This week’s headline features a story from Asia :

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Government of Japan, launched a new Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in India, as part of a global initiative spanning six countries. The B+HR project aims to promote responsible business practices, focusing on integrating Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) tools and processes into corporate operations and supply chains in India and globally. 

Europe: The next round of talks for the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) is scheduled for September 23-27, and New Delhi will simultaneously discuss sustainability measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and EU deforestation regulation (EUDR) with the 27-nation bloc.

North America: International student graduates have taken to the streets in Canada, a country they came to call their home, as they face the risk of deportation. Federal policy changes to the temporary foreign worker program by the Justin Trudeau government have forced over 70,000 international students to protest the decision.

South America: Mexico's strategic location and strong manufacturing sector position it to lead in sustainable transportation. The government’s ambitious emission reduction targets and renewable energy focus create a favorable environment for EV market growth. The country's significant automotive industry is already advancing in EV production, highlighting its potential as a key player in the global EV market.

Asia: The UNDP, in partnership with Japan, launched a Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in India, promoting responsible business practices and integrating Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) into corporate operations and supply chains.

Australia : India and Australia will hold their next round of talks for a comprehensive free trade agreement in November. The negotiations, which began in December 2022, aim to expand the interim trade agreement's scope. Recent discussions focused on goods, services, and digital trade.

Africa:  India and Africa are set to significantly strengthen their economic ties, with Trade and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal advocating for a target of $200 billion in trade over the next seven years. This ambitious goal underscores the commitment of both regions to enhance bilateral trade and investment.