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The World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) and the Grundfos Foundation, has announced the third phase of their flagship school meals partnership, marking the largest private sector commitment to school feeding in WFP’s history. The initiative will expand Home‑Grown School Feeding models in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, connecting schools with… [Read More]

The SEADRIF Insurance Company and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have introduced an innovative disaster risk insurance policy in Lao PDR, providing up to US$1.1 million in pre‑arranged financing to support communities affected by extreme weather and natural hazards. This new policy complements the government’s sovereign disaster insurance programme and strengthens preparedness and… [Read More]

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has successfully priced a landmark three‑year HKD 6 billion (approximately USD 766 million) green bond in Hong Kong. This marks the first‑ever public green bond issued in the “Wonton Bond Market,” which is the market for HKD‑denominated bonds issued by foreign entities in Hong… [Read More]

The New Zealand Space Agency has launched Patch to the Future, a national competition inviting students in Years 1–8 to design their own space‑themed mission patch. The initiative builds on the excitement generated by the Artemis II mission and aims to inspire young people to imagine New Zealand’s role in space exploration. Mission patches are… [Read More]

In Sudan, families fleeing violence often cross borders with little more than what they can carry, leaving behind homes and livelihoods. In Chad’s Farchana refugee camp, Nawal Atteib Mahammad, once a finance ministry worker and master’s student, now struggles with displacement after witnessing harrowing violence in El Geneina. Even in safety, families face daily insecurity,… [Read More]

In Abu Dhabi, the World Bank and the United Arab Emirates signed a new partnership framework to advance investment climate reforms and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global destination for foreign direct investment. The agreement focuses on enhancing predictability, transparency, and competitiveness in the investment environment, aligning with the country’s strategic priorities. Under the… [Read More]

The World Bank has successfully priced a landmark Australian dollar 2 billion Sustainable Development Bond due November 2031. The 5.5‑year bond, carrying a 5.00% fixed coupon, will support financing for eligible sustainable development activities aligned with the Bank’s mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. Proceeds are intended to generate positive social and… [Read More]

Peru is expanding its Cuna Más program to deliver quality early childhood care services for children under 36 months living in poverty. The initiative prioritizes service quality through caregiver training and improved infrastructure, aiming to ensure comprehensive care that integrates nutrition, stimulation, and family support. In 2025, more than 15,000 children graduated from the program… [Read More]

Carnivals across Latin America and the Caribbean are more than cultural spectacles; they function as socio‑economic engines that connect creative industries, tourism, and local economies. The Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB) promotes viewing carnivals as economic infrastructure, integrating them into long‑term strategies, strengthening institutions, and improving data to sustain their impact year‑round. These celebrations sit at… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group, in partnership with UNHCR and the Federal Government of Somalia, has launched a landmark $20.55 million project in Doolow, Gedo region, to provide durable solutions for displaced people and host communities. The Strengthening Urban Resilience of Displaced and Host Communities in Doolow (SURDHT) project focuses on improving housing, water, sanitation,… [Read More]

In Nairobi, the African Development Bank, in collaboration with Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), convened a high‑level peer learning session for African electricity regulators to strengthen tariff‑setting frameworks and enhance regulatory capacity in support of universal energy access under Mission 300. The event was held as a side session to EPRA’s 7th Annual… [Read More]

UN experts have warned that the January 2026 executive order issued by the President of the United States imposing a fuel blockade on Cuba amounts to “energy starvation” with severe consequences for human rights and development. They described the measure as unlawful, noting that it cripples essential services required for a dignified life and intensifies… [Read More]

Disasters are becoming more frequent, intense, and interconnected, often driven by climate change, environmental degradation, and resource pressures. For fragile economies, a single event can undo years of development gains. Recognizing this, the EU and UNDP partnership is prioritizing disaster risk reduction and resilience as central to sustainable development, peace, and stability. Their collaboration focuses… [Read More]

In Washington, D.C., PAHO announced its support for international coordination following a cluster of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Health authorities, in collaboration with WHO, are conducting epidemiological investigations and response activities, while PAHO facilitates technical cooperation through regional experts in laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, and infection prevention…. [Read More]

In Belize City, the Ministry of Health and Wellness received ten all‑in‑one desktop computers and a video projector to strengthen maternal and child health services. This support came through the project “Strengthening the EMTCT Strategy with Maternal and Child Health Services,” funded by the India‑UN Development Partnership Fund via the United Nations Office for South‑South… [Read More]

The Kresge Foundation, in partnership with Co.act Detroit and Michigan Community Resources, has launched the first Cultural Heritage funding round under the Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit Plus (KIP:D+) initiative. The programme will provide up to $1.25 million in funding to support community-led projects that preserve, celebrate, and activate cultural identity across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Indonesia for its strong leadership in reducing the risks posed by priority zoonotic diseases through a strengthened One Health approach. Announced on World Health Day 2026, the initiative highlights Indonesia’s growing commitment to integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems to better prevent and respond to disease outbreaks…. [Read More]

The Government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development by contributing to the core resources of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The renewed contribution highlights Bangladesh’s ongoing support for global development efforts and reflects the country’s dedication to addressing pressing international challenges through collaborative action. UNDP noted that flexible… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €22.5 million in financing to support a joint initiative between Germany-based WEPA Group and Spanish company Honext Material. The partnership aims to manufacture and distribute high-quality circular fibreboards designed for sustainable construction and interior design applications across Europe. The fibreboards are engineered to combine high strength, lightweight properties,… [Read More]

EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation (JEFIC) to strengthen coordination among European development finance institutions. JEFIC brings together national bilateral development banks and European financial institutions working with public partners in developing countries, supporting private‑sector mobilisation and regulatory… [Read More]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, in partnership with the Center for Policy Research on Business and Development (CPRBD) at the University of Dhaka, has launched an International Certification in Inclusive Insurance to strengthen Bangladesh’s insurance sector and improve financial protection for underserved communities. The programme was officially introduced on 5 May 2026 at… [Read More]

The International Day of the Midwife highlights the essential role midwives play in improving maternal health and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. Despite significant progress in healthcare, nearly 290,000 women died during or after pregnancy and childbirth in 2020, with the vast majority of deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Many… [Read More]

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has announced a proposed US$250 million sustainable subordinated debt investment in Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP). The initiative aims to expand access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including women‑owned businesses, while scaling lending for sustainable construction and climate‑resilient agriculture. These… [Read More]