Hundreds of thousands of Americans could be pushed into poverty next year due to price increases linked to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to a recent analysis by Yale University’s Budget Lab. The research projects that the overall number of Americans living in poverty could rise by between 650,000 and 875,000, depending on the poverty… [Read More]
Blending Climate Finance to Transform Latin America’s Agrifood Systems
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face significant barriers to scaling climate finance for agrifood systems. High perceived risks, such as lack of project pipeline visibility, insufficient credit history, and price or currency volatility, combine with actual risks from governance, macroeconomic, and geopolitical factors to deter investment. Long-standing challenges, including underdeveloped financial markets and small-scale… [Read More]
PAHO Strengthens Infection Control and Hygiene Capacity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supported a three-day capacity building exercise on essential Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Environmental Hygiene in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from September 9–11, 2025. The initiative aimed to strengthen infection prevention measures in healthcare facilities across the country. The mission began with an IPC assessment tour of… [Read More]
World Patient Safety Day 2025: PAHO Advocates Safe Care for Newborns and Children
On the occasion of World Patient Safety Day 2025, observed on September 17, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) called on governments, health professionals, and communities across the Americas to prioritize safe and equitable care for newborns and children. Under the theme “Patient safety from the start!”, the campaign aims to raise awareness and reduce… [Read More]
South American Countries Launch First Virtual Hospital Emergency Drill with SIMEXamericas
On September 12, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) conducted the first virtual hospital emergency response simulation, H-RESPONDEX-LAC25, using the SIMEXamericas platform. The exercise brought together healthcare professionals from five South American countries—Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru—to participate simultaneously in a collaborative training environment. SIMEXamericas is a virtual tool designed for emergency, disaster, and… [Read More]
CAF Approves US$500 Million Loan to Expand Lima and Callao Natural Gas Network, Boosting Peru’s Energy Transition
CAF has structured a US$500 million A/B Loan for Cálidda, Peru’s leading natural gas distribution company, to support the expansion of its distribution network in the Lima and Callao metropolitan areas. The loan will finance Cálidda’s investment plan to connect 900,000 additional people to natural gas service and deploy 569 kilometers of new distribution networks,… [Read More]
EU Mission Ocean and Waters Advances: 15 Key Actions Gain Technical Support for Blue Transformation
The EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters,’ part of Horizon Europe, is advancing technical assistance to accelerate the restoration and sustainable management of Europe’s aquatic ecosystems. This mission focuses on three main objectives: conserving and restoring freshwater and marine biodiversity, preventing and eliminating pollution, and promoting a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy. Recent examples of… [Read More]
African Nations Secure US$200 Million for Solar Energy Expansion
African countries have secured US$200 million in financing under the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) Africa Solar Facility, announced at the Seventh Meeting of the Regional Committee for Africa in Accra. The funding aims to accelerate solar deployment across the continent and foster partnerships to bridge Africa’s clean energy investment gap. ISA Director-General Ashish Khanna emphasized… [Read More]
South Africa’s Financial Sector Confronts Rising Risks Amid Economic Turmoil
South Africa is currently grappling with deep and persistent socio-economic challenges, according to Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Commissioner Unathi Kamlana. Speaking at the 11th Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust Annual Lecture at Rhodes Business School, Kamlana emphasized the urgent need for vision, integrity, and courage among leaders to navigate both domestic difficulties and global… [Read More]
Gender Equality in 2025: Key Gains, Persistent Gaps, and the $342 Trillion Opportunity
2025 marks a pivotal moment for global gender equality, with just five years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals. The Gender Snapshot 2025, produced by UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, highlights both the achievements and persistent challenges, emphasizing that the choices made now will determine… [Read More]
U.S. and Côte d’Ivoire Partner on Regional Energy Development via MCC Compact
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau joined officials from Côte d’Ivoire and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to sign the Côte d’Ivoire Regional Energy Compact at the U.S. Department of State. The compact represents a significant U.S. investment aimed at strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s energy sector and promoting regional power integration across West Africa. By expanding… [Read More]
Saint Lucia Advances Toward Its First UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
In early September 2025, Saint Lucia hosted a two-day workshop led by Bandiougou Diawara, Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean. The event brought together representatives from government, academia, industry, and civil society to develop a proposal for establishing the country’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere… [Read More]
FAO and UNIVEN Partner to Build Climate-Smart, Resilient Agrifood Systems
The University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have established a results-driven partnership aimed at enhancing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods in Limpopo and the surrounding region. The collaboration focuses on translating academic research into practical solutions for farmers and youth, ensuring that teaching,… [Read More]
South African Fintech Secures R46 Million to Drive Africa’s Financial Technology Growth
South African fintech company Float has raised R46 million ($2.6 million) in a funding round, highlighting Africa’s rising prominence in the global financial technology sector. The round, co-led by Invenfin and Saad Investment Holdings, with support from Platform Investment Partners and Lighthouse Venture Partners, reflects strong investor confidence in South Africa’s fintech ecosystem and its… [Read More]
UK Councils Receive New Funding to Enhance Local Travel and Public Health
The UK’s Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) merges previous capital and revenue funding streams into a single grant, aiming to support councils in delivering not only cycling and walking infrastructure but also the planning and behavioural interventions needed to encourage use. This integrated approach allows councils to implement a mix of construction projects and complementary… [Read More]
Africa Zero Hunger: How Mtakuja’s Women Farmers Are Leading the Fight Against Hunger
In the sun-scorched terrain of Mtakuja Village in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, farming has always been a daunting task. Extreme heat, dry soil, and irregular rains have made agricultural life a constant challenge for local farmers. Amid these hardships, a strong spirit of resilience has emerged, particularly among women like Margaret, a farmer and mother… [Read More]
Red Cross Launches Climate Resilience Program in Kiribati and Vanuatu
The impacts of climate change are highly visible and severe in the Pacific, particularly in Kiribati and Vanuatu, where rising seas, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events are already disrupting lives, livelihoods, and traditional ways of life. Despite contributing only 0.02 percent of global emissions, these island nations face some of the most devastating consequences… [Read More]
Canada Invests $14M+ in Conservation of S.S. Klondike National Historic Site
Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and presenting national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, helping people connect with history and nature while sustaining economic value for local and regional communities. On behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic… [Read More]
US-UK Partnership to Revolutionize Drug Discovery, Create Tens of Thousands of Jobs
The United Kingdom and the United States have launched the Tech Prosperity Deal, marking the first UK-US technology agreement aimed at accelerating AI, quantum, and nuclear innovations. The pact will drive breakthroughs in healthcare, including faster drug development, improved cancer treatments, and life-saving medical technologies. It also seeks to advance clean nuclear energy, generate high-paying… [Read More]
Gaza Rights Probe Alleges Israel Committed Genocide, Independent Report Finds
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, released a report amid escalating Israeli military operations in Gaza City, urging Israel and all countries to uphold their obligations under international law to end genocide and hold perpetrators accountable. The Commission concluded that Israel is responsible for… [Read More]
Government Corruption Drives Human Rights Crisis in South Sudan, Panel Finds
A new independent report reveals that corruption in South Sudan is systematically siphoning off oil and non-oil revenues through opaque schemes and politically connected contracts, leaving millions of citizens without access to basic services. Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission, described corruption as the driving force behind South Sudan’s decline, fueling hunger, collapsing health systems,… [Read More]
Venezuelan Migrants Contribute USD 900M Annually to Ecuador’s Economy
Households with Venezuelan members contribute an estimated USD 900 million annually to Ecuador’s economy through the consumption of goods and services, according to a new study by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The findings underscore the significant role of migrants in supporting economic growth and development across Latin America and the Caribbean. Kristina Mejo,… [Read More]
India and ILO Launch Study to Develop Global Job Classification System
On 16 September 2025, the Government of India and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an agreement to fund a feasibility study on an international classification of occupations based on skill and qualification requirements. Supported by a €650,000 contribution from India, this initiative marks the country’s first direct funding agreement with the ILO and reflects… [Read More]
