The UNCTAD Approach to
Voluntary Sustainability StandardsRESEARCH & ANALYSIS
UNCTAD supports the adoption of Voluntary Sustainability Standards in developing countries because they can improve access to more profitable markets. In this way, Voluntary Sustainability Standards can help grow the economies of developing countries which, in turn, leads to social development and environmental sustainability – as well as positively contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
But complying to Voluntary Sustainability Standards can be a big challenge, especially for smallholder farms and other small-scale businesses. This is because they tend to be costly and complex, and often people don’t know enough about them.
So UNCTAD aims to:
- Increase the ability of countries to boost green exports, and do so sustainably
- Establish a platform on Voluntary Sustainability Standards that leads to better communication and coordination among stakeholders
- Equip countries with better knowledge on Voluntary Sustainability Standards so they can use them strategically
Research & Analysis
Research and Analysis is an important component to support dialogues and policy recommendations with evidences.
Fostering Green Exports Case Studies
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UNFSS Flagship Series
UNFSS publishes a twice-yearly flagship report on diverse topics to do with Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS), our mission and activities, for our stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Visit https://unfss.org/home/flagship-publication/
UNFSS National VSS Studies
UNFSS have been involved in several ad–hoc research projects such as the National VSS Studies for country specific cases.
Andean Community VSS Study
Inter-Governmental Dialogue
Inter-Governmental Dialogue is an imperative feature that considers all possible tools to help vulnerable actors overcome VSS challenges. These challenges in itself opens many underlying risks and issues that needs to be addressed nationally, from a global perspective.
Fostering Green Exports Adoption of National Action Plan
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UNFSS International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards
The ICSTS creates awareness on the challenges and opportunities of VSS schemes such that the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) becomes the central reason to comply with VSS. It also provides a space for national and local stakeholders to participate in international dialogues that are strongly supported by the United Nations, particularly the five UN agencies behind UNFSS- FAO, ITC, UNCTAD, UN Environment and UNIDO.
Visit https://unfss.org/icsts/
Inter-Agency Collaborations
UNCTAD is the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS), an intiative of 5 UN Agencies – FAO, UNIDO, UNCTAD, ITC and UN Environment.
UNFSS
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National Platforms and Initiative Cooperative Network
The NPIC Network is a call for collaboration among National Platforms and National Initiatives across the globe to drive knowledge-exchange in the governance of sustainability standards systems.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Palais des Nations, 8-14,
Av. de la Paix, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland