ASSOCIATIONS’ AFFAIRS
1. FIATA World Congress 2017, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together
Just two more months to FIATA’s World Congress, the most anticipated event in the industry’s annual calendar. The local host – the Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders (FMFF) is busy making the necessary preparations to welcome delegates to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Apart from the interesting
Congress programme, FIATA members can also look forward to an exciting time in Malaysia, which offers a «melting pot» of cultural diversity in its people, food, architecture and history – and an unrivalled showcase of the country’s top-class and fast-expanding regional logistics facilities. Register for your delegate pass here: www.fiata2017.org
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
2. WTO Members Step up Work to Ensure Implementation of Trade Facilitation Agreement
WTO members stepped up efforts to ensure the implementation of the landmark Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) at the 19 July meeting of the Committee on Trade Facilitation. Members highlighted the need for continued submissions of remaining ratifications and notifications and worked on defining the committee’s work and procedures.
For more details please visit:https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/fac_19jul17_e.htm
3. Positive Momentum for Sudan’s WTO Membership Negotiations
WTO members commended the positive momentum for Sudan’s WTO membership negotiations and reiterated their readiness to support the process at the 4th meeting of the working party on the country’s accession held on 14th of July under the chairmanship of Mr Ryosuke Kuwana (Japan). Negotiations on Sudan’s WTO membership resumed in January after 13 years of impasse.
Read more: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/acc_sdn_17jul17_e.htm
4. UNCTAD Adviser, Alibaba’s Jack Ma, Launches African Young Entrepreneurs Fund
At UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi’s presence , Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma announced the creation of a US$10 million African Young Entrepreneurs Fund, during the Youth
Connect Africa Summit co-hosted by UNCTAD and the Government of Rwanda.
Read more at: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1525&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#2147;#Youth Network<http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1525&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#2147;>
unctad.org _ UNCTAD adviser, Alibaba’s Jack Ma, launches African Young Entrepreneurs Fund
5. WCO – Afghan President Commits to WCO Programme in Support of Customs Reform
The President of Afghanistan, H. E. Mr. Ashraf Ghani, welcomed Secretary General Mikuriya and shared his vision of transforming Afghan Customs into a model for governance, recognising that Customs capacity building is a crucial part of state building.
The WCO Secretary General also had a meeting with a private sector delegation, headed by the CEO of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, Mr Atiqullah Nusrat. They asked for the WCO’s support concerning the establishment of a Single Window and the introduction of a one-stop service. To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/july/afghan-president-commits-to-wco-programme-in-support-of-customs-reform.aspx
6. WCO Talks Trade Facilitation and eCommerce at the 6th Global Review of Aid for Trade
The discussions looked into two aspects of trade facilitation: how WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation was progressing, including aspects related to digitisation and the new challenges of eCommerce; and how relief consignments could be better facilitated across borders. FIATA participated in the Air for Trade event in Geneva<https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/a4t_e/a4tmonit_6gr_e.htm> and a full report will be published soon.
For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/july/wco-talks-trade-facilitation-and-e_commerce-at-the-6th-global-review-of-aid-for-trade.aspx
7. UNECE – Highlighting the Value of the TIR Convention for Global Customs Transit
The World Customs Organisation organised a global Conference on Transit at their Brussels headquarters on 10-11 July 2017. At the conference, UNECE showcased a variety of legal instruments developed under the auspices of the Inland Transport Committee, and in particular the TIR Convention. Over the last 3 years, Pakistan, China and India, home to almost 40 % of the world population, have acceded to the TIR Convention.
For more details please visit: https://www.unece.org/info/media/news/transport/highlighting-the-value-of-the-tir-convention-for-global-customs-transit/doc.html
Highlighting the value of the TIR Convention for global customs transit
8. UNECA – Continental Free Trade Area Negotiations Moving in the Right Direction
Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) negotiations are moving in the right direction and at the desired
pace, with the first phase of the negotiations expected to be concluded by the end of 2017 according to an assessment published by UNECA.
To read the report please visit:
http://www.fes-globalization.org/geneva/documents/2017/2017_07_CFTA_HRIA_Publication.pdf
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS & CONNECTIVITY
9. Beyond Statistics: Assessing Progress Towards Sustainable Development
Fulfilling the promise of the globe’s ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will require a new approach that goes beyond statistics to integrate evaluation into implementation efforts, according to experts at an UNCTAD event on how to review progress. The message was delivered by the Evaluation and Monitoring Unit and the New York Liaison Office of UNCTAD during the 10th of July meeting on the side-lines of the 2017 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. Read more at: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1523&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home
unctad.org _ Beyond statistics_ assessing progress towards sustainable development
10. UN – SDG Business Forum Highlights
The forum presented the central role business is playing to advance the UN’s 2030 Agenda and showcased specific projects and partnerships undertaken by the global business community to implement six focus goals on health, gender equality, infrastructure, oceans, poverty, hunger and partnerships.
Here are 5 key takeaways from the forum: https://iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/may-missed-weeks-sdg-business-forum/
What you may have missed at this week’s SDG Business Forum – ICC – International Chamber of Commerce
11. Trends and Progress in UNECE Region Featured at Global Review of SDGs
The promising start made across the UNECE region in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was highlighted at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York (10th – 19th of July 2017). Regional cooperation is essential in helping to adapt the SDGs to specific national and local contexts, to improve data on implementation, and to promote resource mobilisation and practical peer learning.
Read more at: https://www.unece.org/info/media/news/general-unece/2017/trends-and-progress-in-unece-region-featured-at-global-review-of-sdgs/doc.html
Trends and progress in UNECE region featured at global review of SDGs
12. UNFCCC – Survey of Adaptation Actions and Needs: Calling Private Sector
A survey of private sector actions to deal with the consequences of climate change is being carried out by the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee to identify opportunities and risks for businesses. A 2015 study<https://www.eiuperspectives.economist.com/sustainability/cost-inaction> by The Economist Intelligence Unit estimated the value at risk, because of climate change, to the total global stock of manageable assets as ranging from USD 4.2 trillion to USD 43 trillion between now and the end of the century.
To read more please visit: http://newsroom.unfccc.int/climate-action/survey-of-adaptation-actions-and-needs/
Survey of Adaptation Actions and Needs
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Topics
FIATA World Congress 2017, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together
WTO Members Step up Work to Ensure Implementation of Trade Facilitation Agreement
Positive Momentum for Sudan’s WTO Membership Negotiations
UNCTAD Adviser, Alibaba’s Jack Ma, Launches African Young Entrepreneurs Fund
WCO – Afghan President Commits to WCO Programme in Support of Customs Reform
Beyond Statistics: Assessing Progress Towards Sustainable Development
UN – SDG WCO Talks Trade Facilitation and eCommerce at the 6th Global Review of Aid for Trade
UNECE – Highlighting the Value of the TIR Convention for Global Customs Transit
UNECA – Continental Free Trade Area Negotiations Moving in the Right Direction
Business Forum Highlights
Beyond Statistics: Assessing Progress Towards Sustainable Development
Trends and Progress in UNECE Region Featured at Global Review of SDGs
UNFCCC – Survey of Adaptation Actions and Needs: Calling Private Sector