Issue No. 582, 1-15 Dec 2014
WTO adopts decisions on trade facilitation, food stocks and post-Bali work

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Decisions adopted on TFA, food security and post-Bali work
After a protracted impasse, the WTO has agreed to put in place a trade facilitation pact, confirm an interim arrangement concerning public food stocks, and advance moves to implement other decisions adopted by its last Ministerial Conference in Bali.
by Kanaga Raja

CSOs voice concerns over the TFA/food security issue
Ahead of the 27 November WTO General Council meeting, civil society groups had expressed concern that the deal on the table would not adequately serve developing-country interests.
by Kanaga Raja

WTO members gear up for focused agri talks next year
In light of the General Council decisions, WTO member states met on 4 December to discuss the way forward for the agriculture negotiations under the Doha Round.
by Kanaga Raja

Illicit money lost by developing countries triples in a decade
Developing countries are haemorrhaging nearly a trillion dollars a year through illicit financial outflows, new figures reveal.
by Carey L. Biron

Only half of global banks have policy to respect human rights
The big international banks are coming up short in relation to conformity with a set of UN human rights principles for businesses, a new study finds.
by Carey L. Biron

Water and sanitation report card: slow progress, inadequate funding
Much more is needed to ensure access for the poor to the improved water and sanitation services crucial for protecting public health.
by Tim Brewer

The decline of social Europe is part of a world trend
In the face of widespread unemployment and precarious livelihoods, Europe is losing sight of the social perspective as narrow economic and financial considerations hold sway, writes Roberto Savio.

Remembering the “Tokyo No” 50 years later
At a World Bank meeting in Tokyo in 1964, over 20 developing countries registered their opposition to a system that would allow foreign investors to sue a government outside national territory. Five decades down the line, the landmark vote has been vindicated by history, contends Robin Broad.