The Handbook -published by the Committee for Development Policy in December 20008- aims to promote a better understanding of the LDC (Least Developed Country) category and the benefits derived from membership therein. It contains “a comprehensive explanation of the criteria, procedures and methodology used in establishing which countries are eligible for inclusion in, or recommended for graduation from, the LDC category”.
DI - 22/12/2008
The conference was held from 9 to 11 November in Marrakesh (Morocco).
DI - 19/12/2008
The 2007/08 China National Human Development Report -published in November 2008- focuses on the delivery of four essential basic public services (primary and junior secondary education, basic health care, social insurance and employment services) and analyses the national goal of “equalization” of access to them closely linked to the equity goal that was presented in the 2005 report.
DI - 18/12/2008
The Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research (HIIK) annually publishes the Conflict Barometer, which presents the latest data and analyses concerning events and developments in the world of conflict. The world’s most affected regions are Africa, the Middle East and Maghreb, as well as Asia and Oceania.
DI - 18/12/2008
This is the ninth progress report on world hunger since the 1996 World Food Summit (WFS). The report is focused on high food prices, which are having a serious impact on the poorest populations in the world, drastically reducing their already low purchasing power. It also examines the opportunity to re-launch smallholder agriculture in the developing world.
DI - 16/12/2008
A World Public Opinion.org study of 25 nations finds a remarkable degree of consensus in support of the principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which celebrated its 60th anniversary on December 10.
DI - 16/12/2008
The conclusions of the European Council held on 11 and 12 December 2008, in Brussels (Belgium). The Council approved a European Economic Recovery Plan and also reached agreement on the energy/climate change package which should enable this package to be finalised with the European Parliament by the end of the year.
DI - 15/12/2008
The United Nations Climate Change Conference –held from 1 to 12 December in Poznan (Poland)- ended with a commitment from governments to shift into full negotiating mode next year in order to shape an effective international response to climate change, to be agreed in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. (Link to the UNFCCC website).
DI - 15/12/2008
In this paper, William Chislett analyses the similarities and differences of the Spanish and Turkish EU trajectories. It was published by Open Society Institute AF Turkey in November 2008. The author is a former correspondent of The Times (Spain) and the Financial Times (Mexico), and writes regularly for the Elcano Royal Institute.
DI - 11/12/2008
According to the recent ECLAC report, “efforts to reduce poverty and indigence in 2008 were less effective than in the 2002-2007 period, when the number of people living in poverty or indigence dropped by 9.9% (37 million people) and 6.8% (29 million), respectively.” (Briefing Paper)
DI - 9/12/2008
This is the 5th report of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The court was set up jointly by the Government of this country and the United Nations, with the mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996.
DI - 5/12/2008
This year’s edition of the Afghanistan Opium Survey shows that opium has become less important to the country’s economy due to a decrease in cultivation, production and prices. Opium cultivation in 2008 declined 19% to 157,000 hectares. Production was down by 6% to 7,700 tons and prices are also down by around 20%. (See also the cultivation map)
DI - 4/12/2008
The WESP is a joint publication of the UNCTAD, DESA and the five UN regional commissions. According to the ‘Global Outlook’ chapter ‘the world economy is mired in the severest financial crisis since the Great Depression’. The full report, including regional overviews and detailed trends in global trade and finance, is due out in early January 2009.
DI - 3/12/2008
The recent report of the IAEA Director General was derestricted at the Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. The Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1835 (2008) in the Islamic Republic of Iran covers relevant developments since September 2008.
DI - 3/12/2008
The Resolution adopted by the Security Council –at its 6026th meeting on 2 December- calls on all countries and regional organizations with the necessary capacity to deploy naval ships and military aircraft off the Somali coast to fight piracy.
DI - 2/12/2008
The new report of UNAIDS provides perspectives on some of the most pressing issues that will confront policymakers and leaders as they respond to the challenges presented by AIDS in 2009.
DI - 1/12/2008
The World Energy Outlook is an authoritative source of global energy trends. This year’s edition provides a full update of energy projections to 2030 and analysis of three hot topics: the post-2012 climate change policy scenarios, the oil and gas supply prospects and the energy poverty in resource-rich Sub-Saharan African countries.
