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This briefing note from the Center for International Environmental Law argues for the introduction of disclosure requirements within the TRIPS Agreement to align intellectual property rules with the objectives of the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD), specifically to prevent the misappropriation of biological resources and traditional knowledge.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Security Studies defines the legal status of refugees based on the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, outlines the roles of governments and the UNHCR in providing protection, and details the rights and obligations of refugees.

This guide proposes the implementation of Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) in Winnipeg to enable neighbourhoods to develop local action plans for environmental sustainability. Based on the 'Sustainable Winnipeg' strategy, the guide outlines key environmental issues—including climate change, urban energy, land use, transportation, waste, water, and pesticides—and details pilot results from three diverse neighbourhoods: Whyte Ridge, Riverview, and West Broadway. It advocates for a shift from 'one size fits all' municipal programming toward community-based social marketing (CBSM) to foster long-term behaviour change.

This research paper analyzes the impact of United Nations (UN) Panel of Experts missions in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1999 and 2002. The author argues that these panels serve as critical peace-building tools by providing credible, independent investigations into sanctions violations and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which in turn reduces the military capacity of spoilers and criminalizes the activities of those fueling conflict.

This research paper examines the 'Goldenberg' scandal, a high-level financial conspiracy in Kenya between 1990 and 1993 involving senior officials of the Daniel Arap Moi administration and private wheeler-dealers. The scheme exploited government incentives for non-traditional exports and foreign exchange controls to siphon hundreds of millions of dollars from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), contributing to severe economic instability and inflation.

This conference report, prepared by Masiiwa Rusare of the Trade & Development Studies Centre (TRADES Centre), documents a regional meeting held in September 2005 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The event focused on the experiences of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) in negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU). The report details the institutional structures of the negotiations, areas of convergence and divergence between the two regional blocs and the EU, the specific interests of South Africa, and the challenges of integrating non-state actors and the poor into the trade process.

This research paper analyzes the challenges facing the SADC-EPA group in negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union, focusing on the complexities of multiple membership in regional trade blocs and the impact of the Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) between South Africa and the European Community.

The IAI Executive Directorate report for May-August 2005 outlines the appointment of a new Executive Director and Program Manager, the pursuit of observer status with the UNFCCC, and the management of scientific projects including CRN I and II. It details the organization of training institutes in Paraguay and Jamaica, the integration of the Amazon Andean GIS Web Portal into the IAI-DIS, and the approval of key administrative manuals.

This research paper examines how social stigma and cultural taboos act as primary barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Botswana and South Africa, arguing that financial resources alone are insufficient to combat the pandemic if fear of discrimination prevents people from seeking testing and care.

This research paper examines the impact of European Union (EU) sugar subsidy reforms and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rulings on African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) sugar-producing countries. It argues that while developed-country subsidies distort global trade, the rapid removal of preferential access threatens the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers and requires more substantial adjustment assistance and a phased transition to ensure sustainable development.

The Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC) report for May-August 2005 details the approval of internal operational manuals and the progress of an external audit for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

The Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC) Report for May-August 2005 details the approval of administrative manuals and the conduct of an external audit for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research.

This excerpt from a country report on Swaziland describes the political polarization of Swazi society and the apprehension of interviewees regarding the use of their information by the state.

This report analyzes the relationship between water-resource conflicts and pastoral livelihoods in Wajir District, Kenya. It examines how competition for limited water sources, particularly during dry seasons, leads to violent conflicts that divert time and resources away from basic needs, thereby undermining the socio-economic stability of pastoralist communities.

This report, prepared for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, assesses the status of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations as of August 2005. It highlights the central role of agricultural liberalization and the significant deadlock between the US, EU, and developing nations, arguing that the round has failed to live up to its designation as a 'Development Agenda'.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) argues that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) requires the integration of environmentally sustainable strategies across all goals, specifically focusing on freshwater, energy, and sanitation. The study identifies significant gaps in current MDG planning, particularly regarding the water requirements for food production and the need for innovative sanitation solutions. It estimates that an annual investment of USD 107 billion is required between 2005 and 2015 to meet targets for water, food, sanitation, and energy using sustainable pathways.

A research paper discussing China's economic growth and poverty alleviation efforts, specifically highlighting the disparity between the developed eastern seaboard and the lagging western regions, with a case study on Ningxia province.

This briefing from the Center for International Environmental Law examines the environmental implications of Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) negotiations within the WTO Doha Development Agenda. It focuses on two primary areas: the informal pursuit of sectoral agreements for total tariff elimination in environmentally-sensitive sectors and the classification and negotiation of non-tariff barriers (NTBs). The document argues that environmental considerations are being neglected in tariff negotiations and warns against the potential for NTB negotiations to undermine legitimate public policy objectives regarding health, safety, and environmental protection.

This case study by Earthjustice details the legal battle over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), which were designed to regulate toxic air emissions from power plants.

This documentS document outlines regulatory standards for the minimization of fugitive dust across various activities, including material storage, construction, demolition, road maintenance, mining, and the management of tailings piles and ponds.