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VNR) Reports Still Not Tell Us?
Department of Economic & Social Affairs CDP Background Paper No. 52 ST/ESA/2021/CDP/52 July 2021 What did the 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR) reports still not tell us? CDP Subgroup on voluntary national reviews* ABSTRACT The fourth in a series of annual analyses of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), this paper analyses the 2020 reports. It consists of an introductory chapter with general conclusions and recommendations for consideration by governments and other stakeholders participating in future VNRs; and a short series of authored thematic chapters. The document revisits issues addressed in the previous editions, such as the pledge to leave no one behind, inequalities, gender inequality, COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness, and SDG 17, and includes new topics of analysis, such as how countries have treated the issue of structural transformation and sustainable consumption and production. In doing so it identifies issues that are absent or under-reported in the VNRs while criti- cal for the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The general finding is that while there have been notable improvements in the VNRs over time, and the 2020 reports showcase numerous positive developments and initiatives, the reports suggest a disconnect between the ambition to meet the SDGs and the attention given to the type of developmental transformation that could drive and sustain SDG implementation in the long run such as strategies to secure sustainable, climate resilient productive -
Nations Unies
UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE TO MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HANS SINGER Brighton, 8 March 2006 I am honoured to join in this tribute to Sir Hans Singer, a true pioneer and titan in the world of development economics. In a career spanning seven decades, Sir Hans made an immeasurable contribution to post-war development strategies, to the fight against poverty, and to our understanding of the impact of global trade dynamics on the developing world. We in the United Nations family owe him a particular debt of gratitude for his role in shaping our work, from its earliest years onwards. The enduring benefit of his guiding hand can be felt to this day in several UN entities ~ from the Secretariat to UNICEF and the World Food Programme. Sir Hans leaves the most precious legacy possible ~ a wealth of insights that will further the cause of development for many years to come, and the hope that he gave to the people he worked to help. Kofi A. Annan L •V. Annika Savill/NY/UNO To [email protected] 07/03/2006 10:46 AM cc Ruxandra Ferascu/NY/UNO bcc Subject SG message to memorial service for Hans Singer singermemoriaLdoc Dear Sir Richard, Please find attached a Secretary-General's message a requested, along with our best wishes for a successful event. Best regards, Annika Savill Senior Officer and Speechwriter Executive Office of the Secretary-General United Nations Room S-3850D New York, NY 10017 Tel:1 2129636475 Fax: 1 2129635965 Email: [email protected] Original Message From: "Richard Jolly" [[email protected]] Sent: 03/03/2006 13:05 To: Edward Mortimer Cc: <[email protected]> Subject: Hans Singer I think you have been informed that Hans Singer died last Sunday - after a 70 year career. -
'Reforming the International Financial and Fiscal System for Better COVID
‘Reforming the International Financial and Fiscal System for better COVID-19 and Post-Pandemic Crisis Responsiveness’, Chapter 2 in Papyrakis, E. (ed., (Forthcoming), COVID19 and International Development, Palgrave (to be published in August 2021) Rolph van der Hoeven a,c and Rob Vos b,c a UN Committee for Development Policy, New York, USA b Markets, Trade and Institutions Division (MTID), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), WashinGton D.C., USA c International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, the Netherlands Abstract The Global economic crisis provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally hurt developing countries, increasing poverty, food insecurity, and income inequality. Richer nations cushioned their economies from the worst impacts with unprecedented massive fiscal and financial support proGrammes. DevelopinG countries lacked such capacity and received feeble multilateral continGency financinG, symptomizinG the fundamental flaws in the international financial and fiscal system (IFFS). Four reforms will make the IFFS better suited to serve sustainable development: (a) an eQuitable international tax coordination mechanism; (b) a multilaterally backed sovereign debt workout mechanism; (c) overhaulinG policy conditionality associated with development finance; and (d) increasinG Special DrawinG Rights to be leveraGed for development finance. 1. Introduction The global economic crisis provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic once more has painfully revealed fundamental flaws in -
Background Paper, HDR 2003, Jolly
United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report Office OCCASIONAL PAPER Background paper for HDR 2003 Global Goals – the UN experience Richard Jolly 2003 1 Background Paper Human Development Report 2003 Global Goals – the UN experience Richard Jolly January 3, 2003 2 Global Goals – the UN experience 1 by Richard Jolly Since the United Nations Development Decade of the 1960s, governments have agreed in the UN on a number of time bound quantitative goals to as guidelines and benchmarks to influence national and international action and development assistance. Contrary to much opinion, many of these goals have had a major influence on subsequent action and many have been largely or considerably achieved. This paper reviews this experience, summarises the wide range of goals adopted, underlines the need for a more nuanced and critical approach to what is meant by goal achievement and draws lessons for the process of pursuing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and for the HDR 2003. Goals, in this paper, are taken to mean quantitative, time-bound objectives. Global goals are taken to cover all UN goals which were applied to a sizeable number of countries, mostly all developing countries or all developing countries within a particular region or groups of countries, like the least developed. The paper has seven parts and an annexe: 1. An overview of goals set by the UN 2. An overview of achievements 3. Approaches to implementation - The UN Development Decade 1961-1970 and three subsequent decades - WHO and smallpox eradication 1966-77 - UNICEF and priority support for child goals in the 1980s and 1990s - Bretton Woods and structural adjustment in the 1980s and 1990s 4. -
Beacons in Turbulent Times Or False Lights?
MDGs post 2015: Beacons in turbulent times or false lights? Rolph van der Hoeven This background paper was prepared for the UN System Task Team on the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda. An earlier version was presented to the UN Expert Group meeting held in New York from 27- 29 February. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. June 2012 Following on the outcome of the 2010 High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations Secretary-General established the UN System Task Team in September 2011 to support UN system-wide preparations for the post-2015 UN development agenda, in consultation with all stakeholders. The Task Team is led by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme and brings together senior experts from over 50 UN entities and international organizations to provide system-wide support to the post-2015 consultation process, including analytical input, expertise and outreach. 2 MDGs post 2015: Beacons in turbulent times or false lights? Abstract Although the MDGs have, since their inception in 2001, played a positive role in drawing more attention to development aid, current socio-economic developments, notably increasing inequalities, strong GDP growth in emerging countries and climate change, as well as current geopolitical changes, call for a new approach to a post-2015 framework. Such a post-2015 agenda needs to be based on a global social contract, relevant to people in the South and the North, rather than being dominated by development aid professionals. -
Labour Markets Trends, Financial Globalization and the Current Crisis in Developing Countries
Economic & Social Affairs DESA Working Paper No. 99 ST/ESA/2010/DWP/99 October 2010 Labour Markets Trends, Financial Globalization and the current crisis in Developing Countries Rolph van der Hoeven Abstract The current wave of globalization has profound labour market effects, accentuated, in many cases, by the current financial and economic crisis. This paper reviews general labour market trends and country examples, arguing that the current globalization process makes labour’s position more precarious, a trend magnified by the current crisis. This is consistent with the policy reactions to the crisis: governments have (rightly) acted as a banker of last resort to avoid the collapse of the financial system, but, despite stimulus plans and monetary easing and some labour market policies, have not really acted as an employer of last resort. JEL Classification: E24 (Employment, Wages and Unemployment), E64 (Incomes Policy), F42 (International Policy Coordination and Finance), J21 (Labour Force and Employment) Keywords: Globalization, Financial Globalization, Employment, Income inequality, Financial Crisis Rolph van der Hoeven is Professor of Employment and Development Economics at the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague. Comments should be addressed by e-mail to the author: [email protected] Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Labour market trends .................................................................................................................. -
Expert Group Meeting Post-2015 Millennium
EXPERT GROUP MEETING POST-2015 MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS MODERATORS AND PARTICIPANTS SHA ZUKANG – Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang became USG for Economic and Social Affairs on 1 July 2007. Prior to heading the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, he was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva. He has served the UN as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee and Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 11th session (2003– 2004) and as member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (1994–1999). His postings in diplomatic missions have included London, Colombo, New Delhi, New York and Geneva. JOMO KWAME SUNDARAM – Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Jomo Kwame Sundaram has been ASG for Economic Development at DESA since January 2005. Prior to that appointment, he taught at Harvard, Yale, Science University of Malaysia, National University of Malaysia, University of Malaya and Cornell. He was the Founder-Director of the Institute of Social Analysis, Founder- Chair of IDEAs and has served on the Board of the United Nations Research Institute on Social Development (Geneva). Mr. Jomo has served as (Honorary) Research Coordinator for the G-24 Intergovernmental Group on International Monetary Affairs and Development since December 2006. OLAV KJORVEN – Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Olav Kjorven has been ASG of the UNDP since February 2007. He is also Director of its Bureau for Development Policy. Prior to assuming his position at the United Nations, he served as the State Secretary for International Development for the Government of Norway. -
WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health Globalisation and Health: Pathways of Transmission and Evidence of Impact
Globalization and Health Knowledge Network: Research Papers WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health Globalisation and Health: Pathways of Transmission and Evidence of Impact Globalization Knowledge Network Giovanni Andrea Cornia Stefano Rosignoli Luca Tiberti Pathways of transmission and evidence of impact 1 Preface The Globalization Knowledge Network (GKN) was formed in 2005 with the purpose of examining how contemporary globalisation was influencing social determinants of health. It was one of nine Knowledge Networks providing evidence-informed guidance to the work of the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2005-2008): like most of the Knowledge Networks, its operations were financed by an external funder (in this case, the International Affairs Directorate of Health Canada, Canada’s national ministry of health). The GKN conducted two face-to-face meetings to debate, discuss, outline and review its work, and produced thirteen background papers and a Final Report. These papers and the Final Report underwent extensive internal and external peer review to ensure that their findings and policy inferences accurately reflected available evidence and scholarship. This GKN publication series was prepared under the general editorship of Ronald Labonté, with assistance from Vivien Runnels and copy-editing provided by Wayne Harding. All views expressed are exclusively those of the authors. A complete list of titles in the publication series appears on the inside back cover of this monograph. Globalization -
UNA Mag March 2005 3.Qxd
NEWWORLD News and comment on the United Nations and UNA April–June 2005 A UNited nations For Larger Freedom and Democracy Looking Forward and Looking Back UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION A Radical Blueprint for UN Renewal Page 4 3 Whitehall Court London SW1A 2EL Tel: 020 7766 3444 Beyond Beijing Page 11 Fax: 020 7930 5893 Email: [email protected] The HighLevel Panel Report Page 14 www.unauk.org UNA60 Appeal Page 16 £3.00 Newer World Page 28 UNA-UK CONTENTS FROM From the Executive Director 2 A Blueprint for UN Renewal 4 EXEC The Commission for Africa 5 Strengthening Human Rights 6 Nuclear NonProliferation 8 The Challenge of Peacebuilding in Afghanistan 10 he last three months have seen enormous changes at both the Beyond Beijing 11 UN and UNA. There are a UN Resources 12 number of exciting develop- The HighLevel Panel Report Hits the Road 14 ments to report. TI am delighted to announce a new part- The UNA60 Appeal 16 Bringing UNA’s History to Life 17 nership between UNA-UK and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The FCO has UNA Profile: The EBranch 17 tasked UNA-UK with organising a series of UNA Branches in UN60 18 nine national and regional public debates Letters 20 around the United Kingdom on the recom- Notice Board 21 mendations of the UN High-Level Panel Report (see page 14). The FCO minister Messages from UNA’s Honorary Presidents 22 with responsibility for the UN, Bill Rammell AdoptAMinefield 23 MP, has already participated in three such AGM, Annual Report and Accounts 24 joint events in London, Cambridge and Newer World 28 Leeds, which were organised at short notice in March. -
Work in Progress
The United Nations University Work in Progress A Review of Research Activities of Volume 16, Number 1 Winter 1999 The United Nations University Public Affairs Section The United Nations University Development Research: Directions for a New Century The world has recorded improvements on many fronts since the UN was created in 1945. Although many countries have made rapid and substantial advances in human development, progress has been very unevenly spread – within as well as between countries. It is a paradox that in this era of globalization, for many people on the planet the United Nations’ goals of peace and prosperity remain as elusive as ever. Global inequality continues to rise and around 1.3 billion people are estimated to live in severe poverty. Photography: Victor Mello/UNOPS This issue of Work in Progress focuses on some of the pressing development challenges at the development policies; turn of the century. Giovanni Andrea Cornia initially outlines the (ii) globalization and development – principally the unfinished evolving context for development and identifies three frontiers of agenda of poverty eradication; development research: (iii) technological change and development – particularly the (i) peace, governance and development – especially the impact of information and communications technologies prevention of humanitarian emergencies through better (ICT) on productivity and growth. The other papers in the newsletter provide details of specific United Nations University research projects in these critical areas. Secretary-General -
Sample Pages
1. Introduction: Crisis? What Crisis? For Whom? Peter A.G. van Bergeijk, Arjan de Haan and Rolph van der Hoeven The global financial and economic crisis that started in September 2007 with a rather limited problem in a market for non-tradeable goods (houses) challenges the way we have been thinking for decades about globalization, development and vulnerability. The crisis confronts social scientists, not just economists, with many issues that need reflection and therefore this book develops a critical multi-disciplinary perspective and a preliminary assessment of the causes and consequences of the global system breakdown. We will concentrate on the developing and emerging economies in order to gain fresh insights into the challenges that the crisis poses to development strategies and policies, both in the South and the North. The crisis has serious social outfalls, slows down the fight against poverty, sometimes increases poverty, deteriorates income equality and reduces access to social services. The crisis also creates political conflict (amongst others about burden sharing and the external effects of national policies), generates new sets of priorities (in both the developed and the developing world), threatens food security and illuminates the need for better global governance frameworks. From an era in which laissez-faire capitalism seemed to have gained dominance, the role of the state as a leading actor in fostering economic growth and well-being has remained for some and emerged for others as a new paradigm. This is accompanied by the rise of emerging economies, which present alternative development models like that of China. We have organized the chapters in this book into four parts. -
IT and Economic Growth
World Institute for Development Economics Research August 2000 No. 1/2000 IT and Economic Growth WIDER lessons on IT by Matti Pohjola Visual Communications Group he popular view is that information technology will Tchange the world by boosting productivity and income. But while IT has many visible effects on the modern economythe growth in electronic commerce for exampleits impact on productivity and economic growth has been surprisingly difficult to detect. Although there is increasing evidence that IT investment is associated with an improvement in company perform- ance in industrial countries, studies that look at the bigger macroeconomic picture find little correlation between IT investment and overall productivityand some studies even find a negative correlation. Explaining the Productivity Paradox How can we explain this discrepancy between the micro and macro pictures? The table on page 2 sheds new light on this paradox by displaying results from a UNU/WIDER study for three countriesFinland, Singapore and South rofessor Hans van Ginkel, Rector of the Koreaand comparing them with findings for the United PUnited Nations University, Professor Matti States economy by Daniel Sichel (see the references at the Pohjola, Principal Academic Officer and Acting end of this article). All these countries have invested large Director of UNU/WIDER, Professor Danny amounts in IT over the past two decades; computer capital Quah, London School of Economics, Mr Jason (hardware etc.) has grown at annual rates ranging from 25 Dedrick, Center for Research on Information per cent in Finland to 40 per cent in South Korea. Technology and Organizations (CRITO) Economists measure the contribution of computers to GDP University of California Irvine, and Mr growth by first multiplying the growth rate of computer Veli-Pekka Niitamo, Director Global Resourcing capital by the share in national income of the return on Nokia made presentations at a UNU panel on computer investment.