Senior officials from New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore have marked significant progress in the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) negotiations. Meeting on 5 November 2026, ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders Week, the partners discussed key features of the initiative aimed at shaping green trade practices and reducing regulatory fragmentation.
The GEPA, launched in Gyeongju, South Korea, on 31 October 2025, is designed as an open and evolving green trade instrument. It aims to provide businesses with policy certainty and promote environmental sustainability. The partners have been engaging in both in-person and virtual meetings to develop innovative approaches to trade and environmental sustainability.
Key developments include the creation of the world’s first trade-related climate measures (TrCMs) module, which will guide the design and monitoring of TrCMs. This module aims to provide businesses with greater certainty and enable collaborative efforts to address trade impacts whilst meeting environmental goals.
The agreement also focuses on enhancing trade in environmental and low-emission goods, exploring opportunities for trading environmental attributes, and promoting coherence in international sustainability reporting. Additionally, GEPA supports the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, sustainable building practices, and resilient food systems.
The GEPA partners plan to continue negotiations and explore practical cooperation opportunities in early 2027, aiming to translate shared priorities into tangible outcomes. The joint efforts are expected to foster a more sustainable global economy.
