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This report by Friends of the Earth International critiques the European Union's 'Global Europe' strategy, arguing that its pursuit of a 'new generation' of bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) prioritizes the competitiveness of European transnational corporations over sustainable development, food sovereignty, and the sovereignty of developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

This research paper examines the potential for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) and India, arguing that the agreement is likely to be 'commercially shallow' due to low non-gold trade volumes, competing industrial interests, and India's strategic prioritization of Asia.

This 2008 research paper examines how International Investment Agreements (IIAs) and investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms may constrain the ability of states to protect and promote human rights. It finds that most IIAs are silent on human rights obligations for investors and that the confidentiality of arbitration processes often undermines public accountability. The author argues that stabilization clauses in Host Government Agreements further limit the state's right to regulate and recommends the creation of model language to integrate human rights values into future investment treaties.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) assesses the environmental impacts of trade liberalization on Thailand's fisheries sector. It highlights the depletion of marine fish stocks, the ecological damage caused by intensive aquaculture, and the challenges of implementing environmental certification standards in the face of strong market demand for shrimp exports.

This research paper by Pedro Roffe examines the challenges developing countries face when implementing intellectual property (IP) provisions within bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs). It analyzes the shift from the flexible pre-TRIPS era to a 'TRIPS-Plus' environment, where developed nations—particularly the USA, EU, and EFTA—push for higher protection standards. The author argues that developing countries should move beyond defensive implementation toward a creative approach that modernizes national institutions and utilizes existing legal flexibilities to promote local innovation and public health.

This record of discussion from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the challenges and future directions of South Africa's trade strategy. The briefing covers the gridlock in the WTO Doha Round, the potential for unilateral trade liberalisation, the strategic value of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and the complexities of regional integration within SADC and SACU.

This briefing, produced by the ISEAL Alliance and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), summarizes legal opinions on the ability of governments to reference voluntary international standards, specifically non-product related Process and Production Method (npr PPM) standards such as social and environmental criteria, in government procurement under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides an update on the status of subsidy negotiations within the WTO's Doha Round as of November 2005. It analyzes the slow progress across agriculture, fisheries, services, and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM), noting that while fisheries have seen some conceptual movement, other sectors remain stalled due to technical complexities, political disputes, and a lack of consensus on definitions.

This report analyzes the compatibility of eco-labeling standards and green procurement policies with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, specifically for World Bank borrowers. It concludes that WTO rules generally do not present significant legal barriers to 'greening' project procurement, primarily because government procurement is largely excluded from the main WTO agreements for goods and services. However, the report highlights significant concerns from developing countries regarding the costs, technical burdens, and potential market access restrictions associated with eco-labels, particularly those based on non-product-related process and production methods (npr PPMs).

This 2005 IISD report examines food security as a fundamental human right, moving beyond simple supply metrics to include distribution and individual access. It evaluates four strategies for achieving food security: food self-sufficiency, trade liberalization, food sovereignty, and multi-functional agriculture. The report argues that while trade can stabilize supply, it can also undermine local production and increase vulnerability. It concludes that a pragmatic approach combining flexible trade rules with national policy space and sustainable agricultural practices is necessary to ensure long-term food security.

The report analyzes the impact of bilateral trade agreements on copyright and access to knowledge, noting that agreements involving the U.S. often impose protections (such as 70-year terms and anti-circumvention of TPMs) that exceed multilateral standards. It also summarizes IP disputes in the WTO regarding pharmaceutical compulsory licensing and genetic resource disclosure, as well as tensions at WIPO over the Substantive Patent Law Treaty.

This document consists of separate comments submitted by four members of the Trade and Environmental Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) regarding the investment chapter of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The authors express approval that the agreement lacks an investor-state dispute mechanism but argue that the substantive investment provisions remain problematic, fail to comply with the Trade Act of 2002's "no greater substantive rights" mandate, and pose threats to environmental regulation and public governance.

The South Centre and CIEL IP Quarterly Update for the second quarter of 2004 analyzes international intellectual property (IP) policy-making, focusing on the upcoming WIPO General Assembly and developments across multilateral, plurilateral, and bilateral fora. The report highlights the challenges developing countries face when developed nations shift negotiations to bilateral 'TRIPS-plus' agreements to circumvent multilateral flexibilities. Key areas of concern include the protection of genetic resources, the proposed broadcasting treaty, and the Substantive Patent Law Treaty (SPLT).

The report provides a quarterly update on international intellectual property (IP) developments for the third quarter of 2004, focusing on the intersection of IP and development. It specifically analyzes the implementation of the FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and tracks IP-related negotiations across multilateral bodies like the WTO and WIPO, as well as regional and bilateral free trade agreements.

This briefing by Razeen Sally examines the challenges facing the World Trade Organization (WTO) amidst a shifting global power structure characterized by overwhelming US dominance and the decline of European and Japanese influence. The author argues that the WTO is suffering from regulatory overload, excessive legalisation, and political deadlock, which have crippled its ability to function as a negotiating mechanism. To survive as a vehicle for liberalisation, the author suggests the WTO must return to its core purpose of reducing trade barriers and secure clear US leadership supported by pragmatic coalitions in the Asia-Pacific region.

A statement from the Center for International Environmental Law and other representatives urging the U.S. Congress to strengthen environmental safeguards in the U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and to reject them as models for future trade initiatives.

A letter from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert B. Zoellick opposing the inclusion of a specific grant of jurisdiction regarding investment agreements and authorizations in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

This briefing paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the international legal framework for foreign investment, arguing that current treaties and agreements prioritize investor rights and liberalization over environmental protection, social goals, and corporate accountability.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between corruption and development, with a specific focus on South Africa. It argues that corruption is a global phenomenon that distorts public spending, undermines efficiency, and discourages investment, thereby hindering economic growth and social equity. The authors contend that while economic liberalisation and democratisation can create opportunities for better governance, they are not panaceas; instead, a multifaceted approach involving institutional reform, legal frameworks, and strong political will is required to eradicate corruption and promote sustainable development.

This research paper describes Singapore's strategies for integrating environmental protection with economic growth, focusing on the use of market-based instruments, international standards, and productivity programs to achieve sustainable development.