International Workshop on Integrated Assessment of the Impact of Trade Liberalization on the Rice Sector

20 September 2005, Geneva, Switzerland

The International Workshop launched the findings of six UNEP-supported projects on Integrated Assessment of Trade-liberalisation in the Rice Sector.

These projects represented the latest in a series of country studies that have been conducted by UNEP since 1997 that analyse the environmental, social and economic impacts of trade liberalisation and trade-related policies at national level. By promoting the use of integrated assessment, UNEP seeks to assist governments and other national institutions to develop trade and environment policies that are mutually supportive and help reduce negative impacts of trade liberalisation and strengthen positive ones.

The “Rice Projects” were initiated by UNEP in 2002 in six countries (China, Colombia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Senegal and Vietnam) to analyse the environmental, social and economic impacts of trade-liberalization in the rice sector, with special focus on the consequences of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. The findings of the six country studies and the synthesis report provide important insights into the implication of trade liberalization on the agricultural sector and cover issues such as poverty reduction, biological diversity and food security.

The International Workshop aimed to discuss these findings as well as the impacts of the studies on policy and
decision-making and the challenges faced in implementing the recommendations. The leaders of the country projects and Government officials from the respective countries were invited to present their findings, recommendations and follow-up activities. Participants of the workshop included government representatives, international and non-governmental organizations, academia, and environmental and policy research institutes from different parts of the world.

Further building on the experiences gained through the Rice Projects, a Handbook on Integrated Assessment of Trade-related Measures in the Agricultural Sector has been published. It provides practical guidance to researchers and policymakers by presenting approaches to assessments in the agricultural sector with a focus on poverty reduction. The Handbook is the result of cooperation among a number of organizations and individual experts.

The Country Studies (China, Colombia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Senegal, Vietnam) and the Handbook are available on ETB’s website at: http://www.unep.ch/etb/index.php.

Related website:
Integrated Assessment of Trade-related Policies