Trade and growth have been key drivers in reducing poverty. This Briefing Paper contends that leaving the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) hanging and the WTO in isolation is not the best policy strategy in the current economic environment. As well as examining the current international macroeconomic environment and pressures for non-market intervention, it looks at what the DDA can offer, in terms of bindings, market access and benefits for poor countries. It argues that concluding the DDA is central to enhancing multilateral cooperation and future prospects.