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The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s Board of Directors have approved the first in a series of operations aimed at supporting Angola’s structural reform agenda and economic diversification. The initiative seeks to promote inclusive growth and expand job creation, particularly for the country’s large youth population. The operation… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program, aimed at accelerating infrastructure investment, boosting job creation, and supporting economic growth. Central to the initiative is the establishment of a Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV), which will provide market-based credit guarantees to help reduce risks for investors and attract private… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pacific Island countries in strengthening their economies, creating jobs, and attracting private investment through a regional visit by senior officials to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand. During the visit, the delegation engaged with government leaders and private sector partners to launch new… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that rising food and fuel prices linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East could intensify hunger among vulnerable populations both within the region and globally. The conflict has already had severe humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, and damage to essential infrastructure, while… [Read More]

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $10 million loan to help strengthen the innovation capacity of businesses and entrepreneurs in Paraguay through the Business Innovation Program II (PROINNOVA II), which will be implemented by the National Science and Technology Council (CONACYT). The program seeks to boost investment in innovation among established firms, encourage… [Read More]

Protecting civilian infrastructure that supports essential services is critical for preventing both immediate and long-term suffering during armed conflicts. When facilities such as hospitals, schools, water systems, and energy networks are damaged or destroyed, civilians often face severe consequences that extend far beyond the initial attack. These impacts can include disrupted access to health care,… [Read More]

Women’s participation in the global labor force remains significantly lower than that of men, with just over half of women engaged in the workforce compared to about 80 percent of men. This disparity limits economic growth, as closing the gap could increase average national incomes by nearly 20 percent. With around 1.2 billion young people… [Read More]

Jamaica has achieved one of the most remarkable public debt reductions in recent history, cutting its public-debt-to-GDP ratio from around 140 percent in 2012 to about 62 percent in 2024. This major improvement was primarily driven by the government maintaining large and consistent primary budget surpluses averaging more than 6 percent of GDP for over… [Read More]

The European Commission has approved a €200 million Spanish State aid scheme aimed at strengthening manufacturing capacity within the electric vehicle (EV) value chain. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and supports the broader transition toward a net-zero economy. The approval was granted under the Clean Industrial Deal State… [Read More]

As Côte d’Ivoire welcomes a new government following legislative and presidential elections, the country faces a unique opportunity to turn political transition into a catalyst for women’s leadership and inclusive growth. With attention shifting from campaigning to governing, there is a strategic window to inspire and enable more women to participate meaningfully in public decision-making… [Read More]

In Georgia, municipalities are translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practical solutions that improve daily life, from waste management to child welfare. Seed funding from the Joint SDG Fund has catalyzed a growing movement for local innovation, accountability, and inclusive growth, helping towns and cities turn ambitious plans into measurable outcomes. A joint programme… [Read More]

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP) marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a joint event focused on strengthening women farmers’ access to justice, rights, and opportunities. This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” aligns with the global International… [Read More]

In Bangladesh, more than 1,000 girls—85% of 1,200 participants—have been able to avoid child marriage and continue their education after receiving income-generating support from Save the Children. The programme, which includes providing goats for rearing, has allowed girls to generate independent incomes, reducing financial pressures that often push families to marry off daughters at an… [Read More]

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has opened nominations for the 2026 Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, with a focus on ocean health. This year, the award seeks to recognize individuals, organizations, and governments leading efforts to protect and restore the ocean, a vital ecosystem critical to climate stability, biodiversity, food… [Read More]

The European Union has contributed €1 million to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Global Trust Fund (GTF) to support capacity-building initiatives for developing economies, including least developed countries (LDCs). The funding will help implement the WTO’s technical assistance plan, enabling government officials to deepen their understanding of the multilateral trading system and enhance compliance with… [Read More]

Zimbabwe’s conservation efforts are set to receive a significant boost with a €1 million grant from the Postcode Lottery aimed at protecting wildlife and habitats in the Hwange-Matetsi-Zambezi landscape. The funding will support ongoing rescue and conservation work by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks)… [Read More]

The Rockefeller Foundation announced the expansion of its Mission 300 Fellowship Program to at least 18 African countries to support efforts by the World Bank and African Development Bank to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. The initiative, launched during Mission 300 Day at the 2026 Africa Energy Indaba, will see additional fellows… [Read More]

Zimbabwe has withdrawn from negotiations on a $367 million bilateral health agreement with the United States, citing concerns over the sharing of sensitive health data. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana described the proposed arrangement as “unequal,” noting that Zimbabwe would have been asked to provide its biological resources and health data without any guarantee of access… [Read More]

The German government’s proposed legislation to replace the current basic income program for job seekers with a stricter, more punitive system has raised serious human rights concerns, Human Rights Watch said. The bill, scheduled for its second reading in the lower house of parliament, would tighten obligations for claimants and expand the scope and severity… [Read More]

The Israeli military’s recent call for the immediate evacuation of all residents south of the Litani River in Lebanon has raised serious legal and humanitarian concerns, according to Human Rights Watch. This region, covering about eight percent of Lebanon’s territory, is home to hundreds of thousands of people. The military’s announcement, made on March 4,… [Read More]

Angolan President João Lourenço has signed a new law regulating nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society groups, raising serious concerns about the shrinking civic space in the country. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have warned that the legislation could be used to suppress dissent and restrict independent operations. The law, published on… [Read More]

Hilda Macheso, a Malawian disability rights advocate and recipient of the Human Rights Watch Marca Bristo Fellowship for Courageous Leadership in Disability Rights, welcomed the Independent Expert’s report highlighting the persistent structural discrimination faced by persons with albinism. People with albinism continue to encounter stigma, harmful stereotypes, and myths that limit their opportunities and safety…. [Read More]

This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Australia to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East. The meeting presented an opportunity for the two middle-power nations to assert leadership in upholding human rights protections. While the visit was framed by welcoming messages emphasizing the close partnership and shared… [Read More]