El Gouna Film Festival (GFF), in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Egypt, dedicated its 8th edition to raising awareness about food security, one of the world’s most pressing challenges. The festival’s opening night on World Food Day (16 October) launched a week-long series of events highlighting the fight against hunger and… [Read More]
ADB Urged to Redefine Its Strategy in Kazakhstan, Says Independent Evaluation
A new evaluation by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Independent Evaluation Department (IED) has called for a major strategic shift in how ADB engages with Kazakhstan. The report recommends that ADB build on its strong record of project-level success and adopt a more integrated approach that combines lending, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and policy dialogue…. [Read More]
$3 Billion ADB–World Bank Partnership to Strengthen Development Financing in Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $3 billion sovereign exposure exchange agreement (EEA) with the World Bank to boost its lending capacity for developing member countries across Asia and the Pacific. This marks ADB’s first such agreement with the World Bank and its sixth with multilateral development banks (MDBs) since 2020, raising the… [Read More]
Guterres Warns of Financial Crisis as UN Unveils Sharply Reduced 2026 Budget
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has unveiled a sharply reduced 2026 budget proposal, marking a significant cut from his original request of $3.715 billion. The new proposal is 15.1 per cent lower than the 2025 approved appropriation, reflecting the United Nations’ deepening financial strain. Addressing the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which oversees administrative and budgetary matters,… [Read More]
Developing Countries Struggle Under $31 Trillion Debt Burden, UN Summit Reports
Addressing the 195 Member States of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasized that 72 percent of global trade continues to operate under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. She praised the international community’s commitment to maintaining a rules-based trading system, noting that such cooperation has prevented the kind… [Read More]
Despite Progress, Women Still Face Exclusion from Peace Negotiations Worldwide
The UN Secretary-General’s annual report on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), released on Monday, reveals that despite global commitments, women continue to be largely excluded from peace processes. The report underscores the vital role women play as peacemakers and how conflicts disproportionately affect them. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous highlighted the urgent need for… [Read More]
Fighting Antisemitism in Higher Education: Best Practices and Solutions
In recent years, universities around the world have witnessed a rise in antisemitic incidents, posing threats to students’ safety and undermining the core values of inclusion, respect for diversity, and intellectual freedom that are central to higher education. In response, UNESCO has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, aiming to… [Read More]
Dubai Police Partners with UNITAR to Promote Human Rights
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has partnered with the Dubai Police to launch a series of capacity-building programmes, with the first flagship initiative on Human Rights scheduled from 21 to 23 October 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This three-day training represents a significant step in strengthening human rights practices within… [Read More]
Fair Wealth Distribution: Key to Ending Global Poverty
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on October 17, serves as a reminder that despite significant progress over the years, poverty persists—and in some cases, is worsening. In Bangladesh, a country once celebrated for its rapid poverty reduction, recent data shows that more than one in four citizens now live below… [Read More]
Lessons from China: Effective Approaches to Reducing Poverty
Poverty remains a critical challenge in developing countries, which are home to more than 70 percent of the global population, according to Ms. Jie Ping, Deputy Director General of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC). She made these remarks during the opening of a two-week seminar on “Rural Development and Poverty Reduction for… [Read More]
Capacity Building in Non-Profits: Training for Greater Efficiency and Impact
Non-profit organisations play a critical role in society, acting as lifelines amid crises, conflict, and inequality. They provide urgent relief during disasters, drive long-term development, and fill service gaps that governments cannot address, promoting justice and restoring dignity for vulnerable populations. Despite these essential roles, many non-profits face challenges such as limited capacity and insufficient… [Read More]
$25 Million IFC Investment Aims to Accelerate Africa’s Transition Fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has announced plans to invest up to $25 million in the African Transition Acceleration Fund (ATAF), a move aimed at advancing Africa’s clean energy transformation. The investment, pending board approval on November 27, 2025, will provide seed capital to help ATAF secure a first close of approximately $100 million. Based… [Read More]
Advancing Sustainable Development: EU and UN Drive Circular Economy in Georgia
The European Union, in collaboration with a United Nations-led consortium, has launched a new initiative to accelerate Georgia’s transition to a circular economy. Backed by EUR 4.4 million in EU funding, the two-year project (2025–2027) will be implemented by UNDP, UNIDO, and the Environment Agency Austria, with technical support from Avfall Sverige, Sweden’s trade association… [Read More]
UN Committee: France Failing to Protect Unaccompanied Migrant Children
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has found that France is responsible for grave and systematic violations of the rights of unaccompanied migrant children. Many of these children are left homeless, deprived of basic care, and forced to live in conditions described as “degrading” and contrary to human dignity. While France… [Read More]
Chad’s Democracy at Risk Amid Controversial Constitutional Amendments
Chad’s recent constitutional amendment abolishing presidential term limits represents a serious setback for the rule of law and democratic governance, Human Rights Watch said. The change enables President Mahamat Idriss Déby to remain in power indefinitely, undermining prospects for competitive elections and the rights of citizens to vote and participate politically. Experts warn that removing… [Read More]
Historic U.S. Refugee Policy Reversal Signals Major Shift
The Trump administration is planning a major overhaul of U.S. refugee resettlement, combining steep reductions in numbers with a selective approach to admissions. Refugee admissions are set to drop dramatically from 125,000 in the previous fiscal year to just 7,500, while resettlement priorities would shift to favor individuals deemed able to “fully and appropriately assimilate.”… [Read More]
Alaska Typhoon Response: Direct Relief Sends Medicines and $50,000 in Emergency Funds
Direct Relief has been coordinating with local healthcare providers and tribal organizations across Alaska to address ongoing medical needs following the recent typhoon. On Wednesday, the organization shipped emergency medical aid to the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC) in Anchorage, which is part of a statewide coalition working to support directly impacted individuals. ANHC is… [Read More]
Mexico Floods: Direct Relief Delivers Urgent Medical Support and Emergency Funding
Dozens of communities across central Mexico were severely affected by Tropical Storm Raymond, which made landfall last weekend, bringing heavy rains and flooding. The storm has resulted in at least 70 fatalities, 72 people reported missing, and nearly 100,000 homes destroyed. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, while storm conditions continue to impact central Mexico… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Accelerates Food Fortification to Boost Nutrition and Health
Suryakali Vishwakarma, a mother in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh, relies on fortified rice and wheat supplied through government village shops to provide essential vitamins and minerals to her family. These fortified staples have become crucial for her children’s health and nutrition, illustrating how enriched grains are transforming diets across India and the wider Asia-Pacific region…. [Read More]
Healthy Nature, Stronger Food Systems: UN Awards New Global Restoration Flagships
Rome, 15 October 2025 – The United Nations has named four new World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, highlighting global efforts to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, boost community incomes, and support resilient food systems. The announcement took place at a high-level side event during the World Food Forum in Rome, ahead of… [Read More]
$100 Million UNEP Programme Set to Boost Climate and Environmental Solutions Worldwide
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), together with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has launched the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme, backed by $100 million in GEF funding and $700 million in co-financing. The initiative aims to align climate and biodiversity goals… [Read More]
Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu Receive UNFPA Pacific and New Zealand Support for Reproductive Health
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific, in partnership with the Government of New Zealand, has launched a new three-year initiative (2025–2027) aimed at advancing sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health for women, adolescents, and youth across Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The project seeks to strengthen health systems and expand access to essential, life-saving… [Read More]
Global Efforts to End Poverty: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating poverty and promoting shared prosperity. The 2025 observance focuses on the theme, “Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families,” emphasizing the importance of protecting the dignity of every family…. [Read More]
