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Global Reporting Initiatives

Global reports are studies that present and analyze issues of global concern and international reach. Global reporting initiatives are a phenomenon of the second half of the 20th century that emerged at the intersection of increasingly globalized social science, think tanks, and international organizations like the UN system or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These reports and initiatives fill a growing need for better understanding and systematic assessments of the state and developments within and across critical policy areas given the greater availability of information and analytical tools. For a specific topic, they present analyses in comparative and international perspectives, with less of a focus on country-by-country presentation. Such reports address issues around global public goods such as international peace and human rights, environmental issues, or global knowledge. Global reports need global data and global data systems.

Examples of Global Reports

Several international governmental and nongovernmental organizations produce global reports, often bringing neglected issues onto the international agenda. The World Bank's World Development Report is an example of an effort by an intergovernmental organization, and the Annual Report of Amnesty International (1962 to present) illustrates a nongovernmental initiative. In recent years, international consulting firms have begun to issue reports as well, for example KPMG's International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting. What is more, Internet-based platforms and networks of reporting organizations have emerged in recent years, with the Global Reporting Initiative as a prime example.

International Migration Report

The International Migration Report is published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs—Population Division (UN DESA) and contains statistical data and trends in international migration, with profiles for certain areas and regions.

Global Financial Stability Report

The Global Financial Stability Report is prepared by the International Monetary Fund's Monetary and Capital Markets Department on Market Developments and Issues. The main topic of the report is the state of the global financial system and the analysis of developments on global markets. These developments are related to their possible risks to the international financial stability of the world economy. The report includes a discussion of current proposals for reform of the financial market.

Assessment Report: Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) produces periodic reports on the state of the art in research on global climate change. Some 500 lead authors and 2,000 expert reviewers contributed to the IPCC's fourth assessment report, Climate Change 2007, which combines the output of three working groups focusing on specific topics (i.e., physical science, impacts, and mitigation options, as well as a synthesis).

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Annual Report

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Annual Report describes the state of the social and economic conditions in the OECD member countries. Also included are analyses of economic growth, employment, social cohesion of the society, environmental aspects, international trade and investment, governmental structures, and communication flows in OECD countries. The report also provides information on the development of nonmember economies.

The Least Developed Countries Report

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) annually prepares The Least Developed Countries Report. The report describes the integration of weaker markets into the global economic system and the support for trade and investments development of least developed countries. The 2010 report proposes an international architecture for supporting the least developed countries.

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