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During the G20 London Summit on 2 April, world leaders pledged to support developing countries in their efforts to combat the negative effects the economic crisis is having on these vulnerable populations, many of which are in the ACP. Now that the meeting has concluded, many are asking, what now?
This May issue of Trade Negotiations Insights is a special edition focussing on the global economic crisis and its affects, particularly in light of the G20 London Summit and the ambitious pledges from heads of state. Here, Augosto LopezClaros discusses whether the outcomes of the G20 meeting should be viewed as a success or a disappointment, and whether reforms of the Bretton Woods institutions have gone far enough; The Overseas Development Institute elaborates on their ongoing research on quantifying the impact the crisis is having on developing countries; Eveline Herfkens examines how deficits in the global governance system are especially crippling in light of the present situation and could set back development for decades to come; and Sanya Reid Smith considers certain provisions in the EPAs, notably on trade in services, that may impact the ability of countries to respond to the crisis.
TNI’s lead interview with UK Minister of Trade and Development Gareth Thomas opens the first in a new series of articles on Aid for Trade – a critical issue as ACP countries build their trading capacities while the economic crisis threatens to bring cuts to Donor aid budgets.
Finally, moving slightly away from the economic crisis, this May issue also contains a European Commission response to an article published by TNI in February 2009 entitled “Undercutting Africa: Why EPAs threaten the world’s forest and forest peoples.”
How the world will respond to the crisis will determine whether the development progress made in developing countries over the past several years will bounce back, sustain itself, or even grow. As discussed throughout this issue, itis evident that clear objectives and coherent trade and development policies are now more important than ever.
This is also a special issue as it is the last one edited by Cailtin Zaino. The TNI team, ECDPM and ICTSD wish her well! Her dedicated contribution will be dearly missed.
As always, feedback is welcomed and can be sent to Aurelie Walker (aw@ecdpm.org). We hope that you will enjoy this May issue of TNI!
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