Our Blog

December 11, 2023

Shaping Tomorrow’s Trade: Insights from the 3rd ICSTS

In a groundbreaking gathering of minds, the 3rd International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS) held in New Delhi, India, set the stage for global collaboration in the realm of sustainability standards. The convention, themed “Policy Dialogue on Sustainability Standards as a Tool for Advancing Global Sustainability Goals,” witnessed a convergence of over 400 participants from diverse sectors, shaping a vision that leverages the power of Solidarity, Support, Strength, and Synergy—dubbed the 4 S’s. At the 3rd ICSTS, these four pillars

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November 30, 2023

The future of sustainable trade: VSS and due diligence regulations

This article builds upon the discussions that were held at the UNFSS Academic Advisory Council annual meeting 2023, 12 October 2023, European University Institute (EUI). Due diligence regulatory initiatives have been proliferating recently around the globe, aiming to advance the sustainability agenda through global value chains governance. Due diligence is an on-going, proactive and reactive process through which companies need to identify and address actual or potential risks in order to prevent or mitigate risks of contributing to adverse impacts associated

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October 26, 2023

3rd International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards

3rd International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards, November 2-3, 2023 Policy Dialogue on Sustainability Standards as a Tool for Advancing Global Sustainability Goals Organised by the India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standard, Hosted by Quality Council of India, in collaboration with United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards The 3rd ICSTS is in continuation to the line of activities of Indian platform on sustainability standards that aims to bring together experts and practitioners to discuss innovative ideas, best practices, policies and

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October 9, 2023

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D): What Role for Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)?

This article delves into the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) proposal and probes the prospective role that Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can play, potentially offering existing structured frameworks for due diligence obligations, including commitment, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, communication and remediation infrastructures. The article, presented in a series of articles by UNFSS, highlights how certification processes can support the implementation of due diligence obligations to ensure sustainability in global value chains. Currently, about 70 per cent of international

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September 21, 2023

The EU Due Diligence Regulation on Deforestation: What Role for Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)?

This article delves into the European Union’s new Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) and probes the prospective role that Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can play, potentially offering avenues for collecting information, risk evaluation, mitigation, monitoring, and assurance. The article highlights how certification processes can support enhancing supply chain transparency and mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities, ultimately aligning with the due diligence needs. Deforestation is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences for the environment, biodiversity, and climate change. The United Nations Food

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July 12, 2023

Unlocking the Transformative Potential of Voluntary Sustainability Standards: UNFSS National Platforms’ Network work towards Sustainable Solutions

Amid the challenges posed by the food, energy, and finance crises, its impacts on global value chains, and the upcoming regulations in the space of sustainability compliance, the UNFSS National Platform and Initiative Cooperation Network (NPICN) convened on the 05th of July 2023 to discuss implications, in particular for the developing countries. Recognizing the urgency of these crises, the meeting served as a rallying point for experts from diverse backgrounds, united in their commitment to unlock the transformative

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March 21, 2023

Navigating the Landscape of Voluntary Sustainability Standards: Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries 

Countries are striving to implement sustainable practices in the face of multiple crises, including climate change and food insecurity, as well as disruptions in international trade. There is thus a clear need for a profound transformation to achieve sustainable development. There has been a growing interest in the role that trade and trade policy measures, such as voluntary sustainability standards (VSS), can play in advancing sustainable development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Following this impetus, the United Nations Forum

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December 20, 2022

UNFSS Year in Review: 2022

Another year full of achievements and learnings comes to an end. As we look back on our successes, we at the UNFSS Secretariat thank each and every one of our partners and supporters for their unwavered support which helped us reach a number of milestones this year. As we look forward to welcoming 2023 with you, allow us to take this opportunity to highlight some of our key activities in 2022. UNFSS 2022 in review Here is our small

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November 30, 2022

Navigating Voluntary Sustainability Standards from the lens of SWOT Framework

“The deadly impacts of climate change are here and now. Loss and damage can no longer be swept under the rug. It is a moral imperative. It is a fundamental question of international solidarity – and climate justice.” – Antonio Guterres, UN secretary general at the COP27 in Sharm-el- Sheikh. In his statement, UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres said that the growing number of catastrophic events causing enormous suffering around the world had no warning or means of preparation; and calls

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November 2, 2022

Sustainable Trade in a Globalized World: The time to reconcile development opportunities is now

On Wednesday, 26 October 2022, the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS) held its conference on Sustainable Trade and Development Opportunities in Brussels, Belgium to call on the expertise of the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, Bernd Lange; Jamaica’s Ambassador-designate to Belgium and Head of Mission to the EU, Symone Betton Nayo; and ISEAL’s Director of Programmes, Kristin Komives; and moderated by Director and Professor of the Global Economics at the Robert Schuman Centre for

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