UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 9 April 2016]
http://www.unido.org/news-centre/news.html

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Friday, 08 April 2016
UNIDO hosts annual meeting of international partners on ways to help small farmers and land holders in Africa
VIENNA, 8 April 2016 – Investment opportunities as well as new projects designed to help small farmers and land holders in Africa were the focus of a meeting hosted in Vienna this week by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The two-day annual meeting of the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), related to the African Agriculture Fund (AAF), a USD 250 million private equity fund, ended today. A total of three new technical assistance projects supporting agribusiness development in Africa were approved.

The African Agriculture Fund invests in high potential agribusinesses involved in the food value chain across Africa with a focus on those that are targeting local production for local and regional consumption.
Representatives of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Commission, TechnoServe, Data Bank and Zairo Consulting Group attended the meeting.

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Bahrain officials praise UNIDO’s contribution to investment promotion in the region, economic empowerment of youth and women
MANAMA, 6 April 2016 – The United Nations Industrial development Organization (UNIDO) has been helping Bahrain promote investment and economic empowerment of young people and women, according to the country’s finance minister.

Speaking today at the annual meeting of Arab Financial Institutions in Manama, Shaikh Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance of Bahrain, stressed the urgent need to develop programmes for the economic empowerment of youth and for the diversification of national economies through the development of small and medium enterprises…

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index.htm

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8 April 2016
Consumer warranties to get standard treatment
When is a good deal really a lemon? Sometimes the biggest bargains come with the heaviest hidden costs, thanks to unclear warranties that cover little when things go wrong. Faulty goods and ambiguous warranties are one of the greatest bugbears for consumers and retailers. A new ISO standard in development aims to help.
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4 April 2016
Health standards for World Health Day
This week, on the occasion of World Health Day, ISO is launching a social media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of ensuring health standards are in place everywhere in the world.

UNWTO World Tourism Organization [to 9 April 2016]
http://media.unwto.org/news

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8 April 2016
UNWTO – a decade building capacity in tourism policy in Asia/Pacific
Under the title ‘Human Capital Development in Tourism’, the UNWTO Asia/Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy has gathered policy makers and tourism executives in Seoul, Republic of Korea, to enhance skills and understanding on the latest trends in tourism management. The initiative, organized by UNWTO and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, has reached a decade in this last edition, as the first Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy in the Asia/Pacific region launched in 2006.

ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 9 April 2016]
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/index.aspx?lang=en#.VF8FYcl4WF8

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5 April 2016
Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016: new edition of ITU’s flagship ICT regulatory report
From IoT and interoperability to new models for stimulating broadband roll-out
Geneva,– The latest edition of ITU’s annual global ICT regulatory report, Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016, charts and analyzes the challenges and opportunities facing today’s ICT regulators as services proliferate, platforms converge and network operators ready their infrastructure for the next round of data-intensive technologies, from 5G mobile to the Internet of Things (IoT).

The world’s most comprehensive overview of ICT policy and regulatory trends, ITU’s Trends in Telecommunication Reform 2016 brings together insights from a broad range of leading global experts to help regulators, ICT analysts and tech journalists gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing an increasingly broad array of ICT players – and consumers…

WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/

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April 20 – 22, 2016 (Geneva, Switzerland)
WIPO Conference on the Global Digital Content Market
The creative content economy has seen radical change to access and business models for more than a decade. The tensions between increased access and a sustainable economic value chain are the essence of this conference, which will explore:
:: copyright in the digital age
:: the impact of the digital environment on creators
:: the role for publishers, producers and distribution platforms
:: digital markets, access, and participation
Join the discussion with creators and experts from around the world. Limited space is available for members of the public. Registration is subject to confirmation that a seat has been assigned to you.
Meeting documents

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.cbd.int/press-releases/

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2016-04-11
Mexico urges early ratification of the international treaty on access and benefit-sharing
Montreal, 11 April 2016 – Rafael Pacchiano Alamán, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, as the incoming president of the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in a joint letter with Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, urged his global counterparts to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity as soon as possible.
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2016-04-07
Latin America and Caribbean nations declare support for biodiversity mainstreaming efforts under Convention on Biological Diversity
Montreal 7 April 2016 – In anticipation of the discussions to take place at the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 13) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) later this year, Latin American and Caribbean Ministers of Environment have adopted a decision to enhance implementation of the Convention and its Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
In particular, the decision supports actions to mainstream biodiversity into productive sectors, and to implement regional and sub-regional plans to support implementation efforts…

USAID [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases
April 13, 2016
USAID Announces $30 Million Grand Challenge to Combat Zika and Future Disease Threats
Call for ideas now open; initial focus on improved tools to prevent and respond to Zika
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched Combating Zika and Future Threats: A Grand Challenge for Development, calling innovators around the world to submit groundbreaking ideas to enhance our ability to respond to the current Zika outbreak and generate cutting-edge technologies and approaches that better prepare the world to address the disease threats of tomorrow.
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April 12, 2016
USAID Awards $5 Million for New Ways to End Extreme Poverty
Eight Organizations Supported Through the Development Innovation Ventures Program
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) U.S. Global Development Lab has announced $5 million in new grants to eight organizations from around the world. The awards are funded through the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) program, a year-round open competition that seeks innovative, breakthrough development solutions.
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April 7, 2016
USAID Joins Nespresso and TechnoServe to Support South Sudan’s Coffee Farmers
$3.18 million investment will accelerate development of the country’s coffee market
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it will invest $3.18 million to strengthen efforts to rebuild the coffee industry in South Sudan and improve coffee farmer livelihoods.
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April 6, 2016
United States Announces Nearly $139 Million in Humanitarian Assistance for Yemen
New aid helps address the ongoing humanitarian crisis
The United States announced nearly $139 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the Yemen crisis today. The contribution will help meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people in the Middle East’s poorest and most food insecure country. Since the beginning of the current conflict in March 2015, approximately 2.7 million Yemenis have been displaced and over 20 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian protection and assistance. The USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) estimates that at least 6 million people in Yemen are currently in need of life-saving food assistance.

ECHO [to 9 April 2016]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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08/04/2016
EU boosts aid to Ethiopia amid worsening drought
The European Commission has announced €122.5 million for Ethiopia to address the immediate needs of people affected by the worsening humanitarian situation caused by one of the most extreme El Niño weather phenomenon on record.
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05/04/2016
EU announces €52 million funding to provide over 2.3 million children with access to education
Today the European Commission has announced a €52 million humanitarian aid package for 2016, which is aimed specifically at educational projects for children in emergency situations.

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.asean.org/news
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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April 8th, 2016
ASEAN launches center of military medicine
BANGKOK, 8 April 2016 – The ASEAN Center of Military Medicine (ACMM) was officially launched in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday to drive regional efforts in pursuing cooperation in the area of military medicine. The Center would also develop joint medical response plans, assess medical needs in crisis situation, as well as conduct training courses and researches in emergency medical services…

…As military medicine is a crucial area during disasters, Secretary-General Minh also mentioned that, with a specific niche on military medical collaboration, the ACMM will add value to the overall humanitarian assistance and disaster relief framework of the region. The ACMM would also complement the work of the ASEAN Coordination Centre for Humanitarian Assistance in improving the region’s response and coordination mechanisms…
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ASEAN endorses action plans for financial integration 2025
VIENTIANE, 6 April 2016 – The Second ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (2nd AFMGM), the Twentieth ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting, and the Twelfth ASEAN Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (12th ACGM) were held on 4 April in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The 2nd AFMGM reviewed the progress of regional initiatives on financial integration and financial cooperation, and endorsed the Strategic Action Plans for ASEAN financial integration 2025. The ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors are committed to implementing the action plans to promote financial integration, financial inclusion and financial stability in the region, in support of ASEAN macroeconomic stability and growth. The meeting endorsed the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum Action Plan 2016-2020 and the establishment of the ASEAN Insurance Forum, the Working Committee on Financial Inclusion, and the Working Committee on ASEAN Banking Integration Framework. Meanwhile, the finance ministers meeting endorsed the six broad strategies of taxation action plans…

European Union [to 16 April 2016]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives]

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Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides following the earthquakes in Japan
Date: 16/04/2016 European Commission – Statement
Brussels, 16 April 2016 We express our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, following the earthquakes that have struck Japan. The European Union stands in full solidarity with the Japanese people and authorities.
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Europe-wide campaign launched to promote sustainable work and healthy ageing for all
Date: 15/04/2016 European Commission – Press release
Brussels, 15 April 2016 Europe-wide campaign launched to promote sustainable work and healthy ageing for all Today in Brussels, the European Commission and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) in cooperation with the Netherlands EU Presidency launched a two-year Europe-wide campaign…
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Speech by President Jean-Claude Juncker at the 2016 Spring Meetings of the IMF, World Bank flagship event on ‘Forced Displacement: A Global Development Challenge’
Date: 15/04/2016 European Commission – Speech –
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Relocation and Resettlement: EU Member States urgently need to deliver
Date: 12/04/2016
European Commission – Press release
Strasbourg, 12 April 2016
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EU boosts aid to Ethiopia amid worsening drought
Date: 08/04/2016
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 8 April 2016 The European Commission announces €122.5 million to help Ethiopia deal with a deteriorating humanitarian situation caused by the El Niño extreme weather phenomenon.
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Commission presents options for reforming the Common European Asylum System and developing safe and legal pathways to Europe
Date: 06/04/2016
European – Press release Commission Brussels, 6 April 2016 Commission presents options for reforming the Common European Asylum System and developing safe and legal pathways to Europe Today the European Commission is launching the process for a reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), presenting: options for a fair…
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EU to support over 2,300,000 children in 42 countries with education in emergency situations
Date: 05/04/2016
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 5 April 2016 EU quadruples its humanitarian financing to education in emergencies worldwide. Today the European Commission has announced a €52 million humanitarian aid package aimed specifically at educational projects for children in emergency situations in 2016.
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EU to announce €100 million development package for Sudan to address root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement
Date: 05/04/2016
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 5 April 2016 During a visit to Sudan today, Commissioner Mimica will discuss increased EU cooperation with Sudan on issues of common interest. He will also announce a €100 million Special Measure for the country, to be implemented under the EU Emergency Trust Fund…
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Implementing the EU-Turkey Agreement – Questions and Answers
Date: 04/04/2016
European Commission – Fact Sheet Brussels, 4 April 2016 Implementing the EU-Turkey Agreement – Questions and Answers On 18 March 2016, EU Heads of State or Government and Turkey agreed to end the irregular migration from Turkey to the EU and replace it instead with legal channels of resettlement of…

OECD [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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14-April-2016
Concrete actions needed to advance global tax transparency, OECD says
The international community should call time on all remaining holdouts who have yet to implement internationally agreed tax transparency standards, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría said in a new report to the G20.
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13-April-2016
Tax administrations meet on “Panama Papers”
A special project meeting of the Joint International Tax Shelter Information and Collaboration (JITSIC) Network took place at the OECD in Paris on Wednesday 13 April, bringing together senior tax administration officials from countries worldwide to discuss opportunities for obtaining data, co-operation and information-sharing in light of the “Panama Papers” revelations.
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12-April-2016
Development aid rises again in 2015, spending on refugees doubles
Development aid totalled USD 131.6 billion in 2015, representing a rise of 6.9% from 2014 in real terms as aid spent on refugees in host countries more than doubled in real terms to USD 12 billion. Stripping out funds spent on refugees, aid was still up 1.7% in real terms, according to official data collected by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).
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4-April-2016
Statement from OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría on the “Panama Papers”
The “Panama Papers” revelations have shone the light on Panama’s culture and practice of secrecy. Panama is the last major holdout that continues to allow funds to be hidden offshore from tax and law enforcement authorities.

Organization of American States (OAS) [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_releases.asp

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April 15, 2016
Statement by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro after meeting with the Constitutional President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff
Today in Brasilia I discussed with President Dilma Rousseff the current situation in the country, some regional issues and the role played by the Organization of American States.

In addition, President Rousseff referred to the political situation in Brazil and the impeachment process she may have to face.
Our Organization has made a detailed analysis of the impeachment process against Dilma, and has concluded that it does not fit within the rules that govern this process.

There is no criminal accusation against the President; rather she has been accused of the poor administration of public resources in 2014. This is an accusation that is political in character, and that does not merit an impeachment process…

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April 11, 2016
Peru: OAS Observation Mission Recommends Deep Electoral Reform
The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) to the general elections in Peru today presented its preliminary technical report on Sunday’s election, in which it recommends a deep electoral reform, including the system of disqualification of candidates.

In the report, the Mission makes a detailed analysis of the system of disqualifications. As was observed in the regional and municipal elections of 2014, the EOM notes that the current system does not provide guarantees because it transmits legal and political insecurity to the citizenry, and at times can put at risk the political rights of voters and candidates.

The report contains observations and recommendations with the aim of highlighting progress and identifying opportunities for improvement in the Peruvian electoral processes. The day of the election, the Mission deployed 79 international observers, who visited 463 voting centers in the various departments of the country. Moreover, two observers witnessed the voting in Virginia and Washington, DC in the United States.

The OAS Mission reiterates its condemnation of the attacks that left 10 people dead in Junín the day before the election…
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Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv3/news/?lan=en
[Selected Press Releases, Announcements]

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15/04/2016
FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE 13TH ISLAMIC SUMMIT OF THE HEADS OF STATE/GOVERNMENT OF THE OIC MEMBER STATES
1. The Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held their Summit (13th Islamic Summit titled ‘Unity and Solidarity for Justice and Peace’) in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey. The Summit Conference was chaired by H. E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey….
[Selected Paragraphs regarding Syria]
49. The Conference expressed serious concern over the ongoing violence and bloodshed in the Syrian Arab Republic, and stressed the need to preserve Syria’s unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It reaffirmed its support for a political settlement of the conflict based on the Geneva Communiqué and supported the political process under the auspices of the UN, with a view to implementing a Syrian-led and Syrian owned political transition that would allow building a new Syrian State based on a pluralist, non-sectarian, democratic and civilian system where the principles of equality before the law, rule of law and respect for human rights prevail…

51. The Conference welcomed the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254 on Syria endorsing an international roadmap for a peace process in Syria. Adoption of the resolution showed the global unity on a conflict that has claimed almost 300,000 lives. The Conference stressed the need to implement this resolution.

52. The Conference expressed its hope that the negotiations of the Syrian parties starting on 13 April 2016 in Geneva would lead to constructive and positive outcomes that will help in resolving the Syrian crisis as soon as possible. It commended in this regard the efforts of the United Nations envoy Staffande Mistura in encouraging political dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition.

53. The Conference reiterated its appreciation to the neighboring countries notably Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey for generously hosting of Syrian refugees, and commended also other friendly States for the support extended to these refugees.
54. The Conference called on the international community and OIC Member States to support Syrian refugees and countries hosting them as soon as possible, and to develop resettlement programmes for Syrian refugees in order to alleviate their plights and that of the hosting States…
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OIC Calls for Urgent Support to Falluja Inhabitants
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is followingwith deep concern the impacts of the siege imposed on the inhabitants of Falluja as a result of Daesh’s control of the city, which has badly affected the conditions of its inhabitants. The Iraqi Parliament has declared Al Anbar a disaster province following the significant losses sustained by most areas and inhabitants of the Province and due to the ongoing battles with Daesh.
08/04/2016

Group of 77 [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.g77.org/

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(New York, 11 April 2016)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Virachai Plasai, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, at the Forty-ninth Session of the Commission on Population and Development on Agenda Item 4: National experience in population matters: “Strengthening the demographic evidence base for the post-2015 development agenda”
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(New York, 6 April 2016)
first informal consultation with member states on the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda at the global level
Remarks on behalf of the Group of 77 and China by H.E. Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, Chargé d’affaires and Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations
…the Group stresses the importance of ensuring the integrated and indivisible nature of the SDG while maintaining the ambition of the 2030 Agenda. In our view, all 17 goals are of equal importance and evolving in nature. We believe that the integrated and indivisible nature of the goals should lead to a review system that is systematic and promotes a cross-cutting understanding of the significant interlinkages across the goals and targets…

UNCTAD [to 16 April 2016]
http://unctad.org/en/Pages/AllPressRelease.aspx

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12 Apr 2016
What impact does e-commerce have on trade and development?
UNCTAD/PRESS/PR/2016/008
Geneva, Switzerland
The impact on trade and development of the shift to online commerce will be at the heart of discussions between more than 200 experts from governments, leading e-commerce enterprises, consumer organizations and international development agencies in Geneva on 18–22 April 2016.

The second UNCTAD E-Commerce Week tackles topical issues such as online data privacy, policy discussions about cross-border transfers of data, the growth of e-commerce, and concerns over waning trust in online transactions. The event will also feature consultations with stakeholders on a new global initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of developing countries to engage in and reap benefits from e-commerce…

World Trade Organisation [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news_e.htm
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

WTO NEWS
Trade growth to remain subdued in 2016 as uncertainties weigh on global demand
Growth in the volume of world trade is expected to remain sluggish in 2016 at 2.8%, unchanged from the 2.8% increase registered in 2015. Imports of developed countries should moderate this year while demand for imported goods in developing Asian economies should pick up. Global trade growth should rise to 3.6% in 2017, WTO economists reported on 7 April.

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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11 APRIL 2016
IPU draft strategy sets out vision for future
IPU is inviting feedback from Members on its draft strategy for 2017-2021. The document, Strong democratic parliaments serving the people sets out a vision of a world where every voice counts, and where democracy and parliaments are at the service of citizens for peace and development. The strategy is built on the principles of equality, inclusiveness, respect, integrity and solidarity. It sets out IPU’s commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment, human rights, the global development agenda, peace-building, fostering stronger relationships between parliaments, and bridging the democracy gap in international relations by bringing a parliamentary perspective to global decision-making. IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong told delegates at IPU’s Lusaka Assembly that the strategy would continue to promote strong parliaments and would help them deliver on the expectations of citizens.

International Criminal Court (ICC) [to 16 April 2016]
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08/04/2016
Official Opening of the ICC Permanent Premises on 19 April 2016
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands will officially open the permanent premises of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) during a ceremony hosted by the ICC President, Judge Silvia Fernández, and H.E. Mr Sidiki Kaba, President of the Assembly of States Parties. H.E. Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, will also attend the event that will be held on Tuesday, 19 April 2016, from 15:00 to 16:30 (The Hague local time) at the seat of the Court in The Hague (Netherlands).
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06/04/2016
Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding Trial Chamber’s decision to vacate charges against Messrs William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang without prejudice to their prosecution in the future
[2007-2008 election violence in Kenya]
…The Chamber declined to acquit the accused due to the special circumstances of this case. In so doing, the Chamber endorsed the Prosecution’s position that this case has been severely undermined by witness interference and politicisation of the judicial process. The decision further noted that other evidence may have been available to the Prosecution “had it been able to prosecute the case in a different climate, less hostile to the Prosecution, its witnesses and the Court in general.”

The Chamber made it clear that their decision is without prejudice to the presumption of innocence or the Prosecution bringing the case on the basis of the same charges in the future, or in a different form, in light of new evidence.

We regret that due to deliberate and concerted efforts to derail this case through witness interference, the Judges have been prevented from determining the guilt or innocence of the Accused on the full merits of the case. What is also troubling is that the onslaught against this case has – for now – denied the victims of the 2007-2008 election violence in Kenya the justice they so rightly deserve….

World Bank [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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Unprecedented Collaboration among Development Partners to Improve Infrastructure Implementation
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2016—The inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum 2016 convening here today brings together for the first time the leaders of the multilateral development banks (MDBs) — African Development…
Date: April 16, 2016 Type: Press Release
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European Commission and World Bank Sign Agreement on Catastrophe Risk Insurance for Caribbean and Central American countries
European Union contributes Euro 14 million to Multi-Donor Trust Fund to facilitate access by Central American countries and the DR to insurance facility
Date: April 15, 2016 Type: Press Release
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Victoria Kwakwa Appointed World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Region
WASHINGTON, April 15, 2016 – World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim has appointed Victoria Kwakwa as the new Regional Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, effective today.
Date: April 15, 2016 Type: Press Release
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International Community Endorses New Initiative to Support Refugees, Host Communities, Recovery and Reconstruction in the Middle East and North Africa
WASHINGTON, April 15, 2016 – Eight nations and the European Commission today pledged a package of more than US$1 billion — US$141 million in grants, US$1 billion in soft loans, US$500 million in…
Date: April 15, 2016 Type: Press Release
[See Week in Review above for more detail]
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World Bank Group, UNICEF urge greater investment in early childhood development
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2016 – World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake today jointly urged global and national leaders to step up and accelerate action and investments…
Date: April 14, 2016 Type: Press Release
[See Week in Review above for more detail]
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African Partners, World Bank Commit to Provide Identification to Millions
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2016 —African leaders and development partners agreed on a common approach for accelerating the provision of unique identification to millions of people in Africa as a means…
Date: April 14, 2016 Type: Press Release
[See Week in Review above for more detail]

Investing in treatment for depression and anxiety leads to fourfold return
World Health Organization/World Bank Group press release – Depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$1 trillion each year; countries and development partners to discuss way forward during…
Date: April 12, 2016 Type: Press Release
[See Week in Review above for more detail]
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World Bank in Romania Condemns Acts of Racism Against the Roma
BUCHAREST, April 9, 2016 – The World Bank Group expresses its regret for the acts of hatred towards the Roma community in Romania manifested last night through the vandalism of the National Center for…
Date: April 9, 2016 Type: Press Release
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Growth Recovery in South East Europe Underpinned by Investment, Says Latest World Bank Economic Report
VIENNA, April 8, 2016—The countries of South East Europe (SEE6[1]) are projected to have grown at 2.1 percent on average in 2015. This growth is significantly higher than the 0.3 percent growth in 2014,…
Date: April 8, 2016 Type: Press Release
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World Bank Group Unveils New Climate Action Plan
Plan to Help Countries Meet Paris COP21 Pledges WASHINGTON, April 7, 2016—The World Bank Group today announced plans to help developing countries add 30 gigawatts of renewable energy – enough to power…
Date: April 7, 2016 Type: Press Release
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Mauritius, Mozambique, and Seychelles Partner to Boost Trade and Regional Integration
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2016 — The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved today a total of US$29.9 million for Mauritius, Mozambique and Seychelles to support their efforts to collaborate and create…
Date: April 7, 2016 Type: Press Release
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Europe and Central Asia: Growth Struggles in the West, Volatility Increases in the East
KIEV, April 7, 2016 – The economies of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) continue to face difficult headwinds in an increasingly complex and uncertain global economic environment, with short-term prospects…
Date: April 7, 2016 Type: Press Release
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World Bank Moves Forward in Fight against Poverty in West Africa
Grant will improve data collection and understanding of living conditions in eight countries WASHINGTON, April 6, 2016— The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved an International Development…
Date: April 6, 2016 Type: Press Release
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G20 Leaders Launch Global Partnership and Website to Help Advance Inclusive Business
Nanjing, China, April 6, 2016—The G20 officially launched the Global Platform on Inclusive Business (GPIB) today in Nanjing, China. The Platform is a global partnership that will provide support to policymakers…
Date: April 6, 2016
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Seven essential guiding principles to boost financial inclusion laid out in new report
Seven guiding principles to help countries increase financial inclusion were set out in a report released today by the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the World Bank…
Date: April 5, 2016 Type: Press Releas
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Remarks by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim: Development in a Time of Global Interdependence
Good afternoon. I’d like to thank our host today, Mr. Fratzscher, and the German Institute for Economic Research/DIW. We are grateful that we can have this event in such a remarkable setting. And I would…
Date: April 5, 2016 Type: Speeches and Transcripts
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Increasing Economic Growth in Fragile States Can Help Prevent Future Refugee Crises—World Bank President
BERLIN, April 5, 2016—World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today said that the world’s powers need to pay far greater attention to boosting developing economies and creating jobs in the most fragile…
Date: April 5, 2016 Type: Press Release

African Development Bank Group [to 16 April 2016]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/
[We generally limit coverage to regional or Africa-wide initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

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Unprecedented Collaboration among Development Partners to Improve Infrastructure Implementation
16/04/2016 – The inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum 2016 convening here today brings together for the first time the leaders of the multilateral development banks (MDBs) — African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank Group, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank, and the World Bank Group – as well as development partners and representatives of the G20, G24, and G77, to enhance multilateral collaborative mechanisms to improve infrastructure delivery globally. The Forum is organized in close partnership with the United Nations. Following the meeting, a Chairman’s Statement will be issued, setting forth the next steps in this unprecedented collaboration.
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“You can count on the AfDB as partner in delivering education for Africa”, says Adesina
14/04/2016 – Partnership – between the public, the private and the ‘third’ sector of NGOs and Foundations – was the theme of an event hosted by the Global Business Coalition for Education on Thursday in Washington. “We need to preach revolution, as things have to change”, said the Portland Trust. The Wellbeing Foundation continued: “We cannot exist; we cannot pursue; we cannot progress without partnerships.”
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The future of food
13/04/2016 – “We need to look afresh at agriculture in Africa as a series of systems, and to see it not as a way of life, but a business”, said African Development Bank Acting Vice-President for Operations, Kapil Kapoor, at a World Bank Spring Meetings panel on ‘The Future of Food’ on Wednesday. But the challenges of food and agriculture are global: while 2 billion people in the world are undernourished, 2 billion are obese or overweight. The world wastes one-third of the food it produces.
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With AfDB support, 150,000 Liberian farmers to benefit from financing, innovative technology
08/04/2016 –
Liberia, a small country of 4 million inhabitants located in West Africa, is on the verge of undergoing one of the most transformational moments in its agricultural history.
With 10% of its adult population having subscribed to mobile money accounts, Liberia can boast of soon being able to double this figure thanks to the Liberian Agriculture Transformation Agenda (LATA), launched by the Government of Liberia with the support of the African Development Bank.
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MoU signed to strengthen collaboration between AfDB and UN Women
07/04/2016 –
The African Development Bank’s Senior Management Coordinating Committee (SMCC) recently approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bank and UN Women.
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Africa50 announces the appointment of Alain Ebobissé as Chief Executive Officer
06/04/2016 –
The Board of Directors of Africa50 is pleased to announce the appointment of Alain Ebobissé as Chief Executive Officer of Africa50, the Pan-African infrastructure investment platform capitalized by the African Development Bank and, so far, by 22 African countries with an initial capitalization of USD 830 million.
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East Africa leads the way in regional integration, says Index
05/04/2016 –
The Africa Regional Integration Index (ARII) Report – Africa’s first effort to measure progress on regional integration – was launched Saturday, April 2 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during African Development Week, which is taking place from March 31 to April 5. Out of all the Regional Economic Communities, the report cites the East African Community as the most integrated region.