The Global Human Rights Centre (GHRC) joined international experts and policymakers at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva to contribute to global discussions on sustainable trade. Our participation took place during the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (COFI-FT) briefing session, kindly hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Putting Rural Women at the Centre of Trade Policy
Representing GHRC, Dr. Cynthia C. Umezulike emphasized the importance of advancing inclusive trade policies that create improved market access opportunities for small-scale rural women farmers and traders. In particular, her intervention highlighted the urgent need to support women in developing and least-developed countries, whose livelihoods are increasingly threatened by climate-related disruptions affecting marine ecosystems, fish stocks, and international supply chains.
“Trade frameworks must be shaped not only to enhance global competitiveness but also to ensure that rural women the backbone of local food economies are not left behind,” Dr. Umezulike urged.
FAO Priorities for Sustainable and Inclusive Trade
In response, Marcio Castro de Souza, Senior Fishery Officer (Trade) at the FAO, outlined the Sub-Committee’s key areas of focus:
1. Strengthening country capacity to respond to and manage potential trade disruptions.
2. Enhancing market access while boosting international competitiveness.
3. Promoting policy coherence to align trade, sustainability, and development goals.
4. Combating IUU fishing (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing) to mitigate its severe economic and ecological impacts.
5. Supporting resilience-building in small-scale fisheries to safeguard livelihoods and food security.
Connecting Climate, Trade, and Human Rights
The Committee also acknowledged the pressing need for resilience strategies to protect vulnerable fishing and farming communities. This includes infrastructure investments, adaptive technologies, and social protection measures to shield those on the frontlines of climate change and market volatility.
For GHRC, these discussions reinforced the critical importance of linking sustainable trade with human rights and gender equality. Trade policy is not only about market efficiency-it is about shaping inclusive systems that protect communities, sustain livelihoods, and strengthen resilience against climate shocks.
GHRC’s Continuing Engagement
By contributing to the Sub-Committee’s deliberations, GHRC reaffirmed its commitment to championing the rights of small-scale producers and traders, particularly women, in global trade frameworks. Our interventions continue to highlight the necessity of people-centred trade policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure no one is left behind.