The Prerequisite to UN Leadership in Development
Kofi Annan's panel on system-wide coherence has come in for considerable criticism. While sceptics see this as yet another ploy to bolster western dominance, symathisers consider it as the final opportunity for a meaningful role of the UN's development architecture.
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How European Governments are Inflating Aid Figures
A new study exposes how overall official European aid levels are being exaggerated by one third, through the inclusion of figures which most members of the public would be horrified to see counted in development aid statistics.
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Frontal Attack on the UN: Reform at the Crossroads
There is no doubt that the UN needs reform and the headings are tempting. But proposals that are now being pushed may very well in practice lead to a weakening in stead of a strengthening of the UN.
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How to Reform the IMF? How Much Weight for Europe?
The current debate about the future of the IMF, such as just recently at the spring meetings, is a historic opportunity for reform. Only those who benefit from the fund’s role as a debt collector and an instrument of disciplinary neo-liberalism might regret the current loss of importance.
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EU Council Meeting: More, and More Effective Aid
On 10-11 April 2006, EU Development Ministers will gather in Luxembourg for their twice-yearly Council meeting. The meeting provides the first occasion in 2006 to examine progress on promises made by the EU in 2005 towards eradicating poverty.
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The New Human Rights Council at the United Nations
On 15 March 2006, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to create a new UN Human Rights Council (HRC), in spite of the obstructive role of the US. On 19 June 2006, the new HRC will start its first session.
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Bolivia Faces Good Economic and Social Prospects
On 31 March 2006, the current Stand-by Agreement of Bolivia with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will expire – another step in Latin America’s long-lasting struggle for emancipation from IMF conditionalities. The prospects for living without the IMF are not bad.
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Early Alerts Consistently Ignored by Donors
Despite warning systems to predict impending food shortages, donors, governments and even humanitarian agencies consistently ignore early alerts. Questions over corruption and good governance in many drought-affected countries have been blamed for donors’ delayed response.
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A Spectre is Haunting Latin America
A spectre is haunting Latin America – the spectre of “populism.” Hardly a week goes by without a warning from pundits that the region may return to its “populist” past. Non-native English speakers would be forgiven for thinking that populism was a dreaded disease, like botulism.
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EU Spring Summit: Which Development for Europe?
When the European Council will meet 23 to 24 March 2006 in Brussels for its Spring Summit the renewed Lisbon Strategy on competitiveness will be once again high on the agenda. Yet European NGOs and trade unions regard the strategy as unbalanced and heavily biased towards business interests.
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Global Water Policy: How to Reduce Poverty?
The high-tech approach to water supply has failed to reduce global poverty. Small-scale water projects can reduce poverty more effectively, and at a lower cost. All that is lacking for the much-needed change in global water policy is political will.
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Water Forum: Bolivia's Alternative Declaration
From 16 to 22 March the 4th World Water Forum will be held in Mexico City. The Forum is highly controversial. In the official draft declaration the right to water is not even mentioned. Therefore, an alternative draft has been presented by the Bolivia's new government.
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Brazil Joins Donors: US$ 20 million for IFFIm
Brazil joins six European nations – France, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK – in committing funds to IFFIm. Lula announced during his state visit to London on 9 March 2006 that Brazil will contribute US$ 20 million over 20 years.
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The First Step: Report from the Paris Conference
The Paris conference changed the dynamics of the process towards Innovative Instruments for Financing Development. Even though we can't call it a breakthrough yet - there is real progress
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Paris Conference on Airline Ticket Tax
Prior to the International Conference on Innovative Resources of Development Finance to be held in Paris on 28 February and 1 March 2006 international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are calling for a European taxation initiative as part of a new international financing mechanism.
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Tobin Tax: "Ready for Implementation"
A new study has been published on the feasibility of the Currency Transaction Tax (CTT). Its central message is: The CTT is ready for implementation. It is now only a question of political will. The authors hope for new momentum with Austria's EU presidency and the Paris conference next week.
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The World Bank and Pakistan's Water Sector
The World Bank largely refrained from financing mega infrastructure projects during the past decade, but recently returned to the bad old days. By promoting the Kalabagh and Bhasha dams, the Bank is destabilizing an already conflict-ridden country and further marginalizing Pakistan's poor.
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Goodbye UK, Hello Austria: EU Presidency Outlook
As the Austrians settle into the driving seat of the European Union for the coming six months, the time is ripe to take a look back at the achievements of the UK Presidency for development, and forward to the agenda of the Austrian Presidency in 2006.
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