Women as drivers of economic recovery and resilience during COVID-19 and beyond, higher taxes on the richest to help COVID-19 global recovery and extension of EU humanitarian programmes. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
UN Women and Women 20 call on G20 members to recognize women as drivers of economic recovery and resilience during COVID-19 and beyond
Amidst a COVID-19 pandemic that is expected to cause an unprecedented global economic downturn, UN Women, the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, and Women 20 (W20), the official G20 engagement group on women, called on G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to put women at the heart of recovery efforts.
In a joint statement, both groups called on addressing women’s distinct economic roles, contributions and constraints, and seizing the opportunity to put women at the center of investment design to realize sustainable recovery.
Women contribute 37 percent of the global GDP. Moreover, all types of women’s care work, including unpaid work, generate USD 11 trillion globally (9 percent of global GDP). Enabling women’s potential fully and equally with men promotes sustainable, balanced, inclusive growth, improves the representation of women within institutions and intergenerational development outcomes, and is also crisis-cushioning.
Extension of EU humanitarian programmes supporting 1.7 million refugees in Turkey receives green light
Following the Commission’s proposal on 3 June, the European Parliament has approved a top-up of EUR 485 million to support refugees in Turkey.
The funding now cleared by both the Council and the European Parliament will allow the European Union to extend two flagship humanitarian programmes in Turkey until the end of 2021. These programmes enable over 1.7 million refugees to meet their basic needs and more than 600,000 children to go to school.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The EU will support refugees in Turkey as long as the humanitarian needs persist. This new funding shows our deep concern for the most vulnerable, especially now that the coronavirus has further exacerbated their already dire situation. Thanks to the partnership between humanitarian organisations, the Turkish authorities, and the EU, our humanitarian programmes help refugees to meet their basic needs and preserve their dignity.”
More than 80 millionaires call for higher taxes on the richest to help COVID-19 global recovery
A group of 83 millionaires from seven countries released an open letter to governments, calling for a permanent tax increase on the very wealthiest to help pay for the global recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
The letter praises the essential workers who have been on the frontline of the crisis and highlights the role that the richest people in the society can play in helping to rebalance the world economy. The group also urges governments to raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires “immediately, substantially and permanently.”
The millionaires released their call ahead of this weekend’s G20 Finance Ministers and Central Governors meeting, and the Special European Council meeting in Brussels, both of which are expected to discuss the global effort to rebuild economies in a post-COVID world. They hope politicians will address global inequality and acknowledge that tax increases on the wealthy and greater international tax transparency are essential for a viable long-term solution.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Experts’ Opinions | The impact of Covid-19 on Education. Consequences and Solutions.
Education has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic with 1.53 billion learners out of school and school closure in 184 countries, impacting 87.6% of the world’s total enrolled learners. Drop-out rates across the globe are likely to rise as a result of this massive disruption to access to education. What are the biggest consequences and also what could be the solutions? Check out some insights from several international education experts.
Increased government surveillance following the pandemic could become a trend, experts warn
On the grounds of virus containment, a number of governments around the world have opted for increased surveillance of their citizens which some experts consider to be invasive and dangerous. Reports point to the fact that at least 35 countries have deployed some form of invasive surveillance. This present article will review the forms of surveillance applied during COVID-19 and will map those locations around the world who now have increased surveillance measures.
Here’s what else has happened
Women and girls: The collective impact of climate change, COVID-19, and conflict mean that well over 200 million people will likely need humanitarian assistance by 2022, the UN’s deputy rights chief said.
EU: The EU is supporting the economic recovery in all Member States by injecting almost €2.2 billion into 140 key transport projects. These projects will help build missing transport links across the continent, support sustainable transport, and create jobs. The projects will receive funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU’s grant scheme supporting transport infrastructure.
ADB: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million (F$430 million) policy-based loan to boost investment in Fiji’s private sector to help the country’s economy cope with, and rebound from, the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Germany: UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, is pleased to announce that the Government of Germany has increased its flexible funding by €30 million to support global response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Reports
Rising uncertainties from COVID-19 cloud medium-term agricultural prospects
The fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented uncertainties in global food supply chains, with potential bottlenecks in labour markets, input industries, agriculture production, food processing, transport, and logistics, as well as shifts in demand for food and food services.
Read the full OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2020-2029 report.
30 innovative solutions show the path to renewable-powered future
IRENA has published the full series of 30 Innovation Briefs under its Innovation Landscape report. It is the most comprehensive analysis available on innovation priorities that policymakers must address to successfully decarbonise the electricity systems with renewables and push for innovative renewables solutions in a COVID-19 recovery stimulus.
Read the full report: Innovation landscape for a renewable-powered future.
Events
Webinar | ODIHR and UN Women Key Findings: Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of COVID-19
? 21 July 2020 ? 18:00 PM – 19:00 PM (CET)
Webinar
ODIHR and UN Women will jointly present the key findings of the global survey of survivors of trafficking. The results were instrumental in developing the policy recommendations report on “Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Virtual conference | 2020 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting (MRT)
? 25 July 2020
Virtual conference
Media registration is now open for the 2020 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting (MRT), which will be held virtually on 25 July 2020. The meeting will be chaired by Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Webinar | Making Effective Use of Grants and Technical Assistance to Support Financial Institutions
?17 July 2020 ? 10:00 AM- 11:00 AM (EDT)
Webinar
This webinar, hosted by CGAP in partnership with CDC Group, will cover how to make these non-commercial instruments provided to financial institutions most effective. CDC Group commissioned Tandem to consolidate industry practice and develop guidance for funders and implementers. The recently published research report “Making the most effective use of grants and technical assistance to support financial institutions” will serve as the basis for discussion.
