IX Conferencia Internacional de Derecho Económico: Transformaciones globales y desafíos del desarrollo sostenible
The IX International Conference on Economic Law, hosted in Quito, ECU, will delve into the complex interplay between global transformations and the challenges of sustainable development. This academic event serves as a crucial forum for legal scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to dissect contemporary economic legal issues within an evolving international landscape. The conference aims to foster dialogue on how legal frameworks can adapt to new global realities while promoting sustainable practices.
Committees & topics
Why it matters
In an era marked by rapid global shifts, the role of economic law in shaping sustainable development trajectories is more critical than ever. This conference provides a platform for in-depth analysis of how legal instruments can either facilitate or hinder progress towards environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Discussions will likely touch upon the need for innovative legal solutions to address issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and equitable economic growth, reflecting a global imperative to balance development with planetary health.
The insights generated from this gathering are particularly relevant for understanding the legal underpinnings of international cooperation and national policy-making in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. By examining the legal dimensions of global transformations, participants will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing nations worldwide. The focus on economic law highlights its foundational role in structuring markets, regulating trade, and influencing investment, all of which have profound implications for sustainable development outcomes.
How to prepare
Delegates preparing for this conference should focus on developing a robust understanding of the current global economic legal landscape and its intersection with sustainable development principles. A key area of preparation involves analyzing how different legal systems and international agreements address issues such as environmental protection, social equity, and economic stability. Understanding the nuances of these legal frameworks will be essential for engaging in productive discussions.
Furthermore, participants should consider how various stakeholders, including governments, corporations, and civil society organizations, interact within these legal structures. Applying concepts from lessons such as "hidden-stakeholders" and "engagement-strategies" can help in identifying key actors and understanding their influence on economic legal reforms. Delegates should also be prepared to offer concrete examples and case studies from their own regions or areas of expertise to enrich the discussions and provide practical perspectives on the theoretical frameworks presented.
Country perspectives
Where the most-relevant 3 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.
EcuadorAs the host nation, ECU is deeply invested in discussions around sustainable development and economic law, particularly concerning resource management and indigenous rights.
Role in topic
ECU, a country rich in biodiversity and natural resources, faces unique challenges in balancing economic development with environmental protection. Its legal frameworks often grapple with issues related to resource extraction, land use, and the rights of indigenous communities, making its perspective on sustainable economic law particularly relevant.
BrazilBRA's perspective will likely focus on the legal challenges and opportunities in managing vast natural resources, such as the Amazon rainforest, within a global economic context.
Role in topic
BRA, with its significant natural resources and a rapidly developing economy, offers a critical perspective on the legal and economic complexities of sustainable development. Discussions from a BRA viewpoint might highlight the tensions between agricultural expansion, industrial growth, and environmental conservation, and the role of law in mediating these conflicts.
GermanyDEU will likely emphasize the importance of robust regulatory frameworks and international cooperation in achieving sustainable economic practices.
Role in topic
As a leading economy with a strong commitment to environmental protection and renewable energy, DEU can offer insights into advanced legal and policy approaches for sustainable economic development. Its perspective might focus on green technologies, circular economy models, and the role of international economic law in fostering global sustainability.
Topics & background
The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.
New Economic Geopolitics and Strategic Security
Key players
United StatesArchitect of export controls, sanctions regimes, and friend-shoring industrial policy
ChinaPrincipal target of de-risking and driver of alternative trade and financial architectures
RussiaTest case for the weaponization of finance and energy following 2022 sanctions
- Germany
Leading EU economy recalibrating its China exposure and energy dependence
MexicoPrimary nearshoring beneficiary under USMCA, navigating US-China pressures
- Brazil
BRICS+ heavyweight balancing strategic autonomy with Western markets
Public Finance, Tax Justice and Sustainable Development
Key players
- United States
Largest source of MNE headquarters; ambivalent on Pillar Two implementation and UN tax convention
- Brazil
G20 leader on taxing the ultra-wealthy and SDG-aligned fiscal reform
NigeriaLead sponsor of the UN tax convention resolution on behalf of the African Group
ColombiaLatin American champion of progressive tax reform and extractive-sector taxation
FranceKey OECD/EU advocate of Pillar Two and minimum taxation of capital
IrelandEmblematic low-tax jurisdiction central to corporate tax debates
Business, Labor and Human Rights
Key players
- Ecuador
Co-leader, with South Africa, of the binding treaty process at the HRC
South AfricaCo-sponsor of the intergovernmental treaty negotiations
- Germany
Major economy implementing mandatory supply chain due diligence
- France
Pioneer of the corporate duty of vigilance and EU CSDDD advocate
- Colombia
Frontline state for human rights defenders and extractive-sector disputes
- United States
Home to major MNEs; uses trade tools (UFLPA, Section 307) rather than treaty engagement
Competition Law, Intellectual Property and Innovation
Key players
- United States
Home of dominant digital and pharma firms; active antitrust enforcement and IP standard-setter
- China
Major IP filer and aggressive competition enforcer against domestic and foreign platforms
IndiaLead voice for TRIPS flexibilities and generic medicines; rising digital regulator
- Brazil
Active CADE enforcement and Latin American leader on access to medicines
- South Africa
Co-proponent of the TRIPS waiver and advocate of pro-development IP reform
- Germany
Anchor of EU competition policy and the Digital Markets Act framework
Resources
News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for IX Conferencia Internacional de Derecho Económico: Transformaciones globales y desafíos del desarrollo sostenible.
Lessons
Bite-sized lessons to build the basics
Courses
Guided courses that go deeper on the topic
The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance