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The author questions the strategic value of South Africa joining the BRICs, noting that the group is an informal construct rather than a coherent political or economic bloc. The paper argues that BRICs membership does not inherently improve trade and investment opportunities, as bilateral barriers persist and the group includes economic competitors. Furthermore, the author suggests that joining the BRICs may undermine the IBSA Dialogue Forum and contradict South Africa's image as an assertive regional power.

The document analyzes the Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) clauses in 68 Indian International Investment Agreements (IIAs). It finds that 66 of these agreements include FET obligations, though most fail to define the normative content of the term, leaving interpretation to arbitral tribunals. The author categorizes these provisions into model-IIA, modified-model IIA, and content-indicative types, noting that only a small minority link FET to the customary international law minimum standard of treatment.

The document analyzes the growth and modification of International Investment Agreements (IIAs), noting a trend toward more precise treaty language to preserve state regulatory space, particularly regarding environmental and labor standards. It also details the rise in investor-State disputes, highlighting that while states and investors have similar win rates in concluded cases, the financial stakes and costs of defense are increasing, with developing countries frequently appearing as respondents.

The Clean Technology Fund (CTF), administered by the World Bank and Regional Development Banks, aims to use concessional finance to achieve transformative long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in fast-growing developing countries. As of March 2010, approximately US$4.35 billion of the US$4.405 billion pledged had been earmarked for investment plans across 12 countries and a solar program in North Africa, with US$888 million approved for 15 projects in 8 countries. The document emphasizes the need for greater focus on governance, policy, and regulatory issues during project implementation.

The document examines how global warming threatens fundamental human rights—including the rights to food, water, health, and housing—and explores the legal frameworks available for redress. It reviews international environmental law, the outcomes of the 2009 Copenhagen Conference, and existing jurisprudence from human rights tribunals. The authors argue that climate-related harms are not 'new territory' for litigation but fit within established legal principles. The paper specifically evaluates the CESCR's current work and proposes eleven recommendations to better anchor climate change in the Committee's state reporting, general comments, and the use of its Optional Protocol for individual and inter-state complaints.

The paper reviews China's rapid growth in foreign trade since 1978, highlighting its shift from primary commodity exports to manufactured goods. It identifies critical challenges, including a high dependence on external energy and resources, low value-added exports due to a lack of intellectual property rights, and increasing trade frictions with partners like the US and EU. The author proposes a 'sustainable trade strategy' based on three pillars: economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Key recommendations include upgrading manufacturing to increase value-added, expanding the service sector, reducing the export of energy-intensive and polluting products, and fostering the growth of Chinese multinational corporations.

The document examines the negative impacts of massive water infrastructure expansion on freshwater ecosystems and the resulting vulnerability of human societies to climate-driven mismatches. It proposes a shift from stationary climate assumptions in engineering to a holistic, basin-scale approach that treats healthy ecosystems as critical infrastructure. The author identifies policy silos, a tendency to discount future risks, and financial disparities between nations as primary obstacles to implementing these resilient practices.

The report evaluates the alignment of Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) investments in the electricity sector with sustainable, low-carbon development. It proposes a framework consisting of policies (such as integrated energy planning and subsidy reform) and institutional capacities (including regulatory transparency and stakeholder engagement). A review of loans from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) between 2006 and 2008 reveals that while some projects are comprehensive, many MDB interventions lack consistency in addressing integrated planning, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. The report highlights that comprehensive support is often concentrated in countries with already favorable domestic policies, such as Mexico, and recommends that MDBs more consistently integrate climate-friendly policy and regulatory support into their core electricity financing.

The document analyzes the legal implications of defining 'investment' in international investment agreements (IIAs). It contrasts the traditional, broad asset-based definitions—often modeled on early German treaties—with more recent, precise approaches adopted by Canada, the U.S., ASEAN, and COMESA. The author highlights the tension between 'objective' and 'subjective' tests used by ICSID tribunals to determine jurisdiction, warning states that vague definitions can lead to unexpected arbitral rulings that exceed domestic legal understandings of foreign investment.

The report examines the relationship between the global al-Qaida network and the Palestinian polity, focusing on the Gaza Strip. It argues that al-Qaida has used an offensive propaganda campaign to criticize Hamas for political moderation and has attempted to establish an operational foothold in the region. While the report finds no hard evidence of a formal al-Qaida organization in the Palestinian territories, it notes the emergence of various salafi-jihadi groups that have engaged in violence against 'non-Islamic' targets, Christians, and foreigners. Hamas has generally responded defensively to these challenges, fearing that radical elements within its own movement may be receptive to al-Qaida's message, especially under the pressure of international isolation.

The report argues that while climate change is not the sole cause of conflict, it acts as a 'threat multiplier' in the Levant. It identifies six primary security threats, including increased competition for water, intensified food insecurity, and destabilizing forced migration. The authors emphasize that the region's history of conflict and deep distrust undermine its adaptive capacity, making it more vulnerable to environmental shocks. To mitigate these risks, the report proposes four strategies: fostering a culture of conservation, implementing community-level adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enabling regional cooperation through shared resource management.

The report estimates that the total investment for new housing, renovation, and infrastructure required for a reunited Cyprus would range from €6.3 billion to €8.6 billion, with an average of €7.2 billion over five years. Public sector spending is estimated at €4.3 billion, while private sector spending would be €2.9 billion. The authors identify various financing options, including EU grants, multilateral loans from the EIB and CEB, and borrowing from Greek, Turkish, and local Cypriot banks. Despite these sources, the report forecasts a funding shortfall of approximately €1 billion over the first five years, necessitating bilateral international assistance of €205 million per year. Economically, the reconstruction boom is projected to increase the real GDP growth rate by 3 percentage points, averaging 7.1% in the first five years, and create over 33,000 new jobs.

The report finds that Bilateral Finance Institutions (BFIs) play a major role in global climate finance, with four participating institutions (AFD, JICA, KfW, and EIB) collectively disbursing €8.09 billion in 2008. The majority of this funding (85%) is delivered as Official Development Assistance (ODA), with a heavy concentration on mitigation (72%) and the energy sector. Geographically, Asia and Oceania receive the largest share of finance. The document highlights a significant gap in adaptation funding, which is heavily concentrated in the water sector, and calls for better definitions of adaptation finance and increased coordination among BFIs to enhance effectiveness.

The document defines media observatories as entities that analyze mass media to safeguard information quality, pluralism, and citizens' rights. It argues that the concentration of media ownership in a few hands—particularly in Latin America—undermines the 'fourth estate' and necessitates independent monitoring to ensure media accountability and gender equality.

The paper argues that current irrigation subsidy estimates are inconsistent and lack transparency because they often ignore capital costs, opportunity costs, and environmental externalities. It proposes two primary measurement approaches: a 'net cost to government' method, which subtracts total revenues (including hydropower and fisheries) from gross costs (including depreciation and externalities), and a 'net benefit to recipient' method, which compares the water's economic value to the price paid. The author highlights that irrigation is a major global water consumer, often heavily subsidized, which discourages efficient water use and leads to environmental degradation such as salinization and groundwater depletion.

The document examines how the division of Cyprus has shaped human rights discourses, categorizing civil society organizations (CoSOs) by their impact on the conflict. It analyzes the influence of EU accession and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on these dynamics, specifically focusing on property rights and missing persons.

The research examines the limited scale of trade across the Green Line in Cyprus, identifying a combination of structural obstacles and deep-seated psychological barriers. While trade in goods from north to south grew from EUR 473,631 in 2004 to EUR 4.1 million in 2007, it remains a small fraction of each community's global trade. The authors identify 'denial' among Greek Cypriots and a 'fear of inferiority' among Turkish Cypriots as primary psychological hurdles, often reinforced by political leadership and media. Structural barriers include restrictive EU health requirements, cumbersome transport regulations, and a lack of telecommunications roaming. The report recommends open political encouragement of trade, the creation of a 'Business for Peace' award, and the removal of technical barriers to build trust and economic integration.

The report analyzes four scenarios for the Cyprus settlement: a bizonal bicommunal federation, the continuation of the status quo, a two-state solution, and a functional federation with loose bizonality. The author argues that a functional federation with loose bizonality is the most economically viable option as it encourages integration, respects individual rights, and leverages market forces to achieve socioeconomic convergence. In contrast, the report suggests that strict bizonality and the current stalemate create economic bottlenecks, sustain socioeconomic gaps, and risk political instability. The analysis emphasizes the impact of Cyprus's membership in the EU and the Eurozone, noting that these frameworks necessitate a more integrationalist approach to fiscal and monetary policy.

The World Resources Institute (WRI), an environmental think tank, reported total revenue of $25,345,212 and total expenses of $21,237,532 for the 2005 tax year. The organization operates seven primary programs focusing on climate change, urban mobility, ecosystem protection, and environmental governance. Its largest program expenditure was for the People and Ecosystems Program ($4,443,154), followed by the Institutions and Governance Program ($3,450,686). WRI maintains a staff of over 130 experts and partners with nearly 400 organizations globally.

The document outlines the processes for using the OPIC Accountability Mechanism, specifically the Compliance Review and Problem-Solving paths, and details the U.S. laws and international standards OPIC must follow.