The Spain Article IV Executive Board Consultation, which describes the preliminary findings of International Monetary Fund staff at the conclusion of its mission in this country. The document underlines that “[Spanish] economic policy must be directed to moderating domestic demand pressures and setting the stage for a sustainable continuation of growth”
United Nations Security Council -through a statement read out by its President César Mayoral (Argentina)- called upon Iran to re-establish full and sustained suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, in a manner that is verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This condition “would contribute to a diplomatic, negotiated solution that guarantees Iran’s nuclear programme is for exclusively peaceful purposes”. The Council also requested a report from the IAEA in 30 days to monitor Iranian compliance with its requirements
This report was presented to government delegates meeting at ECLAC's Thirty-first Session in Montevideo, this 20-24 March. Migration generates benefits from sending and receiving countries and the number of migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean rose to 25 million in 2005. This figure reveals the need to put forward orientation to deal with the challenges and opportunities for development posed by migration, from the perspective of the human rights of migrants and their families
The European Council meeting on 23 and 24 March, under the Austrian Presidency, focused on job creation, cutting red tape, investment in skills and scientific research, and energy. Also, “the European Council calls for a Energy Policy for Europe” and "welcomed reports of the President of the Spanish Government on the announcement of a permanent ceasefire made by the terrorist group ETA." The document includes: European Pact for Gender Equality and Declaration on Belarus
Report of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Diplomacy authorized by the US Congress and published on September 2005. It includes recommendations to the Secretary of State to promote an effective cultural diplomacy in US foreign policy
The Conference -held from 15 to 16 March 2006- was organized by the Ministry of Finance of the Netherlands and hosted by minister Gerrit Zalm. Knowledge and experience were exchanged between financial representatives and professionals from more than 41 countries.The document outlines that “the partnership of the financial sector (not only banks but also insurance industry, securities industry, money remitters and others) is key in an effective fight against the financing of terrorism and with that an effective fight against terrorism”
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. European institutions -such as Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the European Union’s European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC), and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) - make a joint statement on this occasion
President George W. Bush presented a New National Security Strategy for the US on 16 March 2006. The new strategy backs the policy of pre-emptive war and singles out Iran as the greatest single current danger. It also stresses US preference for "transformational diplomacy" and coalition building, but not necessarily within United Nations or Nato frameworks. This document also highlights a string of other global issues such as the spread of Aids, the threat of pandemic flu and the prospect of natural and environmental disasters
United States and India Joint Statement (2 March 2006). President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reaffirm their commitment to expand the ties between their two countries in the following areas: international economy and trade, energy security, environment, innovation and knowledge economy, global safety and security
European Commission published on 8 March 2006 a Green Paper on developing a common,coherent European Energy Policy. The Green Paper outlines how a European Energy Policy could meet the three core objectives of energy policy: sustainable development, competitiveness, and security of supply. Also, it invites comments on six specific priority areas, containing over 20 concrete suggestions for possible new action
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announces the release of the State Department's 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practice (8 March 2006). The reports, provide analyses of the human rights conditions in 196 countries around the world
Presenting interim projections for major OECD economies, OECD Chief-Economist Jean-Philippe Cotis said economic momentum on both sides of the Atlantic is now largely back in line with OECD projections released three months ago, but some of the factors sustaining buoyant growth may not continue to do so (6 March 2006)
The GID is a new tool for researchers and policy makers to determine and analyse obstacles to women’s economic development. Developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE), it covers a total of 162 countries and comprises an array of 50 indicators on gender discrimination
UN Secretary-General Report to the General Assembly (March 2006). The Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented his proposals for a fundamental overhaul of the United Nations Secretariat to bring it more in line with today’s new operational realities and better equip the UN to meet the growing demands and expectations of Member States. The main focus of the plan is to realign operations from Headquarters to field targets investment to drive accountability, transparency and productivity
The conference provided an opportunity for the Government of Afghanistan to present its Interim National Development Strategy which sets out its political and economic plans and priorities for the next five years. It was also an occasion for the international community to renew its political and financial commitment in support of the Strategy, and of the goals agreed in the Compact. The following represent conclusions agreed by the three co-chairs of the Conference (Afghanistan, UK, UN)
Questions and Answers on the drawings of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish Newspaper
