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AN INTRODUCTION TO IISD'S ECONOMIC LAW AND POLICY PROGRAM
The overarching objective of IISD's Economic Law and Policy Program is to reform economic policies in order to advance sustainable and equitable development. Our geographically and intellectually diverse team of experts work to enhance the capacities of developing country officials, expand the overall understanding of critical issues and push for systemic reforms.
Our work is focused on investment law and policy, mining, agricultural investment, public procurement and infrastructure finance and voluntary standards.
In this newsletter we would like to highlight some recent projects, publications and events. We welcome your feedback and the opportunity to engage with you further.
Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Group Director, Economic Law and Policy Program
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STANDARDS AND BIODIVERSITY
Sustainable agriculture practices must be widely implemented in order to stem an alarming loss of biodiversity and to protect endangered species, according to the latest report by IISD's State of Sustainability Initiatives.
Agricultural production currently accounts for 40 per cent of global land surface and is responsible for 70 per cent of projected losses in terrestrial biodiversity due to widespread land conversion, pollution and soil degradation. Growing demand for certified products presents a major opportunity to protect our natural resources, conserve critical habitats, protect soil and water quality, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Standards and Biodiversity argues that market forces are not enough and offers a host of policy recommendations.
Read more on the report's dedicated webpage where you can download the full report and read a related policy brief and blog.
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REDESIGNED INVESTMENT TREATY NEWS WEBSITE
We are pleased to present the new Investment Treaty News website, which has been redesigned to improve access to the depth of analysis contained in our flagship journal. ITN has offered news, analysis and opinions on international investment law and its implications for sustainable development since 2001.
- The site is now available in English, French and Spanish.
- An enhanced search function allows for easy access to news, scholarly articles and summaries of awards and decisions sorted by topic, sector, instrument and country or organization.
- An events calendar offers a comprehensive list of conferences and training opportunities.
We hope you will take a moment to peruse the new site. Highlights of the June issue includes an examination of whether an expansion of the Energy Charter to Africa and Asia is undoing reform in international investment law and how investment law could hinder much-needed reforms such as OECD efforts to tackle corporate measures aimed at shifting profits to no- or low-tax destinations.
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HISTORIC NEW LAW SECURES LAND FOR MALIAN FARMERS
Farmers in Mali have gained critical new rights to their traditional land—and rural communities have gained much-needed economic stability—as a result of a historic new law. This is the first time in the legislative history of Mali that a law was specifically enacted to deal with agricultural land and it represents a critical moment for rural communities in Mali.
We are proud that IISD Associate Mohamed Coulibaly played a role in making this law a reality.
Mohamed, a lawyer and assistant professor at the University of Bamako, dedicated more than six years of his life to ensure that the law reflected both international best practices and the needs of Malian farmers.
"We have succeeded in creating a new legal framework that strengthens customary land rights, improves governance, strengthens the rights of women, and makes it easier for rural people to understand laws and processes," Mohamed wrote in a blog.
Click here to learn more about the agricultural investment team's activities and subscribe to their newsletter.
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IGF RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT,
ASSESSMENTS FOR MONGOLIA AND SURINAME
The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) recently released its first annual report, which describes its objectives and outlines its achievements, and published Mining Policy Framework assessment reports for Suriname and Mongolia. Membership has now expanded to 59 countries, with the recent addition of Ecuador, Somalia and Cambodia, and we recently announced a partnership with APEC's Mine Task Force.
As the Secretariat of the IGF, we are also busy preparing for the IGF's 13th Annual General Meeting which convenes October 16-20, 2017 in Geneva and will be hosted by UNCTAD at the Palais des Nations.
For more information please visit the IGF website and subscribe to its newsletter.
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INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE GAP: USD 1.5 TRILLION A YEAR
With the annual infrastructure financing gap reaching more than USD 1.5 trillion globally, the issue of financing for sustainable infrastructure projects, green financing and climate financing, etc., is coming to the forefront of policy discussions.
We recently published two blogs on the topic. The first argues that designing an optimal risk-sharing protocol at the project-development phase is the crux of ensuring bankability. The second examines the role multilateral development banks should play in financing infrastructure in order to avoid crowding out institutional investors.
Read more on ELP's work on sustainable public procurement and infrastructure finance here.
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