Brussels, 2 June 2016 – The inaugural Sustainability Conference of the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) today will highlight the necessity for cooperation and dialogue between all supply chain actors to achieve tangible results and long-lasting improvements for human rights, environment and trade policy challenges.

For the first time, the FTA is expanding its annual Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) conference to address social compliance in combination with environmental and trade-related matters under a holistic sustainability umbrella, with the theme of ‘The Power of Collaboration’.
“This conference truly encompasses our vision of international trade and sustainable supply chains. Achieving a strong global economy must go hand in hand with sustainable and responsible supply chain practices that are respectful of workers’ rights and the environment,” said FTA Director General Christian Ewert.
 
“We are therefore calling for consensus around the need to tackle trade, the environment and human rights in parallel in order to consider a truly sustainable future.This can only be successfully achieved through strengthened collaborations among the different actors in the supply chain,” he said.
 
With this in mind, FTA has established during the last year collaborations and partnerships with different organisations such as the French Initiative Clause Social (ICS), the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme and Sedex, which will drive significant value to the industry, businesses and their supply chains.
 
At the conference, some 250 members and stakeholders representing business, government, civil society and academia will have the opportunity to hear high-level speakers address such topics as how to create sustainable business models that meet the needs of the future and the intertwined challenge of climate change and human rights.
 
For the full conference programme, please click here: http://sustainability2016.fta-intl.org/about/

*** Note to editors: The Foreign Trade Association will be tweeting live during the event with the user @fta_intl under the hashtag #FTAsustainability.

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About the association: The Foreign Trade Association (FTA) is the leading business association of European and international commerce that promotes the values of free trade and sustainable supply chains. FTA represents more than 1,800 retailers, importers and brands to promote and defend free trade and supports their international business by providing information and practical solutions towards sustainability in the international supply chain. FTA provides the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) to support participants to improve working conditions in factories and farms worldwide. It also provides the Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) to facilitate improved environmental performance in global supply chains.

For further information, please contact:
Ana Maria Martin, Media relations and editorial planning coordinator
ana.maria.martin@fta-intl.org