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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) submitted a core budget request of $1,012,405 for the 2006-2007 fiscal year, which is identical to the previous year's request. The budget supports Directorate operations, which account for approximately 25% of the total IAI budget. Key priorities for the period include the implementation of the CRN II Program, the organization of four Training Institutes, and the development of an IAI Strategic Plan to link science with policy decision-making.

The document critiques the use of voluntary export restraints and quota systems by South Africa, the European Union, and the United States to limit Chinese textile and apparel imports. The author argues that these measures are 'symptomatic medication' that delay necessary market adjustments and fail to address the fundamental lack of competitiveness in mass-produced clothing.

A statement by WTO Director General Pascal Lamy delivered on February 10, 2006, in Johannesburg, South Africa, outlining the progress made at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and the roadmap for concluding the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) by the end of 2006.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides an overview of the socio-economic and political state of South Africa's agricultural sector between 1994 and 2004. It details the transition from apartheid-era protections to a deregulated, liberalised market, the persistent dualism between commercial and smallholder farming, and a strategic shift in trade from bulk commodities toward value-added horticultural exports.

The research paper argues that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are insufficient for developing Africa because they focus on the symptoms of poverty rather than the underlying causes of economic stagnation. The author contends that by prioritizing measurable social targets over growth and productivity, the MDGs create an opportunity cost that diverts resources from essential commercial infrastructure, technical skills, and governance reforms. To address these gaps, the document proposes a set of 'African Millennium Growth Goals' focused on infrastructure, rural economies, skills, financial systems, and the rule of law.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and regional free trade agreements prioritize corporate profit over environmental sustainability and human rights, leading to the loss of livelihoods for millions of small-scale farmers, fishers, and indigenous peoples. The document details how trade liberalization facilitates the privatization of natural resources, undermines food sovereignty, and exacerbates climate change and desertification across various global regions.

This inaugural address by the National Director of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that Africa's development depends on internal accountability, leadership, and a shift away from aid-dependency. The author highlights the rise of China and India as shifting global power dynamics and urges African states to implement industrial strategies to avoid a new 'scramble' for raw materials. The speech emphasizes the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the need for a vibrant civil society to hold governments accountable.

This 2005 IISD report examines food security as a fundamental human right, moving beyond simple supply metrics to include distribution and individual access. It evaluates four strategies for achieving food security: food self-sufficiency, trade liberalization, food sovereignty, and multi-functional agriculture. The report argues that while trade can stabilize supply, it can also undermine local production and increase vulnerability. It concludes that a pragmatic approach combining flexible trade rules with national policy space and sustainable agricultural practices is necessary to ensure long-term food security.

This briefing analyzes Brazil's strategic position and challenges within the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations as of February 2004. It details the friction between Brazil and the United States over agricultural subsidies, non-tariff barriers, and the 'Singapore issues,' while examining how the US strategy of bilateral agreements and the outcomes of the WTO Cancun summit have influenced the shift toward a more flexible 'ALCA-lite' framework.

A coalition of organizations wrote to the U.S. Trade Representative in 2004 requesting that the USTR increase transparency in trade negotiations by publishing proposed agreement texts and negotiating proposals on its website and soliciting public comment via the Federal Register. The authors argue that the current ad hoc disclosure process risks bias and excludes non-insider stakeholders, suggesting that the U.S. should require negotiating partners to agree to such transparency as a condition of entry into negotiations.

A fact sheet from the Center for International Environmental Law detailing concerns regarding foreign direct investment (FDI), investment rules, and investor-state arbitration, specifically in the context of the Americas Trade and Sustainable Development Forum.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the complexities of trade-related subsidies, focusing on the divide between developed and developing nations. It argues that current WTO indicators for measuring subsidies are inadequate for resolving trade disputes and proposes the use of 'terms-of-trade' as a more effective metric. The document provides detailed case studies on the subsidy regimes and trade impacts in India, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and Brazil, highlighting how subsidies in OECD countries often harm the economies of developing nations, particularly in agriculture.

This briefing examines the evolution and application of the Minimum Standard of Treatment (MST) in international investment law, specifically contrasting traditional customary international law with the broader interpretations adopted by NAFTA tribunals.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the evolution and application of the Minimum Standard of Treatment (MST) for foreign investments in international law, with a specific focus on NAFTA Chapter XI and the tension between customary international law and bilateral investment treaties (BITs).

The IAI Annual Program 2001/2002 outlines a strategic plan focusing on institutional sustainability, the synthesis of scientific achievements from the Initial Science Program, and the expansion of research networks in Latin America, specifically regarding human dimensions of global change and sustainability science.

The report details the fifteenth meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held in May 2001. The committee focused on filling SAC vacancies, reviewing the progress of Collaborative Research Network (CRN) projects, planning a Human Dimension (HD) open science meeting, and discussing the development of a standard reporting system for researchers.

A joint statement by several environmental organizations providing public comments on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and Chile. The document argues that the FTA must not weaken environmental laws and should instead promote higher environmental standards, the precautionary principle, and transparency in dispute resolution.

The minutes of the Tenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council, held in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 2-3, 1999, detail institutional governance, funding strategies, and the approval of scientific capacity-building projects. Key outcomes include the funding of 11 PESCA projects, the adoption of a new fund-raising strategy, and the planning of a future strategic plan for the institute's scientific development.

This case study examines Platanera Rio Sixaola, S.A., a small independent banana plantation in Costa Rica founded by Volker Ribniger. Despite becoming the first banana plantation in the world to earn Eco-OK certification from the Rainforest Alliance, the company faced significant financial challenges in 1994, with production costs exceeding revenues. The document details the environmental impacts of traditional banana monoculture, the specific sustainable practices implemented by Platanera Rio Sixaola, and the market pressures exerted by the 'Big Three' multinationals and European Community import quotas.

This policy brief by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development examines resource-backed loans (RBLs) and the collateralisation of mineral resources in African countries. It explores how these financial mechanisms can unlock infrastructure funding for resource-rich but capital-poor nations, while warning of significant risks including debt sustainability crises, lack of transparency, and the erosion of competitive public procurement processes.