World Bank spending on forests fails to curb poverty, auditors claim
The Guardian, 29 January, 2013
The World Bank’s $4.1bn (£2.6bn) investments in forestry over the past 10 years have done little to reduce poverty, improve conservation, tackle climate change or benefit local communities in developing countries, a study by its own inspectors has found.
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U.S. needs 21st century immigration plan
CNN, 29 January, 2013
The prospects for immigration reform in the US got better, when eight leading senators came together to announce their agreement on broad principles to modernize immigration laws, which have been largely unchanged since 1965.
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International tourism rebounding from global economic crisis, says UN
UN News Centre, 29 January, 2013
Despite lingering economic instability due to the global financial crisis, international tourism increased robustly over the last year with continuing growth expected throughout 2013, the United Nations today announced.
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Tectonic shifts in world economy
China Daily, 23 January 2013
Global coordination can reduce instability and maximize the benefits from fundamental changes in structure.
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Kenya plans to enhance education for sustainable development goals
Shanghai Daily, 23 January, 2013
The Kenyan government said it has developed principles and goals that will guide policies and programs to enhance access, equity, quality and relevance of education. ESD is an emerging principle that governments and policy makers in education have integrated in the school curriculum as it helps provide solutions to educational needs.
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General Assembly creates group to work on sustainable development goals
UN News Centre, 22 January, 2013
The United Nations General Assembly today established a working group that will focus on the design of a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection. The 30-member working group, which will consist of countries from all regions, will prepare a report containing a proposal on the SDGs that the 193-member Assembly will consider and act on at its 68th session.
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Global launch of the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013
United Nations Regional Information centre, 18 January 2013
Every year some 60 staff members from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five UN Regional Commissions, as well as most recently the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), work together to produce a joint publication of the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 (WESP), the report of the United Nations on the state of the world economy.
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The New York Times, 15 January, 2013
The New York Times, 15 January, 2013
The latest version of the twice-yearly Global Economic Prospects report is one of the development bank’s least pessimistic in recent years, but hardly an exercise in optimism. It describes a “dramatic” easing of financial conditions around the world, stemming in part from policy changes to soothe the bond markets in Europe. Still, it warns that global growth will continue to be sluggish for years to come.
Statement by Pascal Lamy
Developing economies’ long -term financing shortfall
Business Day, 15 January, 2012
Since the global finance crisis, “banking” has , practically become a swear word. But, while banks undoubtedly have the capacity to inflict serious damage on economics and livelihoods, a well- run financial system can offer significant benefits. A growing body of evidence, highlighted in the World Bank Group’s recent Global Financial Development Report, shows that financial institutions and markets have a profound influence on economic development, poverty alleviation, and the stability of economics worldwide, and that a pragmatic assessment of the state’s role in finance is warranted.
Statement by Pascal Lamy
Ignored lessons in economic development
China Daily, 10 January, 2013
In what was supposed to be a New Year message on his official blog, China’s Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah warned against “blind” pursuit of new industries as called for by more and more economists, to address the social ills arising from an imbalanced economic growth that is mainly driven by the financial and property sectors.
Statement by Pascal Lamy
ECLAC, Mexico ink sustainable development accord
Shanghai Daily, 09 January, 2013
Mexico and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable development in the region, Mexico’s Environment and Natural Resources Ministry said in a statement.
Statement by Pascal Lamy
FM says ‘inclusive economic growth’ key to achieving U.N. goals
Yonhap News, 09 January, 2013
South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said that the world must ensure a fair distribution of wealth to help achieve anti-poverty and other development goals set by the United Nations, noting the importance of “inclusive economic growth” in replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015.
Statement by Pascal Lamy
Time To Talk About Sustainable Development
ETF Daily News, 07 January, 2013
As any/every economy matures, economic growth steadily slows – literally toward zero. This is empirical evidence, from every nation and culture on the planet, spanning thousands of years.
Statement by Pascal Lamy