IISD Trade and Sustainability Review, Volume 3, Issue 3, July 2023
Articles
Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement: Why does it matter?
Rashmi Jose
Talks have recently concluded for the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA). Rashmi Jose analyzes how the negotiating process—known as a joint statement initiative (JSI)—has evolved, why the potential agreement matters for sustainable development and what we can expect next, especially in the run-up to the next ministerial conference (MC13).
Read article here.
Joint Statement Initiative on E-commerce at Crossroads for a “Substantial” Conclusion by MC13
Yasmin Ismail
The JSI on e-commerce has made significant progress, engaging an increasing number of WTO members through multiple negotiation rounds. Yasmin Ismail, Programme Officer at CUTS International Geneva, examines the progress, prospects, and challenges of reaching a consolidated text by MC13.
Read article here.
Nature-Positive Trade for Sustainable Development
Marianne Kettunen
International cooperation and the alignment of trade policies with environmental regulations, removal of harmful subsidies, and promotion of sustainable practices can help address the biodiversity crisis. Marianne Kettunen emphasizes the potential of trade in supporting conservation, sustainable use, and restoration.
Read article here.
Unappealable but not Unappealing: WTO dispute settlement without the Appellate Body
Robert Howse
The World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement system was once described as its "crown jewel," but since the Trump administration blocked appointments to the Appellate Body, it has been stuck in limbo. Robert Howse examines what this has meant in practice and how likely reform is ahead of the 13th Ministerial Conference.
Read article here.
Linking Economic Transformation to Circular Economy Goals: The case of Africa’s garment industry
Colette van der Ven
A proactive approach is essential for African countries to embrace circular economy principles in the garment sector. Colette van der Ven explains why without it, the opportunities identified may not materialize, risking slow progress and missed economic transformation prospects.
Read article here.
You might also be interested in
Integrating Sustainability Standards in South–South Trade Policies Can Improve Producers' Livelihoods in Developing Countries, New Report Shows
Trade between developing countries and regions—known as "South–South trade"—is growing rapidly. In the past couple of decades, its value has grown almost tenfold, from USD 600 billion in 1995 to USD 5.3 trillion in 2021. A new report from the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores how governments in developing countries are using voluntary sustainability standards in their trade policies to ensure this growth benefits small-scale producers, communities, and the environment.
Integrating Standards in South–South Trade Policies Can Improve Producers' Livelihoods, New Report Shows
New report explores how governments in developing countries are using sustainability standards in trade policy to ensure that growth in South–South trade benefits farmers and the environment.
Sustainability Initiatives Falling Short for Sugar Cane Farmers in Developing Countries
Sugar cane is considered one of the most valuable agricultural commodities in the world and provides livelihoods for more than 100 million people in 120 countries. But many sugar cane farmers in developing countries live in poverty—and initiatives aimed at supporting them are falling short of their potential. A new report from the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores recent market trends in the sugar cane sector, what these trends mean for producers in developing countries, and what voluntary sustainability standards, governments, and private sector actors can do to improve farmers' incomes.
South-South Trade and Voluntary Sustainability Standards
This report explores how voluntary sustainability standards are being used in trade policy to increase the trade of more sustainable products between developing countries.