Event: A New Direction for Aid for Trade: Promoting an Inclusive and Green Pandemic Recovery (en)

Tuesday, 23 March, 15:30-17:00 CET (Interpretation available: EN/FR/SP)
REGISTER HERE

As attention turns to managing the unprecedented consequences from the COVID-19 economic fallout, national recovery plans will be instrumental for accelerating the transition to a greener and more inclusive future.
Innovative policies and practical solutions needed to building back better for the COVID-19 recovery will be at the centre of a high-level session organized by Canada, the European Union, and the International Trade Centre (ITC) at the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking Event on 23 March.
A bold approach is necessary to make recovery plans work for all, highlighting that some countries, including developing and least-developed countries, have been hit disproportionately hard by the recession, as have certain groups, including women, minorities, youth and persons with disabilities.
The recovery will bring multiple opportunities for governments, citizens, businesses and consumers to drive change toward more inclusive and socially responsible production processes in global value chains and consumption patterns. Integrating green objectives in trade policy and in Aid for Trade can create a catalyzing effect for job creation and environmental outcomes. This will require a refining of the Aid-for-Trade approach, especially for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Speakers:
- Cécile Billaux, Head of Unit for Micro-Economic Analysis, Investment Climate, Private Sector, Trade and Employment, Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission
- Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre

- Kendal Hembroff, Director General, Global Affairs Canada
- Eunice Mutua, Chief Executive Officer, Select Fresh Produce, Kenya

- Don Stephenson, Trade and Investment adviser, Expert Deployment Mechanism (EDM) for Trade and Development, Canada
For more information on the session, contact fmooser [at] intracen.org (fmooser[at]intracen[dot]org)

The Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking Event (23-25 March 2021) highlights trade impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for Aid-for-Trade financing to support recovery and foster resilience.