WT/MIN(21)/6/Rev.1  
 
3 December  2021 
(21-9129) Page: 1/4 
 Original: English  
 
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRUCTURED  
DISCUSSIONS (TESSD)  
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL  
SUSTAINABILITY  
Revisi on 
The following communication, dated 3 December  2021, is being circulated at the request of Albania; 
Australia; Bahrain, Kingdom of; Cabo Verde; Canada; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; 
Ecuador; European Union; Fiji; The Gambia; Honduras; Hong Kong, China ; Iceland; Israel; Japan; 
Kazakhstan; K orea, Republic of; Liechtenstein; Macao, China; Maldives; Mexico; 
Moldova,  Republic  of; Montenegro; New Zealand; North Macedonia; Norway; Panama; 
Saudi  Arabia,  Kingdom of; Senegal; Singapore; Suriname; Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; United States ; Uruguay; 
and Vanuatu . 
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We, the Ministers representing the following Members of the WTO: Albania; Australia; Bahrain , 
Kingdom of; Cabo Verde; Canada; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; 
European  Union; Fiji; The Gambia; Honduras; Hong Kong, China ; Iceland; Israel; Japan; 
Kazakhstan; Korea, Republic of; Liechtenstein; Macao, China; Maldives; Mexico; 
Moldov a, Republic  of; Montenegro; New Zealand; North Macedonia; Norway; Panama; 
Saudi  Arabia,  Kingdom of; Senegal; Singapore; Suriname; Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom; United States ; Uruguay; 
and Vanuatu  issue this statement:  
Noting  the communication on trade and environmental sustainability in document WT/CTE/W/ 249 
that launched the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions in November 2020;  
Recalling that sustainable development and the protection and preservation of the environment are 
fundamental goals of the WTO, enshrined in the preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing 
the WTO;  
Recognizing  the importance of multilateral environmental agreements, including the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, the United Nations 
Convention to Combat  Desertification (UNCCD), the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity 
(CBD), among others;  
Underscoring the need for inclusive approaches that reflect the circumstan ces of the diversity of the 
WTO's membership and their specific development needs;  
Recognizing  that international  trade and trade policy can and must support environmental and 
climate goals and promote more sustainable production and consumption, taking into account the 
importance of a just transition and making progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development 
Goals (SDGs);  WT/MIN(21)/6/Rev.1  
 
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Stressing  the importance of environmental sustainability as a central issue for the WTO agenda and 
noting  the important work undertaken  in the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE), as 
well as other WTO regular Committees or Bodies where environment matters arise;  
Reaffirming  that the Structured  Discussions are not meant to duplicate other initiatives in the WTO, 
or indeed any othe r international or global initiative as well as existing WTO agreements and 
mandates;  
Highlighting the valuable inputs that stakeholders have given to the Structured Discussions on Trade 
and Environmental Sustainability, which have already served to enhan ce discussions by bringing  
scientific and data -based evidence to deliberations and reiterating the commitment to continue this 
dialogue and enhance transparency ; 
Noting  the recent and current efforts by a diversity of WTO Members to address and promote 
dialogue and information sharing at the WTO on issues where trade, environmental and climate 
policies intersect, including  on circular economy; natural disasters; climate change mitigation and 
adaptation; fossil fuel subsidies reform; plastic pollution; comba tting illegal, unreported and 
unregulated fishing and ensuring legal and sustainable trade in wildlife; the conservation and 
sustainable use of biodiversity; sustainable oceans; facilitating access to green technology; 
sustainable tourism; sustainable agri culture as well as trade in environmental goods and services;  
And also noting  other ministerial  statements1 on issues related to trade and environmental 
sustainability and understanding that nothing in this statement compels any supporter to join any 
of them; 
Agree to:  
1. Intensify our work on areas of common interest and to identify concrete actions that 
participating Members could take individually or collectively to expand opportunities for 
environmentally sustainable trade in an inclusive and transparent way, consistent  with their 
obligations;  
2. Launch dedicated discussions on how trade -related climate measures and policies can best 
contribute to climate and environmental goals and commitments while being consistent with 
WTO rules and principles;  
3. Explore opportunities and possible approaches for promoting and facilitating trade in 
environmental goods and services to meet environmental and climate goals, including 
through addressing supply chain, technical and regulatory elements;  
4. Identify and compile best practices, as well  as explore opportunities for voluntary actions 
and partnerships to ensure that trade and trade policies are supportive of and contribute to: 
(i) achieving a more resource -efficient circular economy; (ii) promoting sustainable supply 
chains and addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from the use of sustainability 
standards and any related measures, in particular for developing Members; and (iii) 
promoting and facilitating access to environmental goods and services, including 
encouraging the glo bal uptake of new and emerging low -emissions and other 
climate -friendly technologies;  
5. Identify challenges and opportunities for sustainable trade, including for developing and least 
developed Members, and encourage enhanced collaboration among participati ng Members 
in strengthening capacity building and technical assistance on trade and environmental 
sustainability, including through Aid for Trade;  
 
1 Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform and Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade.  WT/MIN(21)/6/Rev.1  
 
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  6. Support continued discussions on the environmental effects and trade impacts of relevant 
subsidies and the role of the WTO in addressing these;  
7. Adopt the Roadmap, and take steps to advance work, and commit to review progress after 
one year,  to take stock and with a view to adapting the TESSD work plan.  
 
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  WT/MIN(21)/6/Rev.1  
 
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ANNEX  
ROADMAP TESSD – 2022 
• February 2022 : TESSD meeting – adopt workplan to implement operational part of this 
ministerial statement.  
• April 2022 : TESSD meeting – implementation of workplan. Begin planning and preparations 
for high -level event.  
• July 2022 : TESSD meeting – take stock of implementation status of  this ministerial  
statement and need to adapt the workplan to achieve full implementation of this ministerial 
statement.  
• October 2022 : TESSD meeting – implementation of workplan.  
• December 2022 : High -level stocktaking event to review progress achieved (notably 
identification of good practices, voluntary actions and partnerships in the relevant areas) 
and adopt next steps towards MC13.  
 
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