The International Trade Centre’s latest online edition of Trade Forum focuses on Deforestation-free trade.

It explores how the small businesses in developing countries that we serve can move beyond the mere compliance of environmental regulations.

The issue is particularly timely as the EU Deforestation Regulation (or EUDR) is due to begin its application by year’s end, after years of preparations and amendments.

The 14 contributions seek to paint a comprehensive picture of the various questions surrounding deforestation-free trade, and what these questions mean for the small businesses we support in the sectors most affected. They also seek to inspire new thinking, and new approaches, that can support these businesses in successfully achieving the green transition, which is one of the goals set out under ITC’s new Strategic Plan 2026-2030.

One joint contribution by GIZ with the European Forest Institute looks at the question of technology when creating deforestation-free, sustainable and transparent agricultural value chains. It explains that technology can even create challenges if not incorporated correctly and argues that producers need a digital transformation that responds to their needs. Read the article in the issue to learn more.

The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of UN Trade and Development and the World Trade Organization.