The Asia Pacific Economic Community summit, held in Peru from Nov 13-15, attracted many leaders, but most eyes were on President Xi Jinping of China who cut the ribbon on a Peruvian port, China’s largest investment in South America. Meanwhile the APEC CEO Forum was more interested in the impact of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump on their economies and on the region.

The UN turned 75 this year but instead of grand celebrations, the world witnessed an empty UNGA with world leaders addressing it via video screening because of the pandemic. The UN is under unprecedented stress and being shown up for its inability to tackle the challenges of today like the pandemics, climate change, terrorism or global peace and security. The institution's key governing structures, especially the UN Security Council, are inadequate and demand reform. India must now use gritty resolve to ensure its place in these governing structures.

A T20 workshop in Lima, Peru, provided the opportunity to for a deeper insight into the the Latin American economic situation. While the workshop focused on finding innovative solutions to sustain high growth in middle-income countries. There is a need for India and similar countries, to become sensitized to each others problems on development.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership has dropped strong Intellectual Property Rights regulations on India’s doorstep. The implications of these regulations could affect India’s own policies, as well as her global aspirations towards the potential Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

The U.S.-driven Trans Pacific Partnership agreement between 12 countries, which is aiming to become the new standard of world trade, impacts domestic systems globally. For India, it will skew investment and intellectual property rights, and especially the debate over the Investor State Dispute System which allows companies to challenge sovereign rights and public policy.

Although it is too soon to comprehensively analyse the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement of October 5, it is worth assessing what is known. Here are the facts, the controversies, the assessments, and the implications for countries that are not part of the agreement, especially India.

The agreement signed at the Climate Change conference at Lima should be a triumph of diplomacy but the reality is quite the opposite. Although the agreement means there is now global unanimity on the need for climate action, the text in the agreement falls short on nearly every indicator

'Latin American Unification: A History of Political and Economic Integration Efforts' is an objective and optimistic narrative by Salvador Rivera of the region’s attempts at consolidating its collective strength

In 'Latin America Update' Gateway House lists some of the important events in Latin America over the past month

With elections scheduled in seven Latin American countries, 2014 will be a year of significant political developments in the region. As we enter 2014, Gateway House examines the important events that defined Latin American politics and economy in 2013