Leveraging VSS to Strengthen APEC Member Economies’ Trade Partnerships and Economic Cooperation

In the interest of facilitating Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s role in promoting regional economic cooperation, there is a course of action to increase awareness of the incorporation in trade agreements, provisions related to sustainable development. 

These provisions can be included in a chapter devoted to sustainable development, environmental or social matters. However, the effectiveness of the design of these provisions in contributing to sustainable development may be debated. 

The 15^th APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) Conference is co-organized between UN Trade and Development and APEC to delve into this issue with a focus on Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS). 

The conference will address how VSS could be implemented and could contribute to sustainable trade, as well as the interaction, if any, of VSS with international trade obligations, including free trade agreements and WTO Agreements.

Objective of this conference

• Advance the APEC member economies’ understanding of VSS, including related opportunities and challenges of their implementation as well as how VSS could promote cooperation mechanisms among APEC member economies when VSS are based on science and follow internationally agreed methodologies.
   
• Analyze the interaction of VSS on the WTO Agreements.

The conference is exclusive to the registered participants from 21 APEC member economies.