TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly | From Lima to COP30: The Climate Clock is Ticking

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

Dear readers,

TAI enjoyed being with hundreds of anti-corruption officials, experts and activists at the World Bank’s Global Anti-Corruption Forum this past week - a welcome signal of support to this work amid an era of self-censorship. Interesting to see the UK, France and Switzerland announce a new International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce to tackle the threat of bribery and corruption.

You will find several more corruption related stories in this Weekly, plus all our usual jobs, events, funder updates and a deep dive on environmental governance.

Happy reading!

TAI team

WHAT'S NEW?

Yiaga Africa's latest edition of The Ballot reflects on key developments in Nigeria's governance, from local initiatives like the People's Assembly in Enugu to proposed electoral reforms and discussions about voting rights for marginalized groups.

Liz David-Barrett examines the economic consequences of state capture, putting the current US situation in the global context. David-Barret highlights comparisons with international patterns of government corruption and economic impact.

Human rights activists from The Irrawaddy detail the devastating impact of U.S. funding cuts on Myanmar's civic space. Activists are warning that reduced support allows hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation to flourish in an already restricted information environment.

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project's investigation into Swiss Bank Reyl has revealed significant anti-money laundering gaps through leaked letters, another reminder of the ongoing challenges in global financial transparency efforts.

The Global Governance, Justice and Security Program and the Global Governance Innovation Network Project have released a new policy brief on Governing AI for the Future of Humanity. It offers frameworks for responsible development and oversight of artificial intelligence technologies.

“We used to have land grabs. Now we are having carbon grabs.” - Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development BAnk warns of undervaluing of Africa’s natural resources and derisory prices for its carbon sequestration.

Jonathan Katz and Renée Rippberger point out corruption threats to U.S. democracy, and examine potential security and economic impacts alongside pathways for Americans to counter anti-corruption rollbacks.

In a week when tariffs dominated the headlines, good to see a positive tax story as the UN’s International Maritime Organization agreed a carbon levy for the shipping industry. A welcome sign that multilateralism might not be dead!

Deepti Doshi, co-director of New Public, outlines steps for strengthening local digital spaces by prioritizing stewardship and community ownership over engagement metrics, and addresses the decline of traditional civic institutions.

The Taskforce on Business Ethics and the Legal Profession releases its final report on client acceptance practices by solicitors in England and Wales regarding kleptocracy, state capture, and grand corruption.

CIVICUS interviews Soheïla Comninos about her newly published Global Democracy Theory of Change report. The dialogue underscores that rebuilding trust in democracy requires reclaiming power from concentrated interests to ensure democratic systems deliver for all citizens.

The Changing Democracies initiative explores lesser-known stories about recent democratic transitions in Europe, and offers lessons on fulfilling democracy's promises for everyone.

In a new paper, Better Data for Better Outcomes: How Climate Funds Can Enhance Transparency, Publish What You Fund examines the data published by the four largest climate funds and detailing how they can enhance their transparency, making it easier for governments, CSOs and citizens to get a complete picture of the funding coming into their countries.

FISCAL MATTERS

Now is the time to invest in equitable tax, debt and spending systems. Check out our Fiscal Space site for funders - read all about it in this press release. 

FROM OUR MEMBERS

FORD FOUNDATION: Has announced a $15 million commitment to advance disability rights worldwide, pledging that at least 25% of all Ford Foundation grants will be inclusive of people with disabilities. This initiative integrates disability inclusion across all the foundation's social justice work.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION AND LUMINATE: Have signed the United in Advance philanthropy coalition solidarity campaign to support philanthropy's freedom to give, and join other organizations in mobilizing sector-wide participation and collaboration. MacArthur President John Palfrey makes the case.

PACKARD FOUNDATION: President and CEO Nancy Lindborg shares the Packard Foundation's ongoing commitment to values, which have guided the donor for sixty years. 

TAI SECRETARIAT: In an OpEd for the Inter Press Service, Executive Director Michael Jarvis lays out why this year’s Financing for Development conference is a make-or-break moment for global development finance and outlines ways philanthropy can play a vital role. 

ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

​​CAPTURED is a global investigation where authors traveled from the informal settlements of Kenya to the corridors of Silicon Valley to explore how AI is not just a technology, but increasingly a belief system. Who are its modern-day prophets? What rules govern its rise? And what future are we being asked to buy into? Take a listen now.

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

The case for strategic consolidation in the non-profit world is made by George Tsiatis. Growth can often require a long and resource-intensive journey, but the social sector's interconnectedness means that an aligned partner has probably already built what you need (or vice versa). 

Mandy Van Deven challenges philanthropic norms, arguing that individualism, competition, risk aversion, and other prevailing practices perpetuate the very narratives the sector seeks to change.

In response to recent aid cuts affecting millions of vulnerable people worldwide, WINGS and networks representing over 100,000 philanthropic actors have issued a joint Call to Action, mobilizing the sector to address humanitarian crises, social injustice, and climate challenges.

Alianza Socioambiental Fondos del Sur urges reconsideration of philanthropy from a Global South perspective, pointing to alternative frameworks for impact and collaboration. (For more on the Alianza, read TAI’s report on socio enviornmental funds in South America.)

ESSENTIAL WATCHING

Watch session replays from the 2025 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum held on March 26-27. Under the theme "Harnessing Innovation to Break New Ground," the Forum explored how unprecedented innovations can transform the global fight against corruption and promote integrity and transparency.

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

Global Energy and Environmental Governance: From Lima to El Salvador to COP30

In Peru, experts are raising serious concerns about governance challenges as Chinese companies gain control of electricity distribution in Lima. Leslie Moreno Custodio's analysis examines the complex interplay between foreign investment, fair competition, and electricity pricing in the Peruvian energy sector. The acquisition of Lima's electricity distribution system by Chinese companies has sparked debate about regulatory oversight, national security implications, and the long-term impacts on consumer costs. 

Meanwhile, El Salvador's ambitious conservation pledge has encountered implementation challenges. Four years after committing to conserve one million hectares of land and address the root causes of deforestation, relevant authorities now claim they lack detailed information on the progress of this initiative. This report reveals gaps in accountability and transparency that threaten to undermine El Salvador's environmental commitments. The situation demonstrates how bold conservation announcements can falter without robust monitoring systems, adequate resources, and sustained political will.

As Brazil prepares to host COP30, openDemocracy has issued a call to action regarding fossil fuel influence in climate negotiations. The organization demands that Brazil bar industry lobbyists from state delegations, require public disclosure of all participants' affiliations, and support reforms ensuring future hosts demonstrate genuine climate progress. This advocacy reflects growing concern about corporate capture of climate policy processes, particularly by industries with vested interests in continuing fossil fuel extraction and use. 

These three developments illustrate how complex energy and environmental governance challenges are manifesting across Latin America.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING

Listen to "Crypto Corruption: Trump 2.0" with Frank Vogl on The Disorder Podcast, available on YouTube and Spotify.

JOBS

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CALENDAR

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