!!Scroll down for the list of panelists of the event!!

Did you know that billions of people depend on biodiversity resources?

And did you know that the impact of biodiversity loss on their daily lives is becoming more evident?

And finally, did you know that the sustainable use and trade of biodiversity-based products and services provide economic opportunities while conserving biodiversity resources?

The BioTrade Principles and Criteria

In the trade sector, a fundamental tool for making biodiversity-based trade sustainable while safeguarding and sustainably using biodiversity are the BioTrade Principles and Criteria (P&C).

This set of guidelines is applied and promoted by companies, governments and other stakeholders to conduct the sourcing, production and commercialization of natural products under specific environmental, social and economic criteria.

Towards greater inclusiveness

Launched by the UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative in 2007, the BioTrade P&C have been now revised. After almost two years of global consultations, UNCTAD and its BioTrade partners are pleased to announce the launching of the updated version of the BioTrade P&C and present the new UNCTAD-ITC self-assessment tool for companies.

Building upon the experience of over 60 practitioners for more than 10 years, the updated BioTrade P&C now include new challenges such as the climate emergency, expanded coverage to include marine biodiversity and sustainable tourism, as well as the alignment with international agreements and sustainability targets.

By applying and promoting the BioTrade P&C, companies, governments and entrepreneurs are contributing to address the loss of biodiversity, generate livelihoods and build the business case for biodiversity.

Be part of the solution!

Whether you have a business, own a company or are a consumer, this event will be of interest for you. Come join us on 16 November and be part of the solution! Register here!

Other activities will follow this kick-off event as part of the promotional campaign for the 2020 BioTrade Principles and Criteria. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to keep up to date on the latest developments.

This work was developed under the Global BioTrade programme: Linking trade, biodiversity and sustainable development launched by UNCTAD in 2018 with the support of SECO Cooperation.

Panelists

Opening session:

• Ms. Isabelle Durant, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

• Ms. Monica Rubiolo, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland

• Ms. Ivonne Higuero, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

• Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) − video address

Interactive dialogue with:

• H.E. Mr. Diego Llosa Velásquez, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), Peru

• Ms. Kongchay Phimmakong, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (tbc)

• H.E. Mr. Stephen Fevrier, Ambassador, Permanent Delegation of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to the United Nations Office in Geneva

• Mr. Mathieu Lamolle, International Trade Center (ITC)

• Mr. René Gómez-García Palao, development bank of Latin American (CAF)

• Ms. Martha K Kangandjo-Negumbo, Eudafano Women’s Cooperative (EWC), Namibia

• Mr. Claude Fromageot, Groupe Rocher

• Ms. Maria Julia Oliva, Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

• Mr. Rudolf Lüthi, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation

• Mr. Suhel al-Janabi, ABS Capacity Development Initiative

Moderation:

• Ms. Lorena Jaramillo, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

• Mr. David Vivas Eugui, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)