WTO: CTE a new battleground for controversial trade & climate change issues (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) is set to become a battleground for several controversial trade and climate change issues being floated without any pri or ministerial mandate, with the United States seeking multilateral discussion s on the trade aspects and implications of certain environmental measures, said peop le familiar with the development.

WHO: Monkeypox, avian flu outbreaks stress need for equitable access in IHR (PRIV)
(Chetali Rao and K M Gopakumar, New Delhi/Geneva)
The recent outbreak of diseases with potential to become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) stresses the need for incorporating provision s in the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005) to promote equitable a ccess to health products.

Rights: UN officials sound alarm over newly passed UK-Rwanda asylum law (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
Following the passage of the "Safety of Rwanda" Bill by the United Kingdom Parliament, two top United Nations officials have called on the UK government to reconsider its plan to transf er asylum-seekers to Rwanda.