For Obama, Africa so far chiefly remains a backdrop against which he defines his American identity.

Against such a backdrop we can wait no longer.

Against that backdrop, I have two questions for the Minister.

Against this backdrop, the US government shutdown looks a little different.

It would also provide a backdrop against which wages in Germany could rise without necessarily having to fall in the periphery.

Against this backdrop, Israel and the Palestinian territories are relatively stable places.

Against that backdrop, I should like to focus here on three issues.

These developments, albeit positive, should be considered against the backdrop of lesser accomplishments.

Against that backdrop, the least developed countries are prepared to make their contribution.

All of this is happening against the backdrop of increasing experimentation with drugs.

Against this backdrop, institutional investors self insured quite rationally against a eurozone breakup by withdrawing behind safer borders.

President Urusemal We gather this year against the backdrop of many recent natural disasters.

It is against this backdrop that the latest contest between India and China must be assessed.

Against a backdrop of generally tighter migration regulation during the reporting period, more encouraging developments were noted.

Against this backdrop, the full, immediate and unconditional implementation of article VI of the Treaty is fundamental.

Set against the backdrop of the Indian Army in Kashmir, the film tells the story of an agent and his fight against terrorism.

Against this backdrop, the time has come to reconsider the basic sources of happiness in our economic life.

Against the backdrop of rapid globalization, the individual risks and costs of moving internationally will continue to fall.

But instead we see a landscape of widespread poverty set against a backdrop of endemic corruption and official mismanagement.

Restorative justice generally operates against the backdrop and as a complement to a capable, fair and efficient justice system.

Our debates are unfolding against a backdrop of escalating oil prices, whose worst fallout we may have yet to see.

The agreement will be hotly debated in large measure because it comes against a backdrop of unprecedented partisan tension in Washington.

It is against this bitter backdrop that a new Afghan president will be elected and the withdrawal of forces carried out.

Against the backdrop of the financial crisis of the Centre, which became more acute during the second half of 2004, extensive fund raising activities were carried out by the Director of the Centre.

There are a myriad of publications concerning violence against the person, and several of these sources provided the backdrop for the resolution establishing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, in which the Commission

These case studies will examine country specific productivity experience and provide an interpretation against the backdrop of these countries' overall growth performance.

He said that there was an urgent need to promote respect for cultural diversity and different religions against the backdrop of globalization.

The Doha negotiations have been taking place against the backdrop of trade's increasing role in and contribution to economic growth and development.

America's recovery from unpopular policies in the past, such as the Vietnam War, took place against the backdrop of the Cold War, in which allied countries feared the Soviet Union as a greater evil.

Japan s unilateral revision of Article 9, viewed against the backdrop of its new nationalism, would isolate Japan from virtually the whole of Asia.

It is hard to imagine that a free and fair election can take place against the backdrop of such intense and systemic violence.

The air strike also occurred against the backdrop of negotiations between the FARC and Colombian government that have been ongoing since September 2012.

Against this backdrop and with a view to bring the refugee and the egyptian communities together, the idea of a film festival took birth.

Against this backdrop, the issue of promoting longer term development in countries emerging from conflict, particularly in Africa, needs to be given serious consideration.

Against the backdrop of disappointment from the past year, to which most delegations have referred in their statements, there is a need to put forward concrete proposals in order to break the logjam in the Conference on Disarmament.

Against the backdrop of 11 frozen posts (see paragraph 7 above), which is equivalent to a net reduction of staff resources of about 10 per cent, the secretariat has striven to deliver the quality products that Parties expect.

Against the backdrop of Russia's completely ambiguous policy in the Caucasus, this will give Rogozin an opportunity to remain at the top of public opinion polls.

It is against that grim backdrop, therefore, that we must consider the recommendations contained in the Secretary General's report and undertake a vigorous process of assessment.

We are discussing the issue of nuclear weapons today against the backdrop of our successive failures over the past couple of years, and particularly in 2005.

It involves the introduction of the rule of law and democracy against a backdrop of poverty among urban and rural people and an international security system which has been greatly shaken since the violent attacks of 11 September 2001.

A constant backdrop has been the situation in Iraq.

NEW DELHI German Chancellor Angela Merkel s second visit to China in a year comes against the backdrop of dire forecasts of a difficult September for the eurozone.

Photo by Ezra Acayan, Copyright Demotix (7 14 2013)A fisherman at work on the polluted waters of Manila Bay against the backdrop of the Manila skyline.

Against this backdrop, physical infrastructure in Africa is in need of rehabilitation, upgrading and expansion in order to compensate for many years of neglect and poor maintenance.

Against the backdrop of the challenges and difficulties in obtaining information in the field, the Monitoring Group adapted its standards of evidence to suit the Somali context.