The upcoming 14th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14) will focus on WTO reform, agricultural subsidies, digital trade, and development, specifically targeting the integration of smaller economies. Join IDS colleagues and partners at the event ‘The future of trade and development cooperation’ who will discuss the implications of what MC14 could mean for global trade.
Inaugural session
- Welcome Remarks: Sachin Kumar Sharma, DG, RIS;
- Welcome Remarks: Amrita Saha, Lead, Trade & Development, IDS.
Panel 1
WTO MC14: What Comes Next for Global Trade?
WTO MC14 will be a pivotal moment for global trade. Progress on key challenges is critical to restoring stability and confidence in the trading system. As geopolitical dynamics and economic priorities evolve, the rules-based framework will need to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape, including emerging issues such as digital trade, investment facilitation, and sectoral negotiations. This panel will examine the future of trade governance. From rule-making and dispute settlement to development priorities and institutional reform, it will explore how countries and coalitions may navigate the next phase of global economic cooperation.
Chair
Harsha Vardhana Singh, Former DDG, WTO and Chairman of IKDHVAJ Advisers LLP, New Delhi (tbc)
Speakers
- G D Lohani, Former Minister (Customs), PMI to the WTO,
Geneva; - Atul Kaushik, GDC Fellow, RIS;
- Dibyendu Maiti, Delhi School of Economics (DSE);
- Supreet Khosla, Networking Lead, Palladium.
Panel 2
The Disconnects in Inclusive Trade.
International trade has long been promoted as a pathway to development, yet its inclusiveness remains contested. Despite growing recognition of the need to link trade with broader development goals—such as poverty reduction, gender equality, human rights, and disability inclusion—growing trade has often remained as the dominant objective, at the expense of these other dimensions. Recent global trade turbulence and emerging issues including environmental and labour standards further challenge trade’s role to promote inclusion. This panel will discuss the persistent disconnects between the intended development impacts of trade policies and the lived realities of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
Chair
Mattia Di Ubaldo, Deputy Director, UK Trade Policy Observatory, University of Sussex.
Speakers
- Sambit Bhattacharya, University of Sussex;
- Sabyasachi Saha, Associate Professor, RIS;
- Ranja Sengupta, Senior Researcher, Third World Network
India (TWN); - Mr. Kaustuv Chakrabarti, South-South & Triangular;
Cooperation Expert, World Food Programme.
Closing Session
Valedictory Address by Ms. Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary (PP&R), MEA (tbc).
Closing remarks by:
- Amrita Saha, Lead, Trade & Development, IDS;
- Prabir De, Professor, RIS, New Delhi.
Key contacts
