RESTRICTED  
  
WT/CTE/M/69  
 
29  September 2020  
(20-6588) Page: 1/27 
Committee on Trade and Environment    
 
 
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3 JULY 2020  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE Regular) met on 3  July 2020, chaired by  
H.E. Mr Chad Blackman (Barbados ). The Committee adopted the Airgram, WTO/AIR/CTE/1 2, 
issued on 10  June 2020. The latest list of documents of the Committee was circulated on  
29 February  2016 in document WT/CTE/INF/5/Rev.12 . The Report of the last CTE  meeting, held 
on 26 and 27 November  2019 is contained in WT/CTE/M/6 8. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Contents  
1   ENVI RONMENTAL MEASURES AND MARKET ACCESS (PARAGRAPH 32 OF THE DOHA 
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION)  ................................ ................................ ..........................  4 
1.1   Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform  ................................ ................................ ...........................  4 
1.2   Other  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
2   MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (MEAS) AND THE WTO (ITEM 1 OF 
THE CTE WORK PRO GRAMME)  ................................ ................................ ..........................  6 
2.1   United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – 26th Conference of the Parties 
(CoP 26)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  6 
2.2   MEAs Dealing with Chemicals and Waste  ................................ ................................ ........  7 
2.3   Members' Experiences on Circular Economy and Plastics ................................ ...................  8 
2.3.1    Fiji: Discussions on Trade and Plastic Pollution  ................................ .............................  8 
2.3.2    The Philippines' Plastic Bank project  ................................ ................................ ........... 11 
2.3.3    Ecuador's National Strategy for a Circular Economy  ................................ ..................... 12 
2.3.4    Norway's Work on Trade and Circular Economy  ................................ ........................... 12 
2.3.5    Members' Discussion  ................................ ................................ ................................ 13 
2.3.6    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Report on Trade in 
Plastics, Sustainability and Development  ................................ ................................ ............... 14 
3   OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 17 
3.1   The Russian Federation's National Project on Ecology  ................................ ...................... 17 
3.2   Joint Ministerial Declaration on Trade and Environmental Sustainability  ............................. 17 
3.3   Webinar on World Env ironment Day 2020  ................................ ................................ ......18 
3.4   Briefings by Observer Organizations  ................................ ................................ ............. 19 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  ANNEX 1: STATEMENT BY UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)  ........  22 
ANNEX 2: STATEMENT BY THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)  .....................  25 
ANNEX 3:  ITEMS OF THE CTE WORK PROGRAMME  ................................ .........................  26 
ANNEX 4: PARTS OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION  THAT RELAT E TO THE 
WORK OF THE CTE REGULAR  ................................ ................................ ..........................  27 
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  ACRONYMS  
  
 ACCTS  Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability  
BRS Conventions  Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions  
CITES  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora  
CoP Conference of the Parties  
CTE Committee on Trade and Environment  
ESM Environment ally Sound Management  
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  
FAST group  Friends of Advancing Sustainable Trade  group  
FFSR Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform  
IISD International Institute for Sustainable Development  
JWPTE  Joint Working Party on Trade and Environment  
MC Ministerial Conference  
MEAs  Multilateral Environmental Agreements  
OECD  Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development  
PIC Prior Informed Consent  
SC Standing Committee  
SDG Sustainable Development Goal  
TBM Transboundary Movement  
UNCTAD  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  
UNEA  United Nations Environment Assembly  
UNEP  United Nations Environment Programme  
UNFCCC  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change   
WCEF  World Circular Econ omy Forum  
WCO World Customs Organization  
WWF World Wildlife Fund  
  
 
 
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  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  1  ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES AND MARKET ACCESS (PARAGRAPH 32 OF THE DOHA 
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION)  
"The effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular the least -developed among them, and those 
situations in which the elimination or reduction of trade restrictions and distortions 
would benefit trade, the environment and development."  
1.1  Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform  
1.1.  The representative of New Zealand , on behalf of the signatories of the Statement on Fossil Fuel 
Subsidy Reform (FFSR), said that a  group of 12  developing and developed Members had launched a 
Statement on FFSR at the eleventh WTO Ministeria l Conference ( MC11 ). The signatories had 
confirmed their intention to seek the rationali zation and phase -out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies 
that encouraged wasteful consumption, while recogni zing that reform needed to take into account 
the specific n eeds and conditions of developing countries and to minimize the possible adverse 
impacts on their development in a way that protected poor and affected communities. The 
signatories also recognized the importance of the WTO as a forum to advance discussions  to achieve 
ambitious and effective disciplines, including through enhanced transparency and reporting to enable 
the evaluation of the trade and resource effects of fossil fuel subsid y programmes.  
1.2.  Since December 2017, the signatories had organized informat ion-sharing events to raise 
awareness of the scale and impacts of fossil fuel subsidies, advances in methodology such as for 
national reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12(c) and the opportunities that reform 
presented. A wealth of information  on reporting on SDG 12(c) was available at the SDG 12 Hu b.2 A 
recent report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) titled "Exploring the 
Trade Impacts of Fossil Fuel Subsidies " set out the multiple pathways through which fossil fuel 
subsidies could affect competitiveness and trade at various stages of fossil fuel product value chains.3 
As noted in the report, the likely trade impacts of fossil fuel subsidies were important in m arkets for 
crude fossil fuels, transformed energy products, as well as non -energy but energy -intensive 
products. Markets for substitute products, such as those related to renewable energy, could also be 
significantly affected.  
1.3.  Prior to the COVID -19 outbrea k, the signatories had been  actively engaging with WTO Members 
to renew the MC11 statement for delivery at MC12. Their proposed approach included sharing 
information and experiences at the WTO, develop ing a supportive international setting for addressing 
these subsidies and assist ing domestic reform. Due to the challenges of COVID -19, outreach had 
been paused. For example, a seminar due to be held during  the week of the March 2020 meeting of 
the CTE had to be cancelled. However, the s ignatories were pleased  to speak on FFSR at a webinar 
organi zed by IISD on 28 May 2020 on Trade and Climate after COVID -19.4 As explained at th e 
webinar, the sharing of information and experience s was even more important following the 
COVID -19 pandemic. Countries were launching  stimulus packages of unprecedented size to assist 
the economic recovery. Governments were investing in infrastructure, supporting private 
investment, and considering tax policies to assist those affected by the economic consequences of 
the pandemic. All this – along  with low world oil prices – presented a window of opportunity for 
reform. Sharing information and experience would help. Signatories were planning events in the fall 
focused on FFSR as part of a green COVID -19 recovery.  They were looking forwar d to furthering 
engagement with Members who might be interested to join as signatories.  
1.4.  The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  reiterated that the issue of FFSR was dealt 
with in other forums such as the G20. Her delegation did not agree to link this issue to the WTO.  
1.5.  The representative of Norway  recalled that her country was  one of the signatories of the 
Ministerial Declaration on FFSR and a member of the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform (F FFSR). 
Her delegation supported efforts to discuss how the WTO could be part of the solution regarding the 
reduction of inefficient consumption subsidies.  
 
2 https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/platform -sustainable -development -goal-12. 
3 https://www.iisd.org/library/exploring -trade-impacts -fossil-fuel-subsidie s. 
4 https://youtube/HD7CdTw5GtU . WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  1.6.  The representative of the  Russian Federation  welcomed efforts on environmental protection 
and said that a good level of ambition and work had been  achieved  in other international for ums, 
including the G20. Discussions should be held taking into consideration the interest of different 
parties and based on consensus.  Russia had taken  an important step by deciding on the elimination 
of fuel subsidies i n fisheries. Fuel subsidies undermined competition and increased pollution. H is 
delegation expressed readiness to engage in consultations and recalled that the G20 was a more 
appropriate forum for consultations.  
1.7.  The representative of the Bolivarian Republi c of Venezuela  said that her delegation did not 
agree to deal with this issue within the WTO.  
1.8.  The representative of Switzerland  expressed support for the intention of rationalizing and 
phasing out fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption. To achieve the objectives set 
out in the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, action was required. Not only did fossil fuel subsidies have 
a detrimental impact on climate change, but they also had trade -distorting effects,  especially on  low 
emission technologies. The WTO was the right place to discuss this issue.  She invited all WTO  
Members to join this important initiative  and hoped that, by the next Ministerial Conference, a much 
bigger group would take forward this issue.  
1.2  Other  
1.9.  The re presentative of New Zealand , speaking on behalf of participants in the Agreement on 
Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) , said that in September 2019, the launch of the 
ACCTS initiative had been announced by New  Zealand, Costa Rica, Fiji, Norwa y and Iceland at the 
margins of the UN General Assembly Leaders ' Week in New York. Since January 2020, Switzerland 
had formally joined the initiative . A host of actions in the trade policy area could contribute 
meaningfully to combatting climate change and  other serious environmental challenges. The 
participants of the ACCTS initiative believed that trade and environmental policies had to be mutually 
supportive. The ACCTS initiative was intended to demonstrate in practical terms how trade rules and 
architec ture could be used to support climate and broader sustainable development objectives while 
generating momentum towards an eventual multilateral outcome. Since the ACCTS launch 
announcement, the COVID -19 pandemic had drastically shifted the global context. In responding to 
this crisis, governments and businesses around the world were taking or considering actions with 
potentially wide -reaching trade and climate implications. Against this backdrop, the aims of the 
ACCTS initiative remained as pertinent and si gnificant as ever.  
1.10.   ACCTS would include trade rules that would help achieve the objectives of multilateral 
environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement, and would facilitate increased trade that 
contributed to green growth and sustainable develop ment. ACCTS would be fully consistent with 
WTO rules and other international agreements. It would include measures in areas such as : the 
removal of tariffs on environmental goods and the establishment of new and binding commitments 
for environmental servic es; the establishment of disciplines to eliminate harmful fossil fuel subsidies ; 
and the development of guidelines to inform the development and implementation of voluntary 
eco-labelling programmes and mechanisms.  This instrument would be open for accessio n by other 
countries able to meet its obligations.  This initiative would be a pathfinder to multilateralism over 
time. Following the postponement of the first round of negotiations scheduled for March 2020, 
discussions had re -commenced using videoconferenc ing. The aim remained to conclude the 
negotiations on a high -quality agreement as swiftly as possible. New Zealand and co -participants 
remained committed to keeping the CTE informed of progress and were willing to engage further 
with interested Member s. 
1.11.   The representative of the European Union  noted that her delegation  had been a longstanding 
promoter of mutual supportiveness between trade , sustainable development and climate action 
objectives. Trade i nitiatives like ACCTS or the Environmental Goods Agreement could contribute to 
global efforts to mitigate climate change. Her delegation looked forward to seeing further details on 
the content of this initiative.  
1.12.   The representative of Switzerland  announced  that, since January 2020, Switzerland had 
formally joined the ACCTS  initiative . This initiative would send an important signal. The 
implementation of the Paris Agreement required a contribution from all policy areas , including trade. 
ACCTS was a concrete step in this direction. The urgency of the situation required rapid action and WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  tangible results should be achieved. Her delegation hope d that the negotiations would act as a 
pathfinder and contribute to strengthening the discussion on trade and environment al sustainability.   
1.13.   The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  noted that climate change issues were 
discussed under the Paris Agreement and could not be discussed or even open for interpretation 
under any forum other than the United Nations Framewo rk Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC ). 
2  MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS (MEAS) AND THE WTO (ITEM 1 OF THE 
CTE WORK PROGRAMME)  
"The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and trade 
measures for environmental purposes,  including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements (MEAs)."  
2.1  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – 26th Conference of the 
Parties (CoP 26)  
2.1.  The Ambassador  of the United Kingdom  said that , on 28 May 2020, the Bureau of the Co P, with 
the U nited Kingdom  and its Italian partners, had agreed on new dates for C oP26, which would take 
place between 1 and 12 November 2021 in Glasgow. This was a crucial moment for the world to 
come together and commit to a climate -resilient, zero -carbon economy. This meant more ambition 
to reduce emissions, to build resilience, and to cooperate and support one another.  In the wake of 
COVID -19, action through multilateral institutions was needed – including the WTO  – to support a 
clean, inclusive and resilient recovery built on the principles of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs . 
Despite the pandemic, the U nited Kingdom 's commitment to urgent climate action had not wavered. 
The work to protect citizens and repair economies  had to go along with actions on climate change. 
Coronavirus had provided a stark reminder of what happened when humanity 's relationship with 
nature broke down. The recovery was an opportunity to build back better and to protect and restore 
nature, whil e reducing exposure to deadly viruses and climate impacts.  
2.2.  The overarching goal at C oP26 was to raise ambition at the country level. While his delegation 
recogni zed the constraints that many countries were facing in light of the ongoing pandemic, it 
encourage d all countries to make every effort to come forward as soon as possible, and well ahead 
of CoP26, with more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions ( NDCs ) and long -term 
strategies. Coming out of C oP25, the Climate Ambition Alliance had brought toget her countries, 
businesses, investors and other institutions committed to reaching net -zero by 2050. The 
United Kingdom had  recently launched the "Race to Zero " campaign to build on this success and to 
encourage others to make the same commitment. The C TE was the place to bring together objectives 
on trade liberali zation and climate ambition and to ensure that these were mutually enabling. His 
delegation wanted to see the CTE facilitat e discussions on how to remove barriers to trade in 
environmental goods and services, encourag e innovation in the low -carbon and circular economies, 
and ensur e transparency in relevant policies and regulations. His delegation looked forward to 
working with the Secretariat and Members on achieving th ese goals.  
2.3.  The representative of Argentina  said that  her delegation  was committed to climate action and 
negotiation under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Argentina would continue to work to 
promote ambitious p rogress on this agenda to ensure a success ful CoP26. 
2.4.  The representative of Canada  commended the U nited Kingdom  for its leadership on climate 
change including the C oP26 presidency and efforts to keep ambitious climate action at the top of the 
global agenda,  even in light of the pandemic. His delegation looked forward to working with the 
United Kingdom in shaping C oP26 discussions and strongly supported the United Kingdom's efforts 
to advance transformative action across the five areas identified as requiring  special attention , 
including sustainable finance and the energy transition.  
2.5.  The representative of Switzerland  said that CoP26 was expected to finali ze the rules for the 
implementation of the Paris Agreement and would therefore be an important milestone. H er 
delegation supported the United Kingdom 's efforts to achieve an ambitious outcome at CoP26.  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  2.2  MEAs Dealing with Chemicals and Waste  
2.6.  The representative of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions (UNEP)  said that 
the fourteenth meeting of the C onference of the Parties (CoP14) to the Basel Convention , held in  
April–May 2019 , had adopted plastic waste amendments to the Convention with the goal of 
enhancing the control of the transboundary movements (TBM) of plastic waste and clarifying the 
scope of the Convention as it applie d to such waste. The amendments included:  
i. Annex II (new entry Y48) , which  made plastic waste, including mixtures of such wastes, 
subject to the Prior Informed Consent ( PIC) procedure as "Other waste ", unless these were 
hazardous (covered in Annex VIII , new entry A3210) or presumed not to be hazardous 
(covered in Annex IX , new entry B3011) ; 
ii. Annex VIII (new entry A3210) , which  clarified the scope of plastic waste presumed to be 
hazardous and therefore subject to the PIC pro cedure ; and  
 
iii. Annex IX (new entry B3011) , which clarified the types of plastic waste that were presumed 
not to be hazardous and , as such, not subject to the PIC procedure  (provided they were 
destined for recycling and almost free from contamination and othe r types of waste ). 
 
2.7.  The amendments had entered into force on 24 March 2020 for all Parties except those that had 
opted out . The new entries would become effective as of 1 January 2021.5 Webinars and technical 
assistance activities were also planned for Parties.  CoP14 had established the Plastic Waste 
Partnership to improve  and promot e the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of plastic waste 
at the global, regional and national levels and to prevent and minimize plastic waste  generation.  As 
of 25 June 2020, the Partnership had the following membership: 49 Parties, 1 non -Party State, 56 
observer organizations ( of which 13 international governmental organizations, 11 Basel and 
Stockholm Convention s Regional Centres, 2 governmental bodies, 10  non-governmen tal 
organizations and  20 industr ies). Delegations  were invited  to contact the BRS Conventions 
Secretariat  if interested in joining the Partnership . The first face -to-face meeting of the Partnership 
had been held in Seychelles  from 2 to 5 March  2020. Four project groups had been established  to 
deal with : (i) prevention and minimization ; (ii) collection, recycling and other recovery , including 
financing and related markets ; (iii) TBM of plastic waste ; and (iv) outreach, education and awareness 
raising. The fi rst meeting had agreed on the workplans of the project groups. A call for pilot projects 
would open in July 2020. France, Norway and Switzerland  had provided funding . 
2.8.  Several technical assistance activities had been carried out with the financial support of the 
European Union, France, Norway and Sweden , including  pilot project s to support Parties to 
implement the three  pillars of the Basel Convention (TBM, ESM and prevention of plastic waste, and 
cross-cutting awareness raising ) and to support plas tic waste management in remote and mountain 
areas . Technical assistance activities had also comprised the development of: v ital graphics on 
marine litter and plastic waste (together with the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP )), 
a plastic waste inventory toolkit , guidance on ESM of plastic waste and a compilation of best practices 
for the prevention of plastic waste.  Regarding C OVID -19, several tools were available in the BRS 
Conventions website, including technical guidelines on ESM of medical wast e adopted by the Basel 
Convention and factsheets on ESM of medical waste, including plastics . The BRS Conventions 
Secretariat was also working on the collection of information on best practices to manage medical 
waste in  light of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
2.9.  With funding from the European Union, Japan and Norway, scientific, technical and legal 
experts were developing guidelines and guidance , including an update of  technical guidelines on ESM 
of plastic waste and g uidance on the development of inventories of plas tic waste . The BRS 
Conventions Secretariat was also providing inputs to the U nited Nations Environment Assembly  
(UNEA) process  and the Ad Hoc  Open -Ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics . It was 
collaborating closely with the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, including through a M emorandum of 
Understanding  with UNEP 's Mediterranean Action Plan . The representative highlighted the 
impor tance of collaboration between the  WTO and the BRS Conventions. The BRS Conventions also 
collaborated with other organizations, including the World Customs Organization  (WCO) , 
 
5 Additional information on the amendments is available at: 
http://www.basel.int/Implementation/Plasticwaste/PlasticWasteAmendments/FAQs/tabid/8427/Default.aspx . WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  International Maritime Organization , Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and  the World Health 
Organization . 
2.10.   The representative of the European Union  welcomed the landmark decision under the Basel 
Convention to ensure that it would no longer be possible to export most plastic waste without the 
agreement of importing countries and without any consideration for its final treatment. The E uropean 
Union was completing changes to its legislation to implement th e decision  from 1 January 2021 . As 
the E uropean Union had stricter domestic measures for the export of waste than required by the 
Basel Convention, it would ban the export of plastic subject to the regime of the Basel Convention . 
2.11.   The representative of Switzerland  said that the international chemicals and waste regime had 
to be further developed to control new dangerous chemicals like  micro plastics  or wastes with global 
consequences.  The ongoing synergy process among the BRS Conventions needed to be further 
enhanced and deepened , and the international governance structure for the post -2020 period 
prepared and adopted. Geneva should remain the competence centre for international chemicals 
and waste policy.  
2.3  Members ' Experiences on Circular Economy and Plastics  
2.3.1   Fiji: Discussions on Trade and Plastic Pollution  
2.12.   The Ambassador  of Fiji noted that t he rising environmental, health and economic cost of 
plastic pollution was a concern for all countries. Given the need for more coordinated global 
action  – and recognizing the important trade d imension of this challenge – a growing number of 
Members had begun exploring whether and how the WTO could support national and global efforts 
to reduce plastic pollution and create a more sustainable global plastics economy.  On 25 November  
2019, China, Sr i Lanka and Morocco had co-hosted a workshop entitled "What role for the WTO in 
plastics pollution? " as part of the CTE's Environment Week. Attracting over 100 participants – 
including delegations, stakeholder groups and other international organi zations – the meeting had 
helped rais e awareness of the trade dimensions of the problem . In addition, the meeting had 
underscored the trade gaps in existing national and international approaches and had highlighted 
where the WTO could provide value added to these efforts.  
2.13.   She added that o n 9 February  2020, China, Fiji and Geneva's Graduate Institute had co-
hosted an infor mal consultation attended by 48 delegations . The consultation had underlined the 
strong and growing support for more focused discussions on plastics at the WTO . Three take aways  
had resulted from this consultation. First, Members agreed on the serious natur e of the problem and 
the urgent need to tackle it. All Members were already committed to reducing plastic pollution 
through specific commitments made in  United Nations  environmental processes and more broadly 
in the SDGs,  and many Members were already taki ng concrete steps at the national, regional and 
international level s to address it. Second, Members recognized trade's central role in the global 
plastic s economy, the range of trade and trade -related measures that were relevant, and the need 
to avoid frag mented or conflicting trade approaches. The WTO was the logical place to discuss the 
trade dimension of the challenge and to encourage greater trade cooperation. Developing more 
coordinated approaches – and avoiding a disjointed patchwork of trade measures  and regulations – 
was perhaps the greatest value added that the WTO could bring to the table. Third, Members  
highlighted the need to complement – not duplicate – other international efforts. The WTO should 
not try to address the problem in isolation. Rath er, it should be part of a larger solution by focusing 
on the trade dimension of the challenge and by working coherently with other relevant agencies, 
including the Basel and Stockholm Convention s, UNEP , the International Organization for 
Standardization  (ISO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) , as 
well as with intergovernmental discussions in the context of UN EA. Many delegations saw this 
initiative as one way to promote coherence between the trade regime and the wider global 
sustainability agenda.  Many delegations had supported the broad aim of launching a plastics 
initiative at MC12 which all WTO Members would be invited and encouraged to join. The rapid spread 
of the COVID -19 pandemic had overshadowed work at the WTO, inc luding on plastics. The challenge 
of plastic pollution had not gone away. Many delegations fully supported resuming discussions on a 
WTO plastics initiative as soon as it would be  feasible to do so.  As WTO work resum ed, the 
delegations of Fiji and China proposed  holding another open consultation alongside the November 
2020 session of the CTE to re-boot the initiative. In the meantime , it was suggested to create  an 
informal friends group to organize future efforts and bu ild support for the initiative.  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  2.14.   The representative of China  said that plastic pollution  was an important issue for both 
developing and developed Members.  Addressing the issue could demonstrate that the WTO was still 
relevant for emerging topics of concern for stakeholders . He invited Members to work together and 
engage in discussions at the WTO. 
2.15.   The Ambassador  of Sri Lanka  recalled that her delegation was a co -sponsor of this initiative. 
International trade policies should support national efforts t o reduce plastic pollution and 
consumption while encouraging alternatives. Such policies , which  were in place in many  countries , 
included: import restrictions on singe use plastics , standards and labelling on plastic products , 
extended producer responsibilit y schemes, deposit refunds  and product payback programmes, 
recycling targets  and taxes and fees on plastic consumption. Global value chains and policies 
promoting  a circular economy for plastics were also important . Signific ant progress had been made 
in tackling plastic pollution at different levels and the WTO could contribute to further progress . WTO 
rules did not prevent M embers from taking trade -conducive measures to address and mitigate plastic 
pollution both on land and  at sea. Plastic pollution had reduced the sustainability of fisheries 
resources. There were WTO negotiations on fisheries subsidies, but it was important to have 
complementary measures within the WTO to address plastic pollution. It was also important to 
provide trade -related capacity building for reducing plastic pollution in developing countries , with a 
focus on : technology transfer  for countries to adapt existing methods and introduce new ones; the 
creation of an enabling environment for  technology  transfer; sustainable transformation of waste 
material into usable materials; and global value chains involving plastics. It was important to assist 
developing countries in develop ing projects targeted at minimizing  the environmental effect of plastic 
waste an d its sustainable transformation into usable materials.  
2.16.   The Ambassador of Pakistan  highlighted that t he surprising bounce -back of the environment 
during the lockdown period should encourage the preservation  of the  environment by taking the 
right actions while recovering  from the impacts of the pandemic.  Economic activities should not be 
detrimental to the environment. With access to and use of proper technology and production 
methods, economic development c ould be achieved simultaneously with the conservation of the 
environment. Sustainable production and consumption were already listed as a goal in SDG 12. 
According to the UNCTAD report circulated for the CTE meeting , "constraints on the capacity of 
developing coun tries to manage waste were a major source of plastic pollution "6, plastic pollution 
had become a global issue that c ould only be addressed with concerted and coordinated efforts from 
each country. In its report, UNCTAD  had also found that  75% of all plast ics ever produced ha d 
become waste. Countries ha d started to act on their own to tackle plastic pollution , which 
demonstrate d the importance of this issue. The importance of the global plastic s economy on the 
one hand , and the costs of its pollution on the  other , were the real challenges. The WTO c ould play 
a complementary role to other institutions addressing this issue. His delegation looked forward to 
discussing the issue of plastic pollution and to explor ing possibilities for more sustainable and 
enviro nmentally friendly development approaches in developing countries.  
2.17.   The representative of Morocco  said that his delegation  supported the proposal by China and 
Fiji. The context of the pandemic had led to a new dynamic that could send a positive message on 
the topic. This dynamic represented great hope, particularly if it considered the technology transfer 
dimension.  
2.18.   The representative of Malaysia  welcomed Fiji and China's leadership on the trade and plastic 
pollution initiative and a more sustainable plastics economy. D uring the U nited Nations Ad Hoc  Open -
Ended Expert Group meeting on Marine Litter and Microplastics  in 2018, APEC ha d estimated that 
the impact of marine plastic pollution to the Asia Pacific region  amounted to  USD 30 billion. Around 
70% of all marine debris consist ed of plastic, mainly single -use plastic. All countries should observe 
and adhere to the Basel Convention to combat plastic pollution. This was also in line with SDG 14 
related to the conserv ation and sustainabl e use of the oceans, seas  and marine resources.  
2.19.   At the domestic level , Malaysia ha d launched  in 2018 a roadmap towards zero single -use 
plasti c by 2030. Th e roadmap provide d a framework to mobilize a mu lti-stakeholder approach to 
address this issue. As of 2020 , the Malaysian government ha d successfully closed 153 illegal plastic 
recycling factories.  Efforts among various agencies and departments  had been consolidated . To curb 
the importation of plastic waste, since 2018 , the government ha d enhanced enforcement at 
Malaysian ports. In 2018, 0.87  million tons of plastic waste had reached Malaysia , up by 59% 
 
6 See document JOB/TE/63 . WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  compared to 2017. The latest figures showed that 225 cargos containing plastic waste h ad been 
returned to  their countries of origin while 69 cargos were at the port awaiting  approval from the 
comp etent authority , as stipulated in the Basel Convention. His delegation  empha sized the urgency 
for strict regulations to control scrap plastic movement and for Members to adhere to the principles 
of the Basel Convention . 
2.20.   The representative of the European Union  said that plastic pollution – both on land and in 
seas and oceans – was a big environmental challenge. The international community had also started 
to act through initiatives in the G7 and G20; regional measures; MEAs , including the landmark 
decision on plastic waste under the Basel Convention; and UNEP and UNEA resolutions o n marine 
litter and single -use plastics. The E uropean Union had been supportive of all multilateral efforts on 
this front. There was a need to continue exploring additional avenues, including through a possible 
global agreement on plastics. Launching a spe cific WTO initiative on plastic pollution required some 
further thinking. When contemplating different multilateral initiatives, it was important to check their 
complementarity and ensure their usefulness . A possible WTO initiative should create positive 
synergies with ongoing international processes.  Solid coordination and cooperation with relevant 
international bodies and processes would be required . Ensuring transparency of national measures 
and the consistency between import and export measures  was important . A broader and deeper 
reflection on the overall role of the WTO in advancing environmental sustainability would provide a 
good context to have this discussion.  
2.21.   The representative of New Zealand  welcomed the leadership of China and Fiji on th is issue.  
This initiative aligned well with New Zealand 's view on the intersection of global environmental 
challenges and international trade, and the importance of tackling these issues within the established 
rules-based architecture of the WTO. The work towards a ministerial declaration on trade and 
environmental sustainability within an informal group would include thematic discussions on a wide 
variety of trade and environment -related topics. It was important to address both the upstream and 
downstream aspects of plastic pollution and the challenge of creating more efficient markets that 
would better align supply and demand.  As the key multilateral trade body, the WTO could add value 
by facilitating cooperation and improving transparency among WTO Member s on the trade 
dimensions, particularly the upstream causes of plastic pollution related to growing production and 
consumption. WTO w ork should support and complement work undertaken by international 
organi zations such as UN EP and the Basel and Stockholm C onventions.  
2.22.   The representative of Bangladesh  welcomed Fiji and China's leadership in this discussion. It  
was important to find solutions to the impacts of single -use plastic and to save the environment, on 
land and in oceans, with a view to ensur ing sustainable development. His delegation encouraged 
Members to think of alternatives to single -use plastic and reminded Members to follow the call of 
the U nited Nations General Assembly  Resolution o f 14 November 2019 on Natural Plant Fibres and 
Sustainable  Development.  
2.23.   The representative of Vanuatu , on behalf of the Pacific Group , expressed  support for the 
proposal of Fiji and China to initiate consultations and discussions at the WTO in support of other 
international efforts , including co -operative approa ches and assistance to developing countries. 
Plastic pollution had emerged as one of the world 's growing challenges. The interconnected nature 
of production and global trade in plastics had accelerated the growth of plastics around the world 
including in remote regions such as the Pacific. Plastics were finding their way into land , waterways  
and oceans. Marine pollution and discarded plastic waste threatened the sustainability of the Pacific 
and were considered one of the priority issues for the region. Pla stic pollution incurred significant 
environmental, health and economic costs and , if left un checked , could have irreversible  
consequences . Small vulnerable economies like the Pacific Members were struggling to cope with 
the safe disposal of plastic . In 2017, the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting had " committed to 
fast track the development of policies to ban the use of single -use plastic bags, plastic and styrofoam 
packaging and called on Pacific Rim partners to join and commit to action on addressin g marine 
pollution and marine debris, to maintain the environmental integrity of the Pacific Ocean for people, 
planet and prosperity. " This problem could not be addressed alone, and international co operation  
and collective action were critical. Trade playe d a critical role and the WTO could effectively 
contribute to finding solutions.  
2.24.   The representative of Canada  said his delegation  was committed to reducing plastic waste 
and pollution and advancing circular economy approaches. Canada was implementing a ran ge of 
complementary measures across the plastics value chain to achie ve its vision of zero plastic waste WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  by 2030 and to contribute to strengthened management of plastic resources globally. His delegation 
thanked  UNCTAD for preparing the report and China an d Fiji for circulating it. The report provided 
useful context and background on trade and plastics, including the impact on both developed and 
developing countries.  His delegation  remained open to discussing the role that WTO Members could 
play to address plastic pollution  and echoed New Zealand's point regarding the ministerial declaration 
on trade and environmental sustainability . His delegation requested  China and Fiji to provide 
additional thoughts on what role they would envisage for potential work on trade and plastics at the 
WTO and indicate how this would complement existing work in this area , including efforts underway 
at the United Nations . 
2.25.   The representative of Switzerland  welcomed efforts on how the WTO could contribute to 
reducing plastic pollution and a more sustainable plastic economy. Her delegation attached great 
importance to the question of circular economy and the reduction of environmental impacts from 
plastics , among other issues . Trade could play a supportive role in reducing the environmental 
impacts of plastics. Different policy levels came into play for implementing effective measures: from 
local (e.g . waste collection) to international ( e.g. reuse and recyclin g). This issue could be discussed 
in the context of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Environmental Sustainability that her 
delegation hoped would be establi shed soon.  Her delegation remained open for discussions on this 
issue and on how this work wo uld be taken forward . 
2.26.   The representative of Norway  said that her delegation  had also prioritized th e issue of plastic 
pollution . The WTO could play a role to achieve a more sustainable plastic s economy. Cooperation 
in the WTO could help to ensure that trad e-related policies were coherent, transparent and effective. 
The WTO could complement and support other international efforts, primarily the work of UNEA  and 
other organizations. It was important to avoid duplication.  
2.27.   The representative of the United State s said that her  delegation  would need time to consult 
capital officials on  this proposal , whose approach it found problematic . Some of the elements of the 
proposal appeared to focus on virgin plastic production, trade flows and global supply chains rather 
than on circular economy of recyclable materials, recovery and reuse. The WTO could support better 
environmental outcomes by taking a trade facilitative approach to reverse supply chains.  
2.28.   The representative of Turkey  noted that  it would be more difficult to trade hazardous plastics 
and other plastic waste  due to recent multilateral developments on plastic waste . The Basel plastic 
amendments w ould impact trade flows. In this context,  her delegation  intended to propose an 
agenda item in the WTO related to the plastic waste amendments . The issue was a matter of 
discussion at the OECD  too. Her delegation was  pleased that the topic was being discussed at the 
WTO.  As a Party to the B asel Convention , Turkey had  recently adopted modifications, wh ich had 
been developed  following the amendments and in cooperation with the private and public sectors. 
There was a need for guidance from the Basel Convention and time to effectively implement the 
policies. As a WTO Member and one of the leading internati onal traders of plastic scrap and waste, 
Turkey support ed the initiative and was interested in furthering the discussions on the 
implementation and the effects of the amendments at WTO level in the context of trad e. While the 
priorities of developing and d eveloped countries converge d, the issue underlined the importance of 
multilateral platforms.  
2.29.   The representative of China  said his delegation felt encouraged by the  many comments and 
suggestions  and that it would  continue to discuss th e issue and reach out to interested Members. 
The WTO could add value in addressing  the issue. This was important for future  generations . 
2.30.   The representative of the United States  reiterated that her delegation wished to consult on 
this topic. As had been made clear in prior meetings, the United States found this approach to 
plastics problematic and did not endorse it.  The WTO could better support environmental outcomes 
by taking a trade facilitative approach.  
2.3.2   The Philippines ' Plastic Ba nk project  
2.31.   The representative of the Philippines  commended Members with initiatives to promote 
environmental sustainability at the international or national level s. The Philippines, in collaboration 
with the Canadian government and the private sector, had launched a project known as "Plastic 
Bank". The project aimed to turn plastic waste into currency and reduce plastics in the ocean while WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  improving the lives of collector communities. Plastic Bank built ethical recycling ecosystems in 
coastal communities , diverting plastic waste  away from these marginalized communities and from 
other unfavorable destinations such as landfills, and into the circular economy, while also providing 
increased income opportunities and social benefits for these commun ities. Collectors received a 
premium for the materials they collect ed, which helped them provide basic family necessities such 
as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, and health insurance. The collected material was reborn 
as "Social Plastic ", which co uld be easily reintegrated into products and packaging as part of a closed -
loop supply chain. As of May 2020, there were around 980 registered collectors, providing increased 
income for over 3,000 household members. With an average monthly collection of ar ound 200,000 
kilograms  of plastic, more than 2.5 million kilograms  of plastic so far had been collected.  Her 
delegation welcomed collaborative efforts with Members and the private sector to tackle the global 
problem of ocean plastics.  
2.3.3   Ecuador 's National St rategy for a Circular Economy  
2.32.   The representative of Ecuador  said that Ecuador 's National Strategy for a Circular Economy  
was the result of a coordinated effort since June 2009 between the Vice Presidency , the Ministry of 
the Environment and the Ministry of  Production . The strategy was a key instrument to generate 
public policies for environmental sustainability.  In the context of the Ecuador 2030  Agreement , the 
government had signed the National Alliance for Circular Economy with some 180 companies in 
Augus t 2019. The goal was to support public and private circular economy initiatives in nine areas:  
(i) the use and industrialization of waste; (ii) eco -design ; (iii) cooperation  with academ ic institutions ; 
(iv) clean production; (v)  sustainable and resilient i nfrastructure; (vi) education; (vii)  sustainable 
business; (viii) progressive replacement of single -use plastic, and (ix) economic indicators. The first  
phase  of a White Paper on the Circular Economy  had been completed. It established basic principles 
and sought to place circular economy in the broader context of Ecuador's policy planning, 
development and management processes. The White Paper would identify actions to promote the 
circular economy alon g four main pillars : (i) sustainable production; (ii) responsible consumption; 
(iii) sound waste management; and (iv) policies and financing . 
2.3.4   Norway 's Work on Trade and Circular Economy  
2.33.   The representative of Norway  noted that many  plans and processes had b een put on hold due 
to the pandemic. Trade had been severely affected and  global value chains had been interrupted, 
and this had negatively affected trad e in waste. C OVID -19 posed new waste challenges.  A circular 
economy, including trade, was a prerequisit e for resource efficiency and green growth. Trade in 
waste was to a certain degree necessary because of the need to make use of adequate disposal 
facilities in other countries. At the same time, the Basel Convention underlined the responsibility of 
each Pa rty to seek to minimize the need for TBM of waste and to ensure the availability of adequate 
facilities for environmentally sound management of waste, preferably within its own borders.  A more 
circular economy was even more fundamental than before the pand emic. Norway  was developing a 
national strategy for a green, circular economy. The strategy would go beyond the existing  waste 
and circular economy policies and introduce circular economy aspects more broadly across sectors. 
Among the priorities was a more  circular economy for plastic products, strengthened producer  
responsibility schemes, possible partnership s with business and industry on single -use plastic and 
the promotion of circular consumption patterns in public procurement and by private consumers. 
The aim was to finalize the strategy in 2020 . 
2.34.   Combatting marine litter was high on the agenda and a key priority. Knowledge o n the 
sources, pathways and impacts of p lastic waste and marine litter was growing. Norway was working 
towards a new global agreement to combat marine litter. There was a need for a stronger, dedicated 
global structure to increase the effectiveness and coordination of international efforts in th is area.  
In 2019 , Nordic ministers had called for the development of a new global agreement to combat 
marine plastic litter and microplastics. Other regions had made similar calls, including the Caribbean 
Community ( CARICOM ) Heads of State meeting in the summer of 2019 and the 17th Regular Session 
of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment in the fall of 2019. A new global agreement 
to combat marine litter should be in place by 2023. Her delegation  would like to partner with like -
minded countr ies to advance this agenda at the 5th session of UNEA  so that it would take the next 
step in establishing a path towards a new global agreement. At the World Ocean s Day on 8 June 
2020, Norway, together with some 30 countries , had  launched a Group of Friends based at UN 
headquarters to combat marine plastic pollution. The Group of Friends intended to continue to 
advance efforts to find common understanding on how to address marine plastic pollution among WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  diplomats based at UN headquarters and capital -based officials . The Group of Friends would have 
technical -level discussions that include d building a deeper foundational knowledge of the challenge s 
posed by plastic waste, including the current work underway in various multilateral for ums such as 
UNEA. The work on circular economy and combatting marine pollution required many different 
solutions. One part of the work and the solution could be to raise awareness in the WTO and 
particularly in the CTE . 
2.3.5   Members ' Discussion  
2.35.   The representative of the United States  said that WTO Members could effectively contribute 
to reducing waste and creating a sustainable supply of renewable material s for global manufacturing 
through a trade  facilitative approach. Her delegation  looked forward to hosting a wo rkshop focused 
on the circular economy as part of the next in -person CTE meeting. The workshop would build on 
discussions held during the November 2019 CTE meeting following the tabling by her delegation of 
the unofficial room document "Circular Economy an d the WTO "7. As outlined in th is document , the 
circular economy required a supply chain that worked in reverse to channel end -of-life products to 
be de -manufactured  and r ecycled into scrap materials and then manufactured into recycled 
commodities. Panel ists from a variety of public and private sector organization s would discuss the 
role that trade policies had in promoting resource efficiency in reverse supply chains and how a trade 
facilitative approach to the circular economy could fu rther the economic and environmental interests 
of WTO Members.  
2.36.   The representative of Canada  said that fostering a circular economy offered new opportunities 
to advance common commitments to achieving the SDGs  and the Paris Agreement goals and targets. 
Canada was pleased to host the next World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) with the Finnish 
Innova tion Fund S itra. Originally planned for 2020, it had been postponed due to the COVID -19 
pandemic to 13 -15 September 2021. The event would be held in Toronto, Canada.  This was the first 
time that WCEF  would be held in North America. Finland, Canada and the Netherlands had recently 
announced details of events leading up to WCEF  2021. Sitra was organizing a virtual WCEF online 
event on 29 and 30 September 2020 to showcase how the circular economy could help rebuild 
stronger, greener and better  economies . This event would offer opportunities for third 
party -organized side events. The Netherlands would host a high -level WCEF event on 15  April 2021 
with participants online and in the Netherlands. This event would address the links between the 
circular economy and climate change and sought to position the circular economy higher on the 
agenda  of the UNFCCC  CoP 26 . These two events would culminate in and support WCEF  2021 in 
Toronto. WCEF  2021 would bring together business leaders, policymakers and experts to 
demonst rate how businesses could seize new opportunities and gain a competitive advantage 
through circular economy solutions, and to examine how the circular economy contributed to 
achieving the SDGs . WCEF  2021 would present an opportunity to explore the system ic-level changes 
required to move towards a global circular economy, including how trade rules and trade policy could 
facilitate this transition. Previous Forums had explored the topic of trade and circular economy with 
active participation from WTO experts.  At the WCEF  2021, the aim was to continue this dialogue, 
including by drawing on WTO discussions.  
2.37.   The representative of Costa Rica  said that her delegation stood ready to work with the CTE 
Chair to highlight the environmental element of trade as one of th e top priorities of WTO reform. 
Costa Rica was strongly committed to the multilateral trading system, especially regarding 
environmental issues. Her delegation was encouraged by the different initiatives that had been 
raised over the past few months. Costa  Rica was part of and supported efforts led by New Zealand 
under the FFSR process and had participated with Finland in several circular economy sessions and 
consultations. Her delegation also viewed positively the recent initiative on trade and plastic 
pollution. Interest in holding thematic discussions on specific trade -related environmental issues 
revealed Members' appetite to deliver concrete outcomes. As part of the group of Members working 
to advance a ministerial statement on trade and environmental s ustainability, her delegation saw an 
opportunity to work with ongoing processes and to bring individual initiatives under the broader 
trade and environmental sustainability statement and the informal working group foreseen in the 
statement. Given that issu es under discussion were interconnected, there was an enormous 
opportunity to discuss linkages collectively in a forum that complemented the regular work of the 
CTE. The CTE and the WTO had a fundamental role in the implementation of the SDGs. This role ha d 
acquired even more relevance given the circumstances imposed by the post -pandemic economic 
 
7 See documen t RD/CTE/153 . WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  recovery. Humanity was dealing not only with a sanitary emergency but also with an economic crisis 
and a climate change disaster. Her delegation was hopeful not on ly that there was a silver lining to 
these crises as humankind was reacting to facts and science, but also that the crises would be 
overcome with solidarity and compromise.  
2.38.   The representative of Switzerland  said that trade could play a role by providing th e scale a 
circular economy required by pooling supply and demand for reusable materials currently spread out 
in various markets. The WTO could support the circular economy by enhancing transparency and 
coherence of Members' regulations and lowering barrier s for green goods and services. Her 
delegation supported the work on circular economy and looked forward to engaging further on this 
issue.  
2.39.   The representative of the European Union  said that her delegation appreciated the workshop 
that the United States would be organizing in the autumn and the forum that Canada would be 
hosting in 2021. The circular economy merited attention and the European Union was open to 
following up on this i ssue at the next Environment Week which would be organized back -to-back 
with the fall meeting of the CTE.  
2.3.6   United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Report on Trade 
in Plastics, Sustainability and Development  
2.40.   The representative of UNCTAD , at the request of the delegations of Fiji and China,  noted that 
the objective of its report on "Trade in Plastics, Sustainability and Development" was to support an 
informed dialogue by Members when discussing links between trade and plastic pollution in t he 
context of the CTE and in light of the SDGs .8 Plastic pollution was one of the most pressing global 
environmental challenges alongside climate change and biodiversity loss. This was mainly due to the 
polluting effects of plastic production and disposal  processes on air, water and ecosystems, as well 
as on human and animal health. About 75 % of all plastic ever produced had become waste. The cost 
of plastic waste externalities plus the cost associated with greenhouse gas emissions from plastic 
production was estimated at USD 40 billion annually. Challenges around trade and plastics were 
related but not limited to: (i)  ecosystem pollution (air, water and land); (ii) health and safety impacts 
on all living organisms, especially during and in a post -COVID -19 pandemic scenario; (iii) impacts 
on roads, sewage and water systems; (iv) imports of hazardous and other plastic wastes without 
PIC; (v) insufficient waste management capacity  and the  costs of building such capacity and 
clean -up; and (vi) the need to expan d business opportunities for the provision of waste management 
services and for diversification towards plastic substitutes.  
2.41.   Developing countries were key players in the global plastics economy. Developing countries 
had surpassed the developed world in overall plastic production. The combined share of developing 
countries in global plastic output had risen from 43.5 % in 2009 to 58 % in 2018. Developing countries 
also accounted for half  the world's plastic consumption i n 2016, closely followed by developed 
nations (44 %) and transition economies (6 %). Two in every three jobs in plastic product 
manufacturing were concentrated in developing countries : the industry was estimated to generate 
7.7 million direct jobs in develop ing countries, compared with 2.9 million jobs in developed countries  
and 500,000 in transition economies. Lack of capacity in developing countries to manage waste was 
a major source of plastic pollution. The bulk of global macro -plastic leakage into the en vironment 
was estimated to originate in developing countries, mostly through the mismanagement of solid 
waste (e.g.  open dumping, incineration and inadequate landfilling). Improved and increased solid 
waste management and wastewater treatment coverage were  urgently needed to prevent plastic 
leakage into inland waterways and oceans , and to avoid soil and air pollution linked to disposal by 
incineration.  
2.42.   In the WTO context and over the past decade, the number of notifications of trade measures 
involving plast ics had increased at a rate of 28 % annually. From 2015, Members had progressively 
shifted to plastic -specific policies as opposed to horizontal measures including plastics. 
Plastic -specific policies (meaning those that mainly or solely target ed plastics) a ccounted for 86 % 
of plastic -related measures notified to the WTO in the 2017 -18 biennium , compared with 56% in 
2015-16. This trend was likely to  accelerate due to recent policy developments, including the plastic 
waste amendments  to the Basel Convention;  increased environmental, material s and waste disposal 
regulations ; and the implementation of extraordinary measures in response to the COVID -19 
 
8 See document JOB/TE/63.  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  pandemic.  The mix of plastic -related trade and environmental measures notified by Members 
changed with developmen t status. At the global level, measures related to technical regulations and 
specifications and conformity assessment procedures ma de up the bulk of notifications (57 %). 
Developed economies tend ed to rely more on technical regulations (67 % of their notifie d measures ), 
subsidies to private firms and greener procurement schemes (28 %). By contrast, policy tools such 
as import licenses and bans were commonly used by developing countries (37 % of their notified 
measures). This was not surprising as developing countries had less capacity to set and implement 
technical regulations on the large myriad of plastic products or to provide subsidies to shift 
production towards alternative materials, gr eener processes, or to support the expansion of waste 
management capacity.  
2.43.   When  considering  solutions, a key area of interest was the identification and utilization of 
substitutes that c ould perform similar functions to plastic but without its negative hea lth and 
environmental impacts. The proposed focus was on substitutes that were not based on fossil fuels, 
such as mineral or organic/biomass materials. Their use could allow for the reduction or phase -out 
of chemical  based polymers used in certain value ch ains, provided that sufficient incentives and 
demand emerge d, and that the imposition of restrictions on plastics and their use continue d to 
increase.  The list of plastic substitutes comprised many well -known materials, including  glass, 
ceramics, natural f ibres, paper, carboard, rice husk, organic wastes, natural rubber and animal 
proteins. Most proposed substitutes were propitious materials from a circular economy standpoint, 
as they were recyclable, biodegradable, non -toxic and sometimes reusable. These w ere the types of 
characteristics required  of current and future plastic substitutes alongside versatile industrial and 
tradable properties. Since many plastic substitutes were also labour intensive, changes in production 
and consumption patterns could  lead to the creation of green jobs. To effectively address the global 
challenges posed by plastic pollution, Member s had an opportunity to discuss and design the right 
multilateral trade and environment policy mix, including by internalizing the disposal costs  of plastic, 
promoting plastic substitutes, and expanding waste management capacity. Within the scope of its 
mandate, UNCTAD stood ready to support Members individually and in emerging efforts to cooperate 
on the trade aspects of plastic pollution at the W TO, by facilitating informed dialogue, providing 
technical assistance and exploring options for sustainability, substitutability and the emergence of 
new business opportunities. UNCTAD c ould also contribute by expanding research on the 
development dimensio ns of trade in plastics, assessing the potential for plastic substitutes and 
related industries and supporting the development of national circular, green and blue economy 
strategies to reduce plastic use and ultimately phas e out plastic pollution.  
2.44.   The rep resentative of the Philippines  extended her delegation's  appreciation to UNCTAD 's 
submission and supported UNCTAD 's recommendation to integrate discussions on plastic pollution 
and sustainability in the work of the CTE . The Philippines was among  the larges t producers of natural 
fibres such as abaca, coconut and pineapple , which had been included in the illustrative list of plastic 
substitutes highlighted in UNCTAD 's report . Trade policies played an important role in the nexus 
between reducing plastic pollution and promoting a greener and more sustainable environment. The 
WTO could serve as a key platform to carry forth this agenda – particularly drawing from SDGs 11, 
12 and  14. However, she noted that Members would need to define how the CTE discussions could 
be framed to enable the WTO to contribute.  Information sharing on national best practices, as well 
as receiving expert contributions from international expert agencies,  could set the stage for further 
discussions.  
2.45.   The representative of Guatemala  noted that UNCTAD's report  emphasized recycling and reuse 
of plastics. Although these concepts were important, they were insufficient when discussing the 
circular economy. Soluti ons for a circular economy in respect of plastics went beyond these actions 
and should include other measures such as redesign ing, innovati ng and eliminati ng certain chemicals 
from packaging and, in general, preventing plastics from becoming waste in the f irst place.  
Regarding sustainability challenges, leaked and uncollected waste s, including plastics, were the 
result of inadequate waste management , an especially challenging  issue for developing countries 
since most of them lack ed adequate infrastructure, waste -management laws and policies and 
education programs to promote the correct disposing of their waste. According to the World Wildlife 
Fund (WWF) , while most high -income countries had a collection rate of close to 100% for general 
waste, low -income cou ntries achieved on average only 39%. This underscored the urgency to 
improve waste collection and management in developing countries.  
2.46.   The statistics and data contained in UNCTAD 's document should be further disaggregated. 
The presentation of aggregate data  only for developing countries  might result in imprecise WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  conclusions  such as in paragraph 12 , which noted that "developing countries w ere the world 's largest 
producers and consumers of plastics and plastic products. " Disaggregated information from other 
sources showed that the three major global plastic producers were China with 29.4%, Europe with 
18.5% and North America with 17.7%. North America accounted for 21%, China for 20% and 
Western Europe for 18% of the world 's consumption . Latin America accounted for only 4% of the 
world 's plastic production and 8% of the world 's plastic consumption.  For countries like Guatemala, 
the lack of disaggregated data could thus result in inadequate recommendations and actions.  
Paragraph 13  of UNCTAD's report made  an inaccurate generalization of all developing countries by 
saying that " plastic production in developing countries grew at rates significantly above the world 
average in the first two decades of the 21st century " and as a result , "surpassed the developed world 
in overall plastics production ." The statement did not accurately reflect the situation in many 
developing countries  such as  Guatemala. Therefore, trends should be measured and analy sed based 
on disaggregated information.  
2.47.   On the other hand, p aragraph 19 correctly pointed out that appropriate definitions were 
imperative. The term "biodegradable " was regularly abused, resulting in misleading and false claims 
about  its real contribution to the waste problem. FAO recommended that the term biodegradable be 
accompanied  with the specification of the environment where biodegradation was expected to 
happen and the time scale of the process. Regarding plastic substitutes, the promotion and us e of 
such substitutes had to be carefully anal ysed and should be based on a complete lifecycle analysis. 
According to a publication by the Wuppertal Institute on the environmental impacts of bio -based 
materials, some substitutes based on biodegradable plastics required industrial composting for their 
degradation and, if not managed properly, would end up posing a new environmental problem. 
Truecost had estimated the e nvironment al benefits, costs and opportunities of improvement s in 
plastic sustainability and had found that substitution of plastic s in consumer products and pack aging 
could increase environmental costs and require d adequate waste management for a circular 
economy of such materials.  Finally, a UNEP report on bioplastics and marine litter  had highlighted 
that biodegradable plastics were like ly to take longer to biodegrade in a marine environment , where 
conditions , including on temperature , differed from those found in a terrestrial setting . For this 
reason, biodegradable plastics were not necessarily a perfect solution to the issue of plastic  litter in 
the ocean. Global prevention of litter, proper waste management and public awareness continued to 
be much more important tools to tackle marine litter.  
2.48.   The representative of China  noted  that the study was comprehensive and informative  and 
could support discussions on next steps.  Fiji and China and several interested Members had held 
discussions on this issue with  relevant international organizations such as  UNCTAD, UNEP  and the 
Basel Convention.  
2.49.   The representative of Argentina  noted that all contributions to know -how and exchange  of 
information were valuable and enabled stakeholders to look at the right strategies and approaches  
to combat plastic pollution and plastic waste and to analy se new trends in plastic production.  
2.50.   The representa tive of the United States  noted that there were areas in the report where 
additional information was desirable. For example, it would  have been helpful if the report had 
provided the sources of information in section 6 regarding plastic alternatives. Her d elegation 
welcomed the opportunity to provide substantive comments to support UNCTAD's work and its 
efforts to publish a balanced report on this important issue and asked if there  would be an 
opportunity to provide such comments.  
2.51.   The representative  of UNCT AD confirmed that comments could be provided  and welcomed 
further  engagement to make the report more accurate and balanced. Concerning the issues raised 
by Guatemala, she said that clarifications would be provided through bilateral channels. She referred 
to footnote 19 , which noted that Latin America and Caribbean  share in global plastic manufacturing 
and processing employment came at a distant second  place at 10 %, whereas Asia came first at 
53%. WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  3  OTHER BUSINESS  
3.1  The Russian Federation 's National Pr oject on Ecology  
3.1.  The representative of the Russian Federation  noted that the project "Ecology " was one of 
12 national projects approved by Presidential Decree of  7 May 2018. The so -called 'May decrees ' 
were a cornerstone of the work of all  Russian  governme nt bodies until 2024. The project was 
supervised at the Deputy Prime Minister level  and its  financing exceeded  RUR 4 trillion (over 
USD 55 billion).  The project had  five main element s: waste management, water, air, biodiversity  
and technologies. It included 11 federal projects and contained target indicators  and plans for t he 
liquidation of the 17 most harmful objects of accumulated ecological damage , including  abandoned 
enterprises  and places of industrial waste concentration. Waste  management reform had already 
started,  and the project aimed to increase t he share of city -dwellers provided with quality water to 
99%.  Among  the project 's aims and tasks were: (i)  radical decrease in air pollution level s in large 
industrial cent res (for cities and towns with the highest pollution level the ratio for the decrease was 
set at 20% ); (ii) preservation of biodiversity , including the creation of not less than 24 protected 
natural areas; (iii)  establishment  of a comprehensive system for solid mun icipal waste management, 
including the dismantling of landfills and restoration of the land where landfills were located  and the 
creation of conditions for recycling of all production and consumption waste; (iv) restoration of water 
resources , including a decrease in the volume of polluted effluent diverted into the basin of the Volga 
river and Baikal lake , the world's deepest lake and the reservoir of 19% of the world's lacustri ne 
fresh water; (v) modernization of the Russian industry  through  the project t itled "Implementing best 
available technologies" , the most expensive of the 11 project s with 60% of total investment ; and 
(vi) the achievement of 100%  balance by 2024 between forest disposal and reproduction . Russian 
forests represented 20 % of the world's forests  and had the highest absorption rate of CO 2. According 
to research by WWF, Russia was the only large State whose biological resources were growing , with 
the area covered by forest  having  increas ed by 79 million hectares  from 1995 to 2015.  In 2019 , 
Russia had acceded to the Paris Agreement , confirming that it attached great attention to the 
environmental agenda.  
3.2  Joint Ministerial Declaration on Trade and Environmental Sustainability  
3.2.  The representative of Costa Rica , on behalf of the Group of Friends of Advancing Sustainable 
Trade (FAST) , briefed the Committee about discussions for a proposed Joint Ministerial Declaration 
on Trade and Environment Sustainability. Not only had t he world had been hit by an unprecedented 
economic crisis beca use of the COVID -19 pandemic , but it also was at a critical crossroads regarding 
climate change. It was important to enhance e fforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development and recognize  international trade as a key means to implement the SDGs.  It was also 
important to implement multilateral environmental agreements, including the UNFCCC, the Paris 
Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity  (CBD) . Trade and environmental sustainability 
objectives and policies should be mutually supportive. Trade and trade policy could be key enablers 
for the necessary transition to a climate -neutral, more efficient and circular economy that promoted 
conservation and a more sustainable use of biodiversity, taking into account the principl e of a just 
transition. For these reasons, the FAST group considered that environmental sustainability should 
be one of the guiding principles of WTO  reform . In this vein, the group sought to advance the 
discussions on trade and environmental sustainabilit y by intensifying the exchange of best practices 
and experiences and working jointly with relevant international organizations and relevant actors 
proficient in the issues and who based their views  on science.  
3.3.  The FAST group was working on a draft Joint M inisterial Statement on Trade and Environmental 
Sustainability. The Statement 's main objective was to create an Informal Working Group to assert 
that trade, trade policy and the multilateral trading system – including the WTO  – had an important 
role to pla y in supporting the international community 's efforts towards achieving the SDGs  and 
international environmental commitments through forward -looking, focused, systematic and 
action -oriented dialogue. The Informal  Working  Group would be able to host themati c discussions 
on trade-related topics such as climate change, circular economy,  plastic pollution, FFSR, 
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity . Moreover, it would promote engagement with a 
range of stakeholders, from the private sector and civil society to international organizations and 
academia  to enhance understanding of current challenges and identify possible areas of work within 
the WTO context. This was the most important value added of the proposal.  The purpose was to 
complement  the exist ing regular work of the CTE and other WTO bodies.  The initial target date for 
presenting the Joint Statement had been June 2020 in Nur -Sultan, but circumstances had prevented WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  this. The FAST group invited all delegations to participate in the Joint Statement process in the hope 
of raising interest among delegations in  joining it. The text had not yet  been finalized and would 
need to be adapted to the new realities of the COVID -19 pandemic, but th at did not change the goal 
of launching the Infor mal Working Group promptly to begin meeting as soon as possible, with the 
highest possible level of participation. The ongoing  global crisis highlighted the need  to increase the 
preparedness and strengthen the resilience of global value chains , as did clim ate change. E nsuring 
that global trade was better equipped to face climate change  was important. The FAST group was 
optimistic that  the current situation had given rise to opportunities for solutions and a heightened 
level of urgency.  
3.4.  The representative of  Mexico  support ed and joined the statement made by Costa Rica on behalf 
of the FAST group and acknowledge d its importan ce in fulfilling the SDGs. She noted the need for  
mechanism s to enable information exchange between WTO Members.  
3.5.  The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  thanked Costa Rica  for its update on the 
draft Ministerial Statement on Trade and Environmental Sustainability  but reiterated her delegation's 
position and concerns about including the issues of FFSR and climate change in the work of the 
Committee. Her delegation did not support t his proposal.  
3.3  Webinar on World Environment Day 2020  
3.6.  The representative of Barbados  briefed delegations on the webinar held on 4 June 2020 on the 
occasion of World Environment Day  2020 titled "Sustainable trade after COVID -19: Can we do 
better?"  The webinar had been organi zed by H.E. Mr Chad Blackman, Ambassador and Permanent 
Representative of Barbados in Geneva, w ith the support of the WTO Secretariat . The COVID -19 
pandemic presented  unprecedented challenges to the international community. It was also an 
opportunity to rethink the way economies were structured to embrace the nexus between societal 
well-being  and a healthy environment. For trade to  play a role , countries would need to enhance 
cooperation  at the WTO and in other international agencies.  The webinar  had brought together rich 
perspectives from the WTO Director -General and panellists from government, the private sector and 
international organi zations to address the following key questions:  (i) what was the role of 
sustainable trade after COVID -19?; (ii) how could global supply chains be rendered both greener 
and more resilient to environmental and other shocks? ; and  (iii) what concrete action could WTO 
Members consider to support and facilitate efforts to rebuild economies in line with the SDGs ? 
3.7.  The WTO Dir ector-General had said that "protecting the planet was not a luxury ; it was a 
necessity ". He noted that t he COVID -19 pandemic had drawn attention to the health crisis, along 
with its immense social and economic effects , and that growing environmental chall enges rendered 
societies vulnerable to natural disasters , disease and reduced access to resources. As environmental 
issues increased, it was the poorest who suffered the most. A collective response on trade that 
fostered sustainability, inclusiveness and r esilience was necessary to effectively  respond to the crisis.  
3.8.  A key takeaway from the webinar had been that the WTO and trade had important roles to 
play in steering the global recovery towards a sustainable course in the wake of the COVID -19 crisis. 
Panel lists had recalled  the role of the CTE as a global forum dedicated to promoting global 
cooperation on sustainable trade through the discussion of WTO Members' policies to establish 
circular economies, address plastic pollution and eliminate trade barriers on environmental goods 
and services . Panellists had encouraged WTO Members to intensify policy dialogue, invigorate efforts 
to make trade policies more supportive of sustainability and explore creative ways to make trade 
more resilient to growing environme ntal risks. COVID -19 presented an opportunity for Members to 
harness what they had been trying to achieve within and outside of the WTO. WTO Members were 
yet to conclude an agreement to liberalize trade in environmental goods and services. The need to 
rebuild and to address the climate crisis created a n opportunity for Members to revisit the mandate. 
Regarding the role of the private sector, participants noted the need to adapt to ensure that global 
supply chains were effective . The discussions had undersco red the importance not only of preserving 
multilateral rules to realize global and national wealth, but also of utilizing the current circumstances 
to deliver on longstanding mandates in fisheries subsidies and other issues such as FFSR, carbon 
markets and illegal and unregulated wildlife trade.  Regarding the impact of the COVID -19 crisis on 
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that were challenged by climate disruptions, the webinar  had 
highlighted the importance of trade in building resilience, creating jobs and supporting economic 
diversification as a means of economic recovery.  The importance of building capacity thro ugh Aid 
for Trade and helping developing countries to manage the green transition was another  key WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  takeaway. Regarding the question whether stakeholders could do better on sustainable trade after 
COVID -19, the answer by the panellists had been a resoundingl y clear yes. There was a clear role 
for the CTE  and the WTO in assisting with the pursuit of sustainable trade after COVID -19 and a 
clear commitment on the part of the WTO Secretariat to support WTO Members to pursue more 
sustainable trade.  Her delegation thanked the Trade and Environment Division of the WTO 
Secretariat for its support in organi zing the webinar and for its commitment to support Members in 
the pursuit of sustainable trade. Her delegation would continue  to examine the key takeaways from 
the w ebinar to ensure that the interests of SIDS could be taken forward. SIDS had been significantly 
affected by the COVID -19 crisis and continue d to be confronted by the impacts of climate change 
and other challenges related to the ir small size and high vulner ability.  
3.9.  The representative of Canada  thanked the Chair for his leadership in organi zing the event.  
3.10.   The representative of the United Kingdom  thanked Ambassador Blackman for organi zing the 
webinar, and for the invitation to be part of it.  As Deputy Permanent Representative Andrew Staines 
had noted in his remarks  at the event , rebuilding economies post-COVID -19 had to support a 
fundamental shift away from carbon -intensive energy  and a linear economy , and towards more 
sustainable and more inclusive eco nomies and societies. Many people had participated in the 
webinar , reflecting the high level of interest in what the WTO could do to support this effort and to 
make trade and global supply chains more robust, resilient and sustainable. Her delegation thank ed 
the Trade and Environment Division of the WTO Secretariat for making the event possible  and looked 
forward to being part of future activities.  
3.11.   The representative of Switzerland  noted that it was important that the WTO and the trade 
community supported g lobal efforts to implement the SDGs and address climate change. Trade and 
trade policies could help societies fulfill their needs and aspirations in the post -COVID -19 era by 
helping steer the economic recovery onto a more sustainable and resilient track.  The COVID -19 
pandemic had also highlighted the need to strengthen the resilience of global value chains and 
increase preparedness to face not only the global health crisis but also climate risks, including natural 
disasters. This was crucial and should be  an area  for future work . Her delegation supported enhanced 
cooperation between the WTO and UNEP. It ha d been almost two years since the ir joint high -level 
event.  
3.12.   The representative of the Russian Federation  thanked Finland, IISD, New Zealand, the WTO 
Secretariat  and others for their efforts in organizing four webinars  in May and June  2020. 
3.4  Briefings by Observer Organizations  
3.13.   The representative of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES)  briefed delegations on:  (i) the linkages between zoonotic diseases and 
CITES , and the role CITES could play in addressing the risks of zoonotic spill over ; and (ii) the impact 
of the current pandemic on CITES activities . Regarding linkages, t here were several link ages 
between zoonotic diseases and CITES.  First, i nternational trade in wild animals and animal products 
could spread diseases. Therefore, r egulation, monitoring and control of such trade were critically 
important to limit any risks of pathogen spill over – both to humans and to livestock.  Second, d isease 
outbreak s among wild animals could impact the population of that species. This could mean that 
trade that would otherwise be sustainable and ha d no impact on the species might no longer be 
possible because  of the pressure on the  population caused by the disease outbreak . Third, s anitary 
and phytosanitary regulations might themselves restrict trade in wild animals – as had been the 
case after the avian flu pandemic which had led to some countries to put in place bans on the import 
of wild birds.  Fourth, communities depending on wildlife trade for their livelihood might  be severely 
affected by trade -restrict ive measures – not only through trade in animal and animal products 
themselves but also wildlife tourism . 
3.14.   CITES regulated international trade in species of wild fauna and flora. The objective of CITES 
was to ensure that no plant or animal species went extinct because of international trade. Species 
were included under the control of the Convention based on b iological criteria and on whether they 
might be impacted  by international trade. Parties had been reluctant to expand the scope of the 
Convention to address objectives other than conservation and sustainable use. However, as the 
main international legally binding treaty regulating trade in wild animals , CITES had the 
responsibility to ensure that it did not contribute to future pandemic s and to prevent their WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  occurrence . Together with Parties and partners such as the World Organization  for Animal Health  
(OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , the CITES Secretariat was reflecting 
on ways and means whereby the Convention and its  various tools for implementation m ight be used 
to this effect.  CITES regulated trade from the source to transport and transit up to the destination . 
The goal was to identify the relevant points for intervention.  Under Article XIV of the Convention, 
Parties might take domestic measures with regards to public health . Some parties had  done so over 
the past months . As illegal trade was likely to carry more risks of zoonotic pathogen spillover, the 
CITES  Secretariat continue d to engage considerable efforts and resources  to support Parties in the 
combat against illegal wildl ife trade, in close collaboration with  partners such as the United Nations 
Office on Drugs and Crim e, Interpol and  the WCO. The CITES Standing  Committee (SC) would 
discuss this issue at its next meeting.  
3.15.   Regarding the impact of the pandemic on CITES ' work,  the CITES Secretariat had been able 
to maintain business continuity . Nonetheless,  its meeting schedule had been affected. The year 2020 
was the first year of the three -year cycle following the CITES  CoP meeting  in Geneva in August 2019 
and meetings of the  three permanent committees had been planned for this year . The meetings of 
the two technical advisory committees had been  scheduled to take place in Geneva over two weeks 
in July 2020. Following consultations, it had been decided to postpone the meetings until 2021 and 
not to organize them in online mode.  The focus had thus moved to  the meeting of the CITES SC 
scheduled for one week in early October 2020 in Geneva. The SC was the senior inter -sessional 
committee reporting d irectly to the CoP, with responsibility for making important decisions on 
compliance  matters, providing general policy and operational direction to the Secretariat and 
overseeing the implementation of the more than 350 decisions adopted by the 2019 CoP. It  was 
important for the functioning of the Convention that the SC remained active and operational, 
particularly in times of uncertainty. Given the uncertaint y in the evolution of the pandemic, it was 
unlikely that participants would be able to travel to Gen eva from all over the world for the meeting 
in October, so alternative options were being considered by the Committee and the Secretariat. A 
decision on the organization of the  SC meeting was expected shortly.  
3.16.   The representative of the Organisation for Eco nomic Co -operation and Development (OECD)  
updated the Committee on the latest developments of its work  on trade and environment . The OECD 
worked on trade and environment issues under the Joint Working Party on Trade and Environment 
(JWPTE), which had last met in February and virtually in June 2020. There were four main areas of 
updates: (i)  regional trade agreements (RTAs) and the environment ; (ii) trade and circular economy ; 
(iii) clean technology diffusion and environmental goods ; and  (iv) illegal trade i n pesticide s. 
Regarding RTAs and the environment, t he OECD had released a report in January  2020 on "Greening 
regional trade agreements: Subsidies related to energy and environmental goods ." The report , 
available online,  investigated ways that RTAs could i ncorporate environmental objectives in chapters 
and articles related to subsidies. The OECD aimed to finalize two other reports  on RTAs and the 
environment, one  on investments and the other on non -tariff measures related to technical barriers 
to trade and regulatory cooperation.  
3.17.   Regarding trade and circular economy, i n June 2020, the OECD  had published a new report 
entitled "The consequences of a more resource efficient and circular economy for international trade 
patterns ." The report, also available onlin e, modelled stylised policy package s on resource efficiency 
and circular economy to assess how economies and trade patterns would change in 2040. The results 
showed a future shift in primary and secondary materials. As an example, b y 2040, primary non -
ferrous metals were projected to decline by 35  to 50%. One -third of these effects could be attributed 
to the regional shift in production and to trade. The OECD was developing another paper on trade 
and circular economy policy alignment  which would be available later in 2020.  In February 2020, 
the OECD had organised a two -day workshop on trade and circular economy which gathered around 
130 participants , including government officials and experts from the private sector and civil society.  
There had been several takeaway messages . The first  revolved around the need to focus  on supply 
chains and on a just transition for the extractive sector. The second was that trade in waste required 
balance. While waste could be traded as a valuable resou rce to achieve economies of scale, there 
was a need to ensure its environmental ly sound management when reach ing its destination. Third , 
there were differences on how waste could contribute to the circular economy when considering 
capital -intensive goods v ersus fast -moving consumer goods. Finally, there was scope to investigate 
resilient value chains that work for the circular economy. This could include better classification, 
definitions, standards , customs framework s and new digital solutions and innovati on. Increased 
international cooperation in th ese areas was required.  Regarding clean technology diffusion  and 
illegal trade in pesticide s, the OECD Trade Directorate was working on two reports , one on trade as WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  a channel for green technology diffusion focus ing on wind turbines  and the other on tackling illegal 
trade in pesticide s through new digital technologies . Both  would be developed in 2020.  The next 
JWPTE meeting was  scheduled  to take place in  December 2020.  
3.18.   Due to technical difficulties, the representa tives of the United Nations Environment 
Programme (UNEP)  and the World Customs Organization (WCO)  could not deliver their statements 
orally during the meeting. Their written statements are contained in Annex 1 and 2. 
_______________  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  ANNEX  1: STATEMENT BY UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)  
UNEP RESPONSE AND PRIORITY ACTION DURING COVID -19 
1. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) stands in solidarity with the billions of 
people around the world that are suffering the impact o f the global pandemic of COVID -19. The 
transmission of diseases, like the Novel Coronavirus COVID -19, between animals and humans 
(zoonoses) threatens economic development, animal and human well -being, and ecosystem 
integrity.  
2. UNEP believes that faster pro gress on the S DGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change 
would have better equipped the world to face COVID -19 – with a healthier environment and more 
resilient societies and fewer people living in poverty. COVID -19 now provides the impetus to revisit 
our relationship with nature and build a better world. We see significant opportunities for 
governments to simultaneously address environmental objectives and ensure that recovery leads to 
more sustainable outcomes.  
THE UNEP COVID -19 RESPONSE STRATEGY FOCUS ES ON FOUR KEY AREAS OF ACTION:  
(1) To fight against pollution UNEP is supporting countries in managing waste, and particularly 
medical waste.  
Actions include:  
• Undertaking country medical waste management assessments . 
• Examining waste management legislation, and developing guidance to tailor it to 
COVID -19. 
Challenges  
• Promoting environmentally sound waste management technologies and methods – 
including the stop -gap solution of stockpiling waste and preventing open dumping and 
burning . 
• Supporting n ations to build new infrastructure for dealing with medical waste.  
 
(2) To respond to COVID -19 and avoid similar diseases in the future, UNEP contributes to 
developing science and policy options to better understand and respond to zoonotic threats. 
This includ es: 
• Investment in nature for improved human health, sustainable socio -economic  recovery, 
poverty reduction and livelihood recovery . 
• Supporting nations to deliver stronger commitments under the Paris Agreement, agree 
on the post -2020 Global Biodiversity Fra mework, and adopt the Post -2020 Chemicals 
and Waste Management Framework . 
• Raising awareness of environment and human health links, creating public support for 
green growth opportunities within economic recovery . 
 
(3) To ensure that investments in the aftermath  of COVID -19 contribute to long -term prosperity 
and resilience, the COVID -19 recovery will need to aim at "building -back-better ". To support 
governments in their greening recovery efforts, UNEP offers support via the following key 
actions:  
• Supporting count ry actions on the climate promise – repurposing energy, cooling and 
recovery investments to align with the Paris Agreement, in cooperation with UNDP and 
other partners . 
• Targeting high -carbon and resource -intensive sectors with actions that are job -rich; 
• Working with investors and Ministries of Finance to shift investments and subsidies 
towards nature -based and climate -neutral strategies . 
 
(4) To support the resilience of the multilateral environmental governance system, and to 
decrease  environmental impacts of global conferences, UNEP is reviewing the implications 
of moving environmental governance and multilateralism towards virtual, and thus lower 
environmental footprint, meeting platforms. In this context, UNEP published a number of 
policy papers and reports that are relevant to the trade and environment discussion:  
 
• Policy brief  on 'The implications of COVID 19 on Environment and Trade ': in the context 
of serious disruptions to global trade during to the COVID -19 pandemic, the policy brief WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  discusses some of the pathways to rebuild the trading system into one that is more 
resilient and sustainable. Among others, the policy brief highlights the need for fossil 
fuel and fisheries subsidies reform, facilitating Tra de in Environmental Goods and 
Services, and assisting developing countries in building resilience and greening their 
export sectors. An updated version will be available shortly.  
 
• Policy brief  on Aid for Trade: A Vehicle to Green Trade and Build Climate Resilience looks 
at the Aid for Trade as an opportunity and mechanism to support countries resilience 
and capacities to adapt to environmental shocks a nd disasters, to provide emergency 
relief and to re -establish a flourishing green trade sector.  
 
• Report  on 'Building Resilient Societies after the Co vid-19, Pandemic. Key messages from 
the International Resource Panel ' which provides policy recommendations to drive a 
resource smart recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic, generating socio -economic value 
while safeguarding the environment.  
 
• A new report on 'Preventing pandemics: new report on zoonotics ' will be released  in July 
2020 with key messages on preventing zoonotic disease in the future.  
 
3. All COVID -19 related information and publications can be retrieved via:  
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/working -environment -protect -people -uneps -covid-19-
response . 
UPDATE ON RELEVANT UNEP WORK:  
4. The Environment and Trade Hub is working on trade an d nature with the UKRI GCRF Trade, 
Development, and the Environment Hub ( 'TRADE ' Hub), a global coalition of research partners, 
NGOs, and think -tanks, on enhancing benefits of trade for people and planet. The five -year research 
project, financed by the UK Research and Innovation Global Challenges Research Fund, aims to 
enhance the benefits of global commodity and wildlife trade for biodiversity preservation and socio -
economic outcomes in developing countries. More information on UNEPs partnership with the U KRI 
GCRF Trade, Development, and the Environment Hub is available here. As an example of the analysis 
that this project conducts, a recent report published by Hub partners assesses trade -linked 
biodiversity impacts using new methods which allow for the assessment of specific habitat loss driven 
by commodity expansion. Impact  data linked to sub -national trade information via the TRASE and 
other economic models, allows to differentiate between impacts linked to domestic consumption, 
and to those linked to the export to different target markets. In this way, it we will show link ages 
between specific supply chains and animal population decreases. The study can be retrieved here. 
5. In the overall framework of the UN Partnership on Green Economy (PAGE), the UNEP 
Environment and  Trade Hub works with countries to promote the capacity of government 
stakeholders on sustainable trade and the environment, via online and in -person trainings and 
workshops. Current country led initiatives include:  
• A training in South Africa, on climate s mart agriculture and trade. The aim of the training is 
to increase the capacities of key stakeholders to recognize the economic and trade benefits 
from climate smart agriculture and act in support of implementing the Climate Smart 
Agriculture Implementatio n Guidelines. The training contributes to the uptake of climate 
smart agricultural practices and the promotion of sustainable products through trade and 
supply chains, in line with the findings and recommendations of the strategy.  
 
• A training in Guyana on Green Industrial Policy and trade, tailored to the priorities of the 
country to support the Guyana Green State Development Strategy: Vision 2040 Strategy.  
 
• This training will build on a UNEP -UNITAR Global course on Green Industrial Policy and Trade, 
that p romotes the ability of current and future policy makers to implement structural 
economic change for shifting production towards a more sustainable model.  
 
6. UNEP, together with IISD and OECD has developed methodological guidance for measuring 
fossil fuel sub sidies in the context of SDG indicator 12.c.1: "Amount of fossil fuel subsidies per unit 
of GDP  (production and consumption) ", as part of our role as the custodian agency for the indicator. WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  This methodology is intended for use by National Statistical Syste ms in compiling national estimates 
of fossil fuel subsidies. UNEP is currently developing training materials (both on line and off -line) to 
enable technical capacity building at a national level and show how to take the SDG 12.c.1 indicator 
methodology and apply it practically. This forms part of a support package that includes the 
development of a reporting template which will be used by national SDG focal points to report on 
the relevant data for the SDG 12.c.1 indicator. The data on fossil fuel subsidies generated from 
national sources will be consolidated in the SDG 12 Hub – an initiative by the UN custodian agencies 
of SDG 12, as part of a broader inter -agency collaboration to streamline methodologies and 
processes.  
OTHER RECENT UNEP REPORTS RELEVANT TO TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT  
• UNEP report  on 'Illegal Trade in Chemicals ', in April 2020, analy ses governance and 
markets of illegal chemicals and waste trade, while showcasing best practices and gaps 
in the enforcement of existing rules. The report aims to provide policymakers and 
competent authorities at the national, regional and international level, and community 
and other stakeholders in contact with these chemica ls with an authoritative source of 
information.  
 
• UNEP report  on 'Financing Sustainable Land Use For P eople  and Planet ' in February 2020 
highlights how to leverage and unlock private finance for sustainable commodity 
production, to improve rural livelihoods, protect forests and restore degraded land.  
 
• UNEP/FAO released  'The state of world 's forest ', in May 2020 assesses progress made 
to date in meeting global targets and goals related to forest biodiversity  and examines 
the effectiveness of policies, actions and approaches, in terms of both conservation and 
sustainable development outcomes.  
 
_______________  
 
 
 WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  ANNEX  2: STATEMENT BY  THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)  
1. The WCO highly appreciates the opportunity to address the WTO Committee on Trade and 
Environment on the initiatives that our Organization and the Customs Community have been 
undertaking regarding environmental protection and the promotio n of the S DGs. 
2. "Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet, " is the WCO 's theme for 
2020, under which the broader Customs community is focusing on its contribution towards a 
sustainable future where social, economic, health and environmental needs are at the heart of 
its actions.  
3. Since 2001, the WCO has been an active partner in the Green Customs Initiative (GCI), and 
through the WCO Environment Programme, we assist in strengthening Customs ' pivotal role in 
implementing and enfor cing trade -related MEAs in order to cope with the most urgent threats 
and in combat ting environmental crimes.1 A flagship WCO operation in this framework is the 
global enforcement operation "DEMETER " that will celebrate its sixth edition this year and has  a 
focus on waste.  
4. Moreover, the WCO continues to work with the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to review 
and identify the corresponding codes under the Harmonized System (HS) for waste covered by 
the Basel Convention. In recent editions of the HS, new  or improved provisions have been made 
for a wide range of environmentally sensitive goods .2 
5. Additionally, we have also started addressing the procedural aspects of the facilitation of legal 
goods that are "environmentally sensitive, " such as plastic wast e, e-waste or Ozone Depleting 
Substances.  
6. Customs capacity, in this respect, depends on the implementation of the WCO 's Revised Kyoto 
Convention and the WTO 's Trade Facilitation Agreement requirements and the adoption of a 
number of existing WCO standards and tools, such as the Post Clearance Audit principles, the 
SAFE Framework of Standards, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) scheme and AEO 
Mutual recognition agreements, giving the opportunity to the trade to become trusted importers 
and exporters of s ensitive goods.  
7. WCO standards offer the trade opportunities in terms of voluntary compliance and harmonized, 
simplified and rapid release procedures on the provision of minimum information for compliant 
companies.  
8. Moreover, other existing WCO tools like th e Data Model and Single Window Compendium 
promote digital collaboration, harmonization, automation, but also predictability, accountability 
and transparency. These are all principles that play a pivotal role to ensure the efficiency in the 
legal flows of TBM of waste, but also for second -hand goods and goods that more generally 
might comply with circular economy standards.  
9. In this respect, the WCO is closely liaising with Basel Convention Secretariat for the 
establishment of digital cooperation and exchange of information among the different authorities 
at the border for the TBM of waste, in particular plastic and e -waste.  
10. Lastly, we are glad to announce that the WCO 's Asia Pacific Plastic Waste Border Management 
Project is ready to kick -off. The Project will be implemented under the auspices of the WCO 
Environmental Programme and will aim to strengthen the capacity of Customs administrations 
to mitigate and appropriately respond to environmental threats in the Asia/Pacific region. It will 
have a special focus on the implementation of the Basel Convention.  
 
_______________  
 
 
1 Illegal wildlife trade, illegal trade in hazardous and other waste, ozone depleting substances, and 
illegal trade in timber.  
2 In relation to e -waste, the upcoming HS 2022 edition will be the first time that such w aste has been 
specifically identified within the HS, which foresees electronic waste that is used for the extraction of precious 
metals. We do not have specific codes for "second hand" goods, however we have a few for “used goods.”  WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  ANNEX  3:  ITEMS OF THE CTE WORK PROGRAMME  
 
Item 1: The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and trade 
measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements.  
Item 2:  The relationship between environmental policies relevan t to trade and environmental 
measures with significant trade effects and the provisions of the multilateral trading 
system.  
Item 3(a):  The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and 
charges and taxes for environmental purpos es. 
Item 3(b):  The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and 
requirements for environmental purposes relating to products, including standards 
and technical regulations, packaging, labelling and recycling.  
Item 4:  The provi sions of the multilateral trading system with respect to the transparency of 
trade measures used for environmental purposes and environmental measures and 
requirements which have significant trade effects.  
Item 5:  The relationship between the dispute settl ement mechanisms in the multilateral 
trading system and those found in multilateral environmental agreements.  
Item 6:  The effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular to the least develope d among them, and 
environmental benefits of removing trade restrictions and distortions.  
Item 7:  The issue of exports of domestically prohibited goods.  
Item 8:  The relevant provisions of the Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Right s. 
Item 9:  The work programme envisaged in the Decision on Trade in Services and the 
Environment.  
Item 10:  Input to the relevant bodies in respect of appropriate arrangements for relations 
with intergovernmental and non -governmental organizations referred to in Article  V 
of the WTO.  
 
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 WT/CTE/M/69  
 
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  ANNEX 4: PARTS OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION  
THAT RELATE TO THE WORK OF THE CTE REGULAR  
32.  We instruct the Committee on Trade and Environment, in pursuing work on all items on its 
agenda within its current terms of reference, to give particular attention to:  
 
(i) the effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular the least  developed among them, and those situation s in 
which the elimination or reduction of trade restrictions and distortions would benefit trade, 
the environment and development;  
 
(ii) the relevant provisions of the Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights; and  
 
(iii) labellin g requirements for environmental purposes.  
 
Work on these issues should include the identification of any need to clarify relevant WTO rules. The 
Committee shall report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference, and make 
recommendations, where app ropriate, with respect to future action, including the desirability of 
negotiations. The outcome of this work as well as the negotiations carried out under paragraph  31 
(i) and  (ii) shall be compatible with the open and non -discriminatory nature of the mul tilateral 
trading system, shall not add to or diminish the rights and obligations of members under existing 
WTO agreements, in particular the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures, nor alter the balance of these rights and obl igations, and will take into account the needs 
of developing and least  developed countries.  
 
33.  We recognize the importance of technical assistance and capacity building in the field of trade 
and environment to developing countries, in particular the lea st developed among them. We also 
encourage that expertise and experience be shared with members wishing to perform environmental 
reviews at the national level. A report shall be prepared on these activities for the Fifth Session.  
 
51.  The Committee on Tra de and Development and the Committee on Trade and Environment shall, 
within their respective mandates, each act as a forum to identify and debate developmental and 
environmental aspects of the negotiations, in order to help achieve the objective of having 
sustainable development appropriately reflected.  
 
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