Afghanistan’s political transformation, implemented according to the 200 1 Bonn Agreement was successfully concluded in late 2005. As a result o f that historic process, Afghanistan has developed a Constitution, conducted nationwide elections for a President and most recently has elected a Parliament and Provincial Councils. Notwithstanding these timely and commendable achievements, the normalization o f political culture still has a long way to go.
International Monetary Fund, Lebanon
IMF Lebanon Staff Visit September 10-18, 2009
An International Monetary Fund mission visited Lebanon September 10-18, 2009 to discuss developments through end-June 2009 under the authorities’ program supported by Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance (EPCA) and the outlook for 2009. The mission met with the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the Banque du Liban (BdL), and other high-ranking officials. The mission is grateful for the open and constructive dialogue, the warm hospitality, and the excellent cooperation.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Electronic Biometric Transmission Specification is the method by which the Federal Bureau of Investigation supports the exchange of biometric data used to facilitate the determination of the personal identity of a subject from fingerprint, palm, facial or other biometric information, across criminal justice agencies or organizations that use an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or related systems nationwide.
Singapore
Guidelines on the Use of the Term “Independent” by Financial Advisers
Payment and ownership structures between financial advisers2 and product providers have become increasingly complex and diverse. Investors are often not fully aware of the existence, nature or implications of these payment or ownership structures. Commercial arrangements between financial advisers and product providers may also give rise to issues relating to the independence of financial advisers.
Bolivia, International Monetary Fund
Bolivia Poverty Reduction Strategy
The present PRSP (or EBRP) of the Government of Bolivia represents a further step in a continuing effort by the government to reduce poverty through stable growth and policy actions targeted to the poor. The strategy places emphasis on reaching out to excluded groups, and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of institutions in the public sector.
National Defense University
Strategic Policy Forum Exercise Deadly Venture
On September 22, 2009, National Defense University’s Strategic Policy Forum (SPF) conducted its twenty-eighth Congressional exercise, Deadly Venture, which explored the linkages and threats posed by the nexus between illicit narcotics trafficking and terrorism and the rising power and influence of Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs). The exercise scenario focused on the Latin America region and the U.S. – Mexico border.
Africa
Typologies of Money Laundering through the Real Estate Sector in West Africa
Various studies, including those carried out by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) over the past few years, suggest that advances in technology and the progressive tightening of anti-money laundering (AML) regulations are leading money launderers to make more complex arrangements outside the formal financial services industry, such as the use of various professional services, and in particular the real estate business.
Corporate
Rothschild Bank AG Zurich Annual Report 2008/2009
Our prudent management, strong capital base and conservative risk policy have ensured that we have not suffered unduly in the financial crisis. On the contrary, we have been a safe harbour for our clients and an attractive destination for those families seeking a new partner to help structure and manage their wealth. Our ongoing stability, commitment to providing objective advice and the dedication of our client directors have continued to attract new clients.
National Security Agency
NSA Military Construction, Utah Datacenter FY 2010 Budget Estimates
National Security Agency
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
FY 2010 Budget Estimates
($ in thousands)
International Monetary Fund, Lebanon
IMF Report on Lebanon Emergency Post-Conflict Assistance
Despite its large vulnerabilities, Lebanon has so far weathered the global financial crisis and succeeded in maintaining financial stability, raising international reserves, and reducing public debt in 2008. The economy achieved record growth, and Eurobond spreads are now lower than the emerging market average. Fund engagement in Lebanon through the EPCA (which was broadly on track at end-December) has contributed to this performance. Lower global liquidity and the world economic downturn, particularly in the Gulf, will likely affect Lebanon in 2009, with lower growth and deposit inflows.
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Sudan Rural Access Project
Project rationale. The Rural Access Project invests in rural roads in a way that complements the transport, production and marketing infrastructure supported in the IFAD co-financed Butana Integrated Rural Development Project (BIRDP, SD-717) and the Government supported Agricultural Revival Programme (ARP). Its results will be measured on the cost and time of transport, the change in the farm gate price, and the savings in vehicle operating costs. These results are expected to enable small producers to take better advantage of the production and marketing activities proposed under the BIRDP and the ARP.
U.S. Army
Pandemic Influenza Mass Fatality Operations in the United States
The number of those estimated to perish during another pandemic influenza (PI) event in the United States (US) may be between 5%- 7% of the infected population (infected population est. to be 25%) or 3,612,500 – 5,057,500 respectively1. Governmental authorities, primarily the medical examiner/coroner (ME/C), law enforcement, public health, and associated death care professionals, will not only need to manage these fatalities but also the 2.4 million deaths that occur annually.
World Bank
Analytical Methods for Modeling Pandemic Flu
RMS Profile
The world’s leading provider of products and services for the management of catastrophe
* Founded at Stanford University in 1989.
* 1,000+ employees worldwide, multidisciplinary development team includes blend of experts in hazard research, actuarial science, engineering and software development.
* Solely focused on independent view of risk quantification and risk management.
World Bank
International Finance Corporation Annual Portfolio Performance Review FY09
This report provides (i) a brief overview of IFC’s investment environment and outlook for portfolio performance, (ii) a comprehensive review of IFC’s investment portfolio and performance and (iii) a review of the development effectiveness of IFC’s portfolio. The report should be viewed as a snapshot of portfolio trends as of the end of FY09 which will be supplemented throughout the year by IFC’s Quarterly Report to the Board, as well as other regular reports including IFC’s Annual Report, IFC’s Annual Report on Financial Risk Management and Capital Adequacy, IFC’s Business Plan and Budget, and IFC’s Road Map.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, World Bank
Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Assistance Strategy FY08-FY11
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) has made remarkable progress in post-conflict reconstruction, social integration and state building since the end of the 1992-95 war. The Dayton Peace Agreement, signed in 1995, established a complex governance structure comprising the Council of Ministers at the State-level government and two Entity Governments: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation) and Republika Srpska (the RS). An autonomous Brcko District was added to the structure in 1999.
Indonesia, World Bank
World Bank Investing in Indonesia’s Institutions FY09-12
This Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for FY2009-12 marks Indonesia’s re-emergence as a confident middle-income country (MIC) that has graduated from IDA, and is enjoying a rising regional and global standing. With a Government that is demanding dependable and timely support for its own development priorities and its poverty-reduction agenda, this CPS positions the World Bank Group (WBG) to respond better to these challenges, thereby ensuring the WBG’s continued relevance in the new Indonesia.
Singapore
Monetary Authority of Singapore Industry Consultation on Amendments to Section 29 of The Banking Act
Section 29(1)(a) of the Banking Act limits credit facilities2 granted by a bank to any one person, or group of persons under the control or influence of any one person, to 25% of its capital funds, while section 29(1)(b) limits substantial loans to 50% of total credit facilities. These sections seek to limit large risk concentrations, and hence the maximum possible loss arising from the failure of a single counterparty or group of related counterparties. However, the existing approach sets limits only on the amount of credit facilities granted by a bank. It does not capture all of a bank’s exposures to a counterparty that could lead to losses to the bank, e.g. from the diminution in value of equity investments, or from the cost of replacing off-balance sheet transactions, in the event that the counterparty fails.
International Monetary Fund, World Bank
Rwanda Country Assistance Strategy Completion Report
This review covers both the FYO3-05 CAS (extended to FY06) and the FYO6-08 Interim Strategy Note (ISN), as does the CASCR, and refers to the two documents together as the FY03 CAS, unless otherwise specified. The FY03 CAS sought to assist land-locked Rwanda to overcome the legacy of civil war, genocide, and cross-border war which left it with a per capita income of only US$210 in 2002, compared to US$370 in 1990. Its objectives were: (a) revitalization of the rural economy; (b) private sector development and employment creation; and (c) human and social development.
Kyrgyzstan, World Bank
Joint Country Support Strategy for Kyrgyzstan 2007-2010
Задачи на пути развития. Кыргызская Республика, являющаяся горной страной без выхода к морским портам, сталкивается с труднопреодолимыми географическими барьерами в деле достижения высоких и устойчивых темпов экономического роста. Изолированность страны является серьезной преградой для развития международной торговли и перевозок, что далее усугубляется в силу неудовлетворительного состояния физической инфраструктуры и политики протекционизма, проводимой соседними государствами.
International Monetary Fund, Switzerland
IMF Report on Switzerland Fiscal Transparency
This report provides an assessment of the fiscal transparency practices of Switzerland against the requirements of the IMF Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency (2007). The first part is a description of practices, prepared by IMF staff on the basis of discussions with the authorities and their responses to the fiscal transparency questionnaire, and drawing on other available information. The second part is an IMF staff commentary on fiscal transparency in Switzerland. The two appendices summarize the staff’s assessments, comment on the observance of good practices, and document the public availability of information.
World Bank
GEF Loan to Kazakhstan for Tien Shan Ecosystem Development Project
The Tien Shan mountain range covers most of the Kyrgyz Republic, southern Kazakhstan, and smaller areas of Uzbekistan, China, and Tajikistan. This territory plays an exceptional role in conserving biodiversity and maintaining environmental sustainability in Central Asia. In 2004, Conservation International (CI) identified the Tien Shan range as a “biodiversity hotspot” based on the high numbers of endemic species and the significant level of threat—the concentration of species in Western Tien Shan is 63 times higher for birds and 37 times higher for mammals than the average for Central Asia.
Documents
Table of Equivalent Global Classification Markings
Table of equivalent classification markings in various countries throughout the globe.
Congressional Research Service
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
The administration’s proposed FY2010 defense budget requests about $10.4 billion in research and development and procurement funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The proposed FY2010 budget would fund the procurement of 10 F-35As for the Air Force, 16 F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and four F-35Cs for the Navy. The administration’s proposed FY2010 defense budget also proposes to terminate the F-35 alternate engine program, which is intended to develop the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 engine as an alternative to the Pratt and Whitney F135 engine that currently powers the F-35.
International Fund for Agricultural Development
Eritrean Post-Crisis Rural Recovery and Development Programme
In the light of the threatening global food crisis, and soaring food prices, the Government of Eritrea (GOE) requested IFAD to expand the on-going Post-Crisis Rural Recovery and Development Programme (PCRRDP) noting the good implementation capacity, and the good agricultural potentials of both districts, the poverty and food insecurity in the two regions and nationally. An IFAD mission which visited the country in February 2008 examined the government request and came to a conclusion that capacity exists to implement additional agricultural initiatives which will further contribute to the food security in the region and nationally. A draft proposal was submitted to IFAD in May 2008.
Switzerland
Weather Info for All Initiative 2008-2012
Reliable weather information allows farmers to maximize their productivity and governments to implement preventative disaster management and effective public health measures. However, many of the world’s poorest people have no access to this basic, most valuable tool. An estimated 700 million poor people in rural Africa alone are negatively affected by this missed opportunity. This is especially worrisome given recent changes in weather patterns, due to climate change, which are compounding the problem by making traditional farming practices and indigenous knowledge obsolete, and increasing the frequency and intensity of severe weather.