Call for Session Proposals – Open through October 1 - 31, 2025

From October 1 to 31, 2025, we invite organizations with a stake in trade policy to submit session ideas for the Trade + Sustainability Hub 2026.

There are no fees associated with organizing a session, but session organizers will be responsible for covering their own costs of attending the Hub as well as the costs of any speakers they invite to their session. Organizers of networking events will need to cover the cost of catering (to be provided by the venue) for their event. 

Priority will be given to sessions that bring together diverse perspectives (geographic, sectoral, and ideological), reflect diversity in the speakers proposed, and bring constructive approaches to the challenges articulated below.

Delivering for development: What is possible and how do we get there?

As the global community grapples with development setbacks, geopolitical shifts, and climate pressures, the Trade + Sustainability Hub will explore how international trade policy can serve as a constructive force. Sessions will cover topics on the official WTO agenda, including key MC14 decisions, while also looking beyond to the fast-evolving trade landscape of coalitions, regional deals, and unilateral action.

Discussions will unfold across three key thematic streams:

Agriculture is a cornerstone of development, food security, and economic resilience. But climate change, shifting market standards, and sustainability demands are reshaping the trade landscape.

  • How can global rules support developing countries' agriculture sectors to adapt and thrive?
  • What role can trade play in balancing environmental goals with productivity and livelihoods?

The race to decarbonize is underway—but not all economies are starting from the same place.

  • How can trade policy support equitable participation in the low-carbon transition?
  • What tools can governments use to protect domestic interests while contributing to global goals?

From AI to digital services, the future of industrialization is digital—and fast-moving. While digitization has created opportunities for some small enterprises, SMEs overall lag behind in the update of digital tools, particularly those that require large amounts of capital or scale.

  • How can trade policy support developing countries and their businesses to compete in a global economy that is changing faster than ever?
  • What do small and medium-sized enterprises need to grow and thrive in a digitizing global economy? 

When and where:

The Trade + Sustainability Hub will begin on Thursday, March 26, and conclude on Saturday, March 28. The Hub will be held in person at the Hilton Yaoundé Hotel in Cameroon, close to where MC14 is taking place.

It will also include a virtual component: selected Hub sessions will be livestreamed to registered participants, and recordings of these sessions will be available on this website.

Communications support

IISD will be using its many communication channels to promote attendance at the Trade + Sustainability Hub. Promoting specific sessions will be the responsibility of session organizers, but our communications team will provide social media and email toolkits to aid in promotion, using the Hub branding.

Disclaimer

Please note that IISD is unable to sponsor or support visa applications for speakers or participants. Additionally, IISD cannot cover any costs related to travel, accommodation, or other expenses. These remain the sole responsibility of participants and speakers.

NGO accreditation for MC14 can be completed through this link.