Themes
Policy Areas

Synergies

Welcome to Synergies, an online platform featuring expert commentary and opinions curated by TESS. We foster dialogue and incubate ideas on how to shape a global trading system that effectively addresses global environmental crises and advances sustainable development.

Synergies draws on perspectives from leading experts and practitioners across policy communities from around the world. We cultivate solutions-oriented policy analysis for a sustainable future.
 

Expert View

Voluntary Sustainability Standards and the Future of Trade Cooperation

Future trade cooperation should approach the integration and use of voluntary standards more systematically.

Florencia Sarmiento 19 March 2026
Events

UPCOMING EVENT | Africa's Role in Shaping WTO Reform for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future High-Level Workshop Convening of the Remaking Trade Project

24-25 March 2026 | This high-level, Africa-led strategic dialogue will take place on the margins of WTO MC14.

18 March 2026
Events

UPCOMING EVENT | Lunchtime Conversation on Africa’s Priorities at the Nexus of Trade & Sustainability

28 March 2026 | This roundtable will take place on the sidelines of WTO MC14.

18 March 2026
Events

UPCOMING EVENT | Trade Cooperation on Africa's Critical Minerals: Pathways for Equitable Clean Energy Transitions and Sustainable Development

27 March 2026 | TESS is co-organizing this Trade + Sustainability Hub event with UNCTAD and UNECA.

18 March 2026
Events

Climate Change, Nature, & WTO Reform: What Is the Sustainability Opportunity?

This roundtable explored strategies and opportunities in the context of ongoing WTO reform efforts.

18 March 2026
Expert View

Trump’s Tariffs Have Gutted AGOA’s Duty‑Free Promise: Our Model Shows How

New Trump-era tariffs drive large declines in US-bound exports from Africa.

Tim Vogel & Zoryana Olekseyuk 16 March 2026
News - Monthly update

Monthly Update I Issue 02/26

Welcome to our latest monthly update.

05 March 2026
Expert View

Critical Minerals as an Observatory for Evolving Forms of Trade Cooperation

In the context of critical minerals diplomacy, what do new trade agreements promise and what challenges do they create?

Sunayana Sasmal 24 February 2026
Expert View

Trade and CARICOM’s Just Transition: Why the Trade Agenda is Now Central to Climate-Resilient Development

For CARICOM, a trade-informed just transition framework helps ensure the gains of transformation are shared equitably.

Peta-Gay Facey Wilson 12 February 2026
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Synergies Series

Next Generation Trade Arrangements

On future models of cooperation for a generation of trade arrangements committed to the principles of sustainability.

Climate and Trade

Addressing the Climate Crisis and Supporting Climate-Resilient Development: Where Can the Trading System Contribute?

Reviving Multilateralism

From Vision to Action on Trade and Sustainability at the WTO.

US Tariffs and Sustainability

The impacts of US tariffs on developing countries and sustainable development.