Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of Ecuador’s economy, accounting for 99 percent of firms and around 60 percent of formal employment, or approximately 1.8 million jobs. However, MSMEs have long struggled with limited access to financing, compounded by political instability and recurring crises such as energy shortages. Ecuador’s financial system faces… [Read More]
New FAO-WFP Report Highlights Rising Risk of Acute Food Insecurity in 16 Crisis Hotspots
A new joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that acute food insecurity is rapidly worsening in 16 global hunger hotspots, putting millions at risk of famine. The report highlights that time is running out to prevent widespread starvation as conflict,… [Read More]
Republic of Korea Donates Rice to Aid Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh, Welcomed by Government and WFP
The Government of Bangladesh, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) jointly held a handover ceremony in Chattogram to mark Korea’s latest rice donation in support of the Rohingya humanitarian response. The event, held at WFP’s Alongkar Warehouse, was attended by key representatives including Md. Mostafizur Rahman,… [Read More]
AfDB Approves $71.55 Million Project to Generate 28,000 Jobs for Ghanaian Women and Youth
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $71.55 million grant to Ghana to fund a new four-year programme (2026–2029) designed to create jobs and enhance social cohesion among women and youth, particularly in the country’s northern regions. The initiative aims to train 28,000 individuals and generate 22,000 direct jobs along with… [Read More]
AfDB Grants $100 Million to Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund to Boost Green Infrastructure
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $100 million loan to the Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) to strengthen sustainable infrastructure development across Africa. The financing aims to attract greater private sector investment and support projects in renewable energy, digital connectivity, transportation, and other critical sectors that foster inclusive growth and climate… [Read More]
El Fasher Crisis: Women Struggle with Hunger, Rape, and Violence Amid Sudan War
Women in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in Sudan, are enduring extreme suffering amid the ongoing conflict, according to UN Women Regional Director Anna Mutavati. Many have faced starvation, displacement, rape, and bombardment, while pregnant women have been forced to give birth in the streets after maternity hospitals were looted or destroyed. The… [Read More]
Trapped in Haiti’s Prisons: Addressing Overcrowding and Justice Reform
Haiti is facing a severe humanitarian, political, and security crisis, exacerbated by gang violence, entrenched poverty, and a series of natural disasters, including Hurricane Melissa. The country’s justice system is struggling to function effectively under these pressures, with cases delayed and 82 per cent of prisoners held in pre-trial detention. Many detainees are living in… [Read More]
Sanctions Against the ICC: Threats to the Worldwide Fight Against Impunity
During a recent assembly discussing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) annual report, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed the challenges posed by United States sanctions imposed on ICC judges and prosecutors earlier this year. These sanctions followed the court’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and former Defence Minister for alleged war crimes… [Read More]
Global Push at COP30: Sustainable Cooling and AI Innovation to Combat Heat
At COP30, the intersection of technology, climate action, and sustainable development is taking centre stage, with a strong focus on both artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable cooling solutions. AI is already helping farmers predict droughts, manage crops, and plan irrigation more efficiently, offering real-time data-driven insights that can improve food security. However, the environmental cost… [Read More]
South Sudan at a Crossroads: Key Developments and Why They Matter
The peace process in South Sudan is approaching a critical juncture, with core commitments under the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement stalling or reversing. The agreement, designed to prevent a return to civil war, is under strain as its power-sharing and security provisions weaken. Political competition ahead of the December 2026 elections threatens to spark renewed… [Read More]
Post-Election Turmoil in Tanzania: Reports of Mass Killings and Detentions
On 29 October, widespread protests erupted in Tanzania against the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, quickly turning violent and resulting in multiple deaths. UN human rights chief Volker Türk reported harrowing accounts of families desperately searching for missing relatives, visiting police stations and hospitals in hopes of locating them. Further reports indicate that security… [Read More]
Caribbean Faces Growing Damage as Hurricane Melissa Relief Operations Expand
In Cuba, Hurricane Melissa has left over 54,000 people displaced, including 7,500 in official shelters, with damage now far exceeding initial estimates. More than 600 health facilities and 90,000 homes have been affected. UN agencies are actively supporting the national response, assisting around 140,000 people in shelters and community kitchens, while distributing agricultural tools and… [Read More]
Brazil’s Bahia to Benefit from €300 Million EIB-Neoenergia Green Investment in Power Grid
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank Group, and Neoenergia have signed a €300 million loan to support the modernization and expansion of the electricity distribution network in Bahia, Brazil. Serving more than six million customers across 415 municipalities, Neoenergia Coelba will use the financing to upgrade infrastructure, invest in automation equipment,… [Read More]
$300 Million CESCE-Backed Loan for Panama Power Grid Modernisation by EIB and Naturgy
EIB Global, the international partnerships and development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Naturgy Energy Group have signed a $300 million CESCE-guaranteed loan to modernise and expand Panama’s power grid. The agreement, the largest loan EIB has signed for a private company in Central America, aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of… [Read More]
Empowering Women and Promoting Sustainability: EIB Global Partners with Banco do Brasil in the Amazon
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, has committed €350 million in a funding initiative with Banco do Brasil to support women-led businesses and renewable energy projects in the Legal Amazon region. The partnership was formalised during the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, and is part… [Read More]
€50 Million Pledge by EIB Global to Support Ardian’s Reforestation Initiative
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, has committed €50 million to a nature-restoration fund managed by the private investment firm Ardian. The equity investment will support Ardian’s Nature-Based Solutions fund, which focuses on reforestation, afforestation, and the restoration of wetlands and mangroves worldwide. The fund aims to restore degraded… [Read More]
2026 Photography Residency “People, Land, Memories” – Call for Applications
The Delegation of the European Union to Jordan, in partnership with the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts under the Factory Platform – Jordan Art Residency & Studios (JARS) Program, is inviting emerging photographers from Jordan and EU Member States to apply for the “People, Land, Memories” photography residency. This seven-day creative programme, taking place… [Read More]
EU4Reconstruction: €37 Million Initiative by Team Europe to Drive Inclusive Reconstruction in Ukraine
The European Union (EU), together with Denmark, Germany, France, and Lithuania, has launched EU4Reconstruction, a €37 million Team Europe initiative designed to strengthen the governance and accountability of Ukraine’s reconstruction. The programme aims to ensure sound and transparent public investment aligned with EU standards by bringing together Europe’s best practices in integrity frameworks, digital tools,… [Read More]
12 November 2025: Join the Global Fight on World Pneumonia Day
Pneumonia remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming more lives of children under five than any other infection and posing a significant threat to older adults and people with chronic health conditions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts to protect children and communities from pneumonia focus on strengthening health systems to ensure… [Read More]
Remembrance Day 2025: British High Commission Malaysia Commemorates Fallen Heroes
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the British High Commission in Malaysia held a Remembrance Day Service to honour service personnel and civilians who served in both World Wars and other armed conflicts. The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, defence attachés, representatives from the Malaysian… [Read More]
Protecting Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage: £200,000 in Emergency Support
The UK government has announced an additional £200,000 in emergency funding to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage during and after Russia’s illegal war, covering everything from ancient manuscripts to historic buildings. Culture Minister Ian Murray made the announcement while attending an informal meeting of EU media and culture ministers in Copenhagen, highlighting the UK’s commitment to… [Read More]
Shaping a Better Future for Migrants: IOM Brings Together Global Voices
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched the 2025 International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) in Geneva, a global forum that unites governments, community leaders, and experts to focus on making migration safer, fairer, and more humane. The Dialogue emphasizes practical solutions for migrants, including recognizing skills, granting legal identity, improving access to visas, securing… [Read More]
Cambodian Women’s Groups Advocate for Migrant Safety and Protection from Exploitation
In Cambodia, women migrant workers returning from abroad are emerging as role models and community leaders, sharing their experiences to raise awareness about safe and legal pathways for overseas employment. These women, many of whom endured dangerous journeys, unsafe border crossings, and exploitation, are now transforming into advocates who help others navigate labor migration safely…. [Read More]
