GEG Seminar with Amb José Valencia, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the WTO

Title of the conference
The global environmental agenda and the international trading system: Lessons from the fight against plastic pollution.

Abstract
The international trading system can and should contribute to the implementation of the multilateral agenda on environmental issues, putting the tools of trade at the service of global urgencies and priorities. 

The Plastic Pollution Initiative, driven by a significant number of WTO members, has promoted a concrete work plan and interaction with other international organizations and global civil society partners. Based on the Plastic Pollution Initiative, what contributions can be expected from the WTO regarding the planet's triple environmental crisis: climate change and natural disasters; pollution; and loss of biodiversity?

This lecture will take place at the World Trade Institute in Bern and Online (via Zoom). 

To register, please email masters@wti.org

Speaker biography

Ambassador Jose Valencia has been Permanent Representative to the WTO, UNCTAD, and other international economic organizations since August 2020. He is the current Chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Environment of the WTO.

Ambassador Valencia, a career diplomat, was Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2020. Previously, he has been Ambassador to South Africa (concurrent to Mozambique and Namibia), delegate observer to the African Union (Addis Ababa), and Permanent Representative to the OAS in Washington, DC. He has also held posts in the Ecuadorian Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva and at the Ministry at the Capital Headquarters.

Ambassador Valencia has a JD degree from the Catholic University of Ecuador. He earned a master's degree in public administration (MPA) from Harvard University and a master's degree in political sciences (MA) from Columbia University (New York), in addition to a Diploma on International Studies from the Diplomatic School of Spain (Madrid).

Jose Valencia has worked as an associate professor in several Ecuadorian universities. He has written and co-authored publications on international humanitarian law, human rights, migration, environmental protection, and other international affairs subjects.