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South Africa and Zimbabwe have strengthened bilateral cooperation by signing new agreements covering agriculture, correctional services, diplomacy, arts and culture, women’s empowerment and gender equality. The agreements were signed on August 21 following the fourth session of the two countries Binational Commission. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the new commitments demonstrate both countries determination… [Read More]

Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are taking steps to improve access to state-guaranteed legal aid for forcibly displaced people, but significant barriers continue to prevent many from fully exercising their rights, according to a new assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The assessment, titled Justice Journeys in Displacement, examines how legal aid systems… [Read More]

The Mongolia Green Finance Corporation (MGFC), a new public-private institution designed to expand green investment across Mongolia, has officially launched with major financial backing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The GCF is providing USD 26.654 million in concessional finance through grants, loans and equity, anchoring a total MGFC project worth USD 49.654 million. The… [Read More]

Governments around the world are introducing new measures to protect children online, but Amnesty International warns that policies focused narrowly on social media bans and age restrictions could undermine children’s privacy, freedom of expression and participation. The debate over children’s online safety has intensified as concerns about social media, artificial intelligence and Big Tech have… [Read More]

Hunger and malnutrition are worsening among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, with an estimated 35% expected to face crisis or emergency hunger levels between September and December this year. More than one million Rohingya refugees live across around 30 camps in Cox’s Bazar, where children account for more than half of the population. Humanitarian funding cuts… [Read More]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have announced up to $7.5 million in new grant funding to support Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) projects worldwide. The funding, launched through the Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation Fund at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, aims to accelerate innovative and scalable nature-based solutions that… [Read More]

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) has awarded $3.9 million in grants to 40 civil society organisations working across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam to strengthen biodiversity conservation in the Indo-Burma Hotspot. The funding represents the first tranche of a $10 million, five-year commitment covering 2026 to 2030, with the International Union… [Read More]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and CGIAR are strengthening their collaboration to promote sustainable land restoration, resilient agricultural systems and nature-positive approaches at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 in Mongolia. CGIAR has joined the IUCN Pavilion as a Gold Sponsor, marking the first major public collaboration between the organisations… [Read More]

African leaders, regional institutions and conservation experts have called for a stronger shift toward community-led and landscape-scale approaches to land restoration, climate resilience and sustainable development. The message emerged during a high-level session at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The discussion focused on… [Read More]

Global efforts to restore degraded land are making progress, but implementation remains far behind national commitments, according to a new analysis by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The analysis found that more than 124.3 million hectares of land are currently under restoration, rehabilitation or improved management worldwide. Although this area is roughly… [Read More]

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute (CREEI) have launched a new initiative to promote renewable energy development that supports climate action while protecting biodiversity and ecosystems. The project was launched in Beijing on August 15, 2026, bringing together representatives from government, industry, academia and international organisations…. [Read More]

Lao PDR is taking important steps to strengthen biodiversity conservation by combining scientific research, innovation and partnerships. A 17-month initiative led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has helped government agencies, universities, conservation groups, local communities and private-sector partners improve biodiversity knowledge and support implementation of the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and… [Read More]

Five regional foundations have announced a $2 million collaborative investment to expand the Transforming Solidarity Collective, a network designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations across Southeast Michigan. The initiative brings together philanthropic funders and nonprofit intermediary organizations to help community groups access trusted expertise, practical resources and peer learning at a time when many organizations are… [Read More]

Colombia’s health response is entering a new phase following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country on 10 August 2026. More than a week after the disaster, authorities and international partners are shifting their focus from immediate emergency measures toward assessing damage, identifying critical needs and maintaining essential healthcare services. The Pan American Health… [Read More]

Global development efforts are accelerating across food security, public health, climate resilience, education and inclusive employment, with major initiatives announced across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. Caribbean countries are seeking to reduce their dependence on imported food after spending more than $6 billion annually on food imports. A new regional investment Deal Book… [Read More]

The African Development Bank is calling for increased financing to restore degraded land in Africa’s fragile and conflict-affected regions as the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17) gets underway in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Held under the theme “Restoring Land. Restoring Hope,” the summit has brought together more than… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group will host a high-level event at the African Food Systems Forum in Kigali to examine lessons from the African Emergency Food Production Facility and explore how future agricultural investments can strengthen food security across the continent. The session, titled “From emergency responses to food system resilience,” will bring together government… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has priced a $2 billion 10-year global benchmark bond, strengthening its funding capacity to support development projects across Asia and the Pacific. The bond carries a 4.625 percent annual coupon, payable twice a year, and will mature on 26 August 2036. It was priced at 99.431 percent and is expected… [Read More]

The Republic of Korea has announced an additional $5 million contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable communities in Myanmar as millions face worsening hunger. The funding will support the second phase of the REACH initiative, a joint programme between South Korea and WFP…. [Read More]

Around 1,500 people across 35 districts in Turkmenistan have participated in a three-month awareness campaign aimed at preventing child and forced labour, particularly during the country’s cotton harvest. The initiative was organised by the International Labour Organization in partnership with national stakeholders and funded by the European Union. Held between 12 June and 12 August… [Read More]

A new International Labour Organization study is examining how Indonesia can strengthen its disability employment quota system and create more inclusive labour markets by drawing lessons from countries across ASEAN and East Asia. Although Indonesia has strengthened its legal and policy framework for employing people with disabilities, including quota requirements for public and private employers,… [Read More]

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced $14.7 million in second-round Grow Your Own Educators grants to help 845 school employees become fully licensed teachers while continuing to work in their schools. The funding will be distributed among 13 local school systems and is designed to strengthen Maryland’s educator workforce while creating affordable pathways into teaching…. [Read More]

Maryland has approved a major 20-year solar power agreement expected to save the state hundreds of millions of dollars while expanding its use of locally generated renewable energy. Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of General Services announced the long-term Power Purchase Agreement with REV Renewables, which was approved by the Maryland Board of… [Read More]