Policy-makers in developing countries face a range of multilateral trade challenges. These are multifaceted but centre around three broad issues:
- inclusion and protection of those most marginalised and excluded from the benefits of trade;
- adapting to the shift that the emerging economic powers represent for developing and low-income countries; and
- addressing the environmental and climatic challenges associated with a rapidly changing developing world.
We look at the interests of developing countries in current negotiations in the WTO and how they can participate more effectively in these negotiations, recognising new perspectives on commodities, recent price changes and food security.
We focus our analysis on the links between trade, trade policy and poverty, covering areas that represent key concerns for developing countries, including:
- how trade policy influences the way countries integrate into the global economy;
- how to develop and manage trade patterns for economic growth;
- what external influences, such as climate change, the global financial crisis, services integration and migration mean for trade and development strategies;
We also look at corporate practice, standard setting and the role of the private sector in broadening the range of products and services to be traded, for example through improved communications and trade agreements.
