Trade : Timor-Leste to join WTO with burdensome commitments (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Members of the World Trade Organization o n 11 January approved Timor- Leste's accession package, paving the way for Di li to join the trade body as its 166th member at the WTO's 13th ministerial confe rence (MC13) that begins in Abu Dhabi on 26 February.

UN : Global unemployment rate set to increase in 2024, says ILO (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
While both the unemployment rate and the jo bs gap have fallen below pre- pandemic values on the back of strong jobs growt h, the labour market outlook and global unemployment are projected to worsen in 20 24, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

UN : Global food prices fall in December, says FAO (PRIV)
(Kanaga Raja, Penang)
The international prices of a basket of key agricultural food commodities fell in December, with the sharpest fall taki ng place in relation to international sugar prices, according to the UN Food a nd Agriculture Organization (FAO).