SOMO Briefing paper
This SOMO briefing paper defends the arguments that EPA negotiations do not promote the right investment policies in Africa. The EU strongly advocates that attracting more foreign investment is a solution to African development problems and that African countries therefore need to include strict investment liberalisation measures in EPAs. However, Africa has so far experienced too little benefits from foreign investment and investment incentives. African Ministers need to continue to resist EU pressure to include investment liberalisation in EPAs and rather focus on support and capacity building for domestic or regional investment, and making foreign investors responsible for their activities in Africa. read more lessrelated content
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read moreGovernments should remove the threat of ISDS to climate goals
As the UN climate conference COP 27 is in full swing, over 350 organisations in more then 60 countries call on governments to commit to remove the threat that ISDS poses to climate goals by…
COP27: EU adoption of a “modernised” Energy Charter Treaty would open door to more climate chaos
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In a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, Dutch minister of Energy and Climate Rob Jetten spoke out in favour of exiting the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). In doing so, he responded to a broad call from…
Even a modernised Energy Charter Treaty is a hurdle to reach climate goals
Urgent call to the Dutch government: exit the Energy Charter Treaty now
Urgenda, SOMO, Greenpeace, the Dutch labour union FNV and eight other organisations are appealing urgently to the Dutch government to “join as many countries as possible in stepping out of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT)”….
Dutch parliament ratifies CETA
This week, the Dutch Senate approved CETA, the trade agreement between the European Union and Canada, with a very small majority (40 for; 35 against). This means that the Dutch parliament has ratified the trade…
The Energy Charter Treaty
EU: Don’t limit Indonesian access to medicine
In this letter, SOMO – together with a group of NGOs – urge the European Commission to drop provisions that protect intellectual property in the economic agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia-EU. They fear that the so…