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The use of electronic transferable records may bring a number of benefits to commerce due to speed and security of transmission, the possibility of reusing data and of automating certain transactions through “smart contracts”. Those features may be of particular interest for the finance and transport business sectors. Particularly relevant for developing countries is the possibility to establish a market for electronic warehouse receipts, which, in turn, may facilitate farmers'access to credit. However, an adequate legislative framework is necessary to provide certainty on the legal status of electronic transferable records and therefore enable their use. Building on existing UNCITRAL texts on electronic commerce, and namely on the principles of functional equivalence and of technology neutrality underpinning those texts, the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records aims at legally enabling dematerialisation of transferable documents and instruments such as bills of lading, promissory notes, bills of exchange and warehouse receipts. It does so by setting forth the requirements for the equivalence between paper-based transferable documents and instruments, on the one hand, and electronic transferable records, on the other hand. Thus, the Model Law allows transposing the notion of “possession” in an electronic environment. The Model Law provides also guidance on the assessment of the reliability of the method used to manage the electronic transferable record, on change of medium (electronic to paper and the reverse), and on cross-border issues, among others. Being technology-neutral, the Model Law may accommodate the use of emerging technologies such as those based on distributed ledgers or blockchain technology. The Model Law is accompanied by an Explanatory Note to assist States in enacting its provisions and to offer guidance to other users of the text.

With hundreds of references to the jurisprudence of United Nations human rights mechanisms, this handbook provides human rights and electoral practitioners with a clear picture of the close interplay between elections and international human rights law. The handbook discusses international human rights standards regarding electoral processes and political participation, and how these standards apply to specific aspects of elections. Current issues such as gender-based violence in politics, disinformation and data manipulation, and the impact of Internet shutdowns are considered in the light of international human rights law and the recommendations of United Nations experts.

This publication provides guidance for national and local policymakers on the management of their assets in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It introduces the reader to the basic principles of managing physical assets — like equipment and machinery, public land, buildings, and infrastructure facilities — in the most cost-effective and sustainable manner. Providing a number of practical and field-tested tools, it aids local and central governments in assessing their asset management needs and developing comprehensive and proactive asset management frameworks, policies, and strategies. The publication also places special emphasis on far-sighted and effective actions that integrate financial, lifecycle, and demand aspects of asset management. Topical deep dives cover the implications of Covid-19 and climate change on asset management, measures that help build statistical and data capacity, as well as guidance on creating an enabling environment for local asset management at the national level. Short case studies, practical exercises, and references to reading materials throughout the book aim to further contextualize the content and engage the reader.

As an innovation policy tool, business incubators (BIs) have great potential to catalyse innovative entrepreneurship by providing incentives, support, connections, and an enabling environment for people who want to develop and try out new ideas. Experimenting with ideas to create value and solve problems more systematically is essential for sustainable development and is therefore high on the policy agenda among the transition economies of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), i.e. Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This handbook reflects upon the lessons learned from incubator practices around the world and in transition economies, providing examples of initiatives in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, including the respective roles of universities, government, and the private sector. The recommendations and tools here target national and local governments, universities, as well as those parties involved in the development and management of business incubators and similar institutions, such as pre-incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship support centres in the SPECA countries.

This report analyses the state of the world economy, a year and half after the Covid-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The first part of the Report outlines key macro-financial aspects of the global economy, focusing, in particular, on the prospects for a growth recovery while analyzing possible threats from public and private debt, from inflationary spikes as well as from a return to the policies of the past. It pays particular attention to the situation of developing countries in the system of global finance, and discusses issues of debt sustainability. As this year marks its 40th anniversary, the Report also revisits the analyses provided in previous editions in response to shocks, setbacks, and crises that have hampered development during the era of hyperglobalization and underscores its abiding call for an inclusive global economic governance. The second part focuses on climate adaptation. It calls for a transformative approach to climate adaptation, with large-scale public investment programmes to adapt to future as well as current threats, and green industrial policies to drive growth and job creation. It also details reforms of the international financial system needed to get more climate adaptation funds flowing to developing countries.

The 2016 Human Development Report focuses on how human development can be ensured for every one, now and in future. It starts with an account of the hopes and challenges of today's world, envisioning where humanity wants to go. Our vision draws from and builds on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that the 193 member states of the United Nations endorsed last year, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the world has committed to achieve. The Report explores who has been left behind in human development progress and why. It argues that to ensure that human development reaches everyone, a mere mapping of the nature and location of deprivations is not enough. Some aspects of the human development framework and assessment perspectives have to be brought to the fore. The Report also identifies the national policies and key strategies to ensure that will enable every human being achieve at least basic human development and to sustain and protect the gains. And it addresses the structural challenges of global institutions and presents options for reform.

Following a request by the International Law Commission, the General Assembly, in resolution 987 (X) of 3 December 1955, requested the Secretary-General to arrange for publishing an annual publication entitled Yearbook of the International Law Commission, containing the principal documents and summary records relating to each ILC session. It has since been published annually in two volumes in respect of each session.

This volume contains the summary records of the meetings of the fifty-second session of the Commission with the corrections requested by members of the Commission and such editorial changes as were considered necessary. The issues discussed at that session included: State responsibility; unilateral acts of States; nationality in relation to the succession of States; prevention of transboundary damage from hazardous activities; diplomatic protection; reservations to treaties and long-term programme of work of the Commission.

Informal settlements are often characterized as “illegal'residential formations lacking basic infrastructure, security of tenure and adequate housing. This book describes how more than 50 million people in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region have come to live in informal settlements and examines the main characteristics of the phenomenon. It also provides policy recommendations based on case studies and initiatives implemented in the region, with varying degrees of success. It concludes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, as informal settlements are the product of complex socio-political processes that differ significantly from country to country and from region to region.

Floods are natural phenomena that are necessary for the survival and health of the eco-system. Floodplains have historically attracted socio-economic development and continue to support high densities of human population. This is particularly important where land resources suitable for human development are scarce. Especially in arid and semi-arid areas, flood waters represent a vital water resource. Floods can, however, also lead to wide-spread damage, health problems and the loss of human life. Transboundary flood risk management enables sharing and redistributing risks and resources. This publication is based on the practical experience from 10 river basins in the UNECE region, and gives analysis of situations, problems, challenges, and possible solutions.

Following a request by the International Law Commission, the General Assembly, in resolution 987 (X) of 3 December 1955, requested the Secretary-General to arrange for publishing an annual publication entitled Yearbook of the International Law Commission, containing the principal documents and summary records relating to each ILC session. It has since been published annually in two volumes in respect of each session.

The Yearbook of the International Law Commission is comprised of two volumes. This volume, Volume II, contains summary records of the International Law Commission sessions on such subjects as: state responsibility, draft code of crimes against the peace and security of mankind, international liability for injurous consequences arising of acts not prohibited by international law, the law and practice relating to reservations to treaties, state succession and its impact on the nationality of natural and legal persons.

This volume contains the report of the International Law Commission on the work of its fifty-second session (1 May – 9 June and 10 July – 18 August 2000). The issues discussed at that session included: unilateral acts of states, diplomatic protection, state responsibility, reservations to treaties and international liability for injurious consequences arising out of acts not prohibited by international law.

Volume I contains summary records of the International Law Commission sessions on such subjects as: arbitral procedures, diplomatic immunities, Law of the Sea, nationality, Law of Treaties and Rights and Duties of States. Volume II contains reports of Special Rapporteurs and documents relating to the subjects discussed in Volume I including the report of the General Assembly.

Decisions of the International Law Commission during its fiftieth session (1998) as regards the following topics: State responsibility; unilateral acts of States; nationality in relation to the succession of States; prevention of transboundary damage from hazardous activities; diplomatic protection; reservations to treaties and long-term programme of work of the Commission.

Following a request by the International Law Commission, the General Assembly, in resolution 987 (X) of 3 December 1955, requested the Secretary-General to arrange for publishing an annual publication entitled Yearbook of the International Law Commission, containing the principal documents and summary records relating to each ILC session. It has since been published annually in two volumes in respect of each session.

This volume contains summary records of the International Law Commission meetings of the fifty-first session, held from 3 May – 23 July 1999. The issues discussed at that session included: law of treaties, rights and duties of states, diplomatic protection, state responsibility and cooperation with other bodies.

Volume I contains summary records of the International Law Commission sessions on such subjects as: arbitral procedures, diplomatic immunities, Law of the Sea, nationality, Law of Treaties and Rights and duties of States. Volume II contains reports of Special Rapporteurs and documents relating to the subjects discussed in Volume I including the report of the General Assembly.

Following a request by the International Law Commission, the General Assembly, in resolution 987 (X) of 3 December 1955, requested the Secretary-General to arrange for publishing an annual publication entitled Yearbook of the International Law Commission, containing the principal documents and summary records relating to each ILC session. It has since been published annually in two volumes in respect of each session.

Following a request by the International Law Commission, the General Assembly, in resolution 987 (X) of 3 December 1955, requested the Secretary-General to arrange for publishing an annual publication entitled Yearbook of the International Law Commission, containing the principal documents and summary records relating to each ILC session. It has since been published annually in two volumes in respect of each session.

Following a request by the International Law Commission, the General Assembly, in resolution 987 (X) of 3 December 1955, requested the Secretary-General to arrange for publishing an annual publication entitled Yearbook of the International Law Commission, containing the principal documents and summary records relating to each ILC session. It has since been published annually in two volumes in respect of each session.

Volume I contains summary records of the International Law Commission sessions on such subjects as: arbitral procedures, diplomatic immunities, Law of the Sea, nationality, Law of Treaties and Rights and Duties of States. Volume II contains reports of Special Rapporteurs and documents relating to the subjects discussed in Volume I including the report of the General Assembly.

Volume I contains summary records of the International Law Commission sessions on such subjects as: arbitral procedures, diplomatic immunities, Law of the Sea, nationality, Law of Treaties and Rights and Duties of States. Volume II contains reports of Special Rapporteurs and documents relating to the subjects discussed in Volume I including the report of the General Assembly.

Volume I contains summary records of the International Law Commission sessions on such subjects as: arbitral procedures, diplomatic immunities, Law of the Sea, nationality, Law of Treaties and Rights and Duties of States. Volume II contains reports of Special Rapporteurs and documents relating to the subjects discussed in Volume I including the report of the General Assembly.