Today, the European Commission disbursed the first instalment of €250 million in Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This payment is part of the €500 million EU MFA IV programme, approved by the European Parliament and the Council in April 2025. The disbursement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by… [Read More]
How AI Is Helping 38 Million Farmers With Advanced Weather Predictions
This summer, 38 million farmers in India received AI-powered forecasts predicting the start of the monsoon season, giving them vital information to decide the best time to plant crops. These forecasts were powered in part by NeuralGCM, a Google Research model that integrates physics-based weather modeling with machine learning to deliver more accurate and efficient… [Read More]
The Ndege Group Launches African Rare Earth Mineral Fund to Boost Continental Sovereignty
The Ndege Group, through Africa’s Sovereign Development Trust® (ASDT), has announced the launch of the African Rare Earth Mineral Fund, a landmark initiative aimed at advancing Africa’s economic sovereignty. This fund represents a strategic move to ensure that the continent directly manages and benefits from its valuable natural resources, securing wealth for its people and… [Read More]
AHF Applauds African Leadership in Advancing Public Health Systems
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has praised the Government of Zambia for raising its health budget allocation from 7% in 2021 to 12% today, reflecting a stronger political commitment to build resilient health systems and ensure sustainability. AHF also commended the broader efforts of African leaders and regional institutions for taking bold action on critical… [Read More]
Rockefeller Foundation Launches $50M Initiative Backed by Global Support for International Cooperation
The Rockefeller Foundation has released the findings of a landmark global poll revealing widespread but fragile support for international cooperation. Conducted across 34 countries, the survey of 36,405 adults highlights the desire for nations to work together in addressing shared threats, despite growing nationalist rhetoric and declining development aid. Alongside these findings, the Foundation launched… [Read More]
West African Development Bank Joins Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has officially joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, an initiative led by the Brazilian Presidency of the G20. The Alliance focuses on eradicating hunger and poverty while reducing inequalities by supporting low-income countries, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, and 10). BOAD’s membership,… [Read More]
Start-up Funding in East Africa: Insights on ‘Follow the Money’ and the African ‘Valley of Death’
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has launched a call for proposals, inviting applications by 3 October 2025 to conduct a comprehensive study on start-up funding in East Africa, with a particular focus on Kenya and Tanzania. Commissioned through the UK Kenya Tech Hub, the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub, and the… [Read More]
African Development Bank Approves Equity Investment in The Currency Exchange Fund
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved an equity investment of USD 25 million in The Currency Exchange Fund (TCX), a global leader in providing long-term local currency hedging solutions in emerging and frontier markets. This investment will strengthen TCX’s capital base, expand its risk-bearing capacity, and increase its ability to offer… [Read More]
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies Officially Enters into Force
On 15 September, the World Trade Organization (WTO) marked a historic moment with the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This agreement aims to curb billions of dollars in annual subsidies that fuel overfishing and contribute to the depletion of marine resources, addressing one of the most pressing global environmental and… [Read More]
WTO Hackathon Highlights Youth-Led Solutions for Trade and Food Security
The World Trade Organization (WTO), in collaboration with the Geneva Trade Platform and CropLife International, held the finals of its first global policy hackathon on trade and food security on 16 September. The event gathered 58 student teams from over 30 countries, tasking them with designing innovative solutions on how trade rules could support the… [Read More]
$4.5M Boost for NZ-US Digital Twin Collaboration to Drive Innovation
Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) researchers will collaborate with the Oden Institute at the University of Texas to develop physics-informed AI computational modelling, supported by a $4.5 million grant from New Zealand’s Catalyst Fund. Announced by the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Dr Shane Reti, the funding will advance the New Zealand–United States Digital Twin… [Read More]
Canada and Yukon Governments Invest in Water, Roads, Utilities, and Recreation Projects
The federal and territorial governments are investing over $25.6 million to enhance water, sewer, and recreational services in four Yukon communities, with the Government of Yukon also providing project management support. Faro, Watson Lake, and Haines Junction will benefit from water and sewer upgrades combined with road reconstruction, improving access to safe drinking water and… [Read More]
Libya Introduces National Minimum Energy Performance Standards Programme
Libya has launched its first Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling programme, marking a significant step in the country’s energy transition. The initiative aims to improve energy efficiency, enhance regulatory frameworks, and reduce electricity consumption, while addressing inefficiencies in the national grid caused by outdated appliances and limited regulations. The programme is a collaboration… [Read More]
Reassessing the EU Deforestation Regulation: A New Perspective
At the end of July 2025, representatives from Uganda and Rwanda’s coffee sectors convened in Kigali for a South-South Exchange to examine the potential impacts of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and share lessons on preparing for its implementation. The EU’s upcoming due diligence frameworks, including the EUDR and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence… [Read More]
Afghanistan Faces ‘Perfect Storm’ of Crises, UN Issues Urgent Warning
Afghanistan is facing a “perfect storm” of overlapping crises, according to the UN’s outgoing envoy, Roza Otunbayeva, who addressed the Security Council on Wednesday. While armed conflict has declined since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the humanitarian, economic, and human rights situations have deteriorated sharply. Otunbayeva warned that decisions driven by ideology rather than pragmatism… [Read More]
Afghanistan Marks Four Years of Girls’ Secondary Education Ban
For millions of girls in Afghanistan, it has now been four years since the de facto authorities imposed a ban on secondary education, part of a broader roll-back of women’s rights since the Taliban regained control of Kabul. Many girls, including Fatima Amiri, have been directly affected by violence and threats aimed at keeping them… [Read More]
World News in Brief: Migrant Medics, UN Top Innovators, Nigeria Rights Update, Sunscreen as Essential Medicine
A new UN health agency report reveals that in Europe in 2023, six out of ten medics were trained outside the region, with an even higher proportion for nurses. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that many western and northern European countries have become heavily dependent on foreign health workers, creating strain on the countries… [Read More]
Ukraine Faces Harsh Winter Amid Cold and Energy Shortages Affecting Millions
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, critical infrastructure has been severely damaged, and hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by ongoing conflict, creating an urgent need for humanitarian aid. UNICEF has highlighted that children and families already experiencing extreme daily stress are now facing the additional challenges of a… [Read More]
UN Hails Colombia’s First Convictions Under Transitional Justice as a Crucial Milestone
The United Nations has welcomed Colombia’s first convictions under its transitional justice tribunal, describing the sentences handed down to former rebel commanders as “a crucial milestone on the path to accountability,” according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk. He emphasized that these convictions represent a fundamental step in combating impunity and fulfilling victims’ rights… [Read More]
Breaking Barriers: Addressing the Undervaluation of Women’s Work
Across many sectors, jobs predominantly performed by women continue to receive lower pay, recognition, and status than equivalent roles held by men, even when the work requires the same skills, effort, and responsibility. This persistent undervaluation is a major contributor to the gender pay gap, limiting women’s career opportunities and slowing progress toward workplace equality…. [Read More]
Promoting Equal Pay in the Workplace Through Skills and Rights Awareness
Pay discrimination remains a major factor contributing to the gender pay gap, affecting many industries where employees performing similar work may receive different wages based on gender or other factors unrelated to job performance. This persistent inequality highlights the need for interventions that combine skills development with awareness of workplace rights. In İstanbul, Türkiye, Syrian… [Read More]
ILO to Release Landmark Report on Digitalization, AI, and the Future of Work in Arab States
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is set to release a landmark report examining how digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming labour markets across the Arab States. The study explores both the challenges and opportunities presented by these technological changes and provides guidance on policies needed to ensure a just and inclusive transition to the… [Read More]
How Career Breaks Impact Women and the Role of Workplace Rights in Closing the Gap
Career continuity, which refers to the uninterrupted progression of a person’s working life, is a key factor in the gender pay gap. Many women face breaks in employment due to care responsibilities, which can hinder their promotion prospects and overall career advancement compared to men. These interruptions often create systemic barriers that limit women’s economic… [Read More]
