TRADE PARTNERS' EDITION, 15 SEPTEMBER 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

Crisis reinforces importance of a good education, says Education at a Glance 2011:: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Has received lots of media attention and already is a bestseller!

Education at a Glance 2011: Highlights presents key education indicators in easy-to-understand form: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Education at a Glance made easy.

Economic growth perspectives weakening as recovery slows says OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2011: Subscribe to the OECD Economic Outlook | View Interim Report on iLibrary

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

OECD Better Life Index receives award for publishing innovation: Announcement | Better Life Index

OECD Subscription Prices for 2012: Price list

OECD Key Publications Catalogue, May 2011: Catalogue

OECD iLibrary: Brochure

OECD publications will be on exhibit at the following events in the coming months:

• KESLI / KERIS Expo, 29-30 September 2011, KyungJu si, Kyungsangnam do,
  Korea
• Frankfurt Book Fair, 12-16 October 2011, Frankfurt, Germany
  
• Österreichischer Bibliothekartag, 18-21 October, Innsbruck, Austria
• London Online, 29 Nov-1 Dec 2011, London, UK
• Allied Social Sciences Association (American Economics Association): 6-8 January 2012, Chicago, IL USA
• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, 20-24 January 2012, Dallas, TX USA
  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

Forthcoming
-Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in the European Union: Book listing
-Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in Turkey: Book listing
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing
-Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2011: OECD Countries and Emerging Economies: Book listing
-Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises: Change and Reform in OECD Countries since 2005: Book on Online Bookshop (to be out shortly) | Book on OECD iLibrary

Strengthening Latin American Corporate Governance: The Role of Institutional Investors: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Mutual Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Terrorist Financing Activities of the State of Kuwait: Summary | Full report (PDF - 1.8 mb)

Defining and Measuring Green FDI:  An Exploratory Review of Existing Work and Evidence: Working paper

The Role of Pension Funds in Financing Green Growth Initiatives: Working paper

Forthcoming
-Financial Market Trends, Volume 2011, Issue 1: Subscribe to the OECD Journal
-OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 2011 edition: Book listing
-Competitiveness and Private Sector Development: Eastern Europe and South Caucasus 2011: Competitiveness Outlook: Book listing
-Corporate Governance in Estonia 2011: Book listing
-Competition Law and Policy in Israel 2011:
-Competition Law and Policy in Chile 2011: Book listing
-Corporate Governance of Listed Companies in China: Self-Assessment by the China Securities Regulatory Commission: Book listing
-Bank Competition and Financial Stability: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

Sharp Rise in Aid to Water and Sanitation: Webpage

Forthcoming
-Development in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine: Book listing
-Better Policies for Development: Recommendations for Policy Coherence: Book listing
-Investing in Security: A Global Assessment of Armed Violence Reduction Initiatives: Book listing
-Aid Effectiveness 2011: A Progress Report on Implementing the Paris Declaration: Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme to become new OECD Deputy Secretary-General: Press release

OECD Economics Department Working Papers
-No. 887: The Political Economy of Climate Change Mitigation Policies: How to Build a Constituency to Address Global Warming?
-No. 888: Education Reform in Japan
-No. 889: Labour Market Reforms in Japan to Improve Growth and Equity
-No. 890: Japan's New Growth Strategy to Create Demand and Jobs

Forthcoming
-Future Global Shocks: Book listing
-OECD Economic Surveys: Ireland 2011: Book listing

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

The OECD area unemployment rate was steady at 8.2% in July 2011, unchanged for the fifth consecutive month: Press release

Composite leading indicators (CLIs) for July 2011 continue to point to a slowdown in economic activity in most OECD countries: Press release

Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 3.1% in the year to July 2011, compared with 3.0% in the year to June: Press release

OECD Statistics Newsletter, September 2011 includes articles on Nuclear Energy: Nuclear Development in the Light of Fukushima; The Case of the Missing Tax Data (Statistics Netherlands); Modernisation of Statistical Production in Switzerland: End of a Long Journey in Sight; Current Price Topics: The Impact of the European Debt Crisis on U.S. Import Prices; Turkish Statistical Institute: Strategic Plan; GENESIS-Online: The Internet-Database of the Federal Statistical Office of Germany: Newsletter (PDF - 3.43 mb)

Forthcoming:
-How's Life? Measuring Well-Being
-OECD Factbook 2012: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics

EDUCATION

Education at a Glance 2011: Highlights: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Education at a Glance 2011: OECD Indicators: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Higher Education Management and Policy, Volume 23 Issue 2 includes articles on reforms in research / innovation in France, the crisis and American universities, alternatives to industrial work placement in Dublin, higher education in Mexico, Ireland and Australia, and governance of Catalan universities. Subscribe to the journal | View issue on OECD iLibrary

Register now for the Strategic Management of Educational Internationalisation Conference! Website

ICT and Initial Teacher Education: Working paper

Ireland’s Generic Repeat Design Schools Programme: Working paper

A Review of University Facilities in Turkey: Working paper

“Schools of the Future” Initiative in California: Working paper

Have all the Costs of Closing a School Been Considered? Working paper

Educationtoday: OECD's collaborative space to help shape the post-crisis economy and society: Educationtoday

Forthcoming
-Designing for Education: Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities 2011: Book listing
-Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for Japan: Book listing
-Building a High-Quality Teaching Profession: Lessons from around the World: Book listing
-School Leadership: The creation of a common school culture: Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2008 Data thematic report): Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Governments must act on rising long-term unemployment and youth joblessness, says OECD Employment Outlook 2011: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Right for the Job:  Over-Qualified or Under-Skilled? Working paper

Over-Qualified or Under-Skilled:  A Review of Existing Literature: Working paper

Aggregate Earnings and Macroeconomic Shocks:  The Role of Labour Market Policies and Institutions: Working paper

Redistribution Policy and Inequality Reduction in OECD Countries: What Has Changed in Two Decades? Working paper

Early Maternal Employment and Child Development in Five OECD Countries: Working paper

Persistence of high unemployment: what risks? what policies? Policy Note | Video

Forthcoming
-Job Tasks, Work Skills and the Labour Market: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Russian Federation 2011: Book listing
-The Causes of Growing Inequalities in OECD Countries: Book listing
-Mental Health and Work: Evidence, Challenges and Policy Directions: Book listing

ENERGY

IEA Governing Board concludes Libya Collective Action: Press release

IEA’s Oil Market Report cuts prognosis for oil demand growth: Oil Market Report

Impact of Smart Grid Technologies on Peak Load to 2050: Working paper

IEA Ministerial Meeting 2011: Q&A

Global liquefied natural gas markets: Q&A

Forthcoming
-Medium-Term Oil and Gas Markets 2011
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy
-World Energy Outlook 2011: Book listing

ENVIRONMENT

Fostering Innovation for Green Growth: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Greening Public Budgets in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Ten Years of Water Sector Reform in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Argentina joins OECD agreement on mutual acceptance of chemical safety data: Press release

Taxation, Innovation and the Environment: Policy Brief

Environmental Taxation: A Guide for Policy Makers: Guide

Forthcoming
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing
-Invention and Transfer of Environmental Technologies: Book listing
-Water Governance in OECD Countries: A Multilevel Approach: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Slovak Republic 2011: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Israel 2011: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050

HEALTH

Forthcoming:
-A System of Health Accounts: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Switzerland 2011: Book listing
-Health Reform: Meeting the Challenge of Ageing and Multiple Morbidities: Book listing
-Health at a Glance 2011: OECD Indicators: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

The Role of Internet Intermediaries in Advancing Public Policy Objectives: Book on Online Bookshop (to be released shortly) | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Workshop on Broadband Metrics: Announcement

NUCLEAR ENERGY

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

Making the Most of Public Investment in a Tight Fiscal Environment: Multi-level Governance Lessons from the Crisis: Book on Online Bookhop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Together for Better Public Services: Partnering with Citizens and Civil Society: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Greening Public Budgets in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

The Role of Internet Intermediaries in Advancing Public Policy Objectives: Book on Online Bookshop (to be released shortly) | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting Integrity through Self-regulation: Book listing
-M-Government: Mobile Technologies for Responsive Governments and Connected Societies: Book listing
-Corporate Governance in Estonia 2011: Book listing
-Water Governance in OECD Countries: A Multilevel Approach: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: Slovenia 2011: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: The Gauteng City-Region, South Africa 2011: Book listing
-OECD Regional Outlook 2011: Book listing
-Regulatory Policy and Governance: Supporting Economic Growth and Serving the Public Interest: Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

Fostering Innovation for Green Growth: Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Taxation, Innovation and the Environment: Policy Brief

OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit: Website

Collaborative Mechanisms for Intellectual Property Management in the Life Sciences: Report (PDF - 668 kb)

Forthcoming:
-Invention and Transfer of Environmental Technologies: Book listing
-OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2011: Book listing
-Future Prospects for Industrial Biotechnology: Book listing
-Public Research Institutions: Mapping Sector Trends: Book listing

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Forthcoming:
-OECD Studies on SMEs and Entrepreneurship Thailand: Key Issues and Policies

TAXATION

The French edition of Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital, Condensed Version 2010 is now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Jeffrey Owens' speech at the International Fiscal Association Meeting: Speech

Tax: Jurisdictions move towards full tax transparency: Press release

New Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews:
-Andorra 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Anguilla 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Antigua and Barbuda 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Austria 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Bahrain 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-British Virgin Islands 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Curaçao 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Liechtenstein 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Luxembourg 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-Turks and Caicos Islands 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary
-United Kingdom 2011: Combined: Phase 1 + Phase 2: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Taxation, Innovation and the Environment: Policy Brief

Environmental Taxation: A Guide for Policy Makers: Guide

Forthcoming:
-Taxation and Employment: Book listing
-Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews: Jersey 2011: Combined Phase 1 and Phase 2: Book listing
-Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing

TRADE

Latest export credits news: Webpage

Forthcoming:
-Smart Rules for Fair Trade: 50 years of Export Credits: Book listing

TRANSPORTATION

Global Freight Figures Suggest Weak Growth Ahead: Statistics Brief (PDF - 278 kb)

Forthcoming
-Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

In praise of the Luddites
In 1811, there were more British troops on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border in the north of England than there were in Europe fighting Napoleon’s armies. The reason was the Luddites, whose 200th anniversary coincides with our 50th. Is there anything we can learn from them? Read more

Climate Finance – Lessons from Aid Effectiveness
Few will argue that we need to mobilize funds to support developing countries in dealing with the effects of climate change. At COP16 in Cancun, Mexico, world leaders agreed to a set of “new and additional” pledges amounting to $30 billion in Fast Start Finance between 2010 and 2012, and an additional long-term goal of $100 billion per year by 2020. This is good, of course, but not good enough. As we have learned over the past 50 years of experience with development cooperation, finance alone is not sufficient. Ensuring that funds are used as effectively as possible, and that they provide the best value for money, is essential for both providers and recipients. Read more

The Horn of Africa: Relearning crucial development lessons
As the international community gathers in Rome to discuss the emergency in the Horn of Africa, it is important to recognize the commitment of the UN system, NGOs and donors to co-ordinated humanitarian action in the region. OECD donors alone have already directly committed USD 1.49bn to the region this year, on top of the core funding they provide through UN agencies and emergency pooled funds. This said, the crisis in the Horn of Africa is indicative of development failure. Early warning systems predicted it a year ago. Since then, people’s household reserves have been gradually exhausted, forcing them to leave their land in search of food. Early response could have helped people to stay on their farms and protect their assets, slowing the reversal of hard-earned progress in development. Yet opportunities to prevent the crisis – by providing timely funding and strengthening community resilience – were largely missed. Read more

Famine in East Africa: Solutions exist in Africa
Drought is always put forward as the main cause of repetitive famines in East Africa, but it doesn’t explain everything. Food production is structurally insufficient, even in years with relatively good rains, partly due to lack of means of production and weak incentives for food producers. Distributing surplus food aid at the wrong time can also perturb local markets and does not inspire sustainable investment in local food production. And the armed conflicts that have affected the area for several decades reduce the populations’ ability to face environmental and climate related challenges. Humanitarian aid is vital in the short term, but it does not tackle the causes of famine. An integrated, regional and inclusive approach is needed. However, a sustainable solution will not come from external actors: the region’s leaders must take more responsibility. Read more

Please feed the animals
If you kill all the leopards, don’t be surprised if you get diarrhoea or worse. That’s not because of some convoluted karma (though it might be that, too) but because of the many unexpected consequences of the loss of “apex consumers” – the beasts such as large predators at the top of food chains. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, with the leopards (and lions) gone, baboons flourished, and came into contact with humans more frequently, attracted by crops and other food resources. Increased population density favoured the spread of intestinal parasites among the baboons to start with, then to humans. Although ecological theory had predicted significant impacts on ecosystems from changes in the numbers and distribution of large predators and herbivores, it was hard to show this in practice. First, because the ecosystem has to be disturbed, jolted out of equilibrium, for the interactions among species to be revealed.  Also, the time scales were often too long and geographical areas too wide to be studied. Now, a team led by James Estes of the University of California has reviewed studies of land, freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide, and concluded that the loss of apex consumers is arguably “humankind’s most pervasive influence on the natural world”. Read more

Aid: Should the OECD hand over to the UN?
In May, the Insights blog and The Guardian co-hosted a debate on the OECD’s role in official development assistance (ODA). Jonathan Glennie of the Overseas Development Institute argued that it was time for the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) to hand over to the UN. Brian Atwood, DAC chair, replied. In July, the ODI organised a debate in London, at the Houses of Parliament. You can listen to Jonathan Glennie and Brian Atwood , as well as His Excellency Ernest Rwamucyo, High Commissioner of Rwanda to the United Kingdom, by clicking on the links below. Daleep Mukarji, ODI Council Chair, introduced the debate. Read more

Obesity: Is food the new tobacco?
Now more than a third of Scottish 12-year-olds are considered to be overweight, a fifth to be obese and over one in ten severely obese. The statistics for adults are even worse, with almost two-thirds of men and more than half of women. The situation is better in the other OECD countries, apart from the United States, but overweight is a concern almost everywhere. Obesity is one of the few cases where the popular perception that things were better in the old days is supported by a range of objective evidence. The facts also suggest that people are right in blaming the problem on changes in lifestyle and diet. Read more

Aid for trade: $100 billion well spent
Evidence from a numerous countries, including Korea, Brazil and China, shows that openness to trade is a key ingredient for economic success and improved living standards. By connecting local producers to domestic, regional and global markets, trade helps to fight poverty and enhance the productive capacity of the whole economy. It facilitates the availability of technology, know-how and other services. It helps to make goods cheaper and more widely available. It also weakens the grip of local monopolies. But simply opening the economy to international trade is not enough. A trade strategy requires investment in human capital (education, health and nutrition) and rural infrastructure, provision of access to credit, and safety nets and policies to promote economic and political stability. Aid for Trade plays a key role by helping countries strengthen their productive and institutional capacity. Read more

Is green growth just a fantasy? Steampunk describes a world of airships plying the aether and mechanical computing based on Babbage’s Difference Engine. Artists show great imagination in describing a world where coal is still king, streets are gas lit, and rock oil has not yet been rebranded as petroleumThey play with the ideas of lock-in and path dependence, a situation where a technology that may be inferior to alternatives still dominates because switching would create too many problems, or be too expensive, or where an early decision limits the options available later, even if the original conditions are no longer relevant. A new study from the OECD Fostering Innovation for Green Growth looks at these issues too, but with more of a policy focus than say Steamboy or FreakAngels. Read more

Busan High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness: An opportunity not to be missed
According to a recent UN report, $2.5 billion (approximately €1.84 billion) will be needed to respond to the devastating drought and famine that has hit the Horn of Africa. Although the international community is working hard to provide relief, funding is still short and aid is still arriving too slowly. Despite the participation of dozens upon dozens of aid and relief organizations, there is no likelihood that the situation will improve before the end of the year. In a recent blog, my colleague Stephen Groff, Deputy Director of the OECD Development Co-operation Directorate, said: “the crisis in the Horn of Africa is indicative of development failure. Early warning systems predicted it a year ago.” Early and coordinated action could have produced countless savings—in terms both of costs and, more important, of human suffering. We must learn from this situation, because it highlights many of the challenges we face today in an increasingly complex development landscape. Read more