Blog Contributor:
Pooja Gupta
Pooja Gupta is the global policy intern at ONE. She recently graduated from the College of William & Mary with a degree in International Relations & Economics, where she conducted research on non-governmental involvement in international development, human rights and international law, as well as on global health policy and gender inclusion in developing countries. To date, she’s most proud of her participation in a world-record-breaking performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Nov 19th, 2009 4:36 PM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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On Tuesday, Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on the International Aspects of Climate Change.
The hearing included testimony from Dr. Michael Levi from the Council on Foreign Relations, Nigel Purvis from Climate Advisors, Karen Harbert from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Taiya Smith from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Jake Colvin from the National Foreign Trade Council. As climate negotiations in Copenhagen draw near, the witnesses discussed how domestic and national efforts fit into a broader international agreement.
Witnesses touched on a broad range of climate-change related issues, including the role of China and India and the importance of durable U.S. domestic policy. Panelists generally agreed that while robust U.S. legislation is important, a cooperative international framework is essential, as is working with international partners. They made clear that international efforts should facilitate smart domestic policies and the domestic policies should be transparent, accountable and measurable.
Panelists emphasized that the U.S. must empower those who will work with us. Colvin and Levi both warned against measures such as taxes on carbon which could alienate potential allies, such as China and India. Harbert and Smith agreed, emphasizing that the U.S. cannot solve global climate change problems alone: India, China and other developing countries must be part of the solution.
Witnesses agreed that, as we move closer to negotiations in December, the U.S. should concentrate on incorporating domestic targets into a global framework so to produce a robust, inclusive and nationally-appropriate political deal in Copenhagen.
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Nov 17th, 2009 6:01 PM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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As you know, we’re tracking the World Food Summit this week. Check out the articles below to see what major news outlets are saying about the summit, including the link between food security and climate change and child health, as well as how the events are going in Rome. Let us know what you think and keep checking the ONE blog for updates on the Summit, which ends tomorrow.
At UN Food Summit, Ban Ki-Moon Warns of Rise in Child Hunger Deaths (Christian Science Monitor)
To open the World Food Summit in Rome yesterday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon underscored the plight of children suffering from starvation, saying that more than 17,000 children die of starvation every day—six million children each year. Many groups expressed outrage that malnutrition exists to such an extent despite surpluses in world food production. Many were discouraged by the lack of specific financial pledges from the Summit and the lackluster attendance by world leaders: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was the only G8 leader present.
UN: Climate Change Deal Key to Fighting Hunger (Voice of America)
At the opening of the summit yesterday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced that a global climate deal is essential to fight global hunger. There can be no food security without climate security, said Mr. Ban, calling the food crisis “a wake-up call.” By 2050, the world may need to grow 70 percent more food to feed an estimated 2 billion additional people, he said, but extreme and unpredictable weather caused by climate change will make it difficult to do so.
World Leaders at UN Summit Vow to Aid Farmers in Bid to Help Starving (The Times Online)
Yesterday, world leaders agreed on a strategy to help the world’s one billion starving people by increasing aid to farmers in developing countries, but failed to pledge the specific funds the UN had hoped for. The FAO had asked for a $44 billion a year commitment for agricultural aid and a 2050 deadline for eradicating world hunger altogether. Instead, summit delegates confirmed the current target of halving the number of chronically hungry people by 2015, a commitment first made nine years ago. The FAO emphasized that the way to help poor farmers is to empower them by supplying agricultural equipment, irrigation technology, fertilizers and better seeds, rather than food aid.
Economic Revival Carries ‘Food Price Surge Risk’ (Financial Times)
Yesterday, Jacques Diouf, director-general of the FAO warned that food prices may surge again as the global economy recovers. Diouf warned that many of the same structural problems that led to last year’s spike in food prices are present again, including lack of investment, high demand in Asia and the conversion of food commodities into biofuels, adding that “we have all the elements of a crisis.” He encouraged countries to consider investing in technology to raise farmer productivity while other global food companies urged policymakers to boost investment in infrastructure spending.
Some Nations Successful in Global Hunger Fight: FAO (AFP)
Today, the FAO announced that some countries have made significant progress in the fight against hunger. According to the FAO, sixteen countries have already reached the goal of reducing hunger levels by 50 percent by 2015, an accomplishment which FAO chief Jacques Diouf lauded as evidence of “an unflagging commitment on the part of governments of developing countries themselves and energetic support by the international community.” Moving forward, the FAO emphasized the importance of a favorable economic environment, targeted investment, and sensible planning to be successful in the fight against hunger.
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Nov 12th, 2009 9:46 AM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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Written with Mike Drachkovitch
Last weekend, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt hosted the 4th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a triennial summit viewed by some as the centerpiece of China’s Africa aid program. Launched in 2000, the FOCAC acts as the institutional body through which China establishes its terms of engagement with Africa.
The biggest news to come out of this year’s FOCAC summit was the announcement that China will give US $10 billion in low-interest loans to African nations over three years. China also pledged to help African countries adapt to the impacts of climate change by helping to build 100 new clean energy projects on the continent. In addition, China stated their commitment to help African countries become viable trading partners by implementing a zero-tariff policy on 95% of all goods from the poorest African countries.
This year’s summit made clear that China is indeed becoming a vital partner for African development. However, China’s engagement in African countries would be more effective if a few changes were made, namely working with other donor governments to streamline aid within existing architecture. China would also benefit by looking at South Korea’s imminent membership of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). For example, the DAC could help improve its development policy practices, making them more effective and transparent.
The $10 billion loan commitment is a good first step for China to effectively engage in Africa, as is its commitment to expand market access for African products and assist African countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. However, African countries, as well as other donor nations, would welcome further specification on exactly how China plans to assist Africa in coping with the effects of global warming. Additionally, issuing loans rather than aid raises some concerns that African countries will re-accumulate crippling debt, reversing many gains recently won through debt relief efforts.
Furthermore, although China has made clear its intention to support African development, some critics have noted that its support of oppressive regimes, such as in Guinea, is counterproductive.
Lastly, China is set to receive significant funding from the cash-strapped Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – more than nearly any African country. This large sum has raised eyebrows of those who have admired China’s rapid economic success of late. Foregoing this assistance would send a powerful message to African countries desperately in need by freeing up scarce resources.
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Nov 5th, 2009 4:59 PM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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Today, as part of his trip to Washington, Botswana’s President, Ian Khama is scheduled to meet with President Obama. Although the specific topics of discussion have not been released, many are predicting that the two leaders will discuss the precarious situation in Zimbabwe. This discussion is particularly relevant now, as the government of Botswana issued a statement last week condemning Zimbabwe’s unity government and the conflict in the country. Other sources predict that the two will also discuss their shared challenges, including addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS.
Last week, in a statement released announcing President Khama’s visit, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs highlighted the importance of a U.S.-Botswana relationship: “Botswana is a strong democratic partner in sub-Saharan Africa, and the two leaders will meet to discuss a wide range of regional and bilateral issues, including how the United States can support sound governance, economic development, and natural resource conservation throughout the continent.” Botswana is often held up as an example of good governance in Africa, lauded as one of the best governed countries in Africa and praised for effectively managing its natural resources and avoiding the conflict and corruption that has plagued many other nations on the continent.
During his visit to Africa earlier this summer, President Obama emphasized the importance of good governance for success on the continent, saying that with better governance, Africa will undoubtedly prosper. President Obama also commended Botswana’s success, saying that, “ultimately, it will be vibrant democracies like Botswana and Ghana which roll back the causes of conflict and advance the frontiers of peace and prosperity.”
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Nov 5th, 2009 12:57 PM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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On November 4, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, presided over by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), held the confirmation hearing for Daniel Yohannes, nominee for CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Yohannes began his testimony by praising MCC efforts; the MCC, he said, “lays innovative foundations” to address the problems of global poverty.
Senators Menendez and Lugar both questioned the place of the MCC within the larger development agenda: Lugar asked if the MCC should remain a separate agency while Menendez stressed that it should be complementary to other aid initiatives, rather than replace them. Yohannes agreed, noting that the MCC has been created from the best practices learned from past endeavors and therefore extremely effective, but that it cannot be successful alone. It is imperative to work with other agencies such as USAID and groups on the ground, he said, to take a coordinated approach and prevent duplicity.
Menendez also praised the country-ownership aspect of the MCC and asked Yohannes how he would ensure that governments are working with a broad cross-section of civil society organizations (CSO), including those who are often not consulted, such as women. Yohannes emphasized he would make CSO input a priority, making certain that a variety of groups and CSOs are consulted.
Lugar encouraged Yohannes to highlight the impacts of the MCC, lamenting that it sometimes takes years to develop projects, compacts and see results, frustrating Congress and others. Yohannes agreed that it was time to show the American people concrete results and emphasized that the U.S. can be proud of its efforts to eradicate deep-seated poverty around the world. Yohannes promised to continue the MCC’s efforts to partner with others to create a “global culture of opportunity.”
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Oct 28th, 2009 5:02 PM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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Last Thursday, the Center for Global Development (CGD) released the 2009 Commitment to Development Index (CDI), their annual ranking of rich countries based on their policies to help the developing world. CGD has published the CDI since 2003 in an effort to move beyond looking at just aid and evaluate whether rich nations are living up to their policy commitments in all areas of development. The CDI ranks 22 rich nations for their policies and actions to support poor nations to achieve greater prosperity, good government and security. Namely, these nations are scored in seven major policy areas: quantity and quality of aid, trade, investment, migration, environment, security and technology.
Sweden topped the 2009 CDI rankings while none of the Group of 7 (G7) nations, the world’s most industrialized nations, were scored in the top 10. Among the G7, Canada scored the best, coming in at 11th, followed by France, Germany and the UK, all tied for 12th. The United States was ranked 17th, scoring highest in trade and lowest in overall aid. Collectively, the G7 did best in the investment and trade policy areas and worst in the aid and migration components. Rankings for Canada, US, Japan and Germany remained largely the same as in 2008, but the UK dropped from sixth to 12th, mostly due to falling scores on the aid and security components. France improved from 16th to 12th and Italy moved up from 20th to 18th. South Korea, only its second year included in the CDI, remained in last place.
According to the CDI, the G7 is not using their full potential to attack global poverty: “It is the United States, Germany, France, Japan and the other economies that have multiple linkages and potential in absolute terms to make a difference for poor countries,” said CGD president Nancy Birdsall, “their failure to use it to the fullest is a blow to the cause of truly shared global prosperity.”
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Oct 23rd, 2009 8:45 PM UTC
By Pooja Gupta
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Today, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Federal Ministry of Health of Nigeria announced the largest single malaria initiative ever signed by the Global Fund, which will provide the resources for 30 million bed-nets in Nigeria. Each year, there are approximately 57 million cases of malaria in Nigeria, causing an estimated 225,000 deaths annually. Check out the full press release here.
As part of its efforts to eliminate malaria, Nigeria aims to place two bed nets in every household in the country by distributing 62 million bed nets by December 2010. Global Fund grants will provide half of this total. Other contributors include: the World Bank, DFiD, USAID, UNITAID, UNICEF and the Nigerian government.
“I am extremely pleased that our partnership with Nigeria continues to grow: it shows Nigeria’s strong commitment to fight malaria, and strengthens our relationship since Nigeria is also a Global Fund donor,” said Professor Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Nigeria is showing why reaching global targets for malaria is no longer fanciful but something that can actually be achieved,” he said.
The malaria grants signed today amount to US$ 285 million over two years. The Global Fund used a flexible approach by signing, in July 2009, an interim agreement to allow for the timely distribution of 3.4 millions bed nets, which have just arrived in country in time for the mass distribution campaign planned for December this year. Two other grants were also signed, one for tuberculosis for US$40 million and one for Health Systems Strengthening for US$55 million.
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