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Europe has faced one of its harshest wildfire seasons in recent history, reportedly the worst since 2006, with fires threatening homes, communities, and natural landscapes across the continent. In response, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism played a crucial role by both prepositioning firefighters in high-risk areas before disasters struck and mobilising additional teams after urgent… [Read More]

Water-spreading weirs are emerging as a vital solution for both Sudanese refugees and host communities in eastern Chad, where access to water and fertile land has become increasingly difficult. These concrete structures are designed to slow and manage excess rainwater by spreading floodwaters across surrounding land, allowing the water to soak into the ground rather… [Read More]

Civil society leaders from more than 80 countries are gathering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for the 2026 Forus General Assembly, a major international platform focused on strengthening global collaboration and developing practical solutions to urgent social, environmental, and governance challenges. The assembly brings together organisations and activists from Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, the… [Read More]

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Pan American Liquid Biofuels Coalition (CPBIO) took part in the Regional Seminar “Cultivating Energy 2026” in Guatemala City, where Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo publicly reaffirmed his government’s support for expanding local biofuels development. The event brought together government officials, international experts, and representatives from the… [Read More]

The upgrade of Lords Reserve in Mansfield Shire has reached a significant milestone with construction officially beginning on the new Lords Pavilion and the opening of the newly renovated public toilet block. A small commemorative event was held to mark the occasion, attended by representatives from the Delatite Cricket Club, Mansfield Croquet Club, and Mansfield… [Read More]

Bübyusara Ryskulova, honorary president of the Sezim Crisis Centre in Kyrgyzstan, has spent more than three decades supporting women and children who have survived violence, becoming one of the country’s leading advocates for domestic violence survivors. Speaking to UN News during the Commission on the Status of Women at UN Headquarters in New York, she… [Read More]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic are visiting Canberra this week as the European Union and Australia move closer to signing a free trade agreement, reflecting a broader push by both sides to expand global trade ties. The agreement would be the EU’s third trade deal this year, following… [Read More]

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, international efforts to ensure accountability for serious abuses remain essential. New findings from the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine have reinforced the urgency of renewing its mandate, as the body continues to document grave violations committed during the conflict. The report… [Read More]

The Government of Zambia, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and with support from the United States, has officially launched the Zambia Soil Partnership (ZSP) and the Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP) to strengthen sustainable soil management and build more productive, resilient, and market-oriented agrifood systems. These initiatives… [Read More]

The Bond Conflict Policy Group, a coalition of peacebuilding and international development organisations, has welcomed the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s renewed commitment to conflict prevention and gender equality in its aid allocations announced on 19 March. The group said the focus on preventing conflict and promoting gender equality is especially important at a… [Read More]

lThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing financing of up to US$15.4 million to Uzbekistan’s leading brewer, UzCarlsberg, to support the company’s expansion and strengthen sustainability in the country’s food sector. The investment marks the EBRD’s third equity investment in Uzbekistan since 2020 and reflects the bank’s continued focus on supporting private-sector… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing up to €30 million in financing to NLB Skopje under the Western Balkans Green Outcomes-Linked Debt Financing Framework (WB GOLD), marking the first loan issued under this framework in North Macedonia. The financing is aimed primarily at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them… [Read More]

European officials, ministers, and social partners gathered in Moldova for a high-level conference to reaffirm their commitment to social rights as a foundation for reducing inequality, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting decent work across Europe. Held in Chisinau and organized by Moldova together with the Council of Europe, the two-day High-Level Conference on Social Rights:… [Read More]

The Government of Switzerland, through its State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), together with the Government of Moldova and the International Labour Organization (ILO), has launched the second phase of a major employment project aimed at supporting Moldova’s transition toward a more inclusive, productive, and formal labour market. Announced on March 20 in Chisinau, the… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a new operation aimed at improving economic competitiveness and expanding job creation in the State of Bahia, Brazil. Announced on March 20, 2026, the initiative will support a wide-ranging package of policy reforms designed to address long-standing infrastructure gaps, advance the state’s digital transformation, and strengthen Bahia’s… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a major new project aimed at boosting jobs, expanding renewable energy, and lowering energy costs in Brazil’s Legal Amazon, one of the world’s most environmentally important regions. Announced on March 20, 2026, the initiative is designed to create quality employment opportunities, improve access to reliable electricity for… [Read More]

A new World Bank Public Finance Review says Papua New Guinea has significant potential to build a stronger, job-rich economy, but achieving this will require the country to generate greater value from its natural resources and invest more effectively in its people. Released on March 23, 2026, the report, Converting Resource Wealth into Human Capital,… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a US$10 million (€8.6 million) financing programme for Texnomart, one of Uzbekistan’s leading retailers of consumer electronics and household appliances. The funding marks a further step in the EBRD’s cooperation with the company and is aimed at supporting its continued growth and modernization in the… [Read More]

Recent developments in the UK health sector have brought renewed attention to maternity care, emergency department pressures, and medical training policy. These updates reflect ongoing concerns about patient safety, NHS system capacity, and the future of workforce planning across the health service. In maternity care, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has appointed Donna Ockenden to… [Read More]

On 19 March 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a press release ahead of the expected publication of its 2026/27 Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget allocations. The statement outlined the broad areas where UK aid funding is expected to be directed, offering an early indication of spending priorities following major reductions… [Read More]

During a two-day visit to Spain, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope met with senior Spanish government officials in Madrid to strengthen cooperation on migration governance and human mobility. The visit reaffirmed the close partnership between Spain and the IOM in promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration at a time when international… [Read More]

A delegation from Japan recently visited India to observe the impact of its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in tackling child labour, promoting formalization, and advancing gender equality. The four-day visit, held from 10 to 13 March 2026, brought together Japanese officials, Indian government representatives, private sector actors, and trade unions. The delegation… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a €18 million loan for Montenegro to promote sustainable forest management, lower wildfire risks, and strengthen the country’s wood-processing sector. The funding is intended to help businesses in the industry grow, adopt innovation, and generate employment while also protecting one of Montenegro’s most important natural resources…. [Read More]