Recent Posts
The Next Pandemic: If We Can’t Respond, We’re Not Prepared
February 28, 2023This note was also published by the Centre for Disaster Protection here. Amidst the disastrous impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, international policy attention on global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) has been laudable but has so far proved inadequate. The chance of another deadly pandemic is significant and the potential toll catastrophic, but the current level of global investment in PPR does not yet provide the kind of protection the world needs for effective response. Estimates of the losses from the COVID pandemic are in the range of $13.8 [...]
Aftermath of War in Europe The West VS. the Global South?
February 17, 2023This publication provides an insight into the lens through which countries of the Global South view the current period of successive crises, brought about by an ongoing global pandemic and a war in Europe. It highlights how the combined weight of history, culture, and geography has shaped the Global South’s interests and is influencing its foreign policy stance during one of the most dangerous periods of Great-Power competition in recent times—one that could see the fracturing of the world into different blocs. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, [...]
The Expansion of the BRICS in a World of Shifting Power Dynamics
February 17, 2023In this episode, Paolo Magri delves into the evolving role of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa in a world of changing geopolitical landscapes. Over the course of this podcast, we explore the emergence of the BRICS group, tracing its roots back to the early 2000s and examining the political and economic factors that brought these diverse nations together. We then move on to the New Development Bank, formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, to discuss its status and role. Finally, we address the growing concern around [...]
The World Bank Should Ramp Up Finance for Climate, But Not at the Cost of Development
February 13, 2023The World Bank Group Evolution Roadmap makes three financing asks of donors and shareholders: capital for IBRD, continued support for IDA, and grants to support climate projects. I think donors and shareholders should support a capital increase and strengthen commitments to IDA. But they should not provide more grants to support climate activities at least until (i) IBRD lending to support mitigation has been reformed and expanded and (ii) major cost-effectiveness and equity concerns of existing grant mechanisms are addressed. The World Bank already acts as a trustee for twelve [...]