WTO update

 

26 Sep 2022 Latest news

Dear maria CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS, Below are the news items published today on the WTO public website

NEWS ITEM Winners of Small Business Champions Competition announced The winners and runners-up of the 2022 edition of the Small Business Champions Competition were announced today (26 September) at a virtual event organized by the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Launched on World MSMEs Day on 25 June 2022, the competition aims to find ways of helping small businesses reduce their carbon footprint and benefit from innovations regarding sustainability. News item   ⟶

NEWS ITEM Investment facilitation negotiators reaffirm aim of concluding text-based talks this year Participants in the investment facilitation for development (IFD) negotiations on 22 September reiterated their strong commitment to the objective of concluding the text negotiations on an agreement by the end of the year. The co-coordinators reported on the main take-aways from their informal bilateral consultations with interested participants held on 5-6 September 2022 and introduced the seventh revision of the “Easter Text” — the document used as the basis for the negotiations — which was circulated on 7 September. News item   ⟶

NEWS ITEM DDG Paugam: “Clear that sustainability is at the heart of trading models of the future” In opening remarks delivered to the Graduate Institute’s “Geneva Trade Week” on 26 September, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam underlined the importance of combining classical trade policy and environmental sustainability to formulate the sustainable trade policy of the future. “The good news is that this has really started to happen in the WTO,” he said. “And our members are now taking determined action.” His remarks are below. News item   ⟶

NEWS ITEM WTO Chairs Programme launches activities at Universidad de los Andes, Colombia The WTO Chairs Programme saw the launch of trade capacity-building activities at the Universidad de los Andes (UDLA) in Bogotá, Colombia, at an event held on 22 September. Under the Programme, academic experts provide trade-related advice to government officials and policymakers, teach students and future trade experts and undertake new research in international trade law and economic policy. UDLA is part of a global network of 36 institutions participating in the Programme. News item   ⟶

U.S.A.'s interesting latest news

Search OFAC's Sanctions Lists OFAC News and Recent Actions Sanctions FAQs Press Releases Contact OFAC OFAC SDN List Update: Balkans-related Designation; Publication of Cuba Frequently Asked Question The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing one new Cuba Frequently Asked Question (1090). In addition, the SDN list has recently been updated.  Please visit this page to access the latest version of the SDN list.  Check this page periodically as it may also be updated if a new list-related format or product is offered. For more information on today's action, please visit this page.

Buy now, pay later – and comply with the FTC Act immediately By Helen Clark Companies are increasingly marketing payment plans known as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Although BNPL plans vary in their exact terms, people typically pay for purchases over a period of several weeks, generally in equal installments. To transform consumers into customers, companies often make a variety of claims about the costs and conditions of BNPL plans. If your business offers BNPL payment options as a retailer or BNPL company – or if you play a role in the BNPL ecosystem as a marketer, collector, etc. – remember that basic consumer protection ground rules of the FTC Act apply. Read more >

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Redesignation Allows Additional Eligible Burmese Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma for an additional 18 months, from Nov. 26, 2022, through May 25, 2024, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Burma that prevent individuals from safely returning. In addition, DHS announced a redesignation of Burma for TPS for the same reason, allowing Burmese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma) residing in the United States as of Sept. 25, 2022, to be eligible for TPS.

CDFI Fund Announces FY 2022 CDFI Program and NACA Program Technical Assistance Awards September 26, 2022 Washington - Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced that 218 organizations received $27.57 million in Technical Assistance awards to build their capacity to provide services to low-income and underserved people and communities across America. The awards were made through the fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding round of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program). “I am pleased to announce the largest number of Technical Assistance awards in the history of the CDFI Program and NACA Program,” said CDFI Fund Director Jodie Harris. “The continuing high demand for funding for technical assistance reflects the urgent need that CDFIs are facing in their communities today. These awards will help CDFIs build their capacity and resilience to respond to the evolving economic and community development impacts in underserved and distressed communities across the country.”

Council of the EU:Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 26 September 2022

 

Meetings Monday 26 September 2022

● Council of the EU   26/09/2022 19:45 | MEETING | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 26 September 2022   EU agriculture ministers met in Brussels to discuss the situation of agricultural production and logistics in Ukraine and transport routes to the EU. For this discussion they were joined by Mykola Solsky, Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food. Ministers moreover exchanged views on fishing opportunities for next year, including on fish stocks shared with the United Kingdom and EU-Norway annual consultations for 2023.

IMF:Introducing the new IMFBlog page!

 

Dear maria, Here at the IMF, we’re always searching for new ways we can help streamline your reading experience. Our blog has long remained one of the key platforms to deliver our policy messages on pressing global economic issues.   Today, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new IMFBlog page, which has undergone multiple rounds of new concept ideas and rebranding designs, coming together through the collective efforts of our team.   New features include:  Rebranded interface for your easy viewing  Navigation tabs by region, topic, author and chart  Pages available in up to seven languages: English, عربي, 中文, Español, Français, 日本語, Русский ...And more!  We thank you for being an avid reader of the IMFBlog. As always, we would love to hear your feedback or suggestions on what topics we should have on our radar.  Sincerely,  Jeff Kearns   Jeff Kearns Managing Editor IMF Blog jkearns@IMF.org

François Villeroy de Galhau on the Ethics of Currency   (Photo: IMF and Scyther5/Getty Images) The Michel Camdessus Central Banking Lecture is an annual event honoring the IMF's longest-serving Managing Director. This year's lecture was presented by François Villeroy de Galhau, Governor of the Banque De France, and introduced by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In his lecture, Governor de Galhau says today's multiple crises are challenging public trust in central banks. François Villeroy de Galhau is Governor of the Banque De France. Kristalina Georgieva is IMF Managing Director. Listen to the podcast Read the transcript Watch the webcast of the event including a post-lecture discussion   ***** Thanks for listening to the podcast. We're always looking to improve your experience so let us know if you have any suggestions! Send your comments to me at bedwards2@imf.org.   Bruce Edwards Producer, IMF Podcasts

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,update

September 26, 2022
This message includes updates on the COVID-19 response from CDC. The COVID-19 Outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.



Understanding Exposure Risks

If you were around a person with COVID-19, consider these factors to help determine the likelihood that you were infected.

Risk of transmission is increased when:
Exposure time is longer. Contact longer than 15 minutes is more likely to result in transmission than two minutes of contact.
A person is coughing, singing, shouting, or breathing heavily due to exertion.
You are around people who are symptomatic.
You are close to someone who is infected with COVID-19. Crowded settings can increase your chances of being close to someone with COVID-19.
Risk of transmission is decreased when:

One person is wearing a mask. If both people are wearing masks, the risk is substantially decreased.
Activities are outdoors.

Learn More



Isolation and Exposure Calculator

If you or someone you know has COVID-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19, this tool can help to determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to protect others.

By using this tool, people with COVID-19 learn how long to stay home and take precautions. People who were exposed to COVID-19 learn what steps to take, such as getting tested, and how long they should wear a high-quality mask.

Learn More



Caring for People with Post-COVID Conditions

Having a post-COVID condition or supporting someone with a post-COVID condition can be challenging. It can be difficult to care for yourself or loved ones, especially when there are few or no immediate answers or solutions.

People experiencing post-COVID conditions may find different strategies to be helpful. If you are experiencing a post-COVID condition, you should engage in whatever coping strategies are best for your mental and physical health.

Experts are still determining which types of medications or treatments can help to relieve the effects of post-COVID conditions. However, there are established ways people can manage the stress associated with a post-COVID condition.

CDC’s How Right Now campaign provides helpful tools for navigating conversations about the type of support someone with post-COVID conditions might need.
Learn More



COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on all our lives. For many, this has meant delayed medical care, sleepless nights, extra screen time, and isolation from friends and family.

See this week’s COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review for strategies to take care of yourself and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Learn More
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COVID-19 Community Levels

CDC uses COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the disease’s impact on counties and recommend prevention measures.

CDC also tracks cases, laboratory tests, vaccinations, deaths, and other pandemic data and provides them on our COVID Data Tracker.



Community Levels
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd Atlanta, GA 30329 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: 888-232-6348

 

Technology Adoption and Integration is the Lever to Move Up the Value Chain: Report

Issued by the APEC Policy Support Unit

Singapore, 27 September 2022

A new policy brief by the APEC Policy Support Unit calls for more vigorous development, adoption and investment in fourth-industrial-revolution technologies in the APEC region to support member economies’ efforts in moving up the value chain, which will make them more resilient and increase economic gains. 

The fourth industrial revolution refers to the integration of digital technologies in different sectors with inventions from a wide range of fields such as information technology hardware and software, connectivity, data management, user interfaces, power supply, as well as consumer goods, smart homes, vehicles and healthcare applications.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT latest

European
Parliament

Press release - ECB boss pledges to MEPs to fight inflation and restore confidence

26/09/2022


The European Central Bank President announced future interest hikes, while MEPs voiced concerns about rising energy and food prices, and mortgage rates.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Press release - ECB boss pledges to MEPs to fight inflation and restore confidence

26/09/2022


The European Central Bank President announced future interest hikes, while MEPs voiced concerns about rising energy and food prices, and mortgage rates.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP
Press release - ECB boss pledges to MEPs to fight inflation and restore confidence

26/09/2022


The European Central Bank President announced future interest hikes, while MEPs voiced concerns about rising energy and food prices, and mortgage rates.
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP
Video of another event - Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America - Monday, 26 September 2022 - 16:45

26/09/2022


Length of video : 95'