The agriculture ministers of the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging nations, including China, agreed last week to set up a monitoring database for food stocks and production to help producers reliably predict needs – a laudable goal given that escalating food prices have been behind some of the sharpest inflationary pressures in recent years.
6/29/2011
G-20 Agriculture Ministers Unveil Plan to Tackle High Food Prices
In their first-ever summit, agriculture ministers from the Group of 20 (G-20) leading economies gathered to tackle high and volatile food prices. The Paris meeting, held on 22 and 23 June, ended with the release of an “Action Plan” that drew both praise and criticism. The plan will be evaluated at the G-20 summit in November, where heads of state will meet to decide whether to approve the measures outlined.
6/28/2011
France calls for common G-20 trade finance rules
By Nathalie Boschat
PARIS -(MarketWatch)- France wants the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations to agree on common rules for trade finance in order to foster a level playing field in international trade, French junior minister for trade Pierre Lellouche said Monday.
Lellouche gathered his G-20 counterparts at the French ministry of finance Monday "to start a discussion on a common rulebook" for trade finance, he told reporters at the end of the meeting.
PARIS -(MarketWatch)- France wants the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations to agree on common rules for trade finance in order to foster a level playing field in international trade, French junior minister for trade Pierre Lellouche said Monday.
Lellouche gathered his G-20 counterparts at the French ministry of finance Monday "to start a discussion on a common rulebook" for trade finance, he told reporters at the end of the meeting.
6/27/2011
G20 should adopt flexible trade policy: India
NEW DELHI: India, the world's second- largest producer of wheat and rice, has said free export of agricultural commodities could affect the country's food security at a time when global prices are high and urged G-20 nations to adopt flexibility in trade policy.
"Developing countries like India for whom free exports can be detrimental to their food security during the times of high global prices," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said in the summary note circulated at the fist agriculture ministers' meeting of G-20 held in Paris.
"Developing countries like India for whom free exports can be detrimental to their food security during the times of high global prices," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said in the summary note circulated at the fist agriculture ministers' meeting of G-20 held in Paris.
6/25/2011
G20 agrees measures to tackle high global food prices
Agriculture ministers from the G20 group of nations have agreed a series of measures they hope will reduce food price volatility and boost supplies.
In a communique following a two day meeting in Paris ministers said they would adopt a new collective rapid response system to help calm any spikes in prices.
In a communique following a two day meeting in Paris ministers said they would adopt a new collective rapid response system to help calm any spikes in prices.
6/24/2011
G20 eyes Russia's WTO entry this year
Group of 20 nations support Russia's bid to complete negotiations this year to join the World Trade Organisation, the conclusions of a G20 farm ministers meeting said on Thursday.
After years of talks, Russia aims to become a member of the global trade watchdog in December, but Russian Economy Minister Elvira Nabiullina warned recently that entry could be delayed for years if key issues were not settled by the end of next month.
After years of talks, Russia aims to become a member of the global trade watchdog in December, but Russian Economy Minister Elvira Nabiullina warned recently that entry could be delayed for years if key issues were not settled by the end of next month.
6/23/2011
G-20 ag ministers will stand behind biofuels despite report
G-20 Agriculture ministers announced June 23 at a G-20 meeting in Paris that the group would remain supportive of biofuels policies. Just days before the meeting ethanol supporters had urged the group not to turn on biofuels, despite a report that had recommended G-20 countries remove support for biofuels subsidies or mandates.
6/22/2011
Ont. must show more transparency after G20 secret law
TORONTO — There is a growing culture of secrecy in the provincial government which has been building for years and culminated with the "granddaddy of all secret manoeuvres" during the G20 summit, Ontario's ombudsman said Tuesday.
"The problems that my office uncovers in government, the problems that we hear about from thousands of frustrated citizens every year, almost always have to do with secrecy or lack of transparency," ombudsman Andre Marin said in his annual report.
"The problems that my office uncovers in government, the problems that we hear about from thousands of frustrated citizens every year, almost always have to do with secrecy or lack of transparency," ombudsman Andre Marin said in his annual report.
6/21/2011
World Bank unveils hedging tool to aid poor farmers
(Reuters) - The World Bank on Tuesday launched a new agricultural hedging tool to help farmers in developing countries curb increasing food price volatility.
The launch of the Agricultural Price Risk Management facility together with JP Morgan Chase & Co precedes a June 22-23 meeting in Paris of G20 agriculture ministers seeking a deal on improving global food security amid increasing global commodity prices.
The launch of the Agricultural Price Risk Management facility together with JP Morgan Chase & Co precedes a June 22-23 meeting in Paris of G20 agriculture ministers seeking a deal on improving global food security amid increasing global commodity prices.
6/18/2011
France warns G20 farm deal far from guaranteed
(Reuters) - A deal on steps to curb food price volatility between G20 agriculture ministers next week is reachable but far from guaranteed, French Farm Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday.
"Negotiations have been tough. A deal is possible, it is within reach, but it is not guaranteed at all," Le Maire said on the sidelines of a farm organizations meeting at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters.
"Negotiations have been tough. A deal is possible, it is within reach, but it is not guaranteed at all," Le Maire said on the sidelines of a farm organizations meeting at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters.
6/16/2011
Businesses get compensation for G8, G20 summits
By Elizabeth Thompson, iPolitics.ca
The federal government has agreed to pay nearly $2 million in compensation to businesses affected by last year's G8 and G20 summits in Ontario, iPolitics has learned.
Of that amount, $1,908,152 is for those affected by Toronto's G20 summit, which sealed off much of the city's downtown core and sparked violent clashes between police and protesters.
Another $67,256 in claims will be paid out in connection with the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ont., in picturesque Muskoka cottage country north of Toronto.
The federal government has agreed to pay nearly $2 million in compensation to businesses affected by last year's G8 and G20 summits in Ontario, iPolitics has learned.
Of that amount, $1,908,152 is for those affected by Toronto's G20 summit, which sealed off much of the city's downtown core and sparked violent clashes between police and protesters.
Another $67,256 in claims will be paid out in connection with the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ont., in picturesque Muskoka cottage country north of Toronto.
6/15/2011
U.N. urges G20 to do more to phase out subsidies
Big economies should do more to phase out damaging subsidies on fossil fuels, farming and fisheries that are hindering a shift to a green economy, the head of the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) said on Wednesday.
The Group of 20 leading economies agreed at a summit in 2009 to phase out damaging fossil fuel subsidies in the "medium term" -- a step that would help cut greenhouse gas emissions and free up investments for cleaner energies to fight climate change.
The Group of 20 leading economies agreed at a summit in 2009 to phase out damaging fossil fuel subsidies in the "medium term" -- a step that would help cut greenhouse gas emissions and free up investments for cleaner energies to fight climate change.
6/14/2011
World leaders should put cyber security on agenda: Internet body
World leaders should put cyber security on the international agenda at forums such as the G20 and bring pressure to bear on "slower-moving" nations to take a stand against hacking, the co-founder of a global industry body said on Tuesday.
Peter Coroneos, co-founder of the International Internet Industry Association and head of Australia's industry body, said such leadership by major powers could support and hasten early industry efforts to adopt global anti-hacking safeguards.
Peter Coroneos, co-founder of the International Internet Industry Association and head of Australia's industry body, said such leadership by major powers could support and hasten early industry efforts to adopt global anti-hacking safeguards.
6/13/2011
IMF State-Backed Cyber-Attack Follows Hacks of Lab, G-20
By Michael Riley and Sandrine Rastello
The data theft from International Monetary Fund computers by hackers said to be linked to a foreign government follows incidents against companies and governments that illustrate the growth of cyber-attacks as an espionage tool.
The IMF hack resulted in the loss of a “large quantity” of data, including documents and e-mails, according to a person familiar with the incident, a security expert who declined to be identified because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the subject. This year, the Group of 20 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have also come under cyber-attack.
The data theft from International Monetary Fund computers by hackers said to be linked to a foreign government follows incidents against companies and governments that illustrate the growth of cyber-attacks as an espionage tool.
The IMF hack resulted in the loss of a “large quantity” of data, including documents and e-mails, according to a person familiar with the incident, a security expert who declined to be identified because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the subject. This year, the Group of 20 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have also come under cyber-attack.
6/10/2011
G-20 calls for improved safety tests on all nuclear reactors
PARIS — Government ministers and officials from nearly 30 nuclear energy- producing countries called yesterday for safety tests on all nuclear reactors, after the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima plant sparked concern over standards.
A majority of delegates at talks hosted under France’s Group of 20 chairmanship supported stress tests that would determine how well nuclear plants could withstand disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Fukushima in March.
A majority of delegates at talks hosted under France’s Group of 20 chairmanship supported stress tests that would determine how well nuclear plants could withstand disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Fukushima in March.
6/09/2011
G20 Task Force recommends on food security
The meeting, convened by Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural Affairs and Planning of France, in collaboration with the CEO Working Group on Food Security of the World Economic Forum’s G20 Task Force, was the first private-sector consultation as part of the G20 process on food and agricultural commodities price volatility.
6/08/2011
G20 ministers meet to tackle price volatility in food markets
Agricultural ministers from the G20 group of leading nations are due to meet in Paris on June 22-23rd to discuss an initiative that aims to reduce volatility in agricultural commodity markets.
The meeting comes after the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation released its twice yearly Food Outlook analysis, saying that rising demand will absorb most of the increased output in food production. It also outlined expectations for prices to remain at the high levels established earlier this year.
The meeting comes after the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation released its twice yearly Food Outlook analysis, saying that rising demand will absorb most of the increased output in food production. It also outlined expectations for prices to remain at the high levels established earlier this year.
6/07/2011
Police equipment, surveillance issues at second G20 hearing
How much oversight should everyday citizens have over policing of major events like the G20?
That's what the retired judge John Morden wanted answered at the Etobicoke public hearing Monday, June 6, at the Etobicoke Civic Centre.
The hearing was the second in three meetings hosted by the Independent Civilian Review Into Matters Relating to the G20 Summit, launched in September 2010 by the Toronto Police Services Board. The hearing was smaller than the first hearing on June 1 - only 25 people were in attendance versus the reported 50 plus at the downtown hearing. Many of those registered to speak did not turn up to address the crowd.
That's what the retired judge John Morden wanted answered at the Etobicoke public hearing Monday, June 6, at the Etobicoke Civic Centre.
The hearing was the second in three meetings hosted by the Independent Civilian Review Into Matters Relating to the G20 Summit, launched in September 2010 by the Toronto Police Services Board. The hearing was smaller than the first hearing on June 1 - only 25 people were in attendance versus the reported 50 plus at the downtown hearing. Many of those registered to speak did not turn up to address the crowd.
6/06/2011
Canada’s Fiscal Spending Out of Control: G20 and Now F-35 Planes?
The Conservative government announced plans in July 2010 to purchase 65 new F-35 Lighting II jet fighters for $9 billion from Lockheed-Martin, a US-based manufacturer, to replace its stock of 80 CF-18 Hornet planes. The deal, including maintenance of the planes, will cost taxpayers over $16 billion until 2016. However, the acquisition of these jets is under huge debate as Canada is currently suffering from one of its largest federal deficits in history.
6/05/2011
Chinese hackers leaked classified gov't document: lawmaker
A classified government document, containing telephone conversations between South Korean and U.S. presidents, was leaked by Chinese hackers, an opposition lawmaker said Saturday.
"I received a report from the National Intelligence Service that a secret document written by the South Korean foreign ministry ahead of the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit in London in April 2009 was leaked to China," Rep. Shin Hak-yong of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) told Yonhap News Agency by phone.
"I received a report from the National Intelligence Service that a secret document written by the South Korean foreign ministry ahead of the Group of 20 (G-20) Summit in London in April 2009 was leaked to China," Rep. Shin Hak-yong of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) told Yonhap News Agency by phone.
6/04/2011
City cashes in on G8, G20 summits
WINDSOR, Ont. -- The Windsor fire department billed the feds $83,000 for the use of two surplus fire trucks during last year's G8 and G20 summits, only to sell the vehicles shortly after for less than half that amount.
Windsor Fire Service Chief Dave Fields said the trucks were rented for 11 days to provide emergency protection at the G8 gathering of world leaders in Huntsville.
Windsor Fire Service Chief Dave Fields said the trucks were rented for 11 days to provide emergency protection at the G8 gathering of world leaders in Huntsville.
6/02/2011
G-20 countries ‘increasing protectionist measures’
ICC warns against measures by the G-20 that will keep a hold on global markets.
THE International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has urged the Group of Twenty (G-20) to keep markets open to trade, following reports of G-20 countries increasing protectionist measures.
THE International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has urged the Group of Twenty (G-20) to keep markets open to trade, following reports of G-20 countries increasing protectionist measures.
6/01/2011
Toronto police G20 probe a ‘cat and mouse’ game, lawyer warns
The “cat and mouse” game playing out in investigations of policing at last year’s G20 summit is creating a crisis of confidence among the public towards Toronto’s forces, a leading human rights lawyer has warned.
Julian Falconer, who represents several clients who have accused police of mistreatment during last June’s meeting, said police actions, including the removal of badges and subsequent efforts to conceal officers’ identities, have become a systemic issue that requires systemic change.
Julian Falconer, who represents several clients who have accused police of mistreatment during last June’s meeting, said police actions, including the removal of badges and subsequent efforts to conceal officers’ identities, have become a systemic issue that requires systemic change.
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