Is the Global Compact on Refugees fit for Africa’s purposes?
The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) advocates a ‘whole of society’ approach to resolving and managing the forced displacement ‘crisis’ by setting out specific targets, objectives and pathways for UN member states to follow.
Cultivating economic relations: Russia-Africa economic forum
Summitry between a major country and Africa have become fashionable in the 21st century. China, India, the EU and Japan all have such summits with the continent. Such events carry great political symbolism, they provide opportunities for business deals, and they also show the rest of the world the influence of the initiating country vis-à-vis its guests.
Digitising financial services: A tool for financial inclusion in South Africa?
Financial inclusion offers incremental and complementary solutions to tackle poverty, promote inclusive development and address the Sustainable Development Goals.
Inside the Russia-Africa matryoshka: Summitry, Geopolitics and Resources
On 24 October Russia will host the first Russia-Africa summit in Sochi. This is some 26 years after Japan launched its TICAD process in 1993, 20 years since China’s FOCAC and 11 years since the first India-Africa Forum Summit.
Digital dictatorship versus digital democracy in Africa
Just how did digital technologies go from empowering citizens and toppling dictators to being used as tools of oppression and discord?
At the table or on the menu? Africa’s agency and the global order
Thirty years after the end of the Cold War, one could argue that the global order is fragmenting into multiple nodes of power.
How to facilitate trade in Africa
While the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement can act as a powerful tool for progress, it cannot work in isolation. It also requires complementary reforms addressing specific country-level challenges, and a well-functioning global trading regime that accounts for developing countries’ needs.
Rethinking Africa’s role at the Human Rights Council
In UN human rights forums, African States have a reputation for voting as a bloc, obstructing human rights, and defending the sovereignty of developing countries.
Atoms for Development project launch
The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) is pleased to announce the commencement of a new three-year project on the peaceful use of nuclear technology in advancing development in Africa, called ‘Atoms for Development’.
Climate change: A race we must win
The timing of the Climate Action Summit later this week, only three months before the annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (COP25), hints at the growing sense of urgency among world leaders to tackle climate change head-on.