WTO: Reform of dispute settlement system an "eyewash", say trade envoys (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Trade envoys remain sharply concerned over the "stepmotherly" treatment being accorded to reforming the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement system ahead of the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14), to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon, in the last week of March next year, said people familiar with the development.

Belem countdown: Climate talks race to the finish (PRIV)
(T. Ajit, Belem)
The climate talks in Belem, Brazil, have entered a frenzied final stretch, with negotiators racing to conclude by the expected deadline of 21 November.

CBD: Scientific advisory body passes on tough decisions to COP17 (PRIV)
(Lim Li Lin, Hobart)
The scientific, technical and technological body of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) met in Panama City in October to move forward work on a number of important issues.