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This policy brief analyzes the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), arguing that while it is currently more symbolic than a substantive challenge to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it has the potential to evolve into a more independent and comprehensive financial safety net for emerging economies.

This policy brief examines the evolution of Turkey's international policy from a defensive, Western-oriented stance to an activist approach characterized by a desire for independence and an increasing emphasis on Islamic identity.

This policy brief examines the evolution of South Africa's foreign economic strategies since 1994, highlighting a shift from a normative, idealistic approach toward a strategy focused on non-Western relations and domestic economic alignment. The authors identify three primary pillars of engagement: multilateral trade negotiations via the WTO, the G-20, and the BRICS forum.

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 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 research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the tension between South Africa's regional dominance and its aspirations for integration in Southern Africa. Drawing on a 2013 perceptions survey of foreign policy practitioners, the author analyzes how South Africa's economic, political, and security influence is perceived by its neighbors and suggests ways to improve regional legitimacy through increased consultation and multilateralism.

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 policy briefing examines the economic and strategic challenges facing Australia as a middle power, highlighting the tension between its strategic alliance with the US and its economic reliance on China. It discusses the limitations of regional institutions in the Asia-Pacific and suggests that the G-20 may offer a more effective platform for Australia to exert global influence.

This policy briefing examines the South African government's position on the 'responsibility to protect' (R2P) framework, noting that while South Africa supports the principle of protecting civilians, it lacks a clearly articulated policy and prefers a moderate approach focused on dialogue and conflict prevention over military intervention.

The 2015 statement by SAIIA's National Chairman argues that South Africa's international soft power is dependent on its domestic adherence to constitutional democracy. It advocates for a more cohesive 'economic diplomacy' strategy, a commitment to a rules-based multilateral international order, and a diversified approach to global partnerships beyond the BRICS nations.

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 policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides recommendations to the South African Parliament on establishing an inclusive blue economy for small-scale fishers. It examines the historical impact of apartheid-era dispossession, the challenges of implementing the 2012 Policy for the Small Scale Fisheries Sector (SSF policy), and the tension between social justice and environmental sustainability in fisheries governance.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the progress and challenges of regional integration in Africa, drawing primarily on Country Review Reports (CRRs) from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It examines the gap between the African Union's high-level rhetorical commitments to a continent-wide common market and the practical realities of limited trade growth, administrative incapacity, and political reluctance to cede national sovereignty.

The 2015 SAIIA Sasol Environmental Sustainability Project (ESP) is an educational competition for South African Grade 10-12 learners designed to build knowledge of environmental sustainability through research, presentations, and youth negotiations.

This research paper analyzes the system of development finance institutions (DFIs) in the Russian Federation, identifying a lack of strategic coordination and an over-reliance on public funding. It explores how the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) could complement this system by investing in infrastructure, advising on public-private partnerships, and facilitating intra-BRICS investment.

This research paper examines the role of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) in Latin America, finding that while it provides significant financing for infrastructure and capital goods, its activities are primarily market-driven and designed to support Brazilian exports rather than state-led regional integration. Between 2009 and 2013, BNDES disbursements to Latin America grew significantly, particularly to Venezuela and Cuba, though the bank faces criticism over project sustainability and the concentration of funds among a few large Brazilian firms.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in 2015, examines the state of governance and accountability in Africa. It analyzes both continental frameworks, such as the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Peer Review Mechanism, and domestic institutions, including parliaments, courts, and ombudsman offices, to identify the drivers of democratic progress and the persistence of authoritarian tendencies.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the governance of Namibia's fisheries since independence in 1990. It analyzes the country's efforts to rebuild fish stocks, capture economic rents, and promote local ownership through 'Namibianisation' policies, while highlighting the ecological challenges of the Benguela Current ecosystem and the risks of developing new deep-sea fisheries.

This policy briefing examines whether the 'Bali Package'—a set of agreements reached at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2013—can resolve the impasse of the Doha Development Round and secure the future of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The author argues that while the package restored faith in the multilateral system and introduced a novel approach to special and differential treatment (SDT), it fails to address the fundamental structural problems of the Doha Round and is overshadowed by the rise of mega-regional trade agreements.

This policy briefing examines the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action (NPoA) in Nigeria. It identifies critical failures in monitoring, evaluation, and funding, while highlighting the decline of civil society engagement and the lack of legal standing for NEPAD Nigeria. The document provides lessons on the necessity of political will, communication, and technical capacity for the APRM to succeed as a governance tool.