Global Economic Issues (GEI)

Geneva
Trade
Credit: Jonas in China

The current priorities of the GEI Programme are Food & Sustainability, and Climate Change & Migration.

QUNO’s concern in relation to Food & Sustainability is to promote informed and balanced discussion about agricultural models in today’s world. This work is proceeding along two main strands. On the one hand QUNO is working to stimulate and inform consideration about what – if any – kind of intellectual property protection on seeds would best ensure that food production is sustainable and equitable, in the context of the need to foster food production systems and innovation policies that incentivize maintaining biodiversity, ensure long-term food security and protect fragile livelihoods. On the other hand QUNO is seeking to provide a forum for discussion amongst trade professionals about whether the current agriculture trade framework is adequate for addressing countries’ evolving needs and objectives for national agriculture policy. Read more.

With regard to Climate Change & Migration QUNO is undertaking work to consider how to ensure protection of people who are affected by migration or displacement due to the effects of climate change. This work is undertaken jointly with QUNO’s Human Rights and Refugees programme. It is proceeding along two main strands: issues relating to protection of persons affected, and work with faith communities. Read more.

We are also alert to emerging issues that affect our priority work areas. In particular, we are attentive to questions around biological diversity, traditional knowledge, human rights, migration, trade policy and climate change issues.

Past Work

Between 1999 and 2008 the two main areas of work of QUNO’s Global Economic Issues programme were Labour Movement, and Intellectual Property in the context of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, bilateral trade agreements and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Please click here to read more about past GEI programme activities.

Global Economic Issues News

QUNO Geneva has prepared a digest of the discussions during the UN Climate Change Conference that took place in Durban in November-December 2011. This concise digest provides a readable overview of developments in the two weeks of negotiations as they occurred, pointing out some of the key issues and actors. To receive a copy of the digest, please click here.

An article on QUNO GEI work was recently published in Quaker Life. Please click here to read Budding Work at the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva, Quaker Life magazine, May-June 2011, page 29.

Publications and Statements

Further Resources

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Geneva  |  New York

 

Parent Bodies

Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC)

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW)