The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has launched a call for proposals, inviting applications by 3 October 2025 to conduct a comprehensive study on start-up funding in East Africa, with a particular focus on Kenya and Tanzania. Commissioned through the UK Kenya Tech Hub, the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub, and the… [Read More]
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African Development Bank Approves Equity Investment in The Currency Exchange Fund
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved an equity investment of USD 25 million in The Currency Exchange Fund (TCX), a global leader in providing long-term local currency hedging solutions in emerging and frontier markets. This investment will strengthen TCX’s capital base, expand its risk-bearing capacity, and increase its ability to offer… [Read More]
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies Officially Enters into Force
On 15 September, the World Trade Organization (WTO) marked a historic moment with the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This agreement aims to curb billions of dollars in annual subsidies that fuel overfishing and contribute to the depletion of marine resources, addressing one of the most pressing global environmental and… [Read More]
WTO Hackathon Highlights Youth-Led Solutions for Trade and Food Security
The World Trade Organization (WTO), in collaboration with the Geneva Trade Platform and CropLife International, held the finals of its first global policy hackathon on trade and food security on 16 September. The event gathered 58 student teams from over 30 countries, tasking them with designing innovative solutions on how trade rules could support the… [Read More]
$4.5M Boost for NZ-US Digital Twin Collaboration to Drive Innovation
Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) researchers will collaborate with the Oden Institute at the University of Texas to develop physics-informed AI computational modelling, supported by a $4.5 million grant from New Zealand’s Catalyst Fund. Announced by the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, Dr Shane Reti, the funding will advance the New Zealand–United States Digital Twin… [Read More]
Canada and Yukon Governments Invest in Water, Roads, Utilities, and Recreation Projects
The federal and territorial governments are investing over $25.6 million to enhance water, sewer, and recreational services in four Yukon communities, with the Government of Yukon also providing project management support. Faro, Watson Lake, and Haines Junction will benefit from water and sewer upgrades combined with road reconstruction, improving access to safe drinking water and… [Read More]
Libya Introduces National Minimum Energy Performance Standards Programme
Libya has launched its first Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling programme, marking a significant step in the country’s energy transition. The initiative aims to improve energy efficiency, enhance regulatory frameworks, and reduce electricity consumption, while addressing inefficiencies in the national grid caused by outdated appliances and limited regulations. The programme is a collaboration… [Read More]
Reassessing the EU Deforestation Regulation: A New Perspective
At the end of July 2025, representatives from Uganda and Rwanda’s coffee sectors convened in Kigali for a South-South Exchange to examine the potential impacts of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and share lessons on preparing for its implementation. The EU’s upcoming due diligence frameworks, including the EUDR and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence… [Read More]
Afghanistan Faces ‘Perfect Storm’ of Crises, UN Issues Urgent Warning
Afghanistan is facing a “perfect storm” of overlapping crises, according to the UN’s outgoing envoy, Roza Otunbayeva, who addressed the Security Council on Wednesday. While armed conflict has declined since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the humanitarian, economic, and human rights situations have deteriorated sharply. Otunbayeva warned that decisions driven by ideology rather than pragmatism… [Read More]
Afghanistan Marks Four Years of Girls’ Secondary Education Ban
For millions of girls in Afghanistan, it has now been four years since the de facto authorities imposed a ban on secondary education, part of a broader roll-back of women’s rights since the Taliban regained control of Kabul. Many girls, including Fatima Amiri, have been directly affected by violence and threats aimed at keeping them… [Read More]
World News in Brief: Migrant Medics, UN Top Innovators, Nigeria Rights Update, Sunscreen as Essential Medicine
A new UN health agency report reveals that in Europe in 2023, six out of ten medics were trained outside the region, with an even higher proportion for nurses. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that many western and northern European countries have become heavily dependent on foreign health workers, creating strain on the countries… [Read More]
Ukraine Faces Harsh Winter Amid Cold and Energy Shortages Affecting Millions
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, critical infrastructure has been severely damaged, and hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by ongoing conflict, creating an urgent need for humanitarian aid. UNICEF has highlighted that children and families already experiencing extreme daily stress are now facing the additional challenges of a… [Read More]
UN Hails Colombia’s First Convictions Under Transitional Justice as a Crucial Milestone
The United Nations has welcomed Colombia’s first convictions under its transitional justice tribunal, describing the sentences handed down to former rebel commanders as “a crucial milestone on the path to accountability,” according to UN human rights chief Volker Türk. He emphasized that these convictions represent a fundamental step in combating impunity and fulfilling victims’ rights… [Read More]
Breaking Barriers: Addressing the Undervaluation of Women’s Work
Across many sectors, jobs predominantly performed by women continue to receive lower pay, recognition, and status than equivalent roles held by men, even when the work requires the same skills, effort, and responsibility. This persistent undervaluation is a major contributor to the gender pay gap, limiting women’s career opportunities and slowing progress toward workplace equality…. [Read More]
Promoting Equal Pay in the Workplace Through Skills and Rights Awareness
Pay discrimination remains a major factor contributing to the gender pay gap, affecting many industries where employees performing similar work may receive different wages based on gender or other factors unrelated to job performance. This persistent inequality highlights the need for interventions that combine skills development with awareness of workplace rights. In İstanbul, Türkiye, Syrian… [Read More]
ILO to Release Landmark Report on Digitalization, AI, and the Future of Work in Arab States
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is set to release a landmark report examining how digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming labour markets across the Arab States. The study explores both the challenges and opportunities presented by these technological changes and provides guidance on policies needed to ensure a just and inclusive transition to the… [Read More]
How Career Breaks Impact Women and the Role of Workplace Rights in Closing the Gap
Career continuity, which refers to the uninterrupted progression of a person’s working life, is a key factor in the gender pay gap. Many women face breaks in employment due to care responsibilities, which can hinder their promotion prospects and overall career advancement compared to men. These interruptions often create systemic barriers that limit women’s economic… [Read More]
Jordan Launches National Campaign to Promote Pay Equality in the Workplace
On International Equal Pay Day, national and international partners launched a campaign in Jordan to promote fair pay and equal opportunities in the country’s labour market. Led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in cooperation with the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and under the National Committee for Pay Equity (NCPE), the initiative highlights… [Read More]
Building Digital Skills to Empower Rural Communities in Albania
A new UN-led initiative is transforming Albania’s rural economy by equipping the workforce with digital skills to enhance agriculture, create decent jobs, and support the country’s EU accession goals. The “Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation” (DART) programme, implemented jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Telecommunication… [Read More]
Kigali Roundtable Advances Responsible AI for Development Partnerships
On August 20, 2025, the Canadian High Commission in Rwanda, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) co-hosted a roundtable alongside this year’s Deep Learning Indaba, a key meeting for the African machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) community. The event highlighted African-led AI solutions and… [Read More]
2030 Is in Sight: Debunking 5 SDG Myths with Real-World Success Stories
With just five years remaining until 2030, questions about the feasibility and relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are widespread. While myths and misconceptions often dominate global discourse, significant progress is being made at grassroots, national, and international levels, with real, measurable impacts that are worth scaling up. Ahead of the High-level Debate at… [Read More]
ADB Approves $179 Million Loan to Drive Urban Transformation in Sikkim
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $179 million loan to support the Sikkim Integrated Urban Development Project, aimed at improving urban services, enhancing mobility, and strengthening climate resilience across seven towns in Sikkim, India. The project targets Gangtok, Gyalshing, Mangan, Pakyong, Rangpo, Singtam, and Soreng, focusing on water supply, sanitation, urban mobility, and… [Read More]
ADB Commits $52 Million to Accelerate Cambodia’s Renewable Energy Transition
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $52.72 million loan for Cambodia’s Grid Expansion Project, aimed at strengthening the country’s transmission network to integrate more renewable energy into the national grid. The initiative seeks to meet rising electricity demand with cleaner, locally generated power while enhancing energy reliability and resilience. Cambodia has rapidly expanded… [Read More]
