Implementing the Planning Phase of the Project

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Implementingthe Planning Phase of the Project
Presentation by Ulrich HOFFMANN UNCTAD secretariat
Inter-regional Consultative Meeting Geneva, 30
September 1- October 2002
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Abstract
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Short overview of project
Roadmap of the planning phase of the project
Important issues in selecting the most
suitable subjects for project implementation
Objectives of the inter-regional consultative
meeting
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Short Project Overview
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Objectives of the Project

• Facilitate a process of improving policy
  co-ordination and developing holistic approaches
  to key TE issues, bearing in mind developmental
  needs.

• Assist interested DCs in participating
  effectively in post-Doha negotiations and
  discussions on TE.

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

• 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.

• 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.

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Structure of Project Activities

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

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Added Value of Project Activities

• 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.

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

• Active involvement of the private sector in all
  project activities.

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

• Training activities will supplement national
  policy dialogue.

• Building of regional coalitions through regional
  policy dialogues.

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Possible Themes 1
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• Cluster I
• Post-Doha Issues
• Relationship between MEAs and WTO rules
• Environmental measures and market access
• TRIPS, environment and traditional knowledge
• In addition, enhancing understanding of
• Further liberalization of environmental goods
  services
• Fishery subsidies
• Harnessing win-win-win options
• Environmental labeling
• Agriculture and environment
• Integrated assessment of trade policies

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Possible Themes 2
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• Cluster II
• Issues 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.

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Project Activities
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• 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.

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Synergies with CBTF and other UNCTAD Activities
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• 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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Roadmap of the Planning Phase of the Project
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Planning Phase Comprehensive Needs Assessment
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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.

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

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

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Important Issues in Selecting Suitable Subjects
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Reminders for Theme Selection
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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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Objectives of This Meeting
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Objectives of This Meeting
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• 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 TE
  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/t
rade_env/test1/projects/field.htm