutions to provide the most accurate and credible information possible on Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), and build knowledge and mutual understanding among forum participants. This means we can help develop strategies to maximize the development impact of Voluntary Sustainability Standards.
Our debates and dialogues usually take the form of conferences, expert meetings, case studies or technical reports. We take part in various meetings and workshops on Voluntary Sustainability Standards around the world, as well as holding an annual conference in Geneva, Switzerland. For details of the conferences and events see News + Stories.
Our policy dialogues also feed into discussions on Voluntary Sustainability Standards in other international forums, such as:
- The Annual International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS)
- The World Trade Organization, particularly its committees on trade and the environment, technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
- The World Trade Forum.
- United Nations forums, including at the FAO, UNCTAD, ITC, UN Environment, and UNIDO.
- International institutions on standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the ISEAL Alliance.
(National Platform launch in Qingdao, China – June 2017)
