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The 2012 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration is a statement negotiated by South African youth at the 1st South African Institute of International Affairs Young Leaders Conference. The document outlines youth-led recommendations for the international community, the African continent, and the South African government across three primary themes: climate change and sustainable development, universal education, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

This report documents a roundtable held in Johannesburg in June 2014, focused on revitalising multilateral trade negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) following the 2013 Bali package. The discussions centered on the rise of mega-regional trade agreements, the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the future of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), agricultural impasses, and the integration of African economies into Global Value Chains (GVCs).

This research paper by Elizabeth Sidiropoulos argues that for the BRICS grouping to be perceived as a positive alternative to existing dominant global powers, it must move beyond its image as a collection of emerging markets and embrace an inclusive developmental agenda. The author proposes that the BRICS should lead on four specific global challenges: rising inequality, the finite nature of the Anthropocene age, the rise of identity-based radicalism, and the tension between state sovereignty and the provision of global public goods.

This working document, compiled by the Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST), proposes a conceptual framework to define, account for, and measure the quality and impact of South-South co-operation (SSC). It seeks to establish a common narrative and methodological approach for Southern partners to track development co-operation independently of the OECD-DAC's Official Development Assistance (ODA) standards.

This diagnostic report synthesises findings from five dialogues held in developing countries to explore paths for revitalising multilateral trade negotiations following the stalemate of the Doha Round. It examines the rise of mega-regional trade agreements (MPTAs) and plurilateral approaches as alternatives to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) consensus-based model, while highlighting the specific needs of developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs) in the context of global value chains (GVCs) and agricultural reform.

A statement by Trevor Manuel, Minister in the Presidency for National Planning, delivered on 18 September 2009, discussing Africa's economic vulnerabilities and the need for the continent to strengthen its regional integration and institutional capacity to effectively influence global governance reform.

The G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting Outcome Document and Chair's Summary, convened on 18 September 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, outlines a strategic framework to address global food insecurity and malnutrition. Under the South African Presidency's theme of 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability', the ministers identified four priority areas: inclusive market participation, empowerment of youth and women, innovation and technology, and climate resilience. The document emphasizes the role of multilateral trade, public-private partnerships, and the voluntary transfer of technology to transform global food systems.

The 'Air Aware: A Journey of Youth-Led Action for Clean Air and Environmental Justice in Johannesburg' guide documents a campaign by Youth@SAIIA, part of the global Breathe Cities initiative. The program empowers young people aged 13–25 in South Africa to transition from awareness to advocacy through capacity-building workshops, the creation of 'Youth Air Champions' (YACs), and community-led campaigns. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between youth lived experiences and formal air quality governance, culminating in a Youth-Led Conference on Air Pollution Policy and Implementation to influence the City of Johannesburg's air quality policies.

This 2012 case study examines the operational challenges faced by Aluminium Africa Limited (ALAF), a Tanzania-based aluminium and steel manufacturer. ALAF reports significant barriers to regional trade within the SADC area, including inadequate energy infrastructure (marked by power rationing and cost increases), inefficient border controls and port services in Tanzania, and regulatory uncertainty. The company also highlights difficulties in accessing skilled labour and foreign currency in markets like Malawi. While ALAF has invested in backup power and lobbied via the Confederation of Tanzania Industries, it notes a lack of tangible government action to resolve these systemic constraints.

This document is a rating table from the South African Institute of International Affairs' APRM Monitoring Project, assessing various themes of the National Plan of Action (NPoA) using a color-coded system (Red, Orange, Green).

This report documents the proceedings of the 'APRM+10' conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 17-18 May 2013. The event brought together over 120 stakeholders, including civil society organisations (CSOs), academics, and government officials, to reflect on the first decade of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and project its future. The conference focused on the role of CSOs in monitoring governance, the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), the management of diversity (youth, gender, and minorities), and the integration of the APRM into the emerging African Governance Architecture (AGA).

This briefing summarizes a South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) roundtable held on 29 March 2010 regarding Lesotho's experience with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The discussion, featuring former APRM Focal Point Ambassador HM Leteka, Professor Roger Southall, and Tšoeu Petlane, examines the milestones of Lesotho's review process, the findings of the Country Review Report, and the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), provides a comprehensive analysis of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Based on a five-year research project, it examines the processes, governance, and political dynamics of the APRM, focusing on the experiences of five 'pioneer' countries: Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Mauritius, and South Africa.

This research paper by Amanda Lucey argues for the integration of peace and security into the discourse of South-South Cooperation (SSC), specifically in the context of the BAPA+40 conference. The author contends that while the original 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) focused on economic and social development, the contemporary African reality necessitates a holistic approach where peace and development are viewed as mutually reinforcing.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the business environment in Mozambique through interviews conducted in November 2003 with South African companies. It analyzes the drivers of South African investment, the systemic challenges faced by firms—particularly small and medium enterprises—and the impact of this investment on the Mozambican economy.

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the opportunities and challenges for South African businesses and investors in Egypt. It describes Egypt as a promising emerging economy with significant growth and stability since 1991, though South African penetration remains minimal compared to EU, US, and Arab investment. The document details specific operational hurdles, including bureaucratic corruption, cultural differences in work ethic, and price-sensitive consumer markets, while highlighting strengths such as a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and expanding sectors in natural gas and agro-business.

This research paper by Zhu Jiejin discusses the establishment and strategic role of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) as a mechanism for new South–South co-operation. The author argues that the NDB is designed to address the significant infrastructure financing gaps in developing countries and to supplement, rather than replace, existing multilateral development institutions. The paper proposes five guiding principles for the NDB's institutional design: fair governance, market-based operation, non-intervention with high standards, localisation, and constructive supplement.

This policy brief analyzes the barriers to technology transfer from Chinese telecommunications equipment providers, specifically Huawei and ZTE, to South African companies. Based on fieldwork conducted in 2015, the author identifies three primary obstacles: the rise of managed services contracts, challenges regarding the legitimacy and professionalism of Chinese firms, and a weak institutional and regulatory framework in South Africa.

This policy brief examines the integration of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) into Africa, focusing on the shift from resource trade to infrastructure and industrial cooperation. It highlights the opportunities for regional integration and industrialization, while warning of the financial risks associated with debt-based lending and the need for African governments to ensure project viability and local capacity building.

This policy brief examines the impact of Chinese investments in Tanzania's plastic recycling industry and the subsequent effects of China's 2018 import ban on waste materials. It highlights how Chinese firms have facilitated technology transfer and local business growth, while also noting significant environmental and health risks and a potential decline in local waste sourcing due to the import of cleaner waste from Europe and the US.