February 2013

EU wants to be ‘role model’ for global environment, anti-poverty talks

The Guardian, 27 February, 2013
The European commission called for merging the fight against poverty and environmental protection into a single framework for the future, casting itself as the “role model” for the world. The commission’s Decent Life for All by 2030 communication outlines proposed negotiating positions on the successor to the UN millennium development goals (MDGs), the eight targets agreed in 2000 – with many likely to miss their 2015 target.
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AfDB projects for sustainable development

New Europe, 27 February, 2013
On 27 February, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the projects that some African countries are about to apply in order to promote sustainable development in Africa. The projects will be financed from the AfDB and the Climate Investment Fund (CIF).
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Developing world’s trade role doubled since 1990: UN

The Economic Times, 27 February, 2013
The clout of developing countries in international trade networks has doubled in the past two decades, with globalised corporations driving the trend, a United Nations body said. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that such countries’ share in global value-added trade increased from 20 per cent in 1990 to 30 per cent in 2000 and was now over 40 per cent.
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Rio meet focuses on using science to root out poverty

France24, 26 February, 2013
Scientists from 55 countries opened a two-day meeting to mull how to use science to fight poverty and promote sustainable development.
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First Universal UNEP GC Adopts Decisions on Institutional Arrangements

IISD News, 25 February, 2013
The 27th session of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC27/GMEF) was convened in Nairobi, Kenya, from 18-22 February 2013. This was the first Universal Session of the GC following the decision of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to strengthen and upgrade UNEP, as called for in the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) outcome document.
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Green Energy Solves Dual Crises of Poverty and Climate

IEDE, 25 February, 2013
Green energy is the only way to bring billions of people out of energy poverty and prevent a climate disaster, a new study reveals. Conservative institutions like the World Bank, the International Energy Agency and accounting giant Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) all warn humanity is on a path to climate catastrophe unless fossil fuel energy is replaced by green energy.
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The new normal for struggling economies

The Globe and Mail, 24 February, 2013
Some of the investing world’s leading minds have concluded that the U.S. and much of the rest of the developed economies are circling the drain and that there is no chance of a sustained recovery for as far as most investment horizons can stretch.
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UN Sustainable Energy Initiative Could Put World On a Path to Climate Targets

Science Daily, 24 February, 2013
The UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, if successful, could make a significant contribution to the efforts to limit climate change to target levels, according to a new analysis from IIASA and ETH Zurich.
Statement by Pascal Lamy

UN agencies to help 30 countries transit to green economy

Business Day, 25 February, 2013
A new partnership launched last week by four UN agencies aims to support 30 countries over the next seven years in building national green economy strategies that will generate new jobs and skills, promote clean technologies, and reduce environmental risks and poverty.
Statement by Pascal Lamy

Summit calls for sustainable development model for Gulf nations

The Gulf Today, 12 February, 2013
The Government Summit, the first of its kind regional initiative in Dubai, called for a ‘sustainable and inclusive’ development model for the Gulf countries, with international speakers commending the UAE for its success in fostering human resource development as a key priority.
Statement by Pascal Lamy

UN kicks off year promoting international cooperation on water management

UN News Centre, 11 February, 2013
The United Nations launched the International Year of Water Cooperation, which seeks to provide a platform for countries to collaborate in the management of this precious resource in the interest of peace and development. More than half of the world’s people depend daily on water resources shared by more than one country and 90 per cent of the global population live in countries that share river or lake basins. However, 60 per cent of the world’s 276 international river basins lack any type of cooperative management framework.
Statement by Pascal Lamy

Coherence between health, intellectual property and trade key to access to medicines

WTO News, 05 February, 2013
WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy, at the launch of the joint WTO-WHO-WIPO study “Promoting Access to Medical Technologies and Innovation” on 5 February 2013, said that “coherence between health policies, intellectual property rules and trade policy is key to finding sustainable solutions to access to medicines and medical technologies.” He added that “this study is one of the many bridges WTO has constructed with other international organizations during my tenure.”
Statement by Pascal Lamy

Creating enabling environment for sustainable industrial growth

Business Day, 04 February, 2013
Investigations and explorations by scholars have shown very clearly that higher productivity is a sure means of boosting sustainable economic growth and raising standards of living in any country. Formulating and implementing effective productivity schemes have undoubtedly assisted many economies to pull out of global recession and set them on the course of sustainable growth.
Statement by Pascal Lamy

Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2013 tackles climate change issues

Huff Post, 01 February, 2013
Nations on the front lines of climate change expressed hesitant optimism for the U.S., as delegates gathered for The Energy and Resources Institute’s 13th annual Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, whose goal is to tackle resource efficiency challenges.
Statement by Pascal Lamy

PM for transparent regimes to ensure sustainable development

The Hindu, 01 February 2013
Transparent and accountable regulatory regimes are necessary to promote a balance between the environmental and economic agendas currently competing for attention, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
Statement by Pascal Lamy