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The 35th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Europe brought together ministers, policymakers, and international stakeholders from across Europe and Central Asia to discuss the growing pressures facing agrifood systems. Held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the conference focused on strengthening resilience, sustainability, and inclusion amid rising climate risks, economic uncertainty, and… [Read More]

Australia is launching a $10.7 million hi-tech biosecurity platform called Biosecurity Trakka, designed to modernize plant biosecurity defences nationwide. Built on advances from the COVID-19 pandemic and DNA technology, the platform will provide a secure online hub for DNA sequencing, data storage, analysis, and viewing, enabling scientists and decision-makers to quickly identify pest and disease… [Read More]

Rural communities in Chile are experiencing a major digital transformation through a United Nations-backed initiative aimed at improving internet connectivity, digital literacy, and access to essential services in underserved territories. The programme focuses particularly on the regions of Ñuble and La Araucanía, where limited digital infrastructure has historically restricted economic opportunities, access to education, healthcare,… [Read More]

Humanitarian demining efforts in Ukraine are playing a critical role in helping war-affected communities regain a sense of safety and normalcy after years of conflict. Vast areas of farmland, roads, and residential zones remain contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance, creating ongoing dangers for civilians and preventing communities from rebuilding their livelihoods. Demining teams working… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union (EU), has launched a new financing facility aimed at improving access to credit for underserved businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative is designed to address persistent financing gaps that limit business growth in emerging economies, especially for… [Read More]

In Amsterdam, Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), welcomed Indonesian Ambassador Laurentius Amrih Jinangkung and his delegation to the CFC headquarters. The meeting focused on Indonesia’s role as a major global commodity producer and the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving inclusive growth across its diverse… [Read More]

UNIDO and the Government of Israel have launched a new initiative to strengthen food safety systems and institutional capacity in Liberia. The announcement followed a meeting in Vienna between UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller and Ambassador David Roet of Israel, during which both sides exchanged letters formalizing the project, “Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of the… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening financial sector stability by supporting the resolution of non-performing loans (NPLs) and distressed assets across its regions. The programme involves an investment of up to €75 million in collaboration with APS Holding, a leading European asset management firm. Through… [Read More]

The European Commission and Egypt’s Ministry of Industry have opened a new chapter in their longstanding partnership with the first coordination meeting between UNIDO’s Sub‑regional Office in Cairo and the Developmental Projects Unit. Held at the Ministry’s premises in the New Administrative Capital, the meeting brought together UNIDO project managers and senior representatives of the… [Read More]

The United Nations Secretary-General has delivered a strong global message at the start of 2026, warning that the world is currently facing a critical crossroads marked by rising conflict, inequality, and climate challenges. He emphasized that instability, division, and violations of international law are increasing, raising urgent questions about whether global leaders are responding effectively… [Read More]

A decade-long partnership between the University of Gondar in Ethiopia, Queen’s University in Canada, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has demonstrated how universities can drive systemic change in higher education and national health services. This collaboration has expanded access to education for underserved young people, particularly those with disabilities, while building institutional capacity and… [Read More]

The United Nations has warned that the global humanitarian system is facing severe financial strain as the scale of human need continues to rise faster than available funding. Conflicts, climate disasters, economic instability, and political uncertainty are driving record levels of displacement and emergency assistance requirements across multiple regions. According to UN assessments, millions of… [Read More]

In Aloutte Mandingue, Senegal, daily life for families like that of Sounkary Seydi revolves around small-scale farming, where unreliable rainfall and limited harvests often mean meals consist of basic staples with insufficient nutrition. This instability has long contributed to malnutrition, especially among children and breastfeeding women, with hygiene challenges compounding the problem. The arrival of… [Read More]

Vivian Anyango Aola’s commitment to mental health advocacy stems from her personal experiences growing up in Nairobi, where she witnessed people struggling with emotional distress without access to support or solutions. Today, she works at the St. Daniel Comboni mission, creating safe spaces for people living with mental health conditions and psychosocial, intellectual, and cognitive… [Read More]

The United Nations has issued a strong warning about the escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that continued instability in the region could have severe global consequences. The situation has already begun affecting oil markets, with rising prices reflecting growing uncertainty about supply routes that are critical to the global economy. UN… [Read More]

The European Commission, together with the Syrian Transitional Authorities, convened the Syria Partnership Coordination Forum in Brussels to align international aid, reconstruction, and development efforts with Syria’s recovery priorities. After years of devastation under the Assad regime, the country faces immense socio-economic challenges, and the EU is using its convening power to support Syria’s path… [Read More]

The European Commission has moved quickly to coordinate and support national authorities in responding to the Hantavirus outbreak. While the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control currently assesses the risk to the general population as very low, precautionary measures are being implemented to ensure safety and preparedness. Following Spain’s activation of the EU Civil… [Read More]

The European Union has allocated €20 million in humanitarian aid to support vulnerable refugees and host communities in Türkiye in 2026. Türkiye continues to host around 2.3 million registered refugees, primarily from Syria but also from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world. Despite access to some… [Read More]

Grand Challenges Canada and Spring Impact have released a new case study series exploring how four organizations achieved breakthroughs in scaling global health innovations. The series examines the strategies behind expanding reach, making adoption rational for governments with limited capacity, and building evidence that responds to the questions future adopters are asking. The organizations featured—Healthy… [Read More]

Childhood is a crucial stage for building cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills, yet millions of children face disrupted learning and development due to crises, instability, and displacement. Play-based learning offers a powerful pathway to support growth, healing, and resilience, but many children lack safe spaces and opportunities to play. Climate change has intensified displacement,… [Read More]

New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk has praised the important role local businesses play in supporting national security and resilience during the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence to Industry. The awards recognised companies that provide essential equipment, infrastructure, services and operational support to the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence. The… [Read More]

Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face a serious skills and employment crisis, with more than one in five young people neither studying nor working. Businesses across the region frequently report that a lack of skilled workers limits productivity and economic growth. Weak foundational learning also remains a major concern, as many children struggle with basic reading… [Read More]

The partnership recognizes that care work plays a vital role in supporting families, communities and national economies, yet much of this work remains unpaid, undervalued and largely carried out by women. The unequal burden of unpaid care responsibilities often limits women’s participation in employment, entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities in Nepal. The agreement was signed by… [Read More]