On 11 March 2016 the UN Statistical Commission agreed “as a practical starting point” with the proposed global indicator framework by which to measure progress towards the 17 goals and 169 targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It recognized that the development of a robust and high quality indicator framework is a process that will need to continue over time and authorized the Interagency and Expert Group for Sustainable Development Goals (IAEG-SDGs) to continue its work

The two-day UNCTAD expert meeting (16-17 March) on investment, innovation and entrepreneurship will be taking stock of recent developments in investment policy at the national, bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, in particular reform efforts related to the International Investment Agreements (IIA) regime.

According to UNCTAD, the Multi-Year Expert Meeting on Investment, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Productive Capacity-Building and Sustainable Development will also address policy perspectives with regards to science, technology and innovation (STI) and provide an update on entrepreneurship policies, in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The days leading to the adjournment of the Philippine National Congress every three years have always been an uneventful political time.

At about this time, Congress is a picture of empty chairs and half-lit hallways as most legislators would have already been prematurely campaigning for their re-election or that of a family members’ new election bid rather than burdening themselves with attending sessions.

During the United Nations observance of International Women's Day 2016, Barbara Adams from Global Policy Forum and Social Watch addresses the obstacles to Women's Rights: the unfair global trade and investment system and the lack of a debt workout mechanism deviate the resources that should ensure an universal social protection floor.

This week, the UN Statistical Commission convenes for its annual meeting in New York. At the top of its agenda will be the latest report of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), which presents a final proposal for global indicators to monitor the SDGs. In the run-up to the Commission, various civil society groups have expressed their concern about particular indicators or missing indicators, as well as the opaque decision-making process.