** What’s new in sustainable development
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** Inside the WTO Public Forum
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The World Trade Organization Public Forum is taking place September 15 to 17, 2026, bringing together more than 2,000 leaders from government, business, and civil society to explore the future of global trade.

For the first time, IISD is co-organizing the Public Forum alongside the International Chamber of Commerce, helping to bring sustainability and equity to the heart of the discussion.

Trade policy shapes what the world produces, how it is produced, and who benefits, and the discussions held at the forum influence how officials and stakeholders engage with it. IISD’s mission this year is to keep environmental protection and equity at the centre of that conversation.

Under this year’s theme, Powering the Future, conversations will explore how services, digital transformation, and trade policy can support inclusive and sustainable development.

Can’t make it in person? Watch the opening plenary livestream ([link removed]) to see what global leaders are saying on the role of cooperation in shaping the future of trade.

Follow the sustainability conversation at the Forum—check out our experts’ full slate of events during the week ([link removed]) .

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** How Viet Nam (and Others) Can Leverage Trade to Adapt to Climate Change
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Viet Nam faces growing climate risks in its agricultural sector, but trade policy could be a powerful tool for adaptation. From defining climate adaptation goods to streamlining customs and visa procedures to strengthening international partnerships, this new report provides practical solutions ([link removed]) for Viet Nam (and other climate-vulnerable countries) to unlock access to the foreign technologies, expertise, and data services farmers need most.
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** How to Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Systems for Nature-Based Solutions
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Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems are central to understanding and communicating the impacts of nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation and biodiversity, so how can we strengthen these systems? This briefing note ([link removed]) presents practical ways that conservation practitioners and managers can strengthen their MEL systems, with a focus on qualitative data.

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** Advancing Gender Equality for Sustainable and Resilient Value Chains
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Achieving women’s economic empowerment in the agriculture sector remains a challenge. But with the right measures, organizations can support this while strengthening the equity and resilience of the food systems that women sustain. Learn about the role of voluntary sustainability standards and the private sector in addressing gender inequalities to advance women’s economic empowerment, as well as how these approaches can advance broader sustainability goals, in our new report ([link removed]) .

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** How Sustainability Standards Can Support Stronger Public Mining Governance
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Sustainability standards and initiatives (SSIs) are increasingly shaping public mining governance. This new report explores how governments are integrating these tools into policy and regulation ([link removed]) , drawing on case studies from Brazil, Madagascar, and Sweden. The report finds that SSIs can help strengthen governance when they complement public authority, support implementation, and reflect producing-country perspectives.

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** Preventing Delays to Permitting for Critical Mineral Projects
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Permitting for mining projects is increasingly important as demand for critical minerals grows in support of the global energy transition. Drawing on case studies from around the world, this new report ([link removed]) examines permitting delays and ways to approach them, offering governments practical tools to limit disruption and support responsible mine development.

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** Ask Us Anything: Our sovereign debt experts take to Reddit for a live Q&A
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From news headlines on debt restructurings to debates on climate finance, sovereign debt shapes the global economy—yet the public discussion around it is often oversimplified. On September 10 at 1:30 p.m. CEST, IISD’s sovereign debt team will participate in an Ask Me Anything session live on Reddit’s r/IAmA forum. No question is too complex or too simple, so follow our LinkedIn event page ([link removed]) to receive a link once the session is live.

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** What Does the Current Climate Landscape Look Like in Africa?
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Two new climate risk profiles examine observed and projected climate changes and their impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihoods across Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. They also highlight NbS for adaptation and measures to support gender-responsive and socially inclusive climate action. Explore the Greater Virunga Landscape ([link removed]) profile and the Kavango-Zambezi Landscape ([link removed]) profile.

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** Global Environmental Leaders Gather in Beijing to Advise China on Green Policy Agenda
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Striking the right balance between ambitious yet achievable policy goals is key to advancing green development. This balance will be the guiding theme as global leaders, experts, and diplomats gather in Beijing this September to provide policy recommendations to the Chinese government on topics ranging from international climate governance, domestic energy transition, and environmental protection to green finance, ocean governance, and the circular economy. Stay tuned for coverage and live analysis on socials ([link removed]) .

Upcoming events ([link removed])

Hybrid


** Counting What Counts: Implementing beyond GDP metrics
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September 15, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT
Learn more ([link removed])

Webinar


** Learnings from Implementing Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation in and Around Protected Areas
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September 16, 2026, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. GMT
Learn more ([link removed])

Job opportunities ([link removed])

At IISD, we believe in investing in people who are passionate and talented at what they do. Help enhance our work across all of our focus areas and make an impact on the planet and its people.

* Consultancy Service for the Development of a Digital Dashboard, SUNCASA, Kigali, Rwanda (Remote) ([link removed])
* Policy Analyst, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion, Energy Program, Indonesia (Remote) ([link removed])


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mailto:[email protected]

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IISD's headquarters in Winnipeg are situated on Treaty 1 Territory—the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininiw (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe Cree), Dene, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. ([link removed])