The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned that recent restrictions on women nationals working for the United Nations are putting life-saving humanitarian assistance and essential services at risk for hundreds of thousands of people affected by last month’s deadly earthquake. On Sunday, de facto security forces barred women Afghan staff and contractors from… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
South-South Cooperation: A Pathway to a Fairer, More Equitable World
South-South cooperation refers to the process by which developing countries, regardless of geographic location, collaborate to achieve their individual or shared development goals. This collaboration involves the exchange of knowledge, skills, and resources through partnerships with governments, regional organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. For countries in the Global South, these partnerships intersect… [Read More]
UK Pledges New Funding for Ukraine During Foreign Secretary’s Kyiv Visit
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Kyiv to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing that Ukraine’s security is integral to the security of the UK and Europe. The visit comes amid heightened Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure, stalled peace talks, and the approach of a difficult winter, underscoring the urgency of… [Read More]
Minister O’Sullivan Highlights Role of Group Water Schemes at National Conference
At the opening of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes’ annual conference in Galway, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD reaffirmed the Government’s strong support for the group water scheme sector. He praised its role in sustaining rural communities, describing the movement as innovative, efficient, and deeply community-rooted, and… [Read More]
Guyana Marks World Electric Vehicle Day with Push for Electric Mobility
Guyana marked World Electric Vehicle Day 2025 by highlighting the rapid growth of its electric mobility sector and its contribution to a modern low carbon future. Over the past five years, the government has increased investment in electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and skills development, in line with the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. The country… [Read More]
IFAD and Vanuatu Partner on $11M Project to Boost Nutrition and Food Security for Rural Families
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Vanuatu have launched a US$11 million partnership to improve food security and nutrition for more than 15,000 people in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. The Agricultural Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) initiative will build on traditional farming systems to help families… [Read More]
Rwanda: Farmers and Private Sector Partner to Strengthen Maize and Soybean Value Chains
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), farmer cooperatives, private sector partners, and development organizations such as IDH, has launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3) in Rwanda. The initiative will focus on strengthening maize and soybean value chains… [Read More]
IOM Seeks $16.8M to Scale Up Earthquake Response in Afghanistan Before Winter
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is scaling up life-saving assistance following the powerful earthquakes that struck eastern Afghanistan. In line with the joint humanitarian appeal, IOM is urgently seeking USD 16.8 million to support 134,000 affected people, many of whom have been displaced. The country is already grappling with multiple crises, and the earthquakes… [Read More]
Thailand’s Labour Department Enhances Protection for Women Domestic Workers
Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW), with support from the ILO’s EU-funded PROTECT project, is advancing efforts to extend labour rights to domestic workers, most of whom are women. The initiatives focus on educating workers about their rights and strengthening the ability of labour inspectors to ensure effective enforcement across the country. A… [Read More]
Kazakhstan Strengthens National Capacity with ILO Labour Inspection Training Program
Kazakhstan is advancing its efforts to modernize labour inspection and strengthen compliance with international labour standards through a recent training-of-trainers course organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Turin, Italy. Supported by the ILO project on promoting occupational safety and health through social dialogue in the mining sector, four officials from the State Labour… [Read More]
Embracing Climate-Smart Growth: A Net Win for Uganda’s Future
Climate change poses a significant threat to Uganda’s economic future, with projections showing it could cut growth by up to 3.1% by 2050. This could push more than 613,000 people into poverty and force 12 million into internal migration. The World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for Uganda, launched in Kampala, highlights… [Read More]
ADB Approves $135 Million to Boost Ocean Health and Water Security in Fiji
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $125 million concessional loan and a $10 million grant to help Fiji strengthen water security and improve ocean and environmental health. The Healthy Oceans and Water Security Improvement Project will focus on major upgrades to the Kinoya wastewater treatment plant in Suva, the development of a more… [Read More]
Nigeria: AfDB and ICRC Join Forces to Strengthen Water Access in Maiduguri
The Government of Borno State, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has launched a new initiative to expand access to safe, resilient, and inclusive water services in Maiduguri. The partnership was announced at a roundtable on Tuesday, 10 September, marking one year since devastating… [Read More]
£4.75m Investment to Strengthen North Paddington Communities
North Paddington residents are set to benefit from a £4.75 million investment from Westminster City Council, aimed at improving community spaces and supporting grassroots projects that promote skills, jobs, and wellbeing. The funding combines a £4.5 million Community Capital Grants Fund with over £175,000 from the North Paddington Community Chest Fund. Together, the two streams… [Read More]
£170k Boost for East Lothian Community Facilities
More than £170,000 has been awarded to organisations across East Lothian to improve and develop community facilities. The funding comes from East Lothian Council’s Community Intervention Fund, which supports capital projects that help strengthen community life. Eight groups will benefit from the latest round of grants. Eskmuthe Community Rowing Club has received £10,000 towards the… [Read More]
EU to Back 350,000 SMEs with €17.5 Billion Energy Efficiency Push
More than 350,000 European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to benefit from a new €17.5 billion financing package by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, supported by the European Commission. The initiative, announced today in Brussels, aims to help SMEs cut energy bills, strengthen competitiveness, and advance Europe’s decarbonisation goals. Running from 2025… [Read More]
CSR Funding Strengthens Subhojanam Kitchens with New Equipment
Touch Stone Charities, an organization affiliated with the Hare Krishna Movement, has received kitchen equipment worth ₹3 lakh from PharmaZell Pvt. Ltd. as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The equipment was formally handed over by PharmaZell MD, Anant Dattatray Barbadhikar, to Nishkrinchan Bhakta Das, President of Touch Stone Charities. PharmaZell’s HR… [Read More]
Journalists Invited to Report on Polio Eradication in Africa Through UN Foundation Fellowship
The United Nations Foundation is seeking applications for its 2025 Polio Press Fellowship, offering journalists a unique opportunity to report on the critical efforts to eradicate polio across Africa. This fellowship aims to raise global awareness about the ongoing fight against polio and its connection to broader health initiatives. Key Takeaways Journalists can receive funding… [Read More]
US Tightens Visa Rules: Indian Students and Visitors Must Apply Domestically
The United States has implemented a significant change in its visa application policy, mandating that Indian students and visitors must now apply for non-immigrant visas exclusively within their country of residence or citizenship. This directive, issued by the Department of State on September 6, aims to streamline the process and potentially curb the practice of… [Read More]
India’s Poverty Reduction Efforts Significantly Impact Global Figures
The World Bank’s recent revision of the International Poverty Line (IPL) to $3 per day has revealed a significant impact from India’s updated poverty data. While the higher threshold was expected to increase global poverty numbers substantially, India’s own revised figures, reflecting improved survey methods and economic progress, have offset a large portion of this… [Read More]
Yemen’s Journalists Under Siege: Arbitrary Detentions, Torture, and Silencing Tactics Intensify
Journalists in Yemen are facing escalating dangers, with warring factions systematically targeting them through arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, and intimidation. This crackdown severely curtails freedom of expression, forcing many journalists to flee the country or self-censor their reporting. Key Takeaways Warring parties in Yemen, including the Houthis, Southern Transitional Council (STC), and the Yemeni… [Read More]
UNICEF Appeals for US$22 Million to Aid Children and Families Affected by Earthquakes in Eastern Afghanistan
In response to the devastating 6.0+ magnitude earthquake that struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces on 31 August, followed by multiple aftershocks, UNICEF has launched a US$22 million humanitarian appeal to support recovery efforts. The plan aims to reach 400,000 people—including more than 212,000 children—over the next six months with life-saving assistance. The disaster has left… [Read More]
The Asia Foundation Names 2025 William P. Fuller Fellows in Peacebuilding
The Asia Foundation has announced the 2025 cohort of William P. Fuller Fellows in Peacebuilding, recognizing three outstanding young leaders from Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka for their commitment to advancing peace, justice, and community resilience. The fellowship honors early and mid-career professionals who have demonstrated both leadership and promise in the field of… [Read More]
