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Trade Ministers from across the Commonwealth have concluded two days of high-level deliberations in Windhoek, Namibia, at the 2025 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM), with a bold affirmation of their shared commitment to deepen intra-Commonwealth trade, unlock sustainable investment, and defend the integrity of the multilateral trading system.
Read news - Commonwealth Trade Ministers and business leaders wrap up Windhoek summit with strong call for multilateralism and private sector partnerships
Commonwealth Trade Ministers will gather in Windhoek, Namibia, in June 2025 for their biennial Ministerial Meeting at a tumultuous time for global trade. Formidable headwinds are buffeting a global trading system already reeling on the back of the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, escalating geopolitical tensions, increasing fragmentation of the global economy, and disruption and destabilisation of global supply chains. An alarming trend of rising protectionism – headlined by the current United States administration’s tariff policies, escalating trade tensions and the prospect of a protracted trade war between the United States and China – threatens to further undermine the stability of the global trading order.
Read news - Blog: Resilient together – reflecting on Commonwealth trade priorities in a fractured global trading landscape
This study examines the economic effects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on sub-Saharan African countries and their capacity to comply with the regulation. It suggests Africa could potentially lose US$11 billion in annual exports as a result of non-compliance, with smallholder farmers the most vulnerable. To address these issues, the study suggests enforcing existing land use and environmental policies, building capacity at both policy and enterprise levels, providing technical assistance and ensuring co-operative EU engagement to adapt the EUDR to African contexts.

Read publication - The EU Deforestation Regulation: Trade and Investment Implications for Sub-Saharan African Countries
A blog by Dr. Benjamin Kwasi Addom, Adviser, Agriculture & Fisheries Trade Policy, Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, Commonwealth Secretariat.

This blog is the third in a series exploring effective approaches to data management. The first blog focused on the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its implications for Commonwealth countries, while the second examined ‘Building national data infrastructures through a bottom-up approach.’

In this entry, we explore the significance of NAgDI in empowering Commonwealth nations to build shared agricultural data infrastructures, ensuring compliance with global trade regulations while fostering economic resilience and data sovereignty.
Read news - Blog: The Commonwealth’s National Agricultural Data Infrastructure
This blog is the second in a series of three exploring effective approaches to data management. The first blog focused on the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its implications for Commonwealth countries, highlighting the importance of a coordinated national approach to data management.

In this entry, we delve deeper into the necessity of a bottom-up approach to harness global data investments and build robust national data infrastructures.
Read news - Blog: From policy to practice - Building national data infrastructures through a bottom-up approach
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, made a strong case for continued investment and partnership at the UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum. The event was organised by DMA Invest in partnership with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the UK Department for Business & Trade, and UK Export Finance.
Read news - Commonwealth Secretary-General encourages increased investment in the Caribbean
This Handbook on Extractive Sector Investment Negotiations, which is aimed at developing country officials, is intended as a guide for teams involved in negotiations with foreign investors to ensure that processes are designed and followed to achieve positive, sustainable outcomes that produce ‘win-win’ results.

This handbook attempts to bring a holistic approach to such negotiations, which includes a multidisciplinary approach through the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
Read publication - Handbook on Extractive Sector Investment Negotiations