POPULATION ISSUES KEY TO FIGHTING POVERTY

POPULATION ISSUES KEY TO FIGHTING POVERTY, OTHER ILLS IN ASIA, UN-BACKED FORUM AGREES

Population policy, reproductive health and gender equality remain central to reducing poverty in the Asia and the Pacific region despite recent economic growth, specialists agreed at a conference convened by United Nations agencies in Bangkok this week.

In the three-day review of progress since the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference (APPC) held in Bangkok in 2002, experts concluded that its plan of Action on Population and Poverty is needed more than ever in light of the global economic crisis and its likely impact on the poor.

Hundreds of millions have been left behind despite the progress made in the fight against poverty over the past few decades, with a quarter of a million women, mostly poor, dying each year in the region as a result of failing maternal health services.

Without swift action, there is little hope of attaining the Millennium Development Goals 

Posted by Vidyanand Acharya

Services Sector in a Globalized Economy

Opening Markets for Trade in Services highlights the key challenges and opportunities for the services sector in a globalized economy. This new book — co-published by the World Trade Organization and Cambridge University Press — focuses on the unilateral action taken by countries across the world as well as the bilateral and multilateral liberalization of trade in services. It explores the challenges, motivations and achievements of the growing number of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) between countries and of the global trade negotiations within the WTO.

The publication includes studies on a wide range of sectors, such as air transport, distribution, audiovisual services, postal services, energy, finance and telecommunications, and on a variety of themes, such as cross-border trade, government procurement and the movement of natural persons. Chapters covering each of these sectors/themes review market and regulatory developments, discuss key negotiating issues and assess the liberalization already achieved by PTAs and WTO negotiations. The book also looks ahead to future opportunities and challenges.
The book also includes case studies on countries as diverse as Australia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, India, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Uruguay. These case studies aim to shed light on the elements that have shaped bilateral and multilateral negotiations on services. What are the reasons for negotiating bilateral agreements? Why do negotiations lead to such different results? What role is played by national interests? 
Contributors to this volume include WTO staff, negotiators, academics and experts from other international organizations. A foreword has been provided by the WTO's Director-General, Pascal Lamy. (courtsy-WTO)

Posted by Vidyanand Acharya