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The author argues that while China's economic decline (the 'Chindown') creates concern, the BRICS grouping remains vital due to its collective weight—representing 25% of global GDP and 45% of the world's population. The group is evolving from a set of economic growth projections into a political economy force, asserting itself in multilateral engagements such as the WTO and G20. Key actions include efforts to trade in national currencies to reduce reliance on the US dollar and pledging funds to the IMF to push for governance and quota reforms. Despite challenges like a lack of cohesive identity and fragile trade linkages, the BRICS are expanding cooperation into food security, sustainable development, and energy.

The document examines the shift in global development dynamics, noting the rise of South–South co-operation (SSC) and the emergence of 'state capitalism', exemplified by China. It argues that while the diversification of partners offers opportunities, African nations must proactively define their developmental interests and improve negotiating capacity to avoid being exploited by rising powers seeking resources. The author recommends that Africa adopt transparency and accountability principles similar to those in North-South aid, utilize national and regional development strategies as frameworks for cooperation, and establish regional codes of conduct for investments, particularly regarding farmland and food security.

The document argues that investment treaty arbitration is a high-stakes gamble for developing states because the system is structurally biased toward investors. While states may successfully defend claims on the merits, they rarely recover the substantial costs of arbitration, which often amount to several million dollars. The author highlights a disparity in cost allocation: successful investors are more likely to have their costs covered by the state than successful states are to recover costs from investors. This risk is further exacerbated for states because they cannot utilize 'no win no fee' arrangements or third-party financing, as they have no damages to claim.

A case study on a peak shaving project in New Delhi, India, featuring a 100 kWp ground-mounted PV plant and 466 kWh of Cegasa lithium LFP battery storage to address India's record-high peak electricity demand.

The SAVi assessment of a proposed Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi, demonstrates that while the project may show negative conventional financial results, the integration of social and environmental externalities creates a strong positive business case. Across three demand scenarios, the system is projected to generate significant net benefits, with discounted net benefits over 20 years ranging from INR 3.14 billion to INR 4.82 billion. The largest benefits are derived from time saved, increased retail revenues, and higher property values, which outweigh the primary negative externality of increased cyclist exposure to air pollution.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) should integrate sustainable development into its New Delhi agenda. The proposal highlights the ICT industry's carbon footprint, the need for inclusive participation of the world's poor, and the potential for multi-stakeholder governance models to improve global environmental governance. It cites increasing global attention to climate change and the role of ICTs in both contributing to and mitigating environmental degradation as key drivers for this thematic shift.

The study finds that rural-urban migration itself does not cause urban violence. Instead, lethal urban political violence is associated with the socioeconomic marginalization of rural-urban migrants—specifically relative deprivation in terms of household assets and access to public services—as well as unequal access to education within the city population.

This delivery report describes a matchmaking workshop held on 4 May 2021 by TEM – Lund University as part of the sWASH&grow project. The event aimed to explore how sustainable healthcare infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries can serve as a leverage point for implementing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) solutions and fostering sustainable community development.

The We Mean Business coalition argues that corporate climate leadership must integrate three pillars: Ambition (setting science-based targets), Action (transforming core business strategies and value chains), and Advocacy (pushing for pro-climate government policies). The report emphasizes that to avoid the sharply growing costs of temperature rises above 1.5°C, global emissions must halve by 2030, and businesses must transition to net-zero by 2050 at the latest. It highlights the necessity of independent verification, executive accountability, and a 'just transition' that considers social equity and workforce reskilling. The framework also stresses the importance of consistency in lobbying, urging companies to ensure their trade associations do not undermine their public climate commitments.