AFRICA'S INFRASTRUCTURE: A TIME FOR TRANSFORMATION

(AU, AfDB, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Infrastructure Consortium for Africa, NEPAD, and the World Bank, 2009)

This report indicates that Africa has the weakest infrastructure in the world, and in some countries in Africa people often pay twice as much for basic services as elsewhere. The report looks at four sectors, including energy, water, transport, and ICT, which are critical to promote economic growth and reduce poverty. The report suggests that US$93 billion is needed to improve Africa's infrastructure, with half of the investments to facilitate access to energy. The report.

RETHINKING SCHOOL FEEDING: SOCIAL SAFETY NETS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, AND THE EDUCATION SECTOR

(World Bank and WFP, 2009)

This report, by the World Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP), demonstrates evidence that school feeding and other food-based safety net programs are vital to keeping children in school, improving their learning and health, and promoting food security. The report provides guidance on how to develop and implement effective school feeding programs, including on how to link school feeding to agricultural development through the purchase and use of locally and domestically produced food. The report.

THE STATE OF THE WORLD'S CHILDREN 2009

(UNICEF, 2009)

This report, the flagship publication of the UN Children's Fund, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It highlights the progress achieved by the Convention in realizing children's rights. It acknowledges the mounting evidence on the impact of climate change on health, water security and food production and that 18 violent conflicts since 1990 have involved struggle for resources. The report indicates that while climate change and population growth will exacerbate the competition for resources and access to vital services, it is important that children and women are key partners in identifying solutions. The report.

THE WAY FORWARD: RESEARCHING THE ENVIRONMENT AND MIGRATION NEXUS

(UNU-IEHS, 2009)

This brief, written by Marc Stal and Koko Warner and published by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-IEHS), focuses on the links and implications of climate change and environmental degradation for migration and policy. It recommends that research should focus on providing best practice solutions as well as a set of options to manage the impacts of environmentally induced, in particular climate-related, migration. The brief.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENDER JUSTICE
(Oxfam, 2009)
Edited by Geraldine Terry with Caroline Sweetman, this book considers how gender issues are entwined with people's vulnerability to the effects of climate change, and how gender identities and roles may affect women's and men's perceptions of the changes. The book.

PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: SUCCESS STORIES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY
(FAO, November 2009)
This report, by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlights good practices on reducing hunger, transforming the agriculture sector, and enhancing smallholder productivity. The report notes that 85 percent of farms are less than 2 hectares, and emphasizes the importance of a strategy that supports smallholder farmers to fight hunger and poverty. Examples of countries that have developed innovative approaches to empowering and supporting smallholders are provided. The report.

TRACKING PROGRESS ON CHILD AND MATERNAL NUTRITION: A SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY
(UNICEF, November 2009)
This report, published by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), emphasizes that undernutrition jeopardizes children's survival, health, growth and development, and it slows national progress towards development goals. The report also states that household food security, often influenced by such factors as poverty, drought and other emergencies, has an important role in determining the state of child and maternal nutrition in many countries. The report.

UNVEILING SOCIAL SAFETY NETS
(WFP, November 2009)
This paper, by the World Food Programme, examines and clarifies the concepts of social protection and safety net systems, noting that social protection is a broader concept. The paper points out the need to integrate work on social protection within the broader climate change and disaster risk reduction frameworks. The paper.

CROP PROSPECTS AND FOOD SITUATION
(FAO, November 2009)
This report, published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), states that, despite a good cereal harvest in 2009, food prices still remain high for poor countries that are net importers, and 31 countries around the world require external assistance because of critical food insecurity. The report notes that, in the group of 77 Low-Income Food-Deficit countries, food prices remain significantly higher than in the pre-food price crisis period of two years earlier, which continues to give rise to concern for the food security of vulnerable populations. The report.

FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURAL MITIGATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: OPTIONS FOR CAPTURING SYNERGIES
(FAO, October 2009)
This paper, by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), explores potential synergies between food security, adaptation and climate change mitigation from land-based agricultural practices in developing countries. The paper calls for a holistic vision of food security, agricultural mitigation, adaptation and development in order to maximize synergies and minimize trade-offs. It recommends that a work programme on agriculture to be initiated within the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), in collaboration with FAO, and the roll-out of country-led pilots to build readiness, confidence and capacity for implementation of nationally appropriate agricultural mitigation action. The paper.

ROADMAP FOR RECOVERY TOURISM & TRAVEL: A PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY
(UNWTO, October 2009)
This roadmap, endorsed by the 18th session of the World Tourism Organization General Assembly (UNWTO), underscores the importance of the sector for job creation, trade and development, and highlights that tourism should be integrated into national, regional and international regulations that encourage green economy strategies. It also highlights the importance of promoting a green tourism culture in supplies, consumers and communities. The roadmap.

ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE AND INVESTMENT REPORT 2009: TRADE-LED RECOVERY AND BEYOND
(UNESCAP, October 2009)
This report looks at the validity of the trade-led development model in Asia-Pacific, and the lessons the crisis has revealed to make development more inclusive and sustainable in the years ahead. It examines how regional integration contributes to development, and whether private enterprise should continue to pursue business-as-usual. The report also emphasizes the need improve access to green technologies and services that help countries mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and use resources in a sustainable manner. The report.

UNDP CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
(UNDP, October 2009)
This newsletter, published by the UN Development Programme, highlights the support the organization is providing to 75 countries in the development of national, sub-national and community level capacities to adapt and build their resilience against climate change risks. So far, UNDP is supporting the implementation of projects and programs of over US$800 million, including grants and co-financing resources. The newsletter.

WORLD SURVEY ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT 2009
(UN Secretariat, October 2009)

This survey focuses on women's control over economic resources and access to financial resources, including microfinance. It highlights that population growth, climate change, the spread of markets and urbanization have created new opportunities and new challenges in women's access to land, housing and other productive resources. The report.

CLIMATE CHANGE CONNECTIONS
(UNFPA and WEDO, October 2009)
This resource kit, prepared by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), focuses on gender and population and advocates that women are uniquely positioned as innovators, educators, caretakers, leaders and agents of change to address the risks of a changing climate. The resource kit provides policy guidance, finance, adaptation plans, advocacy tools and best practices on how increasing education opportunities for girls, economic opportunities for women, access to reproductive health and family planning can reduce vulnerability to climate change. The resource kit.

WATER RELATED MIGRATION, CHANGING LAND USE AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
(UNU and UNW-DPC, October 2009)
This publication, prepared by the United Nations University and the UN-Water Decade Programme on Capacity Development, focuses on one of the themes from the World Water Forum held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 17-18 March 2009: it aims to contribute to the understanding of rural to rural, rural to urban and cross-border migration in the face of water scarcity. The publication.

THE STATE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE WORLD 2009: ECONOMIC CRISIS – IMPACTS AND LESSONS LEARNED
(FAO and WFP, October 2009)
This report, prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme, examines the impacts of the food and economic crises and estimates that the number of hungry will exceed one billion this year. The report notes that almost all of the world's undernourished live in developing countries, aggravated by a weak global food security governance system. The report calls for urgent reform and increased investments. The report.

INVESTMENT: THE CHALLENGE
(FAO, October 2009)
This discussion paper was prepared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization for the High Level Expert's Forum on How to Feed the World in 2050, which convened at FAO headquarters from 12-13 October 2009. The paper notes that agricultural investment needs to increase by about 50 percent a year in order to feed over nine billion people in 2050. The paper estimates that one-third of the resources would be needed to feed China and India, and sub-Saharan Africa would require about US$11 billion. The paper also notes that primary areas for investments include crops and livestock production, storage facilities, market facilities and food processing. The paper.

WOMEN, GENDER EQUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(UN WomenWatch, September 2009)

This factsheet, prepared by UN WomenWatch, focuses on gender perspectives of climate change. The factsheet features the work of the entire UN system on gender equality and climate change and provides comprehensive information for advocacy, research and programming for governments, NGOs, United Nations entities, global and regional bodies, academia, women's groups and networks and interested individuals on the topic. The factsheet.

THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS REPORT 2009
(UN Secretariat, 2009)
This report summarizes progress towards the eight Millennium Development Goals across the regions. It warns that, despite the successes of some developing countries, overall progress has been too slow in order to meet the goals by 2015. It notes that the food crisis has reversed a two-decade positive trend toward eliminating hunger. In addition, it notes that delays in delivering aid, combined with the impacts of the financial crisis and climate change, are slowing MDG progress. The report.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, WEATHERING THE STORM
(IMF, October 2009)
This report, released by the International Monetary Fund, notes that although sub-Saharan African countries have been hit hard by the global recession, signs of resilience remain. The report indicates that South Africa and some other middle-income countries have been affected by international financial markets, and oil exporters had revenues reduced. However, some countries with wider natural commodity bases have so far escaped the worst of the crisis. The report also indicates that, with many households affected by the crisis, progress toward the Millennium Development Goals has reversed. The report.

MDG GAP TASK FORCE 2009 REPORT: STRENGTHENING THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT IN A TIME OF CRISIS
(UNDP and UNDESA, September 2009)
This report was launched by the MDG Gap Task Force, which was created by the UN Secretary-General to improve the monitoring of Millennium Development Goal 8 (MDG 8). The report indentifies a gap of US$35 billion per year in the delivery of the pledge made by the G-8 countries at the Gleneagles Summit in 2005, including US$20 billion in aid to Africa. The report also points out an ODA coverage gap in distribution, noting that most of the aid increase has gone to countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The report.

CHARTING A NEW LOW-CARBON ROUTE TO DEVELOPMENT
(UNDP, September 2009)
This primer on integrated climate change planning for regional governments seeks to advance the integration of climate change into development work, arguing that the full engagement of sub-national authorities is important to move the climate change and development agendas forward. It suggests that taking the necessary action to tackle climate change will meet with stronger public consensus and be more effective if it helps address local development issues, such as the provision of basic services, greater energy and food security, and employment. It addresses options that, when tailored to specific circumstances, could help balance the pursuit of both climate change mitigation and the investments needed to accelerate poverty reduction and development. The primer.

TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2009
(UNCTAD, 2009)
The Trade and Development Report 2009, by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) addresses both how to respond to the global economic crisis and the role of climate change mitigation in development. The report suggests innovation in support of climate change mitigation is not fundamentally different from other innovation activities, but since climate change mitigation is increasingly recognized as a public good, innovation also calls for direct government intervention. The report.

REPORT OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO THE 64TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(UNHCHR, September 2009)
This report focuses on the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It indicates that since the resolution by the Human Rights Council, OHCHR has completed a study on the immediate and far-reaching threats of climate change to the protection of human rights of people and communities around the world. The report notes that the study has provided thus far guidance to international debates on the inter-linkage between climate change and human rights, including the impact of climate change on specific human rights and on particularly vulnerable populations.  The report.

REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOME OF THE UN-HABITAT AND STRENGTHENING OF THE UN-HABITAT PROGRAMME
(UN Secretariat, September 2009)
This report describes the activities of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) over the past year in implementing the outcome of the UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II). The report identifies the achievements and challenges, and charts the way forward towards achieving sustainable urban development in an increasingly urbanized world.

The report emphasizes the following areas of the organization's work: (a) affordable housing finance systems in the face of the global economic and financial crisis and climate change; (b) strengthening the development of urban youth; (c) access to basic services for all; (d) South-South cooperation in human settlements; (e) the World Urban Forum; and (f) the governance structure of UN-Habitat. The report.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE GAZA STRIP FOLLOWING THE ESCALATION OF HOSTILITIES IN DECEMBER 2008-JANUARY 2009
(UNEP, September 2009)
This report examines the environmental situation in the Gaza Strip and provides recommendations for remediation of environmental damage caused by the recent escalation of hostilities. It identifies as a top priority the protection of underground water supplies, which are in danger of collapse as a result of years of over-use and contamination that have been exacerbated by the recent conflict. The report.

RIGHTS-BASED APPROACHES: EXPLORING ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSERVATION
(Center for International Forestry Research, IUCN, 2009)
This publication contributes to the ongoing discussion regarding the relation between conservation and human rights, exploring questions and concepts relating to rights-based approaches to conservation. Case studies address natural resource management in Colombia, water management in the Middle East, a human rights approach to conservation and development in the Cape Floristic Region in South Africa, a Sherpa community conserved area in the Mount Everest in Nepal, and integrating a gender approach in ABS governance. The publication.

WORLD ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY 2009: PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT, SAVING THE PLANET
(UNDESA, 2009)
This report, a flagship publication from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), argues that global inequality and climate change should be addressed together. The report argues that low-emissions, high-growth pathways for development are both feasible and necessary and notes that the separation of the climate change and development agendas has distorted the global debate on the two biggest policy challenges facing the international community. The report calls for an integrated approach based on the concept of sustainable development. The report.

WORLD SURVEY ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT
(UN Secretariat, 2009)
This report focuses on emerging development issues that have an impact on the role of women in the economy, including: macroeconomics and women's economic empowerment; access to full employment and decent work; access to land, housing and other productive resources; access to financial services; and access to social protection. The report also highlights the productive role of women, including agriculture and the management of natural resources at the household and community levels, and the fact that their knowledge can contribute to adapting livelihood strategies to changing environmental realities due to climate change and the food and energy crisis. The report.

TEN STORIES THE WORLD SHOULD HEAR MORE ABOUT
(UN DPI, 2009)
These ten stories, published by the UN Department of Public Information, focus on events that happened in 2008. The stories address, inter alia, the global food crisis and economic turmoil; the importance of climate change adaptation ; space debris threatening sustainable use of outer space; and the struggle for survival of Colombia's indigenous people. The stories.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
(WFP, 2009)
The annual report of the World Food Programme (WFP) highlights that, in 2008, the organization faced many challenges provoked by rising food and fuel prices and aggravated by the widespread crisis in the international financial system. According to the report, the number of undernourished people in the world increased in 2008 to 963 million, an increase of 115 million over the past two years. The report.

WORLD COMMODITY TRENDS AND PROSPECTS
(UNCTAD, 2009)
This report, published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), describes historical trends for the commodity market. The report indicates that commodity prices reached their peak by mid-2008 and started a downward spiral triggered by the global economic and financial crisis, and reached their lowest point by the beginning of 2009. The report.

UNDP CLIMATE COMMUNITY WEBSITE
(UNDP, 2009)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a Climate Community web site. The site is a knowledge platform for information on climate change related issues, with a focus on analyses of international climate negotiations as well as the economic and policy implications of climate change. The website.

WORLD SOCIAL SITUATION 2009
(UN Secretariat, 2009)
This report notes that although considerable progress has been made in reducing levels of absolute poverty, overall the world is not on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halving levels of extreme poverty by 2015. The report.

THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS REPORT 2009
(UN, July 2009)
This report states that, although data are not yet available to reveal the full impact of the recent economic crisis, it is expected that progress towards the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been slowed or even reversed. The report provides the latest information for global regions regarding nutrition levels, child and maternal health, water and sanitation coverage, as well as environmental sustainability, including biodiversity loss. The report.

ARAB HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2009: CHALLENGES TO HUMAN SECURITY IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES
(UNDP, July 2009)
This report, prepared by independent scholars drawn from the region, argues that human security is a prerequisite for human development, and that the widespread absence of human security in Arab countries undermines people's options. The report indicates that the ability of some 330 million people in the Arab world to lead stable lives and achieve their potential is not only threatened by conflict and civil unrest, but also by environmental degradation, discrimination, unemployment, poverty and hunger. The report is available in English and Arabic.  

CONFERENCE ON THE WORLD FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS AND ITS IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT: OUTCOME DOCUMENT
(UNGA, July 2009)
The outcome document of the Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, which was adopted by the General Assembly, is now available as an annex to General Assembly resolution (63/303). The recommendations emphasize solutions that can foster an inclusive, green and sustainable recovery, and provide continued support for sustainable development efforts by developing countries. The outcome document.

LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES REPORT 2009: THE STATE AND DEVELOPMENT GOVERNANCE
(UNCTAD, July 2009)
This report, issued by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), argues that the impact of the global economic crisis is likely to be so severe in the least developed countries (LDCs) that business as usual is no longer possible. The report dedicates a chapter to agriculture and how LDCs can improve food security through a combination of policies and measures, such as the enhancement of basic infrastructure and the adoption of improved food production technologies and farming techniques. The report.

REPORT ON THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES
(UN ECOSOC, July 2009)
The report of the 8th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which convened in New York, US, from 18-29 May 2009, has been issued. The report contains the recommendations of the Permanent Forum on the Arctic, which emphasizes that climate change and environmental degradation are a great threat to the traditional lifestyle and cultures of indigenous peoples. The recommendations also call upon the Arctic States to provide financial resources to indigenous peoples of the Arctic to enable them to adapt to climate change. The report.

THE MEGACITY RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK

(UNU-EHS, June 2009)
This policy brief, by Carsten Butsch, Benjamin Etzold and Patrick Sakdapolrak, provides policy recommendations on how to increase the resilience and sustainability of megacities where more than half of the world's population is living today. The brief focuses on the opportunities generated by megacities to become sustainable rather than on the negative aspects often highlighted by the literature. The policy brief.

UNFPA WEBSITE ON POPULATION DYNAMICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(UNFPA, June 2009)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a website for research and advocacy materials on the links between population dynamics and climate change. The website provides information on population dynamics including age structure, household size, distribution, and urbanization, gender, vulnerability and adaptation, migration or displacement, and reproductive health. The website.

SELF-MADE CITIES: IN SEARCH OF SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

(UNECE, June 2009)

This study, published by the UN Economic Commission for Europe, focuses on the phenomenon of informal settlements in the region. The report analyzes the various causes for the formation of informal settlements, which include regional migrations that result from rapid urbanization, war and natural disasters; poverty and the lack of low-cost housing; excessive regulations by administrative authorities; inappropriate planning; and inadequate land administration tools. The report estimates that about 50 million people, in over 15 countries in Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, live in informal settlements. The report.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME

(UNHABITAT, June 2009)
The Report of the Governing Council of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT) for its 22nd session, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 30 March-3 April 2009, has been issued. The report includes a resolution on cities and climate change that encourages Governments to provide technical and financial support to initiatives that expand the range of capacity development approaches to support local authorities in mitigating and adapting to climate change. The report.

EFFECTS OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS ON VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS
(WFP, June 2009)
These 5 country case studies, published by the World Food Programme (WFP), note that the financial crisis is pushing poor families deeper into hunger. Based on evidence from Armenia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Zambia, the studies note that the majority of households are coping with the crisis by reducing the number of meals eaten per day or serving up cheaper but less nutritious foods. They also note that the groups most affected by the financial crisis are unskilled workers in urban areas, families who depend on foreign remittances, workers laid off from the export sectors and those working in mining and tourism. The case studies.

FOOD SECURITY IN AFRICA: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE FOOD CRISIS

(UNCTAD, June 2009)

This report, prepared by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for the 47th session of the Trade and Development Board, focuses on lessons learned from the 2008 food crisis. It indicates that the food security situation of African countries could further deteriorate if low productivity and market regulation issues are not addressed. The report indicates that out of 36 countries worldwide facing a food security crisis, 21 are African. It estimates that over 300 million Africans are facing chronic hunger. The report.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: ECONOMIC SITUATION AND OUTLOOK 2008-2009

(UN ECOSOC, June 2009)

This report (E/2009/19) notes that economic activity in the Latin American and Caribbean region grew by 4.2% in 2008. It notes that these results will not be repeated in 2009, due to the impact of the financial crisis and high unemployment rates. It notes that the slowdown of the world economy, which has affected the price of primary commodities and volume of exports, has had an impact in reducing remittances, demand for tourism services and foreign direct investments. The report.

LAND GRAB OR DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY? AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT AND INTERNATIONAL LAND DEALS IN AFRICA

(IFAD, IIED and FAO, June 2009)

This report is the first detailed study of large land acquisitions, including purchases or leases, in Africa. It highlights the misconceptions about what have been designated as land grabs. It notes that land-based investment has been rising over the past five years due to food security concerns, food supply shortage and growing production of biofuels. It indicates that while foreign investment dominates, domestic investors are also playing a big role in land acquisitions. The report.

MIGRATION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

(IOM, May 2009)

This policy paper, published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), focuses on the connection between environmental changes and human settlement and population movement from a human mobility perspective. It identifies current and potential migrations caused by a shifting climate and indicates that about 200 million people worldwide could become climate migrants by 2050. It notes that conflict, human rights, gender, levels of development, public health and governance issues affect migratory patterns.  It also notes that migration should be recognized as a possible adaptation strategy to climate change. The policy paper.

FOOD PRICES: SMALLHOLDER FARMERS CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

(IFAD, April 2009)
This brief, published by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), notes that there are about 500 million small farmers in developing countries, supporting the livelihoods of at least one third of the world's population. It also notes that the number of undernourished people worldwide has risen to 963 million in 2008, an increase of 40 million from 2007 levels. Nevertheless, it indicates that investments through public expenditures or foreign assistance for agriculture in developing countries have not increased. The brief highlights possible solutions to the problem, underlining the role of small holders in resolving the problem. The brief.

THE ANATOMY OF A SILENT CRISIS
(Global Humanitarian Forum, May 2009)
This report was prepared by the Global Humanitarian Forum and led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It aggregates the views of several organizations working on issues related to the impact of climate change on human society. It identifies specific threats of climate change to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and indicates that the cost of humanitarian relief is expected to grow exponentially in the next 20 years. The main indicators used to calculate the human impact of climate change are levels of malnutrition, diarrhea, and malaria infection. The report provides recommendations for consideration in the ongoing climate change negotiations. The report.

REPORT OF THE 11th SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR DEVELOPMENT POLICY

(UN ECOSOC, May 2009)

This report (E/2009/33) of the 11th session of the Committee for Development Policy, held from 9-13 March 2009, addresses the following themes: international cooperation on global public health and the importance of tackling inequalities; the global financial turmoil and its impact on developing countries; climate change and development; and the triennial review of the list of the least developed countries. On climate change, the report notes that the financial crisis provides an opportunity for changing conventional patterns of investment and production, calling for every country to adopt carbon-saving technologies and fordeveloped countries to facilitate technology transfer and finance to developing countries for global mitigation. The report also called for the development of a climate impact vulnerability indicator at the national level to guide adaptation strategies. The report (E/2009/33).

THE ECONOMIC REPORT ON AFRICA 2009: DEVELOPING AFRICAN AGRICULTURE THROUGH REGIONAL VALUE CHAINS

(UNECA and AU Commission, May 2009)
This report, published by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission (AU), highlights the recent economic trends and prospects in Africa with a focus on addressing the challenges to develop African agriculture within the framework of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The report focuses on structural transformations needed and on options to develop regionally integrated value chains and markets for selected strategic food and agricultural commodities. It calls for special attention to agriculture, as a means to providing employment, and generate economic growth, foreign exchange earnings and tax revenue. The report.

UPDATE: WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION AND PROSPECTS 2009

(UNDESA, May 2009)

This mid-year update to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2009 report, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), predicts a more severe decline in the world economy than anticipated in the initial report. The update.

2009 GLOBAL ASSESSMENT REPORT ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

(UN/ISDR, May 2009)
This report, prepared by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR), focuses on the disaster risk and poverty nexus in the context of global climate change. The report analyses the global risk and national levels of disaster and poverty data, and the role of vulnerable rural livelihoods, poor urban governance, declining ecosystems and global climate change in configuring disaster risk. It assesses progress in the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, identifies good practices for addressing the disaster risk and poverty nexus and presents some recommendations. The report.

MAINSTREAMING POVERTY-ENVIRONMENT LINKAGES INTO DEVELOPMENT PLANNING: A HANDBOOK FOR PRACTITIONERS

(UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative, April 2009)

The UN Development Programme and UN Environment Programme (UNDP-UNEP) Poverty-Environment Initiative has published this Handbook, which is designed to serve as a guide for champions and practitioners engaged in mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages. It draws on experience at the country level and lessons learned by UNDP and UNEP in working with governments, especially ministries of planning, finance and environment, to support efforts to integrate the complex interrelationships between poverty reduction and improved environmental management into national planning and decision-making. French and Spanish translations are currently under preparation and will be made available soon. The handbook.   

MAKING THE ECONOMIC CASE: A PRIMER ON THE ECONOMIC ARGUMENTS FOR MAINSTREAMING POVERTY-ENVIRONMENT LINKAGES INTO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

(UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative, March 2009)
This new primer provides guidance on presenting evidence about the economic, development and poverty reduction benefits of the environment to public sector decision-makers, so as to justify and promote "environmental investment." This primer is designed to help interested countries and governments engaged in the environmental mainstreaming challenge to succeed in making their case, ensure that they have the evidence to back it up, and identify entry points to engage the attention of economic and development decision-makers and to enter into meaningful dialogue with them. The resource.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
(UNESCAP, 2009)
This study by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) examines: the roots of the 2008 food price crisis, including climate change and disasters; the threats to sustainable agriculture, including climate change and biofuels production; the resilience of communities, including through adaptation to climate variability; and an agenda for food security that includes adaptation to climate change as a long-term measure. The study.

DEVELOPING COUNTRY INTERESTS IN CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR A POST-2012 CLIMATE CHANGE REGIME
(UNCTAD, April 2009)
The paper by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) focuses on the cross-cutting objective of advancing development goals throughout the Bali Action Plan in a sustainable way, making the case that there are strategic interests for developing countries in simultaneously addressing climate change and nationally-defined development priorities. The paper.

RESOURCE GUIDE ON GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(UNDP, May 2009)
This resource guide aims to inform practitioners and policy makers of the linkages between gender equality and climate change and their importance in relation to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It makes the case for why it is necessary to include women's voices, needs and expertise in climate change policy and programming, and demonstrates how women's contributions can strengthen the effectiveness of climate change measures. The resource guide.

UN-HABITAT 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
(UN-HABITAT, May 2009)
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) has issued its 2008 Annual Report. The report highlights the organization's activities in 2008, which focused in strengthening national and local governments' capacities on legislation, policy-making and decentralization, along with the building of administrative, managerial, operational and financial capacities in urban areas. The report.

GLOBAL MONITORING REPORT 2009: A DEVELOPMENT EMERGENCY

(World Bank, April 2009)

This report notes that the global financial crisis is expected to reverse the MDG achievements made by some countries thus far and to impair future MDG progress. The report warns that, although the Millennium Development Goals are still reachable by 2015, a reduction of investments for social services may limit this option. The report indicates that carbon markets can play an increasingly important role in mobilizing private financing in support of investments that promote environmental sustainability and that may contribute to the well-being of the poor. The report.

FOOD AID INFORMATION SYSTEM

(WFP, April 2009)

The World Food Organization, with the support of the European Commission and the Government of Canada, has launched a database on Food Aid Information System (FAIS).  This database contains data on food aid flows and was developed to strengthen the coordinated international response to food aid shortages. The database.

CROP PROSPECTS AND FOOD SITUATION

(FAO, April 2009)

The April 2009 issue of the Crop Prospects and Food Situation, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization, is now available. This issue reports that high food prices continue in developing countries even though there has been a sharp decline in international food prices. According to FAO, food emergencies or risk of food insecurity persist in 31 countries, despite the harvest results for 2008 cereal crops. The issue.

WORLD DIGITAL LIBRARY

(UNESCO, April 2009)

The World Digital Library (WDL), an initiative by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and 32 partner institutions, includes manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, and prints and photographs. The WDL was developed by a team at the Library of Congress with technical assistance provided by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina of Alexandria, Egypt. It functions in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish and includes content in more than forty languages. The digital library.

HUNGER AND MARKETS

(WFP, April 2009)

This third volume of the World Hunger Series, published by the World Food Programme, explores the relationship between markets and the availability of food, identifying sources of market failure in addressing hunger and highlighting methods for improvement. The volume.

GLOBAL FINANCIAL STABILITY REPORT

(IMF, April 2009)
This report highlights policies that may mitigate systemic risks that led to the financial crisis, thereby contributing to financial stability and sustained economic growth. In the current crisis, the report traces the sources and channels of financial distress and provides policy advice on mitigating its effects on economic activity. The report.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROSPECTS 2009 FORECAST UPDATE

(World Bank, March 2009)

This update on the World Bank's Global Economic Prospects report published in December 2008 forecasts that the developing world in 2009 is expected to have 2.1% GDP growth, instead of the 4.4% predicted earlier, with a weak recovery in 2010. However, the report update notes that the pace and timing of recovery remain uncertain. The World Bank predicts that global GDP growth is now set to contract by 1.7% in 2009. This is a historic contraction, with world output set to decline for the first time since World War II. The report update.

INNOWAT: WATER, INNOVATIONS, LEARNING AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS

(IFAD, March 2009)

This tool kit, published by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), seeks to strengthen IFAD's capacity as a knowledge management broker for development partners interested in water and rural poverty, and to provide IFAD country programme managers with practical tools for project development, implementation and pro-poor, water related interventions. Case studies cover Bangladesh, Gambia, Niger, Peru and Tanzania. The tool kit.

UN ECOSOC PRESIDENT'S CORNER WEBSITE

(UN ECOSOC, March 2009)

The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOOC) launched a President's Corner website. The site presents information about the key issues on the ECOSOC agenda, communications from the 2009 UN ECOSOC President Ambassador Sylvie Lucas and online lecture series featuring the views of policy and decision-makers on the issues. The website.

WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION AND PROSPECTS TRACK RECORD 2005-2009

(UN DESA, March 2009)

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs has issued a brochure on the track record of the World Economic Situation and Prospects reports from 2005 to 2009. The brochure highlights the findings in the past few years regarding the unsustainable pattern of global growth that has fueled the global financial and economic crisis. The brochure.  

GLOBAL JOB CRISIS OBSERVATORY

(ILO, March 2009)

This Global Job Crisis Observatory, launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO), provides statistics, news and analysis on the employment and social impact of the financial crisis and proposed policy responses. The observatory.

SMALL SCALE BIOENERGY INITIATIVES: BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND PRELIMINARY LESSONS ON LIVELIHOOD IMPACTS FROM CASE STUDIES IN LATIN AMERICA, ASIA AND AFRICA
(FAO and PISCES, January 2009)
This study, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security (PISCES), covers 15 bioenergy projects across 12 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, on the linkages between livelihoods and small-scale bioenergy initiatives. The study focuses on the impacts that different types of local level bioenergy initiatives can have on rural livelihoods in different contexts in the developing world. Livelihoods, as defined by the study, are the enhancement of the full range of natural, financial, human, social and physical capitals on a sustainable ongoing basis. The study.

UNIDO ANNUAL REPORT 2008

(UNIDO, March 2009)

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) annual report for 2008 describes a number of innovations undertaken over the past year to ensure that UNIDO is at the forefront of streamlined business practices and results-based management. The report focuses on UNIDO's three priority thematic areas on poverty reduction through productive activities, trade capacity-building, and environment and energy. The report.

MOVING OUT OF POVERTY: SUCCESS FROM THE BOTTOM-UP

(World Bank, March 2009)

This study looks at how and why some people manage to escape poverty. Based on the interviews of some 60,000 people in 15 countries, the study describes the constraints that poor people face in trying to escape poverty and the factors that facilitate the upward mobility of some. The study focuses in trying to identify poverty-reducing strategies informed by the lives and experience of poor people in communities around the world. The study.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 2009: ADDRESSING TRIPLE THREATS TO DEVELOPMENT

(UNESCAP, March 2009)

This report, issued by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), focuses on the convergence of three global crises: the financial crisis, the food and fuel price volatility, and climate change. It analyzes the threats posed by these crises and outlines ways in which economies in the Asia and Pacific region can move forward. The report.

UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD'S WEBSITE

(OHCHR, March 2009)

This website was launched by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Oliver De Schutter. It will feature official reports, background documents, information on the Advisory Committee, and a calendar of events related to the right to food. The website.

THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS: SYSTEMIC FAILURES AND MULTILATERAL REMEDIES

(UNCTAD, March 2009)
This report, published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlights three specific areas in which the global economy has experienced systemic failures:  financial deregulation within and across nations; the growing role of large-scale financial investors on commodities' markets; and the role of currency speculation. The report notes that multilateral solutions are necessary for sustainable solutions. The report.

STATE OF AFRICAN CITIES REPORT 2008
(UN-HABITAT, March 2009)
This annual report, a flagship publication of UN-HABITAT, notes that, with rapid urbanization, cities in Africa are facing increasing challenges and will have to find ways to deliver urban services, livelihoods and housing for more than twice the current urban population by 2015. The report.

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME/UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND
(UN Secretariat, March 2009)
The report of the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) review their work during 2008. The report emphasizes that, along with crisis, prevention and capacity development work, UNDP should follow up on the Human Development Report on climate change findings and the Bali Conference to ensure that resources are scaled up and the private sector is engaged to address adaptation, mitigation and clean-energy strategies. The report.

REPORT OF THE FOLLOW-UP INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MONTERREY CONSENSUS
(UN Secretariat, March 2009)
The Report of the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus held in Doha, Qatar from 29 November-2 December 2008 is now available. The report focuses on the debate about the global challenges including the financial crisis, and additional costs of climate change mitigation and adaptation. The report.

CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFERS: REDUCING PRESENT AND FUTURE POVERTY
(World Bank, March 2009)
This report focuses on conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs that offer qualifying families cash in exchange for commitments such as taking babies to health clinics regularly or keeping children in school. It finds that these programmes—where the responsibility for breaking out of poverty is shared by the state and poor households—can reduce poverty both in the short and long term, particularly when supported by better public services. Total World Bank lending support for CCT operations now covers 13 countries, with technical support to both national governments and donors. The report.

SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE: HOW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE COPING WITH THE GLOBAL CRISIS
(World Bank, March 2009)
This paper, issued in preparation for the meeting of the G-20, indicates that debt issuance by high-income countries is set to increase, crowding out developing country borrowers, both private and public. The paper notes that many institutions that have provided financial intermediation for developing country clients have virtually disappeared. Developing countries that can still access financial markets face higher borrowing costs, and lower capital flows, leading to weaker investment and slower growth in the future. The paper.

GIRLS' EDUCATION IN THE 21st CENTURY: GENDER EQUALITY, EMPOWERMENT, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
(World Bank, March 2009)
This report indicates that, although the overall primary school enrollments for girls in poor countries increased from 87% in 1990 to 94% in 2004, challenges for education in conflict-torn countries continues. It notes that about half of all primary school-age children who are not in school live in conflict-affected or fragile states and thousands more live in areas affected by natural disasters. The situation is particularly serious for refugees and internally displaced peoples. The report.

UN WORLD WATER DEVELOPMENT REPORT 3 – WATER IN A CHANGING WORLD
(UNESCO, March 2009)
This report presents a comprehensive assessment of global freshwater resources to date. Starting from the conclusions of the first two reports presented, respectively, in Kyoto, Japan, in 2003 and in Mexico City, Mexico, in 2006, it emphasizes the role played by water in development and economic growth. It also examines a range of subjects, including population growth, climate change, altered ecosystems, food production, health, industry and energy, as well as biofuels and the importance of underground aquifers. The report is completed by a series of case studies on selected cities, regions and countries (Istanbul, Cameroon, Spain, the Netherlands, Sudan, Swaziland and basins of La Plata and Lake Merin). Information on the report.

A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN CROATIA
(UNDP, February 2009)
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has published a Human Development Report for Croatia 2008 on climate change and its impacts on society and the economy. The report stresses that 25 percent of the Croatian economy could be directly impacted by climate change, including through changes to tourism agriculture, fisheries and water resources. The report.

WTO TRADE PROFILE 2008
(WTO, February 2009)
This report, published by the World Trade Organization (WTO), provides a synopsis of  national and trade statistics of WTO members and countries that are in the process of negotiating WTO membership. The report also combines information on trade flows and trade policy measures of members, WTO observers and other selected economies. It focuses on indicators on basic economic facts, trade policy, merchandise trade, commercial services, and industrial property. The report.

WORKING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMME: A HANDBOOK FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
(OHCHR, February 2009)
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued this guide for civil society actors. The handbook explains how the different UN human rights mandates and mechanisms work, and how members of civil society, such as human rights defenders, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions, can engage with them most effectively. The handbook.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2009 – BREAKING IN AND MOVING UP: NEW INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGES FOR THE BOTTOM BILLION AND THE MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
(UNIDO, February 2009)
The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has released its flagship publication, for which Paul Collier, Oxford University, and John Page, Brookings Institution, served as the main authors. The report focuses on the opportunities and constraints faced by the countries of the "bottom billion," which are trying to break into global markets for manufactured goods; and the middle-income countries, which are striving to move up to more sophisticated manufacturing. The report emphasizes that sustainable industrial development provides alternatives to lift the world's bottom billion out of poverty living in low income countries and middle-income countries. The report.

NEW WFP WEBSITE
(WFP, February 2009)
The World Food Programme (WFP) has revamped its website to add sections for aid professionals, teachers and students, and journalists. The site also features a policy resources section with links to publications. The website.

WHO ANSWERS TO WOMEN? GENDER AND ACCOUNTABILITY
(UNIFEM, 2009)
The UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has launched its annual report on Progress of World's Women 2008/2009. The report stresses that ensuring accountability for the commitments made by governments is vital to achieve gender equality and women's rights, and outlines the status of the achievement on the Millennium Development Goals from a gender perspective. The report.

WORLD BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2008: YEAR IN REVIEW
(World Bank, February 2009)
The World Bank Group has issued its Annual Report 2008. The report covers the work of the Bank in 2008 in areas ranging from the Global Food Crisis Response Program, which provides up to US$1.2 billion of accelerated financial support to vulnerable countries, to its work on employment and inclusive growth. The report recalls the recommendations in the World Development Report 2008 to increase agriculture productivity, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, to reduce income inequalities between rural and urban areas, and to contribute to environmental sustainability. The report.

INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT RULE-MAKING: STOCKTAKING, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

(UNCTAD, February 2009)

The report reviews sixty years of international investment rule-making, identifies the core characteristics of the existing universe of international investment agreements and highlights the importance of a collective effort to make the system more conducive to growth and development. The report.

WORLD DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
(UN Secretariat, February 2009)
This report of the Secretary-General, prepared in response to ECOSOC resolution 1996/2, notes that the current world population of 6.8 billion is projected to reach 9 billion by 2045 if fertility rates continue to decline in developing countries. The report also notes that life expectancy is estimated at 67.2 years globally, averaging 76.5 years in developed countries and 65.4 years in developing countries. The report E/CN.9/2009/6.

INDIA: URBAN POVERTY REPORT 2009
(UNDP, February 2009)
UNDP and the Government of India launched the first report on the nature and dynamics of urban poverty in the country. The report identifies the problems faced by the poor and focuses on the systemic changes that are needed. Key areas of focus are the trends and patterns of migration, dynamics of urban land and capital markets, marginalization of the poor to the urban periphery, changes in urban governance, gender dimensions of urban poverty, unorganized workforce and the informal sector, provision of and access to basic services and amenities indicating quality of life, and conditions in slums. The summary report.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS ON GLOBAL FDI FLOWS

(UNCTAD, February 2009)

This report indicates that the fall in global foreign direct investments in 2008-2009 is the result of two major factors. First, the capability of firms to invest has been reduced by a fall in access to financial resources and, second, the propensity to invest has been affected negatively by economic prospects, especially in developed countries that are hit by a severe recession. The report.

THE STATE OF THE MICROCREDIT SUMMIT CAMPAIGN REPORT 2009
(Microcredit Summit Campaign, January 2009)
This report indicates that, in 2007, more than 106 million of the world's poorest families received a microloan, surpassing a goal set ten years earlier. The report also indicates that, in 1997, fewer than 8 million of the world's poor  – people living on less than US$1.25 dollar a day – had a microloan. Microloans are used to ensure people's livelihoods through financing productive assets to help people living in extreme poverty to start or expand a range of tiny businesses. The report.

GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT TRENDS 2009

(ILO, January 2009)

The International Labour Organization has issued its annual Global Employment Trends Report 2009. The report assesses the impact of the global financial crisis on employment and provides scenarios for unemployment trends, vulnerable employment and working poverty. The report.

CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES FOR EU DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION: EMERGING ISSUES
(European Development Cooperation 2020, January 2009)
This working paper, written by Leo Peskett et al., notes that the impacts of climate change on developing countries and the policy measures adopted by developed countries to mitigate climate change have posed new challenges for the development cooperation agenda. The paper reviews the main policy processes that have been developed within the EU to address climate change in the context of development cooperation. It looks at how to mainstream climate change into development co-operation in the EU; to ensure coordinated and coherent efforts between donors and development policy processes; and to bridge the large funding gap for climate change response in developing countries. The working paper.

THE GOVERNANCE OF NATURE AND THE NATURE OF GOVERNANCE: POLICY THAT WORKS FOR BIODIVERSITY AND LIVELIHOODS
(IIED, 2009)
Written by Krystyna Swiderska  et al., this book examines the governance of biodiversity - how it is managed and how decisions about it are made - at the local, national and international levels. It reviews experience with community-based conservation, mainstreaming biodiversity, and the Biodiversity Convention process, and includes case studies from India, Peru and Tanzania. The book.

WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION AND PROSPECTS 2009

(UN, January 2009)

World Economic Situation and Prospects 2009, an annual publication by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, emphasizes that the world economy is mired in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The report notes that world gross product will slow down to 1.0 percent, a significant deceleration compared to 2.5 percent growth in 2008. The report details the measures undertaken by policy makers to deal with the crisis and emphasizes that world commodity prices will continue to depreciate. Previous editions of the report have warned about the risks of the economic depression. The report.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

(UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), January 2009)

This resource, which is part of the Human Rights Fact Sheet series, provides answers to questions such as what are economic, social and cultural rights; what are States' obligations; who has a role to play in promoting and protecting rights nationally; how can we monitor the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights; and what monitoring mechanisms exist internationally. The fact sheet.

IMPROVING ACCESS TO LAND AND TENURE SECURITY 

(IFAD, December 2008)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has issued this policy paper on improving access to land and tenure security. The policy aims to provide a conceptual framework for the relationship between land issues and rural poverty, acknowledging the complexity and dynamics of evolving rural realities; identify the major implications of that relationship for IFAD's strategy and programme development and implementation; articulate guiding principles for mainstreaming land issues in the Fund's main operational instruments and processes; and provide the framework for the subsequent development of operational guidelines and decision tools. The policy paper.

HUMANITARIAN IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
(ReliefWeb, 2009)
ReliefWeb has launched a special focus page on the humanitarian implications of climate change. The page include key documents on the topic, research institutions and international organizations working on the issue, hazard specific analysis, thematic impact studies, geographic impacts studies, and events. The page.

DATA AGAINST NATURAL DISASTER
(World Bank and UN, 16 December 2008)
This report aims to assist countries to put into place systems necessary to identify needs, manage data, and calibrate responses for effective relief operations vis-à-vis natural disasters. It emphasizes aid effectiveness in the context of disaster response, as inefficiencies in aid distribution may lead to unnecessary economic losses, increased suffering and poverty. The report examines six country-level efforts to establish information management systems to coordinate disaster response, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, hurricanes and floods in Guatemala, Haiti and Mozambique, and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. The report.

THE ESCALATION IN WORLD FOOD PRICES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CARIBBEAN

(ECLAC, November 2008)

This report, published by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), focuses on the dynamics of world food prices, the causes for increases and the effect of these increases on the Caribbean. The report.

THE STATE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE WORLD 2008: HIGH FOOD PRICES AND FOOD SECURITY – THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES
(FAO, December 2008)
This report, published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), notes that another 40 million people have been pushed into hunger in 2008, primarily due to higher food prices. According to the report, nearly two-thirds of the world's hungry live in Asia, and one in three people in sub-Saharan Africa are chronically hungry. The report.

2008 STATE OF THE WORLD POPULATION: REACHING COMMON GROUND – CULTURE, GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS
(UNFPA, November 2008)
This report notes that development strategies that are sensitive to cultural values can reduce harmful practices against women and promote human rights, including gender equality and women's empowerment. It emphasizes that culture is a central component of successful development of poor countries, and that it must be integrated into development policy and programming. The report.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIOENERGY ON NUTRITION
(FAO and IFPRI, 2008)
This paper examines the consequences of climate change and rising bioenergy demand for sustainable development, food security and nutrition throughout the lifecycle. It also explores the implications of climate change and rising bioenergy demand for nutrition and analyzes potential strategies for cultivation of bioenergy crops that can contribute to poverty reduction, food security and sustainable natural resource management. The authors note that efforts to assure food security and good nutrition in the face of current climate change challenges must continue in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The report.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROSPECTS: COMMODITIES AT THE CROSSROADS
(World Bank, 2009)
This report, published by the World Bank, notes that world poverty has increased due to increasing costs, food and fuel price rises in developing countries. The report predicts that global GDP growth is likely to decline to 0.9 percent with developing economies expanding by 4.5 percent in 2009, below the 7.9 percent growth rate recorded in 2007. To address the global food crisis, the report suggests that governments and aid agencies take concrete steps to increase investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and development and agricultural extension services in developing countries, conclude the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations and address carbon emissions. The report.