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This report by Dalberg Global Development Advisors, commissioned by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), evaluates the resource mobilisation strategies and sustainability of National Climate Change Funds (NCCFs). It defines NCCFs as national-level entities that collect and channel climate finance to mitigation and adaptation projects. The report identifies significant funding gaps in developing countries, analyzes the performance of 13 operational NCCFs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and provides a best-practice handbook for NCCFs to define their vision, build institutional capacity, and engage investors.

This report from the Institute for Security Studies details the outcomes of the 25th African Union (AU) summit held in June 2015. It focuses on the Peace and Security Council's (PSC) efforts to address crises in South Sudan, Burundi, and Libya, the AU's strained relationship with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, and broader initiatives including the Continental Free Trade Area and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC).

This policy briefing evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in the context of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Governance Architecture (AGA). While acknowledging the APRM's role in facilitating public debate on governance and its potential as a diagnostic tool, the authors argue that the mechanism has lost momentum due to inadequate political will, chronic funding shortages, and administrative instability. The document recommends a comprehensive revitalization of the APRM, including financial reforms, the appointment of a permanent CEO, and a shift in focus toward the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs).

This policy brief analyzes Turkey's 2015 G-20 presidency, focusing on its priorities of inclusiveness, investment, and implementation, and their implications for Africa and low-income developing countries (LIDCs). The authors argue that while Turkey has expanded its diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa through a 'bottom-up' approach, the G-20's institutional framework remains problematic due to the underrepresentation of African nations and a disconnect between its finance and development tracks.

The May 2015 issue of the Peace & Security Council Report examines the African Union's (AU) efforts to integrate women into the security sector, the doctrinal and financial tensions in the AU-UN peacekeeping partnership, the instability and humanitarian crisis in Libya, and the lessons learned from the AU's first mission to counter the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International highlighting the conflict between transnational corporations (TNCs) and human rights, specifically regarding environmental defenders and peasant farmers.

This research paper evaluates the 2010 residential tiered electricity pricing (TEP) reform in China, focusing on its effects on equity, efficiency, and subsidy expenditure.

The report details the design and pilot of the Energy Savings Insurance (ESI) instrument, aimed at stimulating energy efficiency investments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by mitigating the risk of underperformance. It focuses on a 2015 pilot in Mexico's agro-industry sector and outlines a replication strategy for Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

This report analyzes the political and security crisis in Lesotho leading up to the February 2015 snap elections. It examines the structural causes of instability, including the politicization of security forces, the failure of coalition governments, and the limitations of the Mixed Member Parallel electoral system. The document also evaluates the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in mediating the crisis and concludes that elections alone are unlikely to resolve the country's cyclical patterns of violence and institutional fragility.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the G-20 and OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project from an African perspective. It analyzes the causes of Africa's low tax base, the impact of illicit financial flows and tax incentives, and provides recommendations for African nations to better influence global tax standards to ensure sustainable domestic revenue mobilization.

This policy brief outlines the necessity and implementation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory management systems for economic zones in China to support the transition to low-carbon operations. It emphasizes a collaborative approach between managing authorities and companies to establish reporting systems that support carbon trading, absolute caps, and performance standards.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the policy landscape for low-carbon development in China's industrial zones, highlighting the transition from national targets to local implementation and the resulting regulatory complexities. It also references a separate IISD study on the fiscal risks facing BRIICS nations due to the global transition away from fossil fuels.

This report documents the proceedings of a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and Oxfam South Africa on March 3, 2015. The event focused on the impact, monitoring, and accountability of South–South Co-operation (SSC), specifically regarding emerging partners' engagement in Africa's development.

This policy brief analyzes the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) role as a primary financier for climate change adaptation in 2015. It outlines key tasks for the GCF to ensure effective, country-owned adaptation, including the scaling of direct access for national institutions, the piloting of 'enhanced direct access' through small grants, and the development of robust investment and accountability frameworks that avoid maladaptation.

This executive summary reviews international fuel pricing experiences to provide recommendations for Indonesia's 2015 fuel price system reforms. It analyzes how other emerging economies manage price volatility and suggests improvements in pricing formulas, regulatory functions, and non-pricing interventions to maintain fiscal savings while protecting vulnerable consumers.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the potential of bond markets as an alternative to bank loans for financing large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa. It details various bond types—including municipal, corporate, sovereign, diaspora, and Islamic bonds—and analyzes the current state of bond markets in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. The author argues that while bonds offer lower borrowing costs and avoid equity dilution, their growth in Africa is hindered by underdeveloped secondary markets, weak regulatory frameworks, and a lack of institutional investors.

This policy briefing argues that the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) must remain a voluntary association to maintain its credibility and effectiveness. The author contends that mandatory accession would undermine the process by introducing countries lacking the political will or open societies necessary for robust, honest governance reviews.

This report details the results of an expert meeting hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in October 2014 in Montreux, Switzerland. The meeting focused on rethinking international investment-related dispute settlement to move beyond the singular focus on investor rights and state obligations, proposing more inclusive models that allow stakeholders such as local communities and individuals to seek remedies for injuries or human rights abuses.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), arguing that while it provides duty-free access to the US market, it remains underutilised. The author proposes a four-pillar strategy for the October 2015 renewal: timely and extended renewal, addressing non-tariff barriers, improving structural competitiveness through infrastructure and finance, and aligning with global trading shifts like the TPP and TTIP.

This research paper, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute for the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket), examines policy instruments and interventions to reduce the negative impacts of Swedish consumption on health and the environment in other countries. It focuses on the international dimension of Sweden's 'generational goal' (generationsmålet), identifying key 'hotspots' such as electronics from China and soy from Brazil, and proposing a mix of economic, administrative, informative, and collaborative measures to drive systemic change toward sustainable consumption.