European sustainable trade and innovation centre launched
EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy welcomed the launch of the European sustainable trade and innovation centre (STIC) on 21 November. STIC will act as a platform for bringing together stakeholders from the North and South to create a more cooperative context for sustainable trade and innovation, and is intended to help developing countries export sustainable products. 'This is a clear deliverable on the commitments adopted in Johannesburg in August,' said Mr Lamy. 'Initiatives such as sustainable trade and innovation centres, bringing together private and public partners, are key to encourage trade in sustainable products, including fair trade, ethical trade and organic trade.' The project has been developed, with the support of the European Commission, by the Commonwealth Science Council, the Netherlands' Royal Tropical Institute and European Partners for the Environment.