Trade : WTO's General Council likely to approve budget next week (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's General Council is likely to approve next week the consolidated budget of $199 million for 2020 and 2021 following an understanding reached between the United States and the WTO director-general to leave the allocated funds for the Appellate Body un-utilized, sources said.

Climate : South calls for work program on closing pre-2020 implementation gaps (PRIV)
(Evelyn Teh, Madrid)
Developing countries, led by the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), called for a mandate at the UNFCCC COP 25 for a two-year work programme on closing the pre-2020 implementation gaps under the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

Climate : South raises concerns over participation of the US at climate talks (PRIV)
(TWN, Madrid)
Concerns have arisen among developing countries over the participation of the United States (US) in deliberations happening under the Kyoto Protocol as well as under the Paris Agreement at the Madrid climate talks.

Climate : North opposes long-term finance talks under UNFCCC post-2020 (PRIV)
(TWN, Madrid)
At the on-going climate talks in Madrid, developed countries are opposed to continuing discussions on long-term finance under the UNFCCC post-2020, and want further discussions on finance to take place under the Paris Agreement.

Africa : Politicians asked to develop legal instruments to fight climate change (PRIV)
(IPS, Madrid)
African legislators have been challenged to come up with legal frameworks for climate change to enable countries avoid catastrophes and reactionary emergencies that eat up their budgets.