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Nearly 300 industries offer franchise opportunities. Learn more in this America Counts story.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers


Franchising is More than Just Fast Food

Let’s imagine a woman named Mary, a fitness instructor who is thinking about opening an independent fitness and recreational sports center. She researches demographics of several potential locations and identifies a city that could be an ideal spot.

However, she notices an increase of chain fitness centers opening in that area.
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Should she drop the idea of an independent business and buy a franchise fitness center with an established brand recognition instead? Are there data that could help her make this important decision?

Good news for Mary, our fictitious entrepreneur: The 2017 Economic Census Franchise Statistics Report publishes information on the 498,234 franchise establishments in the United States in 2017.

Continue reading to learn more about:
Franchises are more than just restaurants
Franchisee-owned vs. franchisor-owned
Digging deeper into the numbers
Pulling it all together


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2017 Economic Census Data Breaks Out Industry Growth, Changes By State: State and local data from the Census Bureau's 2017 Economic Census provide insight into the businesses that are vital to our economy.
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December 1, 2021
New MAX.GOV Page for the Made in America Waiver Process


To assist in the change management process, the Made in America Office has established a Made in America Waiver Process MAX page for internal executive branch use only, which contains information and resources on proposed waivers, the waiver review process, and contact information. Under the resource section, the “User Guide” and “Data Fields – Nonavailability Waivers” documents contain information for contracting officers and support staff to use prior to submitting a proposed waiver through the digital waiver portal. These documents will be updated periodically to reflect any changes that have occurred in policy or the portal itself. If you have questions, please send an email to MBX.OMB.MadeInAmerica@omb.eop.gov.



FAI Training Cancellation Reminder

The demand is high for FAI's FREE instructor-led training, particularly for certain courses where waitlists are exceeding 20 students! If you are fortunate to secure a course seat, but find you are unable to make a class, please be courteous to your fellow Federal colleagues and cancel at least one week before the class begins. Those on the waitlist will need time to plan and prepare for the course, as some courses have pre-work that needs to be completed before the class starts, and delaying your cancellation may mean that a Federal colleague will lose out on an opportunity for training. Training dollars are valuable resources these days, so if you can't make a class you are registered to take, don't delay, cancel right away!


Professional Services Office Hours – December 9


To help federal agencies with the professional services acquisitions, the Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories has prepared a series of Acquisition Planning Packages that outline best practices and include ordering guidance tailored to specific subcategories and SINS offered on GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule – Professional Services Category. The Acquisition Planning Packages contain sample Requests for Information (RFIs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Statements of Objectives (SOOs), Performance Work Statement (PWSs), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), and buying guides to make ordering easier for contracting officers. Join GSA on December 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for this in-depth look at the Acquisition Planning Packages. Earn 1 CLP!


Learn How Your Agency Can Buy and Migrate to Cloud Computing


Register today for a free webinar and learn how agencies can procure cloud computing as well as important tips for migrating applications to the cloud. Other topics will include cloud-computing market trends and projections, common features of cloud solutions, common migration strategies, and costs associated with cloud solutions. The webinar will take place on December 8 from 12 to 1 p.m. ET. If you have any questions about the webinar, contact cloudinfo@gsa.gov.



More Training is on the Way!

FAI is pleased to announce that 54 more FAC-C, FAC-COR, and FAC-P/PM training sessions are being added to the schedule. These new sessions will be published by December 6, and some courses will be conducted as early as January 10. Don’t let these great opportunities pass you by. Keep your eyes on FAI.gov to see all the FAI sessions with seats available.


FAC 093 Introduction to Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM)


Make sure to register for FAC 093 Introduction to Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), an online course available in FAI CSOD. You will develop an understanding of supply chain risk management, including common terminology, best practices, safeguarding sensitive information, general prohibitions, exclusion orders, and additional requirements for higher risk procurements. Earn 1 CLP for course completion. Register today!

Acquisition Today is published the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you have information that you would like to share with the federal acquisition workforce community via Acquisition Today, you may submit your article for consideration by completing this form. If you have feedback that you would like to share with FAI, please email us at contact@fai.gov.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service U.S.:update

The following GAIN reports were released on November 30, 2021.
European Union: EU Commission Proposes Rules to Curb Deforestation Linked to Agricultural Production

On November 17, 2021, the European Commission published a proposal for legislation aimed at preventing products causing deforestation or forest degradation from entering the EU market. The proposal targets commodities identified by the Commission as the main drivers of agricultural expansion leading to deforestation: soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, and coffee. The proposal lays down mandatory due diligence rules for companies wanting to place these commodities on the EU market. The proposed legislation also introduces a benchmarking system to assess countries and their level of risk of deforestation and forest degradation driven by the commodities in the scope of the regulation. The risk level assigned to each country through the benchmarking system (low, standard, or high) will determine the level of scrutiny applied to the relevant products it exports to the EU. The Members States and the European Parliament will now assess and amend the proposal and agree on a compromise legal text.
India: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops, despite its regulatory authorities clearing on the environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) is the only biotech crop approved for commercial cultivation. Soy and canola oils derived from select GE soy and canola events and some food ingredients from microbial biotechnology are approved for import. On August 24, 2021, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry authorized the precedent setting import of 1.2 million metric tons of crushed and de-oiled soy cakes (i.e., soybean meal) derived from GE soybean through October 31, 2021 (Notification 20/2015-2020). India is dragging its feet in clarifying that crushed de-oiled soy cakes, an older industry term, is equivalent to soybean meal. This development establishes something of a precedent for non-LMO imports, opening the possibility of market access for distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), that are also derived from a GE crop (i.e., corn).
Malaysia: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

The COVID 19 pandemic in Malaysia saw most government agencies operating at minimum staffing with most working from home throughout 2020 and 2021. This has severely impacted the number of GE events approved by the National Biosafety Board (NBB). As of August 2021, 50 GE products have been approved for import and market release. This is an increase of 8 percent from the 46 products that were approved as of August 2020. Malaysia currently does not have any domestic production of plant biotechnology. However, the country continues to expand the number of approved genetically engineered (GE) products for commercial use. The Malaysian Ministry of Health established mandatory GE labeling guidelines in 2013, but they have yet to be enforced.
Philippines: Fresh Fruits Market Brief

Since the start of COVID-19, Philippine consumers have incorporated more fresh fruit into their diet. Global exports of fresh fruits to the Philippines increased 36 percent to $695 million in 2020 and are forecast to grow five percent in 2021. U.S. exports, however, dropped 35 percent in 2020 to $32.5 million, due to ocean freight challenges which continue to persist. Traders are optimistic that once the pressure on the global supply chain eases, U.S. fresh fruit exports to the Philippines will bounce back to $50 million in annual sales. The Philippines grows a variety of tropical fruits and U.S. exporters are encouraged to look at counter-seasonal opportunities and fruits that are not widely grown in the Asia Pacific region.
South Korea: 2021 Korea Apple Update

In the current marketing year running from July 2021 to June 2022, Korea’s fresh apple production and consumption are projected to rise by 13 percent after several years of gradual decline. Korea’s apple production areas continue to shift further north and to higher elevations due to changing climate conditions. Korean phytosanitary regulations do not allow fresh apple imports, so the market is dominated by relatively high-cost domestic production and limited varieties.
Sri Lanka: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

Sri Lanka does not produce genetically engineered (GE) crops or animals. Some GE research, however, occurs at the laboratory level, but that research does not reach commercialization. The lack of a legal framework and proper biosafety procedures are a major setback. The country is in the process of developing regulatory biotechnology policies. Policies, however, remain at varying stages of development and implementation. Policies include the National Biotechnology Policy, the National Biosafety Framework (that includes the National Biosafety Policy and National Biosafety Act), as well as the Control of Import, Labeling and Sale of Genetically Modified Foods Regulation of 2006. Development of the National Biosafety Framework conforms to the country’s commitments under the Cartagena Protocol (signed and ratified in 2004). The new legal framework for biosafety will become effective with the enactment of the National Biosafety Act, but that has been undergoing review for several years.
Turkey: Cotton and Products Update

The Turkish cotton crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2021/22 is forecast at 450,000 hectares and 825,000 metric tons (MT; 3.79 million bales). Cotton consumption is expected to be 1,850,000 MT (8.50 million bales) for the same MY. Better than expected yields in the GAP region, and a smaller area affected by drought in the Aegean Region caused the increase of the cotton production estimate for MY 2021/22 compared to Post’s previous report. High-capacity utilization rates in the industry due to increased normalization in target markets for textiles and ready-to-wear apparel caused the cotton consumption forecast to increase for MY 2021/22. The United States continues to be the largest cotton supplier to Turkey.

After Several Difficult Years, U.S. Pork Exports to Mexico Show Promise Mexico is the third-largest pork importer in the world and traditionally the largest U.S. market for pork exports by volume. Over the past few years, shipments to this important market have faced headwinds. First, retaliatory tariffs related to Section 232 actions disadvantaged U.S. product. Then the coronavirus pandemic and a weak Mexican economy weighed on demand. With retaliatory tariffs on pork resolved and economic recovery underway, U.S. pork shipments to Mexico recovered in 2021 and are expected to improve further next year. In the second quarter of 2021, Mexico was the top international destination for U.S. pork, with shipments reaching a record high in August and again in September. With Mexican exports elevated and high feed prices keeping production growth moderate, Mexico has looked to the United States for product and will likely continue to do so. This comes at a critical juncture for the U.S. pork industry as Chinese demand is expected to remain below the record levels of 2020, renewing emphasis on traditional markets. Please click here to read more >> This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250

KΩΣΤΗΣ ΧΑΤΖΗΔΑΚΗΣ,ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ:βασικές αρχές του νέου νομοσχεδίου για τον εκσυγχρονισμό του ΕΦΚΑ

 Με θάρρος πιστεύω ανακοινώσαμε σήμερα 8 μεγάλες αλλαγές στον ΕΦΚΑ. Αδιαφορώντας για τις συνήθεις διαμαρτυρίες από τους συνήθως διαμαρτυρόμενους. Διότι νοιαζόμαστε για τον ασφαλισμένο, για τον συνταξιούχο, για τον πολίτη. Σ’ αυτόν θα δώσουμε λογαριασμό και όχι σε αυτούς που αναμασούν συνθήματα και υπηρετούν ξεπερασμένα δόγματα.

Ο ΕΦΚΑ είναι μακράν ο πιο προβληματικός οργανισμός του Δημοσίου. Μόνος του συγκεντρώνει το 48% των παραπόνων του ευρύτερου Δημόσιου Τομέα. Δεν αλλάζει με μαγικό τρόπο! Ούτε φυσικά με την ακινησία. Γι’ αυτό σήμερα μετά τη συνεδρίαση του Υπουργικού Συμβουλίου ανακοινώσαμε μαζί με τον υφυπουργό Πάνο Τσακλόγλου τις βασικές αρχές του νέου νομοσχεδίου για τον εκσυγχρονισμό του ΕΦΚΑ:

🔵Νέα επιλεγμένα Διευθυντικά Στελέχη από τον δημόσιο και τον ιδιωτικό τομέα
🔵Νέο μοντέλο διακυβέρνησης, με νέο Οργανόγραμμα
🔵Άμεσες προσλήψεις μόνιμου και έκτακτου προσωπικού
🔵Καθιέρωση πριμ παραγωγικότητας για τους υπαλλήλους
🔵Σύσταση νέας Μονάδας Εσωτερικών Υποθέσεων για άμεση διερεύνηση των καταγγελιών των πολιτών, με επικεφαλής πρώην ανώτατο δικαστικό (πχ πρώην Αντιεισαγγελέας Αρείου Πάγου)
🔵Ταχύτερη και αποτελεσματικότερη πειθαρχική διαδικασία, με κατάργηση της συμμετοχής των συνδικαλιστών στο πειθαρχικό
🔵Πιο ευέλικτο σύστημα προμηθειών
🔵Αξιοποίηση της ακίνητης περιουσίας του ΕΦΚΑ, με Ανώνυμη Εταιρεία Ειδικού Σκοπού.

Στον ΕΦΚΑ δεν αρκούν μερεμέτια, δεν αρκούν πυροσβεστικές λύσεις. Έχουμε ήδη προχωρήσει μια σειρά αλλαγές οι οποίες έχουν θετική αντανάκλαση και στον ρυθμό έκδοσης των συντάξεων, καθώς φέτος θα ξεπεράσουμε τις 200.000 αποφάσεις σε σχέση με τις κύριες συντάξεις, πράγμα που αποτελεί ρεκόρ όλων των εποχών. Θέσαμε επίσης σε λειτουργία τον ενιαίο αριθμό εξυπηρέτησης 1555 που δίνει ήδη μια μεγάλη ανάσα στους πολίτες, καθώς δεν χρειάζεται πλέον να καλούν στον ΕΦΚΑ, αλλά μπορούν να εξυπηρετούνται μέσω αυτού του αριθμού.

Δεν μας αρκεί όμως αυτό. Μας ενδιαφέρει ο ΕΦΚΑ να αλλάξει ταχύτητες. Να γίνει πράγματι ένα κοινωνικό εργαλείο, ένας οργανισμός φιλικός στον πολίτη. Αξιοποιούμε ιδέες και πολιτικές οι οποίες έχουν εφαρμοσθεί και σε άλλες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες ή έχουν προχωρήσει με επιτυχία στον ιδιωτικό τομέα, αλλά και στον δημόσιο τομέα στη χώρα μας με χαρακτηριστικότερο παράδειγμα τη ΔΕΗ.

Σεβόμαστε την ιδιαιτερότητα του ΕΦΚΑ ως Νομικό Πρόσωπο Δημοσίου Δικαίου, αλλά αυτός δεν είναι λόγος να μην εξυπηρετούνται οι πολίτες. Ο ΕΦΚΑ πρέπει να γίνει ένας οργανισμός ο οποίος να ανταποκρίνεται στις απαιτήσεις των Ελλήνων πολιτών. Απαιτούνται συγκεκριμένα μέτρα τα οποία καθιερώνουν κίνητρα και κυρώσεις για τους υπαλλήλους και παράλληλα προωθούν τομές διοικητικού εκσυγχρονισμού για να γίνει ένας ΕΦΚΑ καινούργιος, πιο αποτελεσματικός πιο παραγωγικός και κυρίως πιο φιλικός στους ασφαλισμένους.

European Network of Councils for the Judiciary-ENCJ:Αποβολή Πολωνικού Δικαστικού Συμβουλίου από το Ευρωπαϊκό Δίκτυο Δικαστικών Συμβουλίων

Αποβολή Πολωνικού Δικαστικού Συμβουλίου από το Ευρωπαϊκό Δίκτυο Δικαστικών Συμβουλίων
29/10/2021


Στις 28.10.2021 η Γενική Συνέλευση του Ευρωπαϊκού Δικτύου Δικαστικών Συμβουλίων (European Network of Councils for the Judiciary-ENCJ) αποφάσισε, με 92 ψήφους υπέρ, 0 κατά και 6 ψήφους αποχής, την αποβολή του Πολωνικού Δικαστικού Συμβουλίου από το Δίκτυο, λόγω έλλειψης ανεξαρτησίας.




ENCJ VOTES TO EXPEL POLISH COUNCIL FOR THE JUDICIARY (KRS)
Breadcrumb



(Text in Polish will follow)

On 28 October 2021, the ENCJ General Assembly gathered in Vilnius to discuss the position of the Polish National Judicial Council, the KRS, in the ENCJ.

In September 2018 the ENCJ suspended the membership of the KRS and the KRS was stripped of its voting rights and excluded from participation in ENCJ activities. After that decision the ENCJ Board stayed in contact with the KRS and monitored the situation. The Board felt however that after the suspension no improvements in the functioning of the KRS have been noted. And in effect, the situation further deteriorated. Therefore the Board decided to propose to expel the KRS from the Association.

It is a condition of ENCJ membership, that institutions are independent of the executive and legislature and ensure the final responsibility for the support of the judiciary in the independent delivery of justice.

The ENCJ has found that that the KRS does not comply with this statutory rule anymore. The KRS does not safeguard the independence of the Judiciary, it does not to defend the Judiciary, or individual judges, in a manner consistent with its role as guarantor, in the face of any measures which threaten to compromise the core values of independence and autonomy.

Therefore today the ENCJ General Assembly voted to expel the KRS.

This is by no means a decision to celebrate. The KRS was one of the founding members of the network and their representatives to the network were very much respected and contributed highly to the work of the network, both in the Board and in the various ENCJ projects over many years.

The ENCJ has been set up to improve cooperation between, and good mutual understanding amongst, the Councils for the Judiciary and the members of the Judiciary of the European Union Member States. To exclude a Council from this cooperation is counterintuitive and is not a decision that has been taken lightly. For each of the Councils present here today who voted in favour, this is an act in defence of the ENCJ and the values it stands for such as Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law in Europe.

Councils for the Judiciary should support any judiciary which is under attack and do all they can to persuade the executive and legislature to support the action which they are taking in this regard. The prudent convention that judges should remain silent on matters of political controversy should not apply when the integrity and independence of the judiciary is threatened. There is a collective duty on the European judicial community to state clearly and cogently its opposition to proposals from governments which tend to undermine the independence of individual judges or Councils for the Judiciary.

The ENCJ wants to make absolutely clear that it remains committed to defending the independence of the Polish Judiciary. The ENCJ will continue to cooperate with all the relevant stakeholders in order to defend and restore the independence of the Polish Judiciary as soon as possible. Once a Council for the Judiciary in Poland fulfils the requirement that it is independent from the Executive and Legislature, and actually supports the values of the ENCJ, the ENCJ will be happy to welcome any such Council back as a member.



Vilnius, 28 October 2021





W dniu 28 października 2021 r. członkowie i obserwatorzy Europejskiej Sieci Rad Sądownictwa (ENCJ) spotkali się Wilnie podczas Nadzwyczajnego Zgromadzenia Ogólnego, którego przedmiotem było dalsze członkostwo Krajowej Rady Sądownictwa (KRS) w ENCJ.

We wrześniu 2018 r., Europejska Sieć Rad Sądownictwa zawiesiła członkostwo Krajowej Rady Sądownictwa, w związku z czym polska KRS została pozbawiona prawa głosu i wyłączona z udziału w działaniach organizacji. Po zapadnięciu decyzji o zawieszeniu KRS, Zarząd ENCJ pozostawał w kontakcie z KRS i monitorował sytuację w polskim wymiarze sprawiedliwości. Zarząd ENCJ uznał jednak, że pomimo zawieszenia KRS w prawach członka Europejskiej Sieci Rad Sądownictwa, nie odnotowano poprawy w sposobie funkcjonowania KRS. Sytuacja uległa pogorszeniu. Dlatego też, Zarząd ENCJ podjął decyzję o wystąpieniu z wnioskiem o wykluczenie KRS ze Stowarzyszenia.

Warunkiem członkostwa w Europejskiej Sieci Rad Sądownictwa jest niezależność organizacji krajowej od władzy wykonawczej i ustawodawczej; organizacja członkowska musi też gwarantować wsparcie dla niezależności sądownictwa.

ENCJ stwierdziła, że polska KRS nie przestrzega wyżej wymienionego przepisu statutowego. W obliczu działań zagrażających podstawowym wartościom – niezależności i autonomii wymiaru sprawiedliwości – KRS nie stoi już na straży niezależności sądownictwa: nie broni sądownictwa i indywidualnych sędziów w sposób zgodny z przewidzianą w Konstytucji rolą gwaranta.

Dlatego dziś, podczas Nadzwyczajnego Zgromadzenia Ogólnego, członkowie ENCJ zagłosowali za wykluczeniem KRS ze Stowarzyszenia.

Podjęta dzisiaj decyzja nie jest powodem do świętowania. Polska Krajowa Rada Sądownictwa była jednym z założycieli Sieci, a przedstawiciele poprzednich KRS byli przez lata bardzo szanowani i wnieśli wkład w pracę Sieci, zarówno w Zarządzie, jak i w realizowanych przez ENCJ projektach.

ENCJ została utworzona w celu poprawy współpracy i dobrego zrozumienia między radami sądownictwa oraz członkami wymiaru sprawiedliwości państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej. Pozbawienie rady sądowniczej możliwości współpracy jest sprzeczne ze zdrowym rozsądkiem i nie była to łatwa decyzja.

Każdy oddany dzisiaj przez zrzeszone Rady Sądownictwa głos za wykluczeniem KRS powinien być postrzegany jako działanie podjęte na rzecz obrony ENCJ i wartości, które reprezentuje, takich jak obrona niezawisłości sędziów i niezależności wymiaru sprawiedliwości oraz praworządności w Europie.

Krajowe Rady Sądownictwa powinny wspierać każdy system wymiaru sprawiedliwości, który jest atakowany, i robić wszystko, co w ich mocy, aby przekonać władzę wykonawczą i ustawodawcę do poparcia działań, które podejmują w tym zakresie. Zasada, wedle której sędzia powinien unikać wypowiedzi dotyczących kwestii politycznych, nie powinna mieć zastosowania, gdy zagrożona jest niezawisłość sądownictwa i integralność zawodu sędziego. Na europejskim środowisku sądowniczym spoczywa wspolny obowiązek wyrażenia w sposób jasny i przekonujący sprzeciwu wobec rządowych propozycji zmian, które zagrażają niezależnosci rad sądownictwa i niezawisłości każdego sędziego.


ENCJ pragnie podkreślić, że podtrzymuje swoje zobowiązanie do obrony niezależności polskiego wymiaru sprawiedliwości. ENCJ będzie nadal kontynuować współpracę ze wszelkimi zainteresowanymi stronami w celu obrony i przywrócenia niezależności polskiego wymiaru sprawiedliwości tak szybko, jak to możliwe. Po spełnieniu przez polską Radę Sądownictwa wymogu niezależności od władzy wykonawczej i ustawodawczej oraz obowiązku wspierania wartości, które reprezentuje ENCJ, Europejska Sieć Rad Sądownictwa z radością powita z powrotem polską Radę jako członka sieci.

Wilno, 28 października 2021

BARACK OBAMA...latest news

Hi there, Earlier today, you heard from President Obama about just how much your support of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance has meant to us, and helped us accomplish in 2021. As Giving Tuesday comes to a close, I’m reaching out to you with one more reminder that a donation today will help us in our efforts to build safer, more nurturing communities for our young men and boys of color.   Since President Obama founded My Brother’s Keeper in 2014, we have been doing the hard, on-the-ground work it takes to drive lasting change. With our community and government partners, we’re focused on the critical tasks of reimagining policing, improving education, increasing employment, and providing the kind of personalized mentoring that lets young men know they are valued and valuable.  This is vital, life-changing work. And it takes all of us coming together to build a more just world. That’s why I hope you’ll consider giving a gift to the Obama Foundation today.   $25 $10 $50 $100 I can’t thank you enough for the work your support has already made possible. I hope you’ll continue with us on this journey toward a safer, more equitable world. —Niiobli Niiobli Armah IV Interim Executive Director, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance

WTO:Agriculture negotiators discuss revised draft text

 

30 Nov 2021 Latest news

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

NEWS ITEM Agriculture negotiators discuss revised draft text At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session on 25 November, WTO negotiators discussed the revised draft negotiating text circulated on 23 November by the chair, Ambassador Gloria Abraham Peralta (Costa Rica). The objective of the meeting, the chair underlined, was to hear delegates’ views on the new text ahead of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12). The conference was originally scheduled to begin on 30 November but has now been postponed due to the latest COVID-19 developments. News item   ⟶