INF/TE/SSD/CN/4  
27 August  2021 
(21-6476) Page: 1/6 
 Original:  English  
 
 
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRUCTURED DISCUSSIONS (TESSD)  
CONVENING NOTICE  
The following convening notice, dated  27 August 2021, is being circulated at the request of the  
TESSD Coordinators . 
 
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1.1.  TESSD will hold its next regular meeting on: 
• Thursday , 16 September 2021 from 15:00 to 18:00; and 
 
• Friday, 17 September 2021 from 10:00 to 13:00 (all times are Geneva /CEST) . 
 
1.2.  In keeping with TESSD's open, transparent and inclusive nature, all WTO Members are invited 
to attend and are encouraged to participate in the meeting.  
1.3.  The meeting will be held in hybrid form. All delegates wishing to attend the meeting in person  
must register via the interactive calendar on the WTO's homepage. Delegates wishing to participate 
virtually via the Zoom platform, including capital -based officials, must register through this link:  
https://world tradeorganization.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpc -CspzwtEtG0xHA29VxcnUAurVcE16p2  
If prompted for the following information when accessing the meeting, please enter : 
 
Webinar ID:  954 4949 7785  
Passcode:  16092021  
1.4.  To guid e the discussions in the meeting, the Coordinators  propose the following agenda : 
16 September 2021  
 
1. Introductory remarks by the Coordinators  
 
2. Thematic sessions  
 
THEMATIC SESSION 1 : SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE  
16 September 2021 – 15:05 to 16:30 
 
1.5.  The session provides an opportunity to review trade -related topics that arise in discussions on 
sustainable and equitable markets for food and agriculture. Speakers will address trade policy 
opportunities and challenges related to sustainable agriculture in the wider context of s ustainable 
development priorities, including food security, sustainable food systems, climate change and the 
protection, sustainable use and restoration of biodiversity.  
1.6.  Format : short presentations by i nvited speakers  followed by open discussion  (WTO Membe rs 
and stakeholders ). 
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  THEMATIC SESSION 2: TRADE -RELATED CLIMATE MEASURES  
16 September 2021  – 16:35 to 18:00 
 
1.7.  The session provides an opportunity to deepen understanding of the intersection between 
climate and trade policie s. Speakers will focus on the rationale and scope of trade -related climate 
measures, their implementation, implications for developing countries and the role of collaboration 
in the WTO to ensure mutual supportiveness and coherence between trade and climate regimes.  
1.8.  Format : short prese ntations by  invited speakers followed by open discussion ( WTO Members  
and stakeholders) . 
17 September 2021  
 
THEMATIC SESSION 3: PROMOTING TRADE IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS AND SERVICES – 
PERSPECTIVES FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  
17 September 2021 – 10:00 to 11:00 
 
1.9.  The session provides an opportunity to consider issues related to promoting and facilitating 
trade in environmental goods and services, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges for 
developing countries.  
1.10.   Format : short presentations by  invited speakers followed by open discussion ( WTO Members  
and stakeholders).  
3. Update on TESSD Draft Ministerial Statement (11:05 -11:30) 
4. Other updates (1 1:35-12:45) 
• New Zealand on fossil fuel subsidy reform (see WTO document JOB/GC/264)  
• Ecuador on pla stics 
• Australia on environmental goods and services (see WTO document INF/TE/SSD/W/16)  
5. Other business  
 
6. Concluding remarks by the Coordinators  
 
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ANNEX  
This Annex lays out relevant organizational and technical arrangements.  
 
1  ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS  
1.1.  In keeping with TESSD's open, transparent and inclusive nature, all WTO Members are invited 
to attend and are encouraged to participate in the meeting. Both Geneva -based and capital -based 
officials of WTO Members are welcome  to attend . 
1.1  In-person participation  
1.2.  The meeting will be held in Room S1  of the WTO . In view of current health guidelines, capacity 
in all WTO meeting rooms is fixed at 50%. Places will be allocated on a first -come, first -served basis. 
In-person attendance is limited to a maximum of one person per delegation.  
1.3.  Registration is mandatory for those wishing to attend the meeting in person. Delegates must 
register via the calendar on the WTO's homepage. The deadline for registration is 15 September 
2021  (Geneva/CEST) . A sample registration window for attendance at an in -person meeting is 
reproduced below:  
 
1.2  Virtual participation via the Zoom platform  
1.4.  The meeting will also be held via Zoom . 
1.5.  Simultaneous interpretation in the three WTO official languages  will be provided  on the Zoom 
platform.  
• In view of technical constraints, it is strongly recommended that virtual attendance be 
limited  to a maximum of three  persons per delegation.  
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  • All delegates wishing to attend the meeting  via Zoom , including capital -based officials, must,  
register through the following link:  
 
https://worldtradeorganization.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpc -CspzwtEtG0xHA29VxcnUAurVcE16p2  
 If prompted for the following information  when accessin g the meeting , please enter : 
 
 Webinar ID:  954 4949 7785  
 Passcode : 16092021  
 
• Please note that the deadline to register is Tuesday, 14 September 2021 (18:00 Geneva 
time/CEST) . Registration will not be possible after this date.  
 
• If technical difficulties result in delegations being unable to intervene virtually under a  given 
agenda item, the opportunity to take the floor will be given at an appropriate juncture  before 
the meeting closes. Should the technical problem persist, delegations may co ntact the 
Secretariat (tessd@wto.org) during the course of the meeting, either to send their statement 
for it to be read out during the meeting, or to request that the meeting be informed of their 
interest in the item under consideration and their intentio n to circulate their written 
statement to all participants after the meeting.  
 
1.2.1   Technical arrangements for Zoom attendance  
1.6.  Delegations are kindly requested to review and take note of the technical arrangements for 
virtual attendance as set out furthe r below.  
1.2.1.1   Before the meeting  
1.7.  Delegations are kindly requested to review and take note of the following checklist of technical 
arrangements for Zoom attendance:  
• Ensure your device has the latest version of Zoom Client  installed.  
 
• Wired internet connection is preferable over Wi -Fi, though not required.  
 
• Check for typical noise sources: air conditioning, fans, open windows, TV sets, pets.  
 
• Have a backup device or a mobile phone for dial -in at the ready.  
 
• Keep one operational microphone per room. Two or more active microphones in the same 
room may create a n echoing effect.  
 
• On Windows, please restart your computer on the day before your meeting to make sure all 
automatic updates are installed.  
 
1.2.1.2   Joining the meeting  
1.8.  Upon registration, attendees will receive an email message from Trade and Environmental 
Sustai nability Structured Discussions <no -reply@zoom.us>  containing a link to join the meeting. A 
sample m essage is reproduced below:  INF/TE/SSD/CN/4  
 
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1.9.  When joining the meeting, attendees will be asked to provide a passcode. The personal 
passcode to access the meeting is contai ned in the same message that contains the link to join the 
meeting.  
1.10.   Please note that  both the  link and passcode are personal and should not be shared. Attendees 
will receive reminders one day and one hour before the start of the meeting. Please ensure that  your 
Zoom link can be easily retrieved, as you will not be able to request a new link after the registration 
deadline.  
1.11.   It is recommended that attendees connect at least one hour ahead of the actual meeting.  
1.12.   For easy recognition during the meeting, attende es are kindly asked to change their Zoom 
display names to:  
<DEL, LAST Name, First NAME>  
where DEL stands for an abbreviated form of your delegation or organization's name.  
1.13.   To change your Zoom display name:  
• Click on "Participants " at the bottom of your screen. The participants list will show on the 
right-hand side of your screen.  
 
 
 
• Hover with your mouse o ver your name, select "More" and then "Rename ". 
 
• Then type your new display name using the format specified above.  
 
1.14.   As soon as attendees have joined the meeting, they are kindly requested to mute their 
microphones for the entire duration of the meeting unless the Chair has recognize d an 
attendee to give them the floor.  
1.15.   To mute your microphone, click on "Mute" at the bo ttom or your screen.  
 
1.16.   Please note that simultaneous interpretation into the three official WTO languages will be 
provided during the meeting. To access interpretation:  
• Click on the " Interpretation " icon at the bottom of your screen  
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  • Select the language o f your choice.  
1.17.   Attendees using simultaneous interpretation should switch it off while delivering a statement.  
1.2.1.3   During the meeting  
1.18.   To request the floor:  
• Click on the icon labelled " Reactions " at the bottom of your screen.  
 
• At the bottom of the window, clic k the button labelled "Raise Hand"  
• Once the Chair recognizes you to give you the floor, please unmute your microphone and 
deliver your statement. Remember to speak at a moderate pace to facilitate simultaneous 
interpretation.  
• Once you have finished deliv ering your statement, please mute your microphone and click 
again on "Reactions", then on "Lower Hand".  
• If you have clicked the "Raise Hand" button by mistake, click on "Reactions" and then on 
"Lower Hand" to lower your digital hand.  
1.2.1.4   Meeting tips  
• Turn on an overhead/front light and face a window if possible.  
• Avoid backlight and frame your image and check the background – simple/neutral is best.  
• If you are speaking: keep any visual distractions to a minimum and replicate eye contact by 
looking to the camera . 
• Choose a quiet environment and reduce background noise (indoors in an echo -free place).  
• Use only one device at a time.  
• Adjust the headset (do not put the microphone too close to your mouth) and the volume of 
your headphones.  
• When taking the floor, talk d irectly into the microphone, without turning your head away 
and moving the microphone.  
• Speak clearly with a normal voice when you take the floor, at a moderate pace.  
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