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The document defines the demographic dividend as the economic opportunity arising from a shift in the ratio of working-age people to dependents. It outlines specific metrics for identifying this window—such as a working-age to dependent ratio of 1.7:1 or a total fertility rate of 2.8 children per woman—and argues that the dividend is not automatic but requires supporting policies in health, education, and governance. Comparing global trajectories, it notes that high-income countries entered this window in 1966, while low-income countries are expected to enter in 2054. The text highlights that Nigeria is projected to reach a 1.7:1 ratio by approximately 2058 and peak around 2092, suggesting a much later and more moderate income growth potential compared to China or India.

Global Witness reveals that coltan from conflict-affected mines in the DRC is being smuggled into Rwanda, where it is laundered through traceability systems like ITSCI and Better Mining. The report identifies seven Rwandan companies dominating these exports, which are then processed by smelters in China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, potentially reaching major global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and Toyota.

Global Witness reports that conflict coltan from the DRC's Rubaya mines is being smuggled into Rwanda and laundered into global supply chains through failed due diligence systems like ITSCI and Better Mining. The investigation identifies seven Rwandan companies responsible for 85% of exports, five of which are directly linked to conflict coltan. This material is processed by smelters in China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, eventually reaching global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and Toyota via tantalum capacitors.

The CC Asia Climate Fund (CC-ACF) is a proposed USD 150 million private equity fund targeting growth-stage companies in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. Managed by CC Global Services Holdings Limited (CC GSH), the fund seeks USD 37.5 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to act as a first-loss tranche, catalyzing USD 112.5 million in co-financing. The fund focuses on five priority sectors: renewable energy, resource efficiency/industry decarbonization, weather-resilient buildings, water conservation, and climate-smart agriculture. It aims to reduce GHG emissions by 8.21 million tCO2eq over a 25-year lifespan and reach approximately 464,396 direct and indirect beneficiaries. The strategy emphasizes technology transfer, active board stewardship, and the demonstration of commercial viability for climate-smart investments to shift these carbon-intensive economies toward low-carbon development.

The document argues that Africa's economic underperformance is linked to a failure to maximize globalization and a heavy reliance on primary exports. It forecasts that full implementation of the AfCFTA would increase Africa's share of world exports to 4.4% and raise GDP per capita to US$6,602 by 2043, compared to 3.5% of exports and US$6,197 GDP per capita under a 'Current Path' scenario. Additionally, the AfCFTA is identified as a tool to reduce African countries' exposure to the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by diversifying export markets.

The Principles for Taxonomy Interoperability, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative as part of the Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative, provide a framework to make diverse national and regional sustainable finance taxonomies comparable. The document argues that while local priorities necessitate different criteria, interoperability—based on common language, structures, and scientific baselines—is essential for scaling private climate finance. It outlines seven principles covering foundation, design, use cases, coverage, complexity, market signaling, and international collaboration. Additionally, it provides guidance on core design pillars such as sector structure (based on ISIC), common environmental objectives, and transition approaches (binary, traffic light, or merged).

The report outlines seven principles for taxonomy interoperability to facilitate cross-border capital flows for sustainable finance. It emphasizes the use of common terminology, scientific baselines, and collaborative international efforts to align diverse national taxonomies without requiring them to be identical.

Ten years after the Paris Agreement, French banks and insurers continue to heavily finance fossil fuel expansion, with some increasing their support for oil and gas extraction. The report argues that 'green finance' and ESG labels are largely greenwashing, as they fail to redirect capital away from climaticide activities. It further criticizes the French and European governments for favoring voluntary industry commitments over binding regulations and for weakening key directives like the CSRD and CSDDD under pressure from financial lobbies.

The policy brief addresses the lack of a shared vision for implementing Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, which calls for making financial flows consistent with climate goals. It argues that current efforts are fragmented and risks of greenwashing are high. The authors propose a Theory of Change (ToC) to link high-level goals to specific activities across regulators, financial entities, the real economy, and civil society. The document emphasizes that while Article 9 focuses on the provision of public climate finance from developed to developing nations, Article 2.1(c) requires systemic reforms—such as climate-related financial disclosures, taxonomies, and fiscal policy changes—to redirect the broader global financial system. It concludes with recommendations for the COP30 (CMA7) to adopt a structured work program based on this ToC to avoid circular discussions and ensure a just transition.

The paper examines the impact of generative AI on journalism and politics in Australia and New Zealand, highlighting a gap between technological adoption and regulatory oversight. It advocates for a shift from piecemeal digital literacy efforts to mandatory curricula and the adoption of AI labelling standards, drawing on OSINT transparency models and industry-academic collaborations to ensure information integrity.

The Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) assessed the implementation of the State Capture Commission (SCC) recommendations in South Africa. While progress was noted in asset recovery (R10.9 billion recovered by March 2025) and the establishment of the permanent Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), the report highlights significant systemic failures. Key concerns include the delayed appointment process for the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), the lack of a finalized whistleblower protection framework, and the continued politicization of the public administration. The report argues that the government has relied too heavily on legislative bills that are either not yet in effect or incomplete, and that accountability for members of the Executive remains insufficient.

The Hong Kong Sustainable Debt Market Briefing 2024 analyzes the performance of sustainable debt in Hong Kong through the end of 2024, highlighting a decline in locally originated debt alongside a significant increase in international GSS+ bond issuance and the launch of the Hong Kong Taxonomy.

The report analyzes the 2024 Chinese GSS+ bond market, noting that while cumulative issuance has exceeded $500 billion, annual growth in 2024 slowed due to a decline in financial institution activity. Green bonds remain dominant, though social and sustainable bonds saw significant growth. The report highlights a gap between domestic issuance and international CBI standards, particularly in sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), and examines the potential for GSS+ financing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

By the end of 2024, China's cumulative aligned GSS+ volume reached USD 555.5 billion, making it the fourth largest source globally. While green bonds continue to dominate, representing 80% of cumulative aligned volume, the market saw a 4% decrease in total aligned volume in 2024 to USD 84.6 billion, largely due to a 33% drop in issuance from financial corporates. The report highlights a significant growth in aligned social and sustainability (S&S) volumes, which rose 316% year-on-year to USD 15.7 billion. However, sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) face severe integrity challenges, with only three Chinese deals achieving alignment with Climate Bonds methodology. The document also spotlights the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area as a key region for GSS+ growth and details recent policy shifts, including the February 2025 Sovereign Green Bond Framework and the Multi-Jurisdiction Common Ground Taxonomy.

The Hong Kong sustainable debt market saw a decline in aligned GSS+ volume in 2024 to USD 10.8bn, primarily driven by a 54% drop in green bond issuance. However, social and sustainability bonds grew, and Hong Kong maintained its position as the largest arranging hub for international GSS+ bonds in Asia. The HKSAR Government continues to dominate the local market and lead the Asia-Pacific region in cumulative government green issuance. Key policy developments include the launch of the Hong Kong Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance and new climate-related disclosure requirements effective January 2025.

The report highlights the risks faced by human rights defenders (HRDs) in Indonesia, using the Rempang Eco-City project as a case study. It details how residents of Rempang Island, including Indigenous seafarers, have faced violence, intimidation, and judicial harassment from government and private security forces while protesting a proposed USD11.6 billion glass and solar panel factory. The document notes that despite the goals of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) to decarbonise Indonesia's economy, projects like the Rempang Eco-City—which would rely on coal power—have led to evictions and physical attacks on community members.

Bangkok faces extreme light pollution, with inner areas reaching level 9 on the Bortle Scale, which disrupts human circadian rhythms and nocturnal wildlife behaviors. Despite the Thailand Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act (1992) recognizing light as a pollutant, there are no specific provisions to regulate excessive artificial lighting. The author advocates for smart lighting solutions, public awareness, and the adoption of light curfews similar to those in Paris and Hong Kong to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health.

The document explores transition finance as a tool for emerging and developing economies, particularly in Asia, to decarbonise high-emitting sectors that struggle to meet strict green finance criteria. It analyses the taxonomies of Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and ASEAN, while highlighting risks of 'transition-washing' and the need for science-based targets and independent verification to ensure alignment with 1.5°C pathways.

The report examines how central banks in various jurisdictions integrate physical climate risks into banking supervision, highlighting a common shift toward enhancing regulated entities' capabilities rather than immediately adjusting capital requirements. Through case studies of six central banks, it identifies systemic challenges in data availability and technical capacity, advocating for a phased approach to policy implementation. It concludes with a stylised roadmap for the Reserve Bank of India to move from awareness-raising to mainstreaming climate risk assessment in supervisory processes.

The document argues that while green taxonomies are not a standalone solution for financing the energy transition, they serve as a critical 'building block' for establishing credibility and standardising green definitions to attract international investment. It highlights the tension between 'interoperability'—the ability for taxonomies to work across borders—and 'usability'—the practical application within local contexts where data may be limited. The brief recommends a phased approach, starting with climate mitigation and incorporating adaptation and resilience objectives using international guidance to avoid fragmentation. It emphasizes that taxonomies must be integrated into broader policy frameworks, including de-risking tools and currency hedging, to effectively steer capital toward sustainable activities in emerging economies.