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A statement from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) regarding the Political Dialogue Project in Burundi, detailing the project's funding, objectives, and the role of consultant Jan van Eck in facilitating peace and reconciliation.

This situation report from the Institute for Security Studies provides an update on the military and political progress in Burundi as of March 2004, focusing on the implementation of the November 2003 cease-fire agreement and the potential for a United Nations peacekeeping mission to succeed the African Union's Mission in Burundi (AMIB).

The 'Standards for Sustainable Trade' project, implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the European Commission, investigated how regional cooperation can reduce technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for developing countries. The report concludes that while regional centers of excellence can offset national capacity gaps, the WTO's TBT Agreement is often unrealistic for developing nations, which act as 'standards takers' rather than 'makers' due to a lack of institutional and scientific resources.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on Mexico ten years after its 1994 implementation. The author argues that while the agreement created significant challenges for certain sectors—particularly agriculture—it has been an empirical success in terms of trade, investment, and macroeconomic stability, providing a case study for the South African Customs Union (SACU).

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the South Centre provides a first-quarter 2004 update on international intellectual property (IP) policy. It highlights a strategic shift by developed countries, particularly the United States, away from multilateral forums like the WTO toward bilateral and regional trade agreements to implement 'TRIPS-plus' standards. The document specifically analyzes the risk of 'non-violation complaints' being applied to IP in these bilateral deals, which could erode the flexibilities available to developing countries under the TRIPS Agreement.

The report provides a quarterly update on international intellectual property (IP) developments for the third quarter of 2004, focusing on the intersection of IP and development. It specifically analyzes the implementation of the FAO's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and tracks IP-related negotiations across multilateral bodies like the WTO and WIPO, as well as regional and bilateral free trade agreements.

This 2004 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the experiences of South African firms operating in Mozambique. It highlights South Africa's role as a leading investor, the success of large-scale 'mega-projects', and the significant bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles faced by smaller enterprises. The document analyzes the socio-economic impact of this investment on the Mozambican labour market, trade balance, and industrialization, while providing policy recommendations to improve the business environment for both foreign and domestic investors.

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs describes Mali as a stable, democratic West African country with strong economic growth driven largely by a gold mining boom and South African investment.

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that while Universal Primary Education (UPE) is a noble goal, it is insufficient on its own to drive Africa's economic development. The document highlights critical shortages in teacher quantity and quality, the neglect of secondary education, and the severe impact of HIV/Aids on the schooling system. It calls for a comprehensive strategy that includes increased funding, curriculum reform, and a focus on secondary education to bridge the skills gap and improve the continent's global economic competitiveness.

The report 'Back to the Blackboard' examines the education crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that the narrow focus on Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has neglected secondary education and compromised instructional quality. It highlights systemic failures including teacher shortages, poor salaries, corruption, and the devastating impact of HIV/Aids. The document advocates for a comprehensive strategy that integrates secondary schooling, vocational training, and curriculum reform to drive economic growth, drawing lessons from East Asia's successful integration of human capital development and industrial planning.

The Report of the IAI Directorate to the Executive Council 18th Meeting, dated December 4-5, 2003, outlines the activities, strategic progress, and administrative status of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) since June 2003. It details efforts to increase institutional visibility through international partnerships, the implementation of regional training institutes, and the management of Core Research Network (CRN) projects.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the state of research on the interface between trade and the environment. Based on a survey of 315 publications from 2002 to 2003 and consultations with an expert group, the document identifies significant gaps in current research—particularly regarding developing countries and specific WTO negotiating options—and proposes a new research agenda to better support sustainable development.

This report from the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details activities and progress between June and November 2003. It outlines the implementation of six strategic goals focused on strengthening Collaborative Research Networks (CRNs), capacity building in scientifically weaker member countries, and increasing the institute's visibility through international partnerships and educational institutes.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies details the outcomes of two peace sessions held in Pretoria in October and November 2003. These sessions facilitated agreements between the Transitional Government of Burundi (TGoB) and the rebel Forces for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) on political and security power sharing, leading to a Global Ceasefire Agreement on 16 November 2003.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of anti-personnel landmines and the development of peacekeeping standby forces in Africa. It analyzes the operational challenges posed by landmines in irregular African conflicts, the progress of the Ottawa Convention across the continent, and the specific legislative and policy frameworks adopted by South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat mine proliferation.

This research paper analyzes the military coup in São Tomé e Príncipe on 16 July 2003, examining the interplay between domestic political instability, the grievances of the armed forces, and the influence of former mercenaries from the Buffalo Battalion, while assessing the role of potential oil wealth in the event and its resolution.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and WWF International examines the potential conflicts between the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and domestic water management policies. The authors argue that while water management requires flexibility and adaptive planning to protect ecosystems, the GATS favors legal predictability and 'locking in' policy choices, which may constrain a state's ability to regulate water rights, pollution, and resource extraction.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in October 2003, examines the critical state of transport, financial, and social infrastructure within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It argues that poor management and political apathy, rather than just physical decay, hinder regional economic competitiveness and integration.

The report details a 2003 workshop on integrating public benefits—such as rural electrification, energy efficiency, and renewable energy—into power sector reforms in developing countries. It concludes that while reforms can threaten traditional public service obligations, they also provide opportunities to establish transparent, accountable regulatory frameworks that can sustain and expand these benefits. The document emphasizes that the achievement of public benefits is independent of ownership structure but requires explicit policy integration and expanded capacity building for a wider range of stakeholders, including NGOs and academia.

Botswana is characterized by a paradox of high GDP growth and strong fiscal management—driven largely by diamond mining—alongside declining human development indicators, high income inequality, and a severe HIV/AIDS crisis.