As global supply chains continue to face relentless disruptive forces—including the effects of the pandemic, the food security crisis, rising geopolitical tensions, and the damaging effects of climate change—people are questioning the value of globalization and whether globalized trade can survive the effects of such forces.

This session examined how international trade is changing and considered what the implications are for the multilateral system—and notably, its relationship to the sustainable development agenda. It considered how the changes affect developing and least-developed countries in particular as they grapple with life-threatening challenges such as food and health supply shortages.

Moderator

• Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder, Executive Director, IISD Europe; Senior Director, Economic Law & Policy

Speakers

• Carlos Correa, Executive Director, South Centre
• Arancha González Laya, Dean, Paris School of International Affairs; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain
• Rashid Kaukab, Executive Director, CUTS International, Geneva
• Mona Paulsen, Assistant Professor, the London School of Economics and Political Science
• H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union
• Tancrède Voituriez, Senior Research Fellow, Institut du Développement Durable et des Relations Internationales (IDDRI)