The latest South Bulletin provides an analysis of the Climate Conference of the UNFCCC (held in Doha in November - December 2012). The conference had low ambition in terms of emission reduction and finance for developing countries. But progress was made on “loss and damage” resulting from the effects of climate change, in the adaptation agenda.

This issue of South Bulletin focuses on how developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa are now facing an economic slowdown with a deterioration in GDP growth, exports and lending conditions.  The effects of the Eurozone recession and the US slowdown are now increasingly felt in the South.

This issue of South Bulletin covers many interesting issues. Our two lead articles are on the BANKING CRISIS in developed countries.  The first by Martin Khor reviews how the LIBOR scandal has contributed to the loss of confidence on the ethics of the major banks.  The second article is by India’s former Central Bank Governor, Dr. Y.V. Reddy on the need to re-make the financial system to meet society’s needs.  He focuses on why trust has to be restored, how there has been “comprehensive regulatory capture” of the system, and the need for inclusive finance, as issues to address.

This issue of the South Bulletin focuses on the Rio Plus 20 Summit to be held in 20-22 June in Brazil.  The meetings actually begin on 13 June.

Twenty years after the Earth Summit the world faces even more serious crises in the environment and the economy.  Will Rio+20 do better in rising to the challenge of tackling the global crises?

After two years of negotiations, the Summit meetings are now underway.  But the outcome of the Summit is still far from decided.

This issue of South Bulletin focuses on the adverse effects of the boom and bust cycle in capital flows into and out of developing countries, which has caused adverse effects in many economies.

After the financial crisis, capital flows resumed their large surge into some developing countries.  This has caused them many problems, such as currency appreciation affecting their trade, excess money, asset price boom and inflation.