Implementingthe Planning Phase

of the Project

Building Capacity for Improved Policy Making and Negotiation on Key Trade and Environment Issues

UNCTAD

Inter-regional Consultative Meeting Geneva, 30 September 1- October 2002

Presentation byUlrich HOFFMANN

UNCTAD secretariat

Abstract

Roadmap of the planning phase of the project

Important issues in selecting the most suitable subjects for project implementation

Short overview of project

Objectives of the inter-regional consultative meeting

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Objectives of the Project• Facilitate a process of improving policy co-ordination and developing

holistic approaches to key T&E issues, bearing in mind developmental needs.

• Assist the core countries in developing and implementing practical and meaningful legal and policy initiatives in at least one specific T&E issue.

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• Assist interested DCs in participating effectively in post-Doha negotiations and discussions on T&E.

• Contribute to consensus building at the regional level, aimed at strengthening DCs voices in international discussions and negotiations.

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Background

• Preparatory phase from May – November 2002 that aims at: (i) selecting beneficiary countries; (ii) identifying suitable subjects for project implementation in each region.

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UNCTAD

• The project will be jointly backstopped by UNCTAD (for a South-East Asian and Central American/Caribbean group of countries) and by FIELD (for an African group of countries).

• The project is a follow-up to the UNCTAD/FIELD project on strengthening research and policy-making capacity on trade and environment, which was implemented between 1999 and 2001 and involved 10 DC: Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.

• Project will be funded by DFID.

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Structure of Project Activities

Three regional clusters worldwide (Asia, Africa, LA).

Core country (in consultation with partner countries) proposes two subjects: - for national policy dialogue aimed at developing and implementing a

coherent/holistic policy package; - for sub-regional policy dialogues exchanging national experience on

the subjects and facilitating consensus building as regards international trade and environment negotiations.

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Layout at regional level: - as a function of selected subjects - one or more core countries in each region; - core country(ies) exchange policy experience and identify issues/activities of common interest with some 4-5 partner countries in the region.

On one subject, identifying and starting to implement practical and meaningful policy measures.

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Added Value of Project Activities7

Building of regional coalitions through regional policy dialogues.

Inter-disciplinary and inter-ministerial process, based on multi-stakeholder consultations.

Active involvement of the private sector in all project activities.

Training activities will supplement national policy dialogue.

Regular involvement of Geneva-based trade and environment negotiators in national policy dialogue.

Linking three areas: (i) country-level changes in specific trade and environment issues; (ii) role of environment in enabling trade; and (iii) WTO and the environment.

Possible Themes [1]

Cluster IPost-Doha Issues

Relationship between MEAs and WTO rulesEnvironmental measures and market accessTRIPS, environment and traditional knowledge

In addition, enhancing understanding ofFurther liberalization of environmental goods & servicesFishery subsidies …Harnessing “win-win-win” options …Environmental labeling Agriculture and environment …Integrated assessment of trade policies

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Possible Themes [2]

Cluster IIIssues Arising from Previous Project

Promoting trading opportunities for environmentally preferable products, such as organic produce, natural fibers etc.

Improving market access for agricultural and tropical products by enhancing capacities to respond to environmental and health requirements in export markets.

Preservation of bio-diversity, access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing and systems for the protection of TK.

Encouraging sustainable management of materials and natural resources, including material/resource recovery.

Project Activities10

National policy dialogues to facilitate policy-coordination, preferably based on a multi-stakeholder process;

Regional policy dialogues that exchange national experience and facilitate consensus building as regards international trade and environment negotiations;

Customized training workshops for specific stakeholders, based on national case studies in core and partner countries;

Research, analytical and briefing papers.

In Asia:CBTF country project in Cambodia, focusing on agricultural sector, in particular organic agriculture, including certification issues;

In Africa:CBTF country project in Mozambique, with linkages to other Lusophone countries. Needs assessment is currently under way.Various JITAP activities …

In Latin America:In co-operation with the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), provision of CBTF training workshops.

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Synergies with CBTF and other UNCTAD Activities

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Planning Phase: Comprehensive Needs Assessment

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May End of November

July

September Selection of suitable subjects; regional consul. meetings

Mid-November

Regional consultations; country selection; identification of national focal points

Regional scoping papers; inter-regional consultative meeting

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Leading to the Regional Consultative Meetings

Between now and mid-November: Decisive period of second thought on selection of most suitable subjects.

Consultants will revise scoping papers to facilitate and reflect the further brainstorming process on theme selection.

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There should be further internal consultations in core and partner countries on the selection of suitable subjects.

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Reminder of ownership of the process – this will be your selection, for your activities, and for your benefit.Themes should be defined as specifically as possible and have a sectoral/commodity group focus, if appropriate.Number of core countries and country groups in each region are a function of the theme selection (i.e. some subjects might only be of interest for two or three countries). In one area, project activities should lead to practical and meaningful policy initiatives.Selected themes should primarily lead to endogenous action in beneficiary countries: Improving policy co-ordination and developing a holistic approach.Themes should be coordinated with other TA/CB activities in the region. For post-Doha Discussions/Negotiations: Selection of themes, for which regional dialogue and common interest might be important.

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Reminders for Theme Selection

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Objectives of This Meeting18

First occasion to discuss the draft regional scoping papers on suitable subjects; Dialogue between core and partner countries on theme selection; Giving further guidance to revision of scoping papers;Exchange of views on post-Doha discussions on T&E and their possible bearing on project activities;Develop a plan of activities for the rest of the planning phase in each region. Dialogue with DFID.

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Specific Website for the Project

www.unctad.org/trade_env/test1/projects/field.htm