UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF > Programme for LDCs

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UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force for
Trade, Environment and Development
Brief Overview
Permanent Missions Geneva, 2 October 2001
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Activities

• Training raises awareness understanding
• Country Projects learning-by-doing policy
  analysis development
• Policy Dialogue to exchange of experiences
  creation of networks
• Thematic Research to identify innovative ways
  to meet challenges exploit opportunities
• Information exchange online dissemination of
  results practical interactive resources

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Beneficiaries

• Government officials including policy-makers and
  negotiators
• Private sector decision-makers and practitioners
  managing production of goods, commodities and
  services for export
• Academic and NGO experts with experience on
  sectoral issues
• Development cooperation officers seeking to
  promote sustainable development in countries
  undertaking CBTF activities

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Implementation has begun

• A call for proposals was issued in August 2000
• Over 50 requests for capacity building in the
  form of project proposals received from some 30
  countries
• Seven projects selected for first round
  implementation are now underway
• funding remains the only constraint to wider
  implementation

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Some current CBTF projects

• Assessing and responding to environmental effects
  of trade liberalisation (Lebanon)
• Utilisation of economic instruments for the
  sustainable use of natural resources (Indonesia)
• TrainforTrade Programme on trade, environment and
  development (Cuba, Vietnam and LDCs)

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Some current CBTF projects

• Workshop on enhancing production and market
  access of organic agricultural products from
  developing countries
• List potential environment and development gains

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Assisting Countries to

• assess effects and maximise net welfare gains of
  trade and trade liberalisation policies
• design and implement mutually supportive trade
  and environmental protection policies which
  sustain livelihoods and reduce poverty

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Assisting Countries to

• identify and comply with environmental and
  sanitary requirements in key export sectors
  (market access)
• access sources of foreign investment, including
  through mechanisms of MEAs, for the
  acquisition/development of ESTs
• identify and exploit trading opportunities for
  niche products, including various environmentally
  preferable products (EPPs)

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CBTF Programme for LDCs

• Supporting the LDC-III Programme of Action
  Commitments 5 6
• Implemented through a region language specific
  approach
• Building capacity on practical and
  policy-relevant themes
• Proposed pending funding

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Assisting LDCs to

• address trade and development issues in the
  context of national environmental management
  plans in LDCs
• sustainably manage natural and environmental
  resources while supporting growth in exports,
  sector by sector
• identify national trade-environment
  challenges/opportunities and develop strategic
  policy responses

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Assisting LDCs to

• Identify, secure and absorb environmentally sound
  technologies (ESTs)
• focus on small and medium-sized enterprises
  (SMEs)
• develop new national, regional and global
  multi-stakeholder partnerships

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UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF Contact points