Mid-term evaluation of the project “Mainstreaming sustainable land development and management”


Book Description

The mid-term evaluation of the project "Mainstreaming sustainable land development and management” was executed by the Guyana Land Survey Commission (GLSC), implemented by FAO and funded by the Guyana Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) Investment Fund (GRIF). Overall project effectiveness and efficiency is low: implementation is slow and few outputs and outcomes have been achieved. The main reasons are the poor communication and collaboration between GLSC and FAO, and insufficient delivery of their roles and responsibilities. Recently, improved communication between GLSC and FAO has generated better collaboration. The evaluation made a series of recommendations to improve project delivery during the remainder of the implementation period.







Somalia


Book Description

This Joint Staff Advisory Note (JSAN) reviews the mid-term review report(MTR) of Somalia’s Ninth National Development Plan (NDP9).1 NDP9 is a nationallyowned and comprehensive strategy for poverty reduction and inclusive growth. It covers2020–2024 and is organized around the four pillars: Inclusive Politics, Security and theRule of Law, Economic Development, and Social Development. NDP9 was submitted tothe IMF and World Bank on October 15, 2019, to fulfill the Enhanced Heavily IndebtedPoor Countries (HIPC) Initiative’s poverty reduction strategy requirement. The firstAnnual Progress Report (APR) was received by the World Bank and the IMF in June 2022,and a JSAN was prepared and submitted to the Boards in July 2023. The MTR tracksprogress of the first 30 months of NDP9 implementation and serves as APR for 2021 and2022. The MTR also identifies the gaps, challenges, and lessons learned, and makespractical recommendations for improvement in the implementation of NDP9’s finalphase from 2023 to 2024.




Defence Planning for Small and Middle Powers


Book Description

This book examines the processes, practices and principles of defence planning in small and middle powers. Small and middle powers are recalibrating their force postures in this age of disruption. They are adapting their defence planning and military innovation processes to protect the security of their nations. The purpose of this book is to explore defence planning and military innovation in 11 contemporary case studies of small and middle powers in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. Employing a structured focused comparison framework, it traces patterns in the choices of small and middle powers across the following themes: (1) alliances, dependencies and national ambitions; (2) approaches, processes, methods and techniques; and (3) military innovation strategies and outcomes. Breaking new theoretical ground, it offers a three-pronged typology distinguishing between the strategic defence planner, the transactional defence planners and the complacent defence planner. The book offers a rich array of insights into cases that fall across different geographies, strategic cultures and governance systems. These insights can help guide discussions on how to structure decision-making structures, arrive at ambition levels, formulate priorities, select partners and design defence planning and military innovation processes. This book will be of much interest to students of defence studies, security studies, public policy and international relations, as well as to professionals in defence planning.




Seized by Uncertainty


Book Description

The COVID-19 virus was responsible for the deaths of over thirty-five thousand Canadians in its first two years alone. Described as the biggest public health crisis of the century, it was an uncertain threat, which emerged within complex psychological, social, legal, administrative, and economic contexts. Seized by Uncertainty explains how Canadian governments responded to that threat. Despite early warning signs, governments failed to appreciate the trade-offs required to respond to the pandemic. Their approach, at times intolerant of debate and ignorant of diversity, served the interests of some over others. Their response prioritized stability and containment, enabling four in ten people to work from home, disproportionately benefiting an educated middle class who profited further from soaring stock markets and housing prices. Mental health issues spiked, racialized people were much more likely to test positive for the virus, those in low-income sectors experienced unstable employment and lacked workplace safety protections, the lives of low-risk youth were in constant suspension, and residents of some care homes were virtually abandoned. Seized by Uncertainty studies the pandemic response through the contexts in which it emerged, exposing uncomfortable truths about a fragmented society and governance problems that predated the threat.




OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: Korea 2023


Book Description

The "Miracle on the River Han" catapulted Korea from developing country to a prosperous economy, driven in part by advancements in science, technology, and innovation. Being the second-highest R&D spender among OECD economies, Korea excels in key technologies, including semiconductors, 6G, and ICT infrastructure.




SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2024 Building Resilience in Challenging Times


Book Description

The SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2024 – Building resilience in challenging times is a unique benchmarking tool to assess and monitor progress in the design and implementation of SME policies against EU and international best practice.







The Next Space Race


Book Description

If China's space ambitions continue unchallenged, America will be seriously economically and militarily disadvantaged. This book provides a comprehensive strategy to secure U.S. primacy in the space domain. From Moon landings to plans for asteroid mining, China is beginning to exploit space to achieve its great power ambitions. Its strategy could, over time, severely and adversely impact U.S. economic and military security. The United States needs to structure its approach to space to ensure that it can meet or surpass PRC timelines. Authors Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson, both from the American Foreign Policy Council, review the literature on Chinese space ambitions and assess U.S. space-related initiatives across the government, military, and private sector to understand the maturity of technology available to support space initiatives. Their first-hand research and findings are supplemented by interviews with industry experts, corporate space leaders, and government and military officials. The Next Space Race describes and seeks to influence the development of American space policy to ensure the U.S. industrial base is ready to meet or surpass PRC milestones, empower and clarify the mission of the newly minted Space Force, provide guidance to NASA and other federal agencies, and incentivize private sector companies to contribute to ensuring American space primacy.