Togolese authorities, leaders of ten major ports in West and Central Africa, representatives of regional organizations, and international partners will convene in Lomé on December 2–3, 2025, for the launch seminar of the SCOPE Africa regional project, “Securing Corridors, Ports, and Exchanges in West and Central Africa.” Funded by the European Union with over €12… [Read More]
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Nigeria’s Digital Economy Receives €45 Million Investment from Global Gateway
At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day in Brussels, a €45 million programme was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela. This programme completes the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria and aims to strengthen cooperation between the two partners in the… [Read More]
Global Economy Transformed by International Standards, but Developing Nations Struggle to Keep Up, Report Finds
A growing set of international standards, ranging from food labeling to 5G network specifications, is reshaping the global economic landscape, benefiting wealthy nations and multinational corporations while leaving many developing countries behind, according to the World Bank’s World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development. The report highlights that standards today function as essential economic infrastructure,… [Read More]
Economic Recovery in Laos Requires Ongoing Reforms and Road Infrastructure Preservation
Increased exports, foreign investment, and tourism have helped the Lao PDR begin emerging from a prolonged economic slowdown, according to a World Bank economic update. The report notes that further reforms in the business, finance, and infrastructure sectors are needed to sustain this progress and strengthen economic resilience. The World Bank’s Consolidating Recent Reform Momentum… [Read More]
Advancing Reforms Can Strengthen China’s Economic Prospects, Says Latest Economic Update
China’s economy sustained solid momentum in the third quarter of 2025, bringing year-to-date GDP growth to 5.2% year-on-year. Accommodative fiscal and monetary policies supported domestic consumption and investment, while demand from developing countries maintained export growth. However, households remained cautious in spending due to a soft labor market and declining home prices. Investment growth moderated… [Read More]
Uzbekistan Launches Modern Student Financing System to Expand Education Opportunities for 600,000 Young People
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $250 million loan to Uzbekistan to support the EduImkon Program, a three-year initiative aimed at expanding equitable access to student financing in higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The program is expected to provide tuition loans to around 600,000 young people… [Read More]
Cambodia Can Weather Economic Challenges Through Strong Buffers and Targeted Reforms, Says World Bank
Cambodia’s economy is projected to grow by 4.8 percent in 2025, down from 6 percent in 2024, as domestic and external shocks dampen activity. Prudent fiscal and monetary policies, along with targeted structural reforms, are seen as essential to cushion the slowdown and strengthen economic resilience. The December 2025 Cambodia Economic Update, Coping with Shocks,… [Read More]
New FAO-WFP Tool Strengthens Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Humanitarian Settings
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a pioneering Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Risk Mapping Package for the Food Security Cluster, which coordinates food security responses during and after humanitarian crises in 34 operations worldwide. Developed under WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain’s two-year… [Read More]
Myanmar Faces Escalating Displacement and Hunger Crisis, Says WFP 2026
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that more than 12 million people in Myanmar will face acute hunger in 2026, with an estimated one million individuals reaching emergency levels that require lifesaving assistance. Intensifying conflict and rising displacement threaten to push the underfunded hunger crisis in the country to a breaking point…. [Read More]
Mozambique Crisis: Thousands Displaced Amid Poor Living Conditions
Thousands of civilians in northeastern Mozambique have been displaced due to attacks by Islamist armed groups, including an organization linked to Islamic State-Mozambique, often referred to as Al-Shabab or Mashababos. Between November 10 and 23, 2025, these attacks resulted in the deaths of 33 civilians in Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces and forced around 108,000… [Read More]
Strengthening Afghan Communities: EU Funding Supports Livelihoods and Resilience
The European Union has contributed €25 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to enhance community resilience and improve nutrition across Afghanistan. The funding targets vulnerable populations, including women, children, and rural communities, with a focus on strengthening agriculture and food value chains to promote health, economic stability, and protection against climate-related risks…. [Read More]
Boosting Women’s Entrepreneurship in India: ADB Partners with Five-Star Business Finance
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $100 million loan agreement with Five-Star Business Finance Limited (FBFL) to expand access to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) loans for women borrowers from lower-income groups in India. This initiative, called the Five-Star Social Loan Improving Access to MSME Finance for Lower-Income Women Borrowers Project, aims… [Read More]
Lessons from Social Participation Case Studies in Pandemic Response: Insights from the WHO South-East Asia Region, 2025
Meaningful public engagement in health policy is gaining global recognition, reinforced by commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage. These frameworks emphasize that people’s participation, including that of women, families, communities and civil society organizations, is central to effective health system governance. WHO contributes to… [Read More]
Career Insights: Four Key Lessons from a Decade in the Development Sector
After starting my career at Deloitte, I transitioned into the development sector by joining the Government of India as a Young Professional at the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. This role allowed me to draft, analyse, and refine policy notes under tight deadlines, giving me a steep learning curve and exposing me to… [Read More]
Grangemouth to Add 460 Jobs with New Government Funding Support
The Scottish Government has announced £8.5 million in funding to support the creation of up to 460 new jobs at the Grangemouth industrial cluster and surrounding area. This initiative aims to stimulate green investment, sustainable manufacturing, and local economic growth while supporting the just transition of the region’s workforce. A £1.5 million allocation from the… [Read More]
Givinga Launches Innovative Philanthropy Platform for Companies Ahead of 2026 Giving Rules
Givinga has launched its 2026-ready workplace philanthropy suite, designed to help companies, executives, and employees adapt to upcoming changes in charitable giving under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The suite equips organizations to navigate major tax reforms taking effect in 2026, including a universal charitable deduction, exclusions for Donor-Advised Funds, and new corporate… [Read More]
New U.S. Health Deal Brings $1.7 Billion Funding to Uganda
Uganda and the United States have signed a $2.3 billion bilateral health cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening Uganda’s health sector over the next five years. The plan falls under the Trump administration’s “America First Global Health Strategy,” which encourages low-income countries to gradually transition from aid dependence to self-reliance in combating infectious diseases. Under the… [Read More]
Norway Expands International Initiatives to Support LGBTQ+ Communities
Norway is increasing its support for organisations that advance LGBTQ+ rights, focusing on combating violence and discrimination. Norad has entered new agreements with the Norwegian organisation FRI and international actors including Front Line Defenders, Outright International, and Synergia to strengthen global efforts. In recent years, several countries have introduced laws that criminalise or restrict LGBTQ+… [Read More]
Saskatchewan Wildfire Recovery: Red Cross Offers Financial Support to Local Businesses and Nonprofits
The Canadian Red Cross has launched the Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program to aid recovery for those affected by the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires. Backed by a $15 million funding commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan, the program provides $2,000 in financial assistance to eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organizations directly impacted by the… [Read More]
Charlotte Sees Major Changes as Policies and Funding Evolve
Last month, Charlotte experienced a dramatic federal immigration enforcement operation, “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” which deeply unsettled the city’s Hispanic community. Masked federal agents detained individuals in public spaces, creating widespread fear among residents, prompting businesses to close and students to stay home, and discouraging people from seeking medical care. Veteran journalist Rafael Prieto, a naturalized… [Read More]
15 Community Organizations Receive Seahawks Grants Across Six States
In celebration of their 50th season, the Seattle Seahawks awarded grant funding to 15 nonprofit organizations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska. The community grant program, created earlier this year, allows organizations to request up to $5,000 for projects and programs that align with the Seahawks Community values. A total of $50,000 in… [Read More]
COP30 Highlights: Essential Takeaways for the Urban Climate Agenda
At COP30 in Belém, UN-Habitat played a central role in advancing the urban climate agenda by convening the Fourth Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, co-hosting the Cities and Regions Hub, and supporting countries in aligning urban priorities with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Through high-level engagements, technical sessions, and new knowledge products, UN-Habitat… [Read More]
PAHO Highlights Financial Protection as Key to Achieving Universal Health in the Americas
On Universal Health Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasized the urgent need for countries in the Americas to strengthen public investment and financial protection mechanisms to achieve universal health. Nearly one third of total health expenditure in the region comes directly from households, well above the recommended 20% threshold, placing millions at risk… [Read More]
