Water

UN Conference On Trade And Development Set To Press For Liberalization

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Seeking to shift the international agenda from terrorism to poverty, delegations from 120 countries are converging on Brazil for talks aimed at giving developing countries a stronger role in the global economy.

UNCTAD Warns Of Failure To Reduce Poverty In LDCs

Least developed countries (LDCs) are likely to become "the major locus of extreme poverty in the world economy by 2015" if without a strong link between trade and poverty reduction, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned.

Global FDI Remains Flat In 2003, But To Rebound In 2004: UNCTAD

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows remained flat in 2003, at 653 billion US dollars, but are projected to rebound this year, said a report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on the eve of its 11th quadrennial session.

World Leaders Unite On Trade, Fall Out On Iraq, Economy

The world's most powerful leaders vowed Wednesday to resolve bitter differences blocking a free-trade deal by the end of July but were divided over Iraqi debt and traded charges over economic performance.

Key Nations To Discuss Agricultural Trade This Weekend

Australia will meet with the United States, the European Union, India and Brazil for trade talks in Sao Paolo this weekend. The key discussion point will be working through a system that could be acceptable to the World Trade Organisation's 148 members to slash agricultural protection.

Calif. Levee Failure Highlights Problems

The levee that broke in the heart of the state's complex irrigation system put 1 million acres of irrigated Central Valley farmland on alert for possible water cutbacks, just as peak irrigation season begins. San Joaquin County estimates the damage, and the cost of rebuilding the levee which failed last week, at more than $82 million.

USDA Starts New Farm Conservation Program

Farmers and ranchers in 22 states can start signing up July 6 for a program that pays them to protect and improve natural resources, the Agriculture Department said Wednesday. The Conservation Security Program will be available for producers in 18 watersheds, the department said. They will have until July 30 to seek a share of the program's $41.4 million.

Sugar Battle Sours U.S.-Mexico Relations, Despite NAFTA

Along the sooty gangways and rickety catwalks of the Emiliano Zapata sugar mill, sweat-soaked workers operate presses, vats and ovens in a process that has changed little since the mill's first harvest in 1938.

India To Press For Greater Market Access

India on Tuesday said it would press for greater market access and forge its alliance with G-20 developing countries to protect the interest of agriculture and livelihood concerns of farmers.

CAFTA, Son Of NAFTA, Signed By U.S., Central American Countries

Son of NAFTA, the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, aka CAFTA, has been signed by the U.S. and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. It was backed by major U.S.