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Nearly 5 million children die each year and around 700 women die daily from pregnancy-related causes, most of them in low- and middle-income countries. These deaths are largely preventable, making maternal and child health central to the World Bank Group’s ambition to reach 1.5 billion people with health services by 2030. During the recent World… [Read More]

Somalia is facing a worsening humanitarian emergency as prolonged drought, irregular seasonal rains, flash floods and rising fuel prices continue to increase food insecurity and displacement across the country. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), millions of people are struggling with severe shortages of food, water and basic… [Read More]

Belgium and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a new Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for 2026–2030, marking a renewed partnership focused on strengthening the country’s health system and addressing emerging public health challenges. A major priority of this strategy is tackling youth nicotine addiction, alongside broader efforts to improve prevention, health equity, and system… [Read More]

Health systems worldwide are under pressure from workforce shortages, tight budgets, rising chronic diseases, and growing public expectations. Saudi Arabia faces similar challenges as it advances its Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Program, prompting the question of how to ensure health policies truly improve people’s lives. To address this, the Saudi Health Council and the… [Read More]

Business owners across Somalia are showing resilience and determination, but many remain frustrated by the barriers preventing growth. Surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 across five cities—Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beledweyne, Bosaso, and Kismayo—captured the experiences of 700 formally registered firms. These findings, supported by the Somalia Multi Partner Fund and complemented by the World Bank’s diagnostics,… [Read More]

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is supporting Caribbean countries through a new capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening mortality coding using the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). The training aims to improve the quality, accuracy, and consistency of mortality data, which is essential for public health planning and decision-making across the region. The… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has approved US$1 billion in financing to support Egypt’s efforts to boost private sector–led job creation, strengthen fiscal resilience, and advance its transition to a greener economy. The package includes a US$200 million credit guarantee from the United Kingdom, reflecting strong international support for Egypt’s reform agenda. Egypt has faced successive… [Read More]

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $61 million financing package aimed at expanding access to affordable credit for women-owned and women-led businesses in Nigeria. The initiative is being implemented through the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and focuses on strengthening micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in agriculture and other key productive… [Read More]

Kuranda’s Water Treatment Plant in Far North Queensland is set to regain full operational capacity following a significant joint funding investment from the Australian and Queensland Governments. The upgrade is part of broader efforts to strengthen essential infrastructure in regions frequently affected by extreme weather events such as cyclones and heavy rainfall. The project was… [Read More]

At the second meeting of the Steering Board of the Green Transition Portfolio in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives from domestic authorities, the UN system, and international partners came together to review progress and chart the way forward. The meeting was co‑chaired by Arnhild Spence, UN Resident Coordinator in BiH, and Jelica Grujić from the Ministry… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the United Kingdom have strengthened their partnership to accelerate capital mobilisation and promote investment-led economic growth across Africa. The collaboration focuses on unlocking large-scale financing to support infrastructure development, private sector expansion, and sustainable economic transformation across the continent. Both institutions aim to address Africa’s significant financing gap… [Read More]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the League of Arab States have launched a renewed effort to integrate disability rights into development and crisis recovery across the Arab region. Meeting in Cairo for the Second Technical Peer Learning Workshop on Disability Inclusion, regional leaders, civil society organizations, and UN agencies gathered to accelerate the… [Read More]

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has strengthened its partnership with Germany to support the development of modern, sustainable, and integrated railway infrastructure across Africa. The collaboration aims to enhance technical expertise, expand capacity-building programs, and accelerate the modernization of rail systems that are essential for economic integration and regional connectivity on the continent. As part… [Read More]

The World Bank has highlighted agribusiness accelerators as an important pathway for scaling agricultural innovation, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers. The initiative is part of the broader AgriConnect program, which aims to strengthen agricultural ecosystems through improved infrastructure, policy reforms, access to finance, and innovation-driven solutions. The report emphasizes that the future… [Read More]

India and the European Union have launched a joint €15.2 million (₹169 crore) research and innovation programme to advance electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling. Announced on May 5 under the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, the initiative invites collaborative proposals focused on recycling EV batteries, with… [Read More]

One World Media has officially announced the nominees for the 2026 One World Media Awards, including the Women’s Solutions Reporting Award supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The awards celebrate outstanding journalism and storytelling focused on the Global South, recognizing media professionals who highlight underreported issues, challenge stereotypes, and inspire social change. A large… [Read More]

Humanitarian and development organizations have expressed shock and sadness over the killing of Wesam Qaid, Acting Executive Director of the Social Fund for Development (SFD) in Yemen. Wesam was abducted on 3 May and later found dead in Aden, a tragic loss for the development community. Wesam was widely respected for his leadership and dedication… [Read More]

The anniversary of the conflict in Sudan highlights both the immense needs and the collective efforts to respond. In North Darfur, Tawila has become a refuge for displaced families, with Debaneira camp now one of the largest, hosting thousands of individuals who fled Zamzam camp in El Fasher. Living conditions remain extremely strained, with limited… [Read More]

Suriname is strengthening its national efforts to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of syphilis as part of broader regional health initiatives supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The initiative focuses on improving maternal and child healthcare systems, increasing early detection, and ensuring timely treatment for pregnant women affected by syphilis. These measures are considered… [Read More]

The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have officially launched Phase II of the EU4Recovery initiative, a strategic partnership designed to support war-affected communities across Ukraine while advancing the country’s path toward European integration. The new phase builds upon the achievements of the first programme cycle, which supported more than… [Read More]

Gender stereotypes are deeply embedded in everyday life, shaping expectations about how people should look, behave, and contribute to society. They are not harmless cultural norms but powerful forces that restrict freedom, reinforce inequality, and enable violence. Under the CEDAW treaty, governments are obligated to eliminate these stereotypes. The committee responsible for monitoring compliance is… [Read More]

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has expressed serious concern over the persistent overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia’s criminal justice system. The Committee warned that the situation reflects systemic and structural racial discrimination affecting Indigenous communities across the country. (ohchr.org) According to information reviewed by the… [Read More]

The document pays tribute to four remarkable women recognized as the “Mothers of Africa” by Bread and Water for Africa® in honor of Mother’s Day. Each has dedicated her life to caring for orphaned and vulnerable children, creating safe havens and opportunities for thousands across sub‑Saharan Africa. Phyllis Keino of Kenya is celebrated as the… [Read More]