ASSOCIATIONS’ AFFAIRS
1. FIATA World Congress 2017- Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Less than two 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. Do not hesitate to register for your delegate pass here: www.fiata2017.org<http://www.fiata2017.org/>
2. New IATA FIATA Air Cargo program – Launches in Canada
The new IATA FIATA Air Cargo Program (IFACP) has been launched in Canada. The new Program, which will be rolled out globally following the Canadian pilot, replaces the existing Cargo Agency Program, and will be jointly managed by forwarders and airlines as equal partners in the decision-making process. A new IATA-FIATA Governance Board (IFGB) has been established to run the Program, which provides a framework of industry standards that are relevant and in line with best practices and safety regulations.
We will also provide consistent updates on our FIATA website at: http://fiata.com/initiatives/air-cargo/iata-fiata-air-cargo-program.html
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
3. SIPRI Publishes New Series of Good Practice Guides on Internal Compliance Programme
SIPRI is pleased to draw attention to a recently published Concept Paper and set of Good Practice Guides examining the challenges facing the establishment and implementation of an effective Internal Compliance Programme (ICP) by companies and research institutes subject to dual-use and arms export controls.
An ICP is an arrangement that an entity affected by dual-use and arms export controls puts in place to ensure that it is complying with both these controls and its own internal policies. In recent years, the European Union (EU) and national governments have been encouraging companies and other stakeholders to adopt ICPs and to allow those that do so to benefit from reduced administrative requirements.
For more details please visit: https://www.sipri.org/news/2017/sipri-study-examines-challenges-associated-implementing-effective-internal-compliance-programmes
4. ILO launches Global Commission on the Future of Work
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has established a high-level Global Commission on the Future of Work. The global body is expected to undertake an in-depth examination of the future of work that can provide the analytical basis for the delivery of social justice in the 21st century.
The Commission will focus in particular on the relationship between work and society, the challenge of creating decent jobs for all, the organisation of work and production, and the governance of work.
For more details please visit: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_570686/lang–en/index.htm
5. WTO – ICC and WTO Launch ‘Small Business Champions’ Initiative
A joint effort to facilitate participation by smaller companies in international trade was launched by the Director-General of the WTO, Roberto Azevêdo, and the Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), John Danilovich.
The initiative, entitled ‘ICC-WTO Small Business Champions’, will provide a platform for companies and private sector organisations around the world to propose innovative, practical ideas designed to encourage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to do business across borders.
For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/bus_16aug17_e.htm
6. WTO – Trade Indicator Points to Continued Modest Recovery of World Trade
The WTO’s latest World Trade Outlook Indicator (WTOI) suggests that global merchandise trade growth will continue to strengthen in the third quarter of 2017. The latest reading of 102.6 is higher than the previous reading of 102.2 issued in May this year, suggesting sustained momentum for trade growth. Strong performances in air freight, export orders and container shipping are balanced by weaker results in other indices.
For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/wtoi_07aug17_e.htm
7. UNECA – Africa’s Transboundary Infrastructure Development in Lagos Conference
A five-member high-level panelled participants in discussing issues that include investment and transboundary infrastructure projects in Africa; political, legal and policy issues which need to be addressed to achieve regional integration; laws and policies needed to support transboundary infrastructure projects and the role they play in institutionalising Africa.
The conference deals with the issues and concerns raised by the private sector in its interactions with NEPAD and ECA experts and these include issues of transparency, dispute resolution, project ownership, project preparation and others they considered as risks.
Read more: https://www.uneca.org/stories/africa%E2%80%99s-transboundary-infrastructure-development-focus-lagos-conference
8. New ECA Chief Meets Ethiopian Prime Minister; Renews Commitment for Africa
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Ethiopian government on Thursday renewed their commitment to working together for the economic and social transformation of Ethiopia and the African continent at large.The new ECA Chief said Africa’s institutions need to be reformed if they are to meet the continent’s challenges, including resource mobilisation to fund the continent’s development.
To read more please visit: https://www.uneca.org/stories/new-eca-chief-meets-ethiopian-prime-minister-renews-commitment-africa%E2%80%99s-transformation
9. UNESCAP – Good Progress in Implementing WTO TFA
The preliminary results of the 2nd UN Global Survey on Trade Facilitation and Paperless Trade Implementation were presented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) as part of the Sixth Global Review of Aid for Trade, at the WTO in Geneva, on 12th July 2017.This suggests that countries have been making significant progress in implementing trade facilitation for the past two years, possibly as countries rush to prepare for the entry into force of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force on 22 February 2017.
To read more please visit: http://www.unescap.org/news/good-progress-made-implementing-wto-trade-facilitation-agreement-still-long-road-paperless-and
10. WCO – Bangladesh Customs Steps Up its Efforts on Air Cargo Control
From 1 to 10 August 2017 Bangladesh hosted a Practical Training on Air Cargo Control in the framework of the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The training was conducted by WCO training experts and was intended to support the future Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) at Dhaka Airport. This training built up on the Theoretical Training which had been delivered and sought to deepen the knowledge of officials on modern risk-profiling techniques, security of the airside environment and other relevant aspects for Air Cargo Control as well as trade facilitation considerations.
For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/august/bangladesh-customs-steps-up-its-efforts-on-air-cargo-control.aspx
11. WCO – Mexico and Japan Sign Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement
On 10 August 2017, the Mexican Tax Administration Service signed an Agreement with Japan on Mutual Assistance and Cooperation in Customs Matters to strengthen existing information exchange schemes and cooperation mechanisms.Under this Agreement, both countries commit to help each other in combating illegal foreign trade practices, such as undervaluation, by corroborating the authenticity of documents and exchanging information on foreign trade operations, seizures of goods, detection and concealment methods for illicit goods, etc.
For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/august/mexico-and-japan-sign-mutual-administrative-assistance-agreement.aspx
12. ICAO – Deposit of Thailand’s Instrument of Accession: Montreal Convention of 1999
His Excellency Dr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to Canada and the State’s Permanent Representative to ICAO, deposited, on behalf of his Government, the instrument of accession of Thailand to the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, done at Montreal on 28 May of 1999. It will enter into force for Thailand on 2 October 2017.
To read more please visit: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/Deposit-of-Thailands-instrument-of-accession-Montreal-Convention-of-1999.aspx
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS & CONNECTIVITY
13. ICAO leaders focus on aviation safety, security, capacity and emissions challenges for the Asia-Pacific at special Mongolia event
In his keynote address to the approximately 300 delegates in attendance, President Aliu further highlighted the need to manage demand against capacity of airport and Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, the pressing need for APAC States to implement the Safety Enhancement Initiatives (SEIs) set out by its Regional Aviation Safety Group (RASG), challenges to infrastructure and other investors posed by unstable regulatory environments, and insufficient training capacity for skilled aviation professionals, amongst other priorities.
He further alluded to the essentialness of air transport connectivity for the Pacific Island States, mainly arising from their remoteness and small populations, and to the resource challenges they face in optimising aviation’s benefits.
To read more please visit: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-leaders-focus-on-aviation-safety-security-capacity-and-emissions-challenges-for-the-Asia-Pacific-at-special-Mongolia.aspx
14. German Government Uses UN-Certified Carbon Credits to Offset Business Travel
The German government is compensating for the climate footprint of all its official travel by acquiring UN-certified carbon offsets and has launched a tender process – open until 16 August 2017 – to purchase more than 235,000 credits to offset last year’s emissions from business travel.The transport sector is responsible for approximately 23% of total energy-related CO2 global emissions, and the German government wants to do its bit to tackle the problem by making use of credits obtained from projects that are certified according to UN rules under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Read more at: http://newsroom.unfccc.int/climate-action/german-government-uses-un-carbon-credits-to-offset-staff-travel/
15. UN Environment Urges Private Sector to Help Curb Climate Changê
Currently, UN Environment is working closely with the private sector through various initiatives, such as the Finance Initiative<http://www.unepfi.org/> which works with over 200 institutions to bring systemic change in global finance for sustainability.»The private sector, whether a small store or a major conglomerate, must be given a place at the heart of our work. Its energy and its innovations will shape the success or failure of our common goals: to build a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable world. No organisation, not even the United Nations, can do this alone,» said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment.
Read more at: http://www.unep.org/newscentre/un-environment-urges-private-sector-help-curb-climate-change
16. ADB, GCF Sign Agreement to Scale Up Climate Finance Delivery in Asia
«As the dynamo of global economic growth, with Asia Pacific continuing to record the world’s strongest growth, this region has a key role to play in tackling climate change,» said Acting GCF General Counsel Raul Herrera. «The vital importance of Asia in meeting the climate challenge, along with GCF’s mandate to pursue transformative low-emission and climate-resilient development across the planet, means a shared strategic approach between GCF and ADB in this area is essential.»
To read more please visit: https://www.adb.org/news/adb-gcf-sign-agreement-scale-climate-finance-delivery-asia
17. UNECE Statistical Work for Measuring SDG Progress at the World Statistics Congress
UNECE showcased its support to statistical organisations through the road map<http://www.unece.org/stats/statistics-sustainable-development.html> for statistics on SDG delivery, together with its statistical work on climate change and modernising statistical production.
This work was presented to an international audience of over 1,800 participants, gathering statisticians from governments, private and academic sectors. The biennial Congress is organised by the International Statistical Institute (ISI), and is by far the largest event on the global statistical calendar.
To read more please visit: https://www.unece.org/info/media/news/statistics/2017/showcasing-the-global-relevance-of-unece-statistical-work-for-measuring-sdg-progress-at-the-world-statistics-congress/doc.html
Topics
FIATA World Congress 2017- Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
New IATA FIATA Air Cargo program – Launches in Canada
SIPRI Publishes New Series of Good Practice Guides on Internal Compliance Programme
ILO launches Global Commission on the Future of Work
WTO – ICC and WTO Launch ‘Small Business Champions’ Initiative
WTO – Trade Indicator Points to Continued Modest Recovery of World Trade
UNECA – Africa’s Transboundary Infrastructure Development in Lagos Conference
New ECA Chief Meets Ethiopian Prime Minister; Renews Commitment for Africa
UNESCAP – Good Progress in Implementing WTO TFA
WCO – Bangladesh Customs Steps Up its Efforts on Air Cargo Control
WCO – Mexico and Japan Sign Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement
ICAO – Deposit of Thailand’s Instrument of Accession: Montreal Convention of 1999
ICAO leaders focus on aviation safety, security, capacity and emissions challenges for the Asia-Pacific at special Mongolia event
German Government Uses UN-Certified Carbon Credits to Offset Business Travel
UN Environment Urges Private Sector to Help Curb Climate Changê
ADB, GCF Sign Agreement to Scale Up Climate Finance Delivery in Asia
UNECE Statistical Work for Measuring SDG Progress at the World Statistics Congress