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The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) critiques the draft Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill 2013, arguing that while it seeks to create regulatory space for socio-economic transformation, several provisions deviate from international standards. Key concerns include the subjective nature of 'public interest' and 'just and equitable' compensation for expropriation, the lack of clarity in investment screening processes, and the potential for 'denial of justice' due to the bill's subordination of customary international law to the South African Constitution. SAIIA suggests that these ambiguities may undermine foreign investor confidence, particularly following South Africa's decision to terminate bilateral investment treaties (BITs).

The document evaluates the proposal to legalise the trade of rhino horn in South Africa to combat poaching. While proponents argue that a regulated trade could meet inelastic demand and fund conservation, the author identifies significant risks, including the potential for illegal supply laundering, the risk of reawakening demand in markets like Taiwan and Japan, and the incompatibility of legalisation with demand-reduction strategies. The submission suggests that the CITES ban's failure may be partly due to a legal aberration allowing trade in products of extinct species, which should be addressed.

The Youth Emergency Guide, developed by young South Africans (ages 13-25) in partnership with UNICEF and Youth@SAIIA, is a resource designed to build emergency preparedness and social resilience. It defines key concepts such as hazards, risks, and vulnerability, and provides practical steps for youth to identify local risks, develop personal emergency plans, and create early warning systems. The guide covers specific response strategies for floods, pandemics, storms, civil unrest, fires, and droughts, while emphasizing the importance of reliable information and youth leadership in community resilience and policy advocacy.

The document is a youth-led emergency preparedness guide for South Africans, focusing on identifying risks, creating response plans, and building community resilience against climate-related disasters, health crises, and social unrest.

The Youth Emergency Guide is a youth-led resource designed to empower young South Africans to manage emergencies. It defines key concepts like hazards and social resilience, provides a step-by-step methodology for risk assessment and emergency planning, and offers specific response protocols for floods, wildfires, pandemics, and civil unrest. The guide emphasizes the importance of reliable information, community leadership, and systemic advocacy to prevent future disasters.

The document is a comprehensive emergency preparedness guide for South African youth, focusing on building community resilience against climate-related disasters, health crises, and civil unrest.

The paper finds that while Senegal has made progress in renewable energy and direct access to climate finance, its overall NDC implementation is unsatisfactory. Key obstacles include a significant funding gap, the lack of a national measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, and a strategic shift toward oil and gas exploitation that threatens carbon-reduction goals.

The paper finds that while Uganda has increased its climate ambition in its updated NDC, its actual post-COVID recovery packages have largely ignored green goals in favor of immediate health and economic rescue. It highlights a significant funding gap, where over 70% of NDC implementation costs must come from external sources, and warns that rising public debt may further obstruct climate investment. The authors recommend leveraging green procurement, nature-based solutions, and innovative financing to align economic recovery with the country's transition to a green economy by 2030.

Benin has significantly increased the ambition of its NDCs between 2015 and 2021, targeting a 20.15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 across the energy, agricultural, forestry, and waste sectors. While these goals align with national priorities like food security and electricity access, the paper finds a lack of integration between the NDCs and the government's COVID-19 macroeconomic recovery response. The author recommends aligning monetary policy and credit expansion with climate goals to leverage private sector investment and ensure long-term sustainable growth.

The document analyzes the macroeconomic resilience of Kenya and Tanzania from 2000 to 2022, examining the impacts of climate-related shocks, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that while both countries used prudent monetary and fiscal policies, Tanzania exhibited less volatility in GDP per capita growth and maintained higher gross savings. The paper recommends simplifying tax systems, reducing non-concessional borrowing, and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance resilience.

The document analyzes the economic resilience of Senegal and Mali from 2000 to 2022, noting that Mali has faced more domestic shocks due to climate and security vulnerabilities. While both countries used expansionary fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate crises, they remain dependent on debt. The authors recommend counter-cyclical policies, structural diversification of trade and industry, investment in human capital, and improved governance to build future resilience.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) developed the Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability Index (CEVI) and the Climate Change and Economic Resilience Index (CERI) to address the misalignment of climate finance. Using data from 160 countries, the indices reveal that low-income economies, particularly in Africa, face the highest vulnerability and lowest resilience. An analysis of 2021 OECD adaptation finance flows shows that funds are often misallocated, with more resilient and less vulnerable countries sometimes receiving higher per-person funding than those in the most critical need. The paper recommends that international financial institutions mainstream these indices to ensure needs-based allocation of climate support.

The document argues that marine and coastal ecosystems in Africa are under severe threat from climate change, including sea level rise and tropical storms, but can support community adaptation if protected and restored. It defines Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services to enhance resilience to climate shocks. The statement provides eight key recommendations for COP27, focusing on incorporating EbA into Nationally Determined Contributions, securing innovative financing, improving community-led governance, and promoting nature-based solutions in coastal cities.

The document presents a logic model for SAIIA's G20 engagement, linking research on themes such as climate finance and debt sustainability to the goal of more inclusive global governance. By conducting research and engaging with the T20 and T20 Africa, SAIIA aims to increase the awareness of African policymakers and secure the inclusion of African policy inputs in the G20 agenda and T20 Communiqué.

The briefing argues for a symbiotic relationship between the UN and the G20 to mobilize resources and political weight for the post-2015 development agenda. It details the G20's role in supporting the 17 proposed SDGs through priority areas such as financial inclusion, food security, tax cooperation, trade, and infrastructure investment. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of the Common African Position (CAP) and Agenda 2063 in ensuring that the global development agenda reflects African aspirations for structural economic transformation and inclusive growth.

The report examines the South African mining industry's decline, highlighted by the Marikana shootings, and argues that structural issues—including regulatory uncertainty, failing social and labour plans, and 'narrow' BEE policies—undermine investor confidence and social stability. It proposes adopting the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, replacing Social and Labour Plans with Community Development Agreements, and reforming BEE to benefit workers and communities rather than a small elite. The author warns that the ANC's proposed 'strategic nationalisation' of minerals like platinum and coal, as suggested in the SIMS report, could further jeopardise economic growth and exacerbate social conflict.

The document assesses the Tanzanian parliamentary system, analyzing its structure, the balance of power between the executive and legislature, and the effectiveness of its engagement with civil society. It highlights a significant disparity between the perceptions of parliamentarians and civil society organizations regarding the transparency and adequacy of legislative processes, particularly concerning the time allowed for public consultation on bills and the scrutiny of international loans. While formal mechanisms for oversight exist, such as standing committees and question-and-answer sessions, the paper identifies constraints including party supremacy, limited resources for MPs, and the use of 'certificates of urgency' to bypass public publication of bills.

The paper assesses the South African TVET system's capacity to support a green transition, specifically focusing on the Green Hydrogen Economy. It evaluates the existing Centres of Specialisation (CoS) model and pilot programmes from Bambili Advisory and the National Business Initiative (NBI) to recommend a flexible, demand-led approach to green skills development. The authors argue for a 'capabilities approach' over narrow occupational competencies to ensure a just transition for youth.

The research paper outlines a strategic framework to align South Africa's TVET system with the needs of a future green hydrogen economy. Using foresight tools like the Three Horizons Framework and scenario planning, it identifies systemic failures in the current TVET model—such as misalignment with industry needs and funding deficits—and proposes a shift toward 'economic wellbeing' rather than just job placement. The framework suggests sustained innovations, such as scaling Centres of Specialisation (CoS), and disruptive innovations, including nano/micro-credentialing and the use of AR/VR toolkits, to ensure a just labour transition by 2050.

The Reimagine our Future Declaration, authored by over 150 South African youth aged 14-24, calls for systemic reforms to address youth unemployment, climate change, and social inequality. The authors advocate for a 'youth-centred green recovery' from the COVID-19 pandemic, urging the South African government to divest from fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy, and integrate climate education into school curricula. Economically, the declaration highlights a youth unemployment rate of 32.5% and demands greater transparency, accountability in public spending, and increased funding for youth-led businesses. Socially, it emphasizes the need for free, decolonised education and urgent action against gender-based violence and femicide.