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Green Tourism Criteria Gains GSTC-Recognized Standard Status

The Green Tourism Criteria is based on three principles, caring for People, Places, and Our Planet. It gives support to tourism & hospitality businesses to make a difference, save resources, and reduce their carbon footprint, considering the social, economic, and environmental actions undertaken and provides a holistic review of the business’s sustainability performance. 

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself, indicating that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the content of the standard equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards is based on the four pillars of the GSTC Criteria : Sustainable Management, Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Environmental principles. 

GSTC Recognition of Standards does not relate to the process of certification (which is a third-party assessment, through an audit, of a tourism enterprise for conformity to a standard). GSTC Recognition of Standards does not relate to accreditation (formal verification that a certification body operates in a competent and neutral manner according to international standards of how to properly certify, which is the highest level of assurance).

The stated scope of the standard is ‘Hotels and other accommodation facilities’ with international coverage. The GSTC Recognition of the standard. The GSTC Recognition has an additional time limitation that by 31 December 2024, owners of existing GSTC-Recognized Standards need to pursue accreditation.

Andrea Nicholas, Founder and CEO of Green Tourism , expresses her delight at having their criteria acknowledged by GSTC. “We are proud to be aligned with GSTC’s global effort to fulfill tourism’s potential as a vehicle for social, cultural, and economic good by fostering the increased knowledge, understanding, adoption, and demand for sustainable tourism practices and standards. We will strive to nurture a lasting and supportive relationship with GSTC to advance industry progress.”

“By incorporating the principles of the Four Pillars of the GSTC Criteria into its core, Green Tourism displays its allegiance to a holistic and global strategy,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

Currently, 15 destination standards , 20 tour operator standards , 44 hotel standards , and 5 systems have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to follow and complete the accreditation process , which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practices, transparency, and rigor. A list of GSTC-Accredited certification bodies is available here . 

About the GSTC

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for Accreditation of Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership , including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. 

Information for media and the press: https://www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/

About Green Tourism

Green Tourism works to promote a greener, cleaner environment, for people, places, and our planet, by offering their members advice on: Reducing energy use; Saving water; Efficient & eco-friendly waste disposal; Ethical buying; Staying local & seasonal; Minimising food miles; Promoting biodiversity; Adopting a smart, sustainable outlook from top to bottom.

Green Tourism understands that sustainability is the key to success within the modern hospitality industry. For the industry to be successful both nationally and internationally it is important to have a system in place to help set targets and to show continual improvement.

More information here: https://www.green-tourism.com/

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Shopping cart items, announcing newly elected members of the global sustainable tourism council’s board of directors.

Six New Officials Join the Organization’s Governing Body

The GSTC’s Board of Directors is the organization’s highest authority, overseeing the Council’s operations and ensuring that its mandate is being followed. The 20-person board’s 12 “at large” members are elected to three-year terms by the membership of the GSTC. Three permanent seats are filled by representatives of the World Tourism Organization , the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Foundation , which sponsors the GSTC. The final five seats are assigned by the board to outstanding GSTC constituents. The certification representative, elected by the GSTC’s Certification Programs members, is invited to attend board meetings as an observer in order to provide the perspective of a certification body.

The new Directors of the GSTC bring a diverse assortment of backgrounds:

Dr. Jiwei Xu plays the lead role in managing tourism at Mt. Huangshan, a hugely popular natural area of incredible beauty in eastern China, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Mt. Huangshan was also recently chosen as an Early Adopter of the GSTC’s new Criteria for Destinations, a set of guidelines to help make destinations more sustainable. Xu has been integral and introducing the GSTC’s work in sustainable tourism to the media and the population at large in China.

Heidi van der Watt calls herself “a stakeholder originating from and rooted in the developing world.” A native of South Africa, she is the volunteer director of that country’s International Centre for Responsible Tourism, and a tourism consultant. Van der Watt hopes to use her already established network of contacts in Africa to increase the GSTC’s visibility on that continent.

As a fourth-generation Hawaii-Japanese, Gwen Migita says that respecting the land is in her blood. She oversees sustainability for Caesars Entertainment, which runs 52 resorts in seven countries. Migita’s perspective is one of a large, high-end hospitality company seeking to operate sustainably, and she plans to involve more such global businesses in supporting the GSTC.

Clara Torres intends to emphasize the necessity of education and communication in her new role on the GSTC board, something she’s already familiar with as Deputy Director of Public Relations for the Mexico Tourism Board. Torres see tourism as a method to bring good jobs to local communities, and as a result to keep Mexicans from leaving the country to find work.

No newcomer to the world of sustainable travel, Guy Chester founded Ecotourism Australia in 1991and was co-author of the ecotourism certification system EcoCertification. As Director at EcoSustainAbility, Chester offers consultancy services to the industry, and also operates tours to Papua New Guinea. Chester sees his role on the board as helping to develop the GSTC’s standards for sustainable tourism, as well as the materials needed to implement those standards.

New certification representative Jennifer Seif has grown Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa from a small start-up with limited resources to the country’s leading responsible tourism NGO. Her work for one of hundreds of certifiers worldwide has convinced Seif of the need for a single body to accredit such organizations—a role she will assist the GSTC in playing.

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Costa Rica named a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Post date: Nov 29 2022

Date: Nov 29 2022

By: Travelweek

TORONTO — With a goal to be the first carbon neutral country in the world, the Costa Rican Tourism Board has announced that it is now a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

GSTC establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria, and encourages destinations to join and pursue sustainability practices in tourism development and management.

“We are honoured to become a GSTC member country, an organization with which Costa Rica shares the vision of sustainable tourism development that has earned us the status of a global benchmark. We are confident that we can enrich each other and join forces to ensure that sustainability policies and practices advance in the travel and tourism sector,” said William Rodriguez, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica.

Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, added: “Costa Rica has long been a leader in having a good national program in place to engage and encourage their tourism industry’s upward march toward sustainability. As such, we’re proud to engage with them to pursue further stages of sustainable tourism.”

In support of local companies that are taking a conscious approach towards preserving the environment, the Costa Rican Tourism Board, also known as Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) has developed a Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program, which uses a ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard.’ The CST aims to improve the way in which natural and social resources are used, to promote active participation of local communities.

Costa Rica holds 5% of the world’s land-based biodiversity and 3.5% of its marine life. The country also produces nearly 98% of its electricity from renewable resources and 26% of its territory is protected natural land, and is home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites. Sustainable practices are observed in every region of the country, across all industries, and is evident in everything from local cuisine to artisan crafts, traditional customs and celebrations.

For more information about Costa Rica go to https://www.ict.go.cr/en/ .

Tags: Costa Rica, Lead Story

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• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

The   Global Sustainable Tourism Council   (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable tourism standards with the aim of increasing sustainable tourism knowledge and practices among public and private stakeholders. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered non-profit organization that establishes and manages global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.

The standards are two sets of GSTC Criteria: Destination Criteria and Industry Criteria, the minimum requirements for tourism businesses and destinations to pursue in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, along with conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC represents a diverse and global membership, including leading travel companies, hotels, country tourism boards, tour operators, individuals and communities.

Role in programme(s):

Commitments:.

In the framework of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council commits to:

Encouraging affiliated organisations and businesses or partners to join the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative by sharing important development and insights with GSTC Members as well as informing about the GTPI including provision of support on how to join it and learn more about practices to reduce single-use plastics items and packaging through GSTC's media channels.

Advising and guiding affiliated organisations and businesses or partners to better manage plastics in their operations through a focus on adherence to the GSTC Criteria which include reference to plastic-related issues and promotion of establishing sustainable certification which pursue plastic reduction policies as part of a holistic take on sustainability.

Communicating successes to affiliated organisations and businesses, partners, travellers and key local stakeholder through promotion of success stories and case studies.

Randy Durband

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Natalia Naranjo Ramos

Knowledge items, destination stewardship report – autumn 2020 (volume 1, issue 2).

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Sustainable Tourism

Destination stewardship report - summer 2020 q3 (volume 1, issue 1).

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The Future of Tourism Coalition

Decades of unfettered growth in travel have put the world’s treasured places at risk – environmentally, culturally, socially...

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About the Future of Tourism Coalition

We are a coalition of six non-governmental organizations that have come together to stand united in an appeal for change.

Our Coalition

The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism. CREST assists governments, policy makers, tourism businesses, nonprofit organizations, and international agencies with finding solutions to critical issues confronting tourism, the world’s largest service industry. Learn about CREST’s innovative field projects, research, and advocacy at www.responsibletravel.org .

The Destination Stewardship Center is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the world’s distinctive places by supporting wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. We gather and provide information on how tourism can help and not harm the natural, cultural, and social quality of destinations around the world. We seek to build a global community and knowledge network for advancing this goal. Join us at www.destinationcenter.org.

Green Destinations is a non-profit foundation for sustainable destination development and recognition, leading a global Partnership of representatives, expert organisations and academic institutions. We work for the benefit of the Green Destinations Community: destination representatives and stakeholders. Together we make their places better and more sustainable. Learn more at  www.greendestinations.org.

Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and conserving our planet’s most vulnerable destinations. We are transforming tourism’s impact on nature and people by working alongside local communities, engaging travelers and businesses in responsible practices, and strengthening destination management. Through our work, we aim to safeguard nature, combat climate change, and empower communities to preserve the integrity of destinations around the globe. To learn more, visit www.sustainabletravel.org .

Tourism Cares unites the travel industry to advance its positive impact to help people and places thrive.  For nearly 20 years, Tourism Cares has been the travel industry’s nonprofit network bringing its members from around the globe together to create powerful connections and drive action. We believe it is in our best interest to support the destinations we all depend on so that communities, travelers and businesses can prosper.  Learn more at  www.tourismcares.org.

The Travel Foundation is a leading global charity that works in partnership with governments, businesses and communities to develop and manage tourism to maximise its benefits for communities and the environment, so that destinations can thrive. Founded in 2003, it has worked in nearly 30 countries around the world. Its head office is based in the UK and it has a global network of project managers. Learn more at  www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk.

Coalition Advisor

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for accreditation of certification bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but it accredits those that do. Learn more at www.gstc.org .

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee provides the Future of Tourism Coalition with expertise and guidance on areas that are strategic for the transformation of tourism and may otherwise be under-represented. It provides broader perspectives to ensure the movement remains true to its Guiding Principles, mission, and vision, and that the approach is inclusive, integrated, and representative.

Advisory Committee members serve in an individual capacity, endorsed by their organizations, but not as their representatives. They act on a voluntary, pro bono basis and meet as a full group at least twice each year. 

The Advisory Committee currently consists of 13 members:

Alessandra Alonso

Women In Travel cic

Cristina Blackburn

Director, Private Sector Engagement

World Wildlife Fund

Randy Durband

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

Alicia Fajardo

#TurismoRESET

Chris Flynn

President and CEO

World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage

Stephanie Jones

National Blacks in Travel & Tourism Collaborative

Judy Kepher-Gona

Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda

Kelley Louise

Founder and Executive Director

Impact Travel Alliance

Ben Sherman

World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA)

Jeremy Smith

Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency

Anna Spenceley

IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group

(TAPAS Group)

Masaru Takayama

Founding Chair

Asian Ecotourism Network

Executive Director

Travel Unity

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Seychelles becomes Global Sustainable Tourism Council member   |17 January 2024

Seychelles recently became a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a global network with a commitment to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world.

The GSTC, an international body which manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, provides assurance for sustainable tourism certification in three key subsectors of tourism, namely, hotels and accommodation, tour operators and agencies, and destinations.

The independent body welcomed Seychelles to the Council in December 2023.

This was upon recognising the destination’s’ efforts towards fostering sustainability and responsibility in the domestic tourism sector through the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL), and the recently introduced ‘Sustainable Seychelles’ brand.

Principal secretary (PS) for Tourism, Sherin Francis, noted that the membership stands as a declaration of Seychelles’ continued commitment towards sustainability.

“We are pleased to be part of a global network of like-minded people that are committed to the same ideals and the development of a more moral and ethical tourism sector. We also aim to learn more about what other nations are doing and to inspire and educate people on how to make positive changes in their communities and contribute to a more sustainable future through sharing our sustainable experiences,” Mrs Francis stated.

The SSTL is a sustainable tourism management and certification initiative of the Tourism department, which aims to encourage more efficient and sustainable business practices. The initiative has been in operation for the past ten years, and achieved GSTC-recognised status in 2017.

It encourages hotels and accommodations to adopt sustainable practices, while also seeking to create transformative experiences for visitors.

As for the Sustainable Seychelles brand, the main objective is on preserving the pristine Seychelles environment for future generations. Centred on the principle of shared responsibility, the brand hopes to offer a road map for implementing and advancing sustainable practices throughout the tourism sector and affiliated industries.

CEO of GSTC, Randy Durband, expressed delight at Seychelles’ membership.

“Tourism, when approached with a vision of sustainability, has the potential to be a beacon of positive transformation, igniting local economic progress and bridging global communities with understanding. We wish Seychelles the best of success in its journey towards sustainable tourism,” Mr Durband noted.

By joining the GSTC, Seychelles will gain access to a global network or resources and expertise, which will undoubtedly help the destination to achieve its sustainability goals.

GSTC encourages destinations who are actively striving for sustainable practices in tourism development and management to join as GSTC members, and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, to eventually achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.

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• Global Sustainable Tourism Council becomes an ISEAL Community Member
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ISEAL is delighted to announce that the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has met the requirements to become an ISEAL Community Member. We look forward to engaging with them within the ISEAL community and learning from their extensive experience in the tourism sector.

ISEAL members are sustainability systems and accreditation bodies dedicated to delivering benefits for people and planet. They are committed to continually improving their systems and impacts through learning and innovation; collaborating with stakeholders and peers; and are transparent and truthful about how their systems work and how they measure their impacts.

GSTC Chairman Luigi Cabrini said, “As a tourism-related scheme, we are proud that GSTC meets ISEAL’s eligibility criteria to become an ISEAL Community Member, and be part of the important group of organizations that form the alliance. The GSTC has been dedicating years of effort to adhere to the concepts inherent in ISEAL and to apply them to the travel and tourism industry. From our inception our Bylaws have continuously referenced doing so, and as an ISEAL Community Member, GSTC will continue to improve its system.”

In becoming an ISEAL Community Member, GSTC joins a growing number of well-respected sustainability systems that are driving positive social and environmental change across multiple sectors. GSTC will be working alongside these mission-driven sustainability organisations to continuously improve the effectiveness of their systems and demonstrate impact.

Further to the recommendation from the ISEAL Membership Committee, and ISEAL Board approval, ISEAL’s Executive Director Karin Kreider said, “I applaud Global Sustainable Tourism Council on becoming an ISEAL Community Member. This step reflects their commitment to credible and effective practices. I look forward to GSTC sharing their experience as a well-established sustainability system and becoming a valuable part of the ISEAL learning community.”

ISEAL encourages any organisation developing or operating a sustainability system with a multi-stakeholder approach and a commitment to credible practices to consider joining ISEAL. 

Find out more on our membership page .

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for any tourism business but with specific performance indicators for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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A United Vision for Nature - 'Nature Positive' Report Marks New Collaborative Era in Travel & Tourism

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• 22 Apr 2024

WTTC, UN Tourism and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance join forces to support Nature Positive Tourism

The leading players of Travel & Tourism globally have published a landmark joint report setting out their joint plan to help halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

Launched on Earth Day 2024, "Nature Positive Travel & Tourism in Action" is the creation of the high-level 'Nature Positive Tourism Partnership, made up of the World Travel & Tourism Council ( WTTC ), the World Tourism Organization ( UN Tourism ) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance ( the Alliance ).

For years, UN Tourism has been at the forefront of integrating tourism into the broader UN biodiversity agenda, including supporting the work of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Developed in collaboration with specialist consultancy ANIMONDIAL, the report is the sector's pledge to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the UN's Biodiversity Plan.

It presents more than 30 case studies of inspiring and progressive actions from around the world involving large and small businesses, national and local government agencies, civil society groups, and inter-sectoral partnerships.

By offering actionable guidance and insights, this report not only highlights the intrinsic link between biodiversity and tourism's resilience, but also empowers businesses to become stewards of nature.

Historic partnership for nature

Ms. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO , said: "This historic partnership with Travel & Tourism heavyweights is a significant step in our collective journey towards a more sustainable and responsible sector. This report is not merely a publication but a movement towards integrating environmental stewardship into the core of travel experiences. As we celebrate Earth Day, let us heed the call to nurture and protect our destinations. Our sector's reliance on nature, coupled with our expertise in creating inspiring and memorable experiences, means we are ideally placed to be guardians of nature."

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism , said: "For years, UN Tourism has been at the forefront of integrating tourism into the broader UN biodiversity agenda, including supporting the work of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This pivotal new collaboration among key global players sets a robust framework for sustainable practices that not only drive significant impact but also exemplify the power of united efforts in conserving biodiversity. This report is a testimony to what we can achieve together for nature's preservation, inspiring a global movement towards more sustainable and resilient tourism."

Mr. Glenn Mandziuk, Sustainable Hotel Alliance CEO , said: "This report is a milestone for Travel and Tourism, representing our commitment as an industry to protect and conserve nature. The Alliance is proud to contribute to and collaborate on this insightful and action-orientated report which will bring tangible change to destinations around the world, supporting biodiversity.  Nature underpins our society, economies and indeed our very existence. The hospitality industry is today a leader amongst industries in its Nature Positive approach and this report signifies how much our industry understands the true value of nature."  

Expert-led coalition

Recognising that the sector has a critical role to play in protecting and conserving biodiversity, the Nature Positive Tourism approach is designed to be a touchstone for actionable change. It focuses on equipping the sector with the tools and insights needed to nurture and protect destinations upon which it depends.

The commitment of the Partnership to work towards "net positive for nature" draws on extensive consultation with experts from business, government, academia and civil society, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

The report, which follows the 2022 WTTC report "Nature Positive Travel & Tourism", includes practical frameworks and real-world examples that encourage both travel providers and travellers to embark on journeys that contribute to the conservation of our natural treasures.

Related links

• Download News Release on PDF
• Report “Nature Positive Travel & Tourism”
• UN Tourism Biodiversity
• Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

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Lao Economic Growth Remains Subdued Says World Bank Report

Economic growth in the Lao PDR is estimated to have been below 2019 levels in 2023 and is forecast to remain below that pace in 2024, weighed down by economic instability, low worker skills, out-migration of labor, and a challenging business environment, the World Bank said in a report released on Tuesday.

Lao GDP is estimated to have grown 3.7% in 2023, with positive contributions from tourism, transport, logistics, and mining, according to the Lao Economic Monitor for April 2024, Accelerating Reforms for Growth , Foreign investment increased substantially, mainly in electricity and mining, while improved revenue collection has offset increased public spending. In 2019, growth stood at 5.5%.

Continued high inflation, caused by the falling value of the kip, means that consumption remains constrained. In 2023, the annual average official kip/US dollar exchange rate weakened by 31%. Given Laos’ high import dependence, depreciation brings changes in domestic prices. Headline inflation averaged 31% over 2023 and remains high, with food, transport, hotel, and restaurant price increases the main contributors. 

“ While average household incomes improved in 2023, about a third of Lao households, especially low-income families, have seen their purchasing power fall behind inflation ,” said Alex Kremer , World Bank Country Manager for the Lao PDR . “ Our monitoring surveys show over 30% of families have reduced their spending on health and education, while in urban areas where fewer people grow their own food, food security is becoming an increasing problem .”

In 2024, GDP is projected to grow by 4%. Economic activity is expected to benefit from further growth in services, plus investment in the power sector and some special economic zones. However, kip depreciation and high inflation are likely to persist due to a lack of foreign exchange and the need to repay high external debts.

Between 2020 and 2023, about $2 billion (around 15% of GDP at the 2023 rate) of principal and interest payments on debts owed to China was deferred. Nevertheless, debt payments will still require large amounts of foreign currency, and access to international capital markets has deteriorated with loss of access to the Thai bond market. Recent regulations requiring the repatriation and conversion of export proceeds from mining, power, agriculture, and services may bring more foreign currency into the economy in the short-run but could be counter-productive if they deter future investment.

The report recommends restoring macroeconomic stability through a strong commitment to five critical reform areas: debt management, revenue mobilization, public investment management, financial sector stability, and business environment reforms. Recent revenue reforms will help balance finances, but the overall pace of reform needs to accelerate.

This edition of the Monitor includes a thematic section on education, which finds that public education funding has fallen, with the 2023 budget allocation for education 38% down from the 2013 figure in real terms. While strong human capital and education are fundamental to putting Laos on a sustainable high-growth trajectory, primary education is no longer universal across the country: an increasing number of children are dropping out and those who stay are not learning.

This has follow-on effects for subsequent education levels. Most Lao secondary students score below expected levels, especially in mathematics and science. If learning outcomes are to improve, the education sector needs urgent re-prioritization and increased budget allocation.

Last Updated: Apr 30, 2024

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World merchandise trade rebound, and other global trade stories to read this month

The volume of global merchandise trade is projected to grow 2.6% this year. Image:  Bernd Dittrich/Unsplash

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• This monthly roundup brings you a selection of the latest news and updates on global trade.
• Top international trade stories: Global trade expected to rebound in 2024; EU-US trade meeting takes place; Luxury good exports surpass agriculture in France.

1. Promising rebound in global trade expected for 2024

Global trade will rebound in 2024, with a projected 2.6% growth in the volume of merchandise trade this year and an even more robust 3.3% in 2025, economists predict.

World commercial services trade grew 9% in 2023, according to the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, published by the World Trade Organization (WTO). This was largely a result of recovering international travel and the booming demand for digitally delivered services, it said.

Another significant factor behind trade growth is the amount of sporting events to be held in Europe in the summer, the report noted. The easing of visa requirements by various countries and the boost in tourism and passenger transport services sectors are said to be playing a part in this uplift.

However, risks to the forecast include geopolitical tensions, policy uncertainty and a rise in protectionism, the WTO said.

2. EU-US trade meeting focuses on technology and semiconductor supply chains

The EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) held its 6th meeting in Belgium , with officials including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in attendance.

Established in 2021 as a platform for cooperation between the EU and US, the TTC aims to grow bilateral trade, avoid trade barriers and coordinate on technology and supply chain issues.

New partnerships on AI and 6G networks were announced at the meeting, along with plans for increased cooperation on semiconductor supply chains , according to a joint statement. This included measures to address concerns about unfair trade practices.

The TTC is also tasked with accelerating the transition to climate-neutral economies, though progress on sustainable trade initiatives has been limited.

While it has few major policy achievements, the TCC is seen as an important vehicle to collaborate between these trade partners. The US accounted for almost one-fifth of EU exports in 2023, and imported 13.7% of goods into the EU in the same year, according to Eurostat , making it the bloc’s second-largest importer.

Looking ahead, a change in US leadership could result in new tariffs or trade restrictions, which will be a key consideration for the TTC. The Council says it aims to shape dialogue and promote greater EU-US cooperation on technology, supply chains and sustainable trade, as both sides prepare for upcoming elections.

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation is a collaboration of international organisations, governments and businesses led by the Center for International Private Enterprise , the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Economic Forum , in cooperation with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit .

It aims to help governments in developing and least developed countries implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement by bringing together governments and businesses to identify opportunities to address delays and unnecessary red-tape at borders.

For example, in Colombia, the Alliance worked with the National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute and business to introduce a risk management system that can facilitate trade while protecting public health, cutting the average rate of physical inspections of food and beverages by 30% and delivering $8.8 million in savings for importers in the first 18 months of operation.

3. News in brief: Trade stories from around the world

Global sales of handbags and perfumes by Paris-based luxury goods manufacturer LVMH now account for a larger share of France’s exports than all of the Camembert and wine produced by the country’s agricultural sector. The manufacturer was responsible for 4% of French exports in 2023, according to a study by consultancy Asterès for LVMH , as reported by the FT .

European ports are increasingly filling up with imported vehicles as automotive manufacturers and distributors struggle with a combination of a slowdown in sales and logistical bottlenecks due to a lack of available lorry drivers, the Financial Times reports. They have been referred to as “car parks” , with some port operators asking importers to provide proof of onward transport to prevent the situation continuing.

Work to clear the wreckage of the Baltimore bridge collapse from a cargo ship that crashed into it and gain back access to Baltimore Port’s shipping channel continues. Replacing the bridge itself is expected to take years. Meanwhile, the FBI has opened a criminal inquiry , as the body of a fourth victim was recovered.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has signed economic partnership agreements with both Colombia and Costa Rica, Reuters reports. Speaking about the agreement with Colombia , UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said he anticipated "a new era of cooperation and mutual economic growth”. It is expected to help enhance bilateral trade flows by cutting tariffs, removing trade barriers and boosting investments in sectors including energy, tourism and infrastructure.

4. More on trade from Agenda

The US Inflation Reduction Act has sparked a global uptick in industrial policies aimed at rapidly building domestic clean energy supply chains to tackle climate change. Find out more about the global domino effect of the Act here .

Asia has been called the “garment factory of the world”, and with an estimated 42 million women working in Asian garment supply chains, the industry is a key entry point for them to enter the formal workplace. Here are five ways we can achieve equality in Asia's garment supply chains to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals on gender.

Frontier markets can be widely misunderstood, which can impact market participants’ decisions about whether to invest in their economies, says Lisa Satolli , Project Lead, Humanitarian and Resilience Investing at World Economic Forum . Here, she outlines some surprising facts.