The e-learning course on trade and sustainable development goals is a self-paced training course. The course is open to anyone interested in trade and sustainable development issues. It employs a non-technical approach to build basic knowledge to understand the roles and limitations of trade and trade policy in promoting a country's achievement of the SDGs. Free certificates from the United Nations ESCAP will be available to participants who passed the module quizzes.

Goal

Develop a positive, aware, and critical attitude toward trade, trade liberalization, and globalization in contributing to sustainable development.

  • Understand the potential role of trade that can contribute to developing countries’ achievement of the SDGs.
  • Identify factors that inhibit the effective use of trade as a means of implementation.
  • Be aware of cross-cutting issues that challenge the effectiveness of trade as an instrument toward the SDGs.
  • Recognize the importance of the holistic policy approach as being crucial for ensuring trade is a powerful engine for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
  • This course is open to anyone interested in trade, globalization, and sustainable development.
  • Participants who work, study, or are interested in public policy and development will find the course particularly relevant.
  • This course uses a non-technical approach to provide essential knowledge to understand how trade and globalization can bring opportunities and challenges toward sustainable development.
  • This course consists of 15 modules: 4 mandatory introductory modules (A.1-A.4), 9 intermediate-level modules (B.1-B.4), and 2 modules on selected topics (C.1-C.2).
  • Each module has VDO lectures, which take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Participants can learn at their own pace.
  • Participants are encouraged to study the reference materials to deepen their knowledge. Please check the list of reading materials in the references and recommended readings section.
  • After completing the quizzes and achieving at least 75% scores, you will receive certificates from the United Nations ESCAP. Certificates will be sent to your registered email within 15 days:

  • An e-certificate of completing the mandatory introductory-level modules after passing the quiz for Part A
  • An e-certificate of completing the intermediate-level B.1 modules (trade, poverty, hunger, and inclusive growth) after passing the quizzes for Part A and Part B.1
  • An e-certificate of completing the intermediate-level B.2 modules (trade, climate change, and sustainable growth) after passing the quizzes for Part A and Part B.2
  • An e-certificate of completing the intermediate-level B.3 modules (trade, decent work, innovation, and responsible consumption) after passing the quizzes for Part A and Part B.3
  • An e-certificate of completing the intermediate-level B.4 module (trade, institutions, and cooperation) after passing the quizzes for Part A and Part B.4
  • An e-certificate of completing the selected topic C.1 module (trade, health, and pandemic) after passing the quizzes for Part A and Part C.1
  • An e-certificate of completing the selected topic C.2 module (global value chains) after passing the quizzes for Part A and Part C.2
  • The course is accessible via ESCAP Community platform. Please click and register HERE

    For more information, please contact:[email protected]

    For other e-learning courses on trade policy, negotiation and facilitation, please click HERE

    Back to top


    The online course focusing on Trade and SDGs is a collaboration between ESCAP and ARTNeT. The access to the course is free to the public and the content is chosen to provide an accessible learning on the transition from ‪the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), type process and rationale behind opting for a universal goal, and introduces the main linkages between trade and the SDGs. The three modules now form a basic level course and will be followed by more advanced and tailored courses to respond to capacity building needs in this substantive area.

    In this module, you will familiarize yourself with the concept of MDGs and SDGs and understand what is sustainable development.