Sounds like a pretty challenging situation. I can only share what I picked up over the time on my travels. I would keep my kit as "politically correct" as possible. Approach it a lot like you would air travel. Pack light, too much luggage is a serious liability and slows you down. A sturdy medium-sized backpack, if large enough for your purposes, makes you more mobile than a suitcase.

Spare clothes, maybe an extra pair of shoes, sunglasses, hat and basic accessories. Good footwear is very important, light hiking boots tend to work well in most environments. Cash, credit cards, documents, photocopies of anything important (including plane tickets and such). Never carry all of the above in the same place. A money belt works well, but keep some cash and possibly an ID/driver's licence elsewhere, preferably in a safe pocket. Have a small amount cash somewhere easily accessible (shirt/pants pocket) so you don't have to reach for your wallet all the time.

Don't forget a good first aid kit with a generous supply of any vital meds. Always carry some paracetamol, pain relievers, antihistamine, anti-diarrhea meds.

Blades - I feel very uncomfortable without a good folding knife at least. But there are many places where carrying sharps of any kind in public will get you in real trouble. Check in advance if at all possible. When in doubt, a SAK or a multitool will arouse far less suspicion that a one-hand opening knife.

Maps and maybe a small compass, could be a button type. Maps are extremely important, try to study them in advance so that you know where you're going. Bright, robust compact flashlight w/ spare batteries. Small sewing kit and a little bit of ducttape can be used to fix most of your gear and clothing in a pinch.

Are you traveling alone or in a group? Solo travel is always riskier. A companion you can trust is a huge asset but not sure if that applies to your situation.

No need to get paranoid without due reason but in general, try to attract as little attention as possible. Give the impression of someone who knows exactly what he's doing (that famous been-here-before look). Be polite but avoid excessive contact with anyone you're not entirely sure about. Do not talk about your job or affiliation unless you need to. Avoid any dodgy places with few foreigners and little police or government presence. Dress accordingly, avoid expensive suits and anything openly "tacticool". In some of the places you mentioned you will stand out as a foreigner no matter what you do.

If kidnapping is a genuine concern I would discuss the matter very openly with your employers. They might be able to help with specific training. If not, consult professionals with a good track record and real-world experience.

In any case, have some kind of safety mechanism in place. Keep in touch regularly with your family/friends/loved ones, let your employer know where you're going. Cell phones can be tracked very easily as long as they're switched on and within network range. At the expense of privacy, there are commercial tracking services and even free apps that will log your position constantly, which could be pretty useful to a point.

P.S.: Regardless of the above, don't forget to have some fun regardless of where you go eventually. It's a big exciting world out there, might as well enjoy the ride while it lasts.