ENERGY

The 2013 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report—the eighth in an annual series—presents a multidimensional measure of national, regional, and global hunger. It shows that the world has made some progress in reducing hunger since 1990, but still has far to go. World hunger remains “serious,” and 19 countries suffer from levels of hunger that are either “alarming” or “extremely alarming.”

Biofuels offer an opportunity to African countries to produce new cash crops for domestic use or export. High energy prices and large consumption mandates already agreed in many countries suggest that these opportunities will remain for an extended period of time. The impacts of expanded production of crops for biofuels will be felt in the entire rural sector as resources are shifted away from traditional crops and prices of all agricultural commodities rise.

Congo faces a unique opportunity to meet its objective of reducing poverty and enhancing social outcomes by diversifying and expanding its economy.  It reached the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) completion point in January, 2010, opening new perspectives for management of its public sector.  The country has been receiving and will continue to receive large volumes of oil revenues over the coming years.  With the adoption of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) in 2008, Congo has a solid and credible development strategy to guide allo