Trade and Sustainability Hub 2026
We brought the Trade + Sustainability Hub back for a fourth edition, this time alongside the Fourteenth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. In March 2026, the Hub convened thought leaders from across governments, business, and civil society for a series of in-depth conversations on how trade policy can evolve to meet today’s global challenges and deliver meaningful progress on sustainable development.
The rules-based multilateral trading system has underpinned international economic cooperation for over 3 decades. But in an era defined by geostrategic competition, climate urgency, and widening inequality, the system is under intense scrutiny. Can it still deliver for development?
Alongside the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), IISD’s Trade + Sustainability (T+S) Hub 2026 convened thought leaders from governments, international organizations, business, and civil society to tackle this question head-on. Set in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Hub was a space for open dialogue on how trade policy can evolve to meet today’s global challenges—and how to forge a more inclusive, sustainable system.
Delivering for development: What is possible and how do we get there?
As the global community grapples with development setbacks, geopolitical shifts, and climate pressures, the T+S Hub explored how international trade policy can serve as a constructive force. Sessions covered topics on the official WTO agenda, including key MC14 decisions, while also looking beyond to the fast-evolving trade landscape of coalitions, regional deals, and unilateral action.
Discussions unfolded across three key thematic streams:
1. Delivering for Agriculture | Agriculture is a cornerstone of development, food security, and economic resilience. But climate change, shifting market standards, and sustainability demands are reshaping the trade landscape.
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2. Delivering an Inclusive Low-Carbon Global Economy | The race to decarbonize is underway—but not all economies are starting from the same place. Governments worldwide are racing to secure a share of the low-carbon economy, facing trade-offs between the pace of decarbonization and domestic jobs and corporate success.
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3. Delivering Digitized Industrialization Where Small Business Thrives | From AI to digital services, the future of industrialization is digital—and fast-moving. While digitization has created opportunities for some small enterprises, SMEs overall lag behind in the update of digital tools, particularly those that require large amounts of capital or scale.
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What did the Hub look like
The T+S Hub took place from Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28, 2026, in parallel with MC14, and featured the following:
- plenary conversations with high-profile speakers,
- boardroom-style sessions curated by expert organizations in three parallel streams, and
- networking breaks and receptions to build relationships and spark collaboration.
When and where?
The T+S Hub took place at the Hilton Yaoundé Hotel in Yaoundé, Cameroon from March 26 to 28, 2026.
Learn more about the Hub here.
Upcoming events
IGF 22nd Annual General Meeting
The 22nd IGF AGM will be held under the theme of Trust in an Interdependent World: Advancing inclusion and resilience in mineral value chains
Exploring Sustainable Markets and Trade Opportunities for COMESA Countries
This webinar series for COMESA member states, producers, and small and medium-sized enterprises aims to enhance their understanding of sustainability standards and regulatory developments.
Policy Workshop: Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Beyond GDP in Ghana
Policymakers will explore core concepts, global approaches, and key components of "beyond GDP" and assess their relevance for Ghana.
Student Workshop: Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Beyond GDP in Ghana
Students will confront the limitations of GDP and explore alternative and complementary measures to GDP and their policy implications for Ghana.