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21. National Action Plans as Tools for Effective Small Arms Control: Lessons from West Africa

Author:
Luc Chounet-Cambas, Alizée Henry, and Julien Joly
Publication Date:
04-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Small Arms Survey
Abstract:
Guidance provided at the Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in June 2024 underscored the importance of aligning national action plans (NAPs) with sustainable development, security, and gender-responsive policies, in addition to the need for inter-agency collaboration and the inclusion of non-governmental stakeholders in small arms control efforts. While this shift signals a transformative paradigm in small arms control—moving beyond a compliance-driven model rooted in international norms and standards toward a more integrated approach that positions arms control as a tool to advance national objectives in human security, development, and governance—it raises a critical question: how can NAPs be effectively leveraged to ensure this alignment? National Action Plans as Tools for Effective Small Arms Control: Lessons from West Africa, commissioned by the Mines Advisory Group, is a Briefing Paper that examines the current state of practice of NAPs on small arms and light weapons in West Africa, their impact, and existing opportunities to enhance their effectiveness and potential in integrating small arms control into broader public policy frameworks that address development and security concerns.
Topic:
Security, Arms Control and Proliferation, Development, Weapons, and National Action Plan
Political Geography:
Africa and West Africa

22. EU-North Africa Energy Partnerships: Is a Win-Win Formula Possible?

Author:
Laury Haytayan
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI)
Abstract:
The European Union and North Africa have complementary strengths in the energy transition, with the former harnessing technology and the latter, an abundance of resources. Partnerships between the two regions must prioritize local development, job creation and infrastructure in North Africa. It is essential that the European Union moves beyond the extractivist model for equitable energy partnerships. European Union investments should align with North Africa’s priorities, to ensure sustainable progress. Interconnected grids and renewable energy projects can enhance mutual energy security.
Topic:
Development, European Union, Partnerships, Investment, Energy, and Energy Transition
Political Geography:
Europe and North Africa

23. Digitalisation in Agriculture and Food Systems in ASEAN: Pathways to Its Resilience and Sustainability

Author:
Masanori Kozono, Ari Aji Cahyono, and Siti Mustaqimatud Diyanah
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
Abstract:
Digital technologies are transforming the agriculture and food systems of ASEAN, offering new opportunities to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience. ASEAN has taken collective steps to accelerate this transition through initiatives such as the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilisation of Digital Technologies for ASEAN Food and Agricultural Sector (2021), the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises (2023), and the Action Plan for Sustainable Agriculture in ASEAN (2024). To support these regional efforts, this study assesses the current utilisation of digital tools across agricultural value chains, identifies barriers to technology diffusion, and analyses enabling policy frameworks. Based on surveys of 824 respondents across eight ASEAN Member States (AMS), the study finds that smartphone-based solutions – such as advisory applications, digital payments, and marketplaces – are the most widely adopted. However, adoption is primarily driven by economic objectives rather than environmental benefits. The main constraints include limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and high adoption costs. Looking ahead, digital marketplaces and drones are expected to become the most in-demand technologies. Comprehensive and inclusive policies – anchored in strong infrastructure, skills development, financing mechanisms, and regional co-operation – are critical to advancing sustainable digital transformation in ASEAN’s agri-food systems.
Topic:
Agriculture, Development, Science and Technology, Innovation, ASEAN, and Food Systems
Political Geography:
Asia

24. Tough Times, Tough Choices: Charting PEPFAR’s Next Chapter While Safeguarding Its Legacy

Author:
Rachel Bonnifield and Janeen Madan Keller
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
The Trump administration and key congressional lawmakers are shaping a new US government approach to the future of PEPFAR, alongside other global health programs like malaria and tuberculosis. The emerging vision emphasizes country ownership and greater government-to-government support via bilateral Global Health Compacts, paired with a financial drawdown of US assistance. The government’s proposed approach offers a broadly reasonable blueprint for PEPFAR’s evolution. Yet, the pace and scale of proposed changes are unprecedented in global health history, posing significant risks to hard-won PEPFAR results. Thoughtful and calibrated risk mitigation measures are needed to prevent financing gaps, service disruptions, and accountability breakdowns. We propose a differentiated three-track framework to operationalize a responsible PEPFAR transition while meeting the administration’s key strategic goals: Track 1 – Graduation: For wealthier and stable partner countries able to feasibly absorb PEPFAR funding on a relatively rapid timeline, following a phased shift of service delivery to government systems Track 2 – Toward self-reliance: For poorer, higher-burden countries, allowing extended timelines to gradually increase domestic financing while sustaining PEPFAR funding for key treatment and prevention outcomes Track 3 – Compassionate: For the poorest and most fragile countries where sustained PEPFAR investment is required, with potential scope for partial service delivery via national systems in some settings. This analysis and proposed timeline only apply to PEPFAR, and should not be extended to other global health programmatic areas and investments. We urge the administration and congressional leaders to pair adequate financial, technical, and human resources with a prudent operational approach to implement this next chapter of PEPFAR—protecting public health outcomes and preserving PEPFAR’s extraordinary legacy.
Topic:
Security, Foreign Policy, HIV/AIDS, Development, Global Health, and US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief(PEPFAR)
Political Geography:
Global Focus and United States of America

25. Commitment to Development Index 2025

Author:
Ian Mitchell and Edward Wickstead
Publication Date:
11-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
ith levels of development finance falling, it is more important than ever to look beyond aid. The Commitment to Development Index (CDI) does just that—ranking the world’s most powerful countries on policies that affect global development. In an increasingly interconnected and geopolitical world, decisions made by governments of major economies have impacts far beyond their borders, and often disproportionately affect the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. Despite a rise in nationalism in many countries, greater global prosperity is in the common interest, creating new economic and trade opportunities, increasing innovation, and reducing risks posed by global challenges in health, security, and climate.
Topic:
Development, Health, Foreign Aid, Investment, Trade, and Development Finance
Political Geography:
Global Focus

26. A Lean World Health Organization for the Global Good

Author:
Pete Baker, Rachel Bonnifield, and Janeen Madan Keller
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
his brief is the first in CGD's Tough Times, Tough Choices series, which offers guidance to major global health and development institutions and their funders on how to allocate resources strategically and effectively in an era of aid austerity. Key recommendations The World Health Organization should: Articulate a clear vision for a lean WHO for the global good, with a laser-focus on its global comparative advantage: Global leadership and convening Global health security Global public goods Substantially rebalance staffing and resources away from country offices and technical assistance and towards the three priorities at HQ Reorient scaled-down country offices to support WHO’s global focus: Serve as liaison between global public good production and country needs Retain modest direct TA and service provision role in outbreak preparedness and response Directly report to headquarters Prioritise and focus its global public goods production through a member state committee, the consolidation of global technical centres, time-bound WHA resolutions, and coordination with other partners Develop a transitional budget that protects the poorest countries and guides the organisation rapidly towards the vision
Topic:
Development, World Health Organization, WHO, Global Health, and Resource Allocation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

27. How Gavi 6.0 Can Take a Bigger Leap

Author:
Janeen Madan Keller, Rachel Bonnifield, Tom Drake, Pete Baker, and Orin Levine
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Global Development (CGD)
Abstract:
This brief is the second in CGD’s Tough Times, Tough Choices series, which offers guidance to major global health and development institutions and their funders on how to allocate resources strategically and effectively in an era of aid austerity. Key recommendations Gavi 6.0 should prioritize a dual mandate: Stabilize core vaccine budgets in the poorest countries Transform the financing model over time through a radically simplified “New Compact Envelope Financing” approach, with country-led prioritization, domestic financing of top priority vaccines, and a single Gavi cash envelope to cover additional vaccines and technical assistance Gavi can generate cost savings of ~$2.5 billion without compromising its core mandate by: Cutting direct funding to non-Gavi-eligible middle-income countries, and offering alternative forms of high-leverage support Scaling back Secretariat expenses Securing vaccine price reductions Reducing funding for the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator Decreasing overall country allocations with an incremental rollout by eligibility phase
Topic:
Development, Austerity, Global Health, and Resource Allocation
Political Geography:
Global Focus

28. Strategies for Assessing Triple Nexus Initiatives and Integrating Peace Aspects – Insights from Niger

Author:
Christina Plesner Volkdal
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centre for Business and Development Studies (CBDS), Copenhagen Business School
Abstract:
The Triple Nexus approach represents a paradigm shift in how international organizations, including UNICEF, address complex crises that span humanitarian, development, and peace dimensions. UNICEF must navigate the delicate balance between adhering to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity while engaging in development and peace-building activities that may require aligning with government policies and engaging in politically sensitive contexts. There is a significant challenge in developing metrics and methodologies to measure the synergies and outcomes of the Triple Nexus approach effectively. This includes quantifying how initiatives contribute to peace interacting with humanitarian and development outcomes. UNICEF's approach in Niger, implementing food security policies to respond to humanitarian needs while simultaneously operating as a development program, holds the potential to positively impact peace in the region, thus aligning with the Triple Nexus framework.
Topic:
Development, International Organization, Food Security, Crisis Management, and UNICEF
Political Geography:
Africa and Niger

29. Unaccountable Adaptation: The Asian Development Bank’s overstated claims on climate adaptation finance

Author:
Sunil Acharya, Rasmus Bo Sørensen, and Hans Peter Dejgaard
Publication Date:
05-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Despite positioning itself as the ‘climate bank of Asia and the Pacific’, it is difficult to ascertain the Asian Development Bank’s claims of climate adaptation finance. Oxfam analysed the bank’s 2019–2023 climate finance portfolio and conducted a detailed assessment of 15 climate adaptation projects, comprising 43% of reported adaptation finance for FY 2021 and 2022. Oxfam found that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) hugely overstates the reported amounts with potential over-reporting of 44% in average for the assessed projects. This briefing paper calls for a transformative shift in the ADB’s adaptation finance strategies. The ADB must improve the accuracy and transparency of climate finance reporting and realign financial flows with the needs of the region's most vulnerable communities.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, Finance, Accountability, Transparency, Adaptation, and Development Finance
Political Geography:
Asia

30. Beyond Crises: The future of Special Drawing Rights as a source of development and climate finance

Author:
Didier Jacobs
Publication Date:
06-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
The allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) during the COVID-19 pandemic has generated considerable interest in using SDRs as a tool for development and climate finance. This policy brief argues that the monetary logic that underpins SDRs justifies regular allocations of at least $200 billion a year, and more than doubling the share of low-and middle-income countries. Once allocated, governments can use SDRs in multiple ways, including to fund some development or climate projects. The brief also discusses reforms to deepen the SDR system in the interest of all countries.
Topic:
Development, Climate Finance, Sustainable Development Goals, Economic Policy, and IMF
Political Geography:
Global Focus