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The document explains the mechanics of the GloBE rules, which aim to ensure a 15% minimum effective tax rate (ETR) for large multinational enterprises (MNEs) with consolidated revenues of €750 million or more. It outlines three primary policy responses for developing countries: implementing a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMT) or a general national minimum tax, revising existing tax incentives that lower the ETR, or focusing on other priorities if the impact is minimal. The guide also provides a step-by-step methodology for countries to assess their exposure using country-by-country (CBC) reports and analyzes legal obstacles, such as fiscal stabilization clauses in investment contracts and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), that may hinder tax reforms.

The document explains the mechanics of the GloBE rules, which aim to ensure large multinational enterprises (MNEs) pay a minimum effective tax rate of 15%. It outlines three primary response options for developing countries: introducing a locally collected minimum tax (either a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax or a general national minimum tax), reviewing and reforming tax incentives that lower the effective tax rate below 15%, or focusing on other priorities if the impact is negligible. The guide also provides a step-by-step methodology for assessing a country's exposure based on available data and analyzes legal obstacles, such as fiscal stabilization clauses in investment contracts and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), that may hinder tax reforms.

The document explains the OECD/G20 Pillar Two GloBE rules, which aim for a 15% global minimum tax on multinational enterprises (MNEs) with revenues over EUR 750 million. It details how top-up taxes are collected via the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) and Undertaxed Profits Rule (UTPR), and how countries can pre-empt these by adopting a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (QDMT). The guide analyzes the impact of GloBE on various tax incentives, providing a framework for countries to assess their exposure using country-by-country (CBC) reporting. It also addresses legal barriers to tax reform, specifically fiscal stabilization clauses in investment contracts and protections under Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), such as the Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) standard.

The document evaluates Madagascar's legal framework for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in the mining sector. While it finds the framework generally coherent and up-to-date, it identifies four critical gaps: the presence of broad stabilization clauses that can freeze outdated laws, the ability of the environment minister to override the technical opinions of the National Office for the Environment (ONE), the possibility of granting operating permits before environmental permits, and insufficient public involvement during the early stages of ESIA report preparation. The summary recommends deleting or limiting stabilization clauses, restoring the primacy of ONE's technical advice, making environmental permits a prerequisite for operating permits, and engaging local communities from the scoping stage onward.

The document presents an 'integrated' or 'extended' CBA model designed for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) to value 'betterment' road projects—investments that build infrastructure to a higher resilience standard than original specifications. Unlike traditional CBAs that focus on direct avoided reconstruction costs, this model incorporates 15 non-road indicators, including mental health impacts, market access for agriculture, and environmental externalities. Through case studies, such as the Aurukun Access Road, the report demonstrates that including these indirect and induced benefits can significantly alter the perceived economic viability of a project, potentially justifying investments that would otherwise appear financially non-viable.

The document argues that financial service providers (FSPs) often avoid agricultural investments in developing countries due to perceived risks, but that VSSs can mitigate these risks by requiring sustainable practices and better governance. While VSSs show high coverage of legal compliance, soil and water conservation, and labour rights, they lack sufficient criteria regarding economic viability, transparency, and climate adaptation. The brief provides recommendations for FSPs, VSS providers, and governments to better align sustainability standards with financial requirements to close the investment gap.

The document argues that financial service providers (FSPs) often avoid agricultural investments in developing countries due to perceived risks. It finds that while voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) provide high coverage for legal compliance, labor rights, and forest conservation, they lack sufficient criteria for economic viability, transparency, and climate adaptation. The brief recommends that FSPs integrate VSS into ESG due diligence and that governments provide land tenure and financial incentives to support VSS-compliant farmers.

The policy brief examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in reducing the perceived risks that deter financial service providers (FSPs) from investing in sustainable agriculture in developing countries. By analyzing 12 VSS across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, the report finds that while VSS provide high coverage for legal compliance, labor rights, and soil and water conservation, they lack sufficient criteria for economic viability, anti-corruption, and climate adaptation. The document recommends that VSS incorporate more business-oriented criteria and that FSPs use VSS for ESG due diligence and the structuring of sustainability-linked financial products.

The report finds that women represent only about 10% of the Zambian mining workforce, primarily in support roles. Despite national policies like the Gender Equity and Equality Act of 2015, the sector suffers from a 'gender-blind attitude', persistent sexual harassment, and significant data gaps. The authors recommend standardizing gender-disaggregated data collection, promoting STEM education for girls, and implementing specific retention strategies to address the gender pay gap and structural barriers.

The report details a stakeholder event focused on overcoming the 'pattern of inaction' regarding gender impact assessments (GIAs) in mining. It identifies systemic barriers to GIA adoption, such as gender bias and a focus on permitting over community mitigation, while highlighting successful models from Canada, Mongolia, and Uganda. The event emphasizes the need for collaborative, experiential guidance and the institutionalization of gender considerations to prevent 'genderwashing' and ensure sustainable progress.

The document explains that while MOUs are often viewed as non-binding 'soft' agreements, they can unintentionally create binding legal obligations or 'legitimate expectations' enforceable under international investment treaties. It provides specific drafting strategies to avoid these risks, such as using explicit non-binding statements and avoiding overly broad commitments regarding land tenure, permits, and tax incentives. Additionally, it demonstrates how governments can use MOUs as a positive tool to establish a roadmap for pre-contractual due diligence, including the screening of investors' experience and financial capacity, and the requirement for feasibility studies and environmental and social impact assessments.

The document explains how host governments can use MOUs as non-binding preliminary frameworks for agricultural investments while avoiding unintended legal obligations. It details strategies to prevent the creation of 'legitimate expectations' under international investment treaties and suggests using MOUs to structure due diligence for investor and project selection.

The document explains that many critical minerals are not mined independently but are produced as co-products or by-products of 'host' metals. This 'companionality' creates inelastic supply chains where the availability of a critical metal depends on the economic viability of a different host metal. The paper highlights risks including high price volatility, under-reporting of reserves, and the loss of strategic minerals in tailings. It suggests that reprocessing waste dumps and improving regulatory frameworks for companion metals can help bridge the supply gap for the energy transition.

The document explains that many metals critical for the energy transition and digital transformation are not extracted exclusively but as co-products or by-products of 'host' metals. This complementarity creates inelastic supply chains, high price volatility, and risks of material loss in tailings. It suggests that understanding these associations can help governments and companies identify new sources of minerals, such as reprocessing tailings, and improve national industrial strategies.

The document examines the concept of 'metal companionship,' where critical metals are often produced as co-products or by-products of major 'host' metals rather than as primary targets. This dependency creates significant supply inelasticity, price volatility, and risks of material loss in tailings. The author argues that understanding these associations can help identify new sources of metals, such as reprocessing mine waste, and inform national development strategies for producer countries.

The document argues that financial service providers (FSPs) often avoid agricultural investments in developing countries due to perceived risks. It examines 12 Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and finds that while they provide high coverage for legal compliance, labor rights, and basic environmental conservation, they lack sufficient criteria regarding economic viability, transparency, and climate adaptation. The brief recommends that VSS incorporate more business-oriented criteria and that FSPs use these standards for ESG due diligence and structuring financial products to increase funding for sustainable farming.

The report analyzes women's participation in large-scale mining across 12 countries, finding that while female employment is slowly increasing, the sector remains highly masculinized with significant structural barriers. Women often possess higher general educational attainment than men but lack the specific technical and vocational qualifications required for core operational roles. The report identifies a 'leaky pipeline' where women exit the workforce at younger ages, often due to non-inclusive working conditions, lack of childcare, and sexist corporate cultures. It further examines how disruptive technologies (AI, automation) and the energy transition (demand for critical minerals) will reshape the labor market, warning that without targeted upskilling, women may be disproportionately displaced from clerical and low-skill roles while remaining excluded from high-skill digital and technical positions. The document concludes with policy recommendations for governments and companies to implement gender-responsive strategies, pay equity reviews, and inclusive health and safety standards.

The report analyzes the participation of women in large-scale mining across 12 countries, finding that while female employment is gradually increasing, the sector remains heavily masculinized with persistent structural barriers. Women are often concentrated in administrative roles and face significant gender pay gaps, inadequate facilities, and a 'leaky pipeline' where they leave the industry earlier than men. The document explores how megatrends—specifically disruptive technologies and the energy transition—will reshape mining jobs, potentially displacing low-to-medium skilled roles (often held by women) while creating new opportunities in STEM and environmental management. It concludes with policy recommendations for governments and companies to improve data collection, eliminate sexist biases, and implement gender-responsive training and parental leave policies.

The report establishes a baseline for women's employment in large-scale mining across 12 countries, finding that while female participation is slowly increasing, the sector remains heavily masculinized with significant structural barriers. Women are often concentrated in administrative roles and face a 'leaky pipeline' where they leave the industry at earlier career stages than men. The document highlights a paradox where women in mining often have higher formal education levels than men but lack the specific technical and vocational certifications required for high-paying operational roles. It further analyzes how the 'mine of the future'—characterized by automation, digitalization, and decarbonization—could either marginalize women further due to a digital divide and STEM gaps or provide new opportunities in environmental engineering and remote operations. The report concludes with policy recommendations for governments and companies to improve gender-responsive data collection, workplace safety, and inclusive skill-development programs.

The report provides a fifth-year stocktake of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce, noting a trend toward a less ambitious agreement focused on e-commerce facilitation. It highlights a fragmented national policy environment, the rise of flexible regional Digital Economy Agreements to address trends like artificial intelligence, and a multilateral focus on bridging the digital divide following COVID-19.