Tag Archive for: Global Governance

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Nuclear cooperation between Argentina and China advances

In November, the Argentine government plans to move forward with the signing of the contract for the construction of the fourth Hualong-type nuclear power plant, with Chinese financing.

“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 government of Alberto Fernández advances in the signing of the contract for the fourth nuclear power plant with the Asian giant. The preliminary agreements signed in 2014 and 2015 included the construction of two nuclear reactors. One of the reactors would be made of Candu-type natural uranium, a technology that Argentina handles, and the other reactor would be Hualong-type enriched uranium, of Chinese origin.

However, in the Macri government modifications were made to the agreements with China and in 2018 it was decided to build only the Hualong-type reactor, a model that is planned to be built in this administration. This type of reactor will require an investment of USD 8 billion and for this Argentina will have to import the fuel for the plant to function, which implies that the country depends on foreign suppliers. Several specialists such as José Luis Antúnez, Andrés Kreiner, Gabriel Barceló and Eduardo Barreiro are against this type of reactor and insist on the need to continue with the natural uranium technology that uses the Candu model.

On the other hand, proponents of the construction of the Hualong reactor such as Sabino Vaca Narvaja and Isidro Baschar see its construction as a smart partnership with China that will help strengthen national development. Also, they are negotiating the possibility of the country producing the nuclear fuel that this reactor model needs and thus avoiding dependence on foreign suppliers. In addition, they highlighted that the plant will have a Chinese loan of USD 7,900 million that will begin to be paid when the reactor generates electricity, that is, in 8 years. Regarding the cancellation of the construction of the Candu reactor, Vaca Narvaja and Baschar argued that the Ministry of Energy is working to reactivate it.

Regarding the choice to build nuclear power plants instead of opting for renewable energies such as wind and solar, it raises concern not only because of the higher construction cost but also because of the risks that nuclear energy implies. Detractors of the Hualong nuclear power plant maintain that it would not even be useful to develop the scientific-technological system, that if it occurs in other types of reactors such as the Candu.

The moment chosen to advance in the construction of the nuclear power plant is also questioned since, due to the context of the economic crisis and the restructuring of the debt in which Argentina finds itself, it would not be opportune to take on debt nor is energy necessary nuclear since at present the country has no deficit in energy production.

It should be noted that the commitment to greater nuclear development is closely linked to the type of energy matrix and the development model promoted by the country. In turn, it involves and affects, directly or indirectly, a wide variety of actors. Therefore, from Fundeps we consider that this type of decision should necessarily include a deep debate at the social level, with the necessary transparency and participation of the different social actors involved. Unfortunately this does not appear to be the case.

Author

Sofia Brocanelli

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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The V Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean was held

The V Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held virtually on this occasion, focused mainly on the vulnerabilities that were deepened by the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic 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”.

From September 7 to 11, the V Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean was held virtually. The objective of this Forum is to host governments at all levels, companies, NGOs, indigenous communities and other civil society organizations in the same space with the aim of functioning as a means for dialogue between these actors.

The Regional Forums have become a key space in Latin America and the Caribbean, and in other regions of the world, so that the aforementioned actors can exchange visions and information on new business practices, legal systems, economic development plans and others. activities that can affect the human rights of different people or groups, report on these events and find solutions in a joint way, covering all spaces of society.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Forum paid special attention to those vulnerabilities that were deepened by the current situation; those people or communities that were already in unfavorable situations, and that, due to the global pandemic, their situation has worsened. The challenges that arise in this complex and unforeseen scenario must be addressed in a comprehensive manner and with all actors in society, from companies and governments to civil society and local communities, in order to overcome this crisis in an economically viable way. and environmentally sustainable.

The task in the post-pandemic will be to recover the standards of living lost during this year, especially due to the loss of employment, at the same time that the productive matrix and the business practices of the countries are reformulated towards a more sustainable and friendly one with the human rights. One of the instruments that can be implemented to achieve this objective are the “United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”, also known as “Ruggie Principles”, drawn up in 2011 within the framework of the UN.

Broadly speaking, these 31 principles can be summarized in three pillars:

  • The duty of states to protect and safeguard human rights and freedoms.
  • The corporate responsibility to respect these rights.
  • Access to damage repair mechanism.

Currently, within the framework of the UN, negotiations and meetings are being carried out to carry out a legally binding international treaty on the responsibility of transnational companies for the human rights of the communities where they carry out their activities. This year, the treaty is in a sixth instance of review that will be discussed at the 9th annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, which will take place virtually from November 16 to 18.

We hope that the negotiations underway will culminate in a fruitful agreement for all the actors and above all with an agreement and correct implementation, which is not only limited to good intentions but also really serves to improve the relationship between business activity, the environment environment and local communities.

In turn, there are other general guidelines that can be followed and implemented to achieve the post-pandemic objectives, such as the “OECD Guidelines for Multinational Companies” or the “Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Companies and Social Policy” of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Regional forums such as the one held in September, or those of a global nature such as the one to be held in November, constitute key spaces. Not only to advance the aforementioned initiatives underway, but also to deepen dialogue and promote greater articulation between the different actors involved in the processes aimed at ensuring greater promotion and protection of human rights by the private sector.

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Argentina, one step away from becoming a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Unanimously, on September 3, the Argentine Senate approved the entry of our country to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank -AIIB, for its acronym in English-. All that remains is the vote of the Chamber of Deputies to make the incorporation effective.

“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”.

Argentina is one step away from becoming a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank -AIIB- since by means of a unanimous vote, 69 affirmative votes, the Argentine Senate approved the entrance of our country to the institution. Now the Chamber of Deputies needs to deal with the entry project.

Argentina’s intention to be part of the Bank dates back to the administration of Mauricio Macri, where in the first ‘One Strip and One Route for International Cooperation’ Forum held in 2017, he affirmed the country’s intention to be part of the AIIB. That same year, the AIIB Board of Directors approved Argentina’s entry into the institution.

From the region, Ecuador and Uruguay are already members of the AIIB. On the other hand, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil have requested access to the organization. The Senate of the latter also approved his entry, however he joined as a founding member because he is part of the BRICS and all the founding countries of this bloc enjoy that status.

The AIIB was born in 2015 at the initiative of China, but began operating in January 2016. It currently has 102 members from different regions of the world. It is a multilateral financial institution that, through investments in infrastructure, fosters sustainable economic development, creates wealth, and improves connectivity in infrastructure, promoting regional cooperation with multilateral and bilateral development institutions. The Bank’s strategy is based on the Lean, Clean and Green concept in which it seeks to be efficient, agile, ethical and respectful of the environment and social rights. In addition, the financing to the countries is carried out through public capital and private investments and its financial operations are based on granting credits, guarantees and participations.

Since it began operations, the AIIB has already financed 138 infrastructure projects, between completed projects and projects in progress. In addition, the agency’s invested capital reaches $ 31 billion, which includes approved and requested projects. The sectors in which this organization invests are energy, transportation, telecommunications, infrastructure in rural areas, agricultural development, urban development, water supply, health services, environmental protection, logistics, among others.

Joining the AIIB gives our country the possibility of accessing financing from a new multilateral organization for infrastructure works in the energy sector, transportation and urban reforms, for example. Also, SMEs and other productive sectors could access Bank financing. Finally, another point to note is that this organization provides loans at low interest rates and without economic and political conditions, unlike traditional multilateral organizations such as the IMF.

Also, the bill approved by the Senate enables the Central Bank to access up to 50 capital shares, with a value of 100,000 dollars each, according to the registration admitted by the AIIB for the incorporation of a member country. A part of these shares, specifically 40, correspond to the callable capital and the remaining shares correspond to the capital to be integrated.

The strengthening of the relationship between our country and the People’s Republic of China is intensifying and among its causes, in addition to the partial approval of Argentina’s admission to the AIIB, there is also the strengthening of the Comprehensive Strategic Association with the Asian country, the donation and provision of health supplies in the fight against Covid-19, the progress to test the Chinese vaccine in the Argentine population and the negotiations that are being carried out to make effective the entry of Argentina to the Initiative of the Route and the Silk and the construction of the fourth atomic power station. Therefore, an even stronger tightening of cooperation between the two countries is expected.

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Regional statement regarding the IDB presidential elections

Through a statement addressed to the Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank, civil society organizations, peasant communities, indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants and people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, we express our concern regarding the presidential elections of the Institution. In particular, we express our rejection of the decision of the United States government to present a North American candidate to preside over the Bank, and of the election process itself, which does not give rise to the participation of social organizations and communities.

“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”.

On September 12 and 13, the Inter-American Development Bank -BID- will elect a new president who will replace Luis Alberto Moreno, after 15 uninterrupted years of management. The elections will take place through an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Governors to be held virtually. Different countries in the region have nominated candidates, such as Argentina, which nominated Gustavo Béliz, and Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla. However, what is causing concern in the current IDB presidential selection process is the nomination by the US of candidate Mauricio Claver Carone. This, in addition to going against the unwritten IDB rule that the Institution must be led by a Latin American representative, threatens the decision-making capacity of the Bank’s borrowing countries, given that the United States has the highest percentage of capital and votes within the Institution.

In a context marked by the crisis of multilateralism that the world is going through; the socio-ecological and climatic crisis that has a particularly serious impact on Latin America; the historical problems of inequity, inequality and poverty in the region; and the economic, social and health impacts and repercussions that the Covid-19 pandemic is generating, the transition in the presidency of the IDB is key for the future of the region.

Therefore, today more than ever the IDB requires a qualified leader who is capable of critically positioning himself with regard to the role that the Institution plays in the face of the complex panorama that the region is experiencing, and who is predisposed and capable of promoting a model different development. In this sense, the person appointed to the presidency of the IDB should necessarily meet a series of requirements that include, among others, the following:

  1. A clear and express commitment to multilateralism, at a time when the legitimacy of international institutions is being questioned and attacked;
  2. Extensive experience and knowledge of the reality of the countries of the region and the challenges they face in the current context;
  3. A clear commitment to transparency, accountability and the participation of communities, indigenous peoples and civil society in the actions of the Institution;
  4. Knowledge and experience in development agendas that reflect a commitment to the public interest, the protection and promotion of human rights, gender equality, the need to immediately face the effects of climate change and to bet on a model truly sustainable development focused on communities and indigenous peoples.

At the same time, the statement, to which more than 50 organizations joined, emphasizes that the election must go beyond voting and open spaces for dialogue between candidates and civil society and communities. After 15 uninterrupted years under the leadership of a presidency that impregnated particular characteristics, and in many cases questionable, the management and actions of the Bank, a unique opportunity is presented to learn more about the positions and proposals of the different candidates. facing the concerns and demands of communities and civil society; and in relation to the prevailing context in the region.

We hope that the IDB will rise to the current circumstances and take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that whoever becomes president of the Bank is truly the most qualified and appropriate person to lead it in the face of the complex moment the region is going through.

More information

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

Statement in the face of the election of the new president of the IDB

Through a statement addressed to the Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank, civil society organizations, peasant communities, indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants and people with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, we express our concern regarding the presidential elections of the Institution. In particular, we express our rejection of the decision of the United States government to present a North American candidate to preside over the Bank, and of the election process itself, which does not give rise to the participation of social organizations and communities.

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Comments on the second draft of the IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework, from a gender perspective

On Tuesday, August 5, we sent the IDB a new document with observations and comments on the second draft of the Environmental and Social Policy Framework from a gender perspective.

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 December 2019, the Inter-American Development Bank -BID- published the draft Environmental and Social Policy Framework -MPAS- to modernize its environmental and social policies. In January of this year, the face-to-face and virtual public consultations began, where Fundeps was present. In April, we sent a document with comments and observations on the draft MPAS from a gender perspective, which had the input of other civil society organizations. In this document we point out, above all, the lack of mainstreaming of the gender perspective in all the performance standards of the draft MPAS.

At the beginning of July, the Bank published the second draft of the MPAS in which it incorporated some of the recommendations sent by stakeholders (civil society, indigenous communities, Afro-descendant community) and began the second phase of the process for sending comments that It ended on Tuesday, August 5. From Fundeps, we analyzed this second draft of the MPAS and sent a new document with observations and comments from a gender perspective, with the aim of incorporating issues that we consider fundamental when considering the human rights of girls, adolescents, women and LGTTTBIQ + people. in the new social and environmental framework of the IDB.

Among the main points identified, we find positive aspects that have been incorporated as the reference to the Performance Standard -ND- 9 on gender equality in PS 1 (Evaluation and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts), PS 2 ( Labor and Working Conditions), PS 5 (Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement) and PS 10 (Stakeholder Engagement and Disclosure of Information). Another aspect to highlight is the incorporation of ILO Convention 190 against violence and harassment in the workplace and Convention 100 on Equal Remuneration.

However, there are still many aspects to be incorporated that we believe are essential to guarantee gender equality and the mainstreaming of the gender perspective in the projects financed by the Bank. Among the necessary issues to be added to the new MPAS is the Bank’s duty to explicitly and transversally incorporate current and future international Treaties, Agreements and Conventions that contemplate the rights of girls, adolescents, women and LGTTTBIQ + people. In addition, the Bank as the main person in charge must mainstream the gender perspective throughout the Framework to avoid gender blindness.

A worrying issue is the replacement of the Policy on Gender Equality in Development by PS 9. Here the Bank should maintain the validity of the Policy as a complement to PS 9 on Gender Equality. Finally, we emphasize the need for the IDB to incorporate the great diversity of gender-gender identities, since the MPAS does not mention LGTTTBIQ + people, but rather identifies them as sexual and gender minorities. Therefore, we insist that LGTTTBIQ + people are specifically enunciated to ensure visibility and recognition of their existence and rights.

More information

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Observations on the second draft of the IDB Environmental and Social Policy Framework from a gender perspective

In early July, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) published the second draft of the Environmental and Social Policy Framework -MPAS- and began the second phase of the 30-day consultation process. This document was produced within this framework and contains observations and comments on the second draft of the MPAS from a gender perspective.

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Argentina-China: cooperate in adverse times

While cooperation as an interstate link has suffered among most countries, in the framework of the Covid-19 pandemic China and Argentina have chosen to cooperate in health matters.

“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 Covid-19 pandemic and the validity of social, preventive and compulsory isolation (ASPO), various cooperation actions were carried out in health matters between the People’s Republic of China and the Argentine Republic. In order to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the pandemic, China has cooperated with Argentina in both the public and private spheres to strengthen the national health system.

Regarding the public sphere, the cooperation emphasized donations and purchases of sanitary elements, at the national and sub-national level. In this sense, the province of Buenos Aires imported from China, for a value of 54 million dollars, 5.5 million disposable chinstraps, 300 thousand N90 chinstraps, 83 thousand goggles, 700 thousand face masks and 12 million pairs of gloves disposable. To this end, Aerolineas Argentinas carried out 32 flights to the city of Shanghai at a cost of $ 500,000 each. In the act in which the tightening of the quarantine in the Metropolitan Area of ​​Buenos Aires (AMBA) was announced, on June 26, Governor Axel Kicillof affirmed that “28 planes with sanitary supplies for his province had arrived in the country from from China”.

At the subnational level, the Chinese province of Guizhou donated medical supplies to the province of Jujuy, including a total of 9 thousand medical masks donated by the People’s Hospital of said province of China. Since 2017, both provinces have maintained a fraternal relationship within the framework of the twinning intention agreement to improve understanding, foster friendship, consolidate and develop friendly cooperation.

Likewise, the All China National Association of Journalists donated 200,000 masks to the Union of Press Workers of Buenos Aires to be delivered to union members. In this sense, Secretary General Lidia Fagale expressed that one of the central premises in the international arena of the Chinese press entity is the “deep sense of cooperation.” He also thanked “the solidary attitude of the colleagues and their repeated signs of commitment in strengthening the bilateral bond.”

On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship informed Fundeps, in response to a request for information made on June 30, that the Argentine Republic and the People’s Republic of China have maintained fluid contact within the framework of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic through videoconferences; and that Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his strong support for the measures taken by Argentina in relation to the pandemic.

The Foreign Ministry detailed that the following measures were carried out: first, negotiations were carried out through the Embassy of Argentina in China and the Consulate General and Promotion Center in Shanghai for the pertinent permits for the overflight and landing of aircraft of Aerolineas Argentinas to Shanghai in search of medical supplies, as well as the displacement of people. Secondly, the White Helmets Commission advised on the documentary procedures related to the donation of goods from abroad so that they comply with the customs regulations in force in our country.

On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry made it known that the cooperation between both countries is multi-level since it includes subnational entities, companies, institutions and other entities, which have made donations and sent supplies to various actors in our country. Within the donations and shipment of supplies are detailed: chinstraps, protective suits, protective glasses, detection tests, gloves, protection for footwear, among others.

These were assigned to the Ministry of Health, Defense, Security, provincial ministries and municipalities. In this way, the bilateral cooperation in health matters between Argentina and China reflects the growing interaction and linkage between both countries, in areas that are not only limited to trade and investment but also include a wide range of areas, such as academic, cultural , technological, health or scientific, among others. The aforementioned request made to the Argentine Foreign Ministry is part of a set of requests recently sent by Fundeps to different agencies of the national government requesting information regarding various aspects of Sino-Argentine relations and infrastructure and energy projects that have Chinese financing. In this sense, it should be noted that effective and timely access to public information is essential even in a context like the current one, marked by the pandemic.

Authors
Florence Harmitton
Mariano Camoletto
Contact
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
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The end of a historical tradition in the IDB presidency?

In June, the United States nominated, for the first time since the institution’s creation in 1959, a North American candidate for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank (IVD).

“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 mid-June, the President of the United States, Donald Trump ,  As candidate for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank -IDB-, Mauricio Claver-Carone, current advisor for Latin America of the National Security Council, was nominated.

The nomination jeopardizes the old IDB tradition that the agency’s presidency always rests with Latin Americans, while the vice presidency is held by an American. Thus, since its creation in 1959, only four presidents have held the presidency of the Bank, all of them from Latin America: the Chilean Felipe Herrera (1960-1970), the Mexican Antonio Ortiz Mena (1970-1988), the Uruguayan Enrique Iglesias (1988 -2005) and the Colombian Luis Alberto Moreno (2005-2020). Although the IDB’s Articles of Agreement do not establish any determining factor in relation to the nationality of the person who must hold the presidency, there is an unwritten norm from its very creation by which the body must be directed by a person from the region. It was even one of the conditions for which it ended up accepting that the Bank’s headquarters be in Washington DC. This type of unwritten norms regarding the nationality of its presidents can also be found in other multilateral institutions. For example, the presidency of the World Bank has always been held by a person from the United States, the International Monetary Fund – IMF – has historically been chaired by a representative of Europe and, as mentioned, the IDB by a person from Latin America.

The new IDB president, who will be elected by the IDB Group Board of Governors on September 15 in Barranquilla, Colombia, will replace Luis Alberto Moreno, who has been in the Bank’s presidency since 2005. In addition, with the nomination of The US reduces the chances for the Argentine Gustavo Béliz, since Latin American countries such as Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica, Colombia and Uruguay support the Claver-Carone candidacy.tional Security Council.

More informatio

Authors

  • Gonzalo Roza 
  • Sofía Brocanelli 

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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The BRICS Bank designed its new president: the Brazilian Marcos Prado Troyjo

In a special meeting, the Board of Governors of the New BRICS Development Bank elected Brazilian Marco Prado Troyjo as the new president of the multilateral institution.

“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 Board of Governors of the New Development Bank -NDB- of the BRICS met in a special way through videoconference to elect the new president of the bank: the Brazilian Marcos Prado Troyjo, who will take office on July 7. Its vice president will be Anil Kishora from India and he will serve as the bank’s chief risk officer. The presidential term is 5 years and the presidents are elected on a rotating basis between the member countries of the BRICS, that is, between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Troyjo was vice-minister of economy in Brazil, served as special secretary for Foreign Trade and International Affairs, and represented the Brazilian Government on the boards of multilateral development institutions. In addition, he chaired the Brazilian External Financing Commission and the National Investment Committee. He was also co-founder and Director of BRICLab at Columbia University, United States, and is a member of the World Future Council on International Trade and Investment of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Marcos Troyjo will replace the previous president of the KV Kamath Bank of India, who has held the presidency since 2015 and is responsible for the NDB’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, through the launch of the Emergency Program Loan Product COVID-19. The new president of the NDB will have the challenge of facing the post-pandemic economic consequences, reactivating the infrastructure projects and with it the activity of the multilateral bank. It remains to be seen also what direction the New Development Bank will take, but also the same space of the BRICS after the pandemic, given the loss of influence that the forum has experienced in recent years and the criticism it received, including from from the president of Brazil himself, Jair Bolsonaro.

More information

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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We demand participation and transparency in the change of direction of the MICI

Before the departure of the current Director of the MICI, Victoria Márquez Mees, at the end of June, a group of civil society organizations requested, through a letter sent to the IDB Executive Board, the inclusion of interested parties and the transparency in the selection process of the new Director of the Mechanism.

“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”.

On June 30, the current Director of the MICI, Victoria Márquez Mees, ends her term as head of the IDB accountability mechanism, a post she has held since 2015. In this way, the IDB is beginning the selection process from the new Director, therefore, together with a group of civil society organizations, we sent a letter to the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors requesting the inclusion of civil society and interested parties in said selection process. It should be noted that the last selection process carried out by the Bank was not very transparent and did not include civil society or other external stakeholders.

In line with the above, we recommend that the Bank create opportunities and encourage the participation of civil society and external stakeholders in the selection process. Especially considering that the MICI policy establishes that the Board will convene a selection panel to identify candidates. Furthermore, the inclusion of external stakeholders in the process of selecting the Director of accountability mechanisms is a good practice carried out by various international financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, for example.

In line with the process of changing the mechanism’s direction, on June 12, together with a group of civil society organizations, we sent a second letter to the IDB requesting that the External Consultative Group -GCE- of the MICI be part of the process of selection. The participation of the CME will bring greater transparency to the process since the members of the Group are interested parties in the Bank who have knowledge about the region, the operation of the MICI and on issues related to transparency, sustainability and accountability. In addition, the inclusion of CGE members in the selection process means reporting your experience and qualified perspectives on the legitimate topic and the selection process and identifying the best possible candidate.

More information

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org 

Analysis of the Second Plan Joint Action between Argentina and China (2019-2023)

The following document describes and analyzes the Second Joint Action Plan agreed between Argentina and China (2019-2023) at the G20 summit in 2018. This Plan reinforces the comprehensive strategic partnership between both States and details the actions that will be carried out carried out in different areas such as politics, trade, culture, finance, communications, among others.

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