[8] ITC encourage global compliance using international standards,[9] which are voluntary consensus, to ensure that the adherence to laws and regulations do not constitute a technical barrier to trade (TBT).
[10] There have been debates about the benefits of VSS adoption and the role that they can play in helping developing countries overcome trade barriers and drive sustainability in supply chains.
Scepticism was centred around the concern that VSS might allow for discriminatory effects on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play an even more crucial and dominant role in less industrialised economies.
These platforms were mandated to serve as clearing houses for international exchanges, analytical work, collaborative action and the formulation of policy advisory.
[14][15][16] All of these platforms are involved in engaging in policy dialogue which further help address several challenges that SMEs face with regard to VSS, most importantly the awareness and substantive information.
Other activities use partnering instruments, such as the development of the platform itself, knowledge sharing through forums, and the promotion of standards for the achievement of the SDGs via interaction with government and intergovernmental organizations.
[17] Multi-stakeholder engagement in dialogue, deliberation, and access to agenda-setting in this domain is attempted through the International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS).
[20][21][22] The ICSTS resulted into: • Engagement of more than 2000 participants over the course of the past conventions • Reached over 60 renowned international experts and high-level officials to speak at each of the convention • A space that allowed different local stakeholders to participate in advancing national priorities • An international dialogue that exchanges best practices of different countries • A network platform to bring together the private sector and standard setters • The convention has reached significant interests of high-level government officials • Media outreach that has attracted global attention, particularly through the dissemination via local UN offices and government bodies[23][24][25] The Academic Advisory Council (AAC) also another initiative spearheaded by the UNFSS and the Leuven Centre for Global Governance, supported by FWO and SECO.
The AAC brings together an international mix of experts from a wide variety of academic backgrounds which enables to better understand the issues that VSS face and also address key challenges by applying a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach.
It is potentially useful for local, national or regional government agencies, the private sector, standard setters, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international donors, academia and cooperatives.