Global Scans · Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• [New] Financial institutions have long been at a structural disadvantage when it comes to fraud, as they can only see threats once they arrive. FinExtra
• [New] The Peace Pulse initiative is a response to historical election-related disruptions that have threatened Kenya's economic progress. Mwakilishi
• [New] The US Department of War has ordered 30 major research universities, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to audit and report on their financial and research collaborations with foreign institutions by the end of the month or risk losing federal funding. Chemistry World
• [New] The United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine in its legitimate self-defence, and in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace, for as long as it takes. GOV.UK
• [New] China will play a constructive role for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Diplomat
• [New] The Board of Peace roadmap fails to resolve the dispute over the timing and sequencing of Hamas demobilization: Israel demands Hamas disarm before it would withdraw, and Hamas demands Israel withdraw before it will hand over its weaponry. The Soufan Center
• [New] The disarmament agreement, a key component of the Trump 20 Point Peace Plan for Gaza, might provide the U.S. with leverage against Iran by demobilizing one of Tehran's armed non-state allies. The Soufan Center
• [New] The US and Iran played down the prospect of peace talks anytime soon as disruptions to global oil supplies continue to mount. Barchart.com
• [New] For tax years 2026 through 2029, California will impose a 100% tax on any settlement fund payments received by taxpayers from the Anti-Weaponization Fund established by the federal Department of Justice or any similar fund, settlement, or agreement. Plante Moran
• [New] Without a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem outside the borders of Israel, no territorial concession will bring peace. The Washington Institute
• [New] Worldwide, regulators and financial institutions have sought to encourage stronger speak-up cultures, recognising that concerns raised by employees can provide an early indication of misconduct, control failures and emerging risks. Risk.net
• [New] The Bank for International Settlements is warning that near-record public debt and the growing role of hedge funds and other nonbank financial institutions have created what it calls a fiscal-financial stability nexus. Armstrong Economics
• [New] America strategically avoided intervening in European affairs to shield its economy, avoid costly conflicts, and allow its new domestic institutions to mature without foreign interference or the risk of being crushed by superior military powers. The Science Survey
• [New] Fraud remains a major challenge for global financial institutions, with corporate and wholesale fraud presenting far greater risks and losses than retail fraud. Fraud Deep Dive 2026
• [New] The Australia-Solomon Islands pact will be an interesting case to see whether new pacts are actually about local peace and security priorities, or just bilateral aid negotiations by another means, with a side serving of Australia's strategic denial. Lowy Institute
• [New] The latest security pact, between Fiji and Australia makes mention of peace in the title and UN norms of seeking peaceful settlements to disputes but does not explain what peace is and how it might be achieved. Lowy Institute
• [New] Black communities should not be expected simply to trust official conclusions when American institutions have a long history of minimizing, mischaracterizing, or failing to investigate violence against Black people. Race, Racism and the Law
• [New] Experts at institutions ranging from Zurich Insurance to Tavoni's think-tank estimate 2026's flash drought is likely to deal a short-term economic blow to Europe of at least €50bn, which could rise significantly if the water shortages drag on. Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen
• [New] Putin said that Ukraine's and Europe's peace proposals are exotic and unacceptable to Russia and noted that Russia will only participate in negotiations that reflect ground realities. Critical Threats
• [New] A durable peace on the Korean Peninsula will not come from accepting permanent division or validating the sovereignty claims of the Kim family regime. UPI
• [New] Financial institutions should price sovereign-annulment risk into Panamanian exposure models. CES Intelligence
• [New] RBS is increasingly important in highly interconnected financial systems, where risks emerge not only at the institution-level but also across networks that span financial institutions, payment providers, cloud service providers, and third-party data intermediaries. CGAP

Last updated: 07 September 2026