The world economic situation is more favourable for developing countries than at any time since the early 1970s (see box in article). But a safe correction to the increasing imbalances would be much easier with more appropriate global exchange-rate arrangements, the just published Trade & Development Report (TDR; see reference) of the UN Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) argues. WDEV summarises the report.
Arbitrary exchange-rate shifts should be managed just as tariffs and export subsidies are, and in the absence of such controls regional cooperation may provide developing countries with some security against abrupt corrections. The authors of the TDR say that in recent years there have been several cases – for example in Germany, Japan and Switzerland – where current-account surpluses have been accompanied by a real depreciation of the exchange rate, rather than an appreciation, as conventional theory would predict. Such movements in the "wrong" direction tend to increase rather than reduce the underlying imbalances ...
The G20's unfinished business: The potential of SDRs + Compensating poor food importers + EU strategy on aquaculture + World Bank suspends labour indicator
A green recovery is possible + Stiglitz presents interim report + IFM funding and reforms + The wrong side of the global water divide + BRICs call for more say in IFIs
On the road to London and beyond: New opportunities for global governance + Aid under pressure + South-South cooperation in global crisis + Global unemployment
Race to a New Bretton Woods + Time for UN to Act + Stiglitz' New Economic Compact + China's Agrarian Reforms + Transparency Deficit of IMF and World Bank
Dambisa Moyo's book "Dead Aid" (see reference) has created quite a storm within the development community, which struggles with an appropriate response. However, the reactions have been too defensive, according to Eveline Herfkens.
The United Nations has downgraded its economic forecast for 2009. The world economy is expected to shrink by 2.6% in 2009. Approaching the end of May 2009, the economic landscape remains very winterly with no visible green shoots to be seen which could signal beginnings of a new spring.
The G20 recently endorsed the issuance of $250bn of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) by the IMF, but it made no arrangements for rich countries to transfer their allocations to poor ones. The idea was not even mentioned. Yet that is where the real benefits of an SDR issue would come from. A memorandum by George Soros
Globally, fish is by far the most traded agricultural commodity, and aquaculture is the fastest growing food production activity. Asia is the leader, with 80% of global production. However, with its Aquaculture Strategy of April 2009, the European Commission provides a red carpet to European industry.
High food prices are putting the health and lives of the world's poorest at severe risk. A mechanism to compensate for the effects of higher import prices on the poor is needed and can be implemented immediately. It must be without conditions. A proposal by Kunibert Raffer.