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Importance of trade for inclusive and sustainable growth to be highlighted at Rio+20 events (en)

12 junio 2012
ITC Noticias

There are new and innovative opportunities in trade for sustainable development and engaging in the green economy. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is highlighting some of the ways in which small businesses in developing countries can take advantage of such opportunities at a series of events it is hosting within the framework of the Rio+20 conference in Brazil this month.

ITC’s events will demonstrate where and how the green trade-related opportunities appear for developing countries and will also showcase business models which support sustainability and inclusiveness.  

‘Trade liberalization, environmental protection and socially inclusive development need not be at cross purposes. They can be mutually supportive,’ said Ms. Patricia R. Francis, Executive Director of ITC. ‘At ITC, our programmes begin with the assumption that win-win-win scenarios are achievable.’

Open and in-depth dialogue on trade and the green economy is needed to inform the Rio+20 dialogue. On 15 June from 9:30-11:00, ITC’s Trade, Climate Change and Environment Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) will co-host the event ‘Green Economy and Trade: Assessing risks and opportunities’ at the Riocentro Convention Center. The hosts will present the results of a joint study which has mapped and analysed existing and potential trade-related opportunities for developing countries in the transition to a green economy. This event will be followed up on 18 June with a full-day multi-stakeholder dialogue on Trade Opportunities in the Context of a Green Economy Transition, at the Hotel Othon Palace, Copacabana. The results of these events will complement further discussions on policy reforms that can create and strengthen developing countries’ capacity to benefit from green trade opportunities.

On 17 June from 14:00-17:30, at the Windsor Barra Hotel, ITC’s Poor Communities and Trade Programme will host a session within the UN Global Compact’s Corporate Sustainability Forum which will demonstrate that doing good and making a profit is possible for businesses. Using the case study of the Ethical Fashion Initiative, ‘Good Business Models for a Sustainable Future’ will showcase the feasibility of business models being constructed to integrate marginalised communities. ITC and its partners will launch an International Advisory Committee which will review small business plans with a goal towards creating business partnerships that are fairer, greener and benefit the poorest of the poor.

For more information on ITC’s Trade, Climate Change and Environment Programme, please visit http://www.intracen.org/projects/tccep/.  For more information on ITC’s Poor Communities and Trade Programme, please visit http://www.intracen.org/exporters/ethical-fashion/.

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