WIPO : Global innovation faces "rough weather", amid geopolitical tensions (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The Geneva-based World Intellectual Prope rty Organization (WIPO) on 26 September said that there is a continued drying u p of investment in research and development (R&D), including a considerable drop in venture capital funding across member countries, amidst worsening geopoliti cal and geo-economic tensions, as well as the fragmentation of global supply ch ains.

WTO : EU stands firm over its unilateral deforestation measures (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The European Union on 25 September seemingly turned down appeals from the World Trade Organization's Director-General as well as several countries, including the United States, to delay the implementation of its allegedly unilateral regulation on deforestation- free products, which is slated to come into effect on 30 December 2024, said peo ple familiar with the development.

Climate : Loss & Damage Fund Board endorses agreements with WB, selects ED (PRIV)
(Chhegu Palmuu, Baku)
The third meeting of the Board of the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage, which convened from 18-20 September in Baku, Azerbaijan, successfully decided to endorse the hosting and the trustee agr eements with the World Bank (WB), paving the way for the operationalisation of the much-awaited Fund, at the upcoming annual climate talks in November, also t o be held in Baku.