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The report assesses three multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs)—the APRM, OGP, and EITI—finding that while they provide platforms for transparency and civil society engagement, their ability to drive fundamental governance transformation is limited by varying levels of political will, uneven implementation, and challenges in measuring direct impact.

The policy brief examines the decline of human rights as a cornerstone of South African foreign policy, contrasting the country's strong domestic human rights framework with its controversial voting record at the UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council. The author contends that this 'de-norming' undermines South Africa's role as a bridge-builder and normative leader in Africa and the Global South. To reverse this trend, the document recommends a three-point action plan: reconceptualising human rights diplomacy through a national 'indaba', strengthening bilateral ties with human rights-promoting nations, and increasing civil society pressure for government accountability.

The document analyzes the difficulties in establishing the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) compared to the Global Compact on Refugees, citing domestic political pressures, populism, and a lack of UN leadership. It highlights the unequal nature of migration negotiations between the African Union and the European Union, where the EU prioritizes border control while African nations focus on development. The author critiques the GCM's zero draft as a non-binding 'wish list' that lacks accountability mechanisms, though it notes the potential of its proposed capacity-building mechanism to support African regional migration goals.

The assessment finds that 'green' finance aligned with forest emission reduction is significantly outweighed by 'grey' finance that potentially drives deforestation. While some middle-income countries invest more domestically in REDD+ than they receive internationally, overall international public finance for forestry remains insufficient. Private sector investment in 'business as usual' farming and forestry is estimated at USD 168 billion annually, and while some financial institutions are adopting deforestation risk policies, transparency and mandatory enforcement remain low. The report suggests that blended finance and public sector tools are necessary to shift private capital toward sustainable land use.

The report provides an evaluation of corporate peacebuilding initiatives, arguing that most 'Business for Peace' (B4P) efforts have yielded few positive impacts and can sometimes exacerbate local conflicts. It presents seven key questions for firms to assess their impact on conflict environments, local definitions of peace, socio-economic structures, and supply chain links to conflict actors. The authors conclude that the most peace-positive strategy is often to avoid conflict regions entirely and that substantive progress requires binding, independently verified regulatory initiatives.

The document provides a mapping of children living in conflict settings, distinguishing between those in conflict-affected countries and those in 'conflict zones' (within 50km of fighting). In 2017, approximately 1.8 billion children lived in conflict-affected countries, while 420 million lived in conflict zones. Asia has the highest absolute number of affected children, but the Middle East has the highest proportion relative to its population. The report also notes a rise in the number of children in conflict zones since 2000 and discusses the severe impact of the denial of humanitarian access, particularly in South Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and the Central African Republic.

The report analyzes electricity access in 20 high-deficit countries by comparing government reports, utility data, household surveys, and solar sales. It consistently finds that household consumption (wealth) is a stronger driver of access disparity than gender, although specific national patterns vary. In many cases, significant gaps exist between formal utility connection rates and household survey results, often attributed to off-grid solutions, informal connections, or self-supply methods like diesel generators.

The report examines the intersection of global energy trends and gender equality, arguing that universal energy access by 2030 requires moving beyond 'business-as-usual' to address systemic discrimination. It identifies decentralization, affordability, and mobile payments as potential catalysts for inclusion, while urbanization and humanitarian crises present significant hurdles. Through case studies in five countries, the document highlights how barriers such as lack of land tenure, digital gender gaps, and inadequate financial services prevent women from leveraging these trends to improve their livelihoods and health.

The report identifies a growing "restoration economy" where businesses generate financial returns by improving the ecological function of degraded landscapes. It categorizes these opportunities into four main investment themes: technology, consumer products, project management, and commercial forestry. Through case studies of 14 companies across eight countries, the authors illustrate how various models—from drone-based reforestation and climate-smart credit for smallholders to sustainable timber and bamboo plantations—can scale. The document highlights that while significant market opportunities exist due to government pledges and rising resource demand, investors face hurdles such as high transaction costs, low liquidity, and insecure land tenure in developing regions.

The Greater Mekong region, comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, has lost a third of its tree cover since the 1970s and faces further loss due to industrial agriculture and infrastructure. The report highlights the critical role of forests in providing ecosystem services, such as water filtration and climate regulation, and their importance for biodiversity, including tigers and elephants. WWF advocates for a 'landscape model' that balances economic development with conservation. Key solutions include establishing Community Protected Areas (CPAs), promoting FSC-certified sustainable products like rattan and acacia, and transitioning to deforestation-free rubber supply chains. The report emphasizes that empowering local communities and integrating natural capital into government policy are essential for long-term forest stability.

The report analyzes investment laws in ASEAN countries, noting that not all members have a dedicated investment law and that such laws are only a small part of the broader regulatory regime. It distinguishes these laws from investment treaties, highlighting that ASEAN investment laws generally lack the vague investor rights and general consent to investor-state arbitration typically found in treaties.

The report finds that there is no single 'good practice' model for investment laws in ASEAN, as their functions vary significantly by country—ranging from managing entry approvals to granting incentives. Some members, such as Singapore, have no specific investment law, relying instead on general and sector-specific legislation. A key distinction is made between national investment laws and investment treaties; the report notes that ASEAN investment laws generally lack the vague, broad investor rights (such as 'fair and equitable treatment') and the general consent to investor-state arbitration typically found in treaties. The author argues that investment laws cannot be evaluated in isolation and must be understood as part of a broader national regulatory regime.

The report analyzes the critical role of sediment in the Mekong River Basin and the threats posed by human activity and climate change. It finds that hydropower dams and riverbed mining are drastically reducing sediment loads, which threatens the productivity of the Mekong Delta and Tonle Sap, impacts fisheries and agriculture, and increases coastal erosion. The authors recommend enhanced regional monitoring, better data sharing between China and Lower Mekong countries, and the integration of sediment management into the entire hydropower lifecycle.

The analysis identifies women as central actors in Cambodian agricultural value chains, particularly in rice and cassava, though they face systemic barriers in literacy, technical training, and access to extension services. While women often control household finances and run a majority of micro-enterprises, they are more vulnerable to climate shocks and labor shortages caused by rural-urban migration. The report recommends a Gender Action Plan (GAP) to increase women's participation in agricultural machinery operation, infrastructure construction, and value chain management, leveraging the Women Farmers Network for outreach.

The report assesses the evidence on whether investment treaties attract foreign direct investment (FDI), facilitate domestic reforms, or limit government policy space. It finds that while treaties may modestly increase FDI, particularly in high-sunk-cost sectors like mining, they often benefit foreign investors at the expense of host states through distributive effects and potential regulatory chill. The evidence on other claimed benefits, such as 'levelling the playing field' or depoliticizing disputes, is found to be limited or contradictory.

The report argues that discriminatory state practices, often driven by a focus on state security over human security, are counterproductive to countering violent extremism. It examines how 'othering' specific religious or ethnic groups—particularly Muslims and certain African ethnic communities—creates grievances that extremist groups exploit for recruitment. The authors advocate for a 'whole of society' approach that prioritises the rule of law, human rights, and socio-economic drivers over identity-based risk assessments.

The report inventories over 125 submissions of digital technologies designed to build resilience, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region. It categorizes these tools by technology type, scale of impact, supported systems, and primary focus (preparedness, recurring event response, or catastrophic event response). The inventory details specific projects, such as the use of satellite data for flood risk in India, mobile health programs in India, and 3D printing for medical supplies in Nepal, highlighting a strong trend toward pro-poor focus and the use of mobile-based communication (SMS, IVR) and geospatial data (GIS, remote sensing) to support vulnerable populations.

The document outlines Denmark's EUTR framework, noting that the Danish Environmental Protection Agency serves as the Competent Authority. It details a penalty regime involving fines, confiscation of profits, and potential detention, while highlighting a trend of increasing checks from 2013 to 2016. The brief identifies significant challenges for NGOs in pursuing substantiated concerns due to a lack of formal decision requirements and limited appeal options.

The report assesses current and future climate risks in Myanmar, projecting significant temperature increases, variable rainfall changes, and rising sea levels by mid-century. It highlights vulnerabilities across biodiversity, health, agriculture, and infrastructure, while demonstrating how the Myanmar Climate Change Alliance (MCCA) uses vulnerability assessments in the Ayeyarwady Delta and Central Dry Zone to guide local adaptation planning.

The report finds that Myanmar is experiencing significant warming, with inland areas warming faster than coastal ones. Projections for the mid-21st century indicate temperature increases of 1.3°C to 2.7°C and sea level rise of 20 to 41 centimeters. While wet season precipitation is expected to increase, potentially exacerbating flooding, changes in the hot and cool seasons remain uncertain. The report emphasizes the high vulnerability of the Ayeyarwaddy Delta and Central Dry Zone, advocating for ecosystem-based adaptation and the integration of climate risk data into infrastructure and agricultural planning.