This expert roundtable will provide an opportunity to hear findings of Chatham House research on pressures on fresh water associated with globally traded goods in three priority sectors-food and agriculture, textiles, and metals and mining-and the role that trade cooperation can play in reducing water-related risks.

The roundtable will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the findings of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water and their implications for both trade and sustainability.

Issues for discussion will include:

The interaction between trade and water, exploring the risks that changes the hydrological cycle and increased competition for water in regions of production pose for supply chains.

Opportunities for trade and trade cooperation in playing a constructive role in managing fresh water fairly and sustainably, and avenues for joint work at the bilateral and multinational level.

Speakers:

Carolyn DEERE BIRKBECK, Executive Director and Founder, Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS), Geneva Graduate Institute

Richard KING, Senior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House

Glada LAHN, Former Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House

Anna DUPONT, Research and Policy Consultant, Global Commission on the Economics of Water

Sajal MATHUR, Counsellor, World Trade Organization

Phesheya NXUMALO, Research Associate: Metals and Mining, Chatham House

Bhargabi BHARADWAJ, Research Associate: Textiles, Chatham House