The Arab Spring taking root across the Middle East is bringing unprecedented economic change and a high level of instability to the region. An edialogue held by CIGI and the United States Institute of Peace provided a forum for a lively exchange of ideas on the application of security sector reform (SSR) in Africa and the Middle East.

The way in which nations design their economic policies is woefully inadequate to prevent financial and economic crises, according to this report copublished by CIGI and Chatham House following a nine-month research project involving consultations with finance and foreign affairs ministries, multilateral institutions and research institutes in Europe, Asia and North America. Governments need to grasp the international implications of their domestic policies, recognizing that their decisions can cause ripples across an integrated world economy.

In this prepatory document for CIGI'10 participants, conference co-chair Jason Blackstock outlines the primary goals for CIGI ’10. First, to explore the potential for action at all levels of government and society — from the bottom up, through multilateral clubs, to the global negotiations — to create tangible progress towards the “Core Elements of Global Action” we know are needed. Second, to produce specific recommendations for targeted actors and forums on how action across these levels can be mobilized and coordinated to maximize net progress.

One of the G20’s most significant institutional innovations has been the creation of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), a new institution that some see as a potential fourth pillar of global economic governance alongside the IMF, World Bank and WTO. In a special report written with international partners, leading experts examine the challenges facing the FSB if it is to live up to expectations and help avert future global financial crises like the one in 2008-2009.