United States
Impact of COVID-19 on the United States Economy and the Policy Response
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has upended the global and United States economies, exacting a large human toll and shutting down major economic sectors. While there is significant uncertainty about United States economic growth prospects, the impact of the pandemic is severe. The record-long United States economic expansion came to an end as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with forecasts of a deep recession in 2020. The outlook remains highly uncertain, as it is difficult to gauge the social and economic impact of the pandemic, which will depend on the success of containing the outbreak and the measures to restart economic activity. The economic policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been substantial and immediate. Three stimulus packages were approved by the United States Congress in March to address the impact on households and businesses. New legislation was also approved in April and June to improve the effectiveness of the programmes included in the previous three fiscal packages. The United States Federal Reserve cut interest rates to the zero lower bound, offered unlimited quantitative easing and deployed old and new policy tools aimed at keeping financial markets functioning.
Statistics of Road Traffic Accidents in Europe and North America 2019
LaGrand Case (Germany v. United States of America) Volume I
Pleadings, Oral Arguments, Documents
These three volumes contain pleadings from the LaGrand case (Germany v. United States of America) in the language in which they were submitted, including the document instituting proceedings, the written pleadings and their annexes, the verbatim records of the oral proceedings, and any documents submitted to the Court after the closure of the written proceedings.
Energy Transition of Fishing Fleets: Opportunities and Challenges for Developing Countries
The review of NDCs conducted in this study shows surprising results. It reveals that major aquatic food exporters, i.e., India, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Norway show no commitments on ocean or fisheries-related matters. In contrast, Canada, Chile and the Russian Federation have committed to protecting ocean space and include climate mitigation and adaptation measures within marine protected areas. And, despite being a part of the most polluting region in the world, China and Viet Nam stand out for committing to implement measures for energy saving, energy efficiency and emission reduction in fisheries as a means of mitigating GHG emissions. The review of regulations and agreements found little evidence of such measures being used in the fisheries sector.
Promoting Food Security Through Non-tariff Measures: From Costs to Benefits
The objective of this report is to decrypt the complex linkages across the four pillars of food security: accessibility, availability, stability, and utilization. It quantifies impacts and offers solutions. In section 2 we distinguish different types of NTMs and present quantitative evidence of their incidence. Section 3 maps out the multidimensional linkages between NTMs and food security. Section 4 looks at policy actions at the national, regional and multilateral levels to tilt the balance between costs and benefits towards a positive impact on food security. Section 5 concludes with policy recommendations.
Towards a Statistical Framework for the Measurement of Tax and Commercial Illicit Financial Flows
This paper focuses on efforts by eleven African countries to measure tax and commercial IFFs. It reviews and assesses development of concepts and methods, and their pilot testing. As such, it draws from existing work and documents of custodian agencies and provides (further) methodological inputs into ongoing development of suggested statistical methodologies to measure tax and commercial IFFs and feed into global reporting on SDG indicator 16.4.1.
Making Sense of Article 2.1(C): What Role for Private Finance in Achieving Climate Goals?
Aligning the whole financial system, encompassing public and private financial flows at the domestic and international level, with a “pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilient development,” as stated in Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, is fundamental to limiting global warming and supporting the development ambitions of developing countries. This report responds to the ongoing dialogue with a particular focus on the role of private finance, proposing recommendations to Parties on the key actions they can take to deliver the ambitions of Article 2.1(c) while upholding commitments on the basis of equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances (CBDR-RC).
Considerations for a New Collective Quantified Goal
Bringing Accountability, Trust and Developing Country Needs to Climate Finance
This report explores lessons from the ongoing challenges with climate finance and more specifically the $100 billion goal, proposing a set of considerations for the NCQG to ensure it is an improved target. The report attempts to clarify some of the key issues around a new needs-based target, supporting Parties to deliver an NCQG consistent with PA commitments, enabling more ambitious climate-resilient development pathways in developing countries, and rebuilding trust for all.
Trade in Processed Food
This technical paper focuses on efforts by the WHO and UNCTAD Statistics to define and measure international trade flows in food items according to various levels of processing. It reviews and assesses development of concepts related to the question of healthiness and links to level of food processing, and provides a trade matrix of bilateral trade flow of processed food items. It analyses these flows to understand international trade movements in processed food to complement discussions on healthiness and dietary requirements globally. This serves as a stepping stone into further analysis and methodological, as well as conceptual work.
Voluntary Sustainability Standards and BioTrade: Is There a Connection?
This report provides a synthesis of the connections between selected Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and the UNCTAD BioTrade Principles & Criteria (P&C). The growth in VSS-compliant production has been increasing, and in some sectors, even exceeding that of conventional production. While VSS have proliferated across multiple sectors, their role in trade and biodiversity still demands greater exploration. The BioTrade initiative, through its P&C, promotes sustainable trade and investment in biodiversity-based products and services. While these are two of the tools that can be used by public and private sector actors to mitigate their negative impacts on biodiversity, there has been little understanding of the alignment between these two tools. This is important to understand the opportunities for mutual recognition and support and to avoid the proliferation of tools.
Promoting International Investment by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
This report examines through empirical research and policy analysis the internationalization process of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), shedding light on the key factors, challenges, and strategies essential for harnessing the global potential of these dynamic enterprises. The objective of this report is to offer a practical guide to policymakers for the promotion and facilitation of SMEs inward and outward investment. It aims to identify ways and means both to attract FDI by (foreign) SMEs and to support the internationalization of (domestic) SMEs, to maximize their development benefits. The report presents new insights and real-world examples of SMEs that have successfully navigated international markets, emphasizing the lessons learned and best practices and illustrating the impact of supportive government policies and initiatives on SMEs' global ventures.
Double Taxation Treaties and Their Implications for Investment: What Investment Policymakers Need to Know
This guide complements the “twin” guide on international investment agreements (IIAs) and their implications for tax measures published in 2021 by UNCTAD in cooperation with the WU Global Tax Policy Center. It equally aims to stimulate interaction between investment policymakers and DTT negotiators. This guide aims to bridge the gap between investment and tax policy, complementing a previous guide on IIAs. Its detailed exploration of DTTs, providing insights into their structure, functioning, and impact on international investment, advocates for a synergistic approach between tax and investment policymaking. The guide emphasizes the importance of coherent policies to support sustainable development and economic growth.
Sustainability Integration by Public Pension and Sovereign Wealth Funds, 2022
This study examines ESG and sustainability integration in the investment practices of the world’s 100 largest public pension funds (PPFs) and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), accounting for $22 trillion in assets under management (AUM). PPFs and SWFs have long-term obligations and investment horizons. This puts them in a unique position to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take action on sustainability risks, especially climate change. By reviewing the sustainability reporting of 47 ‘frontrunner’ funds, this study identifies a rich pool of good practices for sustainability integration in six strategic areas: governance, corporate sustainable investment policies, sustainability integration strategies, ESG integration along the investment chain, climate action, and evaluation and reporting. The findings of the report and best practice cases will also contribute to UNCTAD guidance on sustainability integration for institutional investors, with a particular relevance for developing countries.
The UNCTAD Model Law on Competition After 30 Years - Some Reflections
UNCTAD Model Law on Competition (Model Law) has been developed by member States’ representatives gathered in UNCTAD intergovernmental meetings to provide guidance on competition legislations, particularly for developing countries that are not familiar with this field, recognizing their interest to be able to take appropriate actions towards anticompetitive practices. The discussion on the Model Law in UNCTAD dates back to the 1970s, when only around 20 jurisdictions in the world had competition laws and authorities, and most were developed countries. This publication revisits the Model Law from different angles; the origin and history of the Model Law, as well as its negotiation are discussed. Testimonials from young competition authorities from developing countries share the relevance of the Model Law in the drafting of their own competition laws and refer to the implications of the Model Law to developing countries.
Entrepreneurs Riding the Wave of Circularity
The publication explores the importance of moving towards a circular economy model — a growing economic model that not only tackles pressing environmental challenges but also has the potential to unlock economic growth, job creation, and contribute to building resilient and sustainable societies. The core focus of the publication within this topic lies in highlighting the pivotal role of entrepreneurs as catalysts of circularity. It emphasizes how entrepreneurs driving SMEs and start-ups have the power to bring about mindset changes within their communities and send ripples of change throughout the entire value chain by introducing new products, services, methods of production, and business models that respond to emerging needs. The paper also acknowledges the challenges that limit entrepreneurial innovation for a circular economy, particularly in developing nations. As such, it outlines policy measures to create a thriving environment for entrepreneurs to innovate in this direction.
No. 32637. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America
Treaty on the delimitation in the Caribbean of a maritime boundary relating to Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands (with annex and chart). Signed at London on 5 November 1993
No. 32638. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America
Agreement concerning the facilitation of air navigation services. Signed at London on 11 May 1995
No. 32016. Exchange of notes constituting an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America concerning exports of cotton, wool, man-made fiber, silk blend and other non-cotton vegetable fiber textiles and textile products. Washington, 14 September 1990
EXCHANGE OF NOTES CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT AMENDING THE ABOVE-MENTIONED AGREEMENT. WASHINGTON, 31 OCTOBER AND 10 DECEMBER 1991
No. 33348. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America
Exchange of notes constituting an agreement concerning the Agreement on the annex on intellectual property rights of 29 November 1995. Washington, 29 November 1995
No. 27639. Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America concerning the investigation of drug trafficking offences and the seizure and forfeiture of proceeds and instrumentalities of drag trafficking. Signed at London on 9 February 1988
EXCHANGE OF NOTES CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT FURTHER AMENDING THE ABOVE-MENTIONED AGREEMENT. LONDON, 19 JUNE AND 29 JULY 1996