After more than two years of negotiations, only in part affected by the outbreak of Covid-19, on 3 December 2020 the chief negotiators from the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) reached a political deal on a new partnership to succeed the Cotonou Agreement for (at least) the next twenty years. This lengthy negotiation period was preceded by an equally long and contentious preparation process leading to the adoption of the two negotiation mandates.
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Pubblication
Until a few years ago, one might have asked what does "development" have to do with the OECD, an organisation seen as the "Club of Rich Countries"? In fact, “development” is in the name of the organisation itself - the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. However, the meaning attached to the word has changed over 60 years of history. To understand this journey, I will outline three different phases.
14 December 2020
Pubblication
Russia has a long history of prioritizing space power and today, more than ever, Russia’s emphasis on national security space activity is growing. The world should take note of Russia’s quietly growing capabilities and develop strategies for how to protect space for the benefits and in the interests of all countries. The response to Russia’s current behavior should be informed by an understanding of their past behavior and current motivations and potential vulnerabilities.
11 December 2020
Pubblication
As Egypt approaches the ten-year anniversary of uprisings against former president Hosni Mubarak, wins and losses of the past decade have come into a clear focus. The military, above all, has emerged as a political “winner”, having resumed its control over Egypt’s executive and, increasingly, legislative and judicial branches, as well as its much-discussed expansion into the economy.
06 December 2020
Pubblication
The rise of civic activism in Belarus shows the intricacies of developing civil society and political opposition in a country that has seen the former discouraged and the latter quashed. The decentralised nature of civic action is its greatest strength, but also its great weakness.
04 December 2020
Pubblication
By 2050, 68% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities, with almost 90% of the growth in urban population happening in Asia and Africa. Facing rapid urbanization, governments are increasingly adopting smart city initiatives as solutions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities. ICT-based urban management has the potential to maximize the benefits of agglomeration, while minimizing negative impacts like pollution.
27 November 2020
Pubblication
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore an urgent need that first emerged in 2018, at the beginning of the trade war between the United States and China: the need to reform the organisation of the WTO. Unfortunately, it has also complicated the choice of possible alternatives. The G20, which has incorporated a Trade and Investment Working Group since 2016, is now urgently examining the implications of the pandemic for international trade and investment.
20 November 2020
Pubblication
As the G20 approaches its Riyadh Summit about a month from now, the world is wondering if it can cope with the unprecedented, proliferating array of health, economic, social and sustainability crises that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought.
20 November 2020
Pubblication
Recently, China launched a series of ballistic (“aircraft-carrier killer”) missiles in the disputed South China Sea (SCS) region. The missile launching took place at a time when US-China tensions and confrontation in the strategic waterway reached a new height and a few months after the US’ latest rejection of China’s claims over maritime jurisdictions. Beijing’s claims in the SCS have been sweeping, encompassing nearly the entire region.
16 November 2020
Pubblication
The most recent European policies promoted by the current Commission, and the opportunities arising from the availability of the Next Generation EU recovery instrument of €750 billion, have put the topic of urban renewal back in the spotlight of continental and national debates. This isn’t surprising at this point in time because since the end of the XIX century urban renewal practices have been master tools on which to boost the economic performance and social sustainability of a community by enhancing the urban fabric and buildings
16 November 2020