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The report evaluates the alignment of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) investments in the electricity sector with sustainable, low-carbon development. It proposes a framework consisting of policies (such as integrated energy planning and subsidy reform) and institutional capacities (including regulatory transparency and stakeholder engagement). A review of loans from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) between 2006 and 2008 reveals that while some projects are comprehensive, many MDB interventions lack consistency in addressing integrated planning, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. The report highlights that comprehensive support is often concentrated in countries with already favorable domestic policies, such as Mexico, and recommends that MDBs more consistently integrate climate-friendly policy and regulatory support into their core electricity financing.

Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses mirrors to focus sunlight to generate electricity, primarily for utility-scale use. While the U.S. led in installed capacity as of 2009 with 429 MW, Spain followed with 182 MW. The technology varies from parabolic troughs and linear Fresnel reflectors to dish/engines and power towers. CSP is noted for its ability to provide power during peak late-afternoon demand and its potential for baseload generation via thermal storage or natural gas hybridization. Economic challenges include high initial construction costs, though operational costs are lower than fossil fuel plants. Policy mechanisms like feed-in tariffs in Spain and Israel, and investment tax credits in the U.S., are identified as key drivers for deployment.

The document analyzes the legal implications of defining 'investment' in international investment agreements (IIAs). It contrasts the traditional, broad asset-based definitions—often modeled on early German treaties—with more recent, precise approaches adopted by Canada, the U.S., ASEAN, and COMESA. The author highlights the tension between 'objective' and 'subjective' tests used by ICSID tribunals to determine jurisdiction, warning states that vague definitions can lead to unexpected arbitral rulings that exceed domestic legal understandings of foreign investment.

President Dmitry Medvedev's June 2009 visit to Egypt, Nigeria, Namibia, and Angola focused on the exploitation of energy and minerals and the sale of Russian technology. This effort, alongside summits with BRIC and SCO nations, reflects a Russian foreign policy goal to challenge US hegemony and establish a multipolar world. Key outcomes included agreements on gas field development and pipelines in Nigeria, nuclear power projects in Egypt and Namibia, and loans for Angola's satellite programme. The document notes South Africa's absence from the Russian president's itinerary and the BRIC summit in Yekaterinburg.

The document analyzes the trajectory of the Islamic Front of Salvation (FIS) in Algeria, from its emergence as a mass political party during the liberalisation of 1989 to its ban in 1992 and subsequent role in armed rebellion. It argues that the FIS's success was driven by social grievances and the failure of the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN), while its radicalisation was partly a response to state repression. The paper further assesses the current Algerian party system, noting a trend of public apathy and the continued dominance of the military and executive branch despite the inclusion of moderate Islamist parties in governing coalitions.

The report assesses the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), noting significant project attrition and regulatory delays. It highlights the marginalization of Sub-Saharan Africa and the challenges faced by Indian industry, such as stringent additionality tests. The authors propose shifting toward programmatic and sectoral CDMs, suggesting specific reforms for the Chinese steel sector and the use of 'Retirement-CER Obligations' to support the Bali Action Plan.

The research paper evaluates the impact of approximately 43 million Euros spent on CDM capacity building in Africa and LDCs over a decade. It finds that while institutional support for establishing Designated National Authorities (DNAs) was generally successful, subsidies for project development were largely ineffective, resulting in a high implicit cost per registered project. The authors argue that a holistic approach coordinating the entire CDM process is necessary for better outcomes.

The document assesses the financial requirements for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, noting that current public funding is insufficient. It details specific investment needs for 2030, analyzes existing funds like the GEF and Adaptation Fund, and examines various proposals for new revenue streams, including GDP-based levies, carbon market expansions, and international transport levies. The paper emphasizes the need for a structured approach to technology innovation and a predictable, grant-based system for adaptation.

The report examines the relationship between the global al-Qaida network and the Palestinian polity, focusing on the Gaza Strip. It argues that al-Qaida has used an offensive propaganda campaign to criticize Hamas for political moderation and has attempted to establish an operational foothold in the region. While the report finds no hard evidence of a formal al-Qaida organization in the Palestinian territories, it notes the emergence of various salafi-jihadi groups that have engaged in violence against 'non-Islamic' targets, Christians, and foreigners. Hamas has generally responded defensively to these challenges, fearing that radical elements within its own movement may be receptive to al-Qaida's message, especially under the pressure of international isolation.

The document analyzes how China's decentralization and internationalization have empowered its provinces to act as multilayered foreign policy actors in Africa. It details their roles in trade, construction, investment, and aid, noting that while they often act as agents of the central government, they increasingly pursue independent economic interests. The authors argue that this subnational engagement facilitates deeper Sino-African relations but can also create diplomatic friction due to labor disputes and unethical business practices. The paper suggests that African nations should adopt a multilevel approach to engagement by partnering directly with Chinese provinces to attract investment and share developmental expertise.

The report examines the vulnerabilities of 'non-legal entities'—multistakeholder partnerships hosted by other organizations—noting a lack of standardized governance codes. Through literature reviews, consulting experience, and three case studies, it identifies ten key governance issues, including misaligned priorities between hosts and partnerships, lack of clear fiduciary responsibilities, and insufficient public accountability. The author argues that these entities should adopt a governance discipline similar to that of legal entities to improve performance and reduce the transactional costs of seeking independence.

The report investigates how ISO 26000 is perceived by SMEs, consultants, and National Cleaner Production Centres. It finds that while the ISO brand adds legitimacy to social responsibility, the standard's broad and generic nature makes it a poor management tool for SMEs, who often operate via informal processes and are driven by the personal values of owner-managers. The study highlights significant barriers for SMEs, including a lack of expertise, financial constraints, and low negotiating power within global value chains, which can lead to 'mock compliance'. It concludes that ISO 26000 is most relevant to a specific profile of SMEs—those that are export-oriented, networked into international supply chains, or led by sustainability-aware entrepreneurs.

The report finds that CDM projects frequently underperform, with only 76% of forecasted CERs actually issued by June 2007. This underperformance is attributed to overestimations by consultants and validators, as well as implementation and monitoring difficulties. Waste projects are the worst performers, while N2O projects often exceed expectations. The study identifies additionality demonstration as the primary cause of project rejection, particularly for large-scale projects and cement blending activities in India and Brazil. Bilateral projects, especially those with European participants, show higher CER issuance rates than unilateral projects. The report also highlights deficiencies in stakeholder consultation and the lack of quantifiable indicators for sustainable development in host countries like China, India, and Brazil.

The report examines the historical and socio-economic drivers of terrorism in the Maghreb, focusing on the transition of domestic groups into transnational networks. It details the activities of the GSPC/AQLIM in Algeria, the role of small cell structures in Morocco, and the state-led containment strategies in Tunisia. The document also analyzes the influence of European support networks, the recruitment of North Africans for the insurgency in Iraq, and the effectiveness of various counter-terrorism strategies, including amnesty programs and socio-economic development.

The paper argues that foreign direct investment in Africa is often driven by natural resources rather than good governance or low corruption. While countries with poor governance rankings often attract significant FDI, the author contends that sound governance is necessary for long-term resource management and sustainable economic growth.

The paper assesses the inadequacy of Africa's counterterrorism framework, highlighting the failure of the African Union (AU) and member states to operationalize the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism in Algiers. It identifies specific regional vulnerabilities—including Somalia, the Sahel, Nigeria, and South Africa—and proposes a practical division of labour between the Algiers centre, key states, and regional organisations to improve security capacity.

The author contends that governments in developing nations, especially across Africa, undermine global efforts to lower drug prices by imposing high tariffs and sales taxes on medicines. These financial barriers disproportionately affect the poorest citizens, such as HIV-positive patients in South Africa, by making life-saving treatment unaffordable and reducing the funds available for nutrition. The paper highlights that a 1% reduction in tariffs correlates with a 1% increase in medicine access. Beyond taxation, the author criticizes 'burdensome bureaucracy' in countries like South Africa and Namibia, where slow registration processes and redundant regulations delay patient access to drugs. The document calls for the urgent removal of these 'pernicious taxes and tariffs' and the reform of medical bureaucracies to improve healthcare outcomes.

The document analyzes the emergence of the 'pirogue route' from West Africa to the Canary Islands as a response to increased border security in the Strait of Gibraltar. Through fieldwork in Senegal, the author argues that migrants' decisions to undertake these perilous journeys are not based on misinformation, but are rationalized through a complex interplay of socio-economic vulnerability, cultural notions of manhood, religious beliefs regarding destiny, and a perception that remaining in Senegal constitutes a greater risk than the journey itself. The paper concludes that restrictive border measures, such as patrolling and repatriation, are often ineffective or counter-productive, as they may drive migrants toward even longer and more dangerous routes.

The report provides a comprehensive review of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) practices globally, noting that while OECD member states lead in national program implementation, local governments in both developed and developing regions are highly active. It identifies critical barriers to SPP, such as the traditional 'best value for money' mindset and high upfront capital costs, and argues for a shift toward full-life costing. The document analyzes the compatibility of SPP with international trade agreements like the WTO's Agreement on Government Procurement and details specific national efforts in countries such as Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, emphasizing the need for dedicated legal frameworks and multistakeholder collaboration to scale sustainable purchasing.

The document examines the history of the Western Sahara conflict, focusing on the failure of multiple peace plans proposed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations (UN). It details the divergent positions of Morocco, which seeks sovereignty or autonomy under its rule, and the Polisario Front, which demands a referendum on self-determination. The author argues that the 'winner-takes-all' nature of referendums and the strategic interests of external allies like Algeria, France, and the United States have contributed to a persistent diplomatic stalemate.