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This briefing note, prepared for a July 2011 seminar organized by the Pan-African Parliament and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), examines the surge of foreign investment in African agricultural land and water. It highlights the risks to local food security, gender equality, and environmental standards, while outlining the legal frameworks governing these deals and the critical oversight role that parliamentarians should play to ensure sustainable development.

In a statement delivered on 20 June 2011, Dame Nicola Brewer, the British High Commissioner to South Africa, outlines the evolving relationship between the United Kingdom and South Africa. She emphasizes a shift in the UK's perception of Africa from a 'problem' to a 'partner,' highlighting shared democratic values, economic opportunities, and a commitment to mutual growth and regional integration.

The June 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis on security crises in South Sudan, Uganda, and Madagascar, alongside a retrospective on African border disputes and an examination of drug trafficking in West Africa.

The 'Guía Práctica de Uso de la Orina en la Producción Agrícola' is a comprehensive guide published by the Stockholm Environment Institute that provides technical, economic, and institutional frameworks for using human urine as a sustainable agricultural fertilizer. It details the nutrient composition of urine, application strategies, risk management based on WHO guidelines, and case studies from various global regions to support the transition toward productive sanitation systems.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of safeguards and the pursuit of 'multiple benefits' within the REDD+ mechanism established by the Cancun Agreements. It explores how safeguard systems can move beyond a 'do no harm' approach to actively promote sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and biodiversity conservation. The document analyzes various international safeguard standards, reviews how developing countries are integrating these into their Readiness Preparation Proposals (R-PPs), and discusses the institutional and financial challenges of creating a transparent information-sharing system for monitoring compliance.

This report by Friends of the Earth International and several partner organisations argues against the 'Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI), asserting that large-scale land acquisitions—or 'land grabbing'—cannot be made responsible and should instead be outlawed to protect food sovereignty and human rights.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and a coalition of social movements condemning the 'Principles of Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI) as a facade to legitimize large-scale land grabbing. The document argues that these voluntary principles, promoted by the World Bank and other international agencies, mask financial speculation and human rights violations while advocating instead for food sovereignty and genuine land reform.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the energy-based relationship between India and Africa. It analyzes India's strategic need to diversify its energy imports away from the Middle East and its efforts to build a sustainable, development-oriented partnership with African nations that moves beyond simple resource extraction to include capacity building and renewable energy cooperation.

This research paper by Ruchita Beri for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the evolution of India's relations with African nations. It analyzes the transition from an early policy based on ideological support for decolonization and non-alignment to a more pragmatic approach centered on economic diplomacy, energy security, and capacity building. The document details trade growth, diverse investment patterns across various sectors, and technical cooperation initiatives, while discussing the geopolitical drivers and challenges India faces in its engagement with the continent.

This report documents the proceedings of the Fifth Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators, held in Kampala, Uganda, from October 17–19, 2011. The event, co-organized by the Government of Uganda, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the South Centre, brought together 79 participants from 40 countries to discuss how developing nations can align foreign direct investment (FDI) with sustainable development goals. The forum focused on the risks of existing bilateral investment treaties (BITs), the importance of regulatory space for host states, and regional cooperation in investment policy.

The REDD Development Dividend Task Force Meeting Report documents a January 2011 gathering in Manila, Philippines, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and ASB-ICRAF. The meeting aimed to build policy capacity for developing country negotiators and land managers to ensure that Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) mechanisms deliver a 'Development Dividend'—balancing robust greenhouse gas reductions with sustainable development benefits, equity, and quality safeguards.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the concept and application of "best practices" within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It analyzes 12 Country Review Reports (CRRs) to identify indigenous governance solutions and argues that a lack of conceptual clarity regarding what constitutes a "best practice" hinders the APRM's ability to facilitate peer learning and sustainable reform across the continent.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that Jatropha is neither a profitable nor a sustainable investment for biofuel production. It challenges the 'miracle crop' narrative, providing evidence that the plant requires significant inputs to be viable, often competes with food production, and leads to the displacement of local communities and the destruction of biodiversity.

This executive summary by Friends of the Earth International argues that large-scale jatropha plantations are neither economically viable nor sustainable, contradicting claims by investment companies that the crop is a solution for the energy crisis, climate change, and poverty.

This report documents the proceedings of the fourth African Commandants' Conference (ACoC), held from November 1-3, 2010, in Jinja, Uganda. The conference focused on developing a joint continental force to improve effectiveness in multinational environments by enhancing military education, training, and coordination among African staff colleges to support the African Standby Force (ASF) and Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

This research paper examines the concept of 'exceptionalism' in China's foreign policy toward Africa, analyzing the gap between Beijing's official rhetoric of mutual respect and non-interference and the practical challenges of implementing these principles amidst growing economic interests and the autonomy of sub-state actors.

This report examines food security policy responses within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the context of global food price hikes, analyzing the relationship between regional strategies, intraregional trade, and the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP).

This research paper explores the complexities of resource governance in Africa, examining how the extraction of minerals and oil often triggers conflict driven by greed and grievance. The author argues for a transition from violent political struggle to a discourse of cooperation and the creation of transparent institutional structures to ensure that resource wealth benefits local communities and national development rather than fueling instability.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in April 2010, synthesizes five research papers on the economic, environmental, and political dimensions of fossil-fuel subsidies. It argues that these subsidies lock economies into fossil-fuel reliance, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and divert funds from social services. The document provides a framework for reform, emphasizing the need for transparency, political strategy, and a two-track approach involving both domestic reporting and a new international data-gathering regime.

This research paper summarizes a February 2010 roundtable discussion hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) regarding the progress and future prospects of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The discussion, featuring representatives from the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the APRM Secretariat, and civil society, evaluates the mechanism's achievements in promoting governance and accountability across Africa while identifying systemic failures in implementation, funding, and leadership.