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The 2013 BRICS Youth Communiqué, presented by Youth@SAIIA learners at the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban, outlines recommendations for the establishment of a BRICS Development Bank (BDB). The document advocates for a bank that is independent of government political agendas, inclusive of all member nations regardless of financial status, and focused on sustainable development in the developing world.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis and recommendations for African states participating in the United Nations negotiations for the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) scheduled for March 2013. It argues that a legally binding international instrument is necessary to regulate the transfer of conventional arms, ammunition, and technology to preserve human security and prevent human suffering, particularly in Africa, which is heavily impacted by armed conflict.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate-Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a "development first" approach aimed at minimizing climate damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-carbon, resilient future. The document identifies five primary socio-political drivers—national awareness of adaptation, energy security, economic opportunities, access to climate finance, and government leadership—and seven key implementation challenges, including high costs, political opposition, and institutional limitations.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the diplomatic and economic relationship between Russia and South Africa within the frameworks of BRICS and the G-20. It argues that while political collaboration is strong and serves Russia's goal of a multipolar world order, economic ties remain significantly underdeveloped and below their potential.

This report documents the 6th African Conference of Commandants (ACoC), held in November 2012 in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference focused on the role of staff colleges in preparing military officers to address emerging security challenges in Africa, emphasizing the need for a balance between academic education, professional military studies, and tactical training to develop flexible, intellectual leaders.

The 2013 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration is a statement of recommendations for the Post-2015 Development Agenda, formulated by South African youth during the 2nd Annual South African Institute of International Affairs Young Leaders Conference in Johannesburg. The document outlines priorities across three thematic areas: addressing inequalities, managing conflict, violence and disasters, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

This briefing is a concept note for a conference titled "The APRM +10: Reviewing a Decade of Peer Learning and Projecting a Future of Governance in Africa," scheduled for May 17–18, 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event aims to bring together African civil society organisations (CSOs) and governance structures to appraise the first ten years of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and plan for its second decade.

This research synthesis brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines strategies for transitioning biomass-dependent energy economies toward cleaner cooking stoves and fuels. It emphasizes the need for market transformation over isolated project installations, advocating for user-centered design and a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and economic drivers of household energy decisions.

The 2012 Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP) knowledge management needs survey report assesses the knowledge requirements of AAP countries to support data-driven agendas and resilience strategies, highlighting significant barriers to implementation and specific priority areas for climate impact knowledge.

This executive summary describes a study by IRENA on financial mechanisms and investment frameworks for renewable energy (RE) in developing countries. The study analyzes global RE finance flows, provides recommendations for national policy design, and presents case studies from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to support the scaling up of renewable energy for climate mitigation.

This 2012 CDKN fact sheet details technical assistance provided to Bangladesh to lead international climate negotiations on 'Loss and Damage' and the development of a participatory M&E tool for community-based adaptation that has since been replicated in Africa.

This executive summary by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the 'fast-start' climate finance pledges made by developed countries following the 2010 Cancun Agreements. The document evaluates whether these pledges meet international criteria regarding the balance between adaptation and mitigation, additionality, and prioritization of vulnerable nations, while highlighting significant gaps in reporting transparency and consistency.

This research paper examines the application of the 'complementarity' principle in Africa, arguing that a broader, 'positive' understanding of the concept—where domestic courts, regional bodies, and civil society actively fill impunity gaps—is essential for the success of international criminal justice on the continent.

The November 2012 Peace and Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on critical security threats in Africa, focusing on political instability in Madagascar, the crisis in Mali, the rise of al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorism, and the evolution of the African Union's (AU) civilian and legislative capacities.

The research paper argues that while South Africa does not fit the original economic profile of the Brics, its political influence justifies its membership. It suggests the group focus on mutual learning, trade facilitation, and financial cooperation while cautioning South Africa to prioritize pragmatism over ideology, maintain strong bilateral ties, and leverage its role as a political gateway to Africa.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that traditional natural resource management has failed and that African nations should adopt Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and economic valuation to protect their natural assets, which are critical for poverty reduction and livelihoods.

In a speech delivered on 3 September 2012, Deputy Minister Ebrahim outlined South Africa's foreign policy and its role within the UN Security Council (UNSC), specifically regarding peace and security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He advocated for the pacific settlement of disputes over military intervention, criticized the use of the veto by permanent UNSC members, and called for the reform of the Council to include permanent representation for Africa and Latin America.

This briefing examines food security challenges in Africa, focusing on the impact of price volatility, the role of agricultural policy, and international initiatives like the G-8's New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. It highlights the gap between policy commitments, such as the CAADP's spending targets, and actual implementation, while discussing the tension between trade-led food security and national self-sufficiency.

This policy brief examines the delays in operationalising the African Standby Force (ASF), an African Union (AU) mechanism designed for rapid response to violent armed conflicts in Africa. Despite multiple roadmaps and timelines (2005, 2008, 2010), the force remained non-operational as of 2012, with a revised target of 2015. The author identifies systemic failures in political command, logistical infrastructure, and institutional capacity, arguing that the AU has relied too heavily on ad hoc missions rather than using actual deployments to refine the ASF architecture.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates whether South Africa's 'African Agenda' and 'diplomacy of Ubuntu' align with its national interests and constitutional values. The author argues that South Africa is over-extended in its international engagements, often creating contradictions between its commitments to human rights and its strategic partnerships with authoritarian states.