Transnational Bodies

Academic Seeks BRICS Focus on Human Rights

November 29, 2017

Professor Danny Bradlow of the University of Pretoria writes that the BRICS group of countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - laments the lack of an effective strategy in the body, which seeks to provide an alternative to Western-focused global governance, to achieve a "just and equitable international economic order" through the global human rights agenda.
Schaefer: US Must Reject ICC Authority on Afghanistan

November 22, 2017

Brett Schaefer of the Heritage Foundation writes that, in response to the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to investigate war crimes allegations in Afghanistan since 2003, potentially including actions of the US military, the US should reject ICC jurisdiction and reevaluate its cooperation with the body.
OSCE Signs Deal to Bolster NHRIs

November 21, 2017

As part of the international security organization's support for national human rights institutions (NHRIs), designed to advocate for the global human rights agenda in the countries in which they are based, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has signed a deal with the International Ombudsman Institute to help strengthen NHRIs across the OSCE region.
ISO Receives Calls for Global "Humanitarian" Standards

November 20, 2017

At a recent meeting of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Committee on Developing Country Matters, speakers from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Lebanese foreign ministry explored the development of ISO "humanitarian" standards governing state treatment of missing persons and refugees.
OSCE Meeting Pushes for "Greener" Economies

November 20, 2017

Highlighting the continued focus of the international security organization on environmental issues, the 25th Economic and Environmental Forum hosted by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) examined how "greening the economy" in the group's member states can produce more stability and security.
Development Banks Invest Tens of Billions in Climate Finance

November 20, 2017

In a September press release, the World Bank explains how it and the other five largest multilateral development banks allocated $27.4 billion toward "climate financing" in poor countries in 2016 as part of their effort to encourage public and private investment in limiting the impacts of global warming under the UN's Paris climate accord.
Davidson: Trump Is "Dismantling" Global Governance Bodies

November 15, 2017

Adam Davidson of The New Yorker highlights the discomfort of multilateralists toward the Trump Administration's agenda of a foreign policy based in nationalism, signaled in its withdrawal of the US from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a program requiring the disclosure of oil, gas, and mining payments to governments around the world.
BRICS Group Seeks "Equitable" Global Governance

October 20, 2017

The Associated Press reports that, in a statement following the organization's recent summit in China, the BRICS group of countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - called for reform at the UN to make its institutions more representative and a new version of global economic governance that leads to "a more just and equitable international order."
BRICS Becomes Global Governance Heavyweight

October 20, 2017

Alyssa Ayres of the Council on Foreign Relations describes the rise of the BRICS grouping of countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - into a major global governance player that advocates for broader representation in international organizations but fails to tackle issues that may produce conflict between its often-competing members.
Palestine Receives Initial Approval as Interpol Member

October 20, 2017

The Palestinian Authority is seeking membership in the International Police Organization (Interpol) and has received initial approval by the organization’s Executive Committee despite US and Israeli opposition.