TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: EFTA’S EXPERIENCE AND OUTLOOK I. Introduction

Finally, the report outlines the EFTA States’ priorities in this regard for the future – on the one hand regarding the further development of the TSD provisions in a recently concluded review and on the other hand regarding additional efforts to monitor and promote the implementation of the provisions and sustainable development in partner countries. [...] The Article International Labour Standards and Agreements of the EFTA TSD chapter refers to the fundamental principles and rights at work and reaffirms the obligation to effectively implement the ILO Conventions which the Parties have ratified. [...] The areas of cooperation encompass the promotion of ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, the sustainable management of forest and related ecosystems, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, the transition to a low- carbon economy and to climate-resilient development, the investment towards a resource efficient and circular economy and the promotion of responsible business conduct. [...] Trade and Climate Change: the article underlines the importance of pursuing the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement in order to address the urgent threat of climate change and notably contains a commitment to effectively implement these instruments. [...] By attributing the monitoring of the measures taken to implement the recommendations to the Joint Committee, the new provision also reinforces the role of the Joint Committee as the main forum for the monitoring of the implementation of the TSD chapter.