A new evidence brief from the United Nations’ Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the transformative impact of contraceptive use on women’s health and socioeconomic outcomes. Drawing on six systematic reviews, the report consolidates evidence showing that modern contraception not only reduces health risks but also strengthens women’s… [Read More]
Leading Health Funders Pledge to Strengthen Clinical Trials Worldwide
Several of the world’s leading medical research funders have signed a joint statement committing to strengthen clinical trial systems globally, following WHO standards. The agreement aims to integrate clinical trials into sustainable national infrastructures, enhance trial design, ensure diverse and representative participant populations, and embed best practices in transparency, data management, and public engagement. This… [Read More]
Strengthening Health Systems in Africa: WHO and China Join Forces
In Addis Ababa on 23 September 2025, Professor Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative a.i. to Ethiopia and the African Union, met with H.E. Ambassador Jiang Feng, Head of Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the AU, to reaffirm the longstanding partnership between WHO and China in advancing public health across Africa and explore deeper… [Read More]
Inaugural Sierra Leone Workshop Strengthens Death Certification and ICD-11 Adoption
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), concluded Sierra Leone’s inaugural two-day workshop of the death reporting sub-committee on 25 September 2025. This meeting brought together health professionals, civil registration experts, academia, and partners to initiate efforts aimed at institutionalizing the Medical… [Read More]
BFA and WHO Collaborate to Strengthen Health Systems in Angola
Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have formalized a strategic partnership to support Angola’s national response to the ongoing cholera outbreak, which has affected thousands of families across the country. The agreement, signed in Luanda, includes BFA’s contribution of 30 million kwanzas to purchase essential medical supplies such as rehydration… [Read More]
Empowering Migrant Workers in Thailand’s Rubber Sector with Labour Rights and Social Protection
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is collaborating with Thailand’s rubber sector to strengthen social protection for migrant workers and promote responsible business practices across the industry. A workshop held in Rayong on 25 September 2025 brought together over 100 participants from plantations, processing plants, manufacturing facilities, and related sectors nationwide to enhance understanding of labour… [Read More]
Start Your Business Programme: Helping Indonesian Workers Build Retirement Independence
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI)-ASEAN Trade Union Confederation (ATUC), is supporting Indonesian workers in preparing for retirement through entrepreneurship training. Many workers face uncertainty about their financial security as they approach retirement, with savings or social protection schemes often insufficient to ensure a stable… [Read More]
Riding the Waves: Tanzanian Women Empowered Through Surfing
At sunrise, Halima wades into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, carrying bundles of rope that will become underwater seaweed gardens. For Halima and thousands of other women along Zanzibar’s coastline, these submerged plots are far more than an agricultural activity—they are a source of independence, a way to fund their children’s education, and… [Read More]
New World Bank Initiative to Modernize Indonesia’s Power Grid and Expand Access
The World Bank has approved the Indonesia Electricity Network Transformation (I-ENET) Program, a US$500 million initiative aimed at modernizing the electricity distribution system in the Java, Madura, and Bali regions. The program will support Indonesia’s energy sector development by expanding renewable energy integration and accelerating the digital transformation of the electricity grid, aligning with the… [Read More]
Strengthening Guatemala’s Resilience to Disasters: World Bank Support
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a project aimed at enhancing Guatemala’s resilience to natural hazards and extreme climate events. The initiative focuses on strengthening institutional capacity to manage risks and protect vulnerable groups, including women heading households, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and communities living in informal settlements. The project targets areas highly… [Read More]
PEACE Project Overview: Essential Facts and Highlights
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the World Bank has collaborated with international partners to provide fast, targeted, and predictable financial support to help the Ukrainian government sustain essential public services for nearly 16 million citizens. The Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) Project funds salaries for civilian government employees, teachers, health… [Read More]
Tunisia: African Development Bank Strengthens Project Management with Transparent Governance Training
The African Development Bank organized a training session in Tunis for project implementation units involved in Bank-financed operations in Tunisia, aiming to strengthen skills in integrity and anti-corruption practices. Held on 16 September 2025 alongside a Proactive Integrity Review mission, the session was led by the Bank Group’s Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department (PIAC) and supported… [Read More]
African Development Bank and Michael Bloomberg Partner to Boost Private Investment in Africa
The African Development Bank Group and Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies and Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), have announced a strategic partnership aimed at mobilizing private sector investment across Africa to boost job creation and sustainable development. The announcement was made on 24 September during… [Read More]
Bank of America Pledges $12 Million to Aid Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Recovery
Bank of America has announced $12 million in zero-interest loans to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to support homeowner recovery and small business assistance in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The funds will be managed through three key CDFIs actively involved in the region’s disaster recovery efforts. Self-Help Ventures Fund (SHVF) will receive $8… [Read More]
Bank of America Pledges $1 Million+ to Aid Hill Country Flood Relief via Liftfund
LiftFund, a leading nonprofit small business lender, has received a major commitment from Bank of America to aid small businesses recovering from the July floods in Texas’s Hill Country. The contribution includes $1 million in lending capital and an additional $100,000 to support LiftFund’s disaster relief operations, bringing the total funds raised for the relief… [Read More]
$90 Million in Grants Allocated Under Defense Community Infrastructure Program by Department of War
The Department of War has awarded ten grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) totaling approximately $90 million through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The DCIP is a competitive program that supports states, territories, and communities in enhancing infrastructure to strengthen military readiness, support cadet training at covered educational institutions, improve installation… [Read More]
New Deals Announced to Make HIV Prevention Medicines Accessible, UNAIDS Says
UNAIDS has welcomed the announcement of two new agreements that dramatically reduce the cost of lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting HIV prevention medicine, from USD 28,000 to just USD 40 per person per year. Lenacapavir, produced by Gilead, is administered via injections twice a year and has been shown to be between 96% and 100% effective… [Read More]
Ukraine’s Inclusive Recovery: How Communities Are Leading Barrier-Free Infrastructure Projects
Ukraine’s recovery goes beyond rebuilding structures and restoring infrastructure—it is about creating communities where everyone can move, participate, and live independently. Recognizing this, the Barrier-Free Routes School was launched in 2025 as a collaborative initiative by UNDP in Ukraine, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, and with support from the Government of Japan. The… [Read More]
Affordable HIV Prevention: Gates Foundation Collaborates with Indian Manufacturer to Boost Access
The Gates Foundation has partnered with Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs to expand access to a low-cost, generic version of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. Supported by upfront funding and volume guarantees, Hetero will produce the treatment at roughly $40 per patient per year, making it more affordable for national health… [Read More]
Libya Moves Forward on Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Transition
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union Delegation to Libya, in partnership with Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas, launched the “Just and Sustainable Energy Transition” Conference under the EU-funded “Support to Energy Transition and Climate Change Mitigation in Libya” project. The conference is part of ongoing efforts by national and international… [Read More]
From Farm to Fork: Understanding the Critical Stages Between Production and Consumption
Every year, millions of tons of food are lost before reaching consumers, with Morocco losing as much as half of its fruits and vegetables before they make it to market. This waste impacts farmers’ incomes, raises food prices for families, and contributes to climate change, as decomposing food in landfills releases methane, a greenhouse gas… [Read More]
Life is Easy in Digital’ Project Empowers Women Entrepreneurs with Grants for Digital Growth
The 2025 cycle of the “Life is Easy in Digital” Project, implemented by Türk Telekom, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Habitat Association, has opened applications for its mentorship and grant program. The initiative aims to equip women entrepreneurs with essential digital skills,… [Read More]
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Announce ICC Withdrawal: A Setback in Combating Impunity in the Sahel
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the announcements by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, described the withdrawals as an affront to victims and survivors of serious crimes and to all those fighting against impunity… [Read More]
