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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra examines the role of services trade in transitioning to a circular economy. Based on a survey of 96 firms and 16 in-depth interviews, the report identifies key services—such as IT, R&D, and waste management—that enable circular business models. It analyzes the modes of service delivery, the impact of digitalization, and the regulatory barriers that hinder the international exchange of these services, ultimately proposing an integrated trade policy approach to support global resource efficiency.

This document is an introductory summary of a conference titled "Controlling small arms proliferation and reversing cultures of violence in Africa and the Indian Ocean," organized by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud (IFAS), and the Université de La Réunion (ULR). The conference aimed to address the proliferation of illicit small arms and improve strategic interactions between anglophone, francophone, and lusophone participants.

This research paper examines the impact and stability of the €6 billion migration agreement between the European Union and Turkey, noting that while it initially reduced irregular crossings and disrupted smuggling operations, the deal is now threatened by Turkey's internal political and economic instability.

This policy brief examines the role and effectiveness of voluntary marine fisheries eco-labelling initiatives in Southern and Eastern Africa, specifically comparing the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friends of the Sea (FOS).

This report examines irregular migration from North Africa to Europe and the specific economic and socio-political challenges facing Egypt, including the impact of security-focused border policies and resource scarcity.

This briefing by Dr. Witold M. Patoka of the National Defence College, Stockholm, provides a statistical and strategic overview of Russia, focusing on its economic indicators, energy production, military capabilities, and geopolitical risks.

This report examines international and national approaches to combating cybercrime, with a specific focus on South Africa's legislative efforts, including the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill, and the challenges faced by law enforcement and the judiciary in addressing electronic crime.

This report summarizes a seminar held on October 17, 2008, at the United Nations Conference Center regarding the implications of the 2008 US Presidential Election for Africa. The event featured presentations by Dr. Steven Erkovich and Dr. Joseph Vincent Ebode, who analyzed US foreign policy motivations, the specific propositions of candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, and the strategic rationale behind Obama's candidacy.

This document is a rebuttal by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to an article and subsequent response by Charles C. Mann in The Atlantic. Lovins argues that Mann ignores the role of efficiency and technological innovation in reducing oil demand and misrepresents the reliability and economic viability of renewable energy, specifically in Germany.

This editorial by Amory B. Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute argues that the perceived inevitability of increased fossil fuel consumption is a flawed assumption. By applying engineering-economic analysis, the authors suggest that a 'least-cost energy strategy' focusing on energy efficiency and renewables can reduce fossil fuel reliance to nearly zero within half a century, effectively mitigating the CO2 problem through economic rationality rather than solely through climatic cost-benefit analyses.

The report 'HOW NOT TO PARACHUTE MORE CATS' by Hunter and Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute argues that global resource crises—including energy, water, and climate change—can be solved by understanding interconnections and prioritizing resource efficiency over the expansion of supply. The authors advocate for a 'least-cost' approach, demonstrating that energy efficiency and renewable technologies are often cheaper and more effective than fossil fuels or nuclear power. They suggest that these technical solutions can simultaneously improve economic health, reduce nuclear proliferation, and enhance global security by reducing dependence on volatile resources like Mideast oil.

The document introduces 'natural capitalism,' a proposed new industrial paradigm that values natural and human capital alongside financial and manufactured capital. It argues that conventional industrial capitalism is unsustainable because it treats nature as a free, infinite resource, leading to the rapid depletion of living systems and ecosystem services. To avert ecological and social disaster, the text proposes four interrelated strategies: radical resource productivity, biomimicry, a service-and-flow economy, and direct investment in natural capital.

This report chapter examines the 'industrial metabolism' of the United States, arguing that the current industrial system is characterized by massive waste of natural resources, human potential, and financial capital. It contends that conventional economic measures like GDP are misleading because they count the costs of waste and social decay as economic growth, masking a decline in actual quality of life and the depletion of natural capital.

This research paper by Jodie Keane explores the nature of intra-Commonwealth value chains using a mixed-methods approach. It analyzes trade intensity, shifts in intermediate goods sourcing, and firm-level data to determine how Commonwealth members integrate into regional versus global value chains (GVCs). The findings suggest a prevalence of additive value chains and a specific tendency for Small Island Developing States to export within the Commonwealth.

This 2006 report examines the prospects for aerospace co-operation among India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA). It identifies South Africa's role as a 'second-tier' supplier and highlights the government's Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) to integrate the sector into global supply chains. While identifying potential for collaboration in regional aircraft, strategic defence systems, and small satellites, the report notes significant hurdles, including corruption allegations involving Denel and the Indian government, and the challenge of balancing South-South co-operation with existing partnerships with 'first-tier' Northern contractors.

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.

This research paper by Professor Awadi Sadiki Mawenya, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in August 2008, examines the nature, causes, and economic impact of corruption within public procurement in Africa. It argues that corruption is a primary driver of poverty on the continent and proposes a holistic strategy for mitigation involving political will, legal frameworks, transparency, and the engagement of non-governmental actors.

This policy briefing analyzes the evolution of Brazilian foreign policy in the 21st century, specifically under President Luiz 'Lula' da Silva. It examines Brazil's efforts to balance its role as a regional leader in South America with its ambitions as a global player, emphasizing its commitment to multilateralism, the reform of international institutions, and the use of soft power to promote democratic governance.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) introduces two new indices—the Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability Index (CEVI) and the Climate Change and Economic Resilience Index (CERI)—to provide a quantitative basis for the allocation of climate finance. The author argues that current climate finance, particularly OECD adaptation funding, is misaligned with the actual vulnerability and resilience of recipient countries, often favoring middle-income nations over the most vulnerable low-income economies, particularly in Africa.

This project brief outlines Work Package 1 (WP1) of the CADWAGO project, which investigates how stakeholder perceptions of ecosystems influence water governance under climate change across 10 international case studies.