CLIMATE, FOOD, TRADE

We Improved Policy Coherence in East Africa

Our project “Promoting Agriculture-Climate-Trade linkages in the EAC” (PACT EAC) has strived to help East African stakeholders better understand and address the need for coherent policies at the interplay between climate, food and trade issues.

Last year, an impact evaluation revealed that the project has already influenced a number of policy improvements with linkages aspects now being reflected in the draft Kenya Environmental Policy, the new draft Agricultural Policy of Tanzania, and a potential review of the GMO policy at the Vice Presidents’ Office in Tanzania.

IMPACT OF CARBON OFFSETTING

We Helped Kenyan Households Cook Cleaner, Easier and Healthier

As we are concerned with the environmental footprint of our activities, we have embarked on a CO2Balance carbon-offsetting programme that improves access of livelihoods to improved energy-efficient cook stoves in Kenya.

By supporting the African Energy Efficient Stove Project, we help communities to replace indoor open fires with efficient enclosed stoves made from local materials that reduce the amount of firewood consumed by between 50 and 70%. This is critical as, according to the World Health Organisation, “1.9 million African people die each year from the effects of smoke from an unregulated (no chimney) three stone fire”.

SUPPORT IN WTO NEGOTIATIONS

We Built Capacities on WTO Negotiations

> WE Kept Our Promise to French-speaking WTO Negotiators

Since the release of our book “Reflections from the frontline: developing country negotiators in the WTO” in English two years ago, French-speaking WTO negotiators had been requesting an edition in French that would fill their capacity gaps in the current Doha round negotiations.

In 2013, the launch of the French edition was praised for recording the experience of leading developing country negotiators who are best placed to bring a viewpoint «from the frontline», and for adding a new chapter on the cotton initiative.

This book will not only serve as an invaluable source of knowledge for newcomers in trade negotiations, but also as a resource for capacity building initiatives in the French speaking regions of the world. This view was expressed by Alain Bédouma Yoda, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso, who publicly said that “There is a lack of information readily available for French-speaking least developed countries like us. This is a gap that this book will help fill”.

> our partners could track bali proceedings daily

Thanks to our daily bulletins CUTS@Bali, our network was aware of latest developments and hot news of the 9^th WTO Ministerial Conference. This was highly appreciated for covering many aspects such as plenary discussions, negotiations insights, side events and CUTS’ own agenda and positions.

LINKING GENEVA WITH GRASSROOTS

We Remained an Effective Link to Grassroots for EAC Negotiators in Geneva

Our bi-monthly EAC Geneva Forum provides a demand-driven support platform to trade negotiators of the East African Community while connecting them to stakeholders back home.

In 2013, EAC Negotiators have used this CUTS facility extensively to request technical analysis on a number of complex trade-related issues (e.g. plurilateral agreements) to shape their positions, exchange views as a regional grouping and be updated on the latest developments at the grassroots in the region.

Delegates expressed their appreciation of a bottom up, interactive approach that has in some cases enabled them to directly engage in consultations with country-based experts, interest groups and ministry representatives through CUTS. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

We Maintained High Standards of Accountability and Transparency

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability to both our beneficiaries and donors.

In 2013, we have continued to provide detailed and regular reporting on our activities and to strictly observe our publicly available policies on procurement, finance and accounting, fraud prevention, donor-recipient relationship and service rules.

Our accountability and transparency efforts received positive comments in this year’s audit performed by an independent auditor affiliated to the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).