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The document analyzes the crisis facing Eskom, South Africa's state-owned energy monopoly, attributing it to a combination of historical reliance on the 'minerals-energy complex', financial mismanagement, and costly, corruption-mired power station projects. It evaluates the proposal to 'unbundle' the utility into generation, transmission, and distribution entities, drawing on cautionary examples from Kenya and Uganda. The paper argues for a 'Just Transition' that protects workers and communities while transitioning to renewables, suggesting the use of international climate finance or public pension funds to alleviate Eskom's unsustainable debt.

The briefing argues that contemporary national populists in Europe employ a systematic strategy to capture the state by eroding liberal norms, dominating the information space, and subordinating the judiciary and civil service. By treating the government as a 'contractor' for a national majority, these movements justify the removal of institutional restraints to concentrate power in the executive. The author details a multi-stage assault involving 'trolling', 'building' parallel infrastructures, and 'automating' disinformation to create a facade of democracy while maintaining an effective monopoly on power.

The document details the evolution of MSME-focused initiatives at the WTO, specifically the work of an Informal Working Group (IWG) consisting of over 90 members. It outlines the group's efforts to develop non-binding outcomes for the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12), focusing on access to information, trade finance, trade facilitation, and good regulatory practices. The briefing also compares these efforts with SME-related provisions in regional trade agreements like the CPTPP and USMCA, and the work of international bodies such as the OECD and UNCTAD.

The document tracks the evolution of MSME-focused initiatives within the WTO, specifically the work of an Informal Working Group comprising over 90 members. It outlines the group's efforts to identify barriers to global trade for smaller enterprises—such as access to information, trade finance, and high compliance costs—and details several draft recommendations and declarations intended to formalize a work program for MSMEs. It also compares these efforts with MSME provisions in regional trade agreements like the CPTPP and USMCA.

The report examines the Indonesia Environmental Fund Agency (BPDLH), established in October 2019 to bridge financing gaps for environmental protection and climate goals. By utilizing the Public Service Agency (BLU) legal vehicle, BPDLH gains flexibility in sourcing funds from both the state budget and international donors, as well as in its procurement and staffing. The document compares BPDLH to seven other fund-managing BLUs, noting that BPDLH is unique in its ability to act as a strategic hub for diverse funding mechanisms. It specifically details two initial funding windows: the REDD+ fund, which uses result-based payments and grants for various stakeholders, and the Forest Rehabilitation Revolving Fund, which provides loans to private enterprises in the forestry sector.

The document argues that South Africa's criminal justice system has been eroded by political manipulation and patronage, which has de-professionalised institutions and enabled impunity. It specifically examines the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). The author contends that the current legal frameworks grant excessive discretionary power to the President and Ministers, blurring the political-administrative divide. To remedy this, the paper proposes the establishment of independent selection panels to recommend candidates based on objective, transparent criteria and the use of independent boards of enquiry for removals. It emphasizes that these reforms are necessary to restore the legitimacy and impartiality of the state's investigative and prosecutorial mandates.

The document proposes a structural shift in South African public personnel practices to insulate the administration from illicit political interference. It argues that while current laws formally exclude political criteria from appointments, in practice, political office-bearers manipulate the system to build patronage networks. To counter this, the paper suggests a four-stage appointment process—process planning, process administration, short listing, and appointment—where independent bodies (such as the Public Service Commission for the public service and new independent personnel committees for municipalities) act as a check on political power. The author advocates for an incremental 'covering in' mechanism to implement these reforms organ-of-state by organ-of-state to manage political resistance.

The proposal outlines a 24-month project to prepare Guinea for the development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It identifies critical barriers, including outdated climate data from 2001, fragmented coordination, and a lack of private sector involvement. The project aims to establish a Research-Policy Working Group, update climate projections using IPCC AR5 models, and operationalize the National Climate Committee (CNC). It also seeks to reform the Environmental Safeguard Fund (FSE) and engage the bauxite mining sector through the Bauxite Environment Network (REB). The total requested amount is USD 1,629,717, with implementation led by the UNDP.

The document examines the power dynamics within Thailand's bioeconomy, arguing that a Public-Private Partnership (Pracharath) model has concentrated influence among a few large corporations and government agencies. This structure prioritizes industrial growth and biofuel feedstocks like sugarcane and cassava, while marginalizing civil society, smallholder farmers, and government bodies focused on environmental and social protections.

The report analyzes the drivers of ethnic conflict in contemporary Ethiopia, focusing on the cyclical relationship between political institutions and nationalist mobilizations. It argues that the 'centralised ethno federation' established by the EPRDF created fault lines that, when combined with recent political liberalization and institutional fragility, led to widespread violence. The author examines specific conflicts in the north, west, and south, applying the concepts of the 'security dilemma' and 'invidious comparison' to explain micro-level violence. The document concludes that sustainable stability requires transforming the ruling party, conducting inclusive national dialogue, and reclaiming state autonomy from mob influence.

The report assesses Tanzania's vulnerability to climate change, specifically sea-level rise and storm surges, and evaluates the role of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in mitigating these risks. It finds that while Tanzania possesses critical ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs, these are threatened by population growth and industrial development. The document highlights a gap in policy architecture, noting that EbA is not explicitly included in the current Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). It identifies institutional fragmentation and a lack of spatial data as key challenges, while suggesting opportunities in blue carbon, sustainable ecotourism, and community-led co-management models.

The report assesses South Africa's approach to marine and coastal ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), highlighting a strong policy framework but significant challenges in local-level implementation and funding. It emphasizes the interconnection between biodiversity, climate change, and human well-being, arguing that maintaining ecosystem integrity is primary for social resilience.

The position paper proposes a structural overhaul of how senior administrative officials are appointed and removed in South Africa to insulate the public service from unlawful political interference. It advocates for a four-stage generic appointment process—process planning, process administration, short listing, and appointment—to create a system of checks and balances. For the national and provincial public service, it suggests leveraging the Public Service Commission as an independent administrative check. For municipalities, it proposes the creation of independent personnel committees comprising professional associations and civil society. To ensure feasibility, the paper recommends a 'covering in' mechanism, allowing the President to incrementally apply these reforms to specific departments or municipalities via proclamation.

The document identifies a crisis in South African public procurement characterized by political interference, capacity deficits, and a fragmented legal regime. It proposes seven key reforms, including the creation of a single public procurement statute, the establishment of an insulated regulatory authority, and the introduction of 'qui tam' provisions to allow private citizens to enforce procurement law for a share of the recoveries.

The report assesses how the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Public Protector in South Africa have been affected by political interference. It argues that while these bodies are designed for impartiality, presidential appointment powers and the selection of politically aligned leaders have frequently compromised their independence. The NPA is described as having a 'tumultuous existence' due to executive pressure, while the Public Protector's effectiveness is noted to depend heavily on the individual incumbent, ranging from the highly regarded Thuli Madonsela to the court-criticized Busisiwe Mkhwebane. The author recommends constraining presidential discretion in appointments, introducing separate budgets for the NPA, and involving civil society in recruitment to bolster institutional integrity.

The report outlines a roadmap for 24 national and regional development banks to transition from incremental climate finance to full Paris alignment. It proposes a three-dimensional framework focusing on a comprehensive scope of action, a long-term time horizon, and an ambitious scale of contribution. Recommendations are divided into country-level support for governments, strategic-level institutional leadership, and operational-level investment criteria and project development.

The report examines the complex relationship between the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), specifically the application of 'subsidiarity'—the principle that regional structures should lead in their own jurisdictions. It highlights systemic failures in North Africa due to the inactivity of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), tensions between the AU and SADC over elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the AU's successful re-assumption of leadership in the Central African Republic. The document also notes the East African Community's (EAC) internal trade disputes, ECOWAS's struggle to adapt to violent extremism in the Sahel, and the general lack of civil society engagement within the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The report examines how Kazakhstan can integrate climate adaptation into its governance structure, focusing on two primary entry points: high-level national strategic documents and sub-national development programs. It highlights a gap in methodological knowledge for conducting Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (RVAs) and suggests a model where national scientific bodies conduct RVAs while provincial departments prioritize and implement measures. The document recommends leveraging the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) process and the Green Economy Concept to mainstream climate resilience, while proposing specific adjustments to the Ministry of National Economy's Territorial Development Program to ensure investments are climate-proofed.

The document examines how Kazakhstan can vertically integrate climate action by linking national strategic documents and subnational development programs. It highlights the role of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of National Economy in coordinating these efforts, while emphasizing the need for improved climate information, systematic risk and vulnerability assessments (RVA), and capacity building for local authorities. The report proposes specific mechanisms to embed climate risks into regional development planning and suggests a 'training of trainers' model to sustain methodological expertise.

The document outlines a framework for integrating gender considerations into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) based on experiences in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea-Conakry, Madagascar, and Togo. It argues that generic gender integration often focuses solely on women, whereas targeted analysis reveals nuanced differences in vulnerability and capacity between men and women. The proposed approach combines policy, institutional, and technical analyses to provide specific process and technical recommendations. Key findings highlight that while legal frameworks for gender equality exist, they are rarely linked to climate policies, and women remain significantly under-represented in decision-making for climate-vulnerable sectors.