WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION's update

02 Dec 2023
Latest news

Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,
Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website which match with your news preferences.


NEWS ITEM

WTO Secretariat launches trade policy toolkit at COP28 to support action on climate goals

The WTO Secretariat on 2 December launched a 10-point set of “Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action” at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to present governments with a toolkit to draw from in their efforts to meet global climate targets. The new publication explores how integrating the trade policy options, such as reviewing import tariffs on low-carbon solutions, into national strategies can help economies mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its consequences.

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NEWS ITEM

Heads of WTO, FAO sign agreement to boost cooperation on trade, food and climate change

The WTO and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agreed on 1 December to boost cooperation and collaboration on a range of issues in the area of food and agricultural trade and climate change. The initiative comes at a time of growing crises affecting global food security and sustainable agriculture production.

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NEWS ITEM

WTO members review farm policies, discuss food security, technology transfer

At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture on 27-29 November, WTO members exchanged views on a range of issues under the committee’s work mandate, with the issue of food security once again a main focus of the discussions. Members also carried out their regular review of each other’s farm policies to ensure compliance with WTO disciplines.

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NEWS ITEM

Members discuss ways for developing economies to benefit more fully from global trade

WTO members discussed ways for developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) to benefit to a greater extent from their participation in the multilateral trading system during meetings of the Committee on Trade and Development held on 17 and 24 November. Dedicated sessions on regional trade agreements, preferential trade arrangements and the Monitoring Mechanism on Special and Differential Treatment were also held on 17 November.


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NEWS ITEM

Mini-ministerial on agriculture seeks political guidance for negotiators ahead of MC13

At a virtual mini-ministerial gathering on agriculture on 28 November, the United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Trade Minister, Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, urged ministers to provide political guidance to agriculture negotiators in the run-up to the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) scheduled for February 2024 in Abu Dhabi. This call was echoed by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. At the end of the meeting, Minister Al Zeyoudi thanked ministers for their full support and clear guidance and committed to issue a summary report under his own responsibility as Chair of the meeting.

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NEWS ITEM

Members consider seven regional trade agreements, discuss improvements to Committee’s work

WTO members considered five regional trade agreements (RTAs) between the United Kingdom and various trading partners, namely Central America, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Mozambique, Moldova, Albania and Georgia at the 20, 21 and 27 November meetings of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA). They also considered two RTAs between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and two trading partners — Ecuador and Indonesia. In addition, they continued their discussions on improvements to the functioning of the CRTA and adopted the Committee’s annual report.

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION's update

What’s hot in science and engineering? Check out NSF news for the day of November 13, 2023
11/13/2023

NSF News
NSF Director Panchanathan attends Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce 2023 Ovation Gala, receives Lifetime Achievement AwardNovember 13, 2023
On Nov. 4, U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan traveled to Austin, Texas, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award…




NSF News
NSF and partners kick off the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot ProgramNovember 9, 2023
On Nov. 7, representatives from federal agencies, academia and the private sector gathered at the U.S. National Science Foundation to kick off a…
See all the latest NSF news.
For cool science bytes, explainers and more, visit Science Matters.

Transitioning Funding for Macrosystems Biology and NEON-Enabled Science
11/14/2023
A Message from NSF's Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Regarding the Macrosystems Biology and NEON-Enabled Science (MSB-NES) Program



Dear Colleagues,

The Macrosystems Biology and NEON-Enabled Science (MSB-NES) program was initiated in Fiscal Year 2010 when macrosystems biology was a nascent field within the biological sciences and NSF felt a specific call would highlight the agency’s support of the science. Over the last 13 years, the field has grown in size and recognition and has pioneered technical and conceptual advances to study processes that intrinsically play out at large spatial scales with significant relevance to a variety of areas in environmental and biological science.

U.S. Department of State,update

 On International Day for Persons with Disabilities

12/03/2023 09:52 AM EST

The Secretary of State

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United States reaffirms its commitment to working in partnership with the international community and doing our part to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. We underscore the value of inclusion of persons with disabilities as essential to the effective implementation of Agenda 2030.

Around the world, the disability community accounts for 1.3 billion of the world’s population, of which 80 percent live in developing countries. Building on many decades of progress made to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, the United States seeks to support disability advocates striving for enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities. The Department of State will continue working to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and pursue disability-inclusive diplomacy around the world.

On International Day for Persons with Disabilities

12/03/2023 09:52 AM EST

The Secretary of State

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United States reaffirms its commitment to working in partnership with the international community and doing our part to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. We underscore the value of inclusion of persons with disabilities as essential to the effective implementation of Agenda 2030.

Around the world, the disability community accounts for 1.3 billion of the world’s population, of which 80 percent live in developing countries. Building on many decades of progress made to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, the United States seeks to support disability advocates striving for enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities. The Department of State will continue working to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and pursue disability-inclusive diplomacy around the world.

On International Day for Persons with Disabilities

12/03/2023 09:52 AM EST

The Secretary of State

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the United States reaffirms its commitment to working in partnership with the international community and doing our part to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. We underscore the value of inclusion of persons with disabilities as essential to the effective implementation of Agenda 2030.

Around the world, the disability community accounts for 1.3 billion of the world’s population, of which 80 percent live in developing countries. Building on many decades of progress made to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, the United States seeks to support disability advocates striving for enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities. The Department of State will continue working to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and pursue disability-inclusive diplomacy around the world.

Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to Guatemala

12/03/2023 04:20 PM EST

Office of the Spokesperson

Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Guatemala City, Guatemala December 3-4, 2023, to underscore the importance of a peaceful democratic transition to President-elect Arevalo to foster economic cooperation and strengthen strategic partnerships between the United States and Guatemala.

During his visit, Under Secretary Fernandez will meet counterparts from the current and incoming administrations and private sector leaders to promote a transparent, stable, and prosperous business environment that benefits the people of Guatemala. The Under Secretary’s visit reaffirms the United States’ staunch support for the people of Guatemala and our shared values with President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and the incoming government.

To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X: @State_E, LinkedIn: @State-E, and Facebook: @StateDeptE.

For press inquiries, please contact: E_Communications@state.gov.

This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

Ξεκινούν αύριο Δευτέρα 4 Δεκεμβρίου 2023 απο την ΔΥ.ΠΑ οι εξής πληρωμές:

Ξεκινούν αύριο Δευτέρα 4 Δεκεμβρίου 2023 απο την ΔΥ.ΠΑ οι εξής πληρωμές:

• η τακτική επιδότηση ανεργίας
• η επιδότηση μακροχρόνιας ανεργίας
• το βοήθημα ανεργίας αυτοαπασχολουμένων
• η προπληρωμή του Δώρου Χριστουγέννων σε ανέργους που επιδοτούνται
• σε δικαιούχους ειδικής παροχής προσταστίας της μητρότητος
• το επίδομα γονικής αδείας
• του επιδόματος εργασίας

Οι πληρωμές εμφανίζονται στον τραπεζικό λογαριασμό του δικαιούχου τρείς ημέρες ΜΕΤΑ την κατάθεση στον τραπεζικό λογαριασμό, χωρίς να χρειαστεί καμία άλλη ενέργεια απο τον ίδιο.

ΕΦΚΑ:Επιστροφή εισφορών ύψους 6,6 εκατ. ευρώ σε χιλιάδες επαγγελματίες

 Αθήνα,  30 Νοεμβρίου  2023

Επιστροφή εισφορών ύψους  6,6 εκατ. ευρώ σε χιλιάδες επαγγελματίες
11.377,65 € το ανώτατο επιστρεφόμενο ποσό

Την Παρασκευή 01 Δεκεμβρίου 2023 πραγματοποιείται η τέταρτη – από τις διαδοχικές - καταβολές ποσού 6.643.246,21 ευρώ, που αφορά στην επιστροφή των αχρεωστήτως καταβληθεισών εισφορών, κλάδων επικουρικής ασφάλισης και πρόνοιας, για τα έτη 2019 και 2020 σε χιλιάδες επαγγελματίες.

 Συγκεκριμένα, αφορά σε δικηγόρους με έμμισθη εντολή του ιδιωτικού τομέα και των Ν.Π.Ι.Δ. και μισθωτούς μηχανικούς και υγειονομικούς του ιδιωτικού και δημόσιου τομέα με σχέση εργασίας ιδιωτικού δικαίου (Ι.Δ.Α.Χ. & Ι.Δ.Ο.Χ.), οφειλέτες ή μη του e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α., οι οποίοι υπέβαλαν αίτηση, μέσω της αντίστοιχης ηλεκτρονικής υπηρεσίας, μέχρι 22/11/2023.

Στους οφειλέτες του e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α. αποδίδεται το ποσό, που προκύπτει μετά τον συμψηφισμό της συνολικής οφειλής τους (ρυθμισμένη ή μη) με τον αρχικά υπολογισθέν προς επιστροφή ποσό των αχρεωστήτως καταβληθεισών εισφορών (άρθρο 104 παρ. 1 του ν. 4387/2016 – ΦΕΚ 85 Α’, όπως ισχύει & άρθρο 1 της με α. π. Δ.15/Δ’/90598/11.11.2021 Υ.Α. - ΦΕΚ 5404 Β’).

Σε αυτή την τέταρτη καταβολή, το ανώτατο επιστρεφόμενο ποσό, που θα πιστωθεί στους τραπεζικούς λογαριασμούς 2.606 δικαιούχων, ανέρχεται στα 11.377,65 ευρώ. 

Οι αρμόδιες υπηρεσίες του e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α. συνεχίζουν την επεξεργασία των αιτήσεων των λοιπών δικαιούχων, καθώς και όσες υποβλήθηκαν από 23/11/2023 και μετέπειτα, προκειμένου, τα αντίστοιχα ποσά να τους αποδοθούν, με την ίδια διαδικασία, σε επόμενη καταβολή. 

Τέλος, υπενθυμίζεται ότι, η λειτουργία της «Ηλεκτρονικής Υπηρεσίας Τροποποίησης της Ασφάλισης για Έμμισθους Δικηγόρους, Μισθωτούς Μηχανικούς και Υγειονομικούς»  και της συσχετιζόμενης «Ηλεκτρονικής Υπηρεσίας Επιστροφής Εισφορών σε έμμισθους Δικηγόρους, μισθωτούς Μηχανικούς και Υγειονομικούς» έχει παραταθεί μέχρι και τις 30.09.2024.

Από την Διοίκηση του e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α.

IMF Weekend Read

 

Dear maria, In today's edition, we highlight: Climate ambition at COP Europe's vulnerability to fragmentation Melissa Dell on history and development F&D magazine on artificial intelligence Central bank digital currencies

CLIMATE CHANGE World Needs More Policy Ambition, Private Funds, and Innovation (Credit: Adobe Stock) With each passing year, the stark reality of a hotter planet becomes clearer and the ensuing risks to the global economy intensify. But as the world is waking up to the scale of the climate crisis, geopolitical tensions are undermining global coordination to solve this planetary problem, IMF economists write in a blog published ahead of this week’s UN Climate Change Conference, or COP28. Eight years on from the Paris Agreement, policies remain insufficient to stabilize temperatures and avoid the worst effects of climate change. Collectively, we are not cutting emissions fast enough and are falling short on the needed investment, financing, and technology, the authors say.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Saturday 2 December 2023

● European Council   02/12/2023 14:11 | Media advisory | TIME CHANGE: Press briefing before the EU-China summit of 7-8 December 2023   The press briefing ahead of the EU-China summit of 7-8 December 2023 will take place on Monday 4 December 2023 at 15.00. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either in person at the Europa building press room or remotely. To attend the event remotely, please use this link to register and have the possibility to ask questions. EU accredited journalists who already registered for previous high level press events in 2022 and 2023 do not need to do it again. • Deadline for registration: Monday 4 December 2023 at 14.00. Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline.

Press material Friday 1 December 2023

● General Secretariat   01/12/2023 17:41 | Press release | Forward look: 4 - 17 December 2023   Overview of the main topics and events at the Council of EU and European Council for the coming fortnight. Justice and Home Affairs Council, 4-5 December 2023 At the meeting of home affairs ministers, the presidency will present a progress report on all the legislative files of the Pact on asylum and migration. Ministers will also receive a state of play of the external dimension of migration. The impact of the crisis in the Middle East and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on the EU’s internal security will also feature on the agenda. Justice ministers will aim to reach a general approach on a regulation on the transfer of proceedings and approve the e-justice strategy for 2024-2028. Read more Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport), 4 December 2023 The Council will be invited to agree a general approach on several legislative files related to three transport modes (horizontal, land and shipping): two Commission proposals of the ‘road safety’ package: a revised legislation on driving licences and a revised directive to facilitate cross-border exchange of information on road safety-related traffic offences four Commission proposals of the ‘maritime safety’ package: revised directives on port State control, ship-source pollution, compliance with flag State requirements and accidents investigation in the maritime sector a Commission proposal for a regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services a revised regulation on breaks and rests in occasional passenger transport services Ministers will also discuss the state of play of current legislative files in the field of transport with a focus on the revised regulation on Union guidelines on the trans-European transport networks (TEN-T), the regulations on single European sky (SESII+ package), and the directive on the Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications, and hold an informal lunch on the financing of transport infrastructures. Read more Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 5 December 2023 The Council is expected to agree a general approach on the regulation on measures to reduce the cost of deploying gigabit electronic communications networks (gigabit infrastructure act) and take note of a progress report on the cyber solidarity act (CSoA) laying down measures to strengthen solidarity and capacities in the EU to detect, prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents. Ministers will also hold a policy debate on technological leadership and competitiveness, and discuss the state of play on a number of current legislative files in the field of telecommunications. Read more Competitiveness Council (Internal market and industry), 7 December 2023 On Thursday, Internal Market and industry ministers will meet in Brussels and will aim to adopt a general approach on the Net-Zero Industry Act. They will hold a policy debate concerning the Regulation on forced labour. During lunch, ministers will exchange views on SME policy. Read more Competitiveness Council (Research and space), 8 December 2023 The Council will seek a general approach on the proposed reform of the economic governance framework. Ministers will adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states. The presidency will present progress reports on own resources and the single currency package. Ministers will discuss the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the European Semester. The Council will approve report to the European Council on tax issues and conclusions on the progress achieved by the Code of Conduct Group. Read more Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 December 2023 The Council will seek a general approach on the proposed reform of the economic governance framework. Ministers will adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states. The presidency will present progress reports on own resources and the single currency package. Ministers will discuss the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the European Semester. Read more Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 10-11 December 2023 The Council is expected to discuss the market situation and to exchange views on the first year of implementation of the CAP strategic plans. Additionally, the Council is expected to address the new genomic techniques regulation, the sustainable use of pesticides regulation, and the proposals for plant reproductive material and for forest reproductive material. Finally, fisheries ministers will aim to reach a political agreement on the proposal for fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2024 and, in the case of some stocks, also for 2025 and 2026, as well as on the proposal concerning fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for 2024. Read more Foreign Affairs Council, 11 December 2023 The Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, will start at 9.30 with an informal exchange of views with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba. The Council will then hold discussions on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the situation in Israel, the Gaza strip and the region. Ministers will exchange views on the Sahel, and on the foreign policy dimension of economic security. The Council meeting will be preceded by an informal breakfast with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, and followed by the Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting. Read more General Affairs Council, 12 December 2023 The Council will focus on preparations for the December European Council, enlargement and stabilisation and association process, annual rule of law dialogue, and managing demographic change in Europe. Ministers will also take stock of negotiations for an association agreement with Andorra and San Marino and discuss Spain’s request to amend regulation no 1/1958. Read more EU-Western Balkans summit, 13 December 2023 27 EU and 6 Western Balkans leaders will meet in Brussels one year after the 2022 summit in Tirana. They will discuss the strategic partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans region, bringing about even closer ties and more integrated cooperation with the EU, based on shared principles and values. Read more European Council, 14-15 December 2023 EU leaders will address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in all its dimensions, the situation in the Middle East, enlargement, the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, progress in the implementation of previous conclusions on security and defence, as well as specific foreign policy issues. Read more Other events EU-China summit, 7-8 December 2023 Eurogroup, 7 December 2023 Indicative calendar of meetings under the Spanish presidency (1 July - 31 December 2023) Spanish presidency website

Meetings Friday 1 December 2023

● Council of the EU   01/12/2023 12:54 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 December 2023   The Council will seek a general approach on the proposed reform of the economic governance framework. Ministers will adopt implementing decisions approving modified recovery and resilience plans, submitted by some member states. The presidency will present progress reports on own resources and the single currency package. Ministers will discuss the economic and financial impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the European Semester.

Meetings Friday 1 December 2023

● Council of the EU   01/12/2023 14:29 | MEETING | Agenda highlights - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 10-11 December 2023   The Council is expected to discuss the market situation and to exchange views on the first year of implementation of the CAP strategic plans. Additionally, the Council is expected to address the new genomic techniques regulation, the sustainable use of pesticides regulation, and the proposals for plant reproductive material and for forest reproductive material. Finally, fisheries ministers will aim to reach a political agreement on the proposal for fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2024 and for 2025 and 2026 as well in the case of some stocks, as well as on the proposal concerning fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for 2024.

News EBRD goes to COP28 committed to its countries of operations climate ambitions The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) goes to COP28, the international climate conference in Dubai, with ambitious plans to support the countries where it works in taking the lead on accelerating their green transition through country-led platforms, which bring together national and international players with private-sector finance to build greater momentum on greening national economies.

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