In Peru trade and environment go hand in hand

Lima, December 4, 2006.- Starting from the premise that a well planned relation between trade and environment could contribute to sustainable development, four macro-regional consultation workshops were held in four cities of the Peruvian coast, sierra and Amazon from November 27 to December 5 on the National Trade and Environment Strategy. The initiative was jointly sponsored by the National Environment Council (CONAM), and the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR), with the support of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), and the US Development Agency (USAID).

The strategic view adopted by Peru in this Strategy, which is part of the 19th State Policy, consists of converting the country by 2011 into an important exporter of goods and services derived from its biological mega-diversity, genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in full compliance with environmental standards and international environmental commitments.

The National Trade and Environment Strategy is based on definition of eight basic points ranging from strengthening efficient environmental management in the trade and environment areas, to stimulating and strengthening actions to promote the sustainable exploitation of biological and cultural diversity as a competitive advantage in trade, with a fair and equitable distribution of the benefits. CAF also promotes these aspects through its BioCAF Program, which supports the development of markets derived from exploitation of biodiversity, through good environmental and social practices.

The workshops held in Iquitos, Trujillo, Lima, and Arequipa presented the results of consultations whose purpose was to define the key points of this important National Strategy. The workshops are designed to receive feedback from interested parties (local and regional government authorities, academics, private sector, sectoral associations, NGOs and other civil society groups) on the Strategy with the aim of reaching consensus on a final version in early 2007 for endorsement by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers for later implementation.

The results of another recent consultation were also presented with a view to obtaining results to promote compliance with Peruvian trade-related environmental provisions, especially commitments negotiated under the Trade Promotion Agreement between Peru and the United States. A study on the situation of citizen participation mechanisms existing in the country was also presented with a view to defining a medium/long-term work plan for adoption as part of Peru’s commitments under various trade promotion agreements.

The workshop ended with a presentation on environmental issues related to the Trade Promotion Agreement with the United States (Chapter 18) as well as the Environmental Cooperation Agreement which was also included in the negotiation process and is a binding part the Trade Promotion Agreement.