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CSN guides: International standards supporting business_available now

  • News

    Ben Hedley
    The CSN has funding to offer a limited number of Comonwealth NSB delegates free access to the BSI ‘Road to Net Zero. Terminology and Principles’  eLearning course (the course is usually £325 but CSN is covering that cost).
    Please contact Ben Hedley ben.hedley@bsigroup.com if you are an employee of an NSB in the Commonwealth and would like to receive free access to the course. 
     
    Course details:
     
    Title: Road to Net Zero. Terminology and Principles.
    Purpose:  The course introduces ‘Road to Net Zero’ to non-sustainability professionals and helps develop understanding around the language, principles, and roadmap to Net Zero, including the key decisions around independent 3rd party verification or validation to PAS 2060 or a similar standard.
    Format: eLearning (delegates are given a registration link that provides on-demand access). Delegates will be sent a copy of PAS 2060:2014 for use with the course.
    Resources: Interactive activities and handouts.
    Certification: Globally recognised BSI certificate.
    Audience: Professionals looking to speak about the steps to achieve carbon neutrality with confidence.
    Suited to:
    ·       Those wanting to learn about the key concepts and principles of carbon neutrality.
    ·       Those considering net zero related certification.
    By the end of this training course, delegates will be able to:
    Gain the confidence to talk about the road to net zero with your colleagues and external stakeholders Develop foundational knowledge you can build on. Receive an internationally recognized BSI training academy certificate of attendance.  
    Ben Hedley
    Happy Commonwealth Day! 
    The 2023 theme is ‘Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’, this is something that the standards and wider quality infrastructure can play a key role in achieving through standards such as ISO 3700 (Governance of organizations) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems). The CSN will continue to strive to achieve positive developmental outcomes  throughout the Commonwealth through collaboration and sharing of good practice.
     
    https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day
    Ben Hedley
    "Delegates from the Americas and other parts of the world are expected to gather in Barbados to attend the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT) General Assembly, from April 23 to 26, 2023.
     The high-level meeting, which will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, will be attended by Secretary General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Sergio Mujica, and President of COPANT, Mauricio Céspedes.
    Key presentations will be delivered by notable experts from ISO, and the British Standards Institution, Brazil, Costa Rica, United States of America, and the Caribbean. Critical issues surrounding innovation, digital transformation, sustainable development, climate change and global solutions to mitigate against associated events will be among the topics to be discussed."
    https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/copant-general-assembly-to-be-held-in-barbados-this-year/
    Ben Hedley
    ARSO 2nd Regional Quality Conference (21st to 24th March 2023).
     
    Info from https://www.arso-oran.org/?page_id=64
     
    The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) invites you to the 2nd Regional Quality Conference from 21st to 24th March 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda
    Under the Theme – Managing quality in a dynamic work environment for Competitive Advantage
    Key Note Speakers:
    1. Dr Dr. Gregory H. Watson, an Honorary Member and Past President of both the American Society for Quality UTEP (ASQ) and the International Academy for Quality 2. Dr Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General – ARSO Target Audience:
    Chief Executives, Management Representatives, Auditors, Champions, Process owners and Managers of Management systems
    Topics to be covered include:
    1. Excellence models applicable in the African context 2. Managing for quality in a dynamically changing world 3. Standardization – building trust for regional trade facilitation 4. Driving excellence in quality through Leadership 5. Data analytics – the game changer in decision making 6. Innovation and process re-engineering for quality improvement – Standard Register Here – bit.ly/404iqTw
    Ben Hedley
    Information from CEN: https://www.cencenelec.eu/news-and-events/news/2022/eninthespotlight/2022-11-22-cen-published-a-new-technical-specification-on-community-face-coverings/ 
    "The Covid-19 pandemic made the need for shared rules on community face coverings particularly urgent. In response, CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, developed in record time an initial deliverable that could provide the necessary guidelines: CEN Workshop Agreement 17553:2020 ‘Community face coverings - Guide to minimum requirements, methods of testing and use’. Although a Workshop Agreement (also known as CWA) does not count as an official standard, as it involves no obligation at the national level, thanks to its simplified format it can be produced and disseminated very quickly, and therefore it can help fill urgent needs.
    Based on this work, at the end of 2020, CEN/TC 248 ‘Textiles and Textile products’ started work on the transformation of the CWA into a more formal, higher consensus deliverable, a European Technical Specification (TS). This work was finally completed in 2022, with the publication, on 2 November, of CEN/TS 17553:2022 ‘Textiles and textile products - Community face coverings - Minimum requirements, methods of testing and use’."
    Ben Hedley
    Message from The International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN) 
     
    IFAN serves as the Voice of Standards Users Worldwide.  We are initiating an annual survey series to gather data on the needs and requirements of standards users globally.  We would greatly appreciate your assistance in getting this survey distributed to as wide a selection of standards users as can be found. 
    The survey will help us provide standards developers with user feedback on such topics as pricing, available formats and products, and new concepts in developing and distributing standards and standards information We will share the results of our survey with our partners from the international standards organizations such as ISO, IEC and CEN/CENELEC.
    Please forward the attached sample email to standards users affiliated with your organization. 
    https://forms.office.com/r/6APE180nrS
    All answers are anonymous.  The data will be aggregated into a report once the survey period closes on January 15, 2023.  Should you participate, a copy of that report will be made available to you upon request.
    More information on the survey and on IFAN is available in our newsletters and on our website, IFAN.org.  And of course, you can always reach out to us by email for further clarification. 
    With our best wishes for the Summer/winter season and for the upcoming holidays.
    Ben Hedley
    'Preparations underway for launch of first IEC Global Impact Fund project'
    The IEC Global Impact Fund has announced that its first project will focus on promoting sustainable battery e-waste management in Africa. It has now issued the first formal documents as part of the project entitled Catalysing innovation for circular models in Africa - turning battery e-waste into e-resources.
    “We are really excited to be able to move forward with the first project of the IEC Global Impact Fund”, stated IEC President Yinbiao Shu. “With this project, we will bring the benefits of IEC International Standards and the IEC Conformity Assessment Systems to help solve the challenge of e-waste and its harmful impact on human health and the environment.”
    The first project will support an SME-led project in Africa. Interested parties are invited to respond to the Call for Expressions of Interest (CEI) (23rd December 2022 deadline). Feedback to the CEI will be incorporated into the Request for Proposals (RfP) which is expected to be issued in early 2023. Further information is available from the Project Concept document.
     
    https://www.iec.ch/blog/preparations-underway-launch-first-iec-global-impact-fund-project
     
     
     
    Ben Hedley
    CSN Annual Meeting 2022 presentations and meeting report attached. 
    CSN 2022 Meeting Report_2022-09-20.pdf
    CSN Annual Meeting_20-09-2022.pdf
    Link to CSN Annual Meeting 2022 recording:https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/KCEef7lmNxfUAqaxic983DJZ19J4qib3_kKfzu7JuSheUNi2pvyr5XTr73S5Bbc7.WVb6TcUzi9D2tzlk  
    Passcode: CSN_Annual Meeting_2022
    Ben Hedley
    Invitation from UK Government Department For Internatiojnal Trade: 
     
     
    Commonwealth Market Awareness Webinars - Register Now!             The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have now come to a close. However, The Department for International Trade aims to build on the collaboration and spirit shown throughout the games with our second round of Market Awareness Webinars.   These sessions are designed to highlight the business and exporting opportunities across a range of Commonwealth Markets and begin to support businesses in building relationships with support organisations and prospective future clients overseas.
    Each session will include: Market opportunities panel discussion Overview of specific sectors of interest within the market Potential barriers to export Insight into projects taking place in market that UK businesses can engage with Logistics & access to market Inspiring trade success story with a UK business Q&A Australia – 7th September 9am-10am The Commonwealth Opportunity with the Commonwealth Secretariat - 13th September 9am-10am Nigeria - 13th September 10am-11am Malaysia – 14th September 9am-10am Singapore – 21st September 9am-10am (Times are BST)  
    More Info/Registration: https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/index.php?eventid=200248832&
    Ben Hedley
    Subject: Invitation and draft agenda for Commonwealth Standards Network annual meeting
     
    Dear Commonwealth Standards Network stakeholder,
     
    I write to invite you to attend the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) annual meeting that will take place Tuesday 20th September, 12.00-13.00 in Abu Dhabi as a side-event of the ISO Annual Meetings.
     
    The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss CSN activities and to identify opportunities for forthcoming collaborative work and Technical Assistance programmes.

    Date/Time:
    Tuesday 20th September; 12.00-13.00 (Abu Dhabi time GST) Location:
    Executive Multi-Purpose Room, Floor 2, ADNOC Business Center*, Abu Dhabi. (*The same building as the ISO Annual meetings). Also available online:
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88011172881?pwd=RzVWRm83eENkTE1mbDV0NExoZUxaZz09 Meeting ID: 880 1117 2881 Passcode: CSN2022 Attendees: Representatives of National Standards Bodies in Commonwealth countries and other interested parties such as regional standards organisations.
    Draft Agenda:
     
    Welcome and Introduction CSN Governance Overview of CSN programme and Resources Overview of new Standards Partnership and collaboration with CSN Digital Toolkit Workshop discussion: NSB needs assessments and next steps for CSN (Delegates are requested to provide suggestions/talking points). Closing summary For more information please contact the CSN Senior Programme Manager Ben Hedley: ben.hedley@bsigroup.com 
     
     
    CSN Abu Dhabi meeting invite and agenda_12.00-13.00_Tuesday 20-09-2022.pdf
    Ben Hedley
    The Standards Show | Carbon emissions, trade and standards
    The latest episode of #TheStandardsShow is a conversation with the WTO about their report ‘What Yardstick for Net Zero?’ Cindy speaks to the two of the authors about how WTO principles on regulation, international standards and conformity assessment can support climate change and net zero polices by building trust.
     
    Have a listen.
    Guest Message from PAS 233 team

    Boosting nutrition and health through standard for enriched food grains

    By Guest Message from PAS 233 team, in News,

    Message from the PAS 233 team:
     
    One in three people worldwide currently suffers from some type of malnutrition, according to the Global Nutrition Report from 20161. With one in five deaths linked to poor diets2, and poor-quality diets linked to 8 out of 15 factors in the global burden of disease3, enriched food grains can combat malnutrition.
    The PAS 233 standard has been introduced to help government and private sector procurement teams, as well as other organisations in the food supply chain, to feel confident when demanding and purchasing zinc enriched crops, which are proven in boosting nutrition and health especially in developing economies, including many Commonwealth nations. While every country is affected by malnutrition, lower income counties, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, are more at risk.
    With two billion people around the globe not consuming enough vitamins and minerals, restricting the potential for healthy growth, nutrient rich crops are being used to improve nutrition and public health. Enriched grains now reach over 60 million people across 60 countries4, but it is hoped that a billion people around the world will benefit from enriched crops by 20305.
    Zinc is an essential micronutrient and has several health benefits, including aiding metabolism, digestion and nerve function, and playing a crucial role in cell growth, brain development, and fighting dangerous infections. It’s a particularly important micronutrient for children as it will help them to reach a healthy height and weight.
    PAS 233 considers increasing the natural content of nutrients in a crop through selective breeding, as opposed to adding these nutrients after milling. Selective breeding has been used by farmers and agronomists for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
    To support procurement and trade of these enriched grains, and increase take-up, specific guidance was needed differentiating the zinc content of enriched crops versus standard crops. PAS 233 addresses this need by specifying the requirements for zinc enriched wheat, maize and rice grain intended as food for human consumption. It includes requirements for class levels of zinc concentration, sampling guidance, packaging and labelling.
    The technical authors from HarvestPlus and a steering group of international experts in government, plant and crop sciences, grain procurement and academics were involved in the development of PAS 233. The PAS was sponsored by the Commercialization of Biofortified Crops (CBC) Programme, which is a partnership between the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and HarvestPlus, with funding from Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Development of the standard was facilitated by BSI.
    Find out more about PAS 233 and download your free copy.
    1https://globalnutritionreport.org 
     
    2 https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(19)30041-8.pdf 
    3 https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736%2818%2932225-6
    4 https://www.harvestplus.org/home/global-reach/
    5 https://www.harvestplus.org/knowledge-market/in-the-news/biofortification’s-growing-global-reach 
    Ben Hedley
    Aid for Trade Global Review to focus on environment, empowerment and connectivity
    "This year’s Aid for Trade Global Review — to take place from 27 to 29 July — will feature over 50 sessions held in-person at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva or online. Under the theme “Empowering Connected, Sustainable Trade”, the Review will examine the opportunities that digital connectivity provides for economic and export diversification in developing and least-developed countries. It will also explore how the WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative can help empower various economic actors, such as women, to realize these opportunities."
    Sessions can be viewed online. More info: ttps://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/a4t_e/gr22_e/gr22_e.htm
    Ben Hedley

    CSN at ARSO GA

    By Ben Hedley, in News,

    The CSN will be represented at the ARSO GA in Cameroon and will hold a session on Thursday 30th June 5-6pm to discuss recommendations from the programme to-date, resources available, potential for new work, and governance of the Network.
    Please contact ben.hedley@bsigroup.com for more information.
    Ben Hedley
    Message from BSI:
     
    "Dear CSN Members,
    BSI is delighted to be part of the UNCTAD eCommerce Week, 25-29 April, focusing on ‘Data and Digitalization for Development’ to help shape a better digital future for all.
    We would like to cordially invite you to a virtual panel session on 26 April, 5-6 pm CEST where along with our partners UNCTAD, the African Development Bank and the UK Government, where we will be discussing:
    ️ the challenges of digital transformation in developing countries ️ the role of international standards and National Standards Bodies in accelerating digital transformation and facilitating digital trade  how a standards-based digital toolkit can help manage national risks around cybersecurity, privacy, interoperability and digital ID – a key recommendation from our whitepaper.  
    Register here: https://unctadeweek2022.pathable.co/
    Randy Siew
    As we celebrate World Standards Day 2021, TTBS takes the opportunity to thank all our stakeholders including past and present members of the national, regional and international standards community.
    Stream live our World Standards Day Celebration - https://youtu.be/dCK6CLMtJyY
    Happy #WorldStandardsDay!
    #standards4SDGs #WSD2021
     

     
    Ben Hedley

    World Standards Day 2021

    By Ben Hedley, in News,

    On the 14th October we celebrate World Standards Day, the theme this year is 'Standards for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'.
    The SDGs recognize that ending deprivations goes hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve the environment.
    International standards are an important tool to achieving the SDGs; they are developed collaboratively via consensus from experts across the globe and support policy objectives via improved productivity and reduced barriers to trade while also protecting consumers and the environment. 
    Ben Hedley
    Please see attached agenda and presentations that were delivered at the CSN 2021 Annual meeting on 15th September.
    Over 100 participants from throughout the Commonwealth attended, we would like to thank them all for their continued engagement and for helping to shape the work programme.
    The meeting was an opportunity for the CSN secretariat to update the membership on CSN work programmes and to receive feedback.  Also, the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) delivered a presentation about Collaboration that we will be following-up on with the membership.
    A recording of the zoom session can also be viewed here.
     
    CSN Annual Meeting_2021-09-15 (final).pdf CSN Annual meeting_Agenda_15th September 2021 (v2).pdf
    Ben Hedley
    BSI Whitepaper: Supporting digital transformation in developing economies
    "The digitalization of economies and wider society is growing rapidly. However, the rate of uptake of digital technology and transition to digital trade is not equal across the globe, widening the digital divide and putting countries' achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals at risk.
    Our whitepaper considers the barriers to uptake and identifies the key role that standards have to play in promoting digitalization in developing economies. It also looks at concerns about cyber security, interoperability and privacy, and building trust in innovative applications of new technology. To address this, our paper proposes a standards-based digitalization toolkit that will help build a resilient and sustainable digital economy."
    https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/international-projects/transition-to-a-digital-economy-whitepaper/
    Randy Siew
    Join the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards for the virtual launch of the Building a National Quality Culture in Trinidad and Tobago Project.
    Date: Friday 1st October 2021
    Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
    Platform: ZOOM Online
    Register at https://tinyurl.com/NQPEvent12021
    For further information, please contact:
    Cassie Ann James Natalie Dennie Email: jamesca@caribank.org Email: natalie.dennie@ttbs.org.tt  

    Randy Siew
    The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) DEVCO Chair, Mrs Mojdeh Rowshan Tabari, will be the Feature Speaker at a free virtual workshop on “ISO and the role of students in making lives, easier, better and safer”.   The workshop is aimed at introducing students to the development process for international standards and is part of ISO’s ongoing engagement of young professionals and students.   Details on the virtual workshop are provided below.   Registration for these sessions can be accessed at: https://isineg.org/   The sessions relevant to our time zone are listed below: 12th Oct 2021 from 9:30 am to 12 noon 27th Oct 2021 from 9:30 am to 12 noon 7th Nov 2021 from 9:30 am to 12 noon
    Ben Hedley
    International commitment pledges to accelerate transition to net zero
     
    ·       New London Declaration to embed climate considerations into all standards to accelerate the achievement of climate goals.
    ·       International Organization for Standardization (ISO) commitment has been led by BSI (The British Standards Institution).
    A game-changing moment for international standards will enable a real acceleration in government and industry transition to net zero. Led by BSI, and approved by the ISO members, the London Declaration is a commitment to ensure global standards will support climate action and advance international initiatives to achieve our global climate goals.
    Following recent research that shows fewer than one in four of the world’s largest companies are on track to meet basic climate change targets and Europe will miss its 2030 climate goal by 21 years[1], the London Declaration commits signatories to embed key climate considerations into every new standard that is created. It will also retrospectively add these requirements to all existing standards as they are revised, a change on an unparalleled scale.
    Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive of BSI, said: “There are an increasing number of corporate commitments and government targets around reaching net zero, but a lack of direction as to how these targets can be met. Governments and industry need clear, practical guidance to achieve net zero. Standards are a trusted, global methodology and framework which can be used by both governments and industry to deliver real change. BSI was the originator of the London Declaration. We are very pleased that this will be taken forward by ISO, its members and other standards bodies so that we can work together with other countries to ensure that standards become an enabler for organizations of all sizes to accelerate our transition to a more sustainable world.”
    Scott Steedman, Director-General Standards at BSI, said: “Consensus-based standards are in a unique position to enable positive climate action. The sheer scale that standards operate at and the vital role they play for government and industry alike means they can accelerate the achievement of the goals in the Paris Agreement, the UN SDGs and the UN Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience. BSI is proud to lead the development of the London Declaration and is fully committed to seeing it implemented across the 40,000 standards in our national portfolio. The Declaration will help ensure that climate-friendly standards become the norm across all industries.”
    ISO President Eddy Njoroge echoed the commitment: “The ISO community has spoken. Together, we have made a historic declaration that reaffirms our commitment to climate action. As I took up my role as President, I came with a view that ISO standards can be a catalyst for development. Two years on, it has now become my deep-seated conviction. Let’s create a climate future that we, and all our future generations, want, need and deserve.”
    Opening ISO Week London, Minister for International Trade, Ranil Jayawardena said:
    “Today, almost 24,000 international standards developed by the ISO underpin every major  supply chain, from the clothes we wear, to the food we eat. The use of standards - especially truly international ones - makes it easier to produce, sell, and buy products and  services, enabling the global trade that is key to driving growth, creating jobs and securing  value for consumers. Britain looks to galvanise global action on climate change during her presidency of COP26 in Glasgow this November and we welcome the ISO’s London  Declaration, which will support our collective aim.”
    Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Action Champion, said: “The London Declaration is a critical international commitment that will enable businesses and organisations across the global economy to accelerate their climate action by using trusted standards aligned with robust net zero targets. We are looking forward to working more closely with ISO, BSI and other national standards bodies to facilitate wider and faster climate action in this race to a zero carbon world."
    Gonzalo Muñoz, UN High Level Climate Action Champion, said: "We celebrate ISO's London Declaration commitment as an important milestone in shifting the landscape of international standards to help non-state actors race to halving global emissions by 2030. This leadership is so welcome, and we are excited to continue working with ISO and its national standards bodies in the run up to COP and far beyond."
    As well as promising that ISO will work with all members, stakeholders, and partners to actively consider climate science in the development of new and revised standards and publications, the London Declaration also stipulates that it will facilitate the involvement of civil society and those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change in the development of all international standards and publications.
    The Declaration is being formally signed at the BSI hosted ISO Week London 2021, a meeting of all 163 national standards bodies. Afterwards, an Action Plan will be developed which will detail tangible initiatives and reporting mechanisms associated with the Declaration.
    Standards have already begun to enable the transition to net zero. BSI recently developed the Energy Smart Appliances (ESAs) standards in response to the UK government’s transformational energy plans. Smart appliances can make electricity demand more responsive to the availability of renewable energy, helping to reach net zero more quickly by enabling consumers to be involved in managing demand in the electricity system. The standards provide essential guidance and good practice for the fast-moving industry to roll out ESAs safely and responsibly, whilst also helping protect consumers from data and privacy risks.
    Additionally, BSI developed a standardization program for the UK-government backed Faraday Battery Challenge in order to help the rapidly evolving battery production, recycling, and research sectors to work together in a more environmentally friendly and safe way. Standards are supporting the growth of the battery industry both in the UK and now they are now poised to do the same for many more sectors.
      [1] Companies are crucial to solving the climate crisis. 75% are falling short - CNN
    Further details available from:
    ISO: https://www.iso.org/news/ref2726.html
    BSI: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/london-declaration/ 
    Ben Hedley
    Subject: Invitation and draft agenda for Commonwealth Standards Network Annual Meeting (2021)
     
    Dear Commonwealth Standards Network stakeholder,
     I write to invite you to attend the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) annual meeting that will take place online from 2pm-3pm UK time (1pm-2pm UTC/GMT) on Wednesday 15th September 2021.
     
     The meeting will be an important opportunity for participants to be updated on CSN progress and to help steer the work programme.
     
    Draft Agenda:
    1.     CSN Updates
    2.     ‘Collaboration’ presentation and discussion led by Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) Associate Director Adrian Miller
    3.     Next steps for the CSN work programme
    4.     NSB Enterprise Resource Planning systems – sharing of experiences
    5.     Q&A Session
    6.     AOB
    Join Zoom Meeting:
    ·       Date: Wednesday 15th September 2021
    ·       Time: 2pm-3pm UK time (1pm-2pm UTC/GMT)
    ·       Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96425678422?pwd=UnhUdEpyZW1CT2tmN0puUStaUTJOdz09
    ·       Meeting ID: 964 2567 8422
    ·       Passcode: CSN2021
    ·       Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acdhHJBqjG
    ·       Join by SIP: 96425678422@zoomcrc.com
     Note: The session will be recorded, and individual/regional calls will be set up for countries where the timing of the main meeting is not practical.
     
    Yours faithfully,
     
    Ben Hedley
    Senior Programme Manager, Commonwealth Standards Network
    T: +44 20 8996 7122
    ben.hedley@bsigroup.com

     
    CSN Annual meeting_Agenda_15th September 2021.pdf
    Ben Hedley
    ISO have created a list of freely available standards to assist in the COVID-19 efforts:
    https://www.iso.org/covid19
     
    This action has been coordinated with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), who are making complementary standards freely available at: https://webstore.iec.ch/webstore/webstore.nsf/xpFAQ.xsp?OpenXPage&id=GFOT-BNAEXA 
    Ben Hedley
    ISO Publication, May 2021:
    Standards & economic growth: ISO members’ research on the impact of standards on their national economies.
    "Very often, the notion that standards are beneficial to economies is taken as a given. Although it is easy to imagine the efficiencies created by standards at the company level and in trade relationships, these assumptions can be difficult to “prove”.
    ISO members have provided economic analysis that seeks to show, in real terms, the economic benefits of standards. These studies make state-of-the-art knowledge about the economic impacts of standards widely available and help to demonstrate how standards are a critical part of an economy’s knowledge system."
    https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100456.pdf 
    Ben Hedley
    BSI Education Podcast – Commonwealth Standards Network
     
    In this episode of the #bsiedpod, Cindy Parokkil and Matthew Chiles speak to Peter Sissons, Ece Lynch, Patricia Ejalu (Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)) Charles Davies, and Benjamin Hedley about what drove the development of the #CSN, its impact on the ground in member countries, and the future plans for the network.

    Listen now: https://lnkd.in/dzbjT8y 
    Ben Hedley
    Information shared from: https://giaccentre.org/commonwealth-benchmarks/ 
    Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Benchmarks
    The Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Benchmarks were published in April 2021.  They were produced by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with GIACC and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  They were developed in consultation with representatives of the African Union, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Commonwealth law ministries, anti-corruption agencies, and partner organisations.  Catherine Stansbury, Co-founder and Director of GIACC, is the principal author of the Benchmarks.
     
    The Benchmarks contain good practice anti-corruption measures.   They are intended primarily to help governments and public sector organisations assess their anti-corruption laws, regulations, policies and procedures against international good practice, and implement appropriate improvements.   
    They address corruption across key areas of the public and private sectors which are either important for combatting corruption or which are vulnerable to significant corruption.  In relation to each key area, the Benchmarks promote the concepts of honesty, impartiality, accountability, and transparency and provide for specific anti-corruption measures.
    The Benchmark measures are designed to be achievable, practical, and auditable.   They provide a holistic and interlocking system that aims to reduce and deal with the risk of corruption in the public and private sectors.
    Download Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Benchmarks
    Ben Hedley
    CSN_UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Initiative_Session_30-03-2021 (v2).pdf
     
    CSN session: UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Initiative
    30th March 2021
    13:00-14:00 GMT/UTC
     
    Background:
    As part of the Commonwealth Standards Network’s (CSN) objectives to promote good practices in the use and development of international standards we will be running an online session from 13:00-14:00 (GMT/UTC) on 30th March to discuss the UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Initiative.
    The UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Initiative provides a practical way for standards bodies wishing to take a step towards making the standards they develop and the standards development process they follow gender responsive, it aims to:
    ·       Strengthen the use of standards and technical regulations as powerful tools to attain SDG 5 (Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls),
    ·       Integrate a gender lens in the development of both standards and technical regulations,
    ·       Elaborate gender indicators and criteria that could be used in standards development.
    Open access via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95558520433
    Presenters:
    ·       Host:
    o   Stephanie Eynon: Chair of the UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Initiative
    ·       Panellists and Presentations:
    o   Emmanuel Gatera, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)
    o   Gabrielle White, Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
    o   Michelle Parkouda, Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
    o   Judith Fessehaie, SheTrades.
    Topics:
    ·       What is the UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Initiative?
    ·       Why is it important?
    ·       What is the UNECE Gender Responsive Standards Declaration?
    ·       How to adopt the declaration
    ·       How to create NSB action plans and implement changes.
    ·       ISO IWA 34:2021 ‘Women's entrepreneurship — Key definitions and general criteria’
     
    The discussions will conclude with a Q&A session.
    Please feel free to provide questions or comments beforehand by contacting the CSN Senior Programme Manager Ben Hedley ben.hedley@bsigroup.com  
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Join BSI’s Quentin Dunstan to explore the key insights from the BSI Organizational Resilience Index Report 2021, which highlights results from more than 500 global business leaders how they survived, stabilized, rebuilt and thrived in 2020, a year that tested resilience more than any other. The report is also a unique benchmarking tool that can help leaders discover how resilient their organizations really are.
    For more information and to register, please click here: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/events/webinars/2021/how-do-leaders-build-resilient-organizations/
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The Aid-for-Trade Stocktaking Event will assess the trade impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and make the case to mobilise Aid-for-Trade financing to support recovery and foster resilience.
    Click here for more information bout the agenda: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/a4t_e/gr21_e/gr21_e.htm
    Click here to watch the live webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRGJC0QriuM
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Standards play an important in supporting economic growth through their role in boosting productivity and innovation. Here's a link to the comprehensive report that provides an in-depth analysis of the economic benefits of standards within the UK economy: https://www.bsigroup.com/LocalFiles/en-GB/standards/BSI-standards-research-report-https://www.bsigroup.com/LocalFiles/en-GB/standards/BSI-standards-research-report-The-Economic-Contribution-of-Standards-to-the-UK-Economy-UK-EN.pdf-UK-EN.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    ISO/TC 304 has been created to conduct standardization in the field of healthcare organization management. A series of virtual sessions are being organized for developing countries to create awareness around TC 304 and to train on key elements about ISO, its standard development process and how to participate efficiently. These sessions will help experts and delegates from developing countries to be better prepared for the upcoming virtual meetings of TC 304 and make their vouces heard.
    For more information and to register for the first in the series of workshops, please click here: https://www.iso.org/capacity-building-tc304.html
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Coinciding with the World Consumer Rights Day, BSI has launched a 'Consumers and standards' podcast series today, in association with CPIN, the independent consumer and public interest network.

    The first episode in the series features Helena Leurent, Director General of Consumers International  - the organization behind World Consumer Rights Day. In the podcast, she talks about this year's theme around "No Plastic Pollution" and the important role of international standards in delivering consumer rights.
    To listen to the podcast, click here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/bsigroup/episodes/2021-03-14T17_00_00-07_00
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Extending the celebrations around World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March, ARSO is hosting a webinar to highlight the various opportunities presented by the AfCFTA w.r.t the role being played by ARSO to ensure the participation of Consumers in Africa's Standardisation, and focuses on:., 
    the Opportunities with the AfCFTA Agreement The Role by the African Union to facilitate Buy in Africa and from Africa The Private Sector role and challenges, especially the Motovehicle industry Role of the ARSO Consumers Committee (ARSO COCO) Role of the ISO/COPOLCO and international best practices. To register, please click on the following link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tdOGrrTspHdDSpk3c5uu4QGrstRLF3xew
     
    FLYER_17_03_2021_ARSO WEBINAR_CONSUMERS AND TRADE.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe. 
    This year's theme for Commonwealth Day, will be centred around the same theme as last year - 'Delivering a Common Future' - highlights how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve some of its biggest goals, like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.
    The Commonwealth Standards Network supports these themes by promoting innovation and building connections for strong trade among all Commonwealth states through the participation, adoption and implementation of international standards.
    To find out more about the scheduled list of online events, download social media toolkit, and to read the 2021 Commonwealth Day Affirmation, click here: https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    On the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, the ILO pays tribute to the tremendous efforts made by women in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
    To read more and to register for the event, please click here: https://www.ilo.org/gender/Events/WCMS_773334/lang--en/index.htm
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    On International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth Secretariat will be hosting a virtual event to put a spotlight on women’s leadership in responding to COVID-19 and charting an equitable recovery.  
    For more information and to register for the event, please click here: https://thecommonwealth.org/media/event/event-international-womens-day-2021-womens-leadership-building-back-better-after
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    ISO has officially lunched the ISO Strategy 2030, all documents and supporting tools can be accessed here: https://connect.iso.org/x/wxVaCw
    To find out more about the ISO Strategy 2039, please click on the following link and the attachment: iso.org/strategy2030 http://iso.org/strategy2030
    Launch of ISO Strategy 2030.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This virtual event will explore the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector in the Commonwealth Small States including Antigua and Barbuda, the Maldives, and Grenada - including a review of current policy initiatives being undertaken to tackle the tourism decline. 
    Date and time: Friday, 19 February, 11am - 1:30pm
    For more information and to register, please click here: https://thecommonwealth.org/media/event/event-covid-19-and-tourism-mapping-way-forward-commonwealth-small-states
    Binu Merin Jacob
    We are pleased to announce that CSN eLearning Modules 1 & 2 are now available on the portal. Please click on the links below to complete the courses; more courses will be launched in the coming weeks:
    CSN eLearning Module 1: International standards CSN eLearning Module 2: Benefits of using international standards We look forward to your active participation in completing Modules 1 and 2. 
    Binu Merin Jacob
    CEN-CENELEC have partnered with ENISA to jointly hosting a free virtual conference on ‘Standardization in support of the Cybersecurity Act (CSA)’.
    The event will take place in the afternoons (CET) of 2nd, 3rd and 4th of February 2021 and will feature sessions on the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), the Consumer Internet of Things (CIoT) and 5G among other topics.
    For more information and to register for the event please click here: https://www.enisa.europa.eu/events/cybersecurity_standardisation_2021/
     
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Hosted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) COVID Action Platform, The Davos Agenda will bring together global leaders to shape the principles, policies and partnerships to build a more inclusive, integrated and sustainable future as soon as possible. 
    Date: 25-29 January, 2021
    For more information, please click here: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/11/how-to-follow-the-davos-agenda/
    To watch the livestreamed sessions, please click here: https://www.weforum.org/events/the-davos-agenda-2021
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The online international Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) brings together global leaders and local stakeholders to launch the comprehensive Adaptation Action Agenda.  The agenda sets out clear actions and sustainable solutions to make our world more resilient to the effects of climate change.
    For more information and to register, click here: https://www.cas2021.com/ 
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Version 1 of BSI Flex 5555 Community face covering specification is now available to download on the following link: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/topics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/community-face-coverings?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SM-STAN-LAU-HLTH-FaceCoverings%2FFLEX-2101
    Alternatively, you may also download the document here.
     
    BSi_Flex_5555_v1.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    A week long series of free webinars has been organised to provide a multi-sector view of the collective challenges that must be met to reach the net zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
    Date: 18-21 January, 2021
    For more information and registration: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/events/webinars/2020/net-zero-week/
    Binu Merin Jacob
    BSI has worked with a wide range of experts to produce PD ISO/PAS 45005:2020 Occupational health and safety management — General guidelines for safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines help organizations adjust the way they work during the pandemic to protect workers and the people they come into contact with.
    The new guidelines provides practical recommendations on how to manage a safe return to work including:
    best practice and accurate advice based on current knowledge and lessons learned practical examples and guidance on preparing a rapid response plan resuming operations, those that have been operational throughout the pandemic, and those that are starting operations For more information and to download a free copy of the guidelines ((also see attached) please click on the following link: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/topics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-guidelines/ 
     
    PD_ISOPAS_45005_2020.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) in partnerhip with the CSN recently produced 24,000 illustrated guidelines on best practices for the handling and processing of five different types of fish. The guidelines were produced for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to aid fishermen and fish exporters on handling process to improve the quality and boost the fish exports. Download to read in full.

     
    Press release_ UNBS Produces 24,000 Illustrated Guidelines To Improve The Quality Of Fishery Products.docx
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar will discuss the following: 
    understanding value chain risk as a result of external shocks and emerging mega-trend rethinking existing approaches to international production and global sourcing? improving resilience of their global footprint building resilience through policy and international cooperation and good practices For more info, registration or live streaming: https://www.unido.org/FGI
    Date and time: 15 Dec, 3om-4:30pm (CET)
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar will focus on the key challenges related to the future of work, how they affect local communities, and what SSE institutions are doing or could do toward addressing them.
    Date and time: 3 Dec, 1:30pm-3pm (CEST)
    More information and registration: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/cooperatives/events/WCMS_757263/lang--en/index.htm
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This is the first in a series of ILO online Talks that go beyond the regular webinar will hear insights from the founder of the world’s leading professional social network, LinkedIn, whose users are experiencing world of work transformations first-hand during these unprecedented times.
    Date and time: 8 Dec at 4pm (CET)
    More info and registration: https://www.ilo.org/global/meetings-and-events/events/talks/lang--en/index.htm
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The 2nd workshop by ISO will present the ISO Standardization Foresight Framework in detail, explaining its development, its four phases (environmental scanning, ideation, distillation and refinement), its inputs and outputs. The workshop will also discuss how ISO members can participate in the pilot. 
    Date and time: 9 Dec, 09:00-10:30 or 15:00-16:30 CET
    More info and registration: https://www.iso.org/sff-workshop-part-2.html
    foresight-wshop-20201209.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The webinar explore knowledge about the implementation of innovative solutions to water challenges on the African continent through inter alia technical skills development, private sector engagement, technology transfer and digitalisation, country-specific challenges in the water and sanitation sector, and how different  stakeholders have successfully addressed them.
    Date and time: 8 Dec, 2pm-3:30pm (Brussels)
    Further information and registration: https://www.unido.org/events/tech-skills-sustainable-water-management-youth-employment-africa
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    As businesses increasingly adopt digital ways of working, they're also realising that technology and data can help with productivity and work performance as well as workers health, safety and wellbeing (HSW) - which all contribute to a more sustainable, resilient business. However, HSW and digital transformation are often seen as two isolated strategies and this webinar will explore how the two strategies can mutually benefit workers and organizations alike.  
    Link for more information and registration: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/events/webinars/2020/strategic-digitalization-protect-your-workers-and-drive-long-term-success/
    Date and Time: 8 Dec, 06:00 - 07:00, 10:00 - 11:00 and 16:00 - 17:00  (UK)
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar brings together key experts to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities in Africa’s health technology sector especially in the current pandemic situation.
    Date: Thursday, 26 November 2020, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (GMT+8)
    More information and registration: https://gems.gevme.com/asbf-webinar-series-health-technology-opportunities-in-africa-17128247
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This is the first in a series of workshops by ISO which will be providing a general introduction to foresight and how it can be applied to standardization work. The workshop will also include interactive activities for developing a 'foresight mindset' and workshop tools for foresight practice. 
    Date: Wednesday, 25 November, 9am-10:30am or 3pm-4:30pm CET (running twice to cover all times zones)
    For more information and registration: https://www.iso.org/sff-workshop-part-1.html
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar by Enterprise Singapore will explore West Africa’s building and construction landscape and how businesses in Singapore can address the gaps in the market. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the immediate needs of the market in its current climate.
    Date: Tuesday, 24 Nov, 2020, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (GMT+8)
    For more information and link to register: https://gems.gevme.com/west-africa-building--construction-roundtable-17302289
     
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The webinar will discuss what good looks like for good collaboration and its role in driving sustainable, resilient businesses to deliver long-term benefits and leave a lasting legacy for societies - especially as teams around the world are working more virtually.
    Date: Tuesday, 24 November at 6am, 10am, 4pm (UK) 
    Link for registration: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/events/webinars/2020/collaborate-building-relationships-advancing-shared-success-for-a-sustainable-built-environment/
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) will be hosting a virtual stakeholder forum on the draft compulsory standard PCTTCS 10:20XX, Garments and Textiles – Compulsory Requirements.
    Objectives:
    To highlight the key technical requirements of this proposed Compulsory Standard To obtain feedback to assist in the finalization of the standard Date: Wednesday 18th November 2020
    Time: 10:00 am to 12 noon 
    Click here to Register Online
    For further information email standardization@ttbs.org.tt
    Randy Siew
    The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards will be hosting a virtual stakeholder forum on the draft compulsory standard PCTTCS 10:20XX, Garments and Textiles – Compulsory Requirements.
    Objectives:
    To highlight the key technical requirements of this proposed Compulsory Standard To obtain feedback to assist in the finalization of the standard Date: Wednesday 18th November 2020
    Time: 10:00 am to 12 noon
    Click here to Register Online
    Click here to read draft standard
    Click here to submit comments on the draft standard
    For further information contact Nicola Nanton-Creese via telephone: 662-8827 ext. 2042/2043 or email standardization@ttbs.org.tt
     
     
     

    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar will be discussing climate and health and understand the best way to achieve health adaptation and resilience for the most vulnerable countries and communities, with a specific emphasis on Small Island Developing States in the current context.
    Time: Tuesday, 10 Nov, 2020, 2am-3:30am UTC
    For online registration: https://who.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tirOb80OQX-MyT_J6DXnCQ
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar will cover the evolution of the pandemic and how it has changed habits, global approach towards face coverings, and differentiating between surgical masks, PPE and face coverings. 
    Date: Thursday, 05 November 2020, 14:00 - 15:00 (UK Time)
    Online registration and further information: https://page.bsigroup.com/l/73472/2020-10-02/vd2638?_ga=2.218649369.1819390317.1604326308-500809806.1604326308
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This webinar will be addressing the ever increasing need to build trust and maintain a consistent approach to food safety and quality, globally. Come learn how adopting standards can help align customers’ growing expectations of food safety, improve operational efficiency and gain access to new markets.
    Date: Fri, 6 Nov, 2020, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (GMT+8)
    Online Event Registration and further information: https://gems.gevme.com/IFSS2020
    Randy Siew
    Join the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards for a FREE webinar on Building Competitiveness in the Food and Beverage Sector at the virtual Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) on Friday 30th October, 2020 from 13:45 – 15:00 GMT. This Webinar will highlight the requirements of our National Standard, TTS 642:2018, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for the Food Industry – Requirements.
    This standard establishes minimum requirements for a food safety and quality system in food processing, manufacture, handling, packaging, storage, transport or holding, for any sector of the food chain, where food is offered for sale or supply for public consumption.
    Join on Zoom - https://zoom.us/join
    Webinar ID: 976 9735 2362
    Passcode: 809018
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Inviting business leaders, Relience, HR and Health & Safety Directors to join BSI for a discussion on:
    Mental health - the silent epidemic in construction, and what can be done Psychological health - the stress and other psychosocial risk factors Diversity, and in particular, gender and age Wellbeing programmes - what good looks like Time: Wednesday, 28 October from 6am-7am; 10am-11am; 4pm-5pm (UK time)
    Link to register: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/our-services/events/webinars/2020/prioritizing-people-the-route-to-successful-sustainable-and-resilient-construction/
    Binu Merin Jacob
    BEI and Australian states representatives from key business sectors including infrastructure, cybersecurity, defence, rail, mining etc. will be presenting an exciting discussion on the future of UK-Australia trade relations. 
    Time: Thursday, 10am to 11:30am (GMT)
    Link to register: https://www.britishexpertise.org/product/trade-business-opportunities-in-australia
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Kenya is set to become one of the key economic partners for the UK in Africa. Join BEI on Wednesday, 21 October to find out more about the opportunities and challenges for UK stakeholders investing in trade and business ventures with Kenya. Please ensure you are signed up or signed in to the BEI portal to register.
    Time: Wednesday, 21 October, 2020; 10am-11:30am BST
    Link to register: https://www.britishexpertise.org/product/kenya-a-land-of-many-business-opportunities-a-deep-dive-series
    Binu Merin Jacob
    ISO and UNE will be hosting a joint webinar inviting all interested members and stakeholders for a discussion on the role of standards to help prevent the spread of the virus in the tourism sector and allowing the industry to operate under safe working conditions internationally.
    Time: 1pm BST on Wednesday, 21 October
    Link to register: https://www.iso.org/iso-une-tourism.html
     
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The GDP of developing conutries in Asia is set to shrink by 0.7% in 2020, although it is expected to grow by 6.8% in 2021, however, still leaving the region's economy a lot smaller than forecasted before CV-19. With this view, the British Expertise International (BEI) will be collaborating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide a macroeconomic update on the impact of CV-19 specifically for Asia. Please ensure you are signed up or signed in to the BEI portal to register.
    Time: Tuesday, 20 October, 9:30am - 11:30am BST
    Link to register: https://www.britishexpertise.org/product/adb-economic-outlook-update-the-global-economic-recovery
    Binu Merin Jacob
    In light of the current risks posed by COVID-19, delivering essential services including health, education, and social protection are becoming more challenging. This event will focus on how to protect human capital, safeguard the vulnerable, and improve remote learning as part of a more inclusive and resilient recovery. 
    Click on the following link for more information about the speakers and to tune in for the LIVE coverage and post event LIVE Q&A session from Washington D.C: https://live.worldbank.org/human-capital-covid-19
    Binu Merin Jacob
    This seminar will focus on the World Bank report about The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Economic and Distributional Effects and the AfCFTA agreement. It will be live streamed via YouTube and will be held in English. 
    Date/ Time: 8am-9am, Friday, 16 October (JST)
    Livestreaming link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf5WKbz7TiI
    Further information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2020/10/16/afcfta-economic-and-distributional-effects
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Join global leaders and private sector innovators on Friday, 16 October at 2pm GMT as they discuss the need for digital technologies and explore new ways to accelerate digital access and connectivity in times of crisis. Keynote speakers include Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google & Alphabet.
    Time: Friday, 16 October, 2-3pm (10-11am ET)
    More information and link to LIVE coverage: https://live.worldbank.org/closing-the-digital-divide
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Globally, the current focus is on reducing and containing the number of infections and the spread of the virus until a vaccine is widely available. Join the Centre for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institute on Friday, 16 October at 2pm GMT as they discuss views from the intelligence community about the pandemic. 
    Time: Friday, 16 October at 2-3pm GMT (10-11am EDT)
    More information and link to register for webcast: https://www.brookings.edu/events/anticipating-covid-19-a-view-from-the-intelligence-community/
    Binu Merin Jacob
    17 October is observed as 'World Poverty Day' and this year, the event will highlight the urgency to fight global poverty in view of the current drawbacks posed by COVID-19. The rate of extreme poverty has gone up for the first time this year in 20 years, reversing the trend  that has so far been lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. 
    The event will look at the various obstacles to poverty reduction including conflict and climate change and focus on initiating long-term recovery plans for developing countries moving forward. 
    Time: Saturday, 17 October, 2-3pm GMT (10-11am ET)
    Link to event: https://live.worldbank.org/end-poverty-day-2020
     
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The CSN annual meetings this year are being hosted as regional online sessions factoring in time zone differences across the Commonwealth. The Caribbean and Americas regional session will take place at 3pm (GMT +1) on Tuesday, 20 October [8am CST/ 9am EST/ 10am AST]. 
    The meeting is an important opportunity for participants to receive updates on the CSN progress and future support for the programme in the current climate. The invitation, draft agenda and dial-in details can now be downloaded here. 
    Time: Tuesday, 20 October, at at 3pm (GMT +1) [8am CST/ 9am EST/ 10am AST]
    Joining instructions: https://zoom.us/j/91881007714; Meeting ID: 918 8100 7714
     
    CSN Annual meeting- Caribbean and Americas session_20th October 2020.pdf
    Binu Merin Jacob
    Here's a quick round-up of news and updates about World Standards Day 2020 from the NSBs and international and regional organisations. We have a very important role to play in 'Protecting the Planet with Standards' especially against the current challenges we face today. From the Commonwealth Standards Network, we wish everyone a very positive World Standards Day. 
    BBS: http://bbs.gov.bz/poster-contest/
    BSJ: https://www.bsj.org.jm/articles/world-standards-day-2020-message-executive-director-hopeton-heron
    BSI: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/world-standards-day/
    CEN-CENELEC: https://www.cencenelec.eu/news/events/Pages/EV-2020-31.aspx
    INNOQ: http://www.innoq.gov.mz/por/Conteudo-Principal/Ultimas-Noticias/Dia-Mundial-da-Normalizacao
    ISO: https://www.iso.org/news/ref2568.html
    ITU: https://www.itu.int/en/myitu/News/2020/10/14/10/14/World-Standards-Day-renew-resolve-protect-planet-standards-Houlin-Zhao
    IEC: https://blog.iec.ch/2020/10/announcing-the-winners-of-the-world-standards-day-2020-poster-contest/
    MCCAA: https://mccaa.org.mt/Section/EventContent?EventId=5833
    RSB: https://www.rsb.gov.rw/fileadmin/user_upload/files/pdf/new_stds/WSD_2020_Concept_note.pdf
    SON: https://son.gov.ng/news
    SCC: https://www.scc.ca/en/news-events/events/wsd
    SABS: https://www.sabs.co.za/worldstandardsday.asp
    SLSI: https://www.slsi.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:world-standards-day-14-october-2018&catid=9:event-calendar&Itemid=360&lang=en
    TBS: https://www.tbs.go.tz/events/world-standards-day
    TTBS: https://gottbs.com/2020/10/13/wsd2020/#.X4bS_WhKg2w
    UNBS: https://www.unbs.go.ug//news-highlights.php?news=160&read
    UNIDO: https://hub.unido.org/event/world-standards-day-2020
    WSC: https://www.worldstandardscooperation.org/world-standards-day/
    Binu Merin Jacob
    World Standards Day is celebrated every year on 14 October and this year's theme focuses on 'Protecting the Planet with Standards'. Standards provide consensus on what good looks like and using standards can accelerate your sustainability journey. It can support all areas of sustainability - whether it's environmental, economic, or social.
    Businesses that adopt more sustainable practices are far likely to better prepared in managing current and future challenges in protecting and safeguarding our planet. And as individuals, organisations and governments we all have a very important to role to play in protecting our planet with standards. 
    Take a look at this short video highlighting the views of some of the BSI experts on the importance of using standards for the sustainability of our planet: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/world-standards-day/
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    The impact of COVID-19 has taken a huge toll on lives, livelihoods and economies, exposing both the vulnerabilities and interconnectedness of our natural, human and physical capital. This event will look at how best countries can build sustainable recovery and resilience plans incorporating climate, nature and social inclusion in their stimulus packages. Click on the following link for more information about the speakers and to tune in for the LIVE coverage and post event LIVE Q&A session from Washington D.C: https://live.worldbank.org/sustainable-recovery-people-and-planet
    Binu Merin Jacob
    International Plain Language Day is held on 13 October each year to encourage governments and industries to make their communications more accessible. This year's theme is “Access for All: Plain Language is a Civil Right”, and to support this, ISO is currently developing a new standard, ISO 24495, Plain language - Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines, which will provide authors in most languages a unified approach to help them communicate effectively with their audiences. It will feature high-level principles, guidelines and techniques to help writers everywhere produce communications that work. 
    Click here to read more: https://www.iso.org/news/ref2566.html
     
    Binu Merin Jacob
    For many emerging and developing countries, the pandemic has aggravated the existing debt crisis and the consequent urgent need for a joint effort to address the situation. The real-time Defusing Debt - Creating Comprehensive Solutions event on Tuesday, 13 October, 2020 will be focussing on the following 3 areas from 4pm-5pm:
    1) How private creditors can contribute effectively to debt restructurings
    2) New challenges that have made sovereign debt workouts more cumbersome and difficult to achieve
    3) Key elements of  comprehensive solution to these problems
    Click on the following link for more information about the speakers and to tune in for the LIVE coverage: https://live.worldbank.org/defusing-debt-creating-solutions
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