UNCTAD, in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Trade Centre and the World Trade Organization, will jointly host the “Trade House pavilion” at the 28th UN climate change conference (COP28) to spark discussions and advance consensus on trade-related measures that can help drive both climate and sustainable development actions.
COP28 is slated for 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the pavilion will bring trade and climate policymakers and experts together for the first time in a UN climate conference.
UNCTAD will also contribute to the COP28 Trade Day on 4 December, the first time the climate summit will dedicate an entire day to discussions on trade’s role in climate action.
“Climate and trade policies need to work together. As the world is coping with the devastating effects of global warming, it’s time for trade to play its role in shaping climate action that fosters inclusive and sustainable development,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said.
“This starts with the international organizations with a trade mandate joining forces, and UNCTAD is pleased to work with our partners to host this first Trade House pavilion at COP28,” she added.
The pavilion will showcase how trade-led development can bolster climate action using coordinated and inclusive approaches to accelerate a global just transition to a low-carbon economy. It will also offer a platform for knowledge exchange and co-creation of pro-development solutions among stakeholders from across the globe.
It will comprise expert panel discussions on topics such as ensuring a just energy transition from a development perspective, South-South trade in environmentally preferable goods and services, and trade-related measures to advance the implementation of nationally determined contributions.
Panellists will also discuss services that support the energy transition, the role of plastic substitutes, sustainable investment, finance and the blue economy in supporting the just transition, among others.