Kalinga Prize laureate - 2015

© Diego Andrés Golombek

Diego Andrés Golombek 
Argentina

In recognition of his tireless contribution to science communication and education in diverse and entertaining formats, notably for his role in the development of Argentina’s first Science Cultural Centre.

Born in Buenos Aires, Professor Diego Andrés Golombek is a professor, researcher and author. He is the first Argentinean to receive the Prize.

Science popularization

As a science communicator, Professor Golombek is perhaps best known for his work to communicate science to a diversified audience, making it accessible and relevant to everyday lives. Professor Golombek is author of several books for a general audience on neuroscience, chemistry and biology, including The Scientific Cook, DNA: 50 years later, Demolishing papers, and Science in the Classroom. He has produced, scripted and hosted TV shows such as G project and The Brain and I. He is also the Director of the collection of science books Science that Barks (Ciencia que Ladra), and founder of the science camp Expedition Science for teenagers across the country. He is actively involved in science journalism having published many stories in newspapers and journals, as well as participated in numerous radio and TV shows. He has written numerous articles on science for local and international journals, magazines and newspapers. He currently writes a weekly column on science for the Sunday magazine La Nación.

He was coordinator of the Science for Sustainable Development section of the Ricardo Rojas Cultural Centre housed in the University of Buenos Aires; a dynamic venue where science meets the arts. He has collaborated in the design, creation and organization of numerous science festivals, fairs, exhibits, shows and conferences, notably the TEDxRiodelaPlanta conferences (a TEDx group with science communication as the main theme). He is currently leading a team to design and plan Argentina’s first national Science Cultural Centre, which will house an auditorium, several small classrooms-workshop rooms, a makers’ space, a science TC channel (TEC TV) and a science park.

Prof. Golombek has been recognized by his peers for his work in science communication and has been previously awarded the National Science Prize “Bernardo Houssay”, the Latin American Award from Red Pop/UNESCO for Science Popularization, the Konex prize for merit in Science Communication, the IgNobel Prize. Other prizes include an award for best science TV show, the Houssay Prize, the Kennedy Prize and the Public Understanding of Science award from the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). He was also named Outstanding Personality of the Science by the City of Buenos Aires.

Research and background

Having completed his PhD in biology, Golombek is an expert in the field of neurochemistry of circadian rhythms in mammals, specifically the time-dependent (“chronopharmacological”) effects of the pineal hormone melatonin on different behaviors, and its mediation by the central GABAergic system. Beyond his basic research in neuroscience and circadian rhythmicity, Professor Golombek has been implementing application programmes of chronobiology in the workplace, including assessing and optimizing the effects of conflicting time schedules in situations such as shift work or jet-jag. He currently heads the Chronobiology laboratory and is full professor of Physiology at the University of Quilmes in Buenos Aires.

Prof. Golombek has published over 120 international peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as many chapters in books, and has also been invited professor in several universities throughout the world. He has received a number of scientific prizes and awards, including the Qualitas Prize, the Special Mention Bernardo A. Houssay Prize, the Neuroscience Prize and the National Award in Aerospace Medicine.

Professor Golombek also holds an arts degree in music (guitar playing) and has been involved in several music and drama productions; he has written several shorts stories and poems in journals and anthologies. He has received a number of literary awards in Argentina and Latin America.

Raymond Limited faces Criminal Charges under Copyright Violation of a Criminologist’s ad-film

Since 7 months the Textile Giant has been facing legal concerns from a Criminology Firm by Mr. Snehil Dhall Criminologist under Copyright Section 51, 52 (a), 63, 69

Mumbai: The 80+ years old Textile Giant must have faced an allegation for the first time in their history of litigations of its type. It has been reported that Mr. Snehil Dhall a UK qualified Criminologist had launched his first ad-film in 2014 for promoting his company called Crimeophobia which is a Criminology Firm.  The company Crimeophobia Limited was initially registered in England & Wales and it stands as proprietary in India while Dhall leaves no stone unturned and continues his battle with the giant. After observing the infringement in February 2015 during Cricket World Cup Series, he filed his complaint against the ad-film of Raymond Limited with YouTube, a Civil Suit at Dindoshi City Civil Court and a Criminal Complaint with the Aarey Police Station, Mumbai.

The ad was deleted twice by YouTube and the same was voluntarily removed by Raymond Limited from TV broadcast due to which Dhall had withdrawn his Civil Suit as well. As per the jurisdiction, the Civil Suit was only for restricting Raymond Limited from the use of ad-film on TV and not for any Compensation. However, the criminal complaint with Aarey Police Station had its intensive investigative proceedings which confirmed that Raymond Limited didn’t have any evidence to prove their legitimate position against the claims of Dhall. The legal department of Raymond Limited visited in large numbers to the Police Station but refused to give their statement. The Police had also sent notices to various TV Channels and even they refused to give their statement since it was evident that Raymond Limited didn’t submit any documents for their ad-film with the Copyright Department of India.

Based on the investigation, the criminal complaint of copyright infringement was accepted by the Senior Police Inspector and the Assistant Commissioner of Police and was thereafter A.C.P had forwarded to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 12) for his final permission to lodge the F.I.R against Raymond Limited. The application was rejected by the D.C.P claiming it to be a Civil Case even after Dhall had submitted all the documents of his copyright and Raymond Limited submitting none of their documents. On this Dhall said “YouTube had deleted the Ad-Film twice within 24 hours of my complaint but Indian Criminal Justice System has no importance to Copyright Violations”. He added “Every individual or companies should file their copyright documentations with the Government of India and claim their hardwork against such Giant who are habitual offenders and misuse the Indian Justice Mechanism”. The D.C.P doesn’t clarify his legal stand over rejecting the complaint in writing due to unknown reasons.

At the time of asking for clarification for withdrawing the Civil Case, Dhall mentioned that it was of no use to waste the time of the Court when the purpose was solved of getting the ad-film removed from the TV, however, Raymond Limited is still eligible for Criminal Case due to which he plans to continue his battle. After the case was shut by the Police Station over 3 months ago, Dhall had filed R.T.I to get all the documents linked to the case but every time the Police gave him one document at a time. It took him 3 months of heated arguments to get all the documents after he lodged another complaint with the Additional Commissioner of North Mumbai Police for getting all the documents. The final document which he received was the internal report of Aarey Police Station to the ACP and DCP which stated very clearly that Dhall had submitted all the relevant documents for the F.I.R under Copyright Act and Raymond Limited didn’t submit any documents and also refused to give their statement. Dhall now plans to file a complaint with the Mumbai Police Commissioner against Raymond Limited and also on all the TV Channels that broadcasted the ad-film at their respective jurisdictions. 

CSE Press Conference (November 3, 2015) postponed

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has postponed its press conference which was scheduled to be held today in New Delhi at 2.30 PM to release its new study on antibiotics in food animals. The study will be released at a later date — the media will be kept duly informed.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that this change of plans may have caused you.

CSE team

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NOVEMBER 3, 2015 | EDIT

VHP Memo to LG to stop Beef in Delhi

Letter also sent to HM, MCD, Hotels & Restaurants

          New Delhi, Nov. 03, 2015. Vishwa Hindu Parishad Delhi today sent a letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi complaining sale of beef in many Hotels, restaurants and food joints of Delhi. The letter jointly signed by the Kshetriya Gau Raksha Pramukh shri Rashtra Prakash and the Delhi state joint Secretary of VHP shri Ram Pal Singh Yadav appealed the head of the national capital region to stop sale of Beef in Delhi forthwith.

Releasing the letter to the media, the spokesperson of Vishwa Hindu Parishad shri Vinod Bansal said that the information of Beef sale in the national capital was pouring in since last many days. The Kerala House incidence & the latest sting telecasted on some national media channels well exposed such incidents openly challenging law of the land & religious sentiments of Hindus.

Highlighting the provisions of the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994, the letter said that “despite complete prohibition on sale, purchase, possession and consumption of beef in Delhi, various hotels, restaurants and food joints are selling beef”. “The said Act clearly prohibits the purchase, sale, import, export, possession & serving of the flesh of cows, calves, bulls and bullocks of all ages as well as their disposal for slaughter in any manner” the VHP added.

Despite the said law being in full force, its enforcement by the concerned authorities seems to be in question. It is shocking to witness that many Hotels/restaurants and food joints in Delhi, are still daring to carry ‘beef’ as it is or otherwise in their food menu. A little reference to any dictionary available clearly exposes the dubious arguments of those who are trying to mislead the masses that buffalo meat is also covered under the definition of ‘beef’, the letter said.

VHP appealed LG to issue immediate necessary directions to the concerned licensing and other law enforcing authorities to ensure implementation of law of the land, nab the culprits and stop hurting religious sentiments of Hindus.

Copy of the letter has also been sent to the Union Home Ministry, Commissioner of Police, Mayors & Commissioners of Municipal Corporations of Delhi and Hotel, restaurants & food joints of Delhi for implementation of the law. In our letter, We have categorically stated that “in case the sale or serving of beef do not stopped forthwith, we will have to launch an agitation to protect the law”, Bansal added.

REGARDS

VINOD BANSAL
(Spokesperson)
VISHWA HINDU PARISHAD

M – 98109 49109 @vinod_bansal

ivhpmedia@gmail.com

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Indian Junior Men’s Hockey team announced for 8th Junior Men’s Asia Cup

NOVEMBER 3, 2015 | EDIT

New Delhi, November 3, 2015: Hockey India, the apex body for the game in India, today announced the 18 member team for the 8th Junior Men’s Asia Cup to be held in Kuantan, Malaysia. The Junior Men’s Asia Cup is the largest Asian Tournament for Junior Men and will feature the top 8 countries from Asia who will be fighting for supremacy from 14th – 22nd November 2015.

The 18 member Junior India squad which has been announced in the midst of the ongoing national camp at the SAI centre in Bengaluru will be led by the talented Harjeet Singh, who also was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded 5th Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.  The Indian goal posts will be guarded by Suraj Karkera and Vikas Dahiya. The defensive wall of Dipsan Tirkey, Varun Kumar, Anand Lakra, Vikramjit Singh and Harmanpreet Singh will be adding that extra layer of security for the Indian goalkeepers. The Midfield will see Captain Harjeet Singh alongside Nilakanta Sharma, Santa Singh, Manpreet and Manpreet Singh Mangalsingh Chahal. Mandeep Singh, Sumit Kumar, Arman Qureshi, Gurjant Singh, Mohd Umar and Ajit Kumar Pandey will be the forwards for India in the upcoming tournament.

 “Malaysia is a known territory to us, and we are fresh in our memories from our performance in the 5th Sultan of Johor Cup. The team has been together for over two months now and that just adds to the comfort and performance standards. They operate as a team and will be collectively working towards glory. The energy in the camp is very positive and we are confident about putting a great show in Malaysia,” said Harendra Singh, Head Coach, Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team.

Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, President, Hockey India said, “The junior men’s team has performed impeccably well in the past and are hungry for wins. They are young and I am glad that we have Harendra Singh as the Coach who has been successful in channelizing their energy into the right place. It’s because of this energy and commitment that the team has performed extremely well under any condition and circumstance.  We will hope for the best possible results at the 8th Junior Men’s Asia Cup in Malaysia.”

India is in Pool A and will play their opening match against Japan on 14th November, 2015.

The Indian Squad for Junior Men’s Asia Cup :

Goalkeepers:1. Suraj Karkera

2. Vikas Dahiya

Defenders:3. Dipsan Tirkey (Vice Captain)

4. Varun Kumar

5. Anand Lakra

6. Vikramjit Singh

7. Harmanpreet Singh

Midfielders:8. Nilakanta Sharma

9. Harjeet Singh (Captain)

10. Santa Singh

11. Manpreet

12. Manpreet Singh Mangalsingh Chahal

 Forwards:
13. Mandeep Singh 

14. Sumit Kumar

15. Arman Qureshi

16. Gurjant Singh

17. Mohd. Umar

18. Ajit Kumar Pandey 

The teams participating in 8th Junior Men’s Asia cup are:

Pool A	Pool B
India	Korea
Malaysia	Pakistan
Japan	Oman
China	Bangladesh

HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS

Sahara

Cairn

Shiv Naresh

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NOVEMBER 3, 2015 | EDIT

MS Dhoni and Chris Gayle celebrate ‘Yaari’ with McDowell’s No.1 Soda

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Share their ‘No1Yaari’ moments and stories of close friendship

Unveil the new identity of McDowell’s No. 1 Soda and kick off the ‘Yaari’ digital movement

New Delhi, Nov 2, 2015: The real bond of friendship is the one that stands the test of times. After all these years of close friendship, MS Dhoni and Chris Gayle took their personal camaraderie and passion for the sport to the next level and celebrated their ‘No1Yaari’ by unveiling the new identity for United Spirits’ iconic brand McDowell’s No. 1 Soda and shared  inspiring stories of their brotherhood.

The new identity of McDowell’s No.1 Soda is showcased through a simple yet powerful and unique logo that represents how close friends ‘hug’ each other.

Gautam Bhimani, the popular cricket commentator, hosted a candid conversation with the duo whereby he quizzed them on their ‘No1Yaari’ moments, unrevealed locker room stories, boy banter and more.

Excited to talk about his personal Yaari moments, the Indian skipper, MS Dhonisaid, “Sports truly brings us together. Be it invoking the feeling of brotherhood within the team or bonding with people with a shared passion for the sport. Gayle and I share a fantastic equation that is sealed by the bond of real friendship and mutual respect.  Reliving great memories and special moments today has been real fun! McDowell’s No. 1 Soda brings back warm memories of great evenings spent with my close friends and that’s what the brand has done once again for me today.”

The ever energetic and spontaneous sportsman, Chris Gayle said, “The shared passion for cricket is what connects Dhoni and myself as good friends and companions. In fact it is on the cricket field that I have made some of the most memorable friendships and for me the best way to show the joy and affection is through a hug. I am very happy that McDowell’s No.1 Soda has been able to capture a hug as the essence of true friendship in their new logo.”

Amrit Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer and President – United Spiritscommented on the occasion, “McDowell’s No. 1 Soda has always celebrated the spirit of brotherhood and true friendships. In our journey forward, we aim at strengthening this core brand proposition as we revamp our brand to drive this message strongly to our consumers. The new logo is a symbol of how close friends hug each other both metaphorically and literally and we are happy to have MS Dhoni and Chris Gayle unveil this since they are   two friends that embody the bond of brotherhood.”

Gayle encouraged friends to jump on the ‘No1Yaari’ bandwagon and participate in McDowell’s No.1 Soda’s “SHARE A HUG” movement, where he demonstrated to the audience how simple it is to Share A Hug – all that a participant needs to do is click on the link (www.liveinstyle.com/share-a-hug), upload their best yaari picture which is then converted to the McDowell’s No. 1 Soda embrace and can be shared with their friends on social media. This online campaign will go live from 1st November to 6thDecember, 2015.

About ‘No1Yaari’ campaign by McDowell’s No.1 Soda

McDowell’s No.1 Soda by United Spirits Limited – A Diageo Company has been celebrating the bonds of brotherhood and bringing close friends together. In 2014, McDowell’s No. 1 Soda launched the ‘No1Yaari’ campaign with a 7-minute digital short film and a truly heart-warming song by Mohit Chauhan that celebrates those cherished, meaningful friendships that enrich our lives. The ‘No1Yaari’ film has garnered over 11 million views and been instrumental in establishing McDowell’s No.1 Soda as “Asli yaari ka No.1 spirit”.

About United Spirits Limited

United Spirits Limited (USL) is a subsidiary of Diageo plc which is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. In 2013-14, Diageo plc acquired a 54.8% shareholding in United Spirits making India one of its largest markets.

Founded in 1826, USL is the largest Indian spirits company, selling around 120 mn cases annually, involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of beverage alcohol. USL produces and sells Scotch whisky, IMFL whisky, brandy, rum, vodka, gin and wine. Its portfolio includes much-loved brands such as McDowell’s No.1, Royal Challenge, Signature, and Antiquity. USL also imports, manufactures and sells Diageo’s iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker, VAT 69, Black & White, Smirnoff and Ciroc in India. The company also successfully operates strong brand extensions like Black Dog Sparkling Water, Smirnoff Experience, Royal Challenge Sports Drink, McDowell’s No.1 Soda and Bagpiper Soda among others.

The company is listed on the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange). For more information about United Spirits Limited, our people, vision, brands, and performance visit us at www.unitedspirits.in.

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Film screening APPUNTI PER UN FILM SULL’INDIA, 1968,

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Dear Friends,

2015 marks the fortieth death anniversary of Pier Paolo Pasolini, the renowned Italian essayist, novelist, filmmaker, and poet. To pay tribute to this great cultural Italian personality, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, New Delhi will be presenting a series of events one of them is as follows:

Wednesday, 4th  November, 6:30 p.m.:

Film screening APPUNTI PER UN FILM SULL’INDIA, 1968,  short documentary film byPier Paolo Pasolini, presented by  Nico Psaltidis.

Appunti per un film sull’India is a 1968 short documentary film by Pier Paolo Pasolini where he visits India to do a recces for his proposed film with India as its background about a king who gives up his body to feed a starving tiger. The film was shot around post-independent India when it was facing grave challenges of poverty, population and caste system. Pasolini narrates the challenges of India and its charms amidst all the problems the country faces. The 33 minute long documentary is composed of short interviews from random people about their opinions on matters such as family planning. The documentary also shows short interviews of journalists and one politician about the challenges India faces in modernizing itself without becoming westernized or losing the Indian identity in the process. Il film venne realizzato da Pasolini per conto della rubrica Tv7 del telegiornale del primo canale della Rai. Fu girato a Bombay, a Nuova Delhi e negli stati di Uttar Pradesh e Rajasthan nel dicembre 1967 e presentato alla Mostra del Cinema di Venezia l’anno seguente insieme al film Teorema. In queste riprese Pasolini si concentra su vari aspetti dell’India, dal mito alla realtà. All’inizio del film ci sono immagini istituzionali interrotte da immagini perturbanti di corpi malformati, non descritte dalla voce narrante.

The Film Screening is  the partnering event of ongoing Delhi Photo Festival 2015.

http://www.iicnewdelhi.esteri.it/IIC_NewDelhi/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=1135

Venue: Italian Cultural Institute, New Delhi

You are most welcome to attend the event and bring your friends along.

Free Entry on presentation of Photo Id.

Thanks & Regards,

Italian Embassy Cultural Centre

50- E, Chandragupta Marg (Entry from Nyaya Marg)
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110 021
Phone: 0091-11-26871901/03/04Email: iicnewdelhi@esteri.it       

www.iicnewdelhi.esteri.it/IIC_Newdelhi

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Consultation Towards Gender Transformative Rural Livelihoods:

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

From the UN Women’s Office for India, Bhutan, Maldives & Sri Lanka Can’t see images?Click here… Press Invite UN Women and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India cordially invite you to the opening ceremony of A National Stakeholder Consultation Towards Gender Transformative Rural Livelihoods: Strategies for Convergence Date: Tuesday, 3 November 2015Time: 10.00 amRegistration begins at 9.00 am Venue: Regency Hall, Chanakya BNR, Station Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand-834001 About: UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, is hosting a national multi-stakeholder consultation on ‘Gender Transformative Rural Livelihoods: Strategies for Convergence’. The two day consultation will take place on 3-4 November 2015 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. It will be attended by women farmers and their coalitions, government officials from MoRD, line Ministries, state departments of rural development and state line departments, representatives of women’s machineries at the central and state levels, civil society organisations and academia. The Union Minister (Rural Development), Government of India, will preside over the consultation. The objective of the national consultation is to strengthen the design, implementation and monitoring of rural development policies and programmes from a gender lens. It will provide an opportunity to present good practices and policy recommendations which follow a holistic sustainable development paradigm and encompass issues of women’s economic empowerment, ending gender-based violence, and increasing political voice and agency, with a focus on the most marginalised. For more details, contact: Rineeta Naik +91 9560597782, rineeta.naik@unwomen.org Mrinalini Santhanam +91 9560456963,mrinalini.santhanam@unwomen.org Click here to read Concept note and agenda UN Women India | C-83, Defence Colony, New Delhi – 110024

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UN-ESCAP: Asia-Pacific trade slowing as economies adjust to lower global growth

NOVEMBER 3, 2015

UN-ESCAP’s flagship report analyses the rise of global value chains as a major vehicle of trade in the region

Asia and the Pacific remains the most dynamic region of the global economy but growth in regional trade and investment flows is slowing, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) said in its latest regional trade and investment outlook report released on 2 November. The report emphasizes that countries need to adjust to both cyclical and structural changes, especially in light of the global slowdown and an expected reduction in China’s growth rate.

Total exports and imports from the region grew by only 1.6 per cent in 2014, however, when excluding China from the regional total, exports from the Asia-Pacific region registered a decline of 0.4 per cent according to the Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2015 ESCAP’s annual flagship publication. The continued sluggish pace of trade and investment growth in the region is impacting the prospects of a merchandise trade recovery in the near-term. Despite this, the Asia-Pacific region stands out for its significant and sustained achievements in leveraging trade and investment flows for development.

Launching the Report in Bangkok, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtar emphasized the importance of reviving trade and investment flows at a time when Member States have recently endorsed the centrality of trade and investment, as critical means of implementation for the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr.

Akhtar called on regional policymakers to enhance competitiveness in order to promote inward investment and technology.

“The data and analysis in the 2015 Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report will help to mainstream trade considerations, as we work towards achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dr. Akhtar.

“Production fragmentation across national borders as part of Global Value Chains (GVCs) has opened new opportunities for developing countries to integrate in global trade. In order to prosper in this globalized environment, countries will need to boost competitiveness and productivity to attract inward investment and technology, and find areas where they can successfully integrate in these value chains.”

Tourism helps services trade outperform trade in goods

Despite the lowering of trade growth prospects, it is likely that the Asia-Pacific region will hold its position as the largest trading region in the world. In 2014, the region accounted for almost 40 per cent of global exports and imports. Intraregional imports remained at slightly more than 50 per cent of the total in 2014, with intraregional exports at 54 per cent.

The outlook for regional services trade was brighter than for merchandise trade. Asia-Pacific exports of services increased at 5.1 per cent in 2014, compared with 4 per cent in the previous year. Exports of travel and other commercial services were especially strong, supported by growing demand for travel by China.

The report shows that trade facilitation measures, including implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), can help reduce trade costs.

Indeed, many countries in Asia-Pacific are getting on with implementing trade facilitation measures ahead of TFA ratification. These changes will help reduce regional trade costs but much more still needs to be done, especially in landlocked countries. The report suggests that a regional agreement on paperless trade would mark a substantial breakthrough in this regard.

The Report also reinforces the importance of countries maintaining open trade regimes, and avoiding implementation of trade-restrictive measures.

It highlights the ongoing problems created by increases in use of trade-restrictive measures across the region, particularly non-tariff measures. These measures have detrimental consequences for the region’s least developed countries, presenting particular obstacles to small and medium sized exporters.

Entering Global Value Chains key for low-income countries

This year’s Report contains analysis on the challenges and opportunities posed by the rise of GVCs as a major vehicle of trade. Recent years have seen increased fragmentation of production across national boundaries with all its attendant benefit, supported by improving logistics, communication technologies and lower barriers to trade.

The Report concluded that the Asia-Pacific region has been central to the development of GVCs and is now at the heart of many global and regional supply chains. Despite this, most countries in the region have not fully benefitted from the expanded flows of trade and investments associated with the rise of GVCs and remain excluded from their potential benefits, particularly low-income countries, as 90 per cent of GVC-related trade is found to occur in just ten regional economies.

A full copy of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report is available at:

www.unescap.org/resources/asia-pacific-trade-and-investment-report-2015-supporting-participation-value-chains

Background: The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR) is a recurrent publication prepared by the Trade and Investment Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It provides information on and independent analyses of trends and developments

in: (a) intra- and inter-regional trade in goods and services; (b) foreign direct investment; (c) trade facilitation measures; (d) trade policy measures; and (e) preferential trade policies and agreements. The report provides insights into the impacts of these recent and emerging developments on countries’ abilities to meet the challenges of achieving inclusive and sustainable development.

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United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan 55, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003 Tel: 91 11 4653 2242; 2462 3439 www.unic.org.in