World Trade Report 2012

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) can serve legitimate public policy goals, such as protecting the health of consumers, but they may also be used for protectionist purposes. The Report reveals how the expansion of global production chains, climate change and the growing importance of consumer concerns in richer countries affect the use of NTMs. It also reports that such measures represent the main source of concerns for exporters. The focus of the Report is on technical barriers to trade (TBT) regarding standards for manufactured goods, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures concerning food safety and animal/plant health, and domestic regulation in services. The Report looks at the availability of information on NTMs and the latest trends concerning usage. It discusses the impact that NTMs have on trade and examines how regulatory harmonization and/or mutual recognition of standards may help to reduce any trade-hindering effects. Finally, the Report looks at international cooperation on NTMs.

World Trade Report 2012 - Trade and public policies: A closer look at non-tariff measures in the 21st century Published in 2012

> Contents, acknowledgements, disclaimer, DG Foreword and Executive Summary (15 pages; 860KB)

 

I- World trade in 2011(18 pages; 456KB)

  

II- Trade and public policies: A closer look at non-tariff measures in the 21st century

> A. Introduction(14 pages; 238KB)

> B. An economic perspective on the use of non-tariff measures(46 pages; 818KB)

> C. An inventory of non-tariff measures and services measures(40 pages; 1881KB)

> D. The trade effects of non-tariff measures and services measures(26 pages; 1126KB)

> E. International cooperation on non-tariff measures in a globalized world(60 pages; 855KB)

> F. Conclusions(4 pages; 101KB)

> Bibliography, Technical notes, Abbreviations and symbols, List of figures, tables and boxes, WTO members(27 pages; 1293KB)

    

> New dataset on TBT specific trade concerns

“It’s closer than you think” is the theme of World Hepatitis Day 2012

World Hepatitis Alliance

 

“It’s closer than you think” is the theme of this year’s World Hepatitis Day, which takes place on ?  2012.

The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the different forms of hepatitis: what they are and how they are transmitted; who is at risk; and the various methods of prevention and treatment.

Despite its staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated.

Nelson Mandela International Day - 18 July

Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July 2012) - Secretary-General's Video Message

13 Jul 2012 - Every year since 2010, on 18 July individuals around the world are encouraged to devote 67 minutes to helping others – by volunteering in a hospital, tutoring a child, providing food for the homeless, or any other community service.

The United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation

In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154). In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day, which will take place on 22 March 2013, also will be dedicated to water cooperation. Therefore, UN-Water has called upon UNESCO to lead the 2013 United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation, in particular because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication. Given the intrinsic nature of water as a transversal and universal element, the United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation naturally would embrace and touch upon all these aspects. The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services. The Year will highlight the history of successful water cooperation initiatives, as well as identify burning issues on water education, water diplomacy, transboundary water management, financing cooperation, national/international legal frameworks, and the linkages with the Millennium Development Goals. It also will provide an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum created at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), and to support the formulation of new objectives that will contribute towards developing water resources that are truly sustainable. Celebrations throughout the Year will include featured events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, as well as many other events organized by various stakeholders around the world. Such events will seek to promote actions at all levels in relevant areas including education, culture, gender, the sciences, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as ethics, among others. To know more about the 2013 UN International Year of Water Cooperation please contact Lucilla Minelli at: l.minelli@unesco.org.

International Justice Day 2012

International Justice Day 2012, themed "Improving Capabilities, Strengthening Society," has given the Justice Ministry the opportunity to reflect on a year and a half of challenges and achievements.
 

On 6 July 2012, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) held an event and symbolic flag-raising ceremony, calling other parties to join in celebrations of 17 July, International Criminal Justice Day. The event began with speeches by Ambassador of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr Jean-Marc Hoscheit, representing the States parties to the Rome Statute, and the ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song. More information: www.icc-cpi.int

Water footprint interactive graph

Remarks by Secretary Clinton: July 2012 - World Population Day

World Population Day

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 11, 2012

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This year as we mark World Population Day, leaders from around the globe are meeting in London for the Family Planning Summit hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They are working to find new ways to support the rights of women and young people to decide whether, when, and how many children to have.

Reproductive rights are among the most basic of human rights. But too often, in too many places, these rights are denied. Millions of women and young people in developing countries don't have access to information to plan their family. They don't have health services and modern methods of contraception. This is not only a violation of their right to decide the number, timing, and spacing of their children, it's also a question of equity as women everywhere should have the same ability to determine this fundamental part of their lives.
Voluntary family planning programs represent more than just an investment in health and human rights. Family planning is one of the most successful development interventions and one of the strongest and most cost-effective investments available. It reduces poverty, and it allows governments to invest in infrastructure, schooling, and healthcare. For over 40 years the U.S. government, through the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been committed to supporting effective and sustainable family planning programs. During this current fiscal year the U.S. contributed over $640 million through USAID for bilateral family planning and reproductive health programs, and $35 million to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the largest multilateral provider of life-saving family planning and reproductive health information and services. The partnership between the U.S. government and UNFPA is critical to advancing sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for women, men, adolescents and youth around the world.
We must continue to build on this solid foundation and advance solidarity within the international community for the right of women and young people to make decisions about their own bodies. Our efforts are critical to improving the status of women and upholding these basic human rights around the world.

PRN: 2012/1137