SDGs: G77 position on economic issues and finance and technology
By Mr. Peter Thomson
The Group holds the view that the post-2015 development agenda should build on existing commitments and lessons learned from the implementation of the MDGs to ensure that new initiatives, both at international and national levels, reinforce previous successes while address important implementation gaps and systemic shortcomings.
We believe a transformative global development agenda must fulfill five key policy objectives: rapid and sustained economic growth; industrialisation; full employment; greater distributional equity; and environmental sustainability. (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.
(Covering period: February 2014 – June 2014) (more…)
SDGs: Economic Issues at National and Global Levels
The economic pillar of sustainable development is crucial, yet relatively neglected. It should get its proper place in the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper deals with economic issues at national level (as Sustainable Development Goals) and at international level (as part of the new Global Partnership for Development). It is part of the South Centre’s contribution to the United Nations process of establishing Sustainable Development Goals.
SDGs: Technology and Finance—The Means of Implementation
The following is a statement by Executive Director of the South Centre, Martin Khor, to the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals held at the United Nations in New York on 9 December 2013. (more…)
It is currently being discussed in the United States if the Export Administration Act (EAA) of 1979, that prohibits crude oil exports, is to remain in force. Why? Because the US is experiencing a sharp increase in the production of shale oil and shale gas (also called “unconventional”). And oil and gas companies want to export their surplus production. First question, how can there be a law in the US that prohibits such an elemental activity as exports? Well, the EAA exists due in large part to the geopolitical problems of the late 1970s, and applies not only to oil. (more…)
China seems to be preparing to play a bigger role in global economic affairs, but not at the cost of giving up its developing country status. After years of being rather low key in economic and social affairs at the United Nations, it looks as if China is now ready to upgrade its role in the future. (more…)
Obstacles to Development in the Global Economic System
I. Obstacles to Development Arising from the International System
As the international community wades into the political discussions regarding the alternatives to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015 and the design of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as mandated by the Rio+20 conference, it is timely to consider the question of whether development is a matter mostly of individual effort on the part of nation-states or whether there are elements in the international economic system that could serve as significant obstacles to national development efforts. (more…)
Major issues on world economy and WTO, FTAs, IPRs debated at South Centre Conference
This issue of South Bulletin focuses on the South Conference on the global economy and the state of multilateral negotiations. The conference addressed major issues on the world economy, trade, intellectual property, climate change and sustainable development. (more…)
Of all the issues currently being negotiated on the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, none are more important than the ability of patients to get life-saving medicines at affordable prices, which many fear may be a victim of the agreement. (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.
(Covering period: September 2013 – January 2014) (more…)
Crisis Mismanagement in the United States and Europe: Impact on Developing Countries and Longer-Term Consequences
There are two major failings in policy interventions in the crisis in the US and Europe: the reluctance to remove the debt overhang through timely, orderly and comprehensive restructuring and the shift to fiscal austerity after an initial reflation. These have resulted in excessive reliance on monetary means with central banks entering uncharted policy waters, including zero-bound interest rates and the acquisition of long-term public and private bonds. (more…)
Public-private Partnerships in Global Health: Putting Business before Health?
Public and private sector interaction in health has always existed at the national level; in the United Nations (UN) system, public-private partnerships (PPPs) started at the end of the 1990s with the reform of the UN system launched by Kofi Annan. (more…)
