Hello, it's Kasmira, with your sustainable business and finance news. This week we're covering talks underway at the WTO to end harmful fisheries subsidies.

We asked a UN agency worker, who is also one of the organisers of the Building Bridges summit, to share her story of working in Geneva's sustainable finance sphere. Plus, after years of campaigning by environmental and human rights groups, Switzerland yesterday said "no" to the responsible business initiative.

30.11.2020

Today’s reason for hope

The Bauhaus in Dessau. (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz)

European Union’s Green Deal could set off a wave of building renovations. The proposal for energy retrofits is part of the climate actions at the core of the EU’s 1.8 trillion euro coronavirus recovery plan and could result in a sweeping architectural makeover, one that leaders have compared to a new Bauhaus movement for the continent.

Bloomberg City Lab (EN)

Sustainable Business & Finance News

WTO talks over fisheries subsidies enter troubled waters. Discussions underway to end harmful fishing subsidies hit a roadblock last week after countries clashed over “special and differential treatments” for developing countries.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

How a mission to save the planet turned into a career in sustainable finance. Five innovators were invited share their ideas at the Open Geneva innovation festival last week. Cecilia Serin, from UNEP's Financial Centres for Sustainability, was one of them.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Here's what else is happening

UN rights experts condemn retaliatory arrests of activists in Egypt, calling for their immediate release.
UN News (EN)
Australia threatens WTO action against China as trade row Intensifies.
Wall Street Journal (EN)
Switzerland and ICRC update HQ accord to boost ‘capacity for action’.
Swissinfo (EN)
GAVI Alliance is at the heart of the battle for a Covid-19 vaccine.
Tribune de Genève (EN)
First major trial on Swiss territory for war crimes to open on Thursday at the Federal Criminal Court of Bellinzona.
Heidi.news (EN)
The Geneva Center for Security Policy marks its 25th anniversary: an interview with director Christian Dussey.
RTS (EN)
Ethiopia hospital struggles in wake of fighting, the Red Cross warns.
BBC (EN)

Image of the day

Photo: Keystone/Peter Schneider

Swiss reject responsible business initiative and arms investment ban Two Swiss popular initiatives aimed at shaking up the corporate sector - one by holding multinationals accountable for their actions abroad and the other by curbing investments in defense companies - failed to pass on Sunday.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

Next on the agenda

Present - 17 Jan 2021 | Impact Collaboration Programme 2021 The Geneva Science-Policy Interface has launched a call for projects aimed at promoting collaboration between science, policy and implementation actors.

GSPI (EN)

30 Nov - 4 Dec | Trade for Peace Week Ten virtual panel sessions will explore the nexus between trade and peace, with the focus on fragile and conflict-affected countries.

WTO (EN)

30 November | WTO appellate body chair farewell remarks Professor Dr. Hong Zhao, the chairperson and final member of the WTO appellate body, gives some farewell remarks as her term comes to an end.

Geneva Trade Platform (EN)

3 December | Devising sustainable trade policies to support the fight against poverty. This webinar will explore how to maintain the stability of global value chains in the face of Covid-19 related challenges.

Inter-Parliamentary Union (EN)

GS news is a new media project covering the world of international cooperation and development. Don’t hesitate to forward our newsletter!

Have a good day!

Avenue du Bouchet 2
1209 Genève
Suisse