The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) have renewed their partnership through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during a virtual ceremony attended by senior officials from both institutions. This renewed five-year collaboration reinforces their shared commitment to advancing agricultural… [Read More]
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Inter-American Development Bank Advances Digital Transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean
For the first time in Latin America and the Caribbean, citizens will be able to complete digital public service transactions in another country using their national digital identity. This achievement was showcased during the XIX Annual Meeting of the Inter-American Digital Government Network (Red Gealc) in Antigua, Guatemala, with the launch of IdLAC — a… [Read More]
IFC Partners with Mali’s BNDA to Strengthen SME Development and Job Creation
IFC has announced a new partnership with the Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole (BNDA) to strengthen small business financing and promote job creation in Mali’s vital agricultural sector. The sector, which supports nearly 80% of the population and contributes around one-third of the country’s GDP, will receive a significant boost through this collaboration aimed at… [Read More]
IFC Backs America Embalagens to Strengthen Brazil’s Circular Economy
In October 2025, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced a strategic investment in America Embalagens, one of Brazil’s leading rigid plastic packaging manufacturers. The funding aims to support the expansion and modernization of the company’s largest plant in São Paulo state. This initiative aligns with efforts to enhance… [Read More]
Ottawa pledges $7 million to support Caribbean recovery after Hurricane Melissa
Canada has announced $7 million in humanitarian aid for Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa, with the government also prepared to deploy soldiers if requested. The Category 5 storm, which made landfall earlier in the week, has caused extensive damage in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, resulting in dozens of deaths, widespread power outages, and severe… [Read More]
From outbreak to resilience: Bangladesh boosts cholera response in Rohingya camps
In January 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and health partners, launched a large-scale Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign targeting Rohingya refugees and nearby host communities. The campaign successfully vaccinated 976,751 people, achieving an impressive 103.6% coverage rate, largely due to new refugee arrivals and denominator discrepancies. Children… [Read More]
New Poliovirus Sequencing Lab Boosts Cameroon’s Disease Surveillance and Response
For the first time, Cameroon has successfully completed the full sequencing of a circulating variant poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3), marking a major achievement in Africa’s ongoing battle to eliminate polio. While wild poliovirus type 3 was declared eradicated in 2019, variant strains can still emerge in areas with low immunity, making rapid detection and response… [Read More]
Colombia’s Peace Efforts a Global Example, Says UN Envoy, Calling for Increased Funding
Following the signing of Colombia’s 2016 Peace Agreement, more than 13,000 former FARC combatants disarmed within a year, handing over nearly 9,000 weapons, 38,000 tons of explosives, and millions of rounds of ammunition. This marked a historic step toward ending decades of conflict and rebuilding community trust. UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča noted that, despite… [Read More]
Thousands Forced from Homes as Hurricane Melissa Sweeps the Caribbean
Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, damaging homes, infrastructure, and crops, and displacing thousands of people. Despite the severity of the storm, advance preparations by governments, supported by UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, significantly reduced casualties and helped communities brace for the impact. In Cuba, the hurricane struck Santiago de… [Read More]
‘Normalising’ Taliban regime would abandon Afghan women, cautions UN expert
The human rights situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate with little reason for optimism, according to Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan. Addressing the General Assembly, he warned of escalating gender persecution, enforced disappearances, corporal punishment, and attacks on former officials despite the Taliban’s declared amnesty. He also raised concerns… [Read More]
Putting People First: Transforming Cities for a Better Urban Life
As cities continue to expand and evolve, the focus of this year’s World Cities Day is on ensuring that innovation serves people first. Celebrated in Bogotá, Colombia, under the theme “People-Centred Smart Cities,” the event—organized by UN-Habitat—brings together mayors, city planners, and community leaders to discuss how technology, data, and design can make urban areas… [Read More]
Ontario Announces $7 Million Funding Boost for Literary Arts and Publishers
The Ontario government has announced more than $7 million in funding to protect and promote the province’s literary arts and publishing sector. This investment aims to strengthen Ontario’s creative industries by supporting local authors, publishers, and cultural producers to deliver events and programs that highlight the province’s diverse stories and voices. The initiative is part… [Read More]
Government of Canada joins forces with Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness to expand housing solutions
The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to address the nation’s housing crisis and reduce homelessness by supporting faster, more affordable homebuilding. Through the newly launched Build Canada Homes, a federal agency designed to finance and construct affordable housing at scale, the government aims to transform the housing sector while providing immediate relief for… [Read More]
UK Government Commits £17.3 Million to Drive Clean Energy Growth in Aberdeen
The UK Government has announced £17.3 million in new funding to boost Aberdeen’s Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), marking a major step toward advancing clean energy innovation in North East Scotland. The investment, confirmed by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander during his visit to Aberdeen, will help develop a renewables business hub adjacent to the recently upgraded… [Read More]
£4.5 million funding boost provides housing for UK veterans and their families
The UK Government has announced £4.5 million in funding to provide veterans and their families with safe and secure homes. The funds will be distributed among 19 housing providers across the country to build 45 new homes and make vital refurbishments to existing properties. This initiative is part of the Government’s wider £20 million Capital… [Read More]
UK Announces New Funding to Clear Mines and Improve Humanitarian Access in Gaza
The United Kingdom has announced new funding to support demining operations in Gaza, aimed at improving aid access and ensuring the safety of Palestinians and humanitarian workers. As part of its wider diplomatic efforts to secure unrestricted humanitarian access, the UK will provide £4 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). This funding… [Read More]
Minister Jim O’Callaghan announces €4 million funding boost for 42 community projects across Ireland
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has announced the allocation of €4.4 million to 42 community safety projects across Ireland through the Community Safety Fund. The fund redirects proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Síochána back into local communities to strengthen safety and social… [Read More]
Minister Cummins announces €174,517 grant to empower rural women in politics
The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, John Cummins TD, has announced new funding of €174,517 for See Her Elected (SHE), an initiative dedicated to increasing women’s participation in local politics, particularly from rural Ireland. The funding marks a significant increase—around 60%—since the programme’s original grant in 2019, underscoring the government’s continued commitment… [Read More]
Türkiye’s Care Economy Reform: Building a More Inclusive and Sustainable Future
Care is a vital yet often invisible pillar of society, forming the backbone of families, communities, and economies throughout every stage of life. Despite its critical role, care work remains undervalued and predominantly undertaken by women, perpetuating gender inequalities. To address this imbalance, the Government of Türkiye and the United Nations launched the UN Joint… [Read More]
Lebanon: ILO and Germany Partner to Restore Rachaya El Wadi’s Heritage and Create Jobs
The historic town of Rachaya El Wadi in Lebanon’s western Bekaa region has inaugurated its newly rehabilitated pedestrian network, marking a major milestone in preserving its cultural heritage and fostering inclusive development. The event was attended by representatives from Germany, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Mayor of Rachaya, and members of the municipal council…. [Read More]
Global Leaders to Gather in Morocco for the Sixth Conference on Ending Child Labour
The Government of Morocco will host the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour from 11 to 13 February 2026, bringing together representatives from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international partners. The event aims to accelerate progress toward ending child labour worldwide, as the latest ILO–UNICEF… [Read More]
Investing in Care and Support Systems to Advance Human Rights and Equality
The International Labour Organization (ILO), together with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UN Women, marked the International Day of Care and Support 2025 with a high-level event in Geneva under the theme “Care and Support for All: Human Rights for All Those Providing and Requiring Care and Support.” The… [Read More]
Building Future-Ready Skills: Digital and Financial Training for Migrant Workers in Indonesia and Thailand
Across Indonesia and Thailand, migrant workers are gaining vital skills in digital literacy and financial management through a series of practical micro-courses aimed at protecting them from online scams and fraud. Implemented under the ILO’s PROTECT project, the initiative trained 52 trainers and 140 migrant workers to strengthen financial awareness and cybersecurity skills in a… [Read More]
