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16322. Disorder on the Border: Keeping the Peace between Colombia and Venezuela
- Author:
- International Crisis Group
- Publication Date:
- 12-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- The Colombian-Venezuelan frontier, long plagued by guerrilla warfare and organised crime, is now also the site of an inter-state standoff. The two countries should urgently reopen communication channels to lower tensions and lessen the suffering of migrants who cross the border, whether legally or otherwise.
- Topic:
- Diplomacy, Conflict, Borders, and Peace
- Political Geography:
- Colombia, South America, and Venezuela
16323. Venezuela: What Lies Ahead after Election Clinches Maduro’s Clean Sweep
- Author:
- International Crisis Group
- Publication Date:
- 12-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- Following legislative elections, President Nicolás Maduro controls all of Venezuela’s major political institutions. Meanwhile, the country’s crisis deepens apace. An exit remains possible if the government and opposition adjust their zero-sum thinking to admit the need for compromise. The new U.S. administration can help.
- Topic:
- Elections, Leadership, Conflict, and Institutions
- Political Geography:
- South America and Venezuela
16324. CIAO Focus: Bases
- Author:
- Daniel LoPreto
- Publication Date:
- 08-2020
- Content Type:
- CIAO Focus
- Institution:
- Columbia International Affairs Online
- Abstract:
- CIAO Focus highlights a particular topic or theme in the realm of international affairs. This month the focus is on bases.
- Topic:
- Military Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
16325. Artificial Intelligence, Technological Warfare and Changes in the World Order: China, USA and Brazil
- Author:
- Tatiana Rosito, Gabriel de Barros Torres, Ronaldo Lemos, and Yan Li
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- China is consolidating its leadership position in the development and implementation of global artificial intelligence (AI) and Brazil needs to establish structures that promote domestic science and innovation - including the adoption of 5G - in order to advance from being a great consumer of technology to being a “producer of innovation”. The document points out that the development of AI requires national efforts on different fronts - from data governance to training of human capital, which translates into greater difficulties for emerging countries such as Brazil.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, Brazil, South America, North America, and United States of America
16326. Maritime Challenges: Decarbonization and Geopolitical Tensions
- Author:
- Clarissa Lins and Guilherme Ferreira
- Publication Date:
- 11-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- The maritime sector is key to the international economy and trade, accounting for almost ¾ of total freight activity. Shipping is also the most energy-efficient way to transport cargo. “In the coming years, structural changes are expected in the global economy and maritime scenario”, pointed out the speakers during the event “Maritime challenges: decarbonization and geopolitical tensions” held in partnership between CEBRI and the Norwegian Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro.
- Topic:
- Geopolitics, Economy, Maritime, Trade, Shipping, and Decarbonization
- Political Geography:
- Brazil and Global Focus
16327. Conflict and Cooperation in Asia: Geopolitical Issues
- Author:
- Tatiana Rosito, Andy Mok, James Crabtree, and Rudolph Lohmeyer
- Publication Date:
- 11-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- The document produced by CEBRI’s Asia Program analyzes the following issues: 1) a long-term view of China's role in the region; 2) Regional and bilateral agreements in Asia/Eurasia and security policies; 3) The evolution of the role of the United States in the Indo-Pacific. The panelists pointed out that "Two questions remain open: China's ability to lead the international system and the United States' ability to build a broader agenda in addition to military issues in the Asian region".
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, Treaties and Agreements, Geopolitics, and Conflict
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, United States of America, and Indo-Pacific
16328. The Increasing Role of Asia in Multilateral Development Finance
- Author:
- Rogerio Studart, Tatiana Rosito, Joachim Von Amsberg, José Pio Borges, Karin Vazquez, Leslie Maasdorp, and Martin Raiser
- Publication Date:
- 12-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- What is the role of Asian Development Banks in the multilateral financial system? This report presents the topics discussed at the XXI China Analysis Group Meeting, coordinated by Anna Jaguaribe, CEBRI Board Member. Specialists such as Leslie Maasdorp, Joachim Von Amsberg, Karin Vazquez and Martin Raiser, who work at multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) discussed the topic “Asia’s Increasing Role in the Multilateral Development Financial System”.
- Topic:
- Development, Finance, Multilateralism, and Banking
- Political Geography:
- China and Asia
16329. Mobility of the Future: Climate Change and New Technologies
- Author:
- Clarissa Lins and Guilherme Ferreira
- Publication Date:
- 05-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- How can technologies, integrated planning and connected public transportation reshape the transport sector in the context of climate change? In Brazil, the sector is inefficient and faces numerous challenges to build a sustainable mobility system. This report highlights the main conclusions of the debate organized by CEBRI's Energy Program, with the support of the Consulate of the Netherlands in Rio de Janeiro. These conclusions are structured on two pillars: (i) impacts of climate change and the role of new technologies in human mobility and (ii) mobility systems - aiming at efficiency and sustainability” - with a focus on different transport alternatives, such as individual, public and air transportation systems.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Science and Technology, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Future
- Political Geography:
- Brazil and South America
16330. Asian Production Chains and Technological Decoupling: Trends, Uncertainties and Opportunities for Brazil
- Author:
- Tatiana Rosito, Gabriel de Barros Torres, Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, and Xu Sitao
- Publication Date:
- 08-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- How have multinational companies responded to growing tensions in the trade environment? CEBRI’s China Analysis Group reviews the trends related to global and regional value chains in the context of policy responses to Covid-19, as well as the impacts on Brazil. The panelists emphasized that "Global supply chains face new challenges related to their dependence on China: not only did the initial interruptions prove the need to ensure more resilience, but the spread of the epidemic across the world has raised political and strategic concerns about industrial production being highly concentrated in China, especially pharmaceutical products".
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Trade, Resilience, Global Value Chains, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, Brazil, and South America
16331. Brazil-China Post-Covid-19: The Digital City
- Author:
- Philip Yang, Chen Cai, Gao Changlin, Luciana Gama Muniz, Marcelo Motta, Miguel Pinto Guimarães, Renata Fraga, and Washington Fajardo
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- Bilateral cooperation emerging from post-Covid-19 transformations brings challenges and opportunities, with the strengthening of digital cities standing out. This report presents the topics discussed in the webinar "Brazil-China post-Covid-19: The Digital City", held by CEBRI in partnership with the Embassy of China. Miguel Pinto Guimarães points out that "the future is being built by China over the last two decades at a fantastic growing speed that was made possible by planning, education, and intelligence". Chen Cai states that urban planning in large centers needs to be inclusive. "The objective of the smart cities is to have equality and services for everybody living in these cities, not only for some people."
- Topic:
- International Trade and Finance, Bilateral Relations, Cities, COVID-19, and Digital Policy
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, Brazil, and South America
16332. Brazil-China Post-Covid-19: Food Security, Food Safety and Sustainability
- Author:
- Gabriel de Barros Torres
- Publication Date:
- 10-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)
- Abstract:
- China’s agricultural development over the past decades led to incredible results, but soil degradation and lack of arable land are challenges that impact the country’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This report presents the ideas discussed at the webinar "Brazil-China post-Covid 19: Food Security, Food Safety and Sustainability". According to participants, "improvements in living standards and consumption patterns in China create a growing demand for higher quality food products, offering opportunities for diversification in Brazilian agri-food exports."
- Topic:
- Bilateral Relations, Food Security, Sustainability, Carbon Emissions, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, Brazil, and South America
16333. Socio-economic implications of Covid-19 in Cameroon and proposals to reduce the economic fallout
- Author:
- Henri Kouam and Dr. Fuein Vera Kum
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The economic impact of COVID-19 will be broad-based, causing wages to fall due to social distancing and quarantine measures on the service sector. While communications and ICT-related sectors will be less affected, transport, entertainment and leisure sectors will be adversely affected, together with exports and domestic demand. Policymakers should utilise the $164 billion availed by international institutions to support SMEs and wages in the informal sector, whilst the 90 billion should be used in other to invest in the physical and digital infrastructure to support educational outcomes and employment over the medium term. Such actionable policies should accompany broader quarantine and social distancing measures.
- Topic:
- Economics, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Socioeconomics
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Cameroon
16334. Lockdown Preventive Measure against COVID-19 Pandemic: Livelihoods Implications in Cameroon
- Author:
- Dr. Tata E. Sunjo, Adeline Kaptue Wuyt, and Dr. Yauba Saidu
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The entire world today is, in one way or another, affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared to be a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. This outbreak which has spread to all continents (Figure 1) has been characterized by exponential increase in infected cases, attributed deaths and socio-economic hardship. There are already more than 3.8 million confirmed cases globally with over 265 862 deaths (WHO Situation Report, 9 May 2020). The quality of the health system in a given country appears to not be an influential factor in preventing the installation or propagation of the pandemic as the nations with relatively robust health systems like in Europe and the USA have also been hit hard.
- Topic:
- Health, Public Health, Pandemic, COVID-19, Socioeconomics, and Global Health
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon and Global Focus
16335. Dealing With Construction Permits In Cameroon: Evaluation And Recommendations For Policymakers
- Author:
- Dr. Louis-Marie Kakdeu, Ulrich D’POLA KAMDEM, and Egoh Aziz
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The building permit is an urban planning authorization issued by the City council of the municipality where the project is located. In Cameroon, it is issued to anyone wishing to engage in a construction initiative, change the location of an existing construction, modify its external appearance or volume, and even to create additional levels. To deliver the document, the technical services check that the planned constructions comply with the town planning regulations concerning the layout of the works, their nature, location, architecture, layout of their surroundings, and respect the general rules of construction in force. They also check whether the work plan has been drawn up under the responsibility of an architect who is a registered member of the National Order of Architects of Cameroon.
- Topic:
- Political Economy, Infrastructure, Governance, Regulation, and Local
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon
16336. Examining Business Creation In Cameroon From The Perspective Of Women
- Author:
- Egoh Aziz and Dr. Louis-Marie Kakdeu
- Publication Date:
- 08-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- Women have a reasonably huge potential of workforce in Cameroon, with more than 50.5% of the population. They contribute enormously in virtually all food products intended to nourish many people in urban areas. In effect, the creation and expansion of business is an effective way of being autonomous for women working in the formal and informal sectors. Women are involved in so many income generating activities and various projects that helps to increase the country’s national wealth while creating jobs that enhances the advancement of women and the family (Nkafu DBI report, 2020). A 2009 report of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Cameroon, illustrate the percentage of female-headed households at the urban (22.4%) and rural (14.5%) levels. Moreover, their support to family life is significant since about 73.55% of them (from 15 to 49 years old) cover at least one family expenditure, compared to 61.84% of men even though the sources of revenue remain the preserve of men. Despite this recognized potential, the economic condition of women is still in jeopardy. Why? We will focus on the steps taken by the Government of Cameroon (GOC) regarding the status of women and look at the persistence of bottlenecks that hampers female entrepreneurship. Finally, we will propose tangible recommendations on the steps to be taken by the GOC to ameliorate the conditions of women in business.
- Topic:
- Economics, Labor Issues, Women, Business, and Workforce
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon
16337. An Analysis Of The Legislation About Business Creation In Cameroon
- Author:
- Ulrich D’POLA KAMDEM and Dr. Louis-Marie Kakdeu
- Publication Date:
- 08-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) represent the main driver of economic growth both in developing and emerging economies. Statistics from the World Bank show that in emerging economies, 40% of the national income (Gross Domestic Product – GDP) and 60% of total employment are attributed to formal SMEs. In developing economies, Cameroon included, SMEs have the potential to contribute more to the GDP and the level of employment. But they face several obstacles that prevent them from flourishing. Among these obstacles, legislation is among the main barriers to business creation. This article, therefore, analyses the contribution of legal aspects to business creation in Cameroon. Our analysis focuses on the following aspects: the legal framework, the documents required to open a business, and the regulatory and fiscal repression.
- Topic:
- Economics, Labor Issues, Employment, and Business
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon
16338. 199 Days Into Covid-19 Pandemic
- Author:
- Ngwa Wilfred, Denis Foretia, Mbuwir Charlotte, Dr. Asahngwa Constantine, Kibu Odette, Ronald Gobina, and Nkengafac Fobellah
- Publication Date:
- 08-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in Wuhan (Hubei province) China in December 2019. The virus has since then spread to all the 7 continents of the world, infecting over 14 million persons and killing over 600,000 [1] (as of July 19th, 2020.) By 30 January 2020, WHO Director General declared that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) [2]. The highest concentration of infected persons has shifted several times since mid-February 2020 from China to Iran, and then to Italy and Spain and is presently in the United States of America [3]. According to the Lancets, it is inevitable that Africa and Latin America will be experiencing the next wave of infections [4]. Since the introduction of the first case on February 14th, 2020, Africa as of July 19th, 2020, counted 683,905 infected persons and 14,684 deaths, thus contributing to 5% of the global caseload and to a little above 2% of the global death roll [5]. Although yet to be proven, several conspiracy theories have been proposed to explain these fewer cases observed in Africa [6]. Cameroon as of the 19th of July had recorded 16,157 cases with 373 deaths with 13,728 recovered cases [7]. This translates into a case fatality rate of 3.6% and a COVID 19 patient recovery rate of 85%. This ranks Cameroon as the 65th most affected country worldwide, the 7th in Africa [10] and the first [5] in Central Africa. The situation in Cameroon has pushed decision makers in Cameroon into taking a number of measures aimed at limiting the spread of the disease [8] in the country while at the time mitigating its impact on the economy [9]. Commendable efforts have been made by the government so far so such as the decentralisation of testing to 9 out of the 10 regions of the country (Rapport de Situation COVID 19 au Cameroon, Sitrep No 38). This report looks into COVID 19 situation in Cameroon with regards to the distribution of COVID 19 cases, the situation of health workers, some key mortality and morbidity indicators as well as the weekly evolution cases; making use of data from the beginning of the pandemic up to the 3rd of July 2020.
- Topic:
- Public Health, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Global Health
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon
16339. Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) and the Unequal Treatment of Companies in the Cameroonian Market
- Author:
- Egoh Aziz and Dr. Louis-Marie Kakdeu
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- Economic partnership agreements are accords contracted by two or more countries to promote the free flow of goods and services between the parties. These accords can be bi-lateral or multi-lateral and carry along with certain advantages. For example, the elimination of trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. Economic agreements act as conduits to the establishment of new markets for businesses, ease the manufacture of high-quality goods, and foster economic growth[1]. As the volume of trade increases due to trading agreements, favourable conditions are created pushing businesses in the member countries to have a greater incentive to venture into new markets. This article aims to discuss the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) Cameroon have signed, and the unequal treatment of Companies existing in the Cameroonian Market.
- Topic:
- International Political Economy, International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, and Economic Cooperation
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon
16340. Obtaining Credit in Cameroon: Problems and Prospects
- Author:
- Dr. Louis-Marie Kakdeu, Ulrich D’POLA KAMDEM, and Egoh Aziz
- Publication Date:
- 10-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- In keeping with its mission, and in this report, entitled, “Obtaining Credit in Cameroon: Problems and Prospects” the Institute undertakes the third in a series of its six thematic reports dedicated to the Doing Business Index Project (DBIP). The report examines the business environment in Cameroon, specifically about how prospective investors could obtain credit from financial institutions in the country. It proposes useful suggestions to the Government of Cameroon (GOC) for improving its monetary and fiscal policies, especially, those which revolve around the micro- and macro-economic issues, and which are articulated in the financial sector of the national economy. The central purpose of this report is to offer informed knowledge in public policy-making, to public policy-maker in Cameroon, as the mandatory catalysts for improving or easing the Doing Business Concept in Cameroon’s business, economic, social and political landscapes.
- Topic:
- Economics, Finance, Business, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Credit
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon