E-Flash No. 167 – 18 December 2017_CIRCULAR R.EMP.-F- 66/17

22 diciembre, 2017 Ateia

ASSOCIATIONS’ AFFAIRS

FIATA World Congress 2018

The 2018 FIATA World Congress has been launched. India, fourth largest economy in the world is looking forward for the FIATA World Congress 2018 to offer its take on purchasing power. FIATA World Congress 2018 shall take place in the capital city of New Delhi, (Aerocity) at Pullman Hotel from the 26th – 29th September, 2018.
Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) has already begun assembling a diverse agenda full of engaging policy topics and interesting night activities.
For more details please visit: http://www.fiata2018.org/index.php

Participate in the 2017/2018 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Survey

The World Bank wants to hear from FIATA’s members as part of the ongoing LPI 2017/8 survey. The LPI is based on a survey among international freight forwarders who share their experience in moving goods and organizing international supply chains for their customers. FIATA is the World Bank’s most important partner in the LPI survey and it is thanks to the participation of FIATA’s members that the LPI can be published every two years.
If you are working at a freight forwarding company dealing with international shipments, we cordially invite you to take the survey at https://lpisurvey2018.worldbank.org/?comp=FEF.

Completing the survey should only take around 20 minutes. The survey does not seek any confidential company-specific information. Responses are anonymous. All responses are kept confidential and anonymous.

FIATA Participate in WTO Ministerial Conference in Argentina

FIATA was present when the ICC on behalf of the business community presented recommendations from the Buenos Aires Business Forum. They presented a statement to Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and the Chair of the 11th Ministerial Conference (MC11) Susanna Malcorra at the culmination of the Business Forum held on the sidelines of MC11.
The statement contained recommendations to WTO members on the future direction of the world trade agenda. These recommendations were developed following prior consultations with businesses and private-sector associations from across the world.
For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/bus_13dec17_e.pdf

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

WTO – Public and Private Sector Exchange best practices to implement TFA

Public and private sector leaders on 12 December exchanged insights on implementing the WTO’s landmark Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) to fully reap the benefits of swifter and less costly trade at the border. Speakers at the event, entitled «Trade Facilitation on Track», highlighted the importance of local ownership of reform plans, multi-stakeholder cooperation, and capacity building to successfully implement the Agreement.

The TFA entered into force on 22 February 2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of the WTO membership. Since the last meeting of the WTO Trade Facilitation Committee on 3 November, four more members have ratified the Agreement bringing the total to 126 out of 164 members. These four members are Antigua and Barbuda, South Africa, Indonesia and Israel.

For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/fac_12dec17_e.htm

WTO and ICC Announce 3rd Successful Proposal

The WTO and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced on12 December that a proposal submitted by Argentina’s Chamber of Commerce and Services and Mercado Libre, an e-commerce company, is the third to be selected under the ICC-WTO Small Business Champions initiative. The proposal is to develop a training programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so that that they can better access global markets.
The proposed «Global SMEs Launchpad» will allow 100 SMEs in Argentina to benefit from tailored training aimed at helping them improve their business skills so that they can showcase their products on a dedicated online platform.

For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/bus_12dec17_e.htm

WTO, WEF and eWTP Launch Joint Public-Private Dialogue on Ecommerce

A new initiative designed to drive public-private dialogue on e-commerce was launched on 11 December by the World Trade Organization, the World Economic Forum and the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP). The initiative, entitled ‘Enabling E-commerce’, aims to bring together leading voices from governments, businesses and other stakeholders to begin a high-level conversation on e-commerce policies and practices that can benefit small businesses.
The launch event took place in Buenos Aires, on the margins of the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference. Director-General Roberto Azevêdo was joined by Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, representing the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP), and Rick Samans, Head of Global Agenda, Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum.
For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/ecom_11dec17_e.htm

ITC, UNCTAD, WTO Launch Global Trade Helpdesk

The International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the WTO today unveiled an innovative tool to help businesses, in particular smaller firms, benefit from trade. Accessible through a new online hub – HelpMeTrade.org – the Global Trade Helpdesk will serve as a one-stop shop for businesses and policymakers to access trade data and practical information on target markets.

By making trade and market information freely available and accessible through a user-friendly interface, the Global Trade Helpdesk will make it easier for companies across the world – especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) – to increase their participation in regional and international value chains and help them reduce trade costs.
For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/bus_11dec17_e.htm

WTO Ministerial Conference Opens With Signing of Presidential Declaration

An unprecedented show of support by the leaders – President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, President Michel Temer of Brazil, President Horacio Cartes of Paraguay and President Tabaré Vázquez of Uruguay – took place as hundreds of trade diplomats, journalists and representatives of civil society gathered in the Argentine capital for the latest biennial meeting of the WTO’s highest decision-making body.

In their joint declaration, the four presidents reaffirmed the importance of the multilateral trading system as the «best way to take advantage of the opportunities and to face the challenges of international trade».

For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/mc11_10dec17_e.htm

UNCTAD – at MC11, New Research Shows Convergence on Rules of Origin

The thousands of rules of origin used by countries and trade blocs to determine if an imported product is eligible for preferential treatment or subject to a trade restriction have in the past been widely divergent. But a new study by UNCTAD and European University Institute researchers shows a growing trend toward convergence.

UNCTAD economist Stefano Inama, one of the authors, presented the study, titled Rules of Origin as Non-Tariff Measures: Towards Greater Regulatory Convergence, at an event held in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s Eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11).

For more details please visit: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1637&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=Africa,%20LDCs,%20LLDCs%20and%20Special%20Programmes;#1389;#Least Developed Countries;#20;#UNCTAD Home;#2186;#UNCTAD at MC11

UNCTAD – at MC11, Report Reveals Trade Regulations Are More Costly than Tariffs

A new report by UNCTAD and the World Bank Group launched at the WTO’s Eleventh Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 11 December reveals that non-tariff measures (NTMs) make trade costlier for developing countries than tariffs.
NTMs are policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can have a potential economic effect on international trade in goods by changing quantities traded or prices or both. Examples might include safety regulations for machinery or toys, health regulations for food or medicines, quotas, price controls, and export restrictions.
Read more: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1629&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#2030;#Trade and Non-Tariff Measures

UNCTAD – At MC11, 90% of WTO Members Give Backing to Women in Trade

Government representatives of 119 members of the World Trade Organization backed a ground-breaking declaration on trade and women’s economic empowerment on Tuesday during the Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The declaration, representing nearly 90% of WTO members, was presented to WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo and Argentina’s foreign minister Susana Malcorra, president of the conference.
Read more at: http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1636&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD Home;#2186;#UNCTAD<http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1636&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home;#2186;#UNCTAD> at MC11

WCO Round Table on Cross-Border E-Commerce in the Margins of the WTO MC11

After the opening remarks by Dr. Alberto Abad, Federal Administrator of AFIP, Secretary General Mikuriya described the work done by the WCO Working Group on E-Commerce and the resulting Luxor Resolution on the Guiding Principles for Cross-Border E-Commerce, adopted by the Policy Commission in Luxor last week. He also referred to the communication from the International Customs Community on Cross-Border E-Commerce addressed to the MC11, and circulated among WCO Members.
The speakers at the round table provided useful insights into the rapid development of E-Commerce, as well as its challenges and opportunities, and interacted with participants. They suggested that Customs and businesses should embrace E-Commerce and the opportunities it offers in the spirit of innovation and collaboration, and use the available WCO tools to simplify the process.
To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/december/wco-round-table-on-cross-border-e-commerce-in-the-margins-of-the-mc11.aspx

UNECA – Africa Set for Big Things with CFTA Operationalization, says ECA’s Gatera

Africa’s integration agenda is experiencing a critical and momentous epoch with the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) scheduled for operationalization next year and with the creation of a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), that will be launched by Heads of State at their January Summit in Addis Ababa, says ECA’s Soteri Gatera.
In remarks to the PIDA Steering Committee at the on-going Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA Week 2017), Gatera, Chief of Infrastructure and Industrialisation in the Regional Integration and Trade Division, said things are looking bright for the continent with these developments.
To read more please visit: https://www.uneca.org/stories/africa-set-big-things-cfta-operationalization-says-eca%E2%80%99s-gatera

UNECA – Trade ministers meet deadline for CFTA Agreement

African ministers of trade have hit the milestone objective of concluding the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) Agreement within the deadline of December 2017, in accordance with a decision by African Union Heads of State and Government in June 2015.

After two days of intense deliberations at the Fourth Meeting of African Ministers of Trade (AMOT) in Niamey, the ministers, on Saturday 2 December 2017, issued a report stating: The Champion of the CFTA, H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou – President of Niger – shall present a substantive report to Heads of State and Government during the next Summit in January 2018.

AIR CARGO

IATA – Air Freight Up 5.9% in October; Signals Strong Start to Q4

IATA released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), rose 5.9% in October 2017 compared to the year-earlier period. This was a slowdown from the 9.2% annual growth recorded in September 2017 but still exceeded the average annual growth rate of 3.2% over the past decade.

Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometers (AFTKs), rose by 3.7% year-on-year in October. This was the 15th consecutive month in which demand growth outstripped capacity growth, which is positive for load factors, yields, and financial performance.

For more details please visit: http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-12-01-01.aspx

ICAO Signs New Agreements with RTCA, EUROCAE, SAE and ARINC

ICAO concluded new technical information sharing agreements today to help ensure greater alignment between its global standards for international aviation and the related work being pursued by RTCA Inc., the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE), SAE International, and ARINC Industry Activities.
In addition to aligning the work of the important agencies responsible for standards affecting international aviation operations, the new agreements also iron out some helpful aspects relating to confidentiality requirements and intellectual property rights.
For more details please visit: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-signs-new-agreements-with-RTCA,-EUROCAE,-SAE-and-ARINC-to-better-align-international-aviation-standardization-.aspx

UNECA – Experts Push for a Single African Air Transport Market

The 3rd Ministerial Working Group Meeting on the Single African Air Transport Markets (SAATM) kicked off in Addis Ababa on 5 December 2017, with participants calling on African Union (AU) Member States to implement the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision towards the establishment of SAATM by 2017.
«2017 is almost over, yet only 23 countries have signed the solemn commitment on the immediate implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision,» said Soteri Gatera, Chief of the Industrialization & Infrastructure Section of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), during his opening remarks at the 3-day meeting.
To read more please visit: https://www.uneca.org/stories/experts-push-single-african-air-transport-market

SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS & CONNECTIVITY

UNECA – Governance: African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) crucial for SDGs «African States have not benefited from the SDGs enough for a simple reason: the lack of follow up», said on Sunday APRM member Youssouf Khayal. «I am drawing your attention to this, because the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has been entrusted with the monitoring of SDG implementation in Africa».
«By allowing countries to assess their performance in political, economic, corporate governance and socio-economic development through a self-assessment and peer review mechanism, the APRM’s value has been evident in its potential as an early warning mechanism for potentially emerging issues», said ECA APRM focal point Hodane Youssouf.
Read more at: https://www.uneca.org/stories/governance-african-peer-review-mechanism-aprm-crucial-sdg-implementation-africa-

UNESCAP – Asia Pacific Climate Week 2017

Asia-Pacific Climate Week (APCW) is part of series of annual «Climate Weeks» held in each region of the world to advance regional climate action through the promotion of market-based instruments and financing for climate action to scale-up ambition and achieve cost-effective mitigation and adaptation across the region.

The overarching aim is to support implementation of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, identify opportunities for scale-up and explore the role of capital markets to finance the NDCs.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Investors Push 100 Top Emitters To Align with Paris Goals

225 of the most influential global institutional investors with more than USD $26.3 trillion in assets under management today launched a new collaborative initiative to engage with the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters so these companies step up their actions on climate change.
The initiative, known as Climate Action 100+, led and developed by investors and supported and co-ordinated by five partner organisations from around the world, launched on 12 December, the second anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Betty T. Yee, a board member of California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest U.S. public pension fund and a participant in Climate Action 100+, made the announcement during a panel discussion at the One Planet Summit.
To read more please visit:
https://cop23.unfccc.int/news/investors-worth-263-trillion-push-100-top-emitters-to-align-with-paris-goals

EU External Investment Plan: Climate Smart Investments Worth €9bn

As part of the EU External Investment Plan (EIP), which is set to mobilise at least €44 billion of sustainable investment for Africa and the EU Neighbourhood countries by 2020, Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete has today announced at the ‘One Planet Summit’ in Paris climate-relevant investments in three targeted areas – sustainable cities, sustainable energy and connectivity and sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurs and agribusiness. These targeted areas are expected to generate up to €9bn investments by 2020.
Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said: «The historic Paris Agreement has added wind to the sails of already accelerating climate-smart investments. These kinds of investments are of critical importance if we are to move from aspirations to action.
To read more please visit:
https://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/eu-external-investment-plan-climate-smart-investments-worth-eur-9bn-unveiled-one-planet-summit_en

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