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This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates South Africa's third African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action (NPoA) implementation report (SAIR3), launched in January 2014. While the author notes significant improvements in the quality, honesty, and consultative nature of the reporting compared to previous efforts, the briefing concludes that the APRM remains largely a foreign policy tool with minimal domestic impact due to a lack of integration into national planning and persistent governance challenges.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a letter to the Department of Environmental Affairs on 24 June 2014, arguing that Eskom failed to conduct necessary health impact assessments for its applications to postpone Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The CER highlights expert estimates of significant premature deaths and economic costs resulting from Eskom's emissions and notes that Eskom previously withheld its own internal health risk reports from the public.

This case study examines the 100 MW Eskom CSP power tower plant in Upington, South Africa, focusing on its financial structure, risk management, and the role of public funding in deploying emerging concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies warns that cybercriminals use major events like the 2014 World Cup to deploy phishing scams, malware, and fraudulent apps. It argues that African governments must implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to protect citizens, citing a lack of cybercrime laws and rapid internet growth as factors making the continent a potential 'safe harbour' for cybercrime.

This research paper analyzes the impact of 'mega-regional' trade agreements on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the strategic position of South Africa. It argues that the rise of agreements like the TPP and TTIP, driven by the needs of global value chains, threatens the WTO's centrality and creates a risk of a multi-bloc trade world. The author suggests that South Africa must recalibrate its trade strategy, move beyond a blocking strategy in the WTO, and utilize regional negotiations to prepare for new global regulatory norms to avoid isolation.

This briefing paper examines the policy tools available to Eastern African states to foster 'national champions' in the mining sector and maximize sustainable development benefits from foreign direct investment. It analyzes the effectiveness of ownership and performance requirements and evaluates how international investment agreements, specifically Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), may restrict the policy space of host governments.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analyzes the 2014 South African Defence Review. It describes the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as being in a state of critical decline and evaluates the financial feasibility of the government's long-term plan to rejuvenate the military by 2034. The author argues that the review's expansive mandate is out of step with the available budget and suggests a more focused approach centered on peacekeeping and a 'growth core' concept.

This research paper by Khabele Matlosa examines the evolution of democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the relationship between the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). It analyzes the transition from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), the challenges of implementing governance reviews and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), and proposes strategic imperatives to enhance synergy between the AU's governance and peace architectures.

This research paper examines the transition of Russia toward a 'green economy,' analyzing the gap between official policy documents and practical implementation. It highlights Russia's immense natural capital and the critical need to reduce its economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports and improve energy efficiency to ensure long-term sustainable development.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the 2013 elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe, which followed periods of severe electoral violence in 2007 and 2008. The author examines how different levels of constitutional reform, the available lead-time before polling, and the influence of transitional justice and Western diplomatic pressure shaped the outcomes of these 'first-generation' elections.

This research paper examines South Africa's use of economic statecraft and economic diplomacy in its relations with Zimbabwe and Swaziland, analyzing the country's reluctance to leverage economic power to promote democratic reform and human rights in these neighboring states.

A report by Cecil le Fleur, Chairperson of the National Khoi San Council, regarding his attendance at the 13th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York in May 2014. The document details tensions between the Council and the South African government over the legal recognition of the Khoi and San, as well as international disputes regarding the participation of indigenous peoples in the upcoming World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.

This research paper examines the shifting landscape of Africa's extractive sector, noting the rise of emerging market companies and increasing pressure on all firms to demonstrate developmental and environmental contributions. It argues that Western and OECD companies can gain a competitive edge by adapting their business models to support local processing, reskilling workers, and enhancing transparency.

This research paper by the African Centre for Cities and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network proposes a framework for 'climate compatible development' in African cities, specifically focusing on informal settlements. It argues that because a significant portion of Africa's urban growth occurs in slums, climate resilience must be integrated with poverty alleviation and in situ upgrading to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.

This research paper examines the relationship between South Africa's normative foreign policy goals—centered on democracy, human rights, and good governance—and its economic diplomacy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The author argues that there is an inconsistent linkage between these two areas, as South Africa often prioritizes economic interests and historical political alliances over the enforcement of its normative values.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the architecture of extractive governance in Africa, focusing on the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC). It argues that for these African-led initiatives to succeed, they must integrate ground-level research, avoid duplication of efforts, and leverage the experience of existing global and multilateral frameworks.

The Centre for Environmental Rights submitted additional comments to the Department of Environmental Affairs regarding the declaration of greenhouse gases as priority pollutants, specifically requesting clearer distinctions in the classification of land use and land use change.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, representing several environmental justice organisations and community groups, submitted comments to the Department of Environmental Affairs regarding the declaration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as priority air pollutants. The submission specifically argues that natural ecosystems should be excluded from the requirement to submit pollution prevention plans.

This research paper by Christopher Wood of the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the stalled negotiations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union. The author identifies four primary obstacles—export taxes, the Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause, agricultural safeguards, and rules of origin—and proposes specific compromises to ensure the agreement's completion and successful implementation.