Brief

WTO Agriculture Talks: Prospects for progress on SDG 2

World Trade Organization members are pursuing negotiations on seven outstanding topics in the area of agriculture. This short policy brief looks at the objectives of different countries and negotiating coalitions in each of these topics and reviews options for achieving progress in the talks as negotiators prepare for the organization's upcoming 12th Ministerial Conference.

By Jonathan Hepburn on December 7, 2020
  • In 2015, world leaders committed to "correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets" under SDG 2

  • WTO members are currently conducting talks on 7 negotiating areas, all of which could contribute to reshaping global markets for food and agriculture

  • While negotiating outcomes in some areas could be agreed relatively easily, others are likely to require sustained engagement after the WTO's upcoming 12th ministerial conference.