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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 : 12/11/2013 CTA Brussels Newsletter
Main events in the week
- Main Events for the Week 18/11/2013 – 24/11/2013
- The last Briefing on Farmer-driven research
- Main Events for the Week 11/11/2013 – 17/11/2013
- Brussels Briefing on Farmer-driven research on Thursday 14 November
- EDD panel: Resilience-building for improved food security & nutrition
- ACP private sector development and support strategy conference
- EU pledges €279 million for Liberia's development
- European food scientists work together on Ethiopia potato project
- EU confirms its support for West Africa's development
- Sustainable development, trade programmes on show at 4th ACP Open Day
- Launch of a new climate impacts research capacity in Africa
- Concord skeptical regarding on policy coherence for development
- EC commited to tackle instability in Sahel
- France to cancel more debt for the world’s poorest countries
- EC legally obliged to pass on a 12-year old GMO cultivation request
- Interim trade Agreement between EU and Zimbabwe
- South Africa: Poultry producers seek protection from EU dumping
- Climate change and adaptation: the case of Nigerian agriculture
- World Bank and EU pledge $8 Billion for African Sahel Projects
- EU may be importing illegally harvested timber from Congo-Brazzaville
- Galicia criticizes fisheries agreement with Mauritania
- Main Events for the Week 18/11/2013 – 24/11/2013
2013-11-20
European Parliament:
- 18-21 November: European Parliament Plenary Session
Council of the EU:
- 18-19 November: Meeting of EU Foreign and General Affairs Council
ACP Group:
- 18 November: Meeting of the ACP W/G on Private Sector - 19 November: S/C on Establishment and Finance - 20-27 November: 34th Session of the ACP PA and 26th Session of the Joint ACP-EU PA
You can also follow our new Facebook group CTABrussels and our Twitter account CTABrussels to receive up-to-date information on EU-ACP events.
- The last Briefing on Farmer-driven research
2013-11-13 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development
The last Brussels Development Briefing on the ‘Farmer-driven research to improve food and nutrition security’ was held on 14th of November, at the Jacques Delors Building (in Brussels). More than 100 participants discussed successes and shared lessons from the farmer-led agricultural research, by emphasizing its impact on the livelihood of the people and its key role to improve food and nutrition security. The event consisted of two different parts. The first provided an overview of the key concepts, challenges and opportunities for agricultural research and development (ARD) to respond to smallholders’ needs and own initiatives. It discussed what is needed to support participatory processes and enhance the capacities of farmers to innovate and develop appropriate systems of resource management to achieve food security, sustain their livelihoods and safeguard the environment using indigenous knowledge and creativity. It showed the positive trends and the needed drivers for sustained growth and inclusiveness. The second panel presented concrete examples of farmer-driven ARD successes from the field, highlighting the lessons learned and good practices of partnership between smallholders and other actors in ARD. In case you have missed it, the video recording is available here. On the page of the 34th Briefing, you may find the full programme of the event, a background research, the presentations of the speakers, the photos taken during the panels, as well as other useful information. This event marked the 34th edition of the Brussels Development Briefings – a regular event organized in Brussels by CTA – in collaboration with the European Commission, the ACP Group, and other partners – on key issues and challenges for rural development in the context of EU/ACP cooperation.
- Main Events for the Week 11/11/2013 – 17/11/2013
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation:
- 14 November: Brussels Development Briefing: Farmer-driven research to improve food and nutrition security
European Parliament:
- 11 November: European Parliament committee meetings - 14 November: European Parliament committee meetings
European Commission:
- 11 November: Leaping and Learning conference: Linking smallholders to markets
Council of the EU:
- 12-13 November: Meeting of the Political and Security Committee - 15 November: Meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN)
ACP Group:
- 11 November ACP private sector development and support strategy conference - 12 November: Bureau of the Committee of Ambassadors - 12 November: Enlarged Bureau of the Committee of Ambassadors - 12 November: Meeting of the Ad Hoc W/G on Post-2015 MDGs - 14-15 November: Committee of Ambassadors
You can also follow our new Facebook group CTABrussels and our Twitter account CTABrussels to receive up-to-date information on EU-ACP events.
- Brussels Briefing on Farmer-driven research on Thursday 14 November
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Agriculture
‘Farmer-driven research to improve food and nutrition security’ is the theme of the next Brussels Development Briefing – organized in Brussels by the Technical Centre for Agriculture (CTA), the European Commission (EC), the ACP Group, and Concord in partnership with INSARD (Including Smallholders in Agricultural Research for Development). Register and join us on Thursday 14th November 2013 at the Jacques Delors Building (in Brussels) to hear what, researchers, politicians and experts have to say on the matter. If you cannot be in Brussels on 14th of November, you can still follow the Briefing live online via webstreaming. The link will be announced on the day of the event.You can download the detailed program of the event, as well as a brief research note on the topic here. Use the form online to register, or send an email to boto@cta.int. To find more about the Briefings click here; to consult the material produced at and after the last Briefing on ‘Agricultural transformation in Africa’ click here. The Brussels Development Briefings are regular events on key issues and challenges for rural development in the context of EU/ACP cooperation. Read more Detailed program of the event Registration form
- EDD panel: Resilience-building for improved food security & nutrition
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Food Security, Food Policy, Agriculture
To improve information sharing and promote networking, the ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Pan-African Farmers’ Orgnaization (PAFO) will organise a high-level panel in Brussels on Tuesday 26 November 2013, in the context of the European Development Days. Various panelists will share their experiences and give their perspectives on the matter. Understanding the multi-faceted dimensions of food security, nutrition and resilience is crucial for combating hunger and poverty in the long term. Smallholders account for a large share of the world’s vulnerable and food-insecure populations. To reduce and manage risks, they need access to climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices, safety nets, educational opportunities, financial services and pro-poor policy environments. Investments in disease-resistant crop varieties reduce vulnerability to crop losses and improve food and nutrition security. Programmes such as cash and in-kind transfers, work-for-food and nutrition education campaigns can also help raise household income and consumption of healthy foods. The impacts of price volatility can be mitigated by safety nets, information systems, index insurance and risk management instruments. Building resilience implies anticipating the likelihood and location of shocks; promoting preventive measures; mitigating damage and encouraging recovery and restoration where damage is inevitable. The panelists, in this session co-organized by CTA and IFPRI, will share lessons and successes from past experiences in building resilience and explore policy options for the future. Speakers will come from different parts of the world, highlighting unique experiences: Joe Costello, Minister for Trade and Development, Ireland; Agnes Kalibata, Minister of Agriculture, Rwanda; Florence Chenoweth, Minister of Agriculture, Liberia; Shenggen Fan, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Insitute; Michael Hailu, Director, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation; Kalilou Sylla, Executive Secretary, ROPPA; Stephan Tanda, Managing Board Member, DSM; and Zeinab Badawi, Journalist, BBC, will be the moderator. The panel will be webstreamed and the link will be announced here in the coming days.
Read more Download the flyer
- ACP private sector development and support strategy conference
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Development Policy, Rural development, ACP-EU Trade
The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) held a one-day meeting on Monday 11 November at the ACP House in Brussels, to guide the preparation of a private sector support strategy for African, Caribbean and Pacific states and regions. The meeting brought together stakeholders from Europe and the ACP countries to discuss the initial findings of an ACP ad hoc working group and frame further work. The ad hoc working group was appointed by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors following the resolution of the ACP Council of Ministers of 5 June 2013, mandating the Committee of Ambassadors among others to develop a new Strategy for Private Sector Development Support in ACP States. This comes at a time when the European Commission is preparing a communication on “Strengthening the Role of Private Sector in Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Developing Countries” and programming of the 11th EDF is moving forward. The need for a new strategy has been made necessary by the less than satisfactory performance of private sector support in the past and also by the significant changes that have taken place in the realm of private sector development and a paradigm change in engaging the private sector for sustainable and inclusive development. Hence, there is a need for the ACP Group to adopt a new strategy for support to private sector development and a new delivery approach that is more coherent and consistent with clearly set objectives. The proposed strategy is based on the establishment of transformational partnerships within coherent and integrated frameworks of sustainable and inclusive development agenda’s, where the private sector will be engaged in ways that business and investment climates are more conducive, risks are better managed and transactions (financial and non-financial) are facilitated. To implement this proposed strategy, the establishment of one vehicle that could ensure coherence and effectiveness of actions to engage the private sector is recommended.
Source: ACP Secretariat
Read more More on the Private sector development More on the ACP Business Climate facility
- EU pledges €279 million for Liberia's development
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
The European Union announced an extension of its aid portfolio to Liberia in the tune of €279 million for Liberia for the period of 2014 - 2020 under the 11th European Development Fund, last month in Brussels. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission in a recent donor meeting in Brussels, Belgium, the EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs announced that some $8.8billion is expected to support investments that generate growth and job creation for over 300 million citizens of West Africa. For Liberia, he said the indicative funding is targeted at supporting critical development interventions including energy, education and state building initiatives. The European Commissioner who visited Liberia earlier this year said, "If we had not seen with our eyes, it would have been difficult to believe that Liberia has done so well in governance, infrastructure development and the control mechanics of the National Budget, thus reflecting true transparency and accountability public resources". During the bilateral discussions, the EU and Liberia both agreed that significant part of this amount will be allocated to Liberia through budget support (state building contracts), support the transmission and distribution of energy to increase interconnectivity and access to cheap and affordable energy, and to improve the quality of education at the primary and secondary level. Responding following the Commissioner Piebalgs disclosure, Liberia's Minister of Finance and National Authorizing Officer, Amara M. Konneh asserted that "Liberia's forward march to development and economic growth is only going to be a reality if our partners retain confidence in our governance process by allowing more aid and development assistance to be administered through the budget". He continued, "I appreciate the continued support of the European Union and its commitment to continue providing its development aid through the National Budget".
Source: AllAfrica
Read more EU supports decentralization efforts in Liberia
- European food scientists work together on Ethiopia potato project
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Agriculture
European scientists are are working together to help Ethiopia develop sustainable seed potato systems. This project, “Developing sustainable seed potato production systems for improved livelihoods” was set up as part of the new policy on international food security of the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc). If successful, the research will be disseminated to help local subsistence farmers, firstly in Ethiopia, and then across sub-Saharan Africa through a “Potato Coalition”. Teagasc is partnering on the project with Vita, the Irish NGO, Wageningen University and Research, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, the International Potato Centre, Arba Minch University and the Irish Potato Federation. The director of Teagasc, Professor Gerry Boyle is in Ethiopia to visit a pilot project. “This project is being implemented with Vita in the Chencha region of Ethiopia,” she said. “The project will empower and strengthen the local knowledge base by funding and training three Ethiopian PhD students.”
Source: Irish Examiner Read more Kenya: Dutch potato project to improve food security More on EU relations with Ethiopia
- EU confirms its support for West Africa's development
2013-11-12 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness, Archive
European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs announced new financial support for West Africa for the period 2014-2020, during a meeting with Ministers and authorities of other countries in the region, held on Tuesday 29 October 2013, to discuss the priorities to be funded during the next 7 years. This funding amounts to some €6.4 billion (subject to confirmation by the European Parliament and Council) and is expected to support investments that generate growth and job creation for 300 million citizens in West Africa. Appreciating the commitment, Commissioner Piebalgs said: "We only have to look at the challenges in areas like energy, infrastructure development and drought-driven food crises to understand that West Africa has a direct interest in our ability to address poverty eradication and sustainable development together." He added: "Our new support reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in West Africa. But we want to see the region and its countries in the driving seat - I believe working together in such a partnership we can continue making major progress towards increased development and prosperity for this region." The new funds are taking into account the new forms of implementation as set out in the Agenda for Change, the EU's blueprint to make development aid more efficient and more result-targeted, particularly through blending of funds (mixing grants and loans). Source: AllAfrica
Read more ECOWAS-EU political dialogue: food security and political stability The Economic Community Of West African States
- Sustainable development, trade programmes on show at 4th ACP Open Day
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Archive, Aid effectiveness
The 4th Open Day of the Sustainable Economic Development and Trade (SEDT) division took place at the ACP House in Brussels on October 30th 2013 and showcased more than 15 EU-funded programmes dealing with sustainable growth in ACP countries, among which the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) . Following the opening remarks of the Assistant Secretary General Mr Achille Bassilekin III and of Mr Denis Salord, Head of Unit at DG DEVCO dealing with Sub-Saharan Africa and ACP-wide regional programmes, emphasizing the efficiency of these Programmes in supporting ACP Member States and regions, the CTA presented its main achievements and forthcoming programmes, generating a high interest among the participants. A number of other organizations and programmes, among which, the Centre for the Development of Enterprise, the ACP EU Technical Barriers to Trade programme, the Intra-ACP programme to support the Global Climate Change Alliance, the ACP-EU Microfinance Framework, ACP-EU Energy Facility, and the Competitive Industries and Innovation Programme, also introduced their strategy, activity and results. However due to its specific focus on Agricultural and Rural development, CTA has generated a special interest among the participants, raising various questions and requesting further information. A large number of CTA’s materials and publication were also offered making our stand one of the most popular of the day. The event was especially welcome as the European Development Fund (EDF) nears the start of its new cycle for the 2014-2020 period. Mr Denis Salord underlined the importance of the Intra-ACP funding instrument, worth EUR 3.5 billion under EDF 11, targeted at intra-ACP and inter-regional cooperation programmes as well as financing the ACP-EU joint institutions. This includes all the programmes on show at the Open Day. Mr Salord said that since 2008, the ACP and EU have collaborated strongly make the Intra-ACP instrument strategic, focused and results-oriented.
Source: ACP Press and CTA
Read more More about CTA
- Launch of a new climate impacts research capacity in Africa
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Climate change
A sub-Saharan Africa research program was recently launched by the Department for International Development (DFID). This program will be a 5-year climate impact research capacity building program for Climate Impacts Research Capacity and Leadership Enhancement (CIRCLE). The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) has implemented this project to strengthen institutional research and providing 100 research fellowships from 2013-2018. CIRCLE will identify 60 post-PhD and 40 post MSc candidates from selected “home institutions” to undertake structured research skills development through supervised placement in Africa-based “host research institutions.” This will be done in hope to increase the weak existing research capabilities in the areas of climate science and climate change impacts. The research themes will consist of energy, water, agriculture, health, livelihoods, and the political economy of dealing with climate change impacts. DFID views the project as a way of building the capacity of the pan-African scientific institution (AAS).
Source: African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Read more More about the African Academy of Sciences More about the Department for International Development
- Concord skeptical regarding on policy coherence for development
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness, Archive
Concord recently published a spotlight report on the European Union (EU) policies dealing with development, food security, climate change, and natural resources against the Lisbon Treaty’s provision on Policy Coherence and Development (PCD). These provisions should ensure that the policies of the EU are centered on battling poverty across the world. The report found that the institutional tools put toward correcting poor policies are ineffective in both gathering data and delivering PCD. Less than twenty percent of assessments done by the EU show any impact on development. While individual member states have functioning PCD institutions, no one state can deliver political commitment, clear objectives, or strategies in effective ways to reach specific goals. Additionally, the report stated that there are inconsistencies between the objectives set out by the EU and the policies that were put in place to address climate change, food security, natural resources, and climate change. Concord recommends changes to the EU’s policies so that the world’s poorest will more directly benefit.
Source: Concord Read more More about Concord
- EC commited to tackle instability in Sahel
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness, Archive, Development Policy
During a visit to Bamako, last week, European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs ,UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and World Bank President Jim Kong Kim pledged some €5 billion ($8 billion) to contribute to the region's stability. The European Commission (EC) will assign specific funds to help tackle instability in the Sahel. Most of the funding will come under the European Development Fund, €3.9 billion between 2014 and 2020. Other regional instruments should help to raise an additional €1.15 billion. This strategy is built on the belief that development and security are inter-related and that the Sahel's complexity means that it requires multiple responses. Between 2007 and 2013, the EC allocated €827 million to the region, which is significantly less than what is expected for the next period, from 2014 to 2020. However, the funds were only released in October 2012, the very last year of the budget period.
Source: EurActiv
Read more A long-term effort to build resilience in Sahel
- France to cancel more debt for the world’s poorest countries
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness, Archive
Foreign debt cancellations might reach new highs in France's 2014 development aid budget, with Somalia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Ivory Coast and Sudan expecting a complete deletion of their national debt, Euractiv informs. France carries more debt from the 'most indebted poor countries' than any other country. The government is expected cancel €1.79 billion of foreign debt in its 2014 budget, up from €607 million the year before. This represents 16% of France's total development aid budget for next year, €9.8 billion. The countries in the debt cancellation programme continue to pay their debt back to France but when the refund is done, France transfers the corresponding amount back by allocating it to programmes to fight poverty. "In 2014, an estimated five countries could see their debt completely erased: Somalia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Ivory Coast and Sudan," Benoît Hamon, Minister in charge of the social economy , said. “The debt relief is almost immediate, since we are transferring loans made in the past into donations". Anti-poverty groups appreciated the increase of debt cancellation, but they still have some criticisms regarding French foreign aid. So far, France has not allocated more than 0.46% of its gross national income to development , despite its commitment to reach 0.7% by 2015. However Hamon said that the French support to development aid would reach 0.7% “as soon as the economic climate improves”. He underlined that France was “far from countries like Spain or the Netherlands which have drastically cut into the development aid budgets because of the crisis”.
Source: EurActiv Read more Piebalgs presses EU nations to live up to aid promises France signs €326m contract with Cameroon
- EC legally obliged to pass on a 12-year old GMO cultivation request
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Food Security, Agriculture
European ministers need to decide whether to approve the cultivation of variety of genetically modified organisms (GMO), after the European Commission (EC) was legally obliged to pass on the 12-year-old request. The EC passed the decision on to the European Council of Ministers on Wednesday 6 November after the EU General Court ruled last month that it had failed to act on a 2001 request by European ministers to cultivate the genetically modified maize, Pioneer-DuPont’s 1507. European Health Commissioner Tonio Borg said: “Duty bound to comply with the ruling of the Court, the Commission has decided today to send a draft decision of authorization of the maize 1507 to the Council.” The EC will be legally forced to approve the cultivation of GMO crop if ministers do not reach a majority for or against the decision, as the request came before the 2007 revision of EU decision-making procedures. Borg said the delay showed the need for better EU-wide rules governing the cultivation of GMO crops. “The Court's decision on maize 1507 confirms the urgency of reconciling strict and predictable European authorization rules for GMO cultivation, with fair consideration of national contexts.” He called for dialogue between the European Commission, Parliament and Council, to reach a firm decision on the maize. Pioneer-DuPont developed 1507 to cultivate maize resistant to specific harmful moth larvae, such as the European corn borer. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) had cleared the 1507 genetically modified maize for human and animal consumption six times. Up to now, EU countries against GMO crops have been able to use a safeguard clause to prevent their cultivation.
Source: Euractiv
Read more EU commission passes the buck on GM maize GMOs – implications for trade and developing countries
- Interim trade Agreement between EU and Zimbabwe
2013-11-11 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
Trade between Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) doubled since the transition to multi-currencies in 2009, reaching a total of US$800 million as at end of 2012, with the terms of trade being US$200 million in Zimbabwe’s favour, The Zimbabwe Independent reports. Harare ratified the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and Eastern and Southern African countries, giving the country huge opportunities to export products to Europe, duty free and quota free. It means that Zimbabwe can export as many products as it can, provided they meet the EU quality standards. Although the trade agreement, which President Robert Mugabe signed on 13th March 2012, also offers the EU access to the Zimbabwean market, it prevents Europe from bringing in products which threaten the viability of local industries and the livelihoods of the majority of the people. In addition, the agreement has safeguard clauses allowing Zimbabwe to protect infant industries, ensure food security and rural development or any other production in the event of market disturbances by imports.
Source: Zimbabwe Independent Read more More on EU-Zimbabwe Trade More on Economic Partnership Agreements
- South Africa: Poultry producers seek protection from EU dumping
2013-11-08 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Agriculture, Food Policy
The South African poultry industry is requesting the government to impose an anti-dumping duty of 91% on Germany and the Netherlands, along with a similar duty of 58% on the UK, to prevent the dumping of frozen bone-in chicken portions in countries belonging to the Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland). The push by the South African Poultry Association for anti-dumping duties on the three European countries comes after the September increase in import tariffs on five categories of imported chicken products, targeting mainly Brazilian imports. Following this tariff increase, announced last month, importers from South Africa and exporters from South America had predicted a shift towards EU chicken products. South Africa does not impose duties on members of the European Union (EU) because of a trade and co-operation agreement signed in 2001. The International Trade Administration Commission announced last month that it would be investigating anti-dumping claims against the three trading partners since the South African Poultry Association presented it with information that indicates a prima facie case of harm to the local industry. Trade, competition and applied economics firm Econex said in its October research note that chicken imports from Germany had grown 487% from 2008 until last year. Imports from the Netherlands had risen 397% and those from the UK had risen 401% in the same period. Econex described the imposition of higher tariffs as "protectionist policies", saying the costs to consumers were large and fell disproportionately on the poor. The company’s research showed that the poorest 10% of South Africans spend 15% of their household income on chicken.
Source: Business Day live Read more Tariff increases on imported chicken in South Africa
- Climate change and adaptation: the case of Nigerian agriculture
2013-11-06 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Agriculture
The Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC) issued a Research Paper on "Climate change and adaptation: the case of Nigerian agriculture"which presents an economic assessment of climate change impacts on the four major crop families characterizing Nigerian agriculture, covering more than 80% of agricultural value added. The paper reports that climate change turns to be unambiguously negative for Nigeria in the medium term with production losses, increase in crop prices, higher food dependency on foreign imports and GDP losses in all the simulations after 2025. The paper also offers a cost effectiveness analysis of adaptation in Nigeria agriculture which considers a mix of cheaper “soft measures” and more costly “hard” irrigation expansion. The main result of the paper is that cost effectiveness of the whole package crucially depends on the possibility to implement adaptation exploiting low cost opportunities. In this case all climate change damages can be offset with a benefit cost ration larger than one in all the climate regimes. Expensive irrigation expansion should however be applied on a much more limited acreage compared with soft measures. If adaptation costs are those of the high end estimates, full adaptation ceases to be cost/effective. This points out the need of a careful planning and implementation of adaptation, irrespectively on the type, looking for measures apt to control its unit cost. Political, trade and cooperation relations between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria are built on the 2000 Cotonou Agreement (ACP-EU Partnership Agreement), last revised in 2010. In 2009, they signed the "Nigeria-EU Joint Way Forward" political framework, which lay down detailed plans for intensifying dialogue and cooperation. As a result the EU and Nigeria now have regular political dialogues that cover a wide range of issues including human rights, trade and climate change.
Source: Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC) Read more Download the full paper EU Relations with Nigeria
- World Bank and EU pledge $8 Billion for African Sahel Projects
2013-11-06 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
The World Bank and the European Union (EU) decided to invest around $8 billion in hydro power, agriculture and health projects in Africa’s Sahel. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said that “the people of the Sahel region desperately need more secure living standards and our hope is this funding helps build a new path for economic growth in the region,”. Kim arrived in Senegal on Monday 4 November with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. They are to visit and meet with the presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad later throughout the week. European Union (EU) Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is also part of these meetings. Businessweek reports that the World Bank plan to give $1.5 billion over the next two years to expand renewable-energy sources and health services in the area below the Sahara desert that covers parts of Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso. The investment includes $585 million in guarantees for a gas project in Mauritania. Funds from the EU are meant to strengthen security and stability as well as governance and rule of law in the countries in the area, according to the statement.
Source: Businessweek Read more A long-term effort to build resilience in Sahel More on the World Bank
- EU may be importing illegally harvested timber from Congo-Brazzaville
2013-11-06 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been tracking timber, especially of the illegally felled variety, from Congo-Brazzaville through the import process to the European Union (EU). Through the investigation for their Panorama program, journalists have discovered that the new EU’s regulations on timber imports do not stop illegally harvested wood from entering Europe. In 2012, so many logs were exported from the Congo that the government imposed an export ban. Multiple companies and harvesting zones were affected by the new ban. Each log that harvested is marked with the region of origin and with the name of the company to which it belongs. Over the course of the BBC’s research, some markings denoting the zone of origin had been modified, suggesting that those logs were harvested and exported illegally. The BBC had asked companies why the marks on the timber was modified, but they never responded with clarification beyond an excuse of human error.
Source: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Read more New rules to combat illegal logging in the EU More on Timber regulation in the EU
- Galicia criticizes fisheries agreement with Mauritania
2013-11-06 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Regional Fisheries
The Xunta de Galicia expressed negative consideration of the approval of the fisheries agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mauritania in the European Parliament (EP). The Galician Government argues that cutting off the cephalopod fleet activity and will have negative impact on the Galician economy and the life of the workers and their families. In addition, Galician authorities had stated that it was too costly for the yield obtained. On several occasions The Galician Government tried to prevent the pact between the EU and Mauritania from being ratified. Shortly before the vote was cast at the European Parliament, the Minister for Rural and Marine Affairs of Galicia, Rosa Quintana, met with Fisheries Secretary General Magrama, Carlos Dominguez, and industry representatives from all fishing modes and autonomous communities to discuss common goals that would benefit all Spanish vessels. Spanish officials also met with members of the European Parliament of Spain members to explain why the bilateral fisheries agreement should not be ratified but they failed to convince the Parliament. Now Galician authority expects that the EU will take into account the cephalopod vessels as negotiations on the new agreement re-starts with Mauritania. It had also called for new common goals to be established, as well as fishing grounds for the fleet.
Source: International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) Read more
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Ms Isolina BOTO Head CTA Brussels Office 39 rue Montoyer 1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel: +32 (0) 2 513 74 36 (direct); Fax +32 (0) 2 511 38 68 E-mail: boto@cta.int Website: http://www.cta.int/ Brussels weblog: http://brussels.cta.int/ Brussels Briefings: http://brusselsbriefings.net/
Editor: Etienne GOFFIN (goffin@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 © 2011 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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