Indonesia’s Perspective on Review of International Investment Agreements
The South Centre releases a new policy brief series focusing on international investment agreements and experiences of developing countries.
As part of this series, the publication of Investment Policy Brief No. 1 entitled by Mr. Abdulkadir Jailani briefly describes Indonesia’s experience with at least six investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) cases. It also explains Indonesia’s decision to discontinue its existing international investment agreements (IIAs); to date, 17 out of 64 IIAs have been discontinued by Indonesia. The paper explains the rationale for this important policy measure. (more…)
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.
Input of the South Centre to the Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of UN General Assembly Resolution 69/5 dated 28 October 2014 on the Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba
On 28 October 2014, the United Nations General Assembly approved by an overwhelming vote of 188-2 a resolution (Resolution 69/5 ) reiterating its long-standing call upon all States to refrain from promulgating and applying unilateral economic and trade measures by one State against another that affect the free flow of international trade, referring in particular to the United States’ 1996 “Helms-Burton Act”, whose application has had extraterritorial effects that affect that sovereignty of other States, the legitimate interests of persons under their jurisdiction and the freedom of trade and navigation. (more…)
The Nagoya Protocol: Main Characteristics, Challenges and Opportunities
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force in October 2014. Its provisions clearly reflect the need for countries to set up access and benefit sharing rules and procedures for the Protocol’s implementation at the national level. (more…)
Policy Brief on Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCS)
Part A: Introduction: The issue of ‘intended nationally determined contributions’ (INDCs) has come to be one of the important components of the process towards the UNFCCC’s 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to be held in Paris in December 2015. Countries have been in the process of preparing their INDCs. This Paper is intended to provide the background information on the INDCs, and a guide to developing countries on how to formulate their INDCs. (more…)
Asian-African Summit commemorates 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference
A series of commemorative events including the Asian-African Summit was held in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia on 22-24 April 2015 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bandung 1955 Conference, which had set the stage for political solidarity and economic cooperation of the South for decades to come. (more…)
Substantive Negotiations to Begin in June for New Climate Agreement
This issue of the South Bulletin focuses on the preparations and progress made towards a new climate agreement in the Twenty-first session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP-21) to be held in Paris in December 2015, particularly during the COP-20 in Lima and a UNFCCC session in Geneva in February 2015.
Towards a More Coherent International Legal System on Farmers’ Rights: The Relationship of the FAO ITPGRFA, UPOV and WIPO
This Policy Brief outlines some key areas of interrelation among the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (more…)
Guidelines on Patentability and Access to Medicines
Until recently, the link between the examination of patents carried out by national patent offices and the right of citizens to access to medicines was not at all clear. They were two functions or responsibilities of the State that apparently had nothing to do with each other. Examining the growing literature on intellectual property and access to medicines, it seems that the analysis of one actor has been left out: the patent offices. (more…)
South Conference “2015 and the South: Preparing for a Year of Uncertainty and International Summits”
Venue: Room VIII, the Palais des Nations
Location: Geneva
The Conference reviewed the present problematic situation of the global economy and how it affected developing countries, as well as the state of multilateral negotiations in trade and other important areas. It was an opportunity for developing country policymakers and opinion shapers to reflect on the prospects for the South in the current global context and to identify possible ways forward. (more…)
North-South Forum on Multilateral Cooperation in a World of Crises
Venue: Room VIII, Palais des Nations
Location: Geneva
This Forum was organised by the South Centre with the cooperation of the Government of Finland. The objective of the Forum is to generate discussions on the state of multilateral cooperation at this crucial juncture when the world faces multiple crises, challenges and possibilities, including in the global economy, in the environment including on climate change, and in health care (including Ebola, other emerging diseases, and antibiotic resistance). (more…)
Speaking notes by Martin Khor, Executive Director of the South Centre, for the Social Forum of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 18 February 2015
The following is a statement presented by Martin Khor, Executive Director of the South Centre, during the 2015 Social Forum of the United Nations Human Rights Council which took place from 18 to 20 February 2015 in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. (more…)
