Workshop on trade for development: A scoping of emerging issues

Join us on November 6, 2025, for an online stakeholder engagement workshop on emerging trade issues in the Global South and how a shifting global trade landscape is playing out for emerging markets.

This is your opportunity to hear from leading researchers from all regions of the world and engage in insightful discussions about this timely topic.  

Why this matters  

Trade remains vital for growth and poverty reduction, but current threats like climate change, protectionism, geopolitical tensions and conflict are threatening its benefits. Small developing countries that rely heavily on trade are facing some of the greatest challenges as they depend heavily on trade to improve living standards.

To explore these pressing issues, IDRC has commissioned a series of papers on emerging trade-related trends across the Global South. At the workshop, expert authors will present their findings. Our open discussions will surface knowledge gaps for further action-oriented research.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English and French. 

Moderator

Erin Tansey, workshop chair and director, Sustainable Inclusive Economies, IDRC

Opening remarks 

Santiago Alba-Corral, vice-president, Programs and Partnerships, IDRC 

Speakers

• Teddy Y. Samy, Ph.D., director, the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Canada
• Bart Édes, professor of practice, McGill University, Canada, and distinguished fellow, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
• Stephen Olson, visiting fellow, the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, and senior adjunct fellow, the Pacific Forum, Hong Kong, China
• Amitendu Palit, Ph.D., senior research fellow, the Institute of South Asian Studies at National University of Singapore
• Yasmine Eissa, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Economics, The American University in Cairo, Egypt
• Verena Tandrayen-Ragoobur, Ph.D., associate professor in economics, WTO research co-chair, University of Mauritius
• Dominique Njinkeu, Ph.D., director, African Trade and Sustainable Development, United States
• Pedro da Motta Veiga, director, Centre for Studies in Integration and Development, Brazil
• Mariama Williams, Ph.D., board director, Institute of Law and Economics, Jamaica 

Closing remarks

Maggie Gorman Vélez, vice-president, Strategy, Regions and Policy, IDRC