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This record of discussion from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the challenges and future directions of South Africa's trade strategy. The briefing covers the gridlock in the WTO Doha Round, the potential for unilateral trade liberalisation, the strategic value of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and the complexities of regional integration within SADC and SACU.

This research paper argues that South Africa and other developing nations should accept a 'bad deal' in the Doha round of WTO negotiations to prevent the collapse of the multilateral trading system and avoid the risks of bilateral trade agreements dominated by wealthy nations.

This report, based on a survey of 20 humanitarian and development professionals, examines the role of land ownership and tenure in community resilience and recovery following natural disasters. It highlights the critical gap between immediate humanitarian relief and long-term reconstruction, arguing that secure land rights are essential for economic regeneration and reducing future vulnerability.

This briefing records a June 2006 discussion hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) regarding economic cooperation within the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) initiative. The proceedings focus on the strategic objectives of South-South cooperation and a specific exploration of potential collaboration in the aerospace sector, highlighting the gap between political rhetoric and tangible business integration.

This report evaluates the 'Next Generation Policy Directions' project, which trained young researchers from seven developing countries to integrate information society and sustainable development policies. It finds that while youth can directly influence national ICT strategies and bridge policy gaps due to their interdisciplinary flexibility, they require strong institutional support and tailored gender-inclusive strategies to be effective. Key success factors included 'learning by doing' and providing researchers with a sense of ownership over their work.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes South Africa's (SA) positions and strategy within the World Trade Organization (WTO) agricultural trade negotiations. It examines the domestic policy-making processes, the influence of stakeholders like Agri SA, and SA's role in international coalitions including the G20, the Cairns Group, and the African Group. The document details SA's specific stances on the three pillars of agriculture negotiations: market access, domestic support, and export competition, while recommending greater transparency and more detailed identification of specific domestic offensive and defensive interests.

This 2006 report analyzes trade and investment barriers between South Africa, India, and Brazil. It finds that while trade is growing, particularly between South Africa and Brazil, it remains hampered by high tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and a lack of awareness among the business sector regarding the IBSA initiative. The report recommends reducing customs duties, improving infrastructure, and involving the private sector in trade agreement implementation.

The National Chairman's Annual Statement 2006 from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the shifting global balance of power, the rise of emerging economies in the South, and the specific geopolitical and economic challenges facing Africa and South Africa.

A statement by WTO Director General Pascal Lamy delivered on February 10, 2006, in Johannesburg, South Africa, outlining the progress made at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and the roadmap for concluding the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) by the end of 2006.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International argues that genetically modified (GM) plants have failed to deliver on promises of reducing hunger and poverty, instead serving to increase the market control and profits of biotechnology multinationals, specifically Monsanto. The document details the limited variety of GM crops, the concentration of their cultivation in a few countries, and the negative socio-economic and environmental impacts across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The Sustainable Development Timeline is a fact sheet published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) that chronicles key environmental, social, and economic milestones from 1962 to 2005. It tracks the evolution of sustainable development through the formation of advocacy organizations, the publication of influential scientific reports, the adoption of international treaties, and the occurrence of major environmental disasters.

This research paper by Mark Halle examines the failures of the current multilateral trading system and proposes how it could be restructured to support a 'Great Transition' toward sustainable development. The author argues that while the fundamental principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are sound, the system has become a 'one size fits all' model that primarily benefits rich nations and ignores social and environmental goals. The paper explores three future archetypes—Agoria, Ecodemia, and Arcadia—demonstrating that a rules-based trading system can be adapted to serve any of these diverse socio-economic models if trade is treated as a tool for sustainable development rather than an end in itself.

The YCLSF Participant Manual 2006/2007 is a comprehensive guide for recent Canadian graduates participating in the Young Canadian Leaders for a Sustainable Future (YCLSF) program. Managed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the program provides entry-level overseas work experience in sustainable development to help participants build careers in the field. The manual details administrative requirements, placement preparations, financial compensation, reporting obligations, and strategies for adapting to living and working abroad, as well as the process of re-entering Canada.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and regional free trade agreements prioritize corporate profit over environmental sustainability and human rights, leading to the loss of livelihoods for millions of small-scale farmers, fishers, and indigenous peoples. The document details how trade liberalization facilitates the privatization of natural resources, undermines food sovereignty, and exacerbates climate change and desertification across various global regions.

This 2005 research paper analyzes India's marine seafood export supply chain, highlighting a stark contrast between the high hygiene standards of exporters and the poor conditions at the fisherman and supplier levels. While India is a global leader in fish production, the author argues that sustainability requires a bottom-up approach, including the formation of fishermen cooperatives and improved infrastructure at landing centers. The paper also examines the influence of stringent EU and U.S. import regulations, noting that while process regulations (like HACCP) have organized the industry, product regulations based on 'zero tolerance' for residues are often viewed as non-tariff trade barriers.

This report by the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics & Environment (SAWTEE) analyzes tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting five select Nepalese agricultural exports: tea, natural honey, floriculture, medicinal plants, and vegetable seeds. It examines market access across 12 international markets, distinguishing between the high tariff barriers found in neighboring South Asian countries and the high incidence of non-tariff measures (NTMs) in developed economies.

This report examines the potential for integrating disclosure requirements into the global intellectual property (IP) system to ensure mutual supportiveness between the WTO TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It focuses on requiring patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, as well as providing evidence of prior informed consent (PIC) and benefit-sharing, to prevent 'biopiracy' and ensure equitable returns to provider countries and indigenous communities.

This inaugural address by the National Director of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that Africa's development depends on internal accountability, leadership, and a shift away from aid-dependency. The author highlights the rise of China and India as shifting global power dynamics and urges African states to implement industrial strategies to avoid a new 'scramble' for raw materials. The speech emphasizes the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the need for a vibrant civil society to hold governments accountable.

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 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.