​The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will be adopted in 2015 need to include a commitment to deliver a new global trade framework for the world’s least developed countries and small-island states, such as the Pacific Island Countries.

This report focuses on the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with reference to the Pacific. It argues that the Pacific island countries (PICs) have much to gain from the SDGs if these goals contribute to trade development and better reflect their trade and development-related needs.

The report discusses the effect of regional trade agreements: how they are changing the global landscape and shaping future trading opportunities for the Pacific. It also addresses the need to ensure small and economically powerless countries are not adversely affected by such agreements, nor their aspirations to achieve regional integration undermined.  

Dan Gay, Jodie Keane and Yurendra Basnett