Trade : North refuses to engage on S&DT provisions on TBT, customs valuation (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Washington DC)
The United States, the European Union and other major developed countries on 27 April obdurately refused to engage with the Group of 90 developing and least-developed countries on improving special and differential treatment (S&DT) provisions in the WTO Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Customs Valuation.

Development : Struggle for the future of food (PRIV)
(IPS, Kuala Lumpur)
Producers and consumers seem helpless as food all over the world comes under fast growing corporate control. Such changes have also been worsening environmental collapse, social dislocation and the human condition.

COVID-19 : Why experts are saying it's "make or break" moment for forests (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
A new global report on forests says that while the COVID-19 pandemic is the latest threat to achieving ambitious forest protection goals, it has brought the importance of forests to global well-being into sharp focus, and that this recognition must now be met with collection action.

Opinion : Pathogens, public health & political will (PRIV)
(IPS, New York/Manila)
The occasion of World Malaria Day amidst a global pandemic warrants an examination of the intersection between our decades-long battle against the world's oldest known fever and the newest known pathogen fueling a global pandemic.