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This weblog shares information on key ACP-EU programmes and events from Brussels relevant to agriculture and rural development in ACP countries.
Date : [DATE] CTA Brussels Newsletter
Main events in the week
- Financing Agriculture
- Land access, land acquisitions and rural development
- Security of Humanitarian aid workers
- Fiscal impact of the Economic Partnership Agreement in West Africa
- Don't shoot, I'm a humanitarian worker!
- DRC Farmers Welcome Support
- EPA must be development tool: ACP SG
- Civil society Organisations in Zambia
- Iringa Gets Sh40 Billion for Water
- EC forecasts average crop production for 2010
- EU to Spend Sh10 Billion on Local Projects
- Rich Countries' Farm Subsidies Benefiting Royals
- EU Funded Water Projects Handed Over to Govt
- Agreement on EU External Action Service- DFID views
- No decision yet on extension to EDF funding after 2013
- Policy review on environment
- Pacific ACP leaders conclude meeting on EU assistance and trade
- The latest Défis Sud has been published
- Council adopts its position on the EU draft budget 2011
- The ACP Observatory on Migration
- New tools needed to relieve malaria burden in Africa, study finds
- Financing Agriculture
2010-08-20 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Rural development, Aid effectiveness, Environment, Archive, Regional Fisheries, Food Security
The 20th Brussels Development Briefing will be on ‘Financing agriculture and will take place on the 15th of September 2010. As an input to the UN Summit on MDGs to be held in New York on 22-26 September 2010, we will discuss issues related to financing development in the context of agriculture and rural development. This will include issue such as Aid and ODA, taxation (Domestic tax revenues), private investment (new donors), revenue generation. Speakers include: Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College in London, the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa in the US, CONCORD, OECD, African Development Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, YARA, African regional framers organizations.
For more information please contact: lopes@cta.int or boto@cta.int
Brussels Development Briefings Programme Past Briefings
- Land access, land acquisitions and rural development
2010-08-20 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Rural development, Aid effectiveness, Environment, Archive, Regional Fisheries, Food Security
Land is an asset of enormous importance for billions of rural dwellers in the developing world, and especially in ACP countries. The nature of property rights and their degree of security vary greatly, depending on competition for land, the degree of market penetration and the broader institutional and political context. Although there are specificities according to countries and regions, some general trends and common challenges can be identified and the pressure on land is set to increase over future decades, given the impacts of population growth, urbanisation, globalisation of markets, international investment flows, trade negotiations and climate change.
The Rural Development Briefing in Central Africa on “Land access, land acquisitions and rural development: New challenges, new opportunities” to be held in Yaoundé, Cameroun on 27-28th September 2010 will discuss the links between property rights, investment and economic opportunities in rural areas: Policy and Governance on Land and Forests Resources; the Land acquisition and its contribution to development and the Promotion of responsible agricultural transnational investments. The target group is more than 130 policy makers from Central Africa and other African countries.
For further information, please contact: boto@cta.int or verginelli@cta.int
Programme
- Security of Humanitarian aid workers
2010-08-19
Security represents one of the most challenging issues for the humanitarian community. The conditions in which humanitarian workers operate have become increasingly dangerous. Humanitarian emblems and flags which traditionally provided a shield for humanitarian workers have now unfortunately often become targets.
As one of the world’s main donors of humanitarian assistance, the European Commission bears a key responsibility in ensuring that its staff and partners work in the safest possible environment to be able to fulfil their tasks. To this end, the European Commission’s Humanitarian and Civil Protection department (ECHO) continuously takes concrete steps both at the operational and political levels. In the context of the "Don't shoot, I'm a humanitarian worker!" campaign, the Commission highlights the various actions already taken.
Advocating for the security of humanitarian aid workers and actively promoting International Humanitarian Law
The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid
The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid was adopted at the end of 2007 by the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission. This landmark document underscores the need to preserve humanitarian space to ensure access to vulnerable populations and the safety and security of humanitarian personnel. It reaffirms the EU's commitment to upholding and promoting the fundamental humanitarian principles. It also commits the EU to advocating strongly and consistently for the respect of International Law, including International Humanitarian Law. This year, in consultation with its partners, the Commission will prepare a mid-term review of the implementation of the European Consensus and its Action Plan.
Source: Read more Providing aid in insecurity EU Humanitarian Aid
- Fiscal impact of the Economic Partnership Agreement in West Africa
2010-08-19 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Aid effectiveness
Will trade liberalisation bear an adjustment cost for ACP countries? If so, how much and who will pay for it? What are the strategies for reducing or even eliminating these costs? These are all sensitive questions facing ACP and European negotiators in the context of the negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
Qualitatively and quantitatively defining the “net fiscal impact” of an EPA: a complex undertaking
In West Africa - one of the most important regions in demographic and economic terms among the ACP - European and African negotiators decided to inform their discussions with a regional Computable General Equilibrium model led by a joint committee. Indeed, answering the above questions required a common tool to quantify certain key issues in the negotiation, especially the notion of net fiscal impact. The loss of customs revenues has been a major concern for West Africa’s governments, which are faced with tense budgetary situations and economies with an extensive informal sector, presenting a challenge for replacing border taxes with a domestic tax system. The EU committed itself to accompany and support the ACP partners during the liberalisation phase in order to protect against the negative effects resulting from trade reform, which is why it is necessary to assess and determine the forms of this support. Nonetheless, three important points must be borne in mind. First, this is an unprecedented commitment. While the EU has negotiated numerous free trade agreements, until the EPAs it has not committed to pay the adjustment costs of its partners.[i] Second, the very concept of “net fiscal impact” is new, and must be defined before any quantification can be undertaken. Finally, one should note the originality of the approach, which revolves around the notion of partnership between the EU and ECOWAS, as the parameters and hypotheses of the model have been determined jointly by the two parties, in order to avoid politicising the exercise.
Source: Trade Negotiations Insights Read more ACP-EU Trade Economic partnerships
- Don't shoot, I'm a humanitarian worker!
2010-08-19
On World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, the European Commission honours humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or freedom, or have been injured during the course of their work. The European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), has staff permanently present in crisis spots around the world. ECHO works closely with partner relief organisations such as specialised UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and non-governmental organisations. Together they ensure the delivery of relief to civilian populations throughout the world in an impartial and non-discriminatory way. But humanitarian access and the security of relief workers is increasingly at risk.
Source: European Commission Read more EU Humanitarian Aid World Humanitarian Day
- DRC Farmers Welcome Support
2010-08-19 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Food Security
Farmers in the southwestern Democratic Republic of Congo are looking forward to increased production after 16 tractors and 200 ox-drawn carts were distributed across three regions in the province of Bandundu. "Bandundu Province is known predominantly for its agriculture: cassava, maize, beans, palm oil, banana, pineapple, squash, sweet potatoes, vegetables, millet, sugar cane and more, these are its main agricultural products," says Badylon Kawanda, a journalist living in Kikwit, the capital of the province. But Kawanda notes, "The population of the province lives in poverty and misery because of low productivity; farmers fields are so small, and their methods of clearing land and working the earth remain traditional." The United Nations Development Programme report for 2009 found that three in every four Bandundu farmers lives on less than a dollar a day. So Italian non-governmental organisation Impreza-Servisi-Coodinati's (ISCO) provision of agricultural equipment to farmers in the Kwilu district are a welcome development. The region is considered to be the breadbasket for the estimated eight million people living in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC. According to Willy Bitwisila, agricultural engineer and ISCO assistant project manager, "Thanks to funding from the European Union in the DRC, we are implementing projects aimed at ensuring sustainable food security and improving Congolese household incomes. "ISCO also aims to strengthen farmer organisations, support proper management of natural resources, and develop market access for farmers through improving transport conditions for agricultural products.The European Union will contribute nearly 10 million euros to food security projects in the DRC over a period of three years. This funding will help build bridges and maintain agricultural feeder roads in the agricultural region of Bandundu.
Source: Allafrica Read more EU Relations with DRC Food security
- EPA must be development tool: ACP SG
2010-08-18 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
The Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who is in Port Vila this week to attend the Pacific ACP leaders meeting said any Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the regions of ACP must be a development tool and not just a commercial agreement. Dr Chambas said the ACP Secretariat in Brussels wants to support efforts to ensure that the EPA is a development tool so that the partnership agreement is just not a commercial agreement but more importantly it becomes a vehicle for development. These include addressing the supply side constraints, addressing bottlenecks to expand economic growth, and to ensuring increased production so that whatever market access is available on the European side, ACP countries are indeed able to penetrate and to take advantage of this market access offered under the EPA.
Source: dailypost.vu Read more EU Relations with Vanuatu Economic partnerships
- Civil society Organisations in Zambia
2010-08-18
For the period 2007-2013, the EU aims at supporting development actions, to be implemented by Non-State-Actors (NSA) or Local Authorities (LA), in close cooperation with the local communities and to the benefit of the most vulnerable population groups, aiming at promoting an inclusive and empowered society in Zambia and strengthening their capacity to become key actors of democratic governance processes and poverty reduction strategies. This support is financed through two different instruments: • EDF allocations, including under the 10th EDF CSP-NIP (link to page 023-01) where an indicative amount of € 5.5 million has been made available to support initiatives of NSAs in the areas of capacity-building, advocacy, research, awareness-raising, monitoring and delivery of services to the population. • Through specific thematic programmes - the thematic programme "Non-state Actors and Local Authorities in development" which aims at encouraging non-state actors and local authorities, both from the EU and Zambia, to get more involved in development issues - the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) which provides support for the promotion of democracy and human rights in Zambia
Source: Delegation of the EU to Zambia Read more Civil society & local authorities
- Iringa Gets Sh40 Billion for Water
2010-08-18 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development
The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the German Institute KfW, have provided more than Sh40 billion (Euro 23.42m) to fund a water supply and sanitation project that will benefit more than 200,000 people in Iringa Municipality. The public relations officer (PRO) for Iringa Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (IRUWASA), Ms Restituta Sakila, said recently that the project, which is under JR International contractor, is divided into two phases that involve the construction of water transmission lines, water distribution lines, sewerage pipe networks and reservoir tanks. Another lot involves upgrading the existing water treatment facilities, construction of a clean water reservoir and the installation of new pumps and booster stations. The project will take two years, from August 2009 to August 2010, and will benefit more than 200,000 Iringa Municipality dwellers. Ms Sakila said the lots will involve the extension and improvement of the present water treatment plant at Ndiuka, upgrading of the existing spring at Kitwiru water source, erection of new pumping mains for water transfer from the pump stations to new reservoirs, erection of 11 new reservoirs and 30 water kiosks. Other activities are laying of new or replacement of old distribution pipes (138 km), including the installation of 27 hydrants which will serve as water take points in cases of emergency as well as for firefighting purposes, and the supply of bulk and household meters and introduction of an improved billing and accounting system.
Source: Allafrica Read more EU Relations with Tanzania KfW
- EC forecasts average crop production for 2010
2010-08-18 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, ACP-EU Trade
Total cereal production in 2010 should be close to the average from the last five years. While the yield per hectare will be 5% above average, overall cultivated areas have decreased. This agricultural year has been marked by unusual scattered weather events ranging from severe rain shortage to floods. However, the impact of poor weather on crops in some areas of the EU has been offset in other areas. This forecast, published today by the European Commission, is based on analysis by the Commission's in-house scientific service, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), using an advanced crop yield forecasting system. In general, Europe saw a harsh winter with waves of exceptionally low temperatures in December, January, February and also in March (e.g. snowfall in Spain) leading to a delayed start to the season. Spring and early summer brought a severe shortage of rain in the United Kingdom, western France, Benelux, northern Germany, eastern Poland and Greece. Flooding occurred in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania. On the other hand, Spain and Italy experienced favourable and abundant rain in spring. Northern and central France, Benelux and Germany experienced very high temperatures in June and July coupled with low rainfall. The forecast published today by the European Commission provides yield estimates for the main crops throughout the European Union and identifies the areas most affected by stress conditions. The yield forecast for cereals (wheat, barley, maize, other cereals) is 5.1 tonnes per hectare across the EU, the same level as last year (+0.7%) but above the five-year average (+5.0%). The total area used in the European Union for cereals in 2010 is estimated to have decreased by 3 % compared to 2009.
Source: EUropean Commission Read more Crop yield forecasts for 2010 Action AGRI4CAST
- EU to Spend Sh10 Billion on Local Projects
2010-08-18 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development
The European Union will spend Sh10 billion in Kenya this year for various projects, the Head of European Union delegation to Kenya, Eric Van Linden, has said. Mr Van Linden said Kenya is a priority in EU's development policy and strategy, and following the enactment of the new constitution in the country, the union will increase funding in infrastructure in arid and semi-arid areas, among others. The EU, he said, will give Kenya technical expertise to hasten the devolution process envisioned in the new constitution, a process that will spur rural growth and reduce poverty. He noted that apart from the grants being channelled to the country through the European Commission, 19 other members of the EU in Kenya will continue to offer increased bilateral support to the country, to hasten the achievements of some of the Millennium Development Goals and boost Kenya's exports to the EU. Mr Van Linden was speaking on Friday during the launch of a book on lessons learnt in the implementation of a 4-year EU funded Rural Poverty Reduction and Local Government Support Programme, in which the Union spent Sh1.6 billion in the last four years in providing technical and infrastructure development funding to 83 local authorities across the country. On infrastructure development, he announced that the tendering process for the construction of the Timboroa-Webuye and Malaba highway is complete and that the construction will begin soon as part of the northern corridor development road system.
Source: Allafrica Read more EU Relations with Kenya EU Delegation to Kenya
- Rich Countries' Farm Subsidies Benefiting Royals
2010-08-17 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Aid effectiveness, ACP-EU Trade
Subsidies for agriculture in the industrialised countries of the world grew again in 2009, benefiting the largest companies and land owners, such as Prince Albert of Monaco and Queen Elizabeth of Britain.The latest increase came despite repeated and consistent evidence that such subsidies contribute to the destruction of the livelihoods of poor farmers in developing countries, especially in Africa, and that they distort international trade. According to a new study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), subsidies for agriculture in industrialised countries rose to around 252.5 billion dollars, or 22 percent of total farmers' receipts in 2009 -- up from 21 percent in 2008. The study, "Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries at a Glance 2010", found that the European Union's subsidies for farmers rose from 22 to 24 percent. In the period between 2007 and 2009, EU farmers received an average of 23 percent of their gross receipts in form of direct financial support from the state. The OECD represents the 30 most industrialised countries of the world, including the U.S. and most members of the EU. The subsidies for farmers in OECD countries have been at the centre of a heated dispute for years, both at the level of the EU and U.S. and within the larger framework of the World Trade Organisation and its deadlocked Doha Development Round. The EU spends about 75 billion dollars on subsidies for agriculture, even though the sector represents only about two percent of the total gross The new OECD data inflamed these complaints, the more so since it has been shown that the largest agro-businesses and even some royal houses in European monarchies benefit the most from the subsidies.domestic product of the union. This subsidies regime will only change in 2014.
Source: Allafrica Read more Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries Beneficiaries of CAP payments
- EU Funded Water Projects Handed Over to Govt
2010-08-17 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development
The European Union (EU) funded Rural Water Supply Sector Support (RWSSS) projects in the villages of Bonto, Kombo East, Berending, Kombo South and Foni Bintang were handed over to the Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters. Madam Helene Cave, the EU charge d'Affairs handed over the projects to Lamin Kaba Bajo, the minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters. Speaking at the occasion, Minister Lamin Kaba Bajo expressed appreciation to the EU not only for their current assistance, but also for the support they have been rendering to the country over the years, as well as the partnership that has benefited many Gambians, especially the poorer section of the community. According to him, within the water sector alone, the European Commission has provided them with resources to construct water supply systems in 431 villages throughout the country, of which 340 are village wells, equipped with hand pumps and solar-powered water supply system in 91 larger villages. He disclosed that these EU projects have already benefited over 270, 000 people or around 20% of the national population.
Source: Allafrica Read more ACP-EU Water Facility EU Relations with the Gambia
- Agreement on EU External Action Service- DFID views
2010-08-17
A structure for the European External Action Service (EEAS) was agreed by William Hague and fellow EU foreign ministers.The new service, a product of the Lisbon Treaty, aims to strengthen the EU’s external reach and create a more joined-up approach to international development.The agreement gives a strong role to the EU’s International Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs. This is good news for developing countries, and will help ensure that the EU’s development resources retain their focus on helping the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of poverty. The UK Government, through DFID, called for the EEAS to retain this focus on development priorities, and partly due to these efforts the agreement includes: • A clear reference to poverty eradication which will help meet the EU's collective commitment to provide 0.7% of GNI for development aid by 2015. • A clear financial accountability, with the Development Commissioner responsible for development spending. • A broader remit for the Development Commissioner, who now has shared responsibility with the High Representative for more regions than in the past – he will cover the European Development Fund (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) and the Development Cooperation Instrument (Asia, Latin America). The head of EuropeAid which also implements programmes in other regions, will report to him. • A commitment to review the development set-up early on in 2011
Source: Department for international development Read more EU External Action Service The Cotonou agreement
- No decision yet on extension to EDF funding after 2013
2010-08-17
An extension to the current European Development Fund (EDF), enjoyed by all the 14 Forum Island Countries that are members of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) is not clear, once it expires in 2013.Under EDF10, which runs from 2008 to 2013, the EU mobilized 475.3 million to Pacific ACP countries for their development programs, as committed under the Cotonou Agreement. But the continuation of this funding remains in doubt, an issue that PACP countries will pursue in their discussions with the European Union. The EU’s head of delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit and deputy director general for development, Christian Leffler told ‘we are beginning to look now at what happens from 2014. “That discussion is just beginning. The European Commission will table some policy paper on it to kick off the formal discussions. In the context of that debate between member states, there will also be a reflection on the future of the EDF. EDF is a free standing fund that is not part of the EU’s budget, said Mr Leffler.“But every time we have renewed the EDF, there is discussion on whether the EDF should now be budgetised. Mr. Leffler said, “At this time, I cannot say whether there will be an EDF11 in the current form but what I can say with a high degree of confidence is that there will be continued European commitment with the ACP countries.
Source: Vanuatutodaynews Read more European Development Fund EU Delegation for the Pacific
- Policy review on environment
2010-08-17 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment
The 2009 Environment Policy Review was published. It reports on EU policy developments from last year and looks in detail at EU and Member States' environmental trends and policy performance. Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "The 2009 Environment Policy Review shows that Member States adopted and implemented a variety of environmental policy measures. It gives interesting examples of how environmental objectives can be integrated into other policy areas. Nevertheless, a number of data and trends remain worrying. I see a clear need to sustain the momentum for promoting green growth and for further EU and national policy measures to make Europe more resource efficient". The Environment Policy Review details EU policy developments under the four priorities of the 6th Environment Action Programme, namely Climate change, Nature and biodiversity, Environment and health and Natural resources and waste. It also indicates key issues for 2010 and the coming years. As a cross-cutting issue, the Review shows that Member States included many green initiatives in their economic recovery plans, seeking to move towards a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. The Europe 2020 strategy, which was proposed by the Commission in 2009 and formally adopted by the European Council in June 2010, supports this shift to a resource efficient Europe. The Review also provides an overview of environmental data and trends under the priority areas of the 6th Environmental Action Programme. Although progress is evident in some environmental areas, further efforts are needed in many others, in particular concerning the loss of biodiversity. The country profiles in the third part show the diversity of policy initiatives being taken in the Member States to tackle the different environmental challenges.
Source: European Commission Read more The Review DG environment
- Pacific ACP leaders conclude meeting on EU assistance and trade
2010-08-16
The 8th meeting of the Pacific ACP Leaders was held in Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu Tuesday 3rd August to discuss the progress of European Union assistance through the European Development Fund (EDF) to the region as well as trade issues. Leaders from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and representatives of the Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Timor Lester and Tuvalu attended the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Hon. Edward Natapei.The PACP Leaders expressed deep appreciation for the signing of three Financing Agreements early this year under the European Union’s 10th EDF Pacific Regional Indicative Programme for a total value of 21.9 million EUROs.
The three projects are: -Deep Sea Minerals – 4.7million EUROS to be implemented by the Pacific Islands Applied Geo-science Commission (SOPAC) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC); -Scientific Support for Management of Coastal and Oceanic Fisheries – 9 million EUROs to be implemented by SPC; and -Development Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific Phase II – 8.2 million EUROs to be implemented by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and SPC.
Source: Pacific Scoop Read more EU-Pacific relations Pictures of the meeting
- The latest Défis Sud has been published
2010-08-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development
In Africa, the demographic weight (one sixth of the population of Africa) and economic strength of Nigeria influence the whole continent. But Nigeria is a giant with feet of clay, which depends on oil. Nigeria is not competitive in the industrial and agricultural sectors, although agriculture accounts for 45% of GDP. It is in this context, that the Nigerian government began a program of agricultural recovery of 1 billion euros in 2009. This investment, which does not seem to worry about the future of family farming, will it turn Nigeria into a locomotive or a hindrance to regional integration in West Africa? What is the influence of this giant of Africa, what position has it adopted in structures such as the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS)?
Source: SOS Faim Read more
- Council adopts its position on the EU draft budget 2011
2010-08-16
The Council adopted on 12th August the EU draft budget for the financial year 2011, approving targeted cuts in the Commission's proposal whilst ensuring appropriate funding for the priorities of the European Union, in particular economic recovery. The Council's position takes into account the current budgetary constraints of the member states and is in line with the budget guidelines for 2011 adopted by the Council on 16 March this year. It also leaves sufficient margins under the different headings of the financial framework in order to cope with unforeseen budgetary needs. The EU as a global player With regard to commitment appropriations, the Council agreed to: • reduce the amounts in the DB by a total amount of EUR 93.74 million on a number of specific budget lines, on the basis of past and current budget implementation and on realistic absorption capacities; • reduce the subsidies for decentralised agencies by EUR 0.9 million; • leave a margin of EUR 164.07 million to cover at a later stage additional needs. Concerning payment appropriations, the Council agreed to diminish the amounts in the DB by a total of EUR 590.90 million, of which on the one hand EUR 387.90 million in a targeted manner over a series of budget lines, on the basis of an analysis of the 2009 budget implementation and the 2010 budget forecast alerts, and on the other hand not retaining the amount proposed in the draft budget of EUR 203 million for the Emergency Aid Reserve.
Source: Council of the European Union Read more The European Union Budget European Development Fund
- The ACP Observatory on Migration
2010-08-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States Observatory on Migration is a new institution created to provide reliable data and information on migration flows in ACP countries. The objective is to design better policies to enhance the migration contribution to development. The Observatory will be officially launched in a ceremony foreseen for 25-27 October 2010 which will gather relevant figures from the political, economic and cultural fields both in the EU and the ACP countries. The European Commission and the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States have partnered in the establishment of an intra-ACP Migration Facility aimed at fostering institutional capacity in the ACP countries and strengthen the civil society with the ultimate aim to include migration issues into national and regional development policies and strategies. Available data on ACP migration is scarce and often unreliable. In many countries, the lack of relevant information has serious political consequences, since migrants’ need cannot be taken into account by policy makers. Migration is widely considered to present one of the factors influencing development but in many cases it has not been included in development strategies because of the lack of reliable data. According to Laurent de Boeck, Director of the ACP Observatory on Migration, “unlike South-North movements, South-South migration flows have received very limited attention in the past years. Yet contrary to public perceptions, South-South migration is highly important in many regions and often takes place between neighbouring countries and those with small wage differentials. Drive factors include labour migration, family reunification, forced migration, traditional cross border flows and the effects of climate change”. The ACP Observatory on Migration will tackle existing data and information gaps by improving policy-oriented knowledge on migration flows between ACP countries. Under the Secretariat of ACP States and funded by the EDF and Switzerland, the Observatory will introduce an innovative approach to enhance research capacities in ACP countries and provide policy makers the tools to improve their action. Information will be provided to general public to improve knowledge on migration issues. Research will focus on the protection of migrants’ rights through several research topics including forced migration, labour migration, migration and health, remittances and migration and climate change. The Observatory will foster networking and cooperation between research institutions, private researchers and government agencies through a website and will conduct research to obtain currently inexistent information. The total budget for the project is 9 404 776 €. The European Union contributes with 7 994 060 €. An official ceremony will be organized in Brussels on 25-27 October 2010 to launch the Observatory. High representatives from EU and ACP institutions will be present to support the initiative, which strengthens the cooperation between European and ACP countries on migration and development. The launching ceremony will include working session and an artistic event foreseen for the 26th October 2010 where cultural and artistic creations from the ACP countries will be presented to the public.
Source: ACP Secretariat Read more Migration and development IOM
- New tools needed to relieve malaria burden in Africa, study finds
2010-08-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated that the tools currently available for combating malaria could dramatically reduce the burden of malignant malaria on parts of Africa if a comprehensive, sustained intervention programme were in place. The findings, published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine journal, are an outcome of the TRANSMALARIABLOC ('Blocking malaria transmission by vaccines, drugs and immune mosquitoes: efficacy assessment and targets') project, financed with EUR 3 million under the Health Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Substantial efforts have been put into reducing malaria transmission in Africa over the past decade. However, it has been difficult to determine exactly how effective specific interventions can be. Although several countries have reported a decline in malaria transmission, this deadly disease still poses a health burden. According to the study, half of the world's population is at risk of malaria infection, and every year it claims the lives of nearly 1 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Plasmodium falciparum, one of the species of Plasmodium that causes malaria in humans, is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes that normally bite (and inject the deadly parasites) at night. Using an advanced simulation model, the researchers were able to show that with the widespread use of durable, insecticide-permeated bednets, and the availability of artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT), a parasite threshold of 1% could be achieved in areas with low to moderate transmission of malaria, where mosquitoes tend to stay indoors.
Source: Cordis
Read more TransMalariaBloc Health and development
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Isolina BOTO CTA 39 rue Montoyer 1000 Brussels Belgium Tel 02 513 74 36 Fax 02 511 38 68 http://www.cta.int/ http://bruxelles.cta.int/
NOTE If you have questions or suggestions, please write to us at : boto@cta.int For more information on the full range of CTA activities please go to http://www.cta.int/ More information on CTA activities in Brussels at : http://brussels.cta.int/ CTA is an institution of the ACP Group of States (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) and the EU (European Union), in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and is financed by the EU. Copyright © 2009 Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU. Email:cta@cta.int The opinions expressed in the comments and analysis are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of CTA.
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