Roundtable Discussion on Climate Ambitions, Net Zero Pathways, and the Role of Trade and Trade Policies
This roundtable will explore how trade policies can be leveraged to support the transition to net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. It will discuss the latest research and modeling studies covering a range of trade-related measures, such as liberalizing environmental goods and services, reforming fossil fuel subsidies, and designing carbon border adjustments.

Moderator: Bruce Gosper, Vice President (Administration and Corporate Management), ADB

• Peter Petri, Carl Shapiro Professor of International Finance, The Brandeis International Business School (virtual) 

• Michael Plummer, Eni Professor of International Economics, Johns Hopkins University, SAIS and East-West Center
  
• Cyn-Young Park, Director, Regional Cooperation and Integration and Trade Division, CCSD, ADB
• Aik-Hoe Lim, Director, Trade and Environment, WTO 
• Priyantha Wijayatunga, Senior Director, Energy, ADB 
• Milan Elkerbout, Fellow, Resources for the Future 
• Marcus Henry, Assistant Secretary, International Economics and Green Economy Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia 
  

Open Discussion

Coffee Break and Group Photo

Session 4: Building Greener and More Resilient Supply Chains: The Case of Critical Minerals
The increasing demand for clean energy technologies is straining the supply chain of critical minerals, necessitating significant policy support and investment to develop greener and more resilient supply chains that enable responsible sourcing, processing, and recycling.

Moderator: Takeo Konishi, Director General, South Asia Department, ADB 

• Cyn-Young Park, Director, RCI and Trade Division, CCSD, ADB
  
• Annika Seiler, Principal Energy Specialist, Energy Sector Office, Sectors Group, ADB (virtual) 

Session 5: Import Tariffs and Subsidies and Transition to Low-carbon Economies
To promote sustainable trade, it is necessary to examine and adjust tax and tariff policies that currently have a detrimental impact, such as low taxes and tariffs in carbon-intensive sectors, high taxes and tariffs in renewable goods sectors, and harmful subsidies for certain industries. 

Session Opening Remarks:
Tariq Niazi, Senior Director, Public Sector Management and Governance, Sector Office, Sectors Group, ADB

Session 6: Trade in Services
To address the barriers to trade in environmental services, which is one of the least open sectors under the WTO General Agreement on Trade and Services, domestic regulations and restrictions on monopolies, movement of professionals, and businesses need to be reviewed and revised accordingly.

• Pramila Crivelli, Economist, Regional Cooperation and Integration Division, Economic Research and Development Impact Department, ADB
  

• Ruosi Zhang, Counsellor, Trade in Services and Investment Division, WTO (virtual) 

• Tok Raj Pandey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Nepal
• Patrick Chua, Lead Staffer, APEC Business Advisory Council, Philippines
• Rupa Chanda, Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, UNESCAP
• Sumanta Chaudhuri, Principal Advisor International Trade Policy Division Confederation of Indian Industry