At the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) meeting ended on November 16, members considered seven proposals to reinvigorate discussions on climate change and sustainable development at the WTO.
Members also discussed suggestions on environment-related outcomes for the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). Members were furthermore updated on preparations for the UN COP28 Climate Change Conference.
WTO members welcomed the progress made in strengthening the role of the Committee as the main forum for dialogue on trade and environment.
The Committee considered several proposals on improving its functioning, including through greater transparency and experience-sharing; the role of technology transfer to address climate change as well as several proposals on trade-related environmental measures.
Several members expressed an interest in examining the effects on environmental measures on market access and its impact on developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs).
In this regard, the importance of technical assistance and capacity building was acknowledged.
Members also exchanged ideas on how to present the ongoing efforts on trade and environment to Ministers at MC13.
The Chair, Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador, said that based on his consultations with members, many delegations noted that MC13 offered an opportunity to continue revitalizing the work of the CTE.
Many noted that MC13 preparations should build on the progress made since MC12. A suggestion was made for Ministers at MC13 to take stock of the progress made and to provide guidance on the way forward, including on ways of supporting developing countries and LDCs.
Several delegations expressed an interest of having ministerial deliberations on trade and environment measures, as part of the broader efforts of strengthening WTO's deliberative function.
