Trade and the SDGs Alison, SDD for IMTS Workshop,

Transcript:Trade and the SDGs Alison, SDD for IMTS Workshop,:
Trade and the SDGs Alison, SDD for IMTS Workshop, Nadi 2022 Trade’s role in sustainable development Historically, trade has proven to be an engine for development and poverty reduction by improving growth in developing countries. Open trade Economic growth Efficient resource use More resources to address other development goals (social, environment) Employment, poverty reduction, food supply Trade has cross-cutting effects in the economy and significant linkages to other sectors Some ways trade can accelerate SDGs Build supply-side capacity and trade related infrastructure in SIDS Focus on export diversification and value addition. Enhance the services sector. Flexible rules of origin to increase utilization of preference schemes. Ensure that non-tariff measures do not become barriers to trade. Make e-commerce a force for inclusion (including gender) Support micro, small and medium sized enterprises to engage in international trade. WTO SDG16 –Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions How trade links to the SDGs COVID19, SDGs and trade Some measures taken to fight COVID-19, are likely to increase the risk of NCDs in the long term. Trade and movement restrictions within and between countries, reduced availability and accessibility to healthier foods, and increased reliance on unhealthy processed foods. In addition, we saw increased abuse of tobacco and alcohol while being isolated at home and an increase in domestic violence. Fish supply, consumption and trade revenues declined due to the impact of containment restrictions on demand, logistics, prices, labour and business planning. Contradictions within the SDGs: As a way to achieve SDG3.4, Pacific countries have been urged to introduce sin taxes, such as on sugar. Yet others have argued that such taxes may affect employment (SDG 8.5), economic growth (SDG 8.1), and increase poverty (SDG1). Are sin taxes for health improvement at odds with employment and economic growth? SDG indictors which use trade data 3.5.2 Alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year in litres of pure alcohol Total alcohol per capita (15+ years) consumption (APC) is defined as: the total (sum of three-year average recorded APC and unrecorded APC adjusted for tourist consumption) amount of pure alcohol consumed per adult (15+ years), in a calendar year, in litres of pure alcohol. SDG 3.5.2 continued Recorded alcohol consumption refers to official statistics at country level (production, import, export, and sales or taxation data), while the unrecorded alcohol consumption refers to alcohol which is not taxed and is outside the usual system of