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]
cat
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]
UK Extends Multi-Million Pound Investment in Culture Sector for Another Year
Liverpool City Council has announced that its flagship Culture and Arts Investment Programme (CAIP) will be extended for an additional 12 months, continuing support for the city’s cultural sector through to March 2027. The extension follows a Cabinet report highlighting the need for one-off funding of £2.245 million to help arts organisations navigate rising costs… [Read More]
Growth Gateway: Unlocking Investment in Africa’s Critical Minerals Processing – South Africa Case Study
South Africa presents a significant investment opportunity in the processing of battery-grade nickel and manganese, valued between £630 million and £1.35 billion by 2030. This potential is underpinned by the country’s rich mineral reserves, established industrial base, and incentives offered through Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The Growth Gateway programme team, in collaboration with the Boston… [Read More]
Rethinking Funding Design to Boost Energy Access Across Africa
ENGIE Energy Access (EEA) has released a White Paper titled “Maximising Impact: Transforming Grant Funding for Energy Access”, which advocates for a fundamental shift in the deployment of grant capital to close Africa’s energy access gap. The paper emphasizes that current funding approaches need to be redesigned to maximize impact and accelerate progress toward universal… [Read More]
ScaleUp Africa Youth Innovation Challenge Shines at Africa Food Systems Forum
Youth-owned agribusinesses in Africa face numerous structural challenges that hinder their growth and resilience. These challenges include limited access to affordable finance, insecure land tenure, and weak market linkages, which often prevent them from scaling beyond subsistence. Climate variability and environmental degradation further increase the risks for young entrepreneurs, many of whom operate on thin… [Read More]
Mali Rallies Stakeholders to Boost Water Sector Investments Amid Climate Pressures
A high-level meeting on accelerating investments in Mali’s water sector concluded successfully on September 2, 2025, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s climate resilience and water security. Organized by Mali’s Ministry of Energy and Water in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Sustainable Development (MEADD), the workshop was part of the… [Read More]
Uganda Secures $358 Million Loan to Build Power Line for Energy Exports to South Sudan
Uganda has announced plans to borrow $358 million from regional and private lenders to support major infrastructure and energy projects, including a power grid interconnection with South Sudan. According to junior finance minister Henry Musasizi, the financing will come from the African Development Fund, the Arab Bank for Development in Africa, and Standard Chartered Bank…. [Read More]
African Development Bank Invests in Morocco’s Rail Modernization to Boost Mobility and Competitiveness
Casablanca’s mornings reflect Morocco’s rapid transformation, where efficient train travel has become a lifeline for professionals and entrepreneurs like Mohamed Al Mamoune, a digital strategist from Senegal. For him, the railways are more than a means of transport—they are essential to expanding his business across Morocco, offering affordability, speed, and an environmentally friendly alternative to… [Read More]
Central African Republic to Launch National Guarantee Fund Supporting SMEs
The Central African Republic (CAR) has announced plans to establish a new national guarantee fund to improve small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) access to financing. The initiative was revealed by Minister of Economy Richard Filakota during a roundtable on the National Development Plan (PND-RCA 2024–2028) in Casablanca, Morocco, on September 15, 2025. The fund is… [Read More]
