International cooperation is difficult, and it is especially hard in times of increasing polarization. The last few years of trade policy have felt like ongoing crisis management, and the forces pulling governments away from cooperation have been persistent. However, we also know that cooperation—where it makes sense—delivers better outcomes, and many of the long-term challenges to global sustainable development cannot be met without it. This high-level Opening Plenary will tackle the central question of this edition of IISD's Trade and Sustainability Hub: can governments find their way back to cooperation on trade?

Speakers from government, civil society, and international organizations will debate what we can - and can’t - expect to see at MC13 and what this means for the sustainable development prospects for businesses, communities, and the environment.