ASSOCIATIONS’ AFFAIRS
1. FIATA World Congress 2017, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together
Less than two weeks to FIATA’s World Congress, the most anticipated event in the industry’s annual calendar. The local host – the Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders (FMFF) is busy making the necessary preparations to welcome delegates to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Apart from the interesting Congress programme, FIATA members can also look forward to an exciting time in Malaysia, which offers a «melting pot» of cultural diversity in its people, food, architecture and history – and an unrivalled showcase of the country’s top-class and fast-expanding regional logistics facilities. Register for your delegate pass here: www.fiata2017.org<http://www.fiata2017.org>
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
2. WTO – Australia Gives AUD 1.4 million to help Developing Countries in Global trade
The government of Australia is contributing over AUD 1.4 million (CHF 1.1 million) to WTO trade-related programmes to help developing countries and in particular least-developed countries (LDCs) participate in multilateral trade negotiations and better access global markets.
AUD 430,000 (CHF 330,000) of this contribution will help LDCs participate in the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11), which will take place on 10-13 December 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres17_e/pr801_e.htm
3. WTO – China’s commitment to Openness Will Continue to Drive the Economy Forward
Director-General Roberto Azevêdo visited Beijing, China, on 12 September to participate in the «1+6» roundtable meeting hosted by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, together with five other heads of major international economic organizations and financial institutions (the IMF, World Bank, ILO, OECD and the Financial Stability Board).
They discussed the continued need to promote an open and inclusive global economy, and the central role of the multilateral trading system in this effort.
For more details please visit: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news17_e/dgra_12sep17_e.htm
4. UNCTAD – Integrating SMEs into Value Chains Can Boost Development
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to global income and job creation.
In developing countries, they provide 60-70% of formal employment. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, that figure rises to 80%.
Integrating SMEs into global or regional value chains can be a potent way to strengthen small business operators through their participation in the global economy. Global value chains make up 84 % of the international production networks of multinational enterprises (MNEs), meaning they have become the engine room of the global economy. For more details please visit: <http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1550&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home>unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1550&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home<http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=1550&Sitemap_x0020_Taxonomy=UNCTAD%20Home>
5. UNCTAD – Is the World Integrating or Disintegrating?
Opening a high-level event on the second of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board session, Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi reminded delegates that trade can act as an engine for integration and warned how recent political events such as Brexit and the new US administration’s approach to trade policy have called into question a decade of resurgent regionalism. The power that trade has to address inequalities within and between countries was underlined on Tuesday by OECD Deputy Secretary-General Douglas Frantz, who focused a portion of his presentation on the power of regional trade agreements to bring about integration.
Read more:
6. UNCTAD – Impact of Non-Tariff Measures and Trade Regulations on Global Trade
Some 96% of world trade is affected by at least one regulation, often referred to as a «non-tariff measure» (NTM).
Meeting these formidable, complex and often opaque rules requires financial and technical resources, which means that the smallest and most vulnerable companies and countries pay the heftiest price. Mr. Alan Winters, Professor of Economics at the University of Sussex shared his perspectives with UNCTAD
Read more at:
7. WCO Conducts Experts Group Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) in Canada
The WCO secretariat is preparing Phase III of the Revenue Package which was created in 2009 to assist Customs administrations in fair and efficient revenue collection. At the heart of the programme is a series of practical and diagnostic tools designed, in particular, to strengthen Post Clearance Audit, classification, valuation and origin.
In this regard, the WCO organized a second Experts Group Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) in Ottawa, Canada from 11 to 15 September 2017. The objective of the Workshop was to look at and review the 2012 WCO PCA Guidelines.
To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/september/wco-conducts-experts-group-workshop-on-pca-in-canada.aspx
8. WCO – Concrete Step Ahead on Sustainable HS Classification Capacity in East Africa
Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, launched in July 2016 to support trade facilitation in Africa, a regional workshop for Master Trainers on HS Classification in East Africa was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 4 to 8 September 2017.
Twenty-five (25) Customs officials from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda participated in this workshop and worked intensively to review the case studies developed under this Master Trainer Refresher Programme with the advice of experts from both the WCO and Japan Customs
For more details please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/september/a-concrete-step-ahead-on-sustainable-hs-classification-capacity-in-east-africa.aspx
9. WCO – Uganda Paves the Way for Implementation of Regional AEO Electronic Identifier
The EAC regional Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programme benefitted from a significant boost as the Uganda Revenue Authority successfully launched the EAC Regional AEO identifier in its electronic Customs Management System on 31st of August 2017.
This major breakthrough will facilitate the implementation of the EAC regional AEO programme. Indeed, thanks to the inclusion of this identifier on the declaration, Customs officers across the Uganda Customs posts will now be able to easily distinguish regional AEOs from other economic operators and hence, be able to provide the relevant preferential treatment to these regional AEOs. To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/september/uganda-paves-the-way-for-implementation-of-regional-aeo-electronic-identifier-in-the-eac.aspx
10. China Customs Supports WCO’s Revenue Package programme
The Secretariat is preparing Phase III of the Revenue Package which was created in 2009 to assist Customs administrations in fair and efficient revenue collection. At the heart of the programme is a series of practical and diagnostic tools designed, in particular, to strengthen classification, valuation, origin and post clearance audit controls.
As one of the objectives under Phase III, a series of case studies are being developed, based on national practices relating to Customs valuation controls.
To read more please visit: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/september/china-customs-supports-wcos-revenue-package-programme.aspx
11. UNESCAP – Trade Forum Closes with Spotlight on Sustainable Development
The 8th Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum closed in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with a strong focus on innovations and digital solutions that can enhance trade facilitation implementation for inclusive and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar said, «Trade facilitation is about making trade easier for all. Countries need to work closer together to streamline and digitalize trade procedures. This will contribute to sustainable development by making trade more inclusive and environmentally responsible.» To read more please visit: http://www.unescap.org/news/trade-forum-closes-yogyakarta-spotlight-innovation-sustainable-development-asia-pacific
12. UNECA – Stakeholders Discuss Model Law for Transboundary Development in Africa
The proposed model law on transboundary infrastructure development in Africa was under the spotlight in New York with Economic Commission for Africa’s Adeyinka Adeyemi saying the law will facilitate private sector investment and financing in transboundary infrastructure enterprises on the continent. The proposed Programme for Infrastructure Development (PIDA) Model Law for Transboundary Infrastructure Projects in Africa provides a means of mitigating and managing perceived risks associated transboundary infrastructure development and bridges the gap between social and private benefits of such huge investments.
To read more please visit:
AIR CARGO
13. Turkmenistan and ICAO Affirm Commitment to Regional Air Transport
In a meeting last week with the President of Turkmenistan, Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, ICAO Council President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu pledged support for the State’s goal of establishing a regional transit and air freight hub in Ashgabat, while at the same time highlighting a number of priorities it should pursue to effectively manage future air traffic growth while optimizing the resulting socio-economic benefits.
«Turkmenistan is making good progress in support of its air transport sector, and I have encouraged President Berdimuhamedov and his government to help ensure that its continuing progress proceeds in line with ICAO’s global provisions for safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable air transport,» Dr. Aliu commented.For more details please visit:
14. IATA – Double Digit Growth for Global Air Freight Demand in July
IATA released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), increased by 11.4% in July 2017 compared to the same period a year ago. This was the fourth time in five months that double-digit annual growth was recorded. July’s year-on-year increase in demand is nearly four times higher than the ten year average growth rate of 3.1%. Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), grew by 3.7% year-on-year in July 2017. Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for airline yields and the industry’s financial performance.
To read the report please visit:
http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-09-05-01.aspx
15. ICAO and EC Share Productive Exchange on CORSIA, Security, and Other Issues
In meetings this week with Mrs. Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport, and Mr Henrik Hololei, European Commission Director General for Mobility and Transport, ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu provided an extended update of the current ICAO activities of interest to the EU. The talks centred mainly around the environment and the status of implementation of the CORSIA offsetting mechanism for global aviation, ICAO’s new Global Aviation Security Plan, capacity building under ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative and through its World Aviation Forums, the upcoming ICAO Global Summit for Next Generation Aviation Professionals, and emerging issues such as UAVs.
To read more please visit: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-and-EC-share-productive-exchange-on-CORSIA-Security-and-other-current-issues-of-mutual-concern.aspx
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS & CONNECTIVITY
16. Vietnam Strengthens its Partnership with UNCTAD Sustainability
UNCTAD has been instrumental in Viet Nam’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) reform and will continue to support BioTrade national programmes as guided by the revised ABS Regulatory framework, share the best administrative practice and provide technical assistance. UNCTAD interviewed Mr. Pham Anh Cuòng, Director, Biodiversity Conservation Agency, Viet Nam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Read more at:
17. UNESCAP – Governments Commit to Promote Efficient and Pollution Free Asia-Pacific
Environment ministers and high-level officials from over 30 countries in Asia-Pacific have committed to move towards a clean and green Asia-Pacific, one that is more resource efficient and pollution free at the first Asia-Pacific Ministerial Summit on the Environment that concluded in Bangkok. This will advance global agendas like the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, the UN Environment Assembly resolutions and other global commitments.
The Summit culminated in a call for collaborative action to ensure that environment and development is approached in an integrated way, from promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, urban planning and spatial development, to fostering sustainable agriculture practices and advancing the green economy to reduce waste and pollution. Read more at: http://www.unescap.org/news/governments-commit-promote-more-resource-efficient-and-pollution-free-asia-pacific
18. UNFCC – Multinationals Launch Global Program Speed Switch Electric Vehicles
A new business campaign designed to fast-track the uptake of electric vehicles (EV) and infrastructure has been launched by The Climate Group at a unique event in New York, as business and government leaders gather at Climate Week NYC.
Baidu, Deutsche Post DHL Group, Heathrow Airport, HP Inc., IKEA Group, LeasePlan, METRO AG, PG&E, Unilever, Vattenfall are the 10 first members of EV100, the only initiative of its kind to encourage global business commitments on electric transport, with members swapping their large diesel/petrol vehicle fleets to electric vehicle fleets and/or installing electric battery charging infrastructure by 2030.
To read more please visit: https://www.theclimategroup.org/news/multinationals-launch-global-program-speed-switch-electric-vehicles
19. UNFCCC – Companies Turn to Carbon Pricing as Part of Climate Action
Companies across sectors and geographies are turning increasingly to an internal carbon price to prepare for climate-related business risks, and guide and fund investments in low-carbon solutions. Setting a price on carbon encourages companies to reduce their emissions, and carbon pricing is therefore essential to achieve the central goal of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which is to limit global temperature rise to as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Topics
FIATA World Congress 2017, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Gearing up for an Annual Industry Update and Get-Together
WTO – Australia Gives AUD 1.4 million to help Developing Countries in Global trade
WTO – Australia Gives AUD 1.4 million to help Developing Countries in Global trade
UNCTAD – Integrating SMEs into Value Chains Can Boost Development
UNCTAD – Is the World Integrating or Disintegrating?
UNCTAD – Impact of Non-Tariff Measures and Trade Regulations on Global Trade
WCO Conducts Experts Group Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) in Canada
WCO – Concrete Step Ahead on Sustainable HS Classification Capacity in East Africa
WCO – Uganda Paves the Way for Implementation of Regional AEO Electronic Identifier
WCO – Uganda Paves the Way for Implementation of Regional AEO Electronic Identifier
UNESCAP – Trade Forum Closes with Spotlight on Sustainable Development
UNECA – Stakeholders Discuss Model Law for Transboundary Development in Africa
Turkmenistan and ICAO Affirm Commitment to Regional Air Transport
IATA – Double Digit Growth for Global Air Freight Demand in July
ICAO and EC Share Productive Exchange on CORSIA, Security, and Other Issues
Vietnam Strengthens its Partnership with UNCTAD Sustainability
UNESCAP – Governments Commit to Promote Efficient and Pollution Free Asia-Pacific
UNFCC – Multinationals Launch Global Program Speed Switch Electric Vehicles
UNFCCC – Companies Turn to Carbon Pricing as Part of Climate Action