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This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines global 'wildcards' and megatrends—including great-power instability, generative AI, and the biosphere crisis—that could disrupt future scenarios for Africa and the world by 2043.

The Clean Air NDC Scorecard 2023 evaluates how 170 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) integrate air quality and health considerations. The analysis reveals a significant gap in recognition of the links between climate action and air quality, particularly among high-income countries and major emitters, while low- and middle-income countries generally demonstrate higher levels of integration.

This research paper assesses bilateral climate finance provided between 2016 and 2020 to ten developing countries with low governance scores, identifying a heavy skew toward mitigation and a concentration of funding from Japan to Uzbekistan.

The 2023 CleanAir NDC Scorecard by the Global Climate and Health Alliance analyzes 170 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to assess how governments integrate air quality and health considerations into their climate plans. The report finds that while most NDCs mention air quality, there is a significant gap in quantifying health impacts and establishing forward-looking targets, with low- and middle-income countries generally showing higher levels of integration than high-income nations.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) provides a mine-level assessment of global coal mine methane emissions, finding that operating mines emit 52.3 million tonnes of methane per year. This volume rivals emissions from the oil and gas sectors and is significantly higher than many national inventories report. The analysis identifies China, specifically Shanxi province, as the primary source of these emissions and warns that proposed new mine projects could add another 11.3 million tonnes annually, potentially locking in emissions equivalent to the coal-based CO2 emissions of the United States.

This policy briefing examines the current state of global nuclear disarmament, framed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock being set to 100 seconds to midnight in January 2020. It analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diplomatic processes, the success of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Ban Treaty), and the role of non-state actors and small nations in driving a 'humanitarian turn' in disarmament diplomacy.

This executive summary from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) analyzes the gap between financial commitments and actual disbursements for energy projects in 20 high-impact countries (HICs) across Africa and Asia. Using OECD Creditor Reporting System (CRS) data, the report highlights that while energy finance disbursements grew faster than overall development finance between 2013 and 2018, they still significantly lag behind commitments, hindering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).

This research paper examines the implications of the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) from an African and South African perspective, highlighting the deterioration of international cooperation and the increased risk of nuclear proliferation.

A statement from leaders of national organizations urging the U.S. Senate to reject Mike Pompeo's nomination for Secretary of State, citing his climate change denial, hawkish foreign policy views, and record on human rights.

This research paper analyzes the internal dynamics and global positioning of the BRICS grouping amidst a shift in US foreign policy. It highlights the economic dominance of China within the group, the tension between the narrative of equality and actual power imbalances, and the group's commitment to maintaining an open global economy and climate agreements like the Paris accord despite internal rivalries.

This research paper analyzes the German G20 presidency in 2017, focusing on Germany's strategic initiatives for Africa and the challenges posed by the United States' shift toward protectionism under President Donald Trump.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the behavior and voting patterns of African states within the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) between July 2010 and July 2014. It highlights a tension between the African Group's organized coordination and its diverse, often inconsistent, responses to human rights violations both within Africa and globally.

This briefing argues that the international community should use the process of Syria's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as a catalyst for a broader, holistic approach to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) disarmament, specifically within the Middle East.

The CRED v.1.4 Technical Report describes the methodology of the Climate and Regional Economics of Development (CRED) model, an integrated assessment model designed to estimate the optimal pace and distribution of global investment in emissions mitigation and climate policy costs.

This 2012 guide by the Institute for Security Studies provides a comprehensive reference for African State representatives negotiating the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations. It details the proposed scope of the treaty, including categories of conventional arms and types of international transactions, and outlines the criteria for authorizing arms transfers, such as risks to peace, security, and human rights. The toolkit also examines implementation requirements, including national authority systems, record-keeping, reporting, and the potential role of an Implementation Support Unit, while highlighting existing African regional and subregional obligations.

The report details the activities and outcomes of the China Node for Sustainable Sanitation (CNSS) from November 2008 to May 2011. Established as the first node of the EcoSanRes-2 program and hosted by the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), CNSS aimed to promote ecological sanitation (ecosan) through public awareness, urban planning integration, and international knowledge exchange. The initiative focused on overcoming traditional taboos regarding sanitation in China and creating a platform for experts, NGOs, and government decision-makers to collaborate on sustainable wastewater and excreta management.

A statement delivered by Amelia Broodryk on May 7, 2010, at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York, representing a group of non-governmental experts from New Agenda Coalition (NAC) countries. The statement outlines seven specific criteria for measuring the success of the 2010 Review Conference in advancing international peace, security, and the goal of a nuclear-weapons-free world.

The National Chairman's Annual Statement 2007 from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) discusses South Africa's role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the challenges of balancing its aspirational, human-rights-based foreign policy with the realities of global realpolitik.

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.

This 2005 IISD report examines food security as a fundamental human right, moving beyond simple supply metrics to include distribution and individual access. It evaluates four strategies for achieving food security: food self-sufficiency, trade liberalization, food sovereignty, and multi-functional agriculture. The report argues that while trade can stabilize supply, it can also undermine local production and increase vulnerability. It concludes that a pragmatic approach combining flexible trade rules with national policy space and sustainable agricultural practices is necessary to ensure long-term food security.