The literature generally agrees that the traditional insurance sector is not a source of systemic risk, and insurers are often considered to be shock absorbers rather than shock amplifiers. Yet, the evolution of the industry both in terms of structure (concentration of the reinsurers, increased linkages with banks, especially through bancassurance conglomerates) and in terms of techniques (securitization, monolines, derivatives) increased the systemic relevance of the insurers.
United Nations peace operations are deployed in greater numbers to more difficult operating theatres in response to more complex conflict situations than ever before. More than 100,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed in missions mandated under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to use 'all necessary means' to protect civilians from direct harm as well as to achieve a host of other tasks such as supporting the (re)building of state institutions, facilitating humanitarian aid, and overseeing compliance with ceasefire agreements and political commitments. With increasing regularity, UN peacekeepers are instructed to complete these tasks in contexts where there is no peace to keep or where peace is fragile. To understand these changes, and the implications for UN peace operations, this article examines three key transformations: the emergence of the protection of civilians as a central mission goal (and accompanying principles of due diligence); a subtle move away from peacekeeping as an impartial overseer of peace processes towards the goal of stabilization; and a so-called 'robust turn' towards greater preparedness to use force. It identifies the challenges posed to contemporary UN peacekeeping operations by these transformations and evaluates the UN's efforts thus far to make peacekeeping fit for purpose in the twenty-first century, noting that while significant progress has been made in areas such as policy and guidance, force sustainment and deployment, and the application of force enablers, there remains a considerable way to go. (International Affairs (Oxford) / SWP)
The literature generally agrees that the traditional insurance sector is not a source of systemic risk, and insurers are often considered to be shock absorbers rather than shock amplifiers. Yet, the evolution of the industry both in terms of structure (concentration of the reinsurers, increased linkages with banks, especially through bancassurance conglomerates) and in terms of techniques (securitization, monolines, derivatives) increased the systemic relevance of the insurers.
The literature generally agrees that the traditional insurance sector is not a source of systemic risk, and insurers are often considered to be shock absorbers rather than shock amplifiers. Yet, the evolution of the industry both in terms of structure (concentration of the reinsurers, increased linkages with banks, especially through bancassurance conglomerates) and in terms of techniques (securitization, monolines, derivatives) increased the systemic relevance of the insurers.
The Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation was established in 1984 to conduct policy research and disseminate results to the public and private sectors. TDRI was conceived, created and registered as a nonprofit, nongovernmental foundation, and is recognized as such by the Royal Thai Government. The Institute does technical and policy analyses to support the formulation of policies with longterm implications for sustaining social and economic development. This Review contains two articles: Economics of the Terminal Handeling Charge, and Investment in Thailand Following the Global Financial Crisis and into the Future: Evidence from Cross-Country Comparisons.
The literature generally agrees that the traditional insurance sector is not a source of systemic risk, and insurers are often considered to be shock absorbers rather than shock amplifiers. Yet, the evolution of the industry both in terms of structure (concentration of the reinsurers, increased linkages with banks, especially through bancassurance conglomerates) and in terms of techniques (securitization, monolines, derivatives) increased the systemic relevance of the insurers.
International audience The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is one of the last communist states ruled by a single political party. Despite what the one party rule in Vietnam may suggest, issues related to urban planning reveal a great complexity of interaction between stakeholders in the country, and an aggregation of new coalitions concerned with growth, who question the regime's political choices and development orientations. The authoritarianism of the Vietnamese political regime is undeniably key to understanding the socio-spatial organisation of cities in the country. However, this paper aims to show how the contemporary urban planning of these cities is participating in the recent evolution of the political regime, towards what can be called a " negotiated authoritarianism ". With the implementation of new urban projects; debates over notions of justice and injustice, common good and private interests, community and individuality are emerging. These values are conveyed by the authorities, as well as the citizens, in order to negotiate their participation in decision-making and their access to new wealth. Our goal is then to question the links between political authoritarianism and the production of the city in contemporary Vietnam.
The Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation was established in 1984 to conduct policy research and disseminate results to the public and private sectors. TDRI was conceived, created and registered as a nonprofit, nongovernmental foundation, and is recognized as such by the Royal Thai Government. The Institute does technical and policy analyses to support the formulation of policies with longterm implications for sustaining social and economic development. This Review contains two articles: Economics of the Terminal Handeling Charge, and Investment in Thailand Following the Global Financial Crisis and into the Future: Evidence from Cross-Country Comparisons.
Thailand's economic and social transformation of the last 50 years has placed it in the ranks of upper-middle-income countries and made it an integral part of global value chains. It has also established itself as a regional hub for key transport and logistics, with a world-class airport. Yet, growth has concentrated on greater Bangkok. As wages rise, productivity needs to keep pace for the economy to stay competitive. While it has diversified its economic base into tourism, health care, and other services, the bulk of the workforce remains in low-productivity activities—with the agriculture sector still employing almost 40% of workers. To continue its rise, therefore, Thailand needs to move into the higher-value segments of economic activity and create high-quality jobs that are regionally broader based. This report identifies the major constraints to accomplishing these goals and analyzes the main challenges. Among them, the country must (i) enhance research and development and international technology transfers; (ii) elevate worker skills and their industrial relevance; (iii) address structural impediments to competition, notably in services; (iv) provide advanced transport and logistics infrastructure; and (v) improve access to finance and technology for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
Sustainable development has been the forte of SDPI since its inception in 1992. SDPI aims to remain relevant to emerging issues at national, regional and global level. The thrust of researchers at SDPI is to produce robust evidence that helps in informed policy formulation on issues of sustainable development in Pakistan, the region and at macro level. Trans-disciplinary research is one of the niches of SDPI. We believe that there is no linear solution to the challenges sustainable development is faced with, in Pakistan thus holistic analysis is carried out through research on all the three pillars of sustainable development, i.e. economy, environment and social development. In order to generate discourse and dialogue on sustainable development, SDPI is engaged with various stakeholders by way of organizing seminars, roundtables, conferences, etc. The increased demand of SDPI's work and analysis is reflected in the presence of its researchers at various important task forces, committees, and commissions constituted by the ministries as well as judiciary. This year, SDPI focused on the following aspects under the broader umbrella of sustainable development, governance, economy, energy, climate change, livelihood, food security, strategic policy, health, nutrition, education, peace and conflict, non-Muslims rights, and women rights.
The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SPDI) provides the global sustainable development community with representation from Pakistan as well as South Asia as a whole. This quarterly publication provides Research and News bulletins on current events affecting Pakistan and surrounding South Asian countries.
In his scientific studies in economic policy throughout a stellar career, which he embarked upon at the State Planning Organization and continued at METU and Bilkent University, Merih Celasun not only offered very important solutions to the structural problems faced by Turkey, but also provided unique lessons regarding the way to approach the economic science to those lucky enough to get to know him. His knowledge, experience, and approach to economic problems made him a well-known scholar in international academic circles. His work became one of the first sources to resort to for those seeking in-depth information, particularly on the Turkish economy. This text is İlhan Tekeli's speech that was delivered in Ankara at TEPAV on December 29th, 2014 at the Merih Celasun memorial lecture.
