Trade and Development

Toy cars among copper coins — Creator: birdys / photocase.de

Trade is a powerful engine. But who is driving the engine? And what else needs to be done to let all parts of society benefit from trade policy? We try to empower those who are not yet the main beneficiaries of the current trade policy regime. Trade policy should not be dealt with in isolation which is why we link trade policy with other policy areas such as human rights and labour rights. We have our finger on the pulse of emerging issues in the area of investment policy, digitalization, and illicit financial flows – areas which are of critical importance for development. Based in Geneva, we are following closely the discussions at the WTO, UNCTAD, ILO, ITC and of the various bodies of the UN Human Rights System in our economic related projects.

Media

2026
Human Rights and Development
Trade and Development
Media Center

Why Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIA) Are Essential for Trade Agreements

Read our step-by-step guide why and how to do a Human Rights Impact Assessment

Trade and Development
Media Center
2025

How should a just and sustainable agreement for international agriculture trade look like?

Read now: First working paper of the “Agreement on Agriculture Re-Imagined” project

Trade and Development
Media Center
2025

Human rights impact assessments in trade agreements

Elaborating a short and practical guide for HRIA

Visit our Media Center

Events

2026
Trade and Development
Event

Building an Inclusive Future in Trade Governance

Last week, on invitation of FES Geneva and the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Young Trade Leaders from all parts of the world gathered in Geneva to discuss the future of the multilateral trading system from a youth perspective. ...

WTO DG Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with Young Trade Leaders as well as FES and WTO organisers — Creator: WTO

Event
Trade and Development
2026

Towards a New Deal for Global Trade: A Progressive Agenda - A Geneva Perspective

Following the High-Level Dialogue with Professor Joseph Stiglitz and the WTO Director-General held on May 5, this technical workshop brought together senior diplomats and experts to discuss Geneva’s perspective on progressive trade...

Group picture of workshop participants — Creator: IISD

Event
Trade and Development
2026

High-Level Dialogue: Toward a New Deal for Global Trade: A progressive agenda

Featuring Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, moderated by Nathalie Bernasconi, this dialogue explored core principles for a progressive trade policy suited to a changing global order. The...