Building of A Common Platform Between Developing Countries

On 4-5 December 2008, the South Centre organized a training workshop on EPAs/FTAs for developing country negotiators in Brussels.

The workshop was organized by the Trade for Development Programme of the South Centre.

Workshop agenda can be downloaded from here.

Working Lunch on WIPO Programme and Budget Committee and WIPO Assemblies

On 3 December 2008, the Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme (IAKP) of the South Centre organized a working lunch meeting to discuss and coordinate developing country participation at the WIPO Programme and Budget Committee (10-11 December) and the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO (12 December).

These two meetings took decisions with respect to two key issues: defining new goals for the organization, and the financing for all it activities, including the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda and technical assistance to developing countries.

An analysis by the South Centre estimates that the budget share for development
activities has decreased by about 15.5% in the Revised P&B in comparison to
the P&B approved at the WIPO General Assembly in March (GA/44/2).

Principles and Modalities of EU-Indian Cooperation on African Development

Dr. Yash Tandon, Executive Director of the South Centre delineated the "Principles and Modalities of EU-Indian Cooperation on African Development" at an international conference on “Engaging with a resurgent Africa” organised in New Delhi on 20th and 21st of November.

The conference was organised jointly by Observer Research Foundation and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung of Germany.

According to Dr. Tandon, in any future relationship between Europe and India on Africa’s development, it must be a matter of common understanding that the colonial history should not be repeated. Development is a good objective, but it cannot justify an asymmetrical power relationship between the three partners of development, or an unequal sharing of its benefits. This should be the starting point of any discussion on the subject of this triangular relationship.

Capacity Building of Parliamentarians from Eastern and Southern Africa on EPAs

Ms. Luisa Rodriguez, Programme Officer, Trade for Development Programme gave a presentation on "Food Security and EPAs" at a workshop organized by Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) in Kenya to build the capacity of parliamentarians on EPA-related issues.

The workshop was held on 14 -15 November 2008 in Nairobi.

Working Lunch Meeting on SECURE and IP Enforcement Issues

South Centre organized Working Lunch on Tuesday, 25 November to discuss the recent Fourth SECURE Working Group Meeting and Other IP Enforcement Issues. Almost 20 delegates were present for this lunch meeting chaired by Dr. Xuan LI, Coordinator- Innovation and Access to Knowledge Programme, South Centre.

During the meeting, there was a:
(i) Brief on the recent discussions at 4th SECURE Working Group meeting held on 30-31October 2008;
(ii) Strategization for the upcoming Policy Committee to be held in Argentina on 9 December 2008.

Mr. Henrique Moraes, the Brazilian delegate based in Brussels briefed the delegates on the outcome of the recent 4th SECURE Working Group meeting.

South Centre hosts Meeting of Delegates for possible upcoming WTO mini-Ministerial

South Centre hosted a meeting of delegates from developing countries to have a dialogue and discuss common strategies regarding the possible upcoming WTO mini-Ministerial in Geneva next month. Over 20 delegates from various Developing Countries Missions to the UN participated in the meeting.

Ending Aid Dependence (Second Edition) launched at Chatham House

On 4 November 2008, South Centre launched the second edition of the book "Ending Aid Dependence" authored by Dr. Yash Tandon, Executive Director, at an event organized by the Chatham House.

Over 40 colleagues participated in the book launch which was chaired by Mr. Firoze Manji, Director, Fahamu.

The book launch was attended by over 40 colleagues. Dr. Tandon briefed the audience on some of the key messages coming out of the book and the steps needed to ending aid dependence. He also explained the innovative taxonomy presented in the book based on rainbow color to distinguish different kinds of aid, from solidarity aid (Purple) to ideological aid (Red).

On the whole, the book cautions countries of the South against falling into the aid trap and endorsing the aid agenda of the OECD – the club of rich donor countries. If endorsed, it would subject the recipients to a discipline of collective control by the donors right down to the village level. This will specially affect the donor-dependent countries, in particular the poorer and more vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Watch a short commentary below by Yash on the need for "change of mindset" that we cannot develop without aid to end Aid Dependence, recorded by the Eldis Community.

For more information on the book and to purchase a copy, go to http://www.aidexit.org/

Yash Tandon on Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) at the Norwegian Social Forum

On 8 November 2008, Dr. Yash Tandon, Executive Director, South Centre participated at a seminar about bilateral investment treaties (BITs) at the Norwegian Social Forum (Globaliseringskonferansen). Other panelists included Knut Solli from NHO (the largest Norwegian business/employer organization) and Audun Lysbakken – co-chairman of the Norwegian Socialist Left party.

The Norwegian government is currently in the process of developing BIT-models to be negotiated with developing countries. NHO obviously supports these treaties which will mean better opportunities for its member companies – Tandon naturally oppose them as they will diminish the political elbow space of the governments of developing countries.

For more information, go to:
http://www.blogging.no/blog.php/isfjeld/post/21647

2nd Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators - Marrakech

The 2nd Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators jointly organised by South Centre and IISD was successfully held in Marrakech, Morocco, 3-4 Nov. 2008. Over 50 participants attended the Forum.

The key objective of this Forum was to update participants on key issues in the International Investment Law regime today. These include the changes in this field at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels; issues relating to the role of development policy space and home country and investor obligations; issues relating to the link between investment agreements and climate change; and other relevant topics.

South Centre was represented by Mr. Vice Yu, Mr. Offah Obale and Mr. Khalil Hamdani.

The background papers and presentations made during the Forum are available from the South Centre website at:
http://www.southcentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=853&Itemid=77

Crossroads debate: how will the financial crisis affect Africa?

World markets are collapsing. Can Africa withstand the impact? What can Africa learn from the failed policies of the world's wealthiest economies?

Yash Tandon, Executive Director of the South Centre participated in the panel discussion on this issue along with other panelists, namely Colm Foy, editor of African Economic Outlook at the OECD's Development Centre and Aly-Kahn Satchu, commodity trader on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, author of Anyone Can Be Rich.

Listen to the discussion at:
http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/107/article_2045.asp