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The European Union has announced new funding to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Syria and Lebanon. The additional financial assistance will help UNRWA continue providing essential services and humanitarian support to Palestine refugees facing challenging economic and social conditions. Palestine refugees in Syria… [Read More]

Around 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are suffering from wasting, one of the most dangerous forms of malnutrition, with approximately one million facing the most severe and potentially fatal form of the condition. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the crisis is placing growing pressure on Afghanistan’s already overstretched health system. Children under… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued a JPY20 billion ($126 million) seven-year water theme bond to finance projects supporting sustainable agriculture, water resource management and food security across Asia and the Pacific. The bond, issued on August 26, 2026, was purchased by Zenkyoren, Japan’s National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, and arranged by Daiwa Capital… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are expanding access to climate-risk insurance for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia through a new initiative designed to protect agricultural livelihoods from extreme weather and natural disasters. EIB Global is providing a grant of up to €4 million to WFP to develop and roll out tailored microinsurance… [Read More]

Amazonia’s vast biodiversity is creating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth, innovation and local entrepreneurship as governments, researchers and communities explore ways to build a stronger regional bioeconomy. The Amazon region is often viewed primarily through the lens of environmental crisis. However, its biological wealth, cultural diversity and growing scientific capacity also provide a foundation… [Read More]

Uzbekistan is strengthening its public financial management system through digital innovation, international cooperation and reforms aimed at making public spending more efficient, transparent and aligned with long-term development priorities. The Training Center under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held an international scientific and practical conference… [Read More]

Five rural communities across the Solomon Islands have strengthened their ability to respond to climate change following the successful completion of the Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) Phase III Programme, implemented through the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme. Funded by the Government of Australia, the programme invested US$150,000 between 2022 and 2026 in community-led initiatives… [Read More]

A village farming group in Zimbabwe’s Hurungwe Ward 8 is demonstrating how agroecological farming, market access and community savings can help rural households build stronger and more resilient livelihoods. The 26-member Mutungambera Village Business Unit (VBU), comprising 19 women and seven men, previously faced major challenges in horticultural production. Limited access to reliable water, secure garden infrastructure,… [Read More]

Coastal communities in Bangladesh are turning to rainwater harvesting and filtration systems as climate change and rising salinity make safe drinking water increasingly difficult to access. In Dacope, Khulna District, ponds and other water sources surround villages, yet saline intrusion has made much of the available water unsafe for drinking. For many families, securing reliable… [Read More]

Twenty-three young law graduates gained practical experience in justice, human rights, refugee protection and humanitarian law during a two-day learning programme in Cox’s Bazar on August 19 and 20, 2026. The programme was organised as part of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) Internship Programme, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh. The initiative… [Read More]

India’s proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Bill, 2026 is drawing renewed attention to how foreign funding of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations is regulated. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2026 before being referred to a parliamentary committee following objections from civil society organisations, minority groups and opposition parties. Critics… [Read More]

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has awarded Streit Security Vehicles FZ-LLC a $198.64 million contract to supply specialized vehicles to the Congolese National Police (PNC), as Kinshasa moves to strengthen police capabilities amid heightened security concerns. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo Bihango awarded the contract, valued at exactly $198,635,462.50 including taxes. The purchase… [Read More]

A personalized mRNA cancer vaccine has shown promising results in a late-stage clinical trial, helping patients with high-risk melanoma remain cancer-free for longer after surgery. The vaccine, known as intismeran, was developed using genetic information from each patient’s own tumour. When combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, it reduced the risk of melanoma returning compared… [Read More]

The United Nations is increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle challenges ranging from education and healthcare to climate change, disaster response and human rights. Across UN agencies, AI-powered tools are helping communities access essential services, identify health risks faster and respond to environmental threats while the organisation works to promote responsible and inclusive AI… [Read More]

The United Nations has launched a new initiative aimed at protecting victims and survivors of terrorist attacks from online harm, misinformation and re-traumatisation. The initiative was unveiled on August 21, 2026, during an event marking the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. It is being led through the Victims of… [Read More]

Serbian food producer Tira is moving towards greener and more efficient operations after installing a rooftop solar power plant with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union. The investment is helping the company reduce electricity costs, lower its carbon footprint and strengthen its competitiveness as sustainability becomes increasingly… [Read More]

Infrastructure investments across Lebanon are creating short-term employment opportunities while improving roads, drainage, public spaces and municipal facilities through an employment-intensive programme supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank, the ILO’s Employment Intensive Infrastructure Programme is using labour-intensive construction methods to address local infrastructure needs while… [Read More]

South Africa is accelerating infrastructure development, with major projects moving through construction, procurement and preparation as the government seeks to improve municipal services and attract greater private investment. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said 37 infrastructure projects worth approximately R69 billion have been completed over the past 18 months, while 82 projects valued… [Read More]

South Africa is strengthening collaboration between government and infrastructure organizations to improve project preparation, attract investment and accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure. A new Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Infrastructure South Africa, the National Building Institute, the Infrastructure Technical Assistance Facility and Zutari during the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa in… [Read More]

Mauritius is accelerating its transition to clean energy with the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems across 400 apartments at the NSLD Housing Complex in Henrietta. The initiative, marked by a community event on August 22, 2026, is being implemented under the UNDP-Green Climate Fund Low Carbon Economy Project. The programme brings together the Central… [Read More]

South Korea has contributed $3 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support vulnerable women and children facing hunger and malnutrition in Afghanistan. The funding, provided by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is expected to assist around 24,500 vulnerable women and children across Afghanistan over the next 12 months. The contribution… [Read More]

Tanzania’s collective investment fund industry has reached a major milestone, with assets rising to about $2 billion as more citizens increasingly invest their savings through managed funds. The growth highlights the rapid expansion of Tanzania’s capital markets while also showing how domestic savings are becoming an important source of government financing. Zan Securities recently opened… [Read More]

Tanzania’s Kabanga nickel project is attracting growing international interest, with U.S.-backed investment firm Orion CMC reportedly considering an investment of around $500 million in the major mining project. The potential investment, reported by Bloomberg and cited by Ecofin Agency, comes as Tanzania and project operator Lifezone Metals continue discussions over the project’s financial and ownership… [Read More]