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Old Rules, New Realities: How industrial policy is shaking up global trade

Modern industrial policies are rubbing up against WTO rules. Satish Triplicane and Ieva Baršauskaitė examine the issues at play in discussions of the balance between trade rules, development and climate objectives.

Policy Analysis February 25, 2026

Stanley U. Nweke-Eze

Person February 25, 2026

IISD Insight Series on the Belt and Road Initiative

Through this series, IISD examines the evolving landscape of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Each insight explores key dimensions of the initiative’s shifting priorities, policies, and legal architecture, with a focus on how policymakers in emerging and developing economies can maximize the benefits of BRI investments.

Project February 25, 2026

Indonesia Needs Stronger Policy Alignment to Deliver Credible and Inclusive Energy Transition

Indonesia needs stronger alignment between carbon pricing, fiscal policy and energy sector reform to ensure its energy transition delivers effective, credible and socially acceptable decarbonisation outcomes. The issue was highlighted during the joint launch of the Emission Ambitions for Sustainable Economies (EASE) and EnerKey projects, organized by IISD.

IISD in the news February 24, 2026

Why Does Trade Matter for Climate Change Adaptation Technology?

How can we bridge the gap between trade policy and climate adaptation to make “technology transfer” a reality for communities at risk?

Explainer February 24, 2026

International Conversations on Trade and Climate: From the WTO to the UNFCCC

Ieva Baršauskaitė and Antoine Bonnet examine recent WTO and COP 30 discussions, including work in the Committee on Trade and Environment and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions, showing how MC14 can consolidate these debates and guide the next steps for multilateral cooperation.

Policy Analysis February 24, 2026

How to Center Gender and Social Justice in Urban Climate Action

For projects to help communities adapt to climate change, it's vital they engage with champions for gender equality and social inclusion.

Explainer February 23, 2026

Mining Indaba 26: Who defines ‘critical minerals’- and does it work for Africa?

As “critical minerals” rise to the top of global policy agendas–driven largely by energy transition, security, and industrial priorities in the Global North–African countries are being drawn into a conversation they did not start. Yet for a continent that holds a significant share of the world’s mineral resources, the central question is not whether these minerals are critical to others, but whether externally defined notions of “criticality” align with Africa’s own development objectives.

IISD in the news February 23, 2026

IISD Trade and Sustainability Review, March 2026

MC14 brings together critical debates on trade, development, and sustainability. This issue explores headline topics, including WTO reform, industrial policy, e-commerce, investment facilitation, fisheries subsidies, agriculture, and trade-related climate measures, highlighting both opportunities and challenges for inclusive, rules-based, and future-ready global trade.

Deep Dive February 23, 2026

“WTO Reform” is the headline issue at MC14, but what does it mean, and what are we likely to see?

Alice Tipping explores WTO reform at MC14, focusing on decision making, rules for fair competition, and support for developing countries, highlighting how ministers can lay the groundwork for future reforms.

Policy Analysis February 20, 2026

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