Policy Briefs

From Landlocked to Landlinked: Transport Connectivity Development in Lao PDR

In December 2021, after five years of construction work, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) inaugurated its first major high–speed railway line. A feat of technology in a landlocked, mountainous country, the Laos-China railway links the capital Vientiane to the Chinese border in less than three hours. A year and a half later, in April 2022, the section was extended by almost 1,000 km to connect the Laotian capital with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in southern China. Designed to open up the country economically to its partners in Southeast Asia, this railway line is shaping the future of Laos as a country at the confluence of many regional and international influences.

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Reassessing Dependencies: The EU’s Path to De-Risking in Light of China’s Industrial Ambitions

China’s industrial policies are reshaping global trade dynamics, prompting the European Union (EU) to reassess its approach towards risk mitigation. As China strengthens its domestic supply market, particularly in high-tech and renewable energy sectors, EU policymakers are progressively facing pressure to decrease their reliance on China in sectors like critical minerals, magnesium and lithium. Amidst rising geopolitical tension and increasingly proactive action towards addressing the climate crisis, industrial policies have moved to the forefront and have gained traction worldwide, exerting significant influence on the international market. As a consequence, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the concept of ‘de-risking’, which has emerged as a major term among policymakers. The approach underscores the imperative for enhanced understanding, communication and common agreement between China and the EU to foster fair competition globally.

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The Road to COP29: Potentials for the Greater Caspian Region and the Middle Corridor

As global leaders are to assemble in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 29th gathering of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) from 11 to 24 November 2024, the occasion may prove to be pivotal on several fronts. The COP29 summit, like its predecessors, will assess global carbon emissions and international efforts to combat climate change. It will also be a milestone for Azerbaijan to lead discussions toward effective climate solutions and to withstand the scrutiny often faced by host countries with significant energy production.

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The Depleting Water Levels of the Caspian Sea: Why the Choice to Hold COP29 in Baku is So Pertinent

The Caspian Sea is gaining increasing centrality in new trade routes between Asia and Europe playing a fundamental role in promoting economic connectivity between the two regions. The conflict in Ukraine and the rising tensions in the Middle East and Red Sea have highlighted the vulnerability of current supply chains for essential commodities. Consequently, it has underscored the potential significance of the Caspian Sea and its surrounding states — especially Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan — whose energy reserves and potentials could help the EU diversify away from reliance on the Russian energy sector. Additionally, these countries are expected to play a crucial role in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the ‘Middle Corridor.’

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Building Peace Amid Turmoil: What Role Can The EU Play in Myanmar’s Fragile Path to Stability?

The security environment in Myanmar has been at a critical point for the past few years. Since the 2021 military coup under General Min Aung Hlang, security challenges have reached critical levels both internally and regionally, also spreading beyond Myanmar’s borders. Moreover, Refugee inflows, especially into Bangladesh and Thailand, have added to the already existing challenge of the Rohingya Crisis.

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