Delegates attend the sixth GEF Assembly (Source: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – Canada has committed aid worth over 228 million USD for fiscal years 2018–2019 through 2022–2023 to the seventh replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to advance climate action in developing countries. The pledge was made by Canadian Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau at the sixth GEF Assembly which is being held in Vietnam’s Da Nang city on June 27-28. Developing countries constantly face impacts of climate change, with women and children facing disproportionate challenges. Collaboration and partnerships between governments, global institutions, non-governmental and local organisations, as well as the private sector are key to moving forward on climate action. Therefore, Canada is committed to these efforts to empower the most at-risk communities to better adapt and mitigate the harmful impacts of a changing climate. Through the GEF, the country has … [Read more...] about Canada supports climate action in developing countries
Globalization in developing countries
Women in developed countries more educated than men, but still earn less: OECD
Women in developed countries are now more educated than men, yet they still earn less, are poorly represented in politics, and less likely to join the top ranks in business or become an entrepreneur, a global think-tank said on Wednesday. From Canada, Japan, Norway to Australia, young women on average earn almost 15 percent less than men, even though they are more educated, said the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The gender pay gap has remained stubbornly consistent over the past decade despite better policies for working parents, transparency in workplace pay gaps, and quota systems to boost the number of women on boards and senior roles, OECD said. "Every country faces its own obstacles to reaching gender equality, and to make a real difference we must change public policies in tandem with stereotypes, attitudes and behaviors," Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD said in a statement. Having to stall careers after childbirth due … [Read more...] about Women in developed countries more educated than men, but still earn less: OECD
GM crops needed in developing countries
GM crops needed in developing countries Ngoc Hung By Ngoc Hung - The Saigon Times Daily MANILA - Developing countries are being put under pressure of growing more genetically-modified (GM) crops as to deal with problems related to water shortage and the increase of weeds and pests, experts said at a conference in Philippine capital Manila on Tuesday. Representatives of countries and territories taking part in the biotechnology conference, including Thailand, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and the Philippines, said that although GM crops are facing objections from farmers in their countries, such crops would prevail in the long run. It is because problems related to weeds and pest control along with low crop yields have forced developing economies to resort to GM crops en masse to avoid dependence on imported food products, speakers said at the conference organized by Singapore-based Croplife Asia, a non-profit organization specializing in … [Read more...] about GM crops needed in developing countries
Viettel expands in developing countries
Viettel expands in developing countries Van Oanh By Van Oanh - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Vietnam’s telecom group Viettel has obtained a license to provide mobile services in the African country of Burundi, one of world’s poorest nations with an average gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of around US$200 annually. Le Dang Dung, deputy general director of Viettel, told the Daily that Burundi has a population of over 10 million, of which around 10% use mobile services. Therefore, Viettel has seen an opportunity to invest in the market. The group is preparing to set up Viettel Burundi Company and expand its business network in the country. Viettel has seen many investment opportunities in Africa. It has plans to expand its business to three new markets every year, raising revenue from the global market to 20-30% of total revenue of the group in 2020, Dung said. Before entering Burundi, Viettel got the nod to provide services in Timor Leste, Peru, Cameroon, … [Read more...] about Viettel expands in developing countries
UNEP Studies Show Rising Mercury Emissions in Developing Countries
Communities in developing countries are facing increasing health and environmental risks linked to exposure to mercury, according to new studies by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Global Mercury Assessment2013 states that emissions of the toxic metal from artisanal gold mining are significantly greater than were reported in 2008. Rising gold prices are driving greater small-mining activity, but new and improved reporting has also provided more accurate estimates of emissions from the sector. Due to rapid industrialization, Asia is the largest regional emitter of mercury, and accounts for just under half of all global releases. The UNEP study assesses for the first time at a global level releases of mercury into rivers and lakes. The report says an estimated 260 tonnes of mercury - previously held in soils - are being released into rivers and lakes. Much human exposure to mercury is through the consumption of contaminated fish, making aquatic … [Read more...] about UNEP Studies Show Rising Mercury Emissions in Developing Countries