WEF calls off Singapore summit over pandemic
The World Economic Forum cancelled a summer version of its annual meeting in Singapore and pushed its annual Davos meeting to "the first half of 2022."
Sustainable Development Goals
Many businesses, governments and organizations are committed to sustainable goals like reducing their environmental footprints and conserving resources. Sustainable finance includes environmental, social and governance considerations in investment decisions. In 2015, the U.N.'s 193 member nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Despite some progress, the U.N. says 83% of the agenda is off-track from the pandemic, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and conflict.
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Facebook-backed digital currency reboots
Facebook's global digital currency project is abandoning Switzerland as its hoped-for regulatory home and planning to launch a U.S.-based payment system.
U.S. and WTO chief push IP vaccine waiver
The United States and WTO chief backed waivers to vaccine patent protections aimed at speeding efforts to end the coronavirus pandemic.
E-commerce rises to 19% of all retail purchases
Global online sales among seven major economies jumped to almost one-fifth of all retail sales last year during the pandemic, UNCTAD reported.
E.U. pitches new measures on ESG investing
The E.U. proposed new rules that would require publicly-listed and large private companies to report information on their environmental and social impacts.
Risk of child marriage rising with pandemic
Child marriage is increasing with up to 10 million more girls at risk of becoming brides before the age of 18 due to the pandemic, UNICEF reported.
Airlines to help U.N. spread COVID-19 vaccines
Sixteen airlines joined a UNICEF-led initiative to push for speedier deliveries of coronavirus vaccines and medical supplies among more than 100 nations.
WWF says deep sea mining risks too high
Allowing mining companies to tap deep sea deposits beneath international waters poses too many underwater risks, a global environmental group reported.
Okonjo-Iweala to head WTO with U.S. backing
Nigerian-American Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is poised to become the next head of Geneva-based WTO after clinching the "strong support" of the United States.
China overtakes U.S. in new foreign investment
China surpassed the United States as the world's top recipient of foreign direct investment with inflows of US$163 billion in 2020, new UNCTAD figures show.
Virtual Davos targets pandemic-era mistrust
Thousands normally descend on Davos this time of year. But with the pandemic still raging, WEF will meet virtually to take on mistrust and division.
E.U. and China reach pact on business investment
The European Union moved to clinch a business investment deal with China despite concerns from the United States and human rights organizations.
U.K. and E.U. reach post-Brexit trade deal
Britain reached a tentative free-trade deal to lessen the chaos of its departure from the European Union, the world's biggest trading bloc.
ICJ steps into Guyana-Venezuela border dispute
ICJ ruled it has jurisdiction to settle a border dispute going back to colonial-era claims over a resources-rich jungle region between Guyana and Venezuela.
U.S. currency dispute puts IMF role in spotlight
The IMF was thrust into a dispute over currency manipulation as the U.S. accused Vietnam and Switzerland of currency manipulation.
G-20 agrees to 'common framework' for debt relief
The G-20 major economies agreed to a framework for more debt relief among poor nations, responding to appeals from humanitarian and economic leaders.