cat

Over the past five years, Saudi Arabia has transformed its rural advisory services (RAS) through digital innovation, participatory learning, and targeted support to agricultural value chains. These efforts have enhanced livelihoods, strengthened resilience, and expanded opportunities for women and youth across rural communities, making RAS a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s sustainable agriculture agenda. Digitalization has… [Read More]

The UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators were officially launched in Barbados during a kick-off workshop held from 19 to 21 November 2025 in Bridgetown. Organized by the Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, in close collaboration with UNESCO and supported financially by the European Union, the workshop marked the beginning of Barbados’ implementation of the… [Read More]

More than 40 rights groups, charities, and unions in the UK have strongly rejected the government’s proposed amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, describing it as a “dangerous” attempt to expand police powers and restrict the right to protest. In a joint statement titled Defend the Right to Protest Civil Society, 44 UK-based civil… [Read More]

Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications, launched the “The Next Great Divergence” report and convened a high-level dialogue on Mongolia’s readiness for artificial intelligence (AI). The report, published by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, highlights AI’s potential to… [Read More]

The second National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for Albania builds on the review of the first NAP, incorporates findings from multiple studies and assessments, aligns with existing national documents, and draws on regional and international guidance. Its vision is to achieve “a dynamic, secure, prosperous and sustainable Albania, anchored in Europe,” with the overarching adaptation goal… [Read More]

A two-year FAO initiative in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has successfully supported smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. The project combined education, innovation, and technical support to address challenges in agricultural production, food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Funded through FAO’s Flexible Voluntary Contribution mechanism, the project strengthened farmers’ capacity to implement… [Read More]

Writchid Snipes, a documentary photographer with the Ghana National Fire Service, won the overall title in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Ghana “Behind the Plate” Photo Contest 2025. The contest, held as part of World Food Day 2025 and FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations, invited photographers to capture Ghana’s agri-food systems beyond the meals on… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed Japan’s latest humanitarian contribution of US$240,000, highlighting Japan’s continued commitment to supporting life-saving health efforts in Afghanistan. This funding will enable WHO to respond to urgent health needs while sustaining essential health services for the country’s most vulnerable populations. A significant portion of the support is directed toward… [Read More]

The United Nations has welcomed a generous contribution of US$10.5 million from the Government of Japan to support humanitarian response, recovery, and sustainable development in Ethiopia. This funding, equivalent to approximately ETB 1.62 billion, will be channeled through UN agencies to address urgent needs arising from climate shocks, displacement, and other vulnerabilities, while also strengthening… [Read More]

Uruguay is breaking new ground in clean energy with the launch of the Kahirós green hydrogen project, the country’s first large-scale initiative to produce and use green hydrogen for heavy transport. Launched in December 2025 with over $30 million in investment, the project is financed by Grupo Santander, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has partnered with TelcoCB to improve access to formal banking and financial services for migrants in the Republic of Korea. This agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 9 January 2026, aims to support migrants with limited or no credit history by leveraging digital technologies and alternative… [Read More]

The 2025 Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review, jointly released by IRENA and the ILO, highlights the slow growth of employment in the renewable energy sector despite record-breaking installations. Global jobs in renewables increased by only 2.3% from 2023, reaching 16.6 million in 2024, reflecting the combined effects of geopolitical and geoeconomic frictions as… [Read More]

In Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, a two-day training programme for agricultural labour intermediaries was held on 23–24 December 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in seasonal agriculture. The initiative was organized under two ILO projects: the Integrated Model for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in… [Read More]

In Şanlıurfa, southeastern Türkiye, the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a teacher training program on 24 December 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in seasonal agriculture. The initiative included representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and focused on ensuring children’s uninterrupted access to education,… [Read More]

The 2025 edition of the MOOC on Human Rights Due Diligence for Decent Work (HRDD4DW) brought together over 5,600 participants from around the world to strengthen their understanding of labour-focused human rights due diligence, with a special emphasis on working conditions. Building on the success of the 2024 edition, which attracted 4,200 participants, this second… [Read More]

Jobs are the most reliable way to reduce poverty and provide people with hope for a better future. To achieve this, countries must build economies that create opportunities and translate growth into local employment. Yet despite advances in technology, the world’s poorest remain largely disconnected from the digital tools that now drive labor markets, agricultural… [Read More]

In Kigali, Rwanda, digital entrepreneurs are beginning to scale their businesses, moving from struggling to access capital to closing deals and expanding their teams. This transformation is driven by the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Program (RDAP), a five-year government initiative supported with $200 million from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The… [Read More]

Global poverty trends have been significantly affected by a series of shocks and uneven recoveries over the past five years. Economic pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, conflict, and extreme weather have slowed progress in reducing poverty. While some countries rebounded quickly after the pandemic, others struggled to improve their economic conditions. The World Bank’s… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved $13.3 million in concessional financing through the International Development Association (IDA) for Cabo Verde’s Renewable Energy and Improved Utility Performance Project (REIUP). The operation is co-financed by a $1.2 million concessional loan and $0.41 million grant from the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF), along with a $0.4… [Read More]

Parita Bay, located on Panama’s Pacific coast, is a biodiversity hotspot and a crucial part of the region’s hydrological cycle. Its mangroves, swamps, lagoons, and rivers store water, regulate flows, buffer floods, and filter pollutants, helping maintain coastal water quality and sustain local ecosystems. For nearby communities, these habitats support fishing, agriculture, water security, and… [Read More]

Mexico faces a growing skills gap in advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, with 68% of employers struggling to find qualified talent. Sectors such as aerospace, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and electronics require sophisticated technical and digital skills, while traditional education systems are not keeping pace with rising demand in areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and… [Read More]

Newborn hearing screening is crucial for early detection of hearing loss, which plays a key role in language development, communication, and social inclusion. In Panama, a national program focused on newborn hearing screening and the use of advanced technology is helping children hear from the very first days of life, opening doors to learning, development,… [Read More]

Extending the school day can improve learning outcomes only when the additional time is used intentionally to strengthen education, inclusion, and community engagement. When schools function as educational, cultural, and social hubs, they can help reduce learning gaps and support vulnerable students. Across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), students lag behind their OECD peers… [Read More]