Of Interest
you are currently viewing::International Standards Proliferate, Reshaping Global Economy: Too Many Developing Countries Are Left Behind, Report FindsDecember 11, 2025--A proliferating set of international standards-covering everything from food labeling to the specifications of 5G cellular networks-s steadily reshaping the global economic order, delivering hefty benefits to the wealthy nations and large multinational companies that set them while leaving many developing countries on the sidelines, according to a new World Bank report. Today, standards are foundational economic infrastructure, as vital to prosperity as roads or ports, according to the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development, which provides the first comprehensive analysis of the landscape of global standards. By making the transportation of goods seamless, the standardization of the shipping container boosted global trade to a greater extent than all of the trade agreements of the last 60 years, the report notes. Since the turn of the century, however, standards have also become weapons in trade wars: non-tariff measures such pesticide specifications or labeling requirements, for example, now affect 90 percent of global trade, up from just 15% in the late 1990s. Source: worldbank.org |
Global Cooperation is Showing Resilience in the Face of Geopolitical Headwinds
January 9, 2026-The Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 reveals strong pressures on multilateral institutions are causing global cooperation to evolve rather than retreat.
While multilateral forms of cooperation declined, smaller and more agile coalitions of countries -and, at times, companies - were instrumental in maintaining overall cooperation levels.
A Tumultuous Year Tests Optimism Among American Retirement Savers
December 18, 2025-Surveying more than 3,000 Americans, PensionBee Happy Retirement Report finds retirement sentiment drops over 10% in 2025
Retirement optimism dropped by over 10% in 2025, according to new consumer sentiment data by PensionBee. Positive retirement sentiment peaked in March at 55% before dropping to just 44% by year's end.
Understanding Stablecoins
December 4, 2025-Stablecoins, a type of crypto asset, have seen significant growth and attention recently. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of stablecoins. It discusses market developments, use cases, potential benefits, associated risks, and the evolving international regulatory landscape. Stablecoin issuance has doubled over the past two years, driven by their use in crypto trades.
International Debt Report 2025: When relief isn’t enough-LMICs face their largest external debt outflows in 50 years
December 3, 2025--A paradox is unfolding across low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Inflation is receding and the punishing interest rates of recent years are finally easing, offering some relief. International market bonds issuances are gradually returning-at more sustainable prices -providing countries with much needed financing that helps reduce the risk of default and temporarily eases fiscal strains.
Making the Green Transition Work for People and the Economy
November 28, 2025-As the global economy shifts under mounting inflation,fractured supply chains and rising inequality,the pace of climate action faces new pressures. The World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey of 11,000 businesses found that 37% consider higher energy and commodity costs as barriers to competitive green business models,while more than half worry about affordability for consumers-warning that without economic feasibility and social alignment,climate ambition may falter.
UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025
November 4, 2025-UNEP's Emissions Gap Report 2025: Off Target finds that available new climate pledges under the Paris Agreement have only slightly lowered global temperature rise over the course of this century, leaving the world heading for a serious escalation of climate risks and damages.
