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Statement by Amelia Brooryk at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Confe
A statement delivered by Amelia Broodryk on May 7, 2010, at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York, representing a group of non-governmental experts from New Agenda Coalition (NAC) countries. The statement outlines seven specific criteria for measuring the success of the 2010 Review Conference in advancing international peace, security, and the goal of a nuclear-weapons-free world.
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Document type: Statement
Trade lessons for Africa in the aftermath of the flight disruptions
This research paper examines the economic impact of the 2010 European airspace closure caused by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland on African trade. It highlights the vulnerability of agricultural exports—specifically perishables like flowers—and argues that the crisis serves as a wake-up call for African nations to diversify their export destinations beyond Europe to include South-South trade partners like Brazil, India, and China.
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Document type: Research paper
The Economics of Low Carbon, Climate Resilient Patterns of Growth in Developing Countries
This report reviews the economic feasibility of low-carbon and climate-resilient growth in developing countries. It finds that significant mitigation is possible with minimal GDP impact (1-2% reduction globally), often driven by low-cost energy efficiency. However, it highlights critical gaps in current research, specifically the failure to account for implementation costs, the over-reliance on static MACC models, and the lack of a clear framework for 'climate resilient growth' beyond simple adaptation. It emphasizes that while Middle Income Countries face higher pressure to reduce emissions, Low Income Countries can leverage co-benefits and carbon finance to align low-carbon paths with development goals.
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Document type: Report
OPENING REMARKS BY DR JAKKIE CILLIERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS) ON THE OCASSION OF THE ISS NAIROBI OFFICE LAUNCH
Dr. Jakkie Cilliers, Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), delivered opening remarks on April 13, 2010, to mark the official launch of the ISS's new and expanded office in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Document type: Statement
SAIIA Roundtable: The African Peer Review Mechanism – Progress and Prospects
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.
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Document type: Research paper
The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty
This guide provides an overview of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba), detailing its history, legal requirements for ratification, core prohibitions, and the mechanisms established to ensure compliance across the African continent.
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Document type: Guide
Peer Review Under Scrutiny
This research paper evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), highlighting its achievements in promoting governance and self-reflection among African states while warning of current crises regarding transparency, leadership integrity, and the marginalization of civil society.
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Document type: Research paper
Efficiency and Micropower for Reliable and Resilient Electricity Service: An Intriguing Case-Study from Cuba
This case study by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute examines Cuba's transition from a fragile, centralized electricity system to a more resilient model based on energy efficiency and distributed micropower. Following severe blackouts in 2004 and 2005, the Cuban government launched 'La Revolución Energética' in 2006, which combined mass deployment of efficient appliances, inverted electricity tariffs, and the installation of thousands of microgenerators to eliminate blackouts by 2007 and improve grid resilience against natural disasters.
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Document type: Case study
Africa Needs its own ‘G-Club’ to Meet the Challenges at Home and Globally
This policy briefing argues that Africa should establish an informal 'club of states'—similar to the G8 or G20—composed of its most capable powers to overcome the ineffectiveness of formal multilateral institutions like the African Union. The author proposes an 'A5 Club' consisting of South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia, and Kenya to coordinate continental initiatives and provide a unified voice in global affairs.
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Document type: Policy brief
The state of the region Security Sector Governance in Southern Africa
This workshop report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, documents a three-day conference held in March 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. The event brought together regional experts, academics, and security practitioners to analyze the challenges of democratic security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR) across Southern Africa, with specific case studies on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Botswana.
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Document type: Report
Shifting Sands: India’s New Approach to the Politics of Climate Change
This policy brief examines the evolution of India's approach to climate change, noting a shift from a rigid stance based on historical equity toward a more pragmatic, constructive engagement in international diplomacy. This transition is driven by the desire to enhance international status and strengthen strategic relationships with the United States and China, while domestic climate action remains primarily motivated by development goals, energy security, and poverty alleviation.
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Document type: Policy brief
Practical Guidance on the Use of Urine in Crop Production
This guide provides technical and institutional recommendations for using human urine as a liquid fertilizer in crop production. It details the nutrient composition of urine, application strategies to maximize yield and minimize ammonia loss, and a multi-barrier health risk management approach based on WHO guidelines. The document also offers a framework for developing local guidelines and presents case studies from Sweden, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
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Document type: Guide
Balancing climate concerns and energy security
This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the duality of China's climate approach, arguing that its domestic mitigation efforts are primarily driven by urgent energy security concerns rather than environmentalism. While China maintains a pragmatic domestic policy with ambitious energy intensity and renewable targets, its international diplomacy is characterized by a struggle to balance its reputation as a responsible global power with the need to protect its economic development and sovereignty.
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Document type: Policy brief
What Types of Information Are Needed for Climate Change Adaptation Decision Making in Africa?
This research paper by Sives Govender examines the information requirements for climate change adaptation in Africa, categorizing needs into responsive, proactive, and robust policy frameworks. It highlights the critical role of early warning systems, satellite-based monitoring, and the integration of socio-economic data to mitigate vulnerabilities in water, food security, and coastal infrastructure.
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Document type: Research paper
Peak Phosphorus: Opportunity in the Making
This report examines the risks associated with "peak phosphorus"—the point when demand for rock phosphate exceeds supply—and its implications for global food security and water quality. It focuses on the Lake Winnipeg Basin as a case study for extreme eutrophication and proposes a transition toward phosphorus stewardship through nutrient recovery, recycling, and improved agricultural practices to reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers.
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Document type: Report
RTEA Namibia Sector Paper - Green Labelling, Eco-certification and Fair Trade: Threats and Opportunities for Namibia
This policy brief examines the role of green labelling, eco-certification, and fair trade in Namibia, identifying them as both competitive advantages for high-value niche markets and potential barriers to trade due to certification costs.
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Document type: Policy brief
Managing and Reforming the Defence Sector
This document is a report of an ISS seminar held on October 12, 2009, in Pretoria, featuring keynote speaker David Chuter. The seminar focused on the discourse of defence transformation and the management and reform of the defence sector, specifically discussing Chuter's new book which updates his previous 2000 monograph on the subject.
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Document type: Briefing
A community approach to sharing traditional knowledge for non-commercial research
This report proposes the creation of a 'Traditional Knowledge (TK) Commons' to facilitate the sharing of traditional knowledge for non-commercial research while preserving the biospiritual virtues and cultural integrity of indigenous and local communities (ILCs). It argues against the wholesale commodification of TK, suggesting instead a licensing system that ensures reciprocity, non-appropriation, and the continued flow of knowledge back to the source communities.
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Document type: Report
The Africa South America Summit 27-28 September 2009
The document analyzes the second Africa South America summit held on 27-28 September 2009 on Margarita Island, Venezuela, focusing on efforts to strengthen South-South co-operation as a counterweight to Northern influence and the ideological divisions among participating nations.
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Document type: Research paper
Unpacking the Zimbabwe Crisis: A Situation Report
This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the progress of Zimbabwe's Inclusive Government (IG) following the September 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA). It examines the political violence and economic collapse that led to the power-sharing deal, the structural weaknesses of the GPA, and the ongoing tensions between ZANU-PF and the MDC factions.
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Document type: Report