Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided over ₹1.59 lakh crore in loan assistance to state governments for rural infrastructure development over the last three financial years (2022–23 to 2024–25). A significant portion, ₹1.23 lakh crore, was disbursed under the Rural Infrastructure… [Read More]
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AFREC Boosts South Africa’s Capacity for Accurate Energy Statistics and Reporting
The African Energy Commission (AFREC) has successfully completed a three-day technical training workshop in South Africa, aimed at improving the country’s capacity to compile and manage national energy statistics. This initiative marks an important step toward enhancing energy data management in the Southern African region. The training, held from 30 July to 1 August 2025,… [Read More]
IOM Resumes Operations Across Syria to Strengthen Humanitarian Support
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has welcomed the formal approval from Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to re-establish its official presence in the country and expand humanitarian operations nationwide. This move signals a renewed commitment by Syrian authorities to closely partner with IOM to strengthen coordination and enhance the impact and sustainability… [Read More]
Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations Begin in Geneva to Tackle Pollution Crisis
Plastic waste is set to triple by 2060 unless the global community reaches a binding international agreement, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This stark warning underscores the urgency of the UNEP-led negotiations currently underway, following a 2022 decision by UN Member States to create a legally binding instrument aimed at ending the plastic… [Read More]
India and UN Strengthen South-South Cooperation to Accelerate SDG Progress
The United Nations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have launched a pioneering partnership to promote sustainable development through South-South Cooperation. This collaboration, known as the ‘UN-India Global Capacity-Building Initiative’, aims to share India’s successful development models with countries across the Global South, helping them achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this initiative,… [Read More]
Africa Needs Capital, Not Charity: Inside the UN–Private Sector Alliance Driving Change
While many investors remain hesitant, a new partnership model is proving that Africa’s future is not only investable but also transformational. At the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Pegasus Capital and the UN Joint SDG Fund launched a collaboration that combines public and private capital to unlock impactful projects with long-term returns…. [Read More]
Ireland Allocates €2 Million for New Men’s Mental Health Counselling Supports
The Irish Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, has announced €2 million in funding to launch a new range of counselling and talk therapy services specifically aimed at men. The initiative is set to begin in September 2025 and will deliver more than 15,000 free counselling sessions annually. Designed to improve access to mental health… [Read More]
AfDB Reinforces Support for African Union’s Peacebuilding Efforts in Ethiopia
The African Development Bank Group has reiterated its dedication to promoting peace and stability in Africa by participating in a technical workshop to finalize the “Handbook for the African Union Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM).” Organized by the African Union Commission, the three-day workshop concluded on 21 July and was supported by the Bank’s… [Read More]
Africa Endorses Ubuntu Legacy Initiative to Fast-Track Cross-Border Infrastructure
The National Treasury of South Africa and the African Development Bank Group jointly hosted the first consultative meeting on “South Africa’s Legacy Initiative to Accelerate Cross-Border Infrastructure in Africa: The Ubuntu Approach.” This initiative aligns with South Africa’s contribution to the G20 Infrastructure Working Group and introduces a Toolkit designed to help African countries and… [Read More]
New AFFM Project to Boost Fertilizer Access for Farmers Across Tanzania
The Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM), a special fund administered by the African Development Bank Group, will officially launch a partial credit guarantee project in Tanzania on August 7, 2025. The project aims to improve fertilizer access for 550,000 smallholder farmers across the country by strengthening the supply and distribution chain of fertilizers. With an… [Read More]
RightsCon 2026 Call for Proposals Now Open: Submit Your Session Idea
The Call for Proposals for RightsCon 2026, scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia and online from May 5 to 8, 2026, is now open. Individuals and organizations are invited to submit session proposals by the deadline of September 12, 2025. RightsCon is known for its community-driven programming, offering a platform for activists, policymakers, technologists,… [Read More]
Sunly Secures €85 Million to Boost Solar Power Projects in Latvia
Latvia is set to advance its clean energy goals with nearly €85 million in international financing secured by renewable electricity provider Sunly. The Estonia-based company will use the funds to construct four large-scale solar parks across Latvia, totaling 329 megawatts (MW) in capacity. Once operational, these solar parks will generate enough electricity to power up… [Read More]
InvestEU: EIB Grants €45 Million to BrianzAcque to Boost Water and Sewerage Efficiency
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €45 million green loan to BrianzAcque, the publicly owned water utility for Italy’s Monza and Brianza province, to support its 2025–2029 investment plan. This funding, backed by the European Union’s InvestEU programme, aims to significantly improve the efficiency, sustainability, and climate resilience of the region’s water and… [Read More]
Ethiopia Unveils 2025 Health Emergency Investment Case to Strengthen Crisis Response
Ethiopia continues to face multiple, prolonged humanitarian emergencies driven by internal armed conflicts, food insecurity, malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and climate change. Since 2022, the number of people needing humanitarian aid has sharply increased, rising from 16.8 million to 21.4 million in 2024. However, due to extensive efforts by the government and its partners, that number… [Read More]
Cameroon Launches Major Reforms to Strengthen Emergency Medical Services
Cameroon is undertaking a major reform of its emergency medical services (EMS) system, representing a significant step forward in the country’s public health landscape. The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Public Health with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). A comprehensive evaluation of… [Read More]
UK Deploys 300 More Officers to Combat Small Boat People Smuggling
The UK Home Office has announced it will fund an additional 300 National Crime Agency (NCA) officers to combat people-smuggling operations responsible for illegal small boat crossings in the English Channel. This expansion will be supported by a £100 million allocation from the department’s existing budget, which also includes investments in new technology and equipment…. [Read More]
Namibia Launches ELPAF Campaign to End Learning Poverty Across Africa
The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Government of Namibia and UNICEF, officially launched the “End Learning Poverty for All in Africa (ELPAF)” campaign on July 31, 2025. The launch took place during the final day of a high-level continental conference aimed at accelerating foundational learning outcomes across Africa, and falls under the… [Read More]
UN Unveils Major Reform Agenda with Proposals to Streamline Global Operations
Since 1945, the number of UN mandates—formal requests or directives issued by its main bodies—has grown exponentially, now exceeding 40,000. These mandates are serviced by around 400 intergovernmental bodies and demand over 27,000 meetings annually, producing 2,300 pages of documentation each day. This massive workload comes with a significant financial burden, estimated at $360 million… [Read More]
c Alone Won’t Save Gaza: Hunger Lines Reflect Worsening Crisis
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached dire levels, as thousands of displaced men, women, and children line up under the blistering sun at community kitchens, desperate for something as minimal as a bowl of lentil soup. These kitchens are among the few sources of food for families who have been displaced by conflict, and… [Read More]
Thousands Displaced by Escalating Violence in Northern Mozambique, Aid Under Strain
Northern Mozambique is grappling with a surge in displacement driven by a complex web of emergencies, including armed violence, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and a severe funding crisis. Since January, over 95,000 people have fled their homes in Cabo Delgado as humanitarian access becomes increasingly fragile. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of… [Read More]
UNICEF Warns Cholera Outbreak in North Darfur Puts 640,000 Children at Risk
Cholera continues to spread rapidly across North Darfur, Sudan, with more than 1,180 reported cases in Tawila alone, including around 300 children. The town, which has received over 500,000 displaced people since April, has also seen at least 20 deaths. The broader Darfur region has recorded nearly 2,140 cholera cases and at least 80 fatalities… [Read More]
HAVAÍC Announces Second Close of $50M Fund 3 to Back African Tech Startups
HAVAÍC has announced the second close of its US$50 million African Innovation Fund 3, securing US$25 million in commitments. This milestone is backed by key investors including Sanlam Multi-Manager, Fireball Capital, and the SA SME Fund. The fund is aimed at accelerating investment into Africa’s innovation ecosystem, focusing on scalable post-revenue startups with regional and… [Read More]
Six Local Projects Receive Funding to Boost Waste Reduction and Sustainability
Tauranga City Council has awarded a total of $122,000 in funding to six innovative projects through its annual Resource Wise® Community Fund. These initiatives are aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability across the city. The funding, sourced from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Levy, supports local efforts without impacting general rates. Councillor Glen… [Read More]
