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The World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, and The Rockefeller Foundation have launched the Mission 300 Private Sector Council to mobilize private investment aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 while creating jobs across the continent. The council will bring together 14 leaders from diverse sectors to drive strategies that attract… [Read More]

Russian authorities have increasingly imposed broad mobile internet shutdowns, citing public safety, Human Rights Watch reported. Over the past month, Moscow and Saint Petersburg experienced nearly three weeks of disrupted mobile internet and cellular access. On March 29, at least 14 people were detained at a peaceful protest in Moscow against the restrictions, and five… [Read More]

On March 30, the Israeli Knesset passed a bill expanding the use of the death penalty for terrorism-related offenses, a move Human Rights Watch has criticized as discriminatory. The bill’s language indicates that it would primarily, if not exclusively, target Palestinians. Under Israel’s civil court system, the bill imposes the death penalty for deliberate killings… [Read More]

Amnesty International has criticized the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, for giving assent to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it a serious setback for human rights. The amendment removes the right of transgender and gender-diverse individuals to self-identify, requiring them instead to undergo official verification and approval by authorities. According… [Read More]

The European Union and the International Labour Organization have launched the EU4PEOPLE: Employment Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a €5 million initiative aimed at modernising employment services and strengthening institutional capacities across all levels of government. The programme, presented at the EU House in Sarajevo, will operate over 42 months to support young people, women… [Read More]

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports a sharp rise in people crossing from Lebanon into Syria, with over 200,000 arriving between 2 and 27 March. Nearly 180,000 of these are Syrians, including those who had previously fled to Lebanon and are now forced to flee again, while more than 28,000 are Lebanese. Many arrive exhausted,… [Read More]

UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel described the situation in southern Lebanon as extremely volatile and dangerous, both for peacekeepers and for civilians who have chosen to remain in certain areas. Speaking from the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, Ardiel explained that peacekeepers are providing support by coordinating and delivering humanitarian aid, assisting with the relocation of civilians… [Read More]

Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher briefed ambassadors from Beirut on the escalating crisis in Lebanon, describing unprecedented levels of anxiety and tension as airstrikes and drone activity continue to affect the capital and surrounding areas. He stressed the urgent need for collective action to prevent a deeper humanitarian and political crisis, noting that over the… [Read More]

The Government of Canada is taking comprehensive action to protect Canadians from gun and gang violence, including banning assault-style firearms and strengthening border protections. Central to these efforts is preventing gun and gang violence before it starts through community-driven initiatives. The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced that the government plans to extend… [Read More]

The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions (GA) is a UN initiative launched in September 2021 to help countries tackle multiple crises, including COVID-19, informality, poverty, inequality, lack of decent jobs, and financing gaps. It also prepares countries for challenges and opportunities from digital, green, and demographic transitions, as well as… [Read More]

A field visit to Zara Agro Chad in Douguia brought together Dr. François Batalingaya, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Chad, UNDP Representative Mr. Francis James, and FAO Representative Mr. Aristide Ongone Obame to engage with local agricultural production and innovation. Located about 80 km from N’Djamena, Zara Agro Chad exemplifies a locally driven initiative contributing… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an appeal for USD 277 million to support vulnerable populations affected by displacement and conflict in Sudan and neighbouring countries in 2026, as the crisis nears its third year. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized that families are facing impossible choices, having lost homes, livelihoods, and loved… [Read More]

Companies in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are actively translating responsible business conduct (RBC) principles into workplace practices, according to participants in a seminar held in Vientiane on 13 March 2026. The event, titled “Responsible Business Conduct in Practice: Enterprise Good Practices from Lao People’s Democratic Republic,” was convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO)… [Read More]

Zambia has advanced its preparations to join the United Nations Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, taking steps toward becoming a pathfinder country. The initiative will support the Zambian government in developing a national roadmap to inform the forthcoming Ninth National Development Plan (9NDP). The Global Accelerator will prioritize youth transitions… [Read More]

Nestlé and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have launched a new two-year project, “From fair recruitment to worker protection in coffee supply chains,” aimed at promoting labour rights in coffee supply chains in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. This initiative builds on the organizations’ long-standing partnership and focuses on addressing decent work deficits and labour-related risks… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has strengthened labour inspection in Ukraine through a specialized training programme on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), organized in Bratislava in response to the growing risks of labour exploitation caused by large-scale displacement following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hosted by the European Labour Authority (ELA) and delivered by I-INTELLIGENCE and… [Read More]

Responsible business practices in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have been significantly strengthened following the completion of a two-year initiative led by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Supported by the Government of Japan, the project focused on promoting responsible business conduct and decent work across supply chains, contributing to improved awareness, capacity, and collaboration among… [Read More]

A recent media visit organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Aceh, Indonesia, highlighted the transformative impact of inclusive finance on the patchouli oil industry. The visit provided journalists with firsthand insights into how improved access to financial services and multi-stakeholder collaboration are strengthening the value chain and creating new economic opportunities for farmers… [Read More]

Academia in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is taking steps to integrate responsible business conduct (RBC) into university teaching, with a focus on aligning education with international standards on human rights and labour practices. A recent knowledge-sharing seminar held in Vientiane brought together faculty members, researchers, and students to explore how RBC principles can be… [Read More]

The World Bank Group, in partnership with the African Development Bank and The Rockefeller Foundation, has launched the Mission 300 Private Sector Council to accelerate efforts to expand electricity access across Africa. The initiative aims to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030 while simultaneously driving job creation and economic development. Recognizing the scale… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved a major program to support the modernization of El Salvador’s education system, with a strong focus on improving learning outcomes, strengthening teaching practices, and integrating digital technologies. The initiative aims to build foundational skills among students that will enhance their future employability and access to higher-quality jobs, aligning education outcomes… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has approved new financing to support El Salvador in expanding access to credit for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with the objective of strengthening job creation and promoting inclusive economic growth. MSMEs play a critical role in the country’s economy, serving as a key driver of employment and business activity,… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved a $500 million credit to support the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project, aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening value chains, and creating employment opportunities. The initiative focuses on enhancing food and nutrition security while addressing structural challenges that have limited the growth potential of Nigeria’s agriculture sector,… [Read More]