Low trade volumes push global FDIs down by 13% to $1.52 trillion

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has announced that global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 13% in 2016 to an estimated $1.52 trillion, as global economic growth remained weak and world trade volumes posted anaemic gains.

“FDI recovery continues along a bumpy road. Particularly of concern is the sharp drop-off in manufacturing investment projects, which play such an important role in generating badly needed productivity improvements in developing economies,” said Mukhisa Kituyi, UNCTAD’s SecretaryGeneral.

FDI flows to Europe fell 29% to about $385 billion, while there was modest growth in flows to North America (6%). Slowing economic growth and falling commodity prices weighed on FDI flows to developing economies. Inflows to these economies fell 20% (to $600 billion), but developing economies continue to comprise half of the top 10 FDI host economies. also known as the Ministerial Declaration on Universal Access to Immunization. The endorsement – which entails a pledge to ensure that everyone in Africa receives the full benefits of immunization – was made during the 28th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

World Health Organisation said one in five children in Africa still does not receive basic life-saving vaccines and, as a result, vaccine-preventable diseases continue to claim too many lives. Measles alone accounts for approximately 61,000 preventable deaths in the African region every year. Despite such dire statistics, fewer than 15 African countries fund more than 50% of their national immunization programmes.

The Addis Declaration on Immunization calls for countries to increase political and financial investments in their immunization programmes. It includes 10 commitments, including increasing vaccine-related funding, strengthening supply chains and delivery systems, and making universal access to vaccines a cornerstone of health and development efforts.