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202. A preliminary assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Azerbaijani economy
- Author:
- CESD Research Team
- Publication Date:
- 08-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
- Abstract:
- Azerbaijan became the country among the post-soviet countries, that allocated the largest share of GDP, in order to eliminate the economic challenges caused due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Providing favorable economic conditions in the post-pandemic period is as crucial as supporting the economy during the period of the pandemic. It is an undeniable fact that the impact of the pandemic on the economy might be fully assessed only over time. Experience demonstrates that early evaluation may lead to even greater recession and instability. This paper aims to demonstrate the challenges faced by Azerbaijan in the framework of the fight against a pandemic. Since the economy of a country was affected, a detailed analysis may provide a better understanding of the outcome, enlightening the areas which need more support and development.
- Topic:
- Development, Economy, COVID-19, and Health Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Eurasia, Caucasus, and Azerbaijan
203. Amendments to state budget of Azerbaijan for 2020: Reasons and Expectations
- Author:
- Narmina Gasimova and Nigar İslamlı
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD)
- Abstract:
- Nowadays, global economic growth has been severely affected beyond anything passed in nearly a century. The outbreak of the coronavirus disease has brought its negative impact and destructive outcome on the economies alongside with the sharp fluctuations in global energy and stock markets. There might be observed a subsequent sharp decline in the number of transactions and practical shutdown of many markets due to the large-scale quarantine and self-isolation measures. Taking into consideration the abovementioned factors, it becomes clear that there emerged a need to revise all economic forecasts for 2020-2021. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted a decline of the global economic growth rate in April (-3%), but in accordance with the current circumstances, the figures were revised in June, representing a 4.9% decrease. In spite of a fact that Azerbaijan became one of the first countries among the post-soviet countries, that allocated the largest share of GDP, in order to eliminate the economic problems caused due to the pandemic, the impact of the emerged difficulties made a necessity to revise the budget.
- Topic:
- Budget, GDP, Economy, Coronavirus, IMF, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Eurasia, Caucasus, and Azerbaijan
204. Food for Thought – Talking Points on Food Prices
- Author:
- Nendirmwa Noel and Sarah Cliffe
- Publication Date:
- 04-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center on International Cooperation
- Abstract:
- This short memo summarizes issues linking the COVID-19 pandemic and food prices. There is a real risk of a food price crisis emerging as a result of the pandemic, for the following reasons: Food systems are facing a complex set of demand and supply shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes increased demand due to hoarding versus decreased demand due to containment measures; lower prices for food system inputs, such as petroleum, versus decreased supply due to disruption of production, transport and trade. There seems to be a risk that rice, and possibly wheat, see a price surge which disconnects them from the downward trend in other basic commodities. There is also undoubtedly a risk that specific countries and large urban settlements see sharp increases in prices of scarce commodities, as protests in Afghanistan and in Nigeria have already shown this week. The crisis is coming just as farmers in many parts of the world are about to begin planting, and action is therefore needed now.
- Topic:
- Governance, Food Security, Multilateralism, Crisis Management, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
205. Population Movements, COVID-19, and Conflict Risk
- Author:
- Sarah Cliffe, Leah Zamore, and Nendirmwa Noel
- Publication Date:
- 04-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center on International Cooperation
- Abstract:
- As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the globe, people are also moving in response to the threat of the virus and the actions states have taken to stem its transmission. This memo examines population movements in pandemics and offers relevant policy recommendations. In this policy memo, Sarah Cliffe, Leah Zamore, and Nendirmwa Noel detail the history of population movements during pandemics, provide an overview of the internal and cross-border movements now taking place around the world, and give examples of the restrictions and other measures governments are implementing to to respond. They also supply a number of concrete policy recommendations goverments can take now to improve their management of internal and cross-border movement in the face of COVID-19.
- Topic:
- Governance, Conflict, Borders, Humanitarian Crisis, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
206. Operationalizing the Prevention Agenda: Three Recommendations for the Peacebuilding Architecture Review
- Author:
- Paige Arthur and Céline Monnier
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Center on International Cooperation
- Abstract:
- Over the past 18 months, CIC has facilitated a series of discussions on the United Nations secretary-general’s agenda on preventing violent conflict. This options paper consolidates key recommendations for operationalizing the prevention agenda in light of the 2020 peacebuilding architecture review. In the paper, Paige Arthur and Céline Monnier present recommendations based on the consultations CIC has held across the UN system, as well as with national actors, to support the operationalization of the 2016 sustaining peace resolutions—with a specific focus on upstream prevention that is nationally led and sovereignty supporting. The paper examines options to increase national demand for prevention approaches, opportunities to build and consolidate the UN system’s expertise on prevention, and options to increase cross-pillar approaches, which are critical to the success of prevention initiatives.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, United Nations, and Peace
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
207. The Impact of COVID-19 on Democratic Elections in Africa
- Author:
- Michael Asiedu
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Global Political Trends Center
- Abstract:
- Almost all African countries rolled out significant measure in response to Covid-19. From border closures through to the use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to restricted gatherings and contact tracing, a combination of diverse public health safety strategies was employed. These same strategies nonetheless would make preparations toward holding smooth and timely elections cumbersome. Ghana’s electoral commissioner announced an indefinite postponement of its voter registration exercise, it is still in consultation with stakeholders on carrying out the exercise with only six months to its presidential and parliamentary elections if the timeline stays the same. Niger also suspended its voter registration exercise; Ethiopia postponed its elections entirely. Other countries that have had some forms of election postponement include Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya.
- Topic:
- Elections, Democracy, Crisis Management, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Kenya, Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Ghana
208. The persistent refugee crisis in Europe. The legal and management framework of the European Union / La persistente crisis de los refugiados en Europa. El marco jurídico y de gestión de la Unión Europea
- Author:
- Adela M. Alija
- Publication Date:
- 05-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Security Studies Group (GESI) at the University of Granada
- Abstract:
- Although the most serious period of the refugee crisis in Europe was undoubtedly the year 2015, this persistent conflict remains unresolved, as the causes and factors that condition it remain unresolved. At this time, it has been demonstrated that the governance structures of the international system do not have the capacity to respond adequately to the new challenges. The phenomenon of forced migration is a clear expression of the complexity of today’s international scenarios. The refugee crisis, or migration crisis as it is also called, has tested, and continues to test, the foundations of the European Union, which is also going through a real existential crisis. This article analyzes, on the one hand, the situation, context and conditions of forced migrants and more particularly of refugees, and, on the other, the role that the European Union is developing in the face of this crisis, when it is going through serious difficulties. The legal and management instruments available to the European Union to face these crises are also analyzed.
- Topic:
- Security, Governance, European Union, Refugees, and Refugee Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Europe
209. Debt Relief and a New Era in Canadian-African Relations
- Author:
- Michael Belafi
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Council on International Policy (CIP)
- Abstract:
- African debt relief has repeatedly appeared in news around the world over the past month. Recently, the debate has come to Canada and the Government has claimed they’re considering it. Here are two reasons why Canada should pursue African debt relief.
- Topic:
- Debt, International Cooperation, Economic Cooperation, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Africa, Canada, and North America
210. COVID in Africa: A Long-Term Relationship
- Author:
- Alexandra de Sousa
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Council on International Policy (CIP)
- Abstract:
- At this juncture, all findings and projections must be interpreted with caution since our understanding of COVID-19 is evolving, and today’s assumptions may not hold. Nearly six months have passed since this virus has garnered attention and there continue to be numerous key questions immunologists, virologists and epidemiologists have trouble answering. Among them is how COVID-19 will evolve in Africa. As of the time of writing, the number of cases that SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, officially inflicted in Africa is so low[1] that it has been labeled the silent epidemic. The optimists point to the continent’s natural advantages of youth and weather, and its public health experience and resourcefulness[2] as reasons for such low numbers, while the skeptics point to a lack of infrastructure, including testing capacity.
- Topic:
- Public Health, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Health Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Africa