In Focus

Research Paper 80, October 2017

The Commodity-Finance Nexus: Twin Boom and Double Whammy

International commodity prices and capital inflows to developing countries are increasingly synchronized, subjecting commodity-dependent economies to double boom-bust cycles.  (more…)

Contribution to UNCTAD IGE FFD, November 2017

Input of the South Centre to the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development

This   is   a   contribution   by   the   South   Centre   to   the   first   session   of   the   UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Financing for Development (IGE-FFD) that will take place on 8-10 November 2017. (more…)

Policy Brief 45, October 2017

The Value Added of the United Nations General Assembly High–Level Political Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance

In September 2016, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York held a dedicated meeting to muster strong political commitment for an effective global response to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As a result, a High-Level Political Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance was adopted.

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SC Book Launch, 9 October 2017

Title:               Advice and Dissent – Dr. Y.V. Reddy’s Life in Public Service

Date:                Monday, 9 October 2017, 13:00-15:00H

Venue:             Julius Nyerere Conference Room, The South Centre, Geneva

Organizers:    The South Centre

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ECA/SC Policy Brief and Update on 11th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, May and September 2017

Eleventh World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (Buenos Aires, December 2017) in the context of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Free Trade Area

This present policy brief has been made available by the African Trade Policy Centre of the Economic Commission for Africa to provide background information on the key issues expected to be discussed at the eleventh World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference. It is based on a series of discussion papers developed by the African Trade Policy Centre in collaboration with the South Centre. Full papers are available upon request.

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Statement, October 2017

South Centre Statement to the Fifty-Seventh Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO

The South Centre is participating in the WIPO Assemblies being held from 2 to 11 October 2017 in Geneva. Read the South Centre statement here.

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Research Paper 79, September 2017

Access to and Benefit-Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources beyond National Jurisdiction: Developing a New Legally Binding Instrument

This paper examines the underlying principles and main elements of binding and non-binding international instruments relating to access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. It discusses the gap left by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and some of the elements that might be considered in developing a new legally-binding instrument on access and benefit-sharing derived from the exploitation of marine genetic resources found in areas beyond national jurisdiction, as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly. (more…)

Statement, September 2017

South Centre Statement at the 12th Session of the WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE)

In line with the mandate of the WIPO Development Agenda, WIPO must approach intellectual property enforcement in the context of broader societal interests and especially development-oriented concerns, in accordance with Article 7 of the TRIPS Agreement.

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IP Negotiations Monitor 22, August 2017

The IP Negotiations Monitor summarizes the latest developments in multilateral and regional fora where intellectual property negotiations are taking place, and informs on upcoming meetings and events.

(Covering period: April – June 2017)

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Policy Brief 44, August 2017

Industrialization, inequality and sustainability: What kind of industry policy do we need?

The 2030 Agenda includes as Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) the commitment to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The entry of this goal into the 2030 Agenda is an achievement for developing countries who have a very diverse situation in terms of population sizes, per capita incomes, economic sizes and structures, political systems, cultures but share the common feature of an underdeveloped industrial sector.Therefore, in order to implement SDG 9 pro-active industry policies are needed that take into account aspects of inequality and sustainability.

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Analytical Note, July 2017

The WTO’s Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations

Attempts are made to revitalise the fisheries subsidies negotiations at the WTO with the aim of achieving an outcome at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2017.

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Analytical Note, July 2017

Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)

Since 2015, the theme of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) has emerged after the Philippines submitted a proposal on this issue in the WTO, calling for discussions to take place in a more sustained way.

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