Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) Statement by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS)

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) urges the TESSD to shift its format from presentations to outcome-oriented discussions to achieve concrete results by MC14. TESS suggests a more sectoral approach to circularity (e.g., textiles and electronics) and clean energy, while emphasizing the need for inclusive participation from developing countries, least developed countries, and small-island developing states. The statement advocates for the TESSD to act as an 'inclusive incubator' that complements the WTO's Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) and other multilateral bodies.

• TESS recommends that TESSD transition its methodology from exploring issues via presentations to focusing on specific options for collective action and concrete outcomes to be delivered by MC14.
• The statement suggests adopting a sectoral focus for specific workstreams: clean energy transition should incorporate energy access for developing countries, and circularity should focus on sectors such as electronic appliances and textiles.
• TESS proposes that TESSD serve as a non-negotiating 'inclusive incubator' to connect siloed discussions within the WTO and support the revitalization of the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE).
• To ensure the perspectives of developing countries, least developed countries, and small-island developing states are reflected, TESS suggests implementing flexible meeting formats and conducting a stock-taking exercise by the end of 2024.
• Regarding Environmental Goods and Services (EGS), TESS emphasizes the priority of addressing developing country interests, specifically technologies for energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and economic resilience.

APA

Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (2024). Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) Statement by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS). https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Statement-at-TESSD-January-2024.pdf?dm=1707857725

Chicago

Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs. Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) Statement by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS). 2024. https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Statement-at-TESSD-January-2024.pdf?dm=1707857725.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs |title=Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) Statement by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) |date=25 January 2024 |url=https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Statement-at-TESSD-January-2024.pdf?dm=1707857725 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{forumontradeenvironmentthesdgs2024trade, author = {{Forum on Trade, Environment, \& the SDGs}}, title = {{Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) Statement by the Forum on Trade, Environment, \& the SDGs (TESS)}}, publisher = {Forum on Trade, Environment, \& the SDGs}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://lyrical-cormorant.files.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Publications/TESS-Statement-at-TESSD-January-2024.pdf?dm=1707857725}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }