Several initiatives are under way to move toward a global green economy, most of these associated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported, among others, by Germany and the EU Commission. But private investors from industrialized and emerging economies are also actively involved. READ MORE

Developing nations are faced with huge economic and financial problems and need funds and technical cooperation from Europe and the United States. But this is only one aspect of reality. They have meanwhile acquired a high profile in world economy and in global decision-making - thanks due to increasing South-South cooperation. READ MORE

A new report finds that Germany's overall commitment to development is fair to middling. Europe's economic powerhouse ranks 12th among the 22 'donor nations' in the Commitment to Development Index (CDI) 2009, authored by the Washington-based 'Center for Global Development'. The Index is designed to encourage donor countries to adopt policies that are more likely to promote development across a broad range of issues, which define their relationships with poor countries. READ MORE

Since U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to usher in a nuclear free world this April in Prague, the movement for abolishing atomic weapons has gathered momentum. The UN Security Council's special session on Sep. 24 is not only historic but also a milestone on the long road toward the ambitious goal. READ MORE

Whether Europe and the United States like it or not, negotiations in run up to the UN climate change conference this December in Copenhagen leave no doubt that the only global deal developing countries are prepared to consider must include commitments from developed nations to immediate emissions mitigation, more financial assistance, and to giving developing nations greater control of global climate institutions. READ MORE

Brazil, China, India and Russia -- backed by France -- have all questioned the dollar's future as a global reserve currency, a status it has enjoyed since inheriting it from sterling last century. China's central bank earlier this year laid out an alternative to the dollar in the form of a special international reserve currency administered by the International Monetary Fund. However, most experts believe it will take years for the dollar to be eclipsed. READ MORE

Financing for development in times of global economic crisis, which is hitting hard the most vulnerable populations of the world's poorest countries, was an important issue for the 'UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development' June 24-26 at the headquarters of the world organisation. Much to the satisfaction of the developing countries, the 16-page conference document underlines the urgent need for all donors to maintain and deliver on their existing bilateral and multilateral official development assistance. READ MORE

The global economic downturn threatens a new debt crisis in many developing countries. However, this issue is not high on the agenda of the EU. Nor has the OECD Development Assistance Committee at its high-level meeting on May 27-28 paid attention to developing country debt. Meanwhile, international debt campaigners are pleading for 'Fair and Transparent Arbitration Mechanism on Illegitimate and Odious Debts' and questioning the HIPC initiative. READ MORE

The third preparatory committee (PrepCom) meeting for the 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) takes place at the UN in New York May 4-15 against a background of increasing calls for progress on nuclear disarmament and measures to strengthen the Treaty. The NPT was concluded in 1968 and entered into force on March 5, 1970. It is the founding document of multilateral non proliferation endeavours. Ahead of the PrepCom, Japan that has suffered nuclear catastrophes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has urged nuclear powers to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons as a step toward a nuclear free world. READ MORE