UNEP Law Division under the Montevideo Programme V and Green Customs Initiative, is organising a webinar titled on Enhancing Environmental Oversight in Trade Facilitation Mechanisms: A Focus on Free Trade Zones, Trans-shipment and MEA Obligations. The discussions will center on the recently developed information note on Free Trade Zones, Trans-shipment and Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The Note highlights how Free Trade Zones (FTZs) and trans-shipment operations can complicate the tracking of environmentally sensitive commodities, making it difficult to monitor and enforce environmental and trade-related laws. Underscoring the need for robust monitoring, improved customs procedures, and inter-agency cooperation to ensure compliance with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). This webinar will also explore how countries can strengthen their legal and institutional frameworks governing trade in FTZs, transit, and trans-shipment contexts while mitigating environmental risks.
Target audience: Montevideo Programme V National Focal Points; MEA National Focal Points (CITES, Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Minamata, and Montreal Protocol).
Interpretation into English and Spanish will be available.
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Event Details 📅 Date: Tuesday, 9 September 2025 🕓 Time: 15:00 – 16:40 (EAT, UTC+3) 📍 Location: Teams |
Main Objectives
- To raise awareness of the environmental and legal risks associated with FTZs, transit, and trans-shipment operations.
- To explore how MEAs and international customs legal and regulatory frameworks address trade-related compliance challenges.
- To share best practices and tools for improving monitoring, enforcement, and inter-agency coordination.
- To support Montevideo Programme V focal points in aligning national efforts with MEA obligations and Programme priorities.
Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced understanding of regulatory gaps and risks in FTZ and trans-shipment operations.
- Increased capacity of focal points to apply MEA provisions in complex trade environments.
- Strengthened collaboration between environmental and customs authorities.
- Identification of opportunities for legal reform and technical assistance under Montevideo Programme
More details about the event on the Event Webpage.
Want to learn more? Have a look at the Green Customs Guide to Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
You are further welcome to explore the e-learning courses and training modules developed by GCI Partners.
For enquiries, please contact the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme V Secretariat at unep-montevideo@un.org.