Global research partnerships for sustainable trade policy

This fact sheet describes the Trade Knowledge Network (TKN), a global collaboration of research institutions coordinated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) since 1998. The TKN aims to promote sustainable development by strengthening research capacity in developing countries and generating policy analysis on trade and investment.

• The Trade Knowledge Network (TKN) operates based on four primary pillars: strengthening research capacity in the developing world through training and internships; generating innovative policy research via cross-regional collaboration; connecting research findings with policy-makers through targeted influencing strategies; and building a global research network of individuals and organizations.
• The TKN employs a 'Southern-driven' approach, asserting that sustainable trade and investment policies require local context. Consequently, research is developed and executed within the countries and regions where it is applied, with regional coordinators managing their own agendas and support from national-level institutes.
• Since its inception in 1998, the TKN has partnered with over 35 institutions across 28 countries and published more than 80 reports in nine languages.
• The TKN has conducted diverse research projects addressing specific regional and global challenges, including the impact of regional trade agreements on political stability, commodity price volatility, food security in Africa linked to climate change and land degradation, and the costs and benefits of foreign direct investment incentives in Southeast Asia.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). Global research partnerships for sustainable trade policy. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_tkn_2008.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Global research partnerships for sustainable trade policy. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_tkn_2008.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Global research partnerships for sustainable trade policy |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_tkn_2008.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndglobal, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Global research partnerships for sustainable trade policy}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/brochure_tkn_2008.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }