Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the importance of resource adequacy (RA) in ensuring long-term power supply to meet demand amid increasing uncertainties due to the retirement of fossil fuel plants and rising electricity demand [12][13]. - It identifies four primary drivers of RA risk: load growth uncertainties, extreme weather and climate change, delays in planned resource builds, and slow transmission expansion [14][19]. - The report outlines three key strategies for regulators to mitigate RA uncertainty while transitioning to a low-carbon grid: improving planning practices, broadening the set of technologies and energy solutions, and pursuing utility business model reforms [19][35]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Resource adequacy has come under scrutiny as traditional power plants retire and electricity demand is forecasted to grow [12]. - The report aims to assist Western regulators in understanding RA risks and options to navigate these uncertainties [13]. Drivers of Resource Adequacy Uncertainty - **Load Growth Uncertainties**: Utilities project demand increases driven by electrification and large electric loads, but these forecasts are uncertain [16][41]. - **Extreme Weather and Climate Change**: Increased frequency of extreme weather events poses challenges for long-term RA planning [17][49]. - **Delays in Planned Resource Builds**: Over 38 GW of clean power faced project delays in 2023, with significant interconnection backlogs [18][56]. - **Slow Transmission Expansion**: Current utility plans do not meet the growing regional transmission needs, risking RA benefits [19][60]. Regulatory Strategies - **Improve Planning Practices**: Regulators should ensure utilities conduct targeted analyses and incorporate stakeholder input into planning [19][36]. - **Broaden Technologies and Solutions**: Quick-to-deploy demand-side resources and clean repowering should be leveraged to support RA [19][36]. - **Pursue Utility Business Model Reforms**: Transforming utility incentives and exploring new ratemaking structures can enhance RA investments [19][36].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious outlook for the fashion industry in 2025, with revenue growth expected to stabilize in the low single digits, reflecting a sluggish growth environment [28][30]. Core Insights - The fashion industry is facing a tumultuous and uncertain 2025, characterized by a cyclical slowdown, increased price sensitivity among consumers, and significant shifts in global trade dynamics [25][26]. - Despite challenges, opportunities exist for brands that can adapt quickly to market changes and consumer preferences [27][40]. - The McKinsey Global Fashion Index forecasts that non-luxury segments will drive economic profit growth for the first time since 2010, indicating a shift in market dynamics [28]. Industry Outlook - Revenue growth for the fashion industry is projected to remain low, with expectations of modest increases primarily driven by volume rather than price [49][50]. - Fashion executives are prioritizing differentiation strategies, including localization of go-to-market models and broadening price ranges to capture diverse consumer segments [51][52]. - The report highlights the importance of engaging the "Silver Generation" (over 50 years old) as a growing consumer cohort with significant spending power [35][54]. Global Economy - The report notes a significant increase in trade barriers, with a fivefold rise since 2015, impacting sourcing strategies for fashion brands [70]. - Rising costs and geopolitical tensions are prompting brands to diversify their sourcing away from China, with a focus on nearshoring and emerging markets in Asia [68][69]. - Shipping costs have surged dramatically, with a 165% increase in Asia-to-US shipping rates observed recently, further complicating supply chain dynamics [71]. Consumer Shifts - The report identifies a shift in consumer behavior towards value-driven purchasing, with increased interest in resale and off-price segments [31][54]. - AI-powered curation is expected to enhance product discovery for consumers overwhelmed by choices, improving engagement and conversion rates [34][54]. - The growing trend of cost-conscious shopping is likely to persist, influencing brand strategies to demonstrate value effectively [54].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Women remain underrepresented in key sectors in Azerbaijan, particularly in transport, energy, and construction, with only 16.5% of the workforce in transport being female [12][54] - The report emphasizes the importance of increasing women's participation in the labor market to drive economic growth and diversification, aligning with Azerbaijan's national development priorities [13][14] - The findings highlight significant gender gaps in leadership and technical roles, necessitating coordinated efforts from policymakers and companies to support women's employment [25][36] Summary by Sections 1. Introduction - The report explores women's employment in Azerbaijan, focusing on barriers in male-dominated sectors, particularly transport [36] - It aims to provide recommendations for increasing women's participation and leadership in these sectors [14] 2. Women's Employment in Azerbaijan - Women's labor force participation is 62%, compared to 75% for men, with significant disparities in sector representation [12][54] - Women are concentrated in lower-paying sectors, with only 16.5% in transport and storage, 10.7% in energy, and 7.5% in construction [54][56] 3. Increasing Women's Participation in the Transport Sector - Gender assessments of Azerbaijan Railways and Port of Baku reveal that women account for only 17% and 8% of the workforce, respectively [18][19] - Both companies are committed to increasing female representation, with Port of Baku aiming for 20% by 2030 [20][21] 4. Best Practices on Equal Opportunity - The report presents examples of companies implementing gender equality initiatives, such as technical skills training and inclusive workplace policies [4][8] 5. Recommendations - Recommendations for policymakers include promoting women's participation in STEM fields and strengthening legislation for equal pay [28][29] - Companies are encouraged to implement strategies for gender equality, including targeted recruitment and leadership development initiatives for women [31][32][33]

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The catalog documents and analyzes tools aimed at reducing gender inequalities in land tenure in Senegal, highlighting the significant challenges women face in accessing land and property rights despite their crucial role in agricultural production [10][13][22]. Summary by Sections Introduction - Secure access to housing, land, and property is essential for development, with women in Senegal accounting for 70% of the rural working population but only 6% owning farmland and 2.5% owning housing [10][11][12]. Analytical Review by Tool Category - The report categorizes initiatives into two main areas: promoting women's access to land and promoting women's participation in land governance [26]. Promoting Women's Access to Land - Tools include an integrated approach combining awareness raising, training, and advocacy, a quota system for land allocation, and financial support mechanisms to reduce costs associated with securing land tenure [28][46][57]. - The integrated approach has shown positive results, such as increased land certificates issued to women and improved understanding of their rights [29][31][37]. Promoting Women's Participation in Land Governance - Initiatives focus on establishing joint consultation frameworks and expanded land commissions to enhance women's participation in decision-making processes [67][68]. - The establishment of gender-sensitive local governance charters has been noted as a successful strategy to promote equity in land access [76][79]. Conclusion - The report emphasizes the need for continued efforts to strengthen women's land rights through various initiatives, highlighting the importance of local governance and community involvement in achieving gender equity in land tenure [44][79].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Argentina faces persistently high poverty rates, which have shown an upward trend in recent years despite increased resources aimed at mitigating poverty. Over the past four decades, poverty has consistently affected more than 25 percent of the urban population [14][15] - The report identifies four interconnected "poverty traps" that contribute to the persistence of poverty in Argentina: fiscal imbalance and inflation, intergenerational and geographical imbalances, low productivity and income vulnerability, and increasing climate risks [24][30][38][46] Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Poverty persists despite strengthened policies aimed at reducing it, with economic dynamics limiting the ability of low and middle-income households to sustainably increase their incomes [15][14] - Real household income has declined significantly, with average per capita household income falling by over 40 percent between 2016 and 2023 [18][19] Chapter 1: Poverty in Argentina - Poverty has increased in Argentina while it has declined in most countries in the region, with the latest estimate showing a poverty rate of 10.9 percent in 2022 [55][56] - The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the poverty situation, peaking at 15.4 percent in 2020 based on the international poverty line [60] Chapter 2: Drivers of Poverty - Labor income is the largest component of total household income, but its share has declined, leading to increased reliance on public transfers [19][20] - Structural barriers and economic distortions affect productive capital accumulation, with low-income populations being more vulnerable to adverse climate events [35][37] Chapter 3: Policy Responses and Poverty Traps - Income transfer programs have been the cornerstone of anti-poverty policy, but they struggle to address structural factors limiting income generation [21][22] - The report emphasizes the need for macroeconomic stabilization and addressing structural barriers to income generation as key strategies for overcoming poverty traps [52][53]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Thailand is transitioning to a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy to address economic challenges, climate vulnerability, and environmental degradation [25][26] - The updated BCG+ model aims to integrate climate resilience, sustainable resource management, and inclusivity into Thailand's development strategy [29] - The agriculture and fishing sectors are particularly vulnerable to climate change, with potential production losses ranging from $2.9 billion to $5.4 billion in agriculture and up to $26.2 billion in fishing [34] - Effective policy interventions could mitigate potential GDP losses of up to $553 billion by 2050 due to climate impacts [35][38] Summary by Sections Executive Summary - Thailand has progressed to an upper-middle-income country but faces challenges like economic deceleration and climate vulnerability [25] - The BCG model combines biological diversity with technological innovation for sustainable growth [26] - Climate change poses significant risks, particularly in urban areas and the agricultural sector [27][28] BCG+ Transition - Transitioning to a BCG+ economy requires contributions from all sectors, emphasizing the need for public-private coordination [30] - The transition could enhance economic welfare, increase incomes, and create jobs while safeguarding against climate risks [31] Methodology - The report employs advanced modeling tools to assess the impacts of the BCG+ model on the economy [32][33] Key Findings - The agriculture and fishing sectors are highly susceptible to climate change, with significant economic implications [34] - Approaching ecological tipping points could lead to substantial economic losses, emphasizing the need for proactive policy measures [35][36] Focus Areas and Recommendations - Adaptation strategies should prioritize flood management, coastal resilience, and climate-smart agriculture [41][42] - Mitigation strategies include implementing carbon pricing mechanisms and transitioning to renewable energy [44][45] - Embracing a circular economy is vital for reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices [48][56]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry under review Core Insights - The OECD Anti-Bribery Convention establishes legally binding standards to criminalize foreign bribery in international business transactions, requiring countries to hold companies liable and impose effective sanctions [13][29] - Thailand aims to align its anti-corruption framework with OECD standards as part of its Country Programme, which includes enhancing participation in OECD committees [14][20] - The assessment identifies areas for improvement in Thailand's legal and policy frameworks to combat transnational bribery [16][27] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report emphasizes the importance of combating foreign bribery to maintain integrity in international markets and outlines Thailand's commitment to aligning its legal framework with international standards [19][20] Economic Profile and Foreign Bribery Risks - Thailand's GDP in 2023 was estimated at USD 495.3 billion, making it the second largest economy in Southeast Asia [38] - The country has significant trade relationships with partners that present corruption risks, such as Vietnam and China [48] - The report highlights that Thai companies are exposed to foreign bribery risks, particularly in sectors like electronics and chemicals [49] Foreign Bribery Offence - Thailand's legal framework criminalizes the bribery of foreign public officials, but there have been no prosecutions under the relevant laws, indicating a lack of jurisprudence [59] - The report assesses the elements of the foreign bribery offence against OECD standards, noting that while the law covers various aspects, there are gaps in its application, particularly regarding intermediaries [71][74] Recommendations - The report provides recommendations for strengthening Thailand's legal and enforcement framework to better align with OECD standards and enhance its capacity to combat foreign bribery [27][49]

2024 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CCS POLICY, LEGAL AND REGULATORY REVIEW NOVEMBER 2024 GLOBAL CCS INSTITUTE CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND FOCUS OF THE REPORT 4 2.0 KEY TAKEAWAYS AND OBSERVATIONS 5 5 2.1 REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS AND MESSAGING 7 2.2 BROADER IDENTIFICATION OF KEY TRENDS AND ISSUES 3.0 INTRODUCTION 10 4.0 REGIONAL ANALYSIS 11 11 4.1 THE AMERICAS 4.1.1 OVERVIEW 11 4.1.2 KEY TRENDS IN NORTH AMERICA 14 4.1.3 SPECIFIC NATIONAL POLICY, LEGAL, REGULATORY AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS 14 4.2 ASIA PACIFIC AND INDIA 22 4.2. ...

Industry Overview - The FIFA Council has approved several updates to the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game for the 2024-25 season, aligning them with recent modifications in football [1] - The main amendments and the complete Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2024-25 are accessible on FIFA's official website [2] Key Amendments to Beach Soccer Laws Law 3 - The Players - If a substitute or their team commits another offence, play is restarted based on the restart associated with that offence [3] - Each team must have a captain identified with an armband, responsible for the team's behavior [3] Law 4 - The Players' Equipment - Compulsory equipment includes a shirt with sleeves, shorts, and an armband for the captain [3] - Footwear is not permitted, and protective equipment like gloves and headgear is allowed [3] Law 5 - The Referees - Referees must stop play if a player is seriously injured and ensure the player is removed from the pitch [4] - The time review system (TRS) is used to verify if the ball entered the goal before the acoustic signal at the end of a period [4] Law 7 - The Duration of the Match - Each period ends when the stipulated playing time has elapsed, signaled by an acoustic signal [6] - If no timekeeper is present or the signal fails, the referees signal the end of the period with their whistle [6] Law 8 - The Start and Restart of Play - Offences during kick-off, such as a double touch by the kicker, result in a free kick to the defending team [8] - If both teams commit offences simultaneously, the kick-off is retaken, and both players are cautioned [8] Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct - A player is sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity through a deliberate handball [11] - A player is cautioned for stopping a promising attack by committing a deliberate handball offence [11] Law 14 - The Penalty Kick - If an attacking-team player encroaches during a penalty kick, the penalty is retaken if the goal is scored [19] - If the goalkeeper commits an offence, the penalty is retaken, and the goalkeeper is warned [19] Practical Guidelines for Referees - Referees must position themselves 2m from the goal during penalty shoot-outs to check if the ball crosses the goal line [20] - The second referee stands 3m from the imaginary penalty mark to ensure the ball and goalkeeper are correctly positioned [20] Video Support Protocol - Video support (VS) can be used to review decisions related to goals, penalties, free kicks, direct red cards, and mistaken identity [25] - VS can also be used to verify if the ball entered the goal before the acoustic signal at the end of a period [25] Summary of Key Changes - The amendments aim to simplify the game and align beach soccer laws with football and futsal [59] - Referees are expected to make decisions within the "spirit" of the game, promoting fairness and safety [60]

Industry Overview - The FIFA Council has approved several updates to the Futsal Laws of the Game for the 2024-25 season, aligning them with recent modifications in football [1] - The updates include futsal-specific adjustments, particularly for youth, veterans', disability, and grassroots futsal, covering aspects such as pitch size, ball specifications, and game duration [3] Key Amendments to Futsal Laws - Advertising on the pitch is permitted, provided it is at least 0.75m away from boundary lines and does not distract players or officials [3] - Each team must have a captain wearing an identifying armband, with no special privileges but a responsibility for team behavior [3] - Goalkeepers are allowed to wear trousers, and shinguards must be covered by socks and made of suitable material for protection [3] Gameplay and Equipment Rules - Non-dangerous protective equipment, such as gloves, headgear, and facemasks, is permitted for players, and goalkeepers may wear caps and sports spectacles [4] - A dropped ball must be retaken if it enters the goal without touching at least two players, unless due to facility conditions or improper dropping [4] - Players sent off during the match are not permitted to participate in penalty shoot-outs, and warnings/cautions are not carried forward [5] Penalty and Free Kick Regulations - For a direct free kick beginning with the sixth accumulated foul (DFKSAF), the ball must be stationary on the 10m mark, and encroachment by players is penalized if it impacts the goalkeeper or kicker [6] - If a penalty kick is not taken within four seconds after the referee's signal, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team [7] - Encroachment by both attacking and defending players during a DFKSAF results in a retake and warnings for the offending players [8] Referee and Match Official Guidelines - Referees must ensure that the pitch surface is flat, smooth, and non-abrasive, with dangerous surfaces prohibited [41] - The pitch dimensions for international matches must have a touchline length between 38m and 42m and a goal line width between 20m and 25m [49] - Referees are required to stop play if unauthorized marks are made on the pitch and caution the offending player for unsporting behavior [46] Player and Substitution Rules - A match is played by two teams, each with a maximum of five players, including one goalkeeper, and cannot start or resume with fewer than three players [100] - Substitutions are unlimited, and a maximum of nine substitutes may be used in official competitions organized under FIFA or confederations [104] - Players sent off before the match cannot be named on the team list, and substitutes sent off cannot be replaced [124] Equipment and Safety Standards - Players must not wear dangerous equipment or jewelry, and referees must inspect players before the match to ensure compliance [137] - Compulsory equipment includes a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shinguards, and footwear, with the team captain required to wear an identifying armband [139] - Non-dangerous protective equipment, such as gloves and headgear, is permitted, and goalkeepers may wear trousers [145]