Podcasts about economic cooperation

In 2024, the number of babies born in South Korea increased for the first time in nine years. The change is welcome news for a country that is dealing with serious population problems.2024年，韩国出生的婴儿人数九年来首次增加。 对于一个正在处理严重人口问题的国家来说，这一变化是可喜的消息。South Korea's statistics agency said recently that 238,300 babies were born last year, an increase of 8,300 from a year earlier.韩国统计局最近表示，去年有238,300名婴儿出生，比去年同期增加了8300名。The agency said the country's fertility rate — the average number of babies born to each woman in her reproductive years — was 0.75 in 2024, up from 0.72 in 2023.该机构表示，该国的生育率 - 在生殖年中每个妇女出生的婴儿的平均数量 - 2024年为0.75，高于2023年的0.72。The data represents the first time that the yearly number of births has increased since 2015.数据代表自2015年以来每年的出生人数首次增加。Choi Yoon Kyung is an expert with the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. Choi told the Associated Press that researchers must wait for more data over the next few years to see if increased births were driven by “structural changes.”Choi Yoon Kyung是韩国儿童保育和教育研究所的专家。 崔告诉美联社，研究人员必须在接下来的几年中等待更多数据，以查看增加的出生是否是由“结构性变化”驱动的。Park Hyun Jung is with the government agency Statistics Korea. Park said the agency believes the rise is partly due to an increase in marriages following postponements of such plans during the COVID-19 pandemic.公园贤荣（Park Hyun Jung）与韩国政府机构统计局一起。 帕克说，该机构认为，这一崛起的部分原因是婚姻推迟在19009年大流行期间婚姻的增加。Park said another reason for the increase is that a growing number of people entered their early 30s. She also noted a government study that shows a small increase in the number of young people hoping to have children after marriage.帕克说，增加的另一个原因是越来越多的人进入了30多岁。 她还指出，一项政府研究表明，希望结婚后生孩子的年轻人数量少了。Official data show South Korea's fertility rate has been the lowest in the developed world in recent years. In 2022, South Korea was the only country with a fertility rate below one, among members of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.官方数据显示，韩国的生育率近年来一直是发达国家的最低水平。 2022年，韩国是总部位于巴黎的经济合作与发展组织成员中唯一一个低于生育率的国家。The low fertility rate could threaten South Korea's economic health. The country, Asia's fourth largest economy, could face labor shortages and greater spending on public assistance programs. South Korea's central and local governments have been increasingly offering several support programs to those who give birth to children.低生育率可能威胁到韩国的经济健康。 该国是亚洲第四大经济体，可能面临劳动力短缺和在公共援助计划上的支出。 韩国的中央和地方政府越来越多地向那些生下儿童的人提供几个支持计划。But experts say that it will be difficult to solve the country's population problems. Many young people say they do not want to have babies. Their reasons include costly housing, low levels of upward social movement, the high costs of raising and educating children, and a culture that requires women to do more of the childcare.但是专家说，解决该国的人口问题将很难。 许多年轻人说他们不想生婴儿。 他们的原因包括昂贵的住房，较低的向上社会运动，养育和教育儿童的高昂成本以及一种要求妇女做更多育儿的文化。Park said that the fertility rate will likely stay on an upward movement at least for another year. But observers say it remains to be seen whether the rate will go back down as post-pandemic marriages even out. The country's population structure will also change, with a drop in the number of people in their early 30s.帕克说，生育率至少可能会持续一年。 但是观察者说，随着大流行后的婚姻甚至均匀的婚姻，这一比率是否会降低。 该国的人口结构也将发生变化，30多岁的人数减少。Some experts argue that the government should pay more attention to supporting young couples who want to have babies.一些专家认为，政府应该更加关注支持婴儿的年轻夫妇。“There are still people with solid wills to have a family and babies. When we help them realize their hopes, our fertility rate won't suffer a steep, 45-degree drop,” Choi said.崔说：“仍然有稳固的遗嘱拥有一个家庭和婴儿。当我们帮助他们意识到自己的希望时，我们的生育率不会遭受陡峭的45度下降。”

“Zdrowie psychiczne jest kluczowym elementem dobrostanu każdej osoby i społeczeństwa jako całości (Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia [WHO], 2021). Mimo to, w Polsce, jego znaczenie wciąż wydaje się marginalizowane. Według danych Organizacji Współpracy Gospodarczej i Rozwoju (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD], 2021) Polska przeznacza mniej niż 3% budżetu na zdrowie psychiczne, co stanowi znacznie mniej niż w krajach takich jak Wielka Brytania czy Niemcy, gdzie wskaźnik ten wynosi około 10–15%. Jest to alarmujące, szczególnie w obliczu danych WHO (2017), które wskazują na rosnącą liczbę osób z objawami depresji i zaburzeń lękowych w naszym kraju. Pomimo tej rosnącej potrzeby, niewielki odsetek Polek i Polaków korzysta z profesjonalnej pomocy psychologicznej czy psychiatrycznej. Jak wynika z raportu CBOS (2021), aż 40% Polaków uważa, że korzystanie z pomocy psychiatrycznej może prowadzić do stygmatyzacji. To przekonanie wynika z braku edukacji społecznej i utrzymujących się stereotypów, które utrudniają dostęp do pomocy. Strach przed oceną innych, a także niewiedza na temat dostępnych form wsparcia, dodatkowo pogłębiają problem.”Tak zaczyna się raport zrealizowany przez Instytutu Psychologii Państwowej Akademii Nauk pod tytułem DOBROSTAN PSYCHICZNY W POLSCE. CO MYŚLIMY O POMOCY PSYCHOLOGICZNEJ?A moim i Waszym gościem jest dr hab. Łukasz Gawęda, Prof. IP PAN - kierownik Laboratorium Psychopatologii Eksperymentalnej. Psycholog, który łączy doświadczenie kliniczne (wcześniej kierował Pracownią Psychopatologii i Wczesnych Interwencji w II Klinice Psychiatrycznej WUM, ma doświadczenie pracy z pacjentami w oddziale stacjonarnym, dziennym oraz PZP; ukończył szkolenie CBT z el. psychodynamicznymi) z pracą naukową. Cały raport znajdziecie na stronie:https://psych.pan.pl/Montaż: Eugeniusz Karlov

China's trade in goods continued to grow in the first five months of the year. From January to May, foreign trade totaled nearly 18 trillion yuan or around 2.5 trillion US dollars. That represents a 2.5% increase despite the uncertain global economic environment. Several multinational investment banks, including JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and UBS, have raised their forecasts for China's GDP, citing the positive impact of the government's growth policies. Why are they upbeat about China's economy and capital markets? Where is the economic resilience coming from? Host Zhao Yang spoke with Li Lun, an assistant professor of economics at Peking University; Dr. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; and Yan Liang, a professor of economics at Willamette University.

In October 2021, 136 countries agreed to establish new tax rules requiring large multinational companies to pay at least 15% in corporate tax. Nearly four years later, this ambitious agreement is finally being implemented around the world, but its success faces big challenges.In the second part of The 15% solution, we examine progress towards implementing the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's global tax framework. Featuring Martin Hearson, a research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Mend Mariwany. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation. Donation

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has made a trip to Southeast Asia this week for a historic first summit—where ASEAN, China, and the Gulf states aim to prove that 1+1+1 is greater than 3. Speaking at the talks in Kuala Lumpur, Li said the launch of the new forum marked a major innovation in regional economic cooperation amid complex changes in the international landscape.Host Ge Anna is joined by Dr Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia; Dr Rong Ying, Chair Professor with the School of International Studies, Sichuan University; Dr Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

China and the European Union are stepping up cooperation as the United States ramps up tariff pressure and global trade fragmentation deepens, signaling the shared commitment of China and the EU to openness, stability and mutual benefit in an increasingly uncertain world, experts said.专家指出，在美国持续加码关税压力与全球贸易碎片化加剧的背景下，中国与欧盟正持续深化合作，这一动向彰显了双方在日益动荡的国际环境中坚守开放、稳定、互利原则的共同承诺。Chinese investment in the EU surged 47 percent year-on-year to 10 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in 2024, marking its first significant rebound since 2016.2024年中国对欧盟投资额同比增长47%, 达到100亿欧元（约合114亿美元），实现自2016年以来首次显著回升。The growth, driven by record-high greenfield investment and a revival of mergers and acquisitions, reflects the enduring complementarities between the two sides, according to a joint report released on Wednesday by the New York-based Rhodium Group and German think tank Mercator Institute for China Studies. Greenfield investment is a type of foreign direct investment in which a parent company starts a business operation in a foreign country from scratch.根据纽约荣鼎集团与德国墨卡托中国研究中心周三联合发布的报告，这一由创纪录的绿地投资和并购复苏驱动的增长，印证了中欧经济结构的持久互补性。报告特别说明，绿地投资作为外商直接投资模式，特指母公司在外国从零开始新建业务的投资行为。Analysts said the momentum underscores the strategic importance of China-EU economic ties at a time when Washington's unilateral tariff hikes threaten to upend global supply chains. Strengthening cooperation in green energy, digital infrastructure and smart manufacturing will not only serve both sides' development interests, but also help safeguard the multilateral trading system, they added.分析师表示，当前美国单边加征关税政策正威胁全球供应链稳定之际，中欧经贸往来升温态势凸显了双方经济关系的战略重要性。他们还表示，加强在绿色能源、数字基础设施和智能制造等领域的合作，不仅契合双方发展利益，更有助于维护多边贸易体系。China's greenfield investment in Europe increased for the third year in a row and reached an all-time high of 5.9 billion euros, while merger and acquisition investment more than doubled in 2024 to 4.1 billion euro, according to the report.中国在欧洲的绿地投资连续第三年增长，2024年达59亿欧元创历史新高，并购投资额同比翻番至41亿欧元。Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology, or CATL, emerged as the leading investor in 2024, accounting for 16 percent of total investment, mostly from the ongoing construction of its battery plant in Hungary, the report said.报告显示，中国电池巨头宁德时代（CATL）凭借匈牙利电池工厂的持续建设，以占总投资额16%的占比成为2024年主要投资方。Ding Chun, director of Shanghai-based Fudan University's Centre for European Studies, said, "China and the EU possess expansive common ground and enormous potential for cooperation in green energy, smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence."复旦大学欧洲研究中心主任丁纯表示：“中欧在绿色能源、智能制造和人工智能等领域拥有广阔合作空间与巨大发展潜力。”As of the end of 2024, EU enterprises had cumulatively invested more than $150 billion in China, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed.商务部数据显示，截至2024年底，欧盟企业累计对华投资超1500亿美元。China and Europe should work together to safeguard the stability of the multilateral trading system and global industrial chains, rather than allowing trade disputes to spiral into broader geopolitical conflicts, Ding said.丁纯指出，中欧应共同维护多边贸易体系和全球产业链稳定，避免让贸易争端升级为更广泛的地缘政治冲突。Last month, China and the EU floated the idea of lifting the tariffs on Chinese EVs through possible commitments to minimum prices, known as price undertakings for imported cars.上月，中欧双方就通过建立最低价格承诺机制（即进口汽车"价格承诺"制度）取消中国电动汽车关税展开可行性探讨。A further increase in China's investment in Europe is possible in 2025, the report said, noting that EU-China ties could improve amid the US' new trade war.报告认为，随着美国掀起新一轮贸易战，2025年中国对欧投资有望继续增长，中欧关系或将迎来改善契机。Simon Lichtenberg, the All China founding chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, told China Daily that Europe has recognized the problems arising from being overly dependent on the US in the past and is now seeking to cultivate a more independent stance and perspective.中国丹麦商会创始全国主席李曦萌 (Simon Lichtenberg)向《中国日报》表示，欧洲已意识到过去过度依赖美国产生的问题，当前正着力培育更具独立性的立场与视角。This shifting mindset presents an opportunity for stronger China-EU cooperation, as both sides seek to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, Lichtenberg said.他指出，这种思维转变为深化中欧合作提供机遇，双方可在复杂地缘政治格局中探寻共赢路径。"China's manufacturing capability is truly outstanding, perhaps the best in the world," he said. "If we do not leverage it, we would be sacrificing a crucial part of the global value."“中国制造业实力堪称卓越，或许堪称世界最佳。”他强调，“若不加以利用，我们将失去全球价值链中至关重要的一环。”"Now more than ever, we need to uphold global trade," Lichtenberg added. "Together we are stronger, and we can all stand to win if we work together."“当下比以往任何时候都更需维护全球贸易，”李曦萌强调，“团结使我们更加强大，通过合作，我们终将实现共赢。”Yao Ling, director of the European Institute at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said that with combined economic might accounting for over one-third of global GDP and trade volume exceeding one-fourth of global trade, China and the EU stand as important economic partners, presenting immense opportunities for each other's development.商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院欧洲研究所所长姚铃表示，中欧经济总量占全球GDP三分之一以上，贸易额超全球贸易四分之一，作为重要经济伙伴为彼此发展提供巨大机遇。In particular, the deepening of China-EU cooperation within the framework of the global trading system could help mitigate the disruptive impact of Washington's unilateral and erratic tariff policies, Yao added.姚铃补充指出，特别是在全球贸易体系框架下深化中欧合作，将有助于缓解美国单边、反复无常加征关税政策所造成的破坏性影响。price undertakings价格承诺greenfield investment绿地投资from scratch从零开始; 从头做起leverage/ˈli:vərɪdʒ/v.利用smart manufacturing智能制造

After high-level talks in Geneva, China and the United States have announced a series of tariff adjustments between the world's two largest economies. The two sides will remove 91% of tariffs and suspend 24% for 90 days while further talks continue. After the adjustment, both sides will retain a 10 percent baseline tariff while the U.S.'s 20% fentanyl-linked levy imposed earlier this year will also remain. The two sides will establish a system to continue discussions about economic and trade relations. How can we interpret the results from the Geneva meeting? How will the economic and trade relationship between China and the US evolve? What effect might that have on the global economy? Host Zhao Yang spoke with Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University; Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow of Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China.

It's a deal, but not a done deal. The temporary tariff agreement reached between China and the United States has brought a glimmer of positivity to a world shrouded in Washington's tariff war. What immediate impact will the deal have on the course of two-way trade? Does the agreement have any implications for other countries currently in talks with the U.S.? How may Beijing respond if Washington backtracks? And what may we expect after the three-month pause expires?Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, William Lee, the Chief Economist with the U.S.-based Milken Institute, and Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia for a close look at the Chat Lounge.

Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada has expressed confidence in strengthening economic cooperation with Washington while showing concern about President Donald Trump's tariff measures against Japan.

Cities around the world are facing a host of challenges. As the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development observed recently, "places are rethinking how to stay competitive on the global stage. Technological change, the green transition and shifting global value chains are reshaping local economies." Join Eugenie Birch, Co-Director of Penn IUR, and William Glasgall, Penn IUR Fellow and Volcker Alliance Public Finance Advisor, as our panel of current and former global mayors examine what cities should do now to set their future agendas for growth and shared prosperity. Speakers include Steve Adler, former Mayor, Austin, Texas; Stephanie Miner, former Mayor, Syracuse, New York; Nasiphi Moya, Mayor of Tshwane, South Africa; and Jaime Pumarejo Heins, former Mayor of Barranquilla, Colombia. Notable Quotes: “Today, the (Barranquilla) waterfront gets 10 million people visiting a year, from all types of places, from all of the socioeconomic strata of the city. It paid for itself because when we reappraised the land around it, within seven years, we were able to recuperate the investment." - Jaime Pumarejo Heins “As a city, we must be creative about how we fund our needs. We want to ramp up revenue collection, but we don't want to do that without taking care of the root cause, which is economic growth.” - Nasiphi Moya (Syracuse, New York, is currently facing) “a $27 million deficit—and that's with a 2 percent tax increase. Normally, when this kind of thing happens, you would turn to the state or even the federal government to ask for help. But given the uncertainty that's going on with the federal government, and this idea that there's a recession, there's not going to be that kind of aid coming through.” - Stephanie Miner (The [Austin, Texas] city council is) “projecting a $13 million shortfall this year, projected to go up to $35 million in the next couple years. We have stagnant sales tax revenue and a property tax revenue constraint imposed by our legislature.” - Steve Adler Be sure to subscribe to Special Briefing to stay up to date on the world of public finance. Learn more about the Volcker Alliance at: volckeralliance.org Learn more about Penn IUR at: penniur.upenn.edu Connect with us @VolckerAlliance and @PennIUR on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Special Briefing is published by the Volcker Alliance, as part of its Public Finance initiatives, and Penn IUR. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the panelists and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Volcker Alliance or Penn IUR.

China will raise additional tariffs on all goods imported from the United States to 84 percent, starting at 12:01 am on Thursday, and has added 18 US entities to its export control and unreliable entity lists in order to counter the US' unilateral tariff hikes.中国将于周四零点零1分起对自美国进口的全部商品加征关税至84%，并将18家美国实体企业列入出口管制清单和不可靠实体清单，以反制美方单方面加征关税。Analysts said the countermeasures send a clear message that China, the world's second-largest economy, is prepared to stand firm in defense of its legitimate interests and the rules-based multilateral trading system.分析师表示，这些反制措施传递出明确信号：作为全球第二大经济体，中国已做好准备坚决捍卫自身合法权益及以规则为准的多边贸易体系。On Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Education issued separate risk alert to tourists and students planning to go to the US.周三晚间，中国文化和旅游部与教育部分别对计划赴美旅游和留学人员发布了风险预警。Beijing's latest moves follow Washington's decision to increase its so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese goods to 84 percent, bringing the total additional tariffs imposed by the current Trump administration to 104 percent.中方最新举措是对华盛顿决定将所谓"对等关税"提高至84%的回应，至此特朗普政府任内对华加征关税总额已达104%。The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, China's Cabinet, said in a statement on Wednesday that the US' decision to increase tariffs on Chinese goods is "a mistake upon a mistake".国务院关税税则委员会周三发表声明指出，美方提高对华商品关税是"错上加错"。The US' tariff hikes, which severely infringe on China's legitimate rights and interests, damage the rules-based multilateral trading system and destabilize the global economic order, are "a clear example of unilateralism, protectionism and economic coercion", the commission said.该委员会表示，美方加征关税严重侵犯中国合法权益，损害基于规则的多边贸易体系，扰乱全球经济秩序，是"典型的单边主义、保护主义和经济胁迫"。Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce announced that it has included 12 more US entities, including American Photonics and BRINC Drones, on China's export control list, thereby effectively banning the export of dual-use items — goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes — from China to these entities.同样在本周三，商务部宣布将包括美国光电公司和布莱恩无人机公司在内的另外12家美国实体列入中国出口管制清单。从而有效地禁止了中国向这些实体出口军民两用物项（兼具民用和军事用途的商品）。The ministry said it has also added six more US companies, including Shield AI and Cyberlux Corp, to China's unreliable entity list. It means these companies are banned from trading or investing in the country.该部门同时将6家美国企业列入不可靠实体清单，新增企业包括Shield AI、赛博勒克斯公司等。被列入清单意味着这些企业被禁止在华开展贸易投资活动。Furthermore, China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the latest US tariff hikes, the ministry added.商务部补充称，中方已就美方最新加征关税措施向世界贸易组织提起诉讼。Guo Kai, executive president of CF40 Institute, a research center affiliated with the think tank China Finance 40 Forum, said Beijing's strong countermeasures have proved that Washington's expectations of China succumbing to the pressure of US tariffs were miscalculated.智库“中国金融四十人论坛”下属研究中心CF40研究院执行院长郭凯表示，中方强有力的反制措施证明，美方期待中国屈服于关税压力的预期构成了战略误判。。It may take some time, but Beijing's firm stand to "fight until the end" will make Washington realize that it underestimated China's endurance to tariffs, Guo said, underscoring that the realization would eventually bring the US back to the negotiation table.郭凯指出，尽管可能需要时间，但中方"奉陪到底"的坚定立场将使美方意识到其低估了中国承受关税压力的耐力，这种认知最终将促使美方重返谈判桌。"And when that time comes, it (the negotiation) will be on China's terms, not on the US' terms," Guo added.郭凯强调："当谈判重启之时，届时谈判将按中方条件进行，而非美方条件。"Lin Meng, director of the modern supply chain research institute at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, noted that China's countermeasures reflect its firm opposition to US hegemony and underscore its commitment to upholding a fair, rules-based global trading system.中国国际贸易与经济合作研究院现代供应链研究所所长林梦指出，中方反制措施既体现了反对美国霸权的坚定立场，也彰显了维护公平、基于规则的全球贸易体系的决心。"This offers other countries a reference for defending their interests through multilateralism and reinforces the importance of a rules-based global trading system amid rising unilateral pressures," Lin said.林梦表示："这为各国通过多边主义捍卫自身利益提供了范例，并在单边压力加剧之际强化了基于规则的全球贸易体系的重要性。"Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University's Institute of International Relations, said the White House is playing the tariff card to advance its domestic political agenda and secure gains in the upcoming midterm elections.中国外交学院国际关系研究所教授李海东表示，白宫正通过关税牌推进国内政治议程，为即将到来的中期选举谋取利益。"Given that China is a staunch proponent of globalization, the Trump administration is escalating the 'tariff war' in an attempt to overturn the multilateral trading system of the past decades and recast it in a way that preserves the US' dominance and allows it to continue draining the rest of world," Li said.李海东指出："中国作为全球化坚定捍卫者，正面临特朗普政府不断升级的'关税战'，其意图是颠覆过去数十年的多边贸易体系，重构有利于维持美国霸权、允许其持续掠夺全球的体系。"However, global consulting firm PwC told China Daily that the US' "reciprocal tariff" policy may only encourage other countries to strengthen regional economic cooperation by establishing regional free trade zones and enhancing trade agreements, thereby reducing trade costs and improving supply chain stability.不过，普华永道会计师事务所向《中国日报》表示，美国的"对等关税"政策或将促使其他国家通过建立区域自贸区、深化贸易协定等方式加强区域经济合作，从而降低贸易成本、提升供应链稳定性。Su Jian, a professor of economics at Peking University, said that for the next step, it is essential for Chinese companies to minimize related risk exposure by adjusting trade partner selection, managing order cycles, reassessing key supply chain interdependency, strengthening communication with US market partners, and preparing for future supply security and pricing mechanisms.北京大学经济学教授苏剑建议，下一步中国企业应通过以下措施最大限度降低相关风险敞口：调整贸易伙伴选择、管理订单周期、重新评估关键供应链依赖关系、加强与美方市场伙伴沟通、做好未来供应保障和定价机制准备。countermeasuresn.对抗措施reciprocal tariffs对等关税unreliable entity list不可靠实体清单export control list出口管制清单unilateralism单边主义multilateralism多边主义filed a complaint提起诉讼

According to the U.S. State Department, three-fifths of global GDP, three-quarters of world trade, and 90 percent of official development assistance can be accounted for in 38 countries. Those countries are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development – or OECD. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, the OECD's goals include stimulating global economic growth by providing a forum for intergovernmental collaboration. It's also the focus of this episode of Stats and Stories with guest Steve MacFeely. Steve MacFeely is, chief statistician at the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development and adjunct professor at University College Cork. MacFeely joined OECD in August of last year as chief statistician and director of statistics and the data directorate. Before joining the organization, MacFeely served as Director of Data and Analytics at the World Health Organization and as Director of Statistics and Information at U-N Trade and Development. He has also served as the Deputy Director-General at the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in Ireland.

China has vowed to take firm and necessary countermeasures in response to the United States' escalating tariff threats, reaffirming its commitment to defending national interests while upholding the stability of the global trade system.中国发誓将采取坚决必要措施，以应对美国不断升级的关税威胁，重申其维护国家利益和维护全球贸易体系稳定的决心。Analysts said that China's move sent a strong signal to the international community of rejecting unilateralism and joining efforts to safeguard multilateral trade rules.分析人士表示，中国此举向国际社会发出强烈信号，表明中国反对单边主义，携手维护多边贸易规则。They noted that Beijing retains ample policy tools to respond, including raising tariffs on US energy and agricultural imports, as well as further expanding export controls on critical minerals such as rare earth elements. These targeted actions are expected to increase pressure on Washington and could pave the way for a return to rational negotiations, they added.他们指出，北京方面拥有充足的政策工具来应对，包括提高对美国能源和农产品进口的关税，以及进一步扩大对稀土元素等关键矿产的出口管制。他们补充说，这些有针对性的行动预计将加大对华盛顿的压力，并可能为恢复理性谈判铺平道路。"China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests, should the United States escalate its tariff measures," the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Tuesday, hours after the US threatened to impose a further 50 percent tariff on China if Beijing does not withdraw its 34 percent counter-tariff.中国商务部周二在一份声明中表示：“如果美国升级关税措施，中方将坚决采取反制措施，维护自身权益。”此前数小时，美国威胁称，如果北京不撤销已加征的34%反制关税，将对中国进一步加征50%的关税。US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 2 regarding the so-called "reciprocal tariffs", imposing a 10 percent "baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners.美国总统唐纳德·特朗普于4月2日签署了一项关于所谓“对等关税”的行政命令，决定对部分贸易伙伴征收10%的“基准关税”，并提高其税率。Last week, Beijing adopted an array of countermeasures, including an additional 34 percent tariff on US imports, following a decision by the US to impose an additional 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports.上周，继美国决定对中国进口产品加征34%的关税后，北京方面采取了一系列反制措施，包括对美国进口产品加征34%的关税。"The US' tariff escalation threat against China compounds its mistake and further exposes its nature of blackmail, which China will never accept," the ministry said. "China will fight till the end if the US is bent on going down the wrong path."中国商务部表示：“美方对华升级关税威胁加剧了其错误，进一步暴露了其讹诈本质，中方绝不接受。如果美方执意沿着错误的路走下去，中方将坚决斗争到底。”Analysts believe that the set of forceful and targeted countermeasures that Beijing has taken showed that it has ample tools at its disposal, especially against sectors and companies that are priorities for the Trump administration, and where China's dependence is not significant.分析人士认为，北京方面采取的一系列强硬且有针对性的反制措施表明，其拥有充足的反制手段，尤其针对特朗普政府重点关注、而中国对美依赖程度不高的行业和企业。The energy and agricultural sectors that Trump hopes to bolster are also the primary industries in some US states. Intensifying sanctions on these sectors would therefore heighten domestic pressure on the Trump administration, said Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities.特朗普希望加强的能源和农业部门，也是美国一些州的主要产业。因此，粤开证券首席经济学家罗志恒表示，加大对这些行业的制裁力度将加剧特朗普政府的国内压力。Luo said that China can consider extending export restrictions to potentially include lighter rare earth elements like lanthanum and cerium, as the US is highly dependent on such Chinese imports.罗志恒表示，中国可以考虑扩大出口限制，可能将镧和铈等较轻的稀土元素也纳入其中，因为美国高度依赖中国进口稀土元素。"The trade war this time is not one that can easily be settled through concessions," Luo said. "China must take firm and resolute countermeasures to defend its interests, which will then compel the US to come back to the negotiating table."“这次的贸易战不是一场能轻易通过让步解决的贸易战，”罗志恒表示，“中国必须采取坚决有力的反制措施，捍卫自身利益，从而迫使美国重返谈判桌。”The US saw widespread protests over the weekend that in part opposed the Trump administration's aggressive tariff policies, which are seen as inflicting real economic pain on households and businesses across the country.上周末，美国爆发了大规模抗议活动，部分原因是抗议特朗普政府激进的关税政策，这些政策被认为给美国各地的家庭和企业带来了实质性经济伤害。Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, said in a statement last week, "To be clear, tariffs are taxes borne by the American companies that import the goods and the hardworking American families that buy those goods."美国服装和鞋类协会主席兼首席执行官史蒂夫·拉马尔上周在一份声明中表示：“明确地说，关税是由进口商品的美国公司和购买这些商品的辛勤工作的美国家庭承担的税款。”"Tariffs will significantly increase the cost of manufacturing in the US, and, when paired with the retaliatory tariffs that will surely come, will undermine US export opportunities as well," Lamar said.“关税将大幅增加美国制造业的成本，再加上必然会采取的报复性关税，还将损害美国的出口机会。”拉马尔说道。China's potent countermeasures don't mean that a trade war is the only way forward, as Beijing stands ready to talk with Washington.中国的强硬反制措施并不意味着贸易战是唯一的出路，北京随时准备与华盛顿对话。China urges the US to immediately correct its wrongdoing, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, stop its economic and trade suppression, and settle differences with China properly through dialogue on an equal footing and on the basis of mutual respect, the Commerce Ministry said.中国商务部表示，中方敦促美方立即纠正错误做法，取消所有针对中国的单边关税措施，停止其经贸打压，并在平等和相互尊重的基础上通过对话妥善解决与中方的分歧。Beijing is not alone in facing the Trump administration's "Liberation Day" tariffs. The White House has dragged its own long-standing allies into the fray, including imposing additional tariffs as high as 20 percent on imports from the European Union, 25 percent on imports from South Korea and 24 percent on imports from Japan.北京并非唯一面临特朗普政府“解放日”关税的国家。白宫将其长期盟友拖入战局，包括对欧盟进口产品征收高达20%的额外关税，对韩国进口产品征收高达25%的额外关税，对日本进口产品征收高达24%的额外关税。"By placing massive and disproportionate tariffs on our friends and our enemies alike and thereby launching a global economic war against the whole world at once, we are in the process of destroying confidence in our country as a trading partner, as a place to do business and as a market to invest capital," said Bill Ackman, a hedge fund titan who endorsed Trump's run for president.支持特朗普竞选总统的对冲基金巨头比尔·阿克曼表示：“通过对我们的朋友和敌人征收巨额且不成比例的关税，从而同时向全世界发动一场全球经济战，我们正在摧毁人们对我国作为贸易伙伴、经商环境和投资市场的信心。”"We will severely damage our reputation with the rest of the world that will take years and potentially decades to rehabilitate," Ackman said in a post on social media platform X.阿克曼在社交媒体平台X上发帖称：“这将严重损害我们在世界其他国家的声誉，需要数年甚至数十年才能恢复。”Ma Guangyuan, a senior economist, said the era of the US calling the shots and forcing countries to choose sides is over, as the US-led trade system is falling apart. However, this does not mean the end of free trade itself, as the global community still recognizes the benefits of open economic cooperation, Ma said.资深经济学家马光远表示，美国发号施令、迫使各国选边站队的时代已经结束，美国主导的贸易体系正在崩溃。然而，这并不意味着自由贸易本身的终结，因为国际社会仍然认同开放经济合作的益处。"Economics will triumph over politics and free trade will overcome hegemony," Ma added. "China can seize this chance to broaden its circle of friends and jointly foster a new trade framework on the foundation of equality, freedom and mutual benefits with other economies."“经济将战胜政治，自由贸易将战胜霸权，”马光远补充道。“中国可以抓住这个机会，扩大‘朋友圈'，与其他经济体共同构建一个在平等、自由、互利基础上的新型贸易框架。”High-ranking officials from Italy, Portugal and France, as well as the European commissioner for trade and economic security, visited China in late March. Around the same time, South Korea and Japan agreed to accelerate negotiations with China on the stalled trilateral free trade agreement.意大利、葡萄牙和法国的高级官员以及欧盟贸易和经济安全事务专员于3月底访华。与此同时，韩国和日本同意加快与中国就陷入僵局的三边自由贸易协定进行谈判。"Our championing of free trade is not just a response to US aggression, but a strategic initiative to guide the development of the multilateral system in a direction that benefits all," said Mei Xinyu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.中国国际贸易经济合作研究院研究员梅新育表示。“中国倡导自由贸易不仅是对美国侵略行为的回应，更是引导多边体系朝着惠及各方方向发展的战略举措，”"The US' blanket, across-the-board imposition of high tariffs this time might end up uniting all the affected economies into a shared marketplace that could potentially dwarf the size of the US market," Mei said.梅新育说：“美国此次全面征收高额关税，最终可能会将所有受影响的经济体联合成一个共享市场，这可能会使美国市场的规模相形见绌。”countermeasuresn.反制措施baseline tariffn.基线关税unilateralismn.单边主义blackmailn.讹诈；威胁disproportionate tariffs不成比例的关税economic coercionn.经济胁迫

China fired off a sweeping package of robust countermeasures on Friday—including a 34 percent tariff hike and rare earth export controls—in response to the latest round of sweeping tariffs adopted by the administration of United States President Donald Trump.上周五，中国推出了一系列强有力的反制措施，包括提高34%的关税和稀土出口管制，以回应美国总统唐纳德·特朗普政府采取的最新一轮大规模关税。More forceful and precise counterstrikes are still in Beijing's pocket if Washington persists with its unilateral trade bullying, several sources confirmed to China Daily.据多位消息人士向《中国日报》证实，如果华盛顿方面继续单边贸易霸凌，北京方面仍有可能采取更强力、更精准的反击措施。As approved by the State Council, the country's Cabinet, China will impose an additional 34 percent tariff on all US-origin imports starting on April 10. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs announced immediate export restrictions on seven key medium to heavy rare earth elements, as China Daily first reported on Thursday.经国务院批准，中国将从4月10日起对所有原产于美国的进口产品征收34%的额外关税。据《中国日报》周四率先报道，商务部和海关总署同时宣布立即对七种关键的中重稀土元素实施出口限制。These elements—samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium—are crucial elements for manufacturing key products used in semiconductor, defense, aerospace and green energy.这些元素——钐、钆、铽、镝、镥、钪和钇——是制造半导体、国防、航空航天和绿色能源所用关键产品的关键元素。Citing their dual-use nature in both military and civilian industries, a spokesman for the Commerce Ministry said: "Imposing export controls on them is a common international practice. As a responsible major country, China's decision to regulate these items reflects its consistent position of firmly safeguarding world peace and regional stability."商务部发言人表示，这些元素涉及军民两用领域，“实施出口管制是国际通行做法。中国作为负责任大国，决定对这些产品实施管制，体现了坚定维护世界和平和地区稳定的一贯立场。”Other measures include filing a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over the US' "reciprocal tariffs", launching an industry competitiveness investigation and an anti-dumping investigation regarding imported medical CT tubes from the US and India, adding 16 US entities to the export control list and 11 US companies to the unreliable entity list, and canceling import qualifications for certain US companies.其他措施还包括就美国“对等关税”向世界贸易组织提起诉讼、启动产业竞争力调查以及对原产于美国和印度的进口医用CT射线管发起反倾销调查、将16家美国实体列入出口管制名单、将11家美国公司列入不可靠实体名单、取消部分美资企业的进口资格等。Tu Xinquan, dean of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that such rapid, intensive and multi-pronged countermeasures are unprecedented in the world's history, proving that China will not sit back amid unilateral bullying tariffs.对外经济贸易大学中国世界贸易组织研究院院长屠新泉表示，如此迅速、密集、多管齐下的反制措施在世界历史上前所未有，表明中国不会坐视单边霸凌关税的威胁。"This isn't just tit-for-tat. These countermeasures, including both tariff and nontariff measures, aim to directly hit the weak spots of the US to make it feel the real pain," said Tu.“这不仅仅是针锋相对，这些包括关税和非关税措施的反制措施，都是要直击美国的薄弱环节，让其真正感受到痛点。”屠新泉说。Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said that China, as the world's second-largest economy, has taken the lead in resisting US trade protectionism.中国商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院研究员白明表示，中国作为世界第二大经济体，在抵制美国贸易保护主义方面走在了前列。"These countermeasures are not only to protect China's own interests, but also to safeguard the stable operation of the global trading system," he emphasized.“这些反制措施不仅是为了维护中国自身的利益，也是为了维护全球贸易体系的稳定运行。”他强调。The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's top market regulator, also announced on Friday night that it has launched an investigation into DuPont China, a subsidiary of the US company DuPont, for suspected monopolisticpractices in violation of China's Anti-Monopoly Law.中国国家市场监督管理总局周五晚间宣布，已对美国杜邦公司旗下的杜邦中国有限公司展开调查，理由是其涉嫌违反中国《反垄断法》的垄断行为。All of the moves came after China, a major trading partner of the US, was hit with a 34 percent so-called reciprocal tariff by the Trump administration on Wednesday, in addition to a 20 percent tariff imposed earlier this year.这一系列举措是在中国这一美国主要贸易伙伴遭到特朗普政府周三加征所谓34%的“对等关税”之后采取的，此前美国已在今年早些时候对中国加征了20%的关税。Further counterstrikes could include tightening export controls on more critical raw materials vital for US high-tech manufacturing, new energy transformation and defense projects, and further escalating the blocking of key technologies used in extracting and processing strategic minerals, said two sources close to the matter, who asked for anonymity.两位要求匿名的知情人士表示，进一步的反击措施可能包括加强对美国高科技制造、新能源转型和国防项目至关重要的原材料的出口管制，并进一步加大对战略矿产开采和加工关键技术的封锁。China accounts for at least 85 percent of rare earth refining, 77 percent of cobalt refining, 82 percent of tungsten production, 80 percent of antimony processing capacity, and 90 percent of the world's synthetic graphite production. These are all critical materials for defense, new energy batteries, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.中国占全球稀土精炼产能的至少85%，钴精炼产能的77%，钨产量的82%，锑加工产能的80%，以及人造石墨产量的90%。这些都是国防、新能源电池、半导体和先进制造业的关键材料。Beyond nontariff measures, China could still adopt additional tariffs on certain US products, particularly agricultural goods. Having already imposed tariffs on key US farm products, China is weighing further increases, another source added.除了非关税措施外，中国还可能对某些美国产品，特别是农产品征收额外关税。另一位消息人士补充说，中国已经对美国主要农产品征收关税，并正在考虑进一步提高关税。Chen Wenling, former chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said, "China could follow the cases of countries like Canada and levy tariffs on US products in a high range of 250 percent to 390 percent according to different situations."中国国际经济交流中心前首席经济学家陈文玲表示：“中国可以效仿加拿大等国家的做法，根据不同情况对美国产品征收250%至390%的高额关税。”The latest tariff from the Trump administration is provoking a strong global reaction.特朗普政府的最新关税政策引发了全球强烈反应。International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that the sweeping tariffs presented "a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth".国际货币基金组织总裁克里斯塔利娜·格奥尔基耶娃警告称，在经济增长乏力的背景下，这种大规模关税举措“给全球前景带来重大风险”。Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, expressed deep concern on Thursday over the decline in global trade and the potential for an escalating tariff war sparked by US tariff measures. Iweala said in a statement that the US tariff measures will have "substantial implications for global trade and economic growth prospects".世界贸易组织总干事恩戈齐·奥孔乔-伊维拉周四对全球贸易下滑以及美国关税措施引发关税战升级的可能性表示深切担忧。伊维拉在一份声明中表示，美国关税措施将“对全球贸易和经济增长前景产生重大影响”。Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, has said that AmCham China is not in favor of widespread tariffs, and it advocates constructive dialogue and policy predictability to reduce volatility in trade relations.中国美国商会会长迈克尔·哈特表示，中国美国商会不赞成大规模征收关税，主张建设性对话和政策可预测性，以减少贸易关系的波动。Quoting a report from the chamber that more than half of its member companies said they plan to increase investments in China this year, he said that ensuring that businesses can operate competitively and with greater certainty benefits both countries' economies and supports global economic stability.他援引商会的一份报告称，超过一半的会员公司表示计划今年增加对华投资，他说，确保企业能够更具竞争力和确定性地运营，有利于两国经济，并支持全球经济稳定。Oliver Zipse, board chairman of BMW, said: "Economic growth thrives through opening, not closing. The increase of protectionist behavior will not create winners, but will result in a situation where everyone is going to lose prosperity. At BMW, we strongly oppose tariffs or other trade barriers."宝马集团董事长奥利弗·齐普策表示：“经济增长靠的是开放，而不是封闭。保护主义行为的增加不会创造赢家，而会导致所有人都失去繁荣。宝马坚决反对关税或其他贸易壁垒。”unilateraladj.单边的multi-prongedadj.多管齐下的tit-for-tat针锋相对monopolistic practicen.垄断行为trade barrier贸易壁垒

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs against trade partners.The tariffs will apply to about 60 countries, marking the biggest shake-up of global trade norms since World War II.Trump argued that punitive steps would bring industry and jobs back to the United States.Can these tariffs really deliver the economic boost Trump promises, or will they end up hurting American businesses and consumers? Could this lead to a global trade war? And could this mark a turning point in the US role in the global economy?Host Zhao Ying is joined by Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia; Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations at East China Normal University.

The U.S. is attempting to revive its shipyards—not with innovation, but with tariffs. A hefty 1.5-million-US-dollar fee on China-made bulk ships could shake global shipping. Will it backfire on the U.S.? Can America rebuild its industry? Will business pressure sink the plan before it sets sail?Host Tu Yun joins Dr Jane Haider, a Reader in Transport, Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Dr. Zhou Mi, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Dr. George Tzogopoulos, a Senior Research Fellow of the European Institute, CIFE to check out all these and more on this week's Chat Lounge.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Monday that it expects the global economy to grow 3.1pctin 2025, down 0.2 point from its previous forecast released last December.

経済協力開発機構のロゴマーク【パリ時事】経済協力開発機構は１７日発表した最新の経済見通しで、２０２５年の世界全体の成長率を３．１％と、２４年１２月の前回予測から０．２ポイント引き下げた。 The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Monday that it expects the global economy to grow 3.1percentagein 2025, down 0.2 point from its previous forecast released last December.

The cost of prescription drugs is high—particularly in the US where consumers pay nearly three times more than those in 33 other nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. One factor in prices is fluorination, which plays a crucial role in the production of many widely-used pharmaceuticals. Driven by the high cost of reagents needed for the trifluoromethyl (CF₃) group, the process is expensive—and hard on the natural environment. If there was a way to make fluorination more accessible, sustainable, and affordable—it could reshape how we approach drug synthesis—and much else in chemistry.Chemist and Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD candidate Brandon Campbell has developed an innovative method of fluorination that could do just that. Using silver and visible light, Campbell's pioneering approach promises a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic methods.

China's continued support for the private sector, reiterated by President Xi Jinping, is expected to fuel further growth of tech and emerging industries, while promoting private enterprises to embrace another spring and play a bigger role in the country's economic transformation, company executives and economists said on Tuesday.2月18日，公司高管和经济学家表示，中国国家主席习近平重申要持续支持民营企业，这将进一步推动科技和新兴产业的发展，同时民营企业也将迎来又一个“春天”，在中国经济转型中发挥更大作用。Their comments came after Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended a symposium on private enterprises in Beijing and delivered an important speech on Monday.2月17日，中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平在京出席民营企业座谈会并发表重要讲话。座谈会后，公司高管和经济学家发表了上述评论。In his speech, Xi emphasized the role of private enterprises in advancing China's broader goals in technological innovation, promoting rural vitalization and improving people's well-being.习近平在讲话中强调，民营企业在加快实现技术创新、乡村振兴、改善民生等国家远景目标方面发挥着重要作用。Xu Guanju, chairman of Transfar Group, a leading chemicals manufacturer, said in an interview with China Daily on Tuesday that while the breakthroughs made by Chinese artificial intelligence companies made them immensely proud and boosted their confidence in facing future challenges, the encouragement from China's top leadership was even more inspiring.2月18日，化工巨头传化集团董事长徐冠巨接受《中国日报》采访时表示，中国人工智能公司的突破让他们感到无比自豪，为他们更加信心满怀地应对未来挑战加了一把劲，而中国最高领导层的鼓励更让他们备受鼓舞。"It has greatly motivated us to work together to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces in the future, and embrace the AI era," said Xu, who attended the symposium on Monday.2月17日，徐冠巨在参加座谈会后说道：“这极大地激励了我们携手共进，加快发展新质生产力，积极拥抱AI时代。”The gathering saw a strong presence of companies from technology and emerging sectors, with notable names including Huawei's Ren Zhengfei, BYD's Wang Chuanfu, Will Semiconductor's Yu Renrong, Unitree Robotics' Wang Xingxing and Xiaomi's Lei Jun.此次座谈会汇聚了众多科技和新兴行业的公司代表，包括华为技术有限公司首席执行官任正非、比亚迪股份有限公司董事长王传福、上海韦尔半导体股份有限公司董事长虞仁荣、杭州宇树科技有限公司首席执行官王兴兴、小米科技有限责任公司董事长雷军等知名企业家。Zhang Jun, chief economist at China Galaxy Securities, noted that some of the private enterprises that attended the symposium are not big in terms of business scale or revenue, but have strong growth potential.中国银河证券首席经济学家章俊指出，参加座谈会的部分民营企业虽然没有庞大的业务规模或高收入，但具有强大的增长潜力。"It reaffirmed private enterprises' past breakthroughs in new quality productive forces, while highlighting the government's determination to cultivate future industries," Zhang said.章俊表示：“这既肯定了过去民企在新质生产力相关领域的技术突破，又凸显了政府对培育未来产业的决心。”Observers said the participation of private enterprises from both traditional and emerging sectors showed the continuous emphasis China's top leadership places on the role of the manufacturing industry in the Chinese economy.观察人士称，传统行业和新兴行业的民营企业均参加了此次座谈会，表明中国最高领导层持续重视制造业在中国经济中的作用。Liu Yonghao, founder of New Hope Group, a leading enterprise in agricultural industrialization, told China Daily on Tuesday that technology not only flourishes in high-end manufacturing and AI sectors, but also drives innovative growth in traditional sectors such as agriculture.2月18日，农业产业化龙头企业新希望集团创始人刘永好接受《中国日报》采访时表示，技术发展不仅在高端制造、人工智能等方面取得成绩，也推动了农业等传统行业的创新增长。"Inspired by the top leadership's remarks, our company will capitalize on favorable policies and make efforts to propel further growth amid complex challenges," said Liu, who also attended the symposium.参加本次座谈会的刘永好说：“最高领导层的讲话让我们备受启发，我们公司会利用国家的好政策，在复杂局面下继续努力拼搏，推动企业更好地发展。”Recalling that the previous such symposium on private enterprises, which was presided over by President Xi in 2018, was followed by a three-year bull run in China's A-share market, Zhang, from China Galaxy Securities, said that Monday's meeting will "help enhance the confidence of market entities, dispel concerns about uncertainty and play a decisive role in stabilizing the market".中国银河证券首席经济学家章俊回忆，上一次由习近平主席主持的同等规格民营企业座谈会在2018年，会后中国A股市场迎来了时长3年的牛市。他表示，2月17日的座谈会将“有助于提振市场主体的信心，打消对不确定性的疑虑，对于稳定市场起到一锤定音的效果”。Xu Hongcai, a renowned economist and deputy head of the financial and economic affairs committee of the National People's Congress, said that Xi's remarks "conveyed a clear signal that even with the changing and volatile economic and trade policies of some foreign countries, China remains focused on high-quality economic development as always".著名经济学家、全国人大财政经济委员会副主任委员许宏才表示，习近平的讲话“传递了一个明确信号，即在其他国家经贸政策风云变幻的情况下，中国一如既往集中精力于高质量经济发展”。At Monday's symposium, Xi said the government's basic principles and policies concerning the development of the private economy have been incorporated into the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and will consistently be upheld and fulfilled. "They cannot and will not be changed," he said.2月17日，习近平在座谈会上表示，政府对民营经济发展的基本方针政策已经纳入中国特色社会主义制度体系，将一以贯之坚持和落实。他表示：“这些不能变，也不会变。”This was in line with Xi's remarks at the 2018 symposium, during which he said the country would unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the nonpublic sector and support private enterprises to develop toward a broader stage.这与习近平在2018年座谈会上的讲话相呼应，当时他表示，国家将毫不动摇地鼓励、支持、引导非公有制经济发展，支持民营企业走向更加广阔的舞台。The stance was reaffirmed at the 2022 Central Economic Work Conference, which emphasized that promoting the private sector's growth is a "long-term strategy", rather than a short-term measure.2022年召开的中央经济工作会议再次明确这一立场，强调促进民营经济发展是“长期战略”，而非短期措施。In 2023, during the two sessions, the annual meetings of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies, Xi emphasized that the Party encouraged private enterprises and entrepreneurs to let go of their concerns and burdens and boldly pursue their development.2023年两会（中国最高立法机关和中国政治协商机构年度会议）期间，习近平强调，党鼓励民营企业和民营企业家消除顾虑，放下包袱，大胆发展。Xu, the renowned economist, said: "These instances show that China's reform policies are continuous and stable. A stable policy and a good business environment will further enhance private enterprises' confidence, consistently attract more foreign investment and promote sustained economic growth."著名经济学家许宏才表示：“这些事例表明，中国的改革政策是连续的、稳定的。稳定的政策和良好的营商环境将进一步提升民营企业的信心，将一以贯之吸引更多外商投资，促进经济的持续增长。”As of the end of September last year, China had over 55 million registered private companies, accounting for 92.3 percent of all businesses. They contribute more than half of the country's tax revenue, over 60 percent of GDP and over 80 percent of urban employment.截至2024年9月底，中国登记在册民营企业数量超过5500万户，占全国企业总量的92.3%。民营经济贡献了全国50%以上的税收、60%以上的国内生产总值、80%以上的城镇劳动就业。In recent years, the role of the private sector has become increasingly pivotal in driving technological innovations. For example, the rise of AI startup DeepSeek and its advanced large language model, Huawei's breakthroughs in domestically developed chips and operating systems, and Unitree Robotics' humanoid robots, which staged a dance with festive vibes at this year's China Media Group Spring Festival Gala on Chinese New Year's Eve.近年来，民营企业在驱动技术创新方面发挥着越来越重要的作用。例如，人工智能初创企业DeepSeek及其先进的大型语言模型崛起，华为在国产芯片和操作系统方面取得突破，以及宇树科技人形机器人今年除夕夜亮相，在央视春晚舞台上表演了充满节日氛围的舞蹈。Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the latest efforts of the top leadership will further bolster policies.中国商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院高级研究员周密表示，最高领导层的最新努力将进一步推动政策落实。A package of policies is expected to be accelerated, which includes a law to promote the private sector, measures to advance mixed ownership reforms and efforts to encourage private enterprises to go global, he said.他预计，一系列政策将加快落地，包括推进民营经济促进法立法进程、推动混合所有制改革以及鼓励民营企业“走出去”。humanoidn.人形机器人；类人的生物

This week on Facing the Future, we talked about the nation's budget challenges with Barry Anderson, former Deputy Director for Budget Review at the White House Office of Management and Budget. He also served as Deputy Director and then Acting Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Beyond his work on the U.S. budget, Anderson headed the Budgeting and Public Expenditures Division in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Anderson sees some similarities between the early days of the Clinton Administration in the 1990's and the current situation.

China rolled out a plan on Monday to stabilize foreign investment this year, signaling the country's determination to achieve high-level opening-up in the face of rising global protectionism, analysts said.分析人士表示，2月10日，中国推出《2025年稳外资行动方案》，以稳定今年的外商投资，表明中国在面对全球保护主义抬头时实现高水平开放的决心。The plan, adopted at the State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang, outlined more practical and effective measures to both retain existing and attract new foreign investment because of the vital role that foreign-invested businesses play in terms of job creation, export stability and industrial upgrading.2月10日，国务院总理李强主持召开国务院常务会议，审议通过《2025年稳外资行动方案》。该方案概述，外资企业在吸纳就业、稳定出口、促进产业升级等方面都具有重要作用，要拿出更多务实管用的举措，以稳定现有外资、吸引新的外资。China will fully implement its commitment to remove all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector and expand the list of sectors encouraging foreign investment, according to the plan.根据该方案，中国将落实全面取消制造业领域外资准入限制要求，扩大鼓励外商投资产业范围。The country will encourage foreign enterprises to reinvest their capital within the Chinese market and participate more actively in equity investments. Meanwhile, steps will be taken toward optimizing the rules and regulations governing foreign mergers and acquisitions, as outlined in the plan.方案表明，中国将加大外资企业境内再投资支持力度，鼓励外资在华开展股权投资，同时采取措施优化外资并购规则。Foreign enterprises will be treated on an equal footing with their Chinese counterparts in government procurement, according to the plan, which also put an emphasis on widening the financing options available to foreign-invested enterprises and strengthening intellectual property protection for them.方案指出，要在政府采购等工作中做到内外资企业一视同仁，拓宽外资企业融资渠道，加大知识产权保护力度。China will further open up its services sector, with a particular focus on accelerating pilot programs in key areas such as telecommunications, healthcare and education, said Li Yongjie, deputy international trade representative of the Ministry of Commerce, at a news conference in mid-January.商务部国际贸易谈判副代表李詠箑在1月中旬的新闻发布会上表示，中国将稳步推进服务业扩大开放，特别是要扩大电信、医疗、教育等重点领域开放试点推广工作。The country is committed to aligning itself with high-standard international trade and economic rules while building a network of high-level opening-up platforms such as free trade zones as it aims to enhance its overall business environment, Li said.李詠箑表示，中国将主动对接国际高标准经贸规则，高水平建设自由贸易区等开放平台，改善整体营商环境。A total of 59,080 new foreign-invested firms were established across China last year, an increase of 9.9 percent year-on-year, data from the ministry showed.商务部数据显示，2024年中国新成立外资企业59080家，同比增长9.9%。These proactive opening-up policies stand in stark contrast with the intensifying investment restrictions tipped by certain economies, and have created a more welcoming and accessible environment for foreign enterprises—particularly small and medium-sized ones—looking to enter the Chinese market, said Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院高级研究员周密表示，这些积极主动的开放政策与某些经济体加剧投资限制的倾向形成鲜明对比，为希望进入中国市场的外国企业——尤其是中小企业——创造了更加友好便利的环境。While the global economy grapples with sluggish demand, the sheer size of China's consumer base, the nation's rising middle class and growing purchasing power have presented a crucial lifeline for foreign enterprises navigating broader economic uncertainties, Zhou added.周密补充说，在全球经济需求疲软、经济不确定性加剧之际，中国庞大的消费群体、崛起的中产阶级和日益增长的购买力，为外国企业寻找出路提供了至关重要的生命线。sluggishadj.行动缓慢的；迟缓的

China will impose additional tariffs ranging from 10 to 15 percent on US products, and launch an anti-monopoly probe into Google Inc, as well as other trade measures amid growing trade tensions with the United States.随着中美贸易关系日益紧张，中国将对美国产品加征10%至15%的额外关税，并对谷歌公司启动反垄断调查，同时还将采取其他贸易措施。An additional 15 percent tariff will be imposed on coal and liquefied natural gas imports from the US, as well as an additional 10 percent tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement automobiles and pickup trucks, starting on Feb 10, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said on Tuesday.2月4日，国务院关税税则委员会表示，自2月10日起，中国将对从美国进口的煤炭、液化天然气加征15%的额外关税，对原油、农业机械、大排量汽车、皮卡加征10%的额外关税。The move followed the US announcement that it would impose an additional 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China.此举是在美国宣布将对从中国进口的商品加征10%的额外关税之后作出的。The Finance Ministry said the unilateral imposition of tariffs by the US seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization, fails to solve the US' own problems, and undermines normal economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.财政部表示，美方单边加征关税的做法严重违反世界贸易组织规则，不仅无益于解决自身问题，也对中美正常经贸合作造成破坏。"The additional tariffs announced by China will cast a shadow on a significant number of US companies. Once a US company withdraws from the Chinese market due to tariff pressures, the obstacles in terms of reestablishing a presence can be substantial," said Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院高级研究员周密指出：“中国宣布加征额外关税将给大量美国公司带来阴影。一旦某个美国公司因关税压力而退出中国市场，它想重新进入市场将会面临巨大阻碍。”Zhou added that the attractiveness of the Chinese market remains a powerful draw for those US companies, prompting calls for Beijing and Washington to engage in open and constructive discussions and find a path forward that addresses the concerns of the businesses of both sides while upholding their respective economic interests.周密还表示，中国市场对这些美国公司来说仍然具有强大吸引力，这促使北京和华盛顿进行开放性和建设性讨论，找到一条既能解决双方企业关切又能维护各自经济利益的前进道路。US President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Monday that he planned to speak with the Chinese leadership in the next 24 hours about tariffs, and Trump also said the 10 percent planned tariffs were just "an opening salvo".2月3日，美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在接受《华尔街日报》采访时表示，他计划在未来24小时内与中国领导人就关税问题进行讨论，并称计划加征的10%关税只是“初步行动”。As trade tensions with the US escalate, China has filed a lawsuit with the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism to defend its legitimate rights and interests. China firmly opposes the US approach and urges the US to immediately correct its wrong practices, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.随着中美贸易紧张局势的升级，中国为捍卫自身合法权益，已向世界贸易组织争端解决机制提起诉讼。2月4日，商务部表示，中方对美方做法坚决反对，敦促美方立即纠正错误做法。China has also announced a group of export control policies on key minerals. The Ministry of Commerce said that since Tuesday, it has added tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium-related items to the export control list.中国还宣布了一系列针对关键矿产的出口管制政策。商务部表示，自2月4日起，将钨、碲、铋、钼、铟相关物项纳入出口管制清单。The Commerce Ministry also put US clothing company PVH Corp and biotechnology company Illumina Inc on its unreliable entity list. China will take corresponding measures against the two companies in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.商务部还将美国服装公司PVH集团和生物技术公司因美纳公司列入不可靠实体清单，并表示将依据相关法律法规对这两家公司采取相应措施。"The two companies violate normal market trading principles, interrupt normal transactions with Chinese enterprises, take discriminatory measures against Chinese companies and seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms," the ministry said in a statement.商务部在一份声明中表示：“这两家公司违反正常的市场交易原则，中断与中国企业的正常交易，对中国企业采取歧视性措施，严重损害中国企业合法权益。”The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's top market regulator, said on Tuesday that it has initiated an investigation into US tech giant Google Inc for suspected violations of China's Anti-Monopoly Law.2月4日，中国国家市场监督管理总局表示，已对美国科技巨头谷歌公司涉嫌违反《中华人民共和国反垄断法》展开立案调查。Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, said China should resort to effective countermeasures against any tariff threats by the White House, while optimizing domestic policies and anchoring market expectations.粤开证券首席经济学家罗志恒表示，中国应针对白宫提出的任何关税威胁采取有效反制措施，同时优化国内政策、稳定市场预期。"Based on the experiences gained during the first Trump administration, China can utilize measures such as imposing additional tariffs and export controls to counter trade threats from the US," Luo said.罗志恒说：“参考特朗普第一任政府期间的经验，中国可以采取加征额外关税和出口管制等措施来应对美国的贸易威胁。”He added that China should continue to broaden the list of sanctioned goods and entities, and increase Beijing's negotiation leverage with Washington.他还表示，中国应继续扩大商品和实体清单制裁范围，并增加北京与华盛顿的谈判筹码。Given heightened global uncertainties, China should scale up the intensity of its fiscal and monetary policies, actively expand domestic demand to counter any potential downturns in external demand, and steadily push forward high-level opening-up, expand networks with trade partners and diversify its trade portfolios, Luo said.罗志恒认为，鉴于全球不确定性上升，中国应加大财政货币政策的力度，积极扩大内需以对冲外需可能的下滑，同时稳步推进高水平对外开放，扩大中国的贸易“朋友圈”，大力拓展对外贸易多元化。discriminatoryadj.歧视的，区别对待的

China has criticized the U.S. move to impose a 10-percent tariff on goods imported from China.

As the Year of the Snake approaches, sales of products with serpentine elements have witnessed explosive growth on major e-commerce platforms, which experts said showcases not only the strong resonance of traditional Chinese culture among shoppers, but also the vitality of the country's consumer market.随着蛇年的临近，各大电商平台上的“蛇元素”产品销售量激增。专家表示，这不仅体现了中国传统文化在消费者当中引起了强烈共鸣，也展现了中国消费市场的蓬勃活力。Snakes are the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, and are considered to be symbols of wisdom, longevity and good fortune.蛇是中国十二生肖12年循环中的第六个生肖，被视为智慧、长寿、好运的象征。Data from e-commerce platform JD showed that searches for snake-related merchandise via its online marketplace surged more than 100 percent year-on-year in the past week, with serpent-themed commemorative coins, spring couplets and gold ornaments leading the trend.电商平台京东的数据显示，过去一周，其线上市场“蛇元素”商品的搜索量同比增长超过100%，其中以蛇为主题的纪念币、春联、黄金饰品位居前列。The transaction volume of such reptilian-related home accessories topped the list, followed by cultural and educational supplies, clothing, toys, musical instruments and kitchenware, JD said.京东表示，从“蛇元素”产品销量看，家居饰品位居榜首，其次是文教文化用品、服饰、玩具乐器、厨具。According to JD, consumers from Guangdong province, Beijing and Jiangsu province purchased the most products featuring snake-themed elements, such as red envelopes, couplets, lanterns and zodiac decorations. Underwear and socks with images of the slithery creatures have gained popularity among Chinese consumers aged between 26 and 45, it added.据京东介绍，广东、北京、江苏成为购买“蛇元素”商品最多的省份，如红包、春联、灯笼、生肖挂饰。此外，印有蛇形图案的内衣和袜子在26-45岁的中国消费者中颇受欢迎。Online discount retailer Vipshop said sales of sweatshirts incorporating serpentine themes surged 71 percent between Jan 6 and Jan 12 compared with the previous week, while the turnover of similarly themed children's coats soared 68 percent.线上折扣零售商唯品会表示，1月6日至12日，“蛇元素”运动卫衣销量较前一周增长71%，相同主题的儿童外套销量则增长68%。Such themed nut gift boxes and bracelets are favored by consumers, with their sales jumping 53 percent and 31 percent, respectively, during the period, said Vipshop.唯品会称，“蛇元素”坚果礼盒和手链也深受消费者喜爱，同期销量分别增长53%和31%。Moreover, international luxury brands, including Burberry, Tiffany and Qeelin, have launched more than 1,000 styles of limited edition commodities with snake elements specially tailored for the Chinese market on Tmall, Alibaba Group's business-to-customer platform, ahead of Spring Festival.此外，在阿里巴巴集团B2C平台天猫上，博柏利、蒂芙尼、麒麟珠宝等国际奢侈品牌已推出1000多款为中国市场量身定制的“蛇元素”限量版商品，迎接春节的到来。Jason Yu, managing director and vice-executive president of CTR Media Convergence Institute, said the purchasing frenzy of zodiac-related products ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival holiday demonstrates Chinese consumers' aspiration for a better life in the new year.CTR媒体融合研究院总经理、执行副院长虞坚表示，春节前夕迎来生肖相关产品的购买热潮，体现了中国消费者对新一年美好生活的向往。Yu said China's Generation Z shoppers—those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s—are displaying a growing sense of national pride and confidence in Chinese culture, and snake-themed products weaving traditional Chinese cultural elements into their modern design are gaining traction among younger consumers.虞坚说，中国的Z世代消费者（即1996-2010年出生的人）展现出越来越强的中国文化自信和民族自豪感，将中国传统文化元素与现代设计融合的“蛇元素”产品正受到年轻消费者的青睐。Yu expects China's consumer market will gain growth momentum this year, fueled by a series of pro-consumption policies, such as the consumer goods trade-in program. He called for enhanced efforts to improve household incomes and boost people's ability and willingness to spend, so as to further perk up consumption.虞坚预计，在一系列促消费政策的推动下，如消费品以旧换新政策，今年中国消费市场将获得增长动力。他建议，加大力度提高家庭收入，增强人们的消费能力和消费意愿，以进一步提振消费。Spring Festival is the holiday that Chinese people attach the most importance to, and major Chinese online retailers have launched promotional events ahead of the weeklong holiday, said Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院副研究员洪勇表示，春节是中国人最重视的节日，中国各大线上零售商已在为期一周的春节假期到来之前推出了促销活动。The cultural connotations that the Chinese zodiac carries have stimulated people's passion for buying ahead of the long holiday, and this shopping surge is crucial for expanding domestic demand and promoting recovery of the consumer market amid downward economic pressure, Hong said.洪勇说，中国生肖所承载的文化内涵激发了人们长假前的购物热情，这一购物热潮对于扩大内需、促进消费市场在经济下行压力中复苏至关重要。He added that Chinese consumers' pursuit of Year of the Snake-themed products has also injected fresh vitality into the inheritance of traditional culture, adding that brands should capitalize on traditional Chinese culture to launch more innovative products.他补充说，中国消费者对蛇年主题产品的追求也为传统文化的传承注入了新的活力，并指出品牌应利用中国传统文化推出更多创新产品。turnovern.（一定时期内的）营业额，成交量

If you work across time zones, borders and cultures, this is the show for you. In the Weekly Concept series, Leonardo aims at defining a topic in international business. These are shorter episodes to illustrate key concepts in this discipline.   Today, we talk about the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).   It was established in 1961 to boost the economic growth of Western industrialized countries and to promote global trade. Initially made by 20 founding members, it currently has 38 member countries. Originally the membership was exclusively North American and European, but it then expanded further. Its headquarters is in Paris and employs over 2,300 staff. The organization is founded by its members, and the national contributions are based on each member's economy.   So, what does the OECD really do? At its heart, the organization is all about encouraging policies that drive prosperity, fairness, and well-being for everyone. - Connect with the host ⁠Leonardo Marra on LinkedIn.⁠ ⁠Join Leonardo on Patreon for:⁠ Podcast Archive: 102 episodes (40+ hours). Podcast Bonus Episodes: New exclusive content. Early Access: Upcoming YouTube videos and newsletters. Thinking Process Journal: Insights into Leonardo's content preparation, including a curated reading list and personal reflections. Q&A: Submit questions for future episodes, and receive a shoutout when they are answered. You could also support the podcast by purchasing one of the following books on Amazon using the links provided: - ⁠⁠The Personal MBA⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠HBR's 10 Must Reads 2025⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠The 48 Laws of Power⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠Blue Ocean Strategy

Japan's largest steelmaker has brought the U.S. government to court as the latter has blocked the steelmaker's acquisition of an American firm. Why is Nippon Steel so obsessed with a loss-making company? Why would Washington say the deal threatens national security? What implications does a failed acquisition have for those hoping to invest in the U.S.?Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economist at the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr. Edward Lehman, the Founder and Managing Director of China-based law firm Lehman, Lee & Xu, and Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

The low-altitude economy is flying high in China. Authorities have introduced policy support, including establishing a Low-Altitude Economy Department and introducing related university majors. How will China's low-altitude economy take shape and unfold in the coming years?Host Ge Anna is joined by Yang Chunsheng Senior vice president of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) International; Dr. Zhang Fan Associate Professor of Astronomy Department of Beijing Normal University; Dr.Zhou Mi Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Make 2025 your year! Free 2-part Workshop to build 3 new habits January 3 and 10th  – 12 Noon Eastern – 1 hour via Zoom Sign Up here _________________________ While we focus on the non-financial aspects of retirement here, your money clearly matters. With a new year around the corner we check back in with economist Larry Kotlikoff, author of Money Magic: An Economist's Secrets to More Money,Less Risk and a Better Life, for his views on what may lie ahead, common mistakes to avoid with Social Security, how you can Maximize (Your) Social Security, why Roth IRA conversions make sense for many people and his retirement planning software MaxiFi. Larry Kotlikoff joins us from Rhode Island. _________________________ Bio Laurence J. Kotlikoff is a William Fairfield Warren Professor at Boston University, a Professor of Economics at Boston University, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Econometric Society, a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research, President of Economic Security Planning, Inc., a company specializing in financial planning software, a Research Associate of the Gaidar Institute, and a Research Fellow of the Goodman Institute. Kotlikoff is also a New York Times Best Selling author. The Economist Magazine ranked Kotlikoff one of the world's 25 most influential economists. Professor Kotlikoff received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and his Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 1977. From 1977 through 1983, Kotlikoff served on the faculties of economics of the University of California, Los Angeles and Yale University. In 1981-82 Professor Kotlikoff was a Senior Economist with the President's Council of Economic Advisers. Professor Kotlikoff's writings and research address personal finance, inequality, taxation, Social Security, climate change, investing, healthcare, deficits, and insurance. Professor Kotlikoff is author or co-author of 20 books, hundreds of professional journal articles, and a multitude of op eds and blogs. His most recent books are Money Magic: An Economist's Secrets to More Money,Less Risk and a Better Life, You're Hired, Get What's Yours – the Revised Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security (a NY Times Best Seller co-authored with Philip Moeller and Paul Solman), The Clash of Generations (co-authored with Scott Burns), The Economic Consequences of the Vickers Commission, Jimmy Stewart Is Dead, Spend ‘Til the End, (co-authored with Scott Burns), Generational Policy (MIT Press), The Healthcare Fix, and The Coming Generational Storm (co-authored with Scott Burns). Kotlikoff's columns have appeared in The NY Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Hill, The Financial Times, The Times of London, Forbes, CBNC, Bloomberg, PBS NewsHour, The Dallas News, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the Seattle Times, Vox, Fortune, Seeking Alpha, Yahoo.com, VoxEU, Huffington Post, and other leading media. Kotlikoff has served as a consultant to the Federal Reserve, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Harvard Institute for International Development, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Swedish Ministry of Finance, the Norwegian Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Italy, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of England, the Government of Russia, the Government of Ukraine, the Government of Bolivia, the Government of Bulgaria, the Treasury of New Zealand, the Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Joint Committee on Taxation, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The American Council of Life Insurance, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity Investments, AT&T, AON Corp., and other major U.S. corporations. Kotlikoff has provided expert testimony on numerous occasions to committees of Congress including the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Budget Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee,

Tammy Haddad interviews Courtney O'Donnell, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), for a deep dive into AI's transformative impact from Paris. O'Donnell shares UNESCO's initiatives in using AI to advance global education, protect cultural heritage, and preserve indigenous languages, emphasizing a human-centered approach. Maloney outlines the OECD's pivotal role in fostering multilateral AI cooperation, promoting inclusivity, and embedding ethical principles into AI frameworks. They address critical topics, including AI's energy demands, healthcare advancements like AI-powered tuberculosis diagnostics in India, and the urgency of global collaboration to ensure equitable access to AI's benefits.

Chinese business confidence in the European Union has declined for a fifth year to a new low. What have the companies gone through in the once highly regarded fair and open market? An EU business leader in China has warned that a China-Europe trade war is unavoidable based on current trends. How likely is that to happen? If quitting each other's market is the least desirable option, what's the way out?Host Tu Yun joins Liang Linlin, Director of Communication and Research, China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union, Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow, Center for China and Globalization, and Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

In the Energy News Beat – Conversation in Energy with Stuart Turley, talks with NJ Ayuk, Executive Director of the African Energy Chamber, and Dr. Robert Brooks, Founder of RBAC, about Africa's journey towards energy independence and economic development. The discussion covers the importance of a balanced approach to energy policies, the need to leverage Africa's natural gas resources to reduce energy poverty, and the impact of global energy policies on Africa's development. They also address the role of BRICs partnerships, the challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables, and the potential for the African diaspora to contribute to sustainable growth on the continent.I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with NJ and Robert. Both men are great leaders, and this is an important conversation about delivering low-cost, sustainable energy to everyone on the planet. NJ is leading the charge in Africa, and I highly recommend following him and the African Energy Chamber as they empower Africa.Thank you, NJ and Robert, I really appreciate your leadership in the global energy markets. - StuPlease follow the African Energy Chamber: https://energychamber.org/and RBAC https://rbac.com/Highlights of the Podcast00:00 - Intro02:30 - African Energy Chamber Updates05:40 - Fossil Fuel and Energy Policies in Africa and Beyond10:37 - Offshore vs. Onshore Oil Development in Africa15:04 - Challenges in Energy Transition for Africa22:20 - BRICs and Economic Cooperation for Food Security26:44 - BRICs' Role in Africa's Development28:19 - Self-Reliance and Growth Potential in Africa36:35 - The African Diaspora's Role in Development42:07 - African Energy Chamber Event Announcement43:53 - Closing Remarks Full Transcript: https://energynewsbeat.co/empowering-africa-navigating-energy-independence-and-economic-growth/

China's growing ties with Latin America are back in the spotlight, as President Xi Jinping made a trip to Peru and Brazil on multiple missions. China says it is committed to forging friendly, mutually beneficial relations with Latin America with no strings attached. However, strategic rivalry is the mindset with which the US is viewing China's presence in the region. Some US officials are openly warning that China is “on the 20-yard line to our homeland”.What is bringing China and Latin America closer? Is the US getting too sensitive about China-Latin America relations? Host Ding Heng is joined by Pedro Steenhagen, PhD candidate in International Politics at Fudan University, and Director of Development at Observa China; Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow at Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Sultan Hali, a retired Pakistani Air Force officer and China observer.

Body of Evidence Americans are sicker than ever, with the highest rates of obesity and multiple chronic health conditions among developed nations, says a recent OECD study. A whistleblower reveals how the food industry fuels addiction by design. Americans are sicker than ever and there's a growing “Body of Evidence” that proves it. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has determined that the US has the highest rate of obesity and the highest rate of multiple chronic health conditions out of ALL 38 developed countries they examined. Tonight, a food industry whistleblower talks about the addictive and dangerous ultra-processed foods that we are eating. Plus, two mothers and their teenagers, who are battling obesity, discuss their controversial decisions to give their children a shot at thinness. This is an episode that will empower you to eat differently and live healthier.

China has announced a new debt relief package - a total of 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion dollars) – to ease the financial burden on local governments. The decision raises the ceiling on local government debt by 6 trillion yuan (about $840 billion), and local governments will have access to a separate 4 trillion yuan (about $560 billion) quota in the form of special local bonds over five years.How does the debt relief package work? What are the long-term implications for China's fiscal health and economic growth?Host Xu Yawen joins Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Dr. David Blair, Vice-president and senior economist at the Center for China and Globalization; and Prof. Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University.

In today's podcast, we're discussing Fast and Furious. But it's not the movie series starring Vin Diesel. Instead, the catchphrase describes rapidly increasing and somewhat confusing food system environmental impact reporting. Food firms, farmers, and governments all have a clear need for more quantitative environmental impact data in order to measure and understand factors such as carbon footprint, sustainable agricultural practices, and food supply chain processes. But there is no single standard for such reporting and different measurement methodologies make it difficult to assess progress. What's more, greater transparency regarding environmental impacts and food systems will affect trade and supply chains. Our guest today is Koen Deconinck from the Trade and Agricultural Directorate of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD for short. Interview Summary You and your colleagues at the OECD recently published a paper called Fast and Furious: The Rise of Environmental Impact Reporting in Food Systems. Can you tell me a little bit about the paper? Sure. A while ago we were talking to one of the world's experts on sustainability in food systems. He alerted us that there was a major change happening in how people think about sustainability in food systems. He told us in the past, it was thought of almost as a checklist, right? People would say, here's a list of practices that you should or shouldn't use. And then we'll come and confirm whether that's the case on your farm. Then you either get certified or you don't. And he said, you should pay attention because there's a big change underway. We're more and more moving towards actually quantifying things like what is your carbon footprint? What is your water footprint? And so on. He convinced us that this was actually a major change that was happening. Oddly enough, outside of the role of the practitioners, not that many people have been paying attention to it. That is why we wrote this paper. This is a really important shift because just thinking about this in terms of economics, evaluating outputs versus the methods that you get to those outputs can have really significant implications for the various actors involved. So, this seems like a good move, but it seems also kind of complicated. I would love to hear your thoughts about that particular move. Why did you think, or why did you all realize this was a challenge and opportunity at the same? That's a great question. It actually gets to the heart of what we're describing in the paper. Starting with the good news, we do think that this has an enormous potential to improve sustainability in food systems. Because we know from the scientific evidence that there are big differences between different kinds of food products in terms of their average environmental impact. For example, beef tends to have more greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of products relative to poultry and then definitely relative to plant based alternatives and so on. You can see these kinds of average differences. But then the data also shows that within each kind of product category, there's huge differences between different farmers. And what you can do if you start quantifying those footprints is it actually unlocks different kinds of levers. The first lever, if you think about carbon footprints, which is maybe the most intuitive example. The first lever is people know the carbon footprint of different kinds of food products. They could shift their diets away from the products that have a higher footprint towards products that have a lower footprint. For example, less beef and more towards poultry or towards plant-based alternatives. That's one lever. A second lever is that if you can also start to get even more precise and use data that is specific to each producer, not just an average, then also within each product category, people can start shifting towards the producers that have a lower environmental footprint. So, for example, people will still be drinking milk, but then they can shift towards milk producers that have a lower carbon footprint. And the third interesting lever that you can unlock is if you have that data at a supplier level. Suppliers could then say, well, I changed my practices. I changed my inputs. I've done things differently to reduce my impact. You actually can stimulate innovation by each individual farmer, each individual company in the supply chain to lower that impact. And that is something that you can do if you're quantifying those impacts, and that is very difficult or even impossible to do with this previous checklist-based approach. So that's one of the reasons why we're, we think that this has tremendous potential if we get it right. That's right. Just saying that you're doing sustainable practices isn't sufficient. It's really critical to evaluate what kinds of greenhouse gas emissions or other environmentally problematic outcomes of that producer or firm is what really matters. But I have to ask you just how difficult, how realistic is it to be able to measure the environmental impact of every farm? That's a really good question. And of course, if you think about agriculture compared to other sectors, one of the big challenges for agriculture is indeed that there's just so many producers, right? I talked to people who work in the steel industry, and they say that their industry is complicated, but there's basically only 1000 steel factories around the world. That's not that many. The latest evidence suggests that there's more than 600 million farmers worldwide. So clearly, we're talking about a completely different order of magnitude, order of complexity. And the second difficulty is that when we talk about measurements, for a steel factory, in theory, you could put sensors in the chimney and sort of measure that. For agriculture, that's really not practical. Scientists would sometimes do that because, you know, otherwise it's hard to know what greenhouse gas emissions you have in agriculture. But it's clearly not something that you're going to do on 600 million farms. So, what people do instead is, scientists would do the primary research. There are different ways of doing that, to try and estimate which kinds of practices have which kinds of environmental impacts. If you have a cow and it has this kind of diet, how much methane is it burping and how is it affected by differences in the kinds of feed that you give the animal and whether it's inside or outside and so on. And then based on that very detailed research, that then gets simplified into a simpler model, a simpler tool, so that the farmer can plug in some key performance indicators from their farm. I can say ‘I have these many cows, this is the feed rations that I'm giving to them. These are the kinds of manure management options that I have.' And then that tool is a simplified tool that basically gives you an estimate of those emissions. And once you have a tool like that, of course, the challenge is already a lot easier. Because then, if your tool is user friendly and you can sort of focus on just a couple of key parameters that farmers would know, then, of course, you can scale it up. And there are actual examples like that. In Ireland, there is a scheme called Origin Green, which is an initiative by the Irish government to promote exports of Irish Agri food products. They cover something like 90 percent of all the beef and dairy farms in the country. And as part of the initiative, they do the audits anyway, but as part of that initiative, they also quantify the carbon footprint. They basically have farm level data for 90 percent of the farmers. New Zealand similarly has had a big campaign called Know Your Numbers, where they've convinced farmers to use these kinds of calculation tools to get a good insight on how much the emissions are on their farm. So, it is definitely not straightforward. But at the same time, we do see that it is actually happening. It is actually feasible. Thank you for sharing that. This is really impressive work that's happening in the European context and in New Zealand. I have to ask, how challenging is this for small or medium sized producers? I mean, both in a European or Northern context, but particularly when we start thinking about the fact that Agri food chains are global and, and so there can be production practices in the Southern countries that would be of concern. How do you think about this in this context? It is a really important issue. And actually, we've been here before. If you go back something like 20 years ago, and I think you actually did some research on this yourself back in the days, Norbert. There was a big increase in food safety standards, food quality standards. And these were not necessarily public standards. It was quite often retailers who started to impose that on their suppliers. And we did have all those concerns, right? Because on the one hand, it was making food safer and higher quality for consumers. But on the other hand, there was this risk that it would actually exclude, especially the poor producers, the small and medium sized enterprises from those supply chains. There's been a lot of research about that and it turns out that in the end, it was more nuanced than what people feared initially. But of course, we definitely have the same concern now. And there's a few elements to it. One is simply the difficulty of actually quantifying those things. I mentioned a few of these calculation tools and a few of these initiatives. So far, most of the investment in these things has been in high income countries. And even if you look at the underlying science, most of the research has happened in richer countries. So, if you go to tropical agriculture, we even have less scientific evidence that you would use to build a simplified tool like that. Then there's, of course, the challenge of actually getting farmers to use that. So, governments in developing countries typically don't have the same kind of capacity that the government of New Zealand, or the government of Ireland has to help farmers do that. So, there's definitely a role there for development cooperation, technical assistance, things like that. But there's also another concern, which is that one of the important drivers of the environmental impacts of food products is actually your productivity. There are many parts of the food system where your environmental impacts might be roughly the same, no matter whether you are actually very productive or not. So, if you have the type of variety of rice or wheat that you're using that just has relatively low yields, then, of course, you divide the total environmental impact by a smaller number. So, automatically, your relative impact is bigger. And typically, that is what we find in the Global South. So, typically, the producers there will have much lower productivity levels. And studies do find that they tend to have higher environmental impacts, all else equal. So even if they were able to quantify it, there is actually an additional risk that then they would still get excluded. What that means is that this rise of quantified environmental impact reporting is something that we need to pay close attention to. And development corporation agencies and everybody else should be thinking hard about how we are going to make sure that producers in the Global South are not only able to quantify, but also able to improve those environmental impacts. For example, through sustainable productivity growth. This is really helpful. And thank you for sharing that. And you're right. I did think about these issues. I was influenced rather by the experience of increasing food safety standards. I would say one of the differences that we saw with food safety standards was how safe can food be? I mean, we want our food to be extremely safe, but there are always these tradeoffs. With environmental impacts, I think it feels a little different. And I really appreciate the concern of the difference between these small and medium sized enterprises, particularly out of a developing country context. I've got to ask sort of a broader question. Why is all of this happening now? This increase of environmental sustainability measures, both in terms of the technical work and the demand. I mean, what's bringing all of this together? It is actually a pretty interesting story because it appears that, the way we look at it, there's been some changes on the demand side and on the supply side, so to speak, right? So, there's this growing demand for more information. Consumers are increasingly conscious about these things, even though it's not clear yet if this really translates into their shopping behavior. Civil society organizations, of course, have long been asking for more information on that. Governments, in some cases, are also pushing for that. One clear example there is in the European Union. There is this new rule in the EU. It's called the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. That's quite a mouthful. And one of the things it does is it requires all large companies to report not only their own emissions and the emissions from the energy that they're purchasing, but also their emissions upstream and downstream in their supply chain. People sometimes call this Scope Three Emissions. This has huge ramifications because it means that for the supermarkets, a large part of their Scope Three Emissions are the emissions from food. They would then probably ask the food manufacturers 'well, give us more information on your carbon footprints.' And in turn, for the food manufacturers, a large part of their carbon footprint comes upstream from the agricultural sector. So, everybody would be turning around and asking their supplier and all the way up the supply chain for more information. All the way, not only to the farmer, but even further up to the fertilizer companies and so on. So, there's definitely this push on the demand side. And, I guess governments and citizens and civil society, those are sort of the usual suspects, so to speak. There's also unexpectedly a lot of pressure from investors. We see organizations of investors pushing hard for more transparency. Their logic is that sooner or later, stricter regulations on the environmental side are going to come. For some of the companies that we're currently investing in, we have no idea how hard that would hit them. So, those companies need to disclose more information because we as investors need to know how much money is at risk if we invest in a business that is, for example, linked to deforestation and things like that. So, that's the demand side. But what is really interesting is that at the same time on the supply side, it's also becoming easier to actually provide that information compared to five or 10 years ago. Some of this is because people have been working in obscurity for a long time, trying to develop certain methods and databases. A lot of that work has been coming to fruition in just the last few years. For example, there's been development of new reporting standards, there's been development of new databases, there's been development of new methods, people are now using satellites and so on to try and quantify things like land use change, deforestation impacts and so on. A lot of these things are now converging and blending with each other. We do think that the combination of this greater demand and greater supply that is driving what we're seeing now. And of course, some of these initiatives are still at a relatively early stage. At the same time, I think the direction of travel is clear. So, we think that demand is not going to go down. It will keep getting easier to supply that information. We think that this is what explains this fast increase that we're seeing. This is really intriguing, and it makes me wonder how global value chains are going to be realigned. Going back to this idea of small and medium sized producers who may not be able to have the monitoring, or if you think of even larger firms who feel uncomfortable with having some outside agency evaluating the carbon emissions or other greenhouse gas emissions from their farm. I can imagine that this could realign value chains. Is this a fair assessment? Is this a concern? I agree with you that this is something people should be looking at. At the moment, there's not yet any data on that. I don't think anybody has really researched that. We see in general that many researchers aren't really paying attention to this trend, which was actually one of the reasons we wrote this paper. But what you're describing is exactly one of the questions we have as well. There are a few ways that this could play out. You could imagine that if it's only some markets that are getting very interested in this kind of information, you might have a situation where companies in a producing country decide to just send the sustainable stuff to the countries that care about sustainability. But they keep producing the unsustainable stuff for all the other markets. In that case, the total impact for the environment might actually be limited. But there could also be other cases where companies think, well, since a large part of our customer base is asking for more sustainability, we might as well make everything sustainable just to be on the safe side. You might have other cases where companies start working backwards because they want to make sure that what they are selling is sustainable. So, you might actually have situations where a retailer starts working with suppliers or where a food manufacturer starts working with suppliers to make sure that their production is sustainable. This is again something that we have seen in the wake of these food safety standards about 20 years ago. This was a really surprising development and there was a lot of investment from other companies in the supply chain to help farmers start meeting these stricter food safety standards. So, one possibility is that something like that might happen for environmental sustainability as well. At the moment, these are all really just hypotheses. And so I really hope people will start to investigate this more seriously, because I think it is very important also for policymakers to understand what has happened. I'm really appreciative of you making the point that there is just a great deal of uncertainty in this space and that there is a need for researchers to explore this issue. And I agree the food safety concerns of 20 or so years ago is a good example. But I think there are going to be some differences and I'll be intrigued to see how that plays out. I am interested to understand, are there any risks besides the ones that we've kind of touched on, any other risks or downsides to this movement that we're seeing? Yes, there are actually. Because the story I told so far was maybe a little bit on the optimistic side. I was explaining how it's becoming easier to supply the information in part because we now have better reporting standards. That is one part of the story. That's sort of the glass half full view of it. The glass half empty view is that actually, at the same time, there's also a fragmentation. There are also many different initiatives, and this is why we call it fast and furious. So, there's lots of different initiatives that are competing for attention. And you do end up with situations where you might have different ways of calculating certain environmental impact. Different ways of reporting it. And then it's not necessarily clear when somebody is reporting something what exactly they were using as methods. And so that poses an enormous risk, because if every supermarket or every country starts coming up with its own way of doing things, its own way of reporting, then the end result is just going to be confusion and frustration and transaction costs. And then the benefits for the environment won't even be there. So, it is really important if you want this to go well, that people get together, stakeholders, governments, researchers, to get together and try to align as much as possible on common reporting standards, common methodologies, etc. So that it's clear for everybody that the data that we're looking at is comparable. This is important, and I can imagine if we think about international accords on addressing climate change and how it takes a lot of effort to get agreement on those, you can imagine that when we're talking about these kinds of measures and getting concordance on that, there could be some real challenges. We've already touched on this, but I'm interested to know, are there other policy implications of the work that this paper is doing? Is there something we should be paying attention to? Well, one idea that I hope people would start taking seriously is I want people to start thinking in timelines and cycles. And let me explain what I mean by that. There's a lot of different initiatives out there. And you can even start to see a little bit of a hierarchy, how different things, some of these standards are building on other standards. Some of these databases are then in turn using some of those other standards. There's a kind of a logic that is emerging there. One of the problems that happens now is that it's not really clear when all of these elements are going to get updated. So, suddenly one of those standards might get updated and then now all of these other standards that build on that or those databases that build on that are suddenly no longer consistent with that original standard. And then there's some confusion and then it's not really clear whether the data you are using is actually still consistent with the original standard. One idea that I'm advocating for is that people should all explicitly define a certain iteration cycle where they say, look, every four years, for example, or every three years, every five years, we are going to review the standard. We'll give everybody 12 months of warning, and we'll have a stakeholder process, and we'll have a scientific process behind that so it's clear for everybody what we're changing and why. But this way, you know well in advance when each of these building blocks is going to get updated. Then that would make it a lot easier for everybody to make sure that what they're doing is aligned with those standards. And an additional benefit of doing it like that, I think, is these things are moving so fast and there's still so much new science and new technology coming in, that we have to keep the possibility open to keep improving and updating those methods and those standards as well. If you announce in advance that we'll do this on a three year cycle or a four year cycle or whatever it may be, I think that could help us strike a balance between the need for that flexibility, but at the same time that need for stability. Because of course, if things keep changing all the time, then you're never quite sure whether the numbers you're looking at make sense or can be compared. I think that idea would be very helpful. And that will probably require quite a bit of coordination between all the different stakeholders who work in that space. And I think that would be a very good thing to do. BIO Koen Deconinck is an economist in the Trade and Agriculture Directorate of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) in Paris. He was lead author of the OECD report “Making Better Policies for Food Systems” (2021) and has worked on market concentration, seed markets, evidence gaps, resilience, and environmental impacts of food systems. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Leuven and has published research in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the European Review of Agricultural Economics, Food Policy, and Business History, among others. He currently works on measurement of carbon footprints and other environmental impacts of food.  

Join host Norbert Wilson and co-host Kerilyn Schewel in the latest episode of the Leading Voices in Food podcast as they dive deep into the world of small-scale fisheries with two distinguished guests: Nicole Franz from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and John Virdin from Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability. Discover the significant role small-scale fisheries play in food security, economic development, and community livelihoods. Learn about the unique challenges these fisheries face, and how community-led climate adaptation alongside top-down national policies can help build resilience. This episode also highlights collaborative efforts between academia and organizations like FAO, painting a comprehensive picture of the state and future of small-scale fisheries. Interview Summary Kerilyn - So, Nicole, let's begin with you. Why is your work at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization focused on small-scale fisheries and fishing communities? And could you share with us how they are different from fisheries more broadly? What's unique about them and their role in food production? Nicole - Yes. Let me start with the latter question. And I think the first thing is to clarify actually what are small-scale fisheries, no? Because sometimes if you think about small-scale fisheries, what most people will have in mind is probably that of a man in a small boat fishing. But in reality, it's a sector that is much more diverse. There are, for example, women in Indonesia that are collecting clams by foot. Foot fishers. Or we have examples from small-scale fisheries that are fishing boats in Norway, which are comparably small, but if you compare them, for example, with how small-scale fishing looks in a place like Mozambique, it's a very different scale. But all of that, however, is comprised in what we understand as small-scale fisheries. It is also important to understand that when we talk about small-scale fisheries in FAO, we don't only limit it to what is happening in the water, the harvesting part, but we also include what happens once the fish is out of the water. So, once it's processed, then, and when it's traded. So, so it's a whole supply chain that is connected to that small-scale fisheries production that we understand as being small-scale fisheries. And with Duke University, with John who is present here, and other colleagues and other colleagues from World Fish, we did a global study where we tried to estimate the global contributions of small-scale fisheries to sustainable development. And what we found was that at least 40 percent of the global catch is actually coming from inland and marine small-scale fisheries. And that's, that's enormous. That's a huge, huge amount. More important almost is that, that 90 percent of all the people that are employed in capture fisheries are in small-scale fisheries. And that is the human dimension of it. And that's why the community dimension is so important for the work. Because it is that big amount of people, 61 million people, that are employed in the value chains. And in addition to that, we estimated that there are about 53 million people that are actually engaging in small-scale fisheries for subsistence. So, if we consider those people that are employed in small-scale fisheries, plus those that are engaging for subsistence, and all their household members, we're actually talking about close to 500 million people that depend at least partially on small-scale fisheries for their livelihoods. We also looked at the economic dimensions of small-scale fisheries, and we found that the value from the first sale of small-scale fishery products amounts to 77 billion. So, these numbers are important. They show the importance of small-scale fisheries in terms of their production, but also in terms of the livelihood [00:05:00] dimension, in terms of the economic value that they generate. And, last but not least, we also looked at the nutritional value from small-scale fisheries. And we estimated that the catch from small-scale fisheries would be able to supply almost 1 billion women globally with 50 percent of the recommended omega 3 fatty acid intake. So, I think with all of these numbers, hopefully, I can convey why the focus on small-scale fish is, in the context of food security and poverty eradication in particular, is of fundamental importance. Kerilyn - Thanks, Nicole. That's really helpful to get a kind of global picture. If I could follow up to ask, what regions of the world are small-scale fisheries more common, or do economies rely on them? And in what regions do you see them disappearing? Are they common in countries like the US, for example? Well, they're certainly more common in what is often considered as a Global South. In Asia in particular, we encountered the largest total numbers, absolute numbers, in terms of people involved in terms of production. But also in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean. In the Pacific, obviously, they play a crucial role. They are more and more disappearing in the US, for example, in Europe. We see that it is a livelihood that is no longer very common. And one of the features we see there that it's an aging sector, it's a shrinking sector, for a number of reasons. But they still define the characteristic of certain areas where they really are part of the identity and of the local culture, even in the U.S. or in many, many places in Europe. Norbert - Nicole, this is really fascinating. Thank you for sharing this broad overview of what's happening and who are small-scale fishers. What are some of the common challenges that these small-scale fishers and fisheries face? And what is FAO's response to those challenges? Nicole - Well, where to start? There are so many challenges. I think one fundamental challenge that is common across all regions is securing access to fishing grounds. But not only to fishing grounds, but also to the coastal areas where operations, where they land the boats, where they, where the process of fish, where the fishing villages and communities are located. In many areas around the world, we see expansion of tourism, expansion of urban areas and coastal areas. The increase of other industries that are competing for the space now, and that are often stronger economically more visible than small-scale fisheries. So, the competition over space in those areas is quite an issue. But there are also many challenges that are more outside of the fishing activity directly. For example, often small-scale fishing communities lack access to services. We had basic services such as education or health services, social protection. And in many cases, women are particularly disadvantaged in relation to access to these services. For example, women that are involved in harvesting or in processing of fish in small-scale fisheries, they often do not know where to leave their children while they are at work because there's no childcare facility in many of these villages. And there are 45 million women that are engaged in small-scale fisheries around the world. Another set of challenges relates to the value chains and the markets. Often there's limited infrastructure to connect to markets. The processing and storage facilities are not adequate to bring the product to the market in a state that allows it to then fetch good prices and to benefit from the value chain. Often small-scale fishers and fish workers are also not well organized. So, they become more subject to power imbalances along the value chain where they have to be price takers. Now they have to accept what is offered. That also relates often to a lack of transparency in relation to market information. And of course, then we have another set of challenges that are coming from climate change that are becoming more and more important. And from other types of disasters also. One thing that brings together all these challenges, or makes them worse, is often the lack of representative structures and also institutional structures that allow for participation in relevant decision making or management processes. So that small-scale fishers and fish workers don't even have an opportunity to flag their needs or to propose solutions. So, FAO has facilitated a process to develop Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food security and Poverty Eradication. Quite a mouthful of a name. In short, we call them small-scale fisheries guidelines. In which all the major challenges in a way are compiled in one document together with guidance on how to address them. And these guidelines are the result of a participatory development process. So, they are really informed by the involvement of fishing communities from around the world, but also other stakeholders. And they have been agreed on and have been endorsed by the almost 200 members of the FAO. We are now working with countries, with the small-scale fishing communities around the world, with other partners, including Duke University, to help implement these small-scale fisheries guidelines. Norbert - Oh, this is really fascinating and it's important work. I'm intrigued with the participatory process. How are small-scale fisher organizations involved in this? Are you working with different organizations? Or is this more individuals who are just interested in this issue coming to the fore? This is through organizations at all levels. Be it at the national level where we are, for example, facilitating the formation of new women organizations in a number of African countries. Be it at the regional level, in particular in Africa, there are existing structures in the context of the African union, which has established so called non state actor platforms for fisheries and aquaculture, which we are supporting in order to bring their voice into the processes and to facilitate peer learning. And then there's a number of global social movements and producer organizations for small-scale fisheries that we are working with and using them as a facilitator to involve as many as possible. And gather as much insight that is coming from the membership of those organizations to then bring into global, regional, national processes from our side. Norbert - This is really important to hear how different forms of governance and at different levels are playing a part in developing these guidelines. Thank you for sharing that, Nicole. I'd like to turn to you, John. You have more than 20 years of experience in studying and advising government policies to regulate human use of the oceans. With a particular focus on marine conservation practices. How has your thinking about marine conservation changed over the last 20 years? John - Yeah, it's changed a bit. As you mentioned, my interest in work has been on ocean conservation and how it can alleviate poverty. A lot of times that has meant managing fisheries to address poverty. And I think in the past, that meant that I was really focused on what governments could do to increase the efficiency of fisheries. The economic efficiency. How do we increase incomes, how do you increase revenues for communities? All very important, but for all the reasons that Nicole mentioned, I spend a lot more time now thinking about the process rather than the outcomes, and thinking about what institutions are in place, or can be created, to help empower small-scale fishing communities to have much more of a voice in the decisions that affect them. In how the resources are used. How the space is used. And Nicole outlined really well a lot of the challenges that are facing communities from increased industrialization of ocean use to the squeeze from climate change and the effect on resources. And even the fact that climate change may be driving people to the oceans. I mean, as farms and agricultures maybe fail or face challenges, oceans are often open access, and can even be a sink for people to make a livelihood. And so, yet more pressures coming from outside these fisheries. How can fishers have a greater voice in making the decisions that impact them and safeguarding their livelihoods? Norbert - Thank you for that. I'm interested in understanding how do these fisher folks, who are trying to organize and are organizing, how does that interact with sort of larger markets? I mean, I would imagine a number of these folks are catching fish and other seafood that goes into global markets. What's the interaction or challenges that may happen there? John - As Nicole mentioned, because small-scale fisheries are so diverse you have markets in many places. These may be located near an urban center where you can have easy access. You can get fresh fish in a cooler and put it on a plane and off it goes to an export market. We found that, what may be surprised us, is a significant number of small-scale fishers are exporting in some cases. So, then that can be challenging because you might get higher prices, which is a good thing. But it might drive, for example, more fishing effort. It might drive higher levels of exploitation. It might change traditional practices, traditional rules for fisheries. It might really change how fishers organize in a given place. So, the access to export markets, even say an island setting, has kind of scrambled past fisheries management in some places and can be an outside force. Kerilyn - John and Nicole, I want to ask you both a question now about painting a picture of these communities that you're working with. You both mentioned how diverse small-scale fisheries can be. I was wondering if you could just share what one community in particular looks like that you've worked with? What are the challenges that a particular community faces, or alternatively, where do you see things actually working well? So Nicole, could I ask you to respond first? Nicole - I'm working more with global processes and the global level. So, through that, I have the privilege of working with representatives from many, many communities. So maybe what I can share is the feedback that I'm getting through that, in terms of the change that we can observe, and that is affecting fishing communities around the world. I think one thing that is being brought up as a concern by many is what I mentioned before. It's a process of aging in fishing communities and often a lack of capacity to retain young people in the sector. And that has different reasons. Now there are all of these challenges that small-scale fisheries have to face and that are difficult to overcome. So, that often drives people, in particular young men, to leave the communities. Or within the communities, to look for other alternative livelihoods now and not to take on the skills of fishermen or getting engaged in small-scale fisheries more broadly. So, in some cases, yes, it's not only other activities within the community, but really leaving the community and leaving in some cases also the country. What we see there is that sometimes people that have the skills, maybe still as a fisher, they have tried to fish. So, they have a knowledge of fishing. They emigrate out into other countries. And in some cases they are then hired into industrial fisheries where they work on industrial boats that go out fishing for longer periods of time. But where they at times end up in situations that can be called slave labor, basically, that are subject to serious violations of human rights. And that is in a way generated by this vulnerability to the poverty that is still there in those communities. The lack of being able to make a living, a decent work in the fishing community. So, that is something that we have seen is happening. We have also seen that in some cases, there's an involvement of fishers into say more illegal activities, be it in drug trafficking, be it also into the trafficking of people. I'm thinking even about the Mediterranean. I'm working out of Italy, Rome. We have a lot of immigration from North African countries, for example, coming through that route. And oftentimes it happens that the transport of migrants is actually carried out by fishers and their boats because they have the skill to navigate the sea. And they make a better living by transporting illegal migrants than going fishing. So, those are some of the challenges we hear. And the other one is there in relation to what is now a concept that is getting more and more traction. It's often known as the blue economy, which is, in a way, looking at the ocean as the last frontier for economic development. And that includes on the one hand, the expansion of previously existing industries, such as tourism. But also the expansion of newer sectors such as alternative energy production. Think wind parks now in coastal areas. So, what happens here is that in many cases, this adds again, additional pressure on the available maritime space. In the water and on the land. The expansion of marine aquaculture is another example. So, that also is something that we hear is becoming an issue for small-scale fishing communities to defend the space that they need to maintain their lifestyle. Kerilyn - John, is there anything you'd like to add on this question of how fisheries are changing? John - Very, very briefly. Taking the example in West Africa where I've spent some time over the years, you certainly have some communities there where it actually doesn't seem as if the fisheries are changing as much in the sense it's quite static and stagnant. And this could be caused by a lot of the reasons that Nicole mentioned, but the community, the economy, the fisheries aren't growing. People, young people may be leaving for a number of reasons, but it doesn't have to be that way either. I mean, there are positive examples. I was in Liberia last week, and there, from the numbers that the government has, small-scale fishing communities are growing. The number of fishers are growing. They've actually made a conscious effort to protect a certain area of the ocean just for small-scale fisheries. And to prohibit trawling and to give the communities more space to grow and operate in the 20 years since the conflict ended there. So, again, it doesn't have to be sort of stagnant or grinding on in some of these communities as they cope with competition for resources, for example, competition for space from others. Where they were given that space, in some cases in Liberia, they've grown. That may have its own challenges but. Kerilyn - Interesting. In the back of my mind, when thinking about these communities and aging and migration of younger generations away from these livelihoods, you know, as someone who studies the relationship between migration and development, I think it's a common trend where, you know, as countries develop, young people leave traditional economic activities. They get more educated, they move to cities, they move abroad. To what degree is this somehow just part of these countries' development? Should we expect young people to be leaving them? And to what degree might we think differently about development in a way that would enable more young people to stay? And I think, John, you mentioned a really interesting point about how protecting the space For these small-scale fisheries to operate is one thing that seems to have kept people engaged in this livelihood. I'd be curious if there's other things that come up for you. Other ways of thinking about enhancing the capability to stay in small-scale fishing livelihoods. John - Sure, and I'd be curious what Nicole's seeing from her perspective. I think, to some extent, it's a different question if small-scale fisheries are economically viable. And so, what I think Nicole and I are referring to in many cases is where for a lot of these external pressures upon them, they may not be as viable as they once were. And that has its own push on people, whereas where fishers are empowered, they have more of a voice in what happens to the fisheries and controlling those spaces and resources, and it can be more economically viable in these fisheries. That presents a different set of choices for young people then. So that's where we've really focused is: okay, what is the process by which small-scale fishing communities have their voices heard more, have much more of a say and much more power in the use of the fisheries, the use of the coastal areas, the things that affect those fisheries and their livelihoods? And then we can see what those choices might look like. But Nicole, I'm not sure if that's consistent with what you've seen in a number of places. Nicole - Yes, and maybe to also rebalance a bleak picture I painted before. Like John said, there are obviously good examples. I think an important condition is probably a linkage to markets. Non-economic viability in many ways does play a role. And there are examples of how that can happen in different ways. For example, in Morocco, the country has made quite a significant investment to build a whole series of ports for small-scale fisheries. Specifically, along the entire coastline of Morocco where they are providing a port that is not just a landing site for small-scale fisheries, but it provides like a system of integrated services. There's an auction hall. So, the fish comes in, it's immediately kind of weighted. They get the information, the label for what they have brought in, then it goes into an auction that has set rules and everybody is tied to. But in that same area, for example, there's also a bank or there is an office that helps with the access to social protection services, for example. So, it's a whole integrated service center, and that really makes a difference to help make the sector more efficient. But at the same time, also really keep the tradition. So, it's not only economic efficiency, but by having all these different centers, it allows to maintain many people employed and to also maintain the characteristics of each of those different lending sites. That's one example. I was in Korea last year and there, they were doing something similar. They are reviving some of their traditional fishing villages where they are also investing in those fishing communities and providing them with funding to set up, for example, restaurants that are run directly by those involved in the fishery. Those are particular places that are close to cities. In my case, I was in Busan. So, it's very closely connected to the consumers now that come out there. They are focusing on certain products in these villages that they are famous for traditionally. They have little shops and they're starting e-commerce for some of the products. So, the way they package, and the label has become much, much wider than before. So again, that has revived a bit those communities. In Italy, it's a country that's famous for its food, you know. And they are in the region that's called the Amalfi coast. There's a tiny village and it's famous for the production of a value-added product made from tiny sardines that are fished by the small-scale fisheries boats. And they are processed in a very particular way. And there is like a label of geographic origin of this product, and it can only come from that village. And it has a high price and has it's like a high-end product, so to say. And in a way these are also approaches that provide dignity to this profession. And a sense of pride which is really important and should not be underestimated in also increasing the willingness, for example, of young people to be part of that and maintain the viability of the sector. John – I'd like to just add, I think that's a really important point on the dignity and pride and the importance of these fisheries in so many places and cultures. I mean, I'll never forget talking to a minister of finance in one country and starting to try to make the economic case for supporting small-scale fisheries. He cut me off in about 30 seconds and started talking about growing up fishing in the village and going back home for vacations, and just the importance to the entire community of fishing to him and just how much it was a part of the fabric of the culture. Kerilyn - I love that. That does seem so important and wonderful to hear those very specific examples that do give some hope. It's not just a bleak future. Norbert - You know, it's great to hear how government policy is helping shape and reshape these fisheries in a way that allow for economic viability and also these are opportunities to connect communities to these traditions. And so, I find that really fascinating. I want to kind of push a little bit beyond that and bring back the idea of how to deal with climate that was mentioned earlier. And also change our focus from government policy to sort of what's happening within these small-scale fisheries and fishery organizations. So Nicole, a lot of your work focuses on building more inclusive policy processes and stakeholder engagement. And so, from your perspective, how does community-led climate adaptation, rather than top down adaptation agendas, lead to different outcomes? Nicole - Well, I think one way that seems quite obvious, how community-led adaptation can lead to different outcomes is simply that in that case, the traditional and the indigenous knowledge that is within those communities will be considered much more strongly. And this is something that can be really critical to crafting solutions for that very site-specific context. Because the impact of the climate change can be very different in every region and every locality not due to that specific environment that it's encountering there. And holding the knowledge and being able to observe the changes and then adapt to them is something that certainly a community-based approach has an advantage over something that would be a coming from a more centralized top down, a little bit more one-size-fits-all approach. And this can then imply little things like, for example, if the water temperature changes, we see a change in the fish behavior. Now we see how certain stocks start to move to different environments and others are coming in. So, the communities obviously need to adapt to that. And they do that automatically. Now, if it changes, they adapt their gear, they adapt to the new species that is there. So, in many cases, there are solutions that are already happening, and adaptations that are already happening that may not carry that label, that name. But if you look at it, it is really what is happening, no? Or you can see in some cases, that for example, there are initiatives that are coming also spontaneously from the communities to replant mangrove forests, where you can observe that there is a rising seawater level that is threatening the communities and where they have their houses, where they have their daily lives. Now, you can see that through NGOs and often there is support projects for that. But you can also see it happening more spontaneously when communities observe that change. So, the top-down approaches often they lack that more nuanced, site-specific considerations in their approaches and the consideration of that specific knowledge. On the other hand, it needs to be said though, that the top-down approaches can also play an important role. For example, countries develop their national adaptation plans. And those plans are usually, you know, developed at a higher level, at the central level. And often fisheries and aquaculture are not necessarily included in those plans. So that is something where the top-down level can play a very important role and really make a difference for small-scale fisheries by ensuring that fisheries and aquaculture are included in a sector. So, I guess that in the end, as always, it's not black and white. No, it's something that we need to take into account both of it and have any climate change adaptation approach to small-scale fisheries being grounded in both. And have a way to bridge the top down and the bottom-up approaches. Norbert - I really like this idea of bridging between the top down and the bottom-up approaches, understanding the local knowledge that's there. I would imagine that's also knowledge that when used to make decisions makes it easier for people to stick with those decisions, because it's a part of their voice. It's who they are. And then the other side, it's critical to make sure that those plans are a part of a larger national move, because if the government is not involved, if those higher-level decision makers are not involved, they can easily overlook the needs of those communities. I really appreciate hearing that. I think sometimes we hear this tension. It needs to be one or the other. And you're making a really compelling point about how it has to be integrated. John, I'm really intrigued to see from your perspective. How do you see this top down versus bottom-up approach working in the work you've done? John - I'll do what I typically do is echo and agree with Nicole, but just to give an example that I love. I teach this one in my classes. There's an old paper by Bob Johannes, a marine ecologist. And the standard practice in managing fisheries as government scientists is you count the fish, you then set limits for them, often from the top down. And his point was in the case of Indonesia, if you look at the reef fisheries that go through most of the communities, one tool to assess the fish stocks is to do a visual census. You swim transects along the reefs and you count the fish. So, he did a back of the envelope estimate and he said, well, if you're going to do that through all the reefs throughout Indonesia, it would probably be finished in about 400 years. And that would give you one snapshot. So, he's saying you can't do this. You have to rely on the local knowledge in these communities. I don't want to romanticize traditional knowledge too much, but I just can't imagine how policies would effectively support adaptation in these communities without building upon this traditional ecological knowledge. Kerilyn - John, since coming to Duke from the World Bank, you've regularly collaborated with non-academic partners like the FAO as well as the UN environmental program. Can you tell us more about how your partnership with the FAO and your work with Nicole more specifically began? John - Sure. I think more than anything, I got really lucky. But when I first came to Duke, I started working with a colleague, Professor Xavier Basurto at the Marine Lab, who I think is one of the world's leading scholars on how communities come together to manage common resources like fish stocks. We organized a workshop at Duke on small-scale fisheries. We got talking to Nicole, invited her and some of her colleagues at FAO to that workshop, together with others, to think about a way forward for small-scale fisheries for philanthropy. And I think from those conversations started to see the need to build a global evidence base on how important these fisheries are in society. And Nicole could probably say it better, but from there, she and colleagues said, you know, maybe you all could work with us. We're planning to do this study to build this evidence base and maybe we could collaborate. And I think we're very fortunate that Duke gives the space for that kind of engaged research and allows us to do it. I don't think we knew how long it would be when we started, Nicole. But over five years and 800 researchers later, we - Javier, Nicole, myself, and so many others - concluded with this global study that we hope does have a little bit clearer picture on the role of these fisheries in society. Kerilyn - Nicole, from your side, what does an academic partner bring to the table? What's your motivation for partnering with someone like John or Duke University more specifically. Well, I think as FAO, we like to call ourselves a knowledge organization, but we're not an academic institution. We don't conduct research ourselves, no? So, we need to partner around that. We work with the policy makers though. So, one of our roles, in a way, is to build that. To broker and improve the science policy interface. So, this is why collaboration with academia research for us is very important. And what we experienced in this particular collaboration with Duke University to produce this study called Illuminating Hidden Harvest, the Contributions of Small-scale Fisheries to Sustainable Development was really that first we realized we have a shared vision, shared objectives. And I think that's fundamental. Now, you need to make sure that you have the same values, how you approach these things. And in this case, it aligned very well that we really wanted to take in a way, a human-centered and multidimensional approach to look at small-scale fisheries. And then it was also very important to understand what every partner brings to the table, no? The different strengths that we have. And then based on that, define the roles and what everybody's doing in a project. And the added value for us was certainly the capacity from the Duke University side to help develop the method that we develop for the country case studies that we conducted in 58 countries. And not only to develop that method, but then we had a postdoc at Duke University for this project, who was actually then engaging with all of the people. People in these 58 countries. And, and she was. coaching them in that methodology, actually in three languages, which was quite amazing. It was very, very thorough. We could not have done that. And we had a lot of other students from Duke University that helped us once we had the data gathered. To then screen that data, harmonize that data, clean that data, obviously under the leadership of John, Xavier and other colleagues, no? So that was really something that was adding a lot of value and actually also helped us to get to know a lot of the students from Duke. And some of those then ended up also becoming consultants working with us more broadly on small-scale fisheries. So that was certainly great, great value for FAO as collaboration. BIOS Nicole Franz, Equitable Livelihoods Team Leader, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. Nicole is a development economist with 18 years of experience in intergovernmental organizations. She holds a Master in International Cooperation and Project Design from University La Sapienza, Rome and a Master in Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Human Rights in the Mediterranean Region. From 2003 to 2008 she was a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). In 2009-10 she was Fishery Planning Analyst at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, focusing on fisheries certification. Since 2011 she works for the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division where she coordinates the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) with a focus on inclusive policy processes and stakeholder empowerment. Since 2021 she leads the Equitable Livelihoods team.  John Virdin is director of the Oceans Program at the Duke University Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. He has a total of over twenty years' experience in studying and advising government policies to regulate human use of the oceans, particularly marine conservation policies to reduce poverty throughout the tropics. His focus has been largely on managing fisheries for food and livelihoods, expanding to broader ocean-based economic development policies, coastal adaptation and more recently reducing ocean plastic pollution. He directs the Oceans Program at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, aiming to connect Duke University's science and ideas to help policymakers solve ocean sustainability problems. He has collaborated in this effort with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the United Nations Environment Program, as well as regional organizations such as the Abidjan Convention secretariat, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission of West Africa and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement for tuna fisheries management in the Western Pacific. He co-created and teaches an introductory course for undergraduate students to understand the role of ocean policy in helping solve many of society's most pressing development challenges on land. His work has been published in books, edited volumes and a number of professional journals, including Nature Ecology and Evolution, Ecosystem Services, Environment International, Fish and Fisheries and Marine Policy, as well as contributing to China Dialogue, The Conversation, the Economist Intelligence Unit, and The Hill.    

After severe cuts to its 2024 budgets for development and humanitarian aid, we found that the German government is planning to slash funds again in 2025. A recently released draft budget spells out nearly €1 billion in cuts to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, or BMZ, from €11.22 billion ($12.36 billion) this year to €10.28 billion in 2025. Germany is not the only European country planning to reduce its aid budget. In the United Kingdom, the aid budget in 2024 is forecast to be only 0.36% of gross national income — once sums diverted to hosting asylum-seekers are removed — piling pressure on the new Labour government to rethink its plans. The fresh spending squeeze comes despite the new Labour government promising a “reset” of development policy it condemned as “degraded” under the Conservatives. We also discuss the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that took place in Beijing. It was attended by 50 African heads of state and China pledged to invest nearly $51 billion in the continent on more favorable terms than Western countries. In order to dive into these stories and others, Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with David Ainsworth and Elissa Miolene for the latest episode of our weekly podcast series. Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters: https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Adela Raz discuss the humanitarian catastrophe and systemic human rights abuses under Taliban rule, the lessons and consequences of the collapse of the Afghanistan Republic, and the future of Afghanistan and its diaspora. Join former Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United States, Adela Raz, and Hoover Senior Fellow H.R. McMaster as they reflect on the geostrategic consequences of the 2021 collapse of Afghanistan. Ambassador Raz shares her insights on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the humanitarian catastrophe and systemic human rights abuses currently facing the country, the Taliban's repressive control over women, and her hope for the future of Afghanistan and its diaspora. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Adela Raz served as the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United States from July 2021 to February 2022. Ambassador Raz was first woman to hold the post of Deputy Chief of Staff for an Afghan president's administrative office. She served in this post both in President Hamid Karzai's Administration and in President Ashraf Ghani's. She was the Deputy Minister for Economic Cooperation at Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2018. From 2018 to July of 2021, Raz served as Afghanistan's first female Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, where she was the Vice President of the 75th session of the General Assembly. Since 2022, Raz has served as the director of the Afghanistan Policy Lab at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Ambassador Raz has a Master's degree in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has expressed optimism about the potential of China's economic development, hoping to deepen economic cooperation with China.

Dr. Gemma Galdon-Clavell is a pioneer and global force in AI safety and auditing, on a mission to ensure that AI large language models and unsupervised machine learning tools truly serve society. She is the founder and CEO of Eticas.ai, a venture-backed organization that identifies, measures and corrects algorithmic vulnerabilities, bias and inefficiencies in predictive and LLM tools. Eticas' software, the ITACA platform, is the first solution to automate impact analysis and monitoring, ensuring that AI systems are high performing and safe, explainable, fair and trustworthy. Gemma was acknowledged by the BBC as one of the “people changing the world” and this year honored by Forbes Women as one of the “35 Leading Spanish Women in Technology” and praised as “a pioneer in algorithmic auditing software”. She also advises international and regional institutions such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Commission, among others.

Nickel, a long-used metal in stainless steel, now has an important role in our planet's green transition. With an estimated 21 million tons of nickel reserve, one of the largest in the world, Indonesia has seized the opportunity of the global energy transition and become a dominant nickel powerhouse. The country now accounts for nearly half of the global supply.How has Indonesia built up its nickel industry? What has collaboration in nickel smelting between Indonesian and Chinese companies brought to both sides? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Zha Daojiong, Professor of international political economy at the School of International Studies at Peking University; Dr. Lee Pei May, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

In a society pushing most planetary boundaries, how can venture capital step in and scale the technologies we need to change the world?That's the power behind Planet A Ventures, led by environmental advocate and policymaker Lena Thiede.Lena is a co-founding partner of Planet A — a cutting-edge green tech venture capital fund that only invests in European startups with a proven and significant positive impact on the environment. They've already hit an important milestone, raising an impressive €160 million in 2023 that has been put into action for backing and scaling startups with groundbreaking green technologies in development. What's truly unique about Planet A Ventures is that they're the only early-stage VC with an in-house science team dedicated to conducting rigorous lifecycle assessments before investing, which Lena leads. This means they place the highest value on impact as the primary screening metric, guaranteeing significant positive outcomes for climate, biodiversity, and beyond.Lena is a prominent figure in environmental research and policy, thanks to her substantial background in climate science and over 11 years of experience as a senior government official at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. She knew early on in her childhood that she wanted to be involved in political science and environmental protection, a desire that landed her in government programs in Tanzania and East Africa, focusing on biodiversity and water resource monitoring and evaluation. Lena has also done environmental research for the German Advisory Council on Global Change, OECD, GIZ, and the Ecologic Institute. She also advises the EXIST Program of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, promoting more science-based startups.Tune in to hear all the fascinating examples of science-based impact investing that Lena shares, along with how Planet A is transforming the landscape of sustainable venture capital.—About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes. In my interviews, I cover everything from their early personal journeys to insights into how they developed and executed their investment strategies and what challenges they face today. Each episode is a chance to go way below the surface with these impressive people and gain additional insights and useful lessons from professional investors.—Connect with SRI360°: Sign up for the free weekly email update.Visit the SRI360° PODCAST.Visit the SRI360° WEBSITE.Follow SRI360° on X.Follow SRI360° on FACEBOOK. —Key TakeawaysMeet Lena Thiede & her formative years (00:00)Lena's time at the Ecological Institute in Berlin & 3plusx (08:23)Moving to Tanzania & Managing the Serengeti & Selous game reserves (13:48)Relocating to Cape Town, founding Planet A, and Lena's other ventures (19:16)A high level overview of Planet A ventures (25:55)The relationship between impact and financial returns (33:48)Planet A's investment universe & how they measure impact (34:51)Conducting lifecycle assessment analysis (48:42)Positive impact beyond Planet A & the biodiversity lifecycle analysis (54:51)An end-to-end look into a Planet A investment (59:55)Rapid fire questions (01:08:53)—Additional ResourcesPlanet A's Website & Medium page.Follow Planet A

Text us your thoughts on this episodeThere continues to be a significant amount of activity at a high velocity as it relates to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In this episode, host Heather Horn welcomes back Matt Haskins, principal in PwC's Washington National Tax Services group, who focuses on renewable energy transactions, to discuss the latest IRA developments and what is on the horizon in this election year and beyond. Find out where companies should be focusing their efforts now and how to prepare for any changes that may come. Spoiler alert – stay the course.In this episode, they discuss:3:30– With even more IRA developments, what companies should focus on now, including transferability of tax credits 6:48 – Meeting the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements to unlock the full value of the IRA10:57 – Additional IRS guidance on domestic content requirements13:56 – The latest developments on Section 48C credits19:00 – Changes to expect after Election Day31:25 – Impact of the US Supreme Court overturning the Chevron doctrine37:55 – Advice for companies navigating changes in the IRALooking for more on renewable energy credits?Talking ESG: Taking advantage of Inflation Reduction Act incentivesIn depth: Accounting for Inflation Reduction Act energy incentivesObligations, next steps from clean electricity guidanceApplications open for $6 billion in energy creditsCertainty, relief in new energy credit rules For more information on the US Supreme Court overruling the Chevron doctrine: Potential tax implications of the US Supreme Court overruling the Chevron doctrineMatt Haskins is a principal in PwC's Washington National Tax Services group, focusing on renewable energy financing and M&A transactions. In addition to writing and speaking on issues in the renewable energy industry, Matt has co-chaired the energy and environmental taxes working group for the US Council on International Business and served as a delegate for key energy initiatives of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Heather Horn is PwC's National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC's accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series. With over 30 years of experience, Heather's accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com. 

With great power comes great responsibility and in healthcare, those words may have never held more meaning than they do with the advent of artificial intelligence. AI most certainly has the power to transform healthcare, and those in the industry working to develop and use it have an immense responsibility to shape principles that ensure these technologies help, not harm.The Coalition for Health AI (CHAI) was created with a mission to be the trusted source of responsible AI in health that serves all. CHAI was founded in early 2021 by a small group of industry stakeholders and has quickly grown to now encompass more than 2,500 participants representing health systems, technology providers, government agencies, advocacy groups and others.Dr. Brian Anderson is one of CHAI's co-founders and now serves as its first CEO. Before CHAI, Dr. Anderson was the Chief Digital Health Physician at MITRE, a nonprofit corporation that manages federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) supporting various U.S. government agencies. At MITRE he led research and development efforts across major strategic initiatives in digital health alongside industry partners and the U. S. Government.Prior to MITRE, Dr. Anderson led the Informatics and Network Medicine Division at athenahealth. He has also served on several national, and international, health information technology committees in partnership with the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).In this episode of Healthcare is Hard, Keith Figlioli spoke with Dr. Anderson about the origins of CHAI, its intended role ensuring responsible use of AI in healthcare, and the complex issues already emerging as the industry navigates the early stages of AI adoption.Some of the topics they discussed include:Aligning AI with values. Dr. Anderson admits there's General agreement around principles like transparency, safety, privacy, and reliability when it comes to responsible use of AI. But says the industry needs a clearer definition for what that actually means at a technical level for the people and companies writing code. He says vendors fundamentally can't do this on their own, which is why independent entities with appropriate skills, tooling, technology, and data are needed.AI assurance. Nearly every other industry has independent organizations that test and evaluate products. From the star rating system for automotive safety, to the stickers validating consumer electronics, we take these rating systems and their existence for granted. Healthcare AI does not yet have a similar system, but that's what Dr. Anderson eventually wants CHAI to be known for.Giving everyone a voice. Being inclusive is fundamental to CHAI's mission and Dr. Anderson stresses that everyone's perspective is legitimate, especially since healthcare AI is such a new space where no one has definitive answers. He recognizes that listening to every perspective is critical in order to build AI that will serve everyone. For example, this includes ensuring that voices from the startup community are represented just as much, if not more than big tech.To hear Dr. Anderson and Keith discuss these topics and more, listen to this episode of Healthcare is Hard: A Podcast for Insiders.

his is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 11th of July and here are today's headlines.The bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud announced that the NEET UG matters will now be taken up on the 18th of July. The apex court also asked the Centre and NTA about the actions taken to identify the beneficiary students of the wrongdoing. It resumed the hearing of alleged irregularities in NEET UG 2024 today and demanded a re-test. Centre added that the data analytics done by IIT Madras shows that there is neither any indication of mass malpractice nor a localized set of candidates being benefitted leading to abnormal scores.Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Kumar recused from hearing pleas of AAP leader and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia today by which his bail petitions have been sought to be revived in the excise policy case. Another bench which Kumar is not part of will hear Sisodia's two separate pleas for reviving his bail petitions in cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation in the excise policy scam case.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed foreign ministers of seven member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation aka BIMSTEC for a two-day retreat in Delhi. The BIMSTEC includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. There will be discussion on ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors, including security, connectivity and trade.Delhi University's Faculty of Law is planning to introduce the Manusmriti, the ancient Sanskrit text, in its undergraduate programme under the paper called Jurisprudence (Legal Method). This prompted a certain section of faculty members in the varsity to raise concern over the move. The revised syllabus document will be placed before DU's Academic Council for Academic Matters on Friday to pass its implementation in the upcoming academic session in August.The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has voiced profound concern over China's deepening relationship with Russia and accused Beijing of becoming a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine through its so-called “no limits” partnership with the country. The Washington Summit Declaration stated, quote "The People's Republic of China's (PRC) stated ambitions and coercive policies continue to challenge our interests, security and values. The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and the PRC and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut and reshape the rules-based international order are a cause for profound concern," Unquote.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring one key issue currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaks with Rachel Gur, the deputy CEO of the grassroots Lobby 99. Today, as part of the "what is good for Europe is good for Israel" import reform, the Knesset ministerial committee for tackling the high cost of living unanimously approved that European standards will apply automatically and will override the need for domestic regulatory standards approval. This comes after a recent report that food and beverage prices in Israel are 52 percent higher than the average among developed countries, second only to South Korea, according to comparative consumer price data released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in June and reported by Channel 12. Prices for bread and grains in Israel were found to be among the highest in OECD countries, at 49% above the average, with only Swiss prices coming in higher. Similarly, Israeli prices for dairy and eggs were the second most expensive among the 38 OECD countries, at 64% more expensive than the average, second to South Korea. And while some of these costs are linked to the ongoing war against Hamas, most are not and are rather linked to a dearth of competition in Israel's "free market" economy. Currently serving as the deputy CEO of Lobby 99 -- "the people's lobby" -- Gur moved to Israel from the United States at age 17 and served in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. After demobbing, she earned an L.L.B. and B.A. in political science from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya and an L.L.M. in Legal Theory from New York University Law School. (She also married The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur and had four children.) So this week, as there is some optimism that the cost of living just might will be lowered for the little guy, we ask Rachel Gur, What Matters Now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.  IMAGE: Deputy CEO of Lobby 99, lawyer Rachel Gur. (Inbal Marmari)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countries are under pressure to finalize and sign the text of the OECD's multilateral tax treaty, one part of the international tax deal known as Pillar One, by the end of June.  Several OECD officials, including Manal Corwin, director of the organization's Center for Tax Policy and Administration, have reported significant progress on finalizing the document. But negotiations have hit a snag. The problem area is treatment of another part of Pillar One, known as Amount B, that's meant to simplify the way businesses value intercompany marketing and distribution transactions. The US and India, in particular, have butted heads over whether the measure should be mandatory.  In this week's episode of Talking Tax, Bloomberg Tax reporter Lauren Vella sits down with Dr. Santiago Gomez Cifuentes, head of congressional affairs at the Colombian Embassy in Washington, to talk about progress made on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-led deal and what's holding back the completion of Pillar One. Gomez Cifuentes is in close contact with the Colombian delegation to the OECD, and serves as a go-between representing Colombian interests in conversations with US lawmakers.  They also talk about Colombia's interest in the US Inflation Reduction Act and tax incentives that could boost mineral exports from Latin American countries. Produced by Matthew S. Schwartz.

Text us your thoughts on this episodeWhile the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was enacted into law in 2022, the Department of the Treasury continues to provide guidance to taxpayers on how to utilize the provisions of the law. Such guidance has been issued with increasing volume in recent months. In this episode, host Heather Horn sits down with Matt Haskins, principal in PwC's Washington National Tax Services office who focuses on renewable energy transactions, to discuss the latest IRA guidance and the implications for businesses.In this episode, we discuss:2:18 - Highlights of recent updates regarding the IRA and a look ahead at the political landscape7:14 - Clarifications on the prevailing wage and apprenticeship and domestic content requirements19:42 - Updates on the transferable tax credit market and activities27:15 - Final regulations on transferability of energy credits31:11 - The latest news on “green” hydrogen requirements41:45 - Guidance on sustainable aviation fuel and its potential impact on the aviation industry44:31 - Final electric vehicle regulations and their implications for the automotive industry48:20 - Advice for companies looking to maximize the benefit of the IRALooking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards.Matt Haskins is a principal in PwC's Washington National Tax Services, focusing on renewable energy financing and M&A transactions. In addition to writing and speaking on issues in the renewable energy industry, Matt has co-chaired the energy and environmental taxes working group for the US Council on International Business and served as a delegate for key energy initiatives of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Heather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability & Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC's global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC's accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com.

From the BBC World Service: According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ireland is the most productive country in the world, we’ll be looking at how it achieved that accolade. Meanwhile, Japan has a reputation for having a relentless work culture, but it’s consistently ranked lowest in employee productivity among the rich G7 nations. Is it time for Japanese companies to adapt?