Description/achievement of initiative
This programme builds partnerships to seize trade opportunities for linking biodiversity with sustainable development thereby advancing the implementation of the SDGs, particularly SDG 15 and 17.
Implementation methodologies
This programme is implemented over a four-year period from April 2018 to March 2022, with a substantive focus on contributing to the SDGs, particularly 15 and 17. Through this programme, UNCTAD will steer, manage and actively collaborate with partners and other stakeholders to implement programme activities that focus on three specific issues:
1. Increased coordination and knowledge sharing among stakeholders;
2. Enabled policy environment for BioTrade companies at the national and international levels; and
3. Facilitated market linkages for companies selling BioTrade-related products in partnership
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Under this partnership programme, partners are developing tools to enhance the capacity of BioTrade and biodiversity/trade practitioners to develop businesses and sectors under social, economic and sustainability criteria (BioTrade principles and criteria). It will:
- develop a knowledge management and sharing platform,
- conduct several webinars, on-line courses, events
- develop guidelines, handbooks and online tools
Coordination mechanisms/governance structure
The programme is managed by UNCTAD in cooperation with national, regional and international partners. The programme is supported by a Stakeholders Steering Committee (SSC), which is defines a 4-year Roadmap that will be updated based on progress, trends and priorities on an annual basis. It is implemented in tandem with related trade and biodiversity programmes undertaken by the International Trade Centre (ITC), Helvetas, Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), the GIZ/ABS Initiative (GIZ ABS-I), PhytoTrade Africa (PTA) and Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), BioTrade focal points in Andean, Mekong and Southern African sub-regions, among others.
Partner(s)
UNCTAD, ITC, CAF, UEBT, Helvetas, ABS Initiative, PhytoTrade Africa, environment ministries or agencies in the Andean, Mekong and Southern Africa regions
March 2022
