Growing the bioeconomy through trade and international cooperation

This briefing note aims to inform ongoing discussions under the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy by exploring the role of trade and trade policy cooperation in growing the bioeconomy. In September 2024, under Brazil’s Presidency, G20 participants established ten voluntary and non-binding High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy. In 2025, the operationalization and implementation of these principles has been emphasized as one of the priorities of the South African G20 Presidency. As a contribution to this discussion, this briefing note examines the trade and bioeconomy interface, including how trade and trade-related policy can promote a sustainable and nature positive bioeconomy, and suggests possible cooperative approaches to be pursued internationally. It was prepared by TESS as an input to the work of NatureFinance in support of the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy under the South African presidency.