Switzerland

<p>The International Trade Centre is convening the <strong>ITC Partnerships for Africa Day</strong>&nbsp;on <strong>12th June 202</strong>5 to celebrate its strong and growing collaboration with partners and beneficiaries across the continent. The event will serve as a strategic platform to showcase impactful initiatives and success stories, while addressing the opportunities, needs, and challenges that lie ahead amid current geopolitical shifts. It will also provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen critical partnerships with key stakeholders to promote a future proof and resilience driven regional integration process underpinned by the AfCFTA.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></p><p>Trade facilitation plays a critical role in fostering economic growth, strengthening regional cooperation, and enhancing trade connectivity. By streamlining processes, improving regulatory frameworks, and investing in both physical and institutional infrastructure, countries can unlock new trade opportunities, boost competitiveness, and support sustainable development. As global trade dynamics evolve, the importance of collaboration—both at the regional and multilateral levels—becomes ever more apparent. This session will bring together key stakeholders from international organizations and government representatives from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and beyond to explore how trade facilitation can drive economic transformation. Discussions will highlight:</p><ul><li>The role of regional cooperation in enabling more resilient and diversified trade flows.</li><li>The balance between hard and soft infrastructure in facilitating trade and improving connectivity.</li><li>The importance of common standards and regulatory alignment for ensuring interoperability and efficiency in global trade.</li><li>Insights from recent trade facilitation assessments and indicators, shedding light on progress and areas for improvement.</li><li>Lessons learned from successful trade facilitation reforms and their impact on sustainable economic growth.</li></ul><p>Through an interactive dialogue, this session aims to identify challenges, share best practices, and lay the groundwork for stronger partnerships to enhance trade facilitation and connectivity across regions.</p><p><strong>WELCOME REMARKS&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Mr. Dmitry Mariyasin</strong>, Deputy Executive Secretary, UNECE&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>KEYNOTE SPEAKER</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton</strong>, Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)</li></ul><p><strong>PANEL:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><strong>H.E. Mr. Galib&nbsp;Israfilov</strong>, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva</li><li><strong>H.E. Mr. Sharaf Sheralizoda</strong>, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Ms. Birgit Viohl,</strong> Head, Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF), WTO&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Mr. Gregory Lecomte</strong>, Head of the OECD Central Asia Unit &nbsp;</li><li><strong>Mr. Nurbek Maksutov</strong>, Counsellor on WTO affairs, Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN and other international organizations; Vice-Chair of the UN/CEFACT&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Moderator: &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Mr. Pierre Bonthonneau</strong>, Head of Trade and Investment Facilitation Unit, ITC</li></ul>

<p>The United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, a collaboration between UN agencies and organizations, aims to contribute to the SDGs through coordinated action in the fashion sector.</p><p>This event, moderated by Prof. Saman Sarbazvatan, will emphasize how women are driving positive change by leading businesses that prioritize sustainability, challenging and reshaping an industry often associated with unsustainable practices. Women entrepreneurs will give insights into how their work drives positive change in the fashion industry through improving labour conditions and remuneration, the empowerment of women in particular in marginalized and rural communities as well as through addressing environmental issues and driving a circular economy.</p><p>The event will showcase the solutions and innovations developed by women entrepreneurs from different regions and countries. Each speaker will be introduced by one of the UN organizations part of the Alliance and contribute to this event, showcasing how, though from different perspectives and entry points, the UN system is tackling the challenge of empowering women in support of a more sustainable fashion sector.</p><p>Hybrid event, register to join us physically in Geneva or connect digitally via teams.&nbsp;</p><p>TUESDAY, 2 APRIL 2025, 13:15 - 14:45 CEST<br>ROOM H207-8-9, Palais Des Nations, Geneva and online via Teams.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Join this webinar, co-organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), to learn about Aii's collaborative approach to decarbonization in the textile &amp; clothing sector, available climate solutions, sustainable finance mechanisms among others.</p>

<p>During the WTO Public Forum 2024 (10-13 September), the International Trade Centre (ITC) will partner with the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to host an immersive exhibition space on Indigenous Peoples’ unique contributions to trade, through traditional cultural expressions and fashion.&nbsp;</p><p>Register for the WTO Public Forum <a href="https://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/public_forum24_e/pf24_registration…; by 23 August.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Experience Space in the WTO Delegates Lounge</strong><br>Visit the exhibition to enjoy live demonstrations of weaving from Burkina Faso and ceramics from Brazil, kava tasting from Vanuatu, and displays of handmade products from across the world. Meet internationally acclaimed Māori designers and try your hand at weaving on a traditional loom before taking a virtual reality trip to explore the role of intellectual property in protecting traditional knowledge.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Public Forum sessions by / with ITC&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>10 September, 9:00-10:15 - Towards Ethical and Inclusive Trade: &nbsp;A Focus on Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Fashion, followed by the official opening of the Experience Space with the ITC Executive Director and the WTO Director-General; 15:15-16:30 - Upskilling Digital Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries&nbsp;</li><li>11 September, 13:30-14:45 - Women Exporters in the Digital Economy; Disability Inclusive Trade: Leveraging Digital Technologies to Make Trade Work for All&nbsp;</li><li>12 September, 9:00-10:15 - Digital Transformation: Empowering women entrepreneurs in government procurement&nbsp;</li><li>13 September, 9:00-10:15 - Trade for Stability: Leveraging Private Sector Innovation with ITC's Conflict Sensitivity Methodology; &nbsp;The Key to IFD: Maximizing Benefits for Developing and LDC Countries</li><li>13 September, 13:30-14:45 - Resilient and greener supply chains for cross-border e-commerce</li></ul><p><br><br>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>