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This research paper by Florencia Sarmiento analyzes the critical state of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations regarding fisheries subsidies ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). It evaluates the impact of the 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and the urgent need for additional disciplines to address overcapacity and overfishing to prevent the collapse of the existing framework due to a termination clause.

This briefing discusses the intersection of circular economy solutions and international trade policy as a means to achieve decarbonization. It argues that transitioning from primary raw materials to secondary materials, extending product lifespans, and reforming trade barriers are essential for meeting net-zero goals, as the extraction and processing of material resources account for half of global greenhouse gas emissions.

This research paper by Rashid S. Kaukab analyzes the divisions among World Trade Organization (WTO) members regarding the regulation of e-commerce ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). It examines the tension between the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative, focusing on the contentious moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and the challenges faced by developing countries in bridging the digital divide.

This research paper by Rashmi Jose analyzes the proposed Investment Facilitation for Development (FID) Agreement and the challenges surrounding its incorporation into the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This policy analysis examines the development of a legally binding international treaty to end plastic pollution following UN Environment Assembly Resolution 5/14. It argues that for the treaty to be effective, it must address the overproduction of virgin plastics, the failures of the international waste trade (highlighting the impact of China's 2017 import ban), and the need for coordination between environmental goals and World Trade Organization (WTO) trade policies.

This research paper analyzes the implications of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework's international tax reforms—specifically Pillar One and Pillar Two—for resource-rich developing countries and the mining sector. While some aspects of the reforms protect the taxing rights of producer countries, others may undermine national sovereignty or create unfair tax burdens due to the specific accounting nature of mining operations.

This report analyzes energy subsidies in South Africa for financial year (FY) 2025, finding that they totaled at least ZAR 198 billion (USD 10.8 billion). The analysis highlights a heavy reliance on fossil fuel subsidies, significant financial bailouts for the state-owned power company Eskom, and inefficiencies in the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) policy. The document recommends a comprehensive action plan for subsidy reform, a financial recovery plan for Eskom, and a redesign of the carbon tax and liquid fuel subsidies to better support low-income households and the energy transition.

The 'Guidebook on the Management and Financing of Soil Rehabilitation Projects in China' is part of a five-year project supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore green finance approaches and financial mechanisms for remediating contaminated soils in China.

This report analyzes National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to determine their role in addressing loss and damage. It finds that 49% of developing countries' NAPs reference loss and damage and 95% mention disaster risk management, positioning the NAP process as a key tool for identifying country-specific risks and implementing actions to minimize climate-related losses.

This research paper examines the critical role of financial resources and technological transfer in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. It traces the evolution of international development policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to current frameworks like the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, highlighting a persistent funding gap and a digital divide that hinder progress in developing nations.

This research paper by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment (SAWTEE) analyzes the challenges and drivers of competitiveness in Nepal's textile and clothing sector. It examines the impact of Nepal's impending graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the limitations of current industrial policies, and the necessity of shifting from direct export subsidies to structural support and better institutional coordination to maintain global market presence.

This research paper by Nicolas Lamp explores the emergence of 'multi-purpose trade policy,' a paradigm shift where trade policy is no longer focused solely on economic efficiency and liberalization, but is instead used as a tool to achieve broader goals such as climate mitigation, national security, and labor rights.

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's potential policy responses. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs hit Mexico and Central America hardest, South American countries are more vulnerable to a slowdown in Chinese demand for raw materials.

This guide outlines the grievance mechanism for the SUNCASA project in Johannesburg, South Africa, specifying that labour disputes are handled by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for workers employed by the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP).

The 'Step Off the Gas' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes international public finance for natural gas expansion in the Global South, arguing that such funding locks countries into high-carbon pathways despite the availability of cheaper renewable alternatives.

This research paper analyzes the transition of international trade and climate discussions from abstract principles to practical implementation. It examines the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in managing climate-related trade measures, such as carbon border adjustments and deforestation regulations, ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This research paper analyzes the impact of US tariffs on Latin American economies and the subsequent indirect risks posed by China's economic response. The authors argue that while direct US tariffs heavily affect Mexico and Central America, the greater risk for South American nations lies in a potential decline in Chinese demand for raw materials resulting from US-China trade tensions.

This report traces 50 years of UN sustainable development and climate policy, detailing the transition from the 1992 UNFCCC and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the 2015 Paris Agreement. It examines the shift from rigid distinctions between industrialized and developing nations toward a more dynamic model of 'common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' (CBDR-RC). While the Paris Agreement achieved universal participation through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the document notes that current collective promises remain insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, potentially leading to a temperature rise exceeding 3°C if not significantly increased.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the shift in international trade and climate discussions from abstract principles to practical application. It focuses on the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in managing Climate-related Trade Measures (CTMs), specifically carbon border adjustment mechanisms and deforestation regulations, ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

This research paper by Kitrhona Cerri and Maria Mexi examines the evolution of industrial policy in the digital age, using Kenya as a primary case study. The authors argue that without strengthened data governance, worker protections, and national value capture mechanisms, digitalization in low- and middle-income countries risks creating structural dependency and "industrial thinness" rather than inclusive development.