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The report provides an overview of international intellectual property (IP) developments in the fourth quarter of 2004, focusing on the tension between IP protection and development goals. It details ongoing negotiations within the WTO Council for TRIPS, WIPO, and various bilateral and regional trade agreements, highlighting the efforts of developing countries to maintain flexibilities and prevent 'TRIPS-plus' standards.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law examines how international financial institutions, investment treaties, and trade agreements pressure national governments to privatize water services, potentially compromising the human right to water and limiting regulatory flexibility.

This report from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the activities of its Directorate between December 2002 and May 2003. It outlines progress across six strategic goals, including the expansion of Climate Research Networks (CRNs), capacity-building in member countries, and improving the dissemination of research. The document highlights numerous international diplomatic and scientific engagements, new institutional agreements, fundraising efforts for training courses, and internal administrative reforms, while also addressing a financial and administrative dispute regarding project CRN-038.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details activities and progress between December 2002 and May 2003. It outlines the implementation of six core strategies focused on consolidating research networks, developing a new scientific agenda, enhancing capacity building in scientifically weaker member countries, and increasing the institute's visibility through international partnerships and advisory services.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the status of agricultural negotiations following the Doha Ministerial Declaration. It outlines the 'Doha Mandate' for market access, export subsidies, and domestic support, while highlighting the deep divisions between developed nations, the Cairns Group, and the Like-minded Group of developing countries regarding the implementation and definition of these commitments.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) details the status of negotiations within the WTO TRIPs Council regarding intellectual property rights, public health, and geographical indications following the 2001 Doha Declaration.

This briefing by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines the progress and obstacles regarding trade and environment mandates following the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference (Doha). It details negotiations on the relationship between WTO rules and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), the liberalisation of environmental goods and services, and non-negotiating mandates such as market access and labelling.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the global trend of water privatization and the role of international financial institutions and corporations in commodifying water resources. It argues that water should be treated as a fundamental human right and a social good rather than a commodity, detailing various local and international resistance movements against corporate control of water.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) examines the global trend toward the privatization and commercialization of water resources. It argues that water should be treated as a social and cultural right rather than an economic commodity, highlighting how international financial institutions and multinational corporations marginalize poor populations and damage ecosystems through profit-driven management.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines how the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations following the 2001 Doha Ministerial Conference may undermine the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The document highlights conflicts between trade liberalization and biodiversity protection, specifically regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), agricultural subsidies, and intellectual property rights.

This report summarizes an electronic consultation facilitated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) from May 6 to June 11, 2002, on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Business Action for Sustainable Development (BASD). The consultation, involving over 475 participants, explored the nature, planning, communication, evaluation, and long-term support of partnerships for sustainable development as a contribution to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).

This commemorative report by Friends of the Earth International (FOEI), published in June 2001, celebrates its 30th anniversary by documenting community-led sustainability projects across its global network of 66 independent groups. The document highlights local initiatives in forest preservation, organic food systems, biodiversity conservation, climate action, and resistance to neoliberal economic globalization.

This research paper analyzes the substantive scope of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), specifically focusing on Article I:3, which determines whether 'public services' are covered by the agreement. The author examines the legal definitions of services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority, evaluates the inconsistent interpretations provided by the WTO Secretariat and member states, and applies principles of public international law to argue for potential methods of narrowing the agreement's scope to protect national policy objectives.

This document is a participant list for the Sixth Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP) held in Ottawa, Canada. It lists representatives from various countries (including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA), observers from other nations and organizations (such as Bolivia, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, APN, CARICOM, OAS, and WMO), and IAI staff.

The report documents the eleventh meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held April 19-20, 1999, in Lima, Peru. The meeting focused on the management of the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) and Initial Science Program (ISP), the implementation of the Program to Expand the Scientific Capacity in the Americas (PESCA), and the development of communication strategies and international collaborations with organizations such as VAMOS and LOICZ.

The report details the proceedings of the 11th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Lima, Peru, on April 19-20, 1999. The meeting focused on updating the status of research programs, addressing institutional conflicts of interest, and planning future scientific collaborations and training initiatives.

This research paper examines the emergence of markets for global environmental services in Central America, focusing on greenhouse gas emission reduction trading in Costa Rica and the role of shade-grown coffee in biodiversity and carbon sequestration in El Salvador.

This CIEL working paper presents the results of an informal survey conducted by Axel Bree and David Hunter to determine the environmental policies and procedures of non-US export credit and risk insurance agencies. The survey found that while most agencies claim to consider environmental issues, none had detailed written environmental policies as of September 1998.

This position paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) outlines twelve principles to guide the implementation of Joint Implementation (JI) under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). The document argues against moving from the JI pilot phase to full crediting without an independent evaluation and a comprehensive legal framework, highlighting significant technical, environmental, and socio-economic risks associated with the project-by-project approach.

The report 'REINVENTING THE WHEELS' proposes the 'Hypercar'—an ultralight hybrid-electric vehicle—as a way to increase fuel efficiency tenfold compared to 1990s standards. The authors argue that combining advanced composite materials to reduce weight and aerodynamic drag with a hybrid-electric drive to recover braking energy can create vehicles that are safer, cleaner, and cheaper to manufacture than traditional steel cars. The document advocates for a shift in industrial strategy and the use of 'feebates' to accelerate the transition away from the 'Iron Age' of automotive manufacturing.