Tag Archive for: Global Governance

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Various sectors of Córdoba met to talk about the rollback of rights

This Friday, May 24, the meeting “Córdoba has impact: Conversation for disputed rights” took place with the participation of more than 100 people at the Museum of Anthropologies. It was organized by Fundeps, with the participation of more than 30 spaces.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

For three hours, reflections were developed around:

  • how the reduction in public spending affects university education, the scientific-technological system, the popular sectors and the media;
  • the consequences of the pension and labor reform proposal, focusing on private home workers; and the unconstitutionality of DNU 70/23.
  • the regulatory regressions in relation to the exploitation of natural resources, how communities experience these deregulations and the environmental impact of the Large Investment Regime (RIGI).

The discussion brought together representatives from various fields, including academia, social organizations, communities, media and unions.

An event with diverse voices and perspectives that help us understand some of the challenges we face and how to build collective strategies against the regression of rights.

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Actions that transform: see our Annuary 2023

We are proud to share the 2023 Yearbook, a review of our work, achievements and lessons learned over the past year.

During 2023 we carried out a variety of actions. From advocacy meetings and court filings, to research, conferences and workshops, communications campaigns and more. Each action reflects our determination to transform society and defend human rights.

In addition, at the end of last year, we experienced a major change in our leadership. Carolina Tamagnini, who has led Fundeps for the past 4 years, stepped down as Executive Director to join the Board of Directors and in her place, Mayca Balaguer took over as the new Director.

This change marks not only a transition in leadership, but also a moment of institutional strengthening and renewal, consolidating a dynamic team capable of responding to emerging demands, growing both institutionally and in impact.

What began as an initiative in 2009, today has become a solid organization involved in the defense of human rights, and in 2024. We celebrate 15 years!

Because we are confident that the best way to carry out our work is in a network and collectively, we thank the organizations, communities and individuals who were part of these initiatives. We celebrate with you our progress and invite you to get to know the Yearbook 2023: the collective memory of our commitment to a more just, equitable, sustainable and democratic society.

 

VIEW ANNUARY 2023

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Representatives of civil society meet with president of the IDB

Representatives of civil society meet with the president of the IDB to address challenges for sustainable and inclusive development in Latin America. At the meeting, recommendations were presented to the bank to strengthen the promotion of sustainable development in the region.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

25 civil society organizations from Latin America that are part of the IDB Working Group, among them Fundeps, met on Friday, November 10, with the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Ilan Goldfajn, with the purpose of strengthening dialogue and identify opportunities to bring the institution closer to the populations of the region it tries to serve.

The representatives of civil society presented to President Goldfajn recommendations to strengthen the link with civil society and communities impacted by IDB projects and recommendations to consider in the IDB’s 2023-2030 Institutional Strategy, which is in the process of being prepared. President Goldfajn then opened the floor to listen to specific topics of interest from different member organizations of the group.

The IDB Working Group described the meeting as a positive sign from the bank’s new administration, in the sense of an openness and willingness to strengthen dialogue with civil society. The meeting with President Goldfajn follows a previous meeting that took place during the 2023 IDB Annual Meeting held in March in Panama, and a meeting with the IDB Country Vice President, Anabel González, during the Common Finance Summit that took place in last September in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

“These spaces for dialogue represent a sign of the bank’s rapprochement with civil society”, said Carolina Juaneda, from the Bank Information Center, coordinator of the Working Group on the IDB. According to Ivahanna Larrosa, regional coordinator of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development, “the general perception is that it was a good meeting to present our messages and move forward in improving the bank’s dialogue with civil society.”

Civil society representatives pointed out that the IDB Group’s 2023-2030 Institutional Strategy must promote a fair, community-based energy transition that puts people and the environment at the center. Other recommendations of the Working Group were that the bank: comply with the highest environmental and social standards and respect for human rights in its activities and the projects it finances, prioritizing and strengthening the implementation of the Environmental and Social Policy Framework (MPAS), and improving upstream planning to identify suitable projects; prioritizing quality investments, redoubling the principles of good governance, especially transparency, access to information, participation and accountability; strengthen your commitment to the impacted communities, guaranteeing comprehensive reparation to people; ensure a responsible exit from unsustainable projects and operationalize the commitment not to tolerate retaliation.

Civil society organizations seek substantive participation in the IDB Group Annual Meetings that will be held in March 2024 in the Dominican Republic. The opening of President Goldfajn and his team to work towards greater interaction of organizations and communities in the region, with the Bank’s administration and teams, is celebrated.

About the IDB Working Group

The IDB Working Group is a group of more than 60 civil society organizations, both from the region and internationally, that influence the IDB Group, promoting the highest environmental, social and human rights standards. supporting communities adversely impacted by projects financed by the bank. Some of its members have been working for three decades to strengthen the IDB’s processes of participation, transparency, access to information and respect for human rights.

 

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Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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The Asian Bank approved its first infrastructure project in Argentina

From September 25 to 26, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the eighth Annual Assembly of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was held, an event that brings together its members, business representatives and civil organizations to discuss the direction strategy and initiatives of the organization. At this meeting, the AIIB announced the approval of the first loan in Argentina, intended to finance a wind farm in Tierra del Fuego.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

The main objective of the Annual Assembly is to share the Bank’s progress and receive suggestions regarding its strategic direction and operations. It also provides information and encourages exchanges on policies and projects financed by the AIIB in terms of social and environmental impact.

The central theme of the 8th Assembly was “sustainable growth in a challenging world” and highlighted the importance of addressing the global climate agenda and supporting key infrastructure demands for AIIB member countries. The meeting program covered a variety of Thematic topics that include the latest trends and priorities of the Bank. The public sessions were grouped into three thematic streams: sustainability, connectivity and multilateral cooperation. They addressed issues related to the development and implementation of sustainable environmental infrastructure, as well as the promotion and strengthening alliances that improve infrastructure connectivity both in Asia and in other regions.

First AIIB project in Argentina

A particularly relevant event for Argentina was the announcement, during the event, of the approval of the project called “Energy transition of the province of Tierra del Fuego” for an amount of 65 million dollars. This project marks a milestone, as it represents the first financing granted to Argentina as a member of the Bank, which it officially joined in March 2021. The funds will be used for the construction of a wind farm near the city of Río Grande. . According to the AIIB, the main objective of the project is to establish the wind energy generation capacity in the province of Tierra del Fuego and it “is aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Nationally Determined Contributions of Argentina, for which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the adoption of renewable energy.” This initiative arises from the need to take advantage of the wind resources that the province has and the lack of interconnection in local networks for the materialization of projects of such magnitude.

However, it is important to highlight that given the scarcity of information about the project, it is essential to analyze in depth how the project will be carried out, and what the true implications could be in terms of socio-environmental impacts. For this reason, at Fundeps we are monitoring this project and have made a request for information to the AIIB about details that are not yet clear. For example, although an Environmental and Social Management Plan (PMAS) and a Stakeholder Participation Plan (PPPI) have been published on the Bank’s website, the documentation related to the Environmental Impact Assessment is not yet available. and Social, the Environmental and Social Due Diligence Report or information related to the public hearings planned for the project, among other relevant documentation.

This information is key to identifying the real impacts of the project and verifying whether access to information about the project and the participation of the local population is effectively ensured. In turn, another aspect that raises doubts is the role that the CAF (current Development Bank of Latin America) will have in relation to the project, since it has been presented as a co-financed project between both multilateral institutions.

Author

Candela Jauregui

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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Is a new international financial architecture possible?

Last week, the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) took place in Morocco. Likewise, a counter-summit was organized that gave space to civil society and social movements to discuss the neoliberal policies promoted by these institutions. Below are some reflections on these events, their limitations and potential, and the particular situation of Argentina.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

The Annual Meetings, which this year took place between October 9 and 13 in the city of Marrakech, are spaces where panels are organized with IMF directors and staff, while civil society has its own forums and exhibition spaces and discussion. At the same time, countless closed meetings occur in parallel to the entire official agenda. All of this aims to be able to discuss how the international financial architecture is organized, which determines under what conditions funds are lent mainly to countries in the global south. The role of civil society in these spaces is to bring their concerns and represent the voices of the people affected by this complex lending infrastructure.

For example, the Coalition for Human Rights in Development presented a report where of 38 projects evaluated, in 36 reprisals were identified against people who defended rights and complained against said loans. This shows that, although the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) make high-level proclamations regarding the importance of human rights, there are no measures or real addressing of the negative consequences on defenders who suffer abuse by security forces. security and the police, judicial persecution, the disproportionate use of force, surveillance, and gender violence and sexual harassment in the particular case of defenders.

Likewise, the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN) presented in a panel on the IMF’s climate strategy regarding the Argentine case. It was made visible how the need for foreign exchange from exports is pushing the fossil fuel extractivist model and going against the country’s climate change mitigation goals. The emblematic example is Vaca Muerta, which if fully exploited would use the equivalent of 11.4% of the CO2 budget. In this case, we can see how the short-term foreign trade balance needs override any analysis of environmental impacts and put the environmental sustainability of the planet at risk.

Faced with this, in general the authorities and staff of the IFIs present on the panels insist that existing policies are the ones that work, they dismiss the proposals of civil society with their own data and are not very receptive to any criticism. For this reason, spaces like the Counter Summit appear, where the conversation flows in a more critical and sincere way about what is happening with the impacts of loans and projects, allowing a space to unite voices in order to change injustices. that today affect so many countries and communities.

The Counter Summit opened on October 12 with a march, and over the next two days there were both small group and plenary discussion sessions. Finally, on Sunday the 15th, the plenary session closed with a reading of the conclusions, which included the cancellation of illegitimate debts, policies that respect planetary limits, climate and social justice, and promote food sovereignty. Also, let end financial colonialism, that there be financing for projects that allow adaptation to climate change, social security and universal health coverage, and a special proclamation for the rights of women who are those who are most negatively impacted by austerity policies.

Argentina and its link with the IMF

According to Noemí Brenta, Argentina has a very particular relationship with the IMF, since it is the middle-income country that has been under its agreements the longest, directing economic and fiscal policies. Today, not only does it have almost 30% of the IMF’s loan portfolio, but it is a good student: throughout all these years and of 22 agreements, only 5 were suspended by the organization. Therefore, it can be stated that the guidelines recommended by this organization have had great influence on the decisions of the different governments.

However, compliance with the policies has implied a notable deterioration in people’s quality of life. On the one hand, the conditionalities impose that the income that the country has be used to pay creditors (that is, to the IMF and other debtors as well), which in turn implies that social expenses are cut and there is no investment for the country. development. On the other hand, the extractivist model is deepened through the agro-industrial production of commodities, the exploitation of fossil fuels and mining – lithium mining is very popular today due to its potential to contribute to an energy transition towards other renewable sources. This has negative consequences on the environment, does not take into account the impacts on the use of scarce and non-renewable resources such as water, and limits the development of the communities that live in the exploited territories.

Mariano Féliz suggests that the impacts on the paid labor market have clear gender biases, since it is women who have to face intensified unpaid and reproductive tasks, while receiving fewer public services. IMF policies that promote women’s participation in economic activity do so from an instrumental perspective because it improves macroeconomic indicators and provides labor that usually accepts worse working conditions. However, while the employment rate for adult women increased, the employment rate for men, especially young people, decreased. All of this only results in the capitalist tendency to overload women with care tasks for their own homes and communities, for example, through the organization of popular soup kitchens.

For the logic of financing agreements and governments, human rights are an ideal that is difficult to fulfill rather than an obligation. The panorama then in Argentina makes us have to think about how to build a political movement against unsustainable and illegitimate debts, against abusive conditionalities that are detrimental to fundamental rights and people’s lives. It also forces us to reflect on how these Levels of indebtedness and precarious lives are linked to the growth of far-right electoral options, which ultimately also promote anti-democratic discourses and practices.

The challenges are many, they are complex and involve a lot of political articulation. However, the context is urgent, since there is no sustainability of life possible under the policies of austerity, impoverishment and extractivism. We have to continue building collective narratives, mobilizing and supporting communities by defending their territories.

Contact

Carolina Tamagnini, carotamagnini@fundeps.org

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Argentina’s entry into the BRICS: what does it mean?

On August 22-24, the 15th BRICS Summit took place in South Africa, where heads of state of the member countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, whose acronym is the acronym) met at a high-level forum to discuss key issues for the most prominent emerging economies.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

During the XV Summit, the Heads of State met with members of the business sector in dialogue with the New Development Bank to outline the main axes that will guide BRICS policy. This year’s agenda included the potential “de-dollarization” of global trade, with China and the yuan at the forefront of this ambition, as well as the possible effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war on cooperation between member countries. However, the emphasis was on the expansion of BRICS to include the countries that have submitted official applications for membership: Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Finally, during the summit, Argentina, as well as the rest of the countries mentioned above, was formally invited to join the BRICS as from January 1, 2024. Since it is an international forum that does not imply a supranational integration process, the decision to join will be at the discretion of the Executive Power that takes office on December 10. Some of the presidential candidates, such as Javier Miliei (La Libertad Avanza) and Patricia Bullrich (Juntos por el Cambio) have expressed critical positions regarding the accession, alleging a strong difference with the international actions of the BRICS countries, especially in reference to their violations of international law, such as during the war in Ukraine.

In this sense, it is possible to identify some key elements regarding the implications of Argentina’s participation in the BRICS. Mainly, reference is made to the quantitative dimension of the BRICS group, which concentrates 40% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s GDP, a percentage that, together, equals that of the United States (World Bank Data Center). In addition to these numbers, there are those that link Argentina specifically with the founding countries: the main recipients of Argentine exports include Brazil, China and India; while its main imports come from China and Brazil (OEC).

The role of the New Development Bank

The economic factor becomes more relevant if the possibilities of financing by the New Development Bank (NDB) are taken into account. The BRICS development bank was founded by the member nations of the bloc in 2014, during the sixth summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil. This international bank is positioned as an alternative to the IMF and the World Bank, with credits oriented mainly to infrastructure projects and which, according to the official website, prioritize “high-impact operations that are environmentally smart, resilient, technologically integrated and socially inclusive”.

Currently, the New Development Bank finances projects in only 6 countries (China, India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and Bangladesh) for a total of US$ 32.8 billion. According to sources such as Ámbito Financiero, Argentina is already negotiating with Dilma Rousseff, who holds the presidency, a possible credit line that would help alleviate the pressure on the debts with the IMF. In order to join the NBD, Argentina must make a capital contribution of “US$250 million in sovereign bonds held by the Treasury, from the Guarantee and Sustainability Fund (FGS) of the National Social Security Administration (Anses) and other sources” (La Nación). A key element of participation in the NBD is that in their general strategy they commit to grant 30% of their loans in local currency of the recipient country, in order to mitigate the risk of foreign investment (NBD). In the case of Argentina, this could diversify the sources of financing and reduce dependence on the dollar and the IMF. However, there are still concerns about the bank’s transparency and the possibility of access to public consultations or information on the investment process (Diálogo Chino).

Since its creation, BRICS has positioned itself as an alternative multilateral cooperation forum for emerging economies, which emphasizes multipolarity and a “de-ideologized” positioning, prioritizing informal dialogue and trade exchange. In this sense, Argentina’s entry into the forum presents a space for rapprochement with the large economies of the world that are disputing an alternative model of financing for development.

 

More information

 

Author

Lourdes Álvarez Romagnoli

Contact

Gonzalo Roza – gon.roza@fundeps.org

 

*Source of the image: El Cronista

Demystifying development financing

“Demystifying Development Finance” offers insightful insight into Public Development Banks (PDBs) and their profound impact on the world. From the money they invest to the rules they set, these banks influence our lives and the well-being of the planet in ways we often underestimate.

In recent years, the PDBs have advocated playing an even greater role in addressing climate change, global poverty, and other crises. However, the case studies and evidence presented in this report show that BPDs are actually exacerbating problems they claim to solve. The push towards privatization, the extractivist and top-down approach, and the limitations of social and environmental safeguards often deepen inequalities, lead to human rights violations, fuel climate change and increase debt.

Produced by more than 100 civil society activists, this joint analysis aims to open a much-needed discussion about the role development banks play in today’s global economy and what we can do to hold them accountable.

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Inter-American Development Bank: public consultation for its new Institutional Strategy

On June 27, the IDB Group (Inter-American Development Bank, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab) announced the opening of the public consultation process for the preparation of its new Institutional Strategy. The process will be carried out through collaborations and face-to-face and virtual consultations with interested parties, including civil society.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

In accordance with the mandate to review and prepare the Institutional Strategy every four years, the IDB Group announced a new opening of the public consultation process. The IDB Group is one of the main sources of financing for development in Latin America and the Caribbean and is made up of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); IDB Invest, which works with the private sector; and IDB Lab, which focuses on developing innovative ways to drive inclusive growth.

The main objective of the consultation is to receive opinions and inputs from interested parties, among which are representatives of governments, the private sector and civil society for the development of a new Institutional Strategy. The process begins after the agreement of the main guidelines established by the Executive Boards of both the IDB and IDB Invest. Once established, the procedure is divided into two phases: the first phase consists of consultations with representatives of the government, private sector, and civil society, either virtually or in person, in the 26 borrowing member countries. In turn, it also includes the possibility that any interested party can contribute inputs through an online form that is available until August 15, 2023. The second phase begins after the approval of the new Strategy by the the Board of Governors, in March 2024, in which those who participated in the public consultation will be informed about the inputs received and will be shared with them the new Institutional Strategy of the IDB Group that will be valid until 2030.

In Argentina there are three dates established for public consultations: with civil society (08/04/23), with the private sector (08/10/23) and with the government (08/16/23). To access the dates of public consultations in the other countries, consult here. For comments or more information, you can contact the following email: consultaspublicas@iadb.org

From Fundeps we consider the opening of this process as an opportunity to strengthen the Bank’s dialogue with civil society. This is why we will participate in the process in the month of August by sending contributions to strengthen the next institutional strategy.

 

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Author

Candela Jauregui

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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The National Baseline of the Business and Human Rights Plan is presented

The Argentine Ombudsman’s Office presented the National Baseline on Business and Human Rights. This input will be used to design the National Action Plan on this issue.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

The National Baseline is a study that allows evaluating the level of implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In this study, an analysis of the regulatory and public policy gaps in the implementation of the three pillars of the Guiding Principles was carried out: “Protect, respect and remedy” with an overview of the negative impacts of companies on human rights. Among the topics addressed, the following stand out: the regulatory and policy function, the link between the State and companies, political coherence through state activity and the duty of companies to respect and remedy.

With the intention that the preparation of this Baseline be a participatory process, the National Ombudsman’s Office held a series of meetings between October and November 2022 with interested parties to collect inputs. It sought to collect their experiences, opinions and detect needs. The meetings included the participation of civil society organizations and academia, the private sector, state companies, Administration Agencies, unions, ombudsmen and public authorities. Likewise, for the elaboration of the National Baseline, the Office of the Ombudsman of the Nation had the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Labor Organization (ILO), Fund of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

During this process, from Fundeps we actively participate, sending written inputs on regulatory gaps and public policies, making available different working documents and research carried out and participating in the various multi-stakeholder meeting spaces in which we have been summoned.

It should be clarified that the Baseline does not describe conflicts, nor does it carry out a study on the impact on human rights in specific sectors of the economy, nor does it study provincial and/or municipal regulations and public policies, but rather constitutes an analysis of regulatory gaps and of public policies in the implementation of the Guiding Principles at the national level.

What is a National Action Plan?

A National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights is a transversal instrument developed by a State whose objective is to order and give coherence to public policies to comply with its obligation to protect, respect and enforce human rights with respect to negative impacts. of business activities. Through these plans, governments commit to making the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights effective, as well as other standards on the matter.

Among the thematic axes that will be addressed in the Argentina plan are: labor standards; gender equality; diversity and non-discrimination; protection of the environment; companies and policies of Memory, Truth and Justice; corporate governance; due diligence and remediation in companies; technology, personal data and privacy; access to information and public participation in general; promotion of the human rights of groups in situations of vulnerability and/or historically discriminated against; and public governance.

Since 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Council has highlighted the decisive role that business and human rights plans can play in promoting the full and effective application of the Guiding Principles. Therefore, its preparation must be carried out in a participatory and transparent manner, in such a way that the main problems and effects on rights in the context of business activity in the country are addressed.

Access the complete document of the National Baseline here: https://www.dpn.gob.ar/linea-nacional-de-base.php

 

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Author

Julieta Boretti

Contacto

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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Argentina in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: achievements and challenges

This article aims to analyze the consequences of Argentina’s entry into the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The structure of the Bank is analyzed, covering its characteristics and the performance of the institution in general terms, the repercussions of Argentina’s entry are considered, contemplating advantages and disadvantages and, finally, the effects associated with joining this institution are considered. to China’s projection on the international stage.

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Approaches in the Sino-Argentina relationship: the incorporation to the AIIB and the Belt and Road Initiative

This document presents an analysis of the background and motivations that led Argentina to become a member of the AIIB and the implications that derive from it, as well as the possibility that Argentina advances in its incorporation into the BRI in the short term. In the same way, the challenges and opportunities that both initiatives represent for the country are addressed.

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Report on the first AIIB project in Brazil: renewable energy and infrastructure

The purpose of the following report is an updated approach to the first AIIB project in Brazil, including its political, economic and environmental dimensions. First, an analysis is carried out on the main characteristics of the project, context and actors involved; then, we proceed to analyze the implications for Brazil of receiving such financing; and finally, the main environmental consequences are exposed.

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