It’s predicted that by 2020 chocolate companies will be short of 1 million tons of cocoa. One solution from the world's second largest chocolate company, Mars Inc. has been to invest directly in small coca farmers in developing countries. Mars has teamed up with IFAD to provide cocoa farmers with training in new production techniques. [...]
"We have international standards regulating everything from t-shirts to toys to tomatoes. There are international regulations for furniture. That means there are common standards for the global trade in armchairs but not the global trade in arms", Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the opening of the final Arms Trade Treaty in New York today. UNTV
To export a truckload of goods out of Nepalmeans a flurry of paperwork, unbelievably treacherous mountain roads, and a border post without a proper computer system. It’s an exhausting, frustrating journey. Now there are plans to streamline the process to improve trade with India and the world. WORLD BANK
With relative calm restored after years of conflict, close to 15 flights a day now lift off or land at Mogadishu airport. But it is still not recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization due to safety and security issues. AU-UN IST
Mogadishu international seaport is bustling with activity as Somalia emerges from decades of civil war that brought this once thriving port to its knees. AU-UN IST
The United Nations today marked World Food Day by highlighting agricultural cooperatives as vital weapon in the war on poverty and hunger. FAO
The twin fears over the future of the Eurozone and the danger of theUnited Statesdropping over the fiscal cliff continue to put pressure on global growth. Confidence is further hit by a loss of momentum in key emerging and developing economies, according to an IMF report on the world economic outlook. IMF
UN agencies today called for urgent international action to prevent rising global food prices from sparking a repeat of the 2007-8 world food crisis. FILE
Irregular rains, poor agricultural practices and ongoing economic challenges have pushed Zimbabwe into an increasingly critical food security situation, the United Nations food relief agency warned this week (27 August). WFP
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today (3 July) urged Member States to work towards a binding treaty to regulate the flow of weapons and lessen the suffering caused by firearms. (UNTV IRIN)