The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have sounded the alarm over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where hunger and malnutrition continue to rise sharply. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, 26.6 million people are projected… [Read More]
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Nature Investments Hold the Key to Asia-Pacific’s Economic Future, Says ADB
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has released a new report emphasizing that protecting ecosystems is essential for driving economic growth, job creation, and fiscal stability across the Asia-Pacific region. The report, Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2025: Unlocking Nature for Development, warns that 75% of the region’s output depends on natural systems that are rapidly degrading. It… [Read More]
Uzbekistan to Host Central Asia’s Largest Solar-Battery Power Plants Under New ADB Partnership
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in partnership with ACWA Power Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc., and Shikoku Electric Power Co. Inc., has signed a major financing agreement to construct two large-scale solar power plants with battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Uzbekistan. Known as the Samarkand 1 and 2 Solar PV and… [Read More]
Angola: AfDB Executive Director Tours Key Development Projects, Commends $1.45 Billion Investment
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is currently investing $1.45 billion in 16 ongoing projects in Angola as part of efforts to support the country’s economic diversification beyond oil dependency. The announcement was made by Eugénio Maria Paulo, the Bank’s newly appointed Executive Director for Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, during high-level meetings held in Luanda…. [Read More]
AfDB Grants $6 Million to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Across Africa
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $6 million grant to the African Risk Capacity (ARC) to enhance disaster preparedness and risk financing across Africa during 2025–2026. Approved on October 29 under the Bank’s African Disaster Risk Financing Initiative (ADRiFi), the grant will enable ARC to continue providing critical capacity-building and… [Read More]
Union of the Comoros Launches $137 Million Maritime Corridor Project with AfDB Support
The President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, officially launched the Maritime Corridor and Regional Trade Facilitation Project in a ceremony held on 27 October 2025 in Moroni. The project, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group with $137 million, represents a major step toward strengthening Comoros’ maritime infrastructure and boosting regional… [Read More]
Mongolia Conducts Inaugural Exercise to Enhance National Health Emergency Response
Mongolia has become the first country to conduct the national health emergency workforce readiness and response functional exercise developed by the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). The initiative, held on 14–15 October in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Mongolia, aimed to assess and strengthen the country’s emergency workforce and leadership capacities…. [Read More]
Building Inclusive Communities: Key Learnings from Bangladesh’s Manikganj CBR Model
The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) project in Manikganj, Bangladesh, was launched in 2013 by the Disability Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA) in partnership with the Dutch organization Niketan to address the needs of children with complex and multiple disabilities. Despite global concerns over the sustainability and evidence base of CBR programs, this initiative has built a… [Read More]
30 Years of International IDEA: Strengthening Democracy Across Asia and Africa
As International IDEA celebrates its 30th anniversary, this year also marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Asia-Africa Conference, originally held in Bandung, Indonesia. That landmark event laid the foundation for South-South cooperation, promoting solidarity and partnership between Asia and Africa. Upholding this legacy, International IDEA, the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM… [Read More]
What Wikipedia Teaches Us About Transparency and Public Trust
In today’s digital world, misinformation often spreads faster than truth, with social media posts and forwarded messages frequently lacking source verification or traceability. This lack of transparency erodes public trust, as readers are left unable to determine where information originated or how it evolved. In contrast, Wikipedia has emerged as a model of openness and… [Read More]
Beyond Grantmaking: A Foundation’s Journey to Transform Social Narratives
Metta Fund embarked on a bold strategic experiment two years ago: to invest in narrative and cultural transformation as a way to complement traditional grantmaking and advance equity for older adults. The organization recognized that the dominant narratives surrounding aging — particularly those depicting immigrant and caregiving communities — failed to reflect their strength, wisdom,… [Read More]
Enhancing the Disability Assessment Framework in Serbia for Greater Inclusion
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has introduced a comprehensive Roadmap for the Reform of the Disability Assessment System in Serbia to strengthen the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. The strategic document sets the foundation for improving disability assessments, particularly the evaluation of work ability, aligning with the social model… [Read More]
How Conservative Policies Are Impacting Foreign Students Worldwide
Japan’s growing wave of political and social conservatism is sparking concern among academics, who fear it could undermine efforts to attract more foreign students. The rise of far-right parties like Sanseito, with its “Japanese First” slogan, and the leadership of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — known for her conservative stance and tough policies on China… [Read More]
Luanda Hosts Landmark Summit to Unlock Trillion-Dollar African Infrastructure Funding
African leaders, global investors, and development partners will convene in Luanda, Angola, from October 28–31, 2025, for the third Summit on Financing for Infrastructure Development in Africa. Hosted under the High Patronage of Angolan President and African Union Chairperson H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, the event aims to transform the theme “Capital, Corridors, Trade: Investing… [Read More]
COP30 and Beyond: Unlocking the Potential of Forest Finance for Financial Institutions
Forests play a crucial role in combating climate change and biodiversity loss, yet the level of investment in their protection and restoration remains far below what is needed. Ahead of COP30 in Belém, financial institutions are being urged to recognize both the risks of inaction and the opportunities for investment. The United Nations Environment Programme… [Read More]
Bavarian Nordic Donates More Mpox Vaccines to Africa CDC to Strengthen Uganda’s Outbreak Response
As the world nears the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement at COP30, countries are preparing to submit new greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2035. These updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are expected to reflect higher levels of ambition in tackling climate change. Many nations are also introducing National Transition Plans, outlining how they will… [Read More]
Africa CDC Secures Additional Mpox Vaccines from Bavarian Nordic to Strengthen Response
Africa CDC has received an additional 110,000 doses of mpox vaccines from Bavarian Nordic to strengthen the ongoing response to the mpox outbreak across Africa. The latest donation has been allocated to Uganda, one of the countries most affected in 2025, through the Mpox Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM). Coordinated by Africa CDC in partnership… [Read More]
Legal Aid Fund Rebrands and Launches New Strategy to Expand Access to Justice
The Access to Justice Foundation (ATJF), a leading legal aid charity, has announced a major rebrand alongside the launch of a new grant-making strategy. The initiative comes after the Competition Appeal Tribunal awarded the charity £3.8 million in unclaimed settlement damages from the Gutmann v SW Trains case. The ATJF, which supports the delivery of… [Read More]
UNHCR Reports Mass Displacement as Violence Intensifies in El Fasher, Sudan
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern over the worsening violence in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur region, where brutal clashes have forced thousands of civilians to flee. Reports indicate that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have entered the city, spreading fear among residents who have already endured more than… [Read More]
UK Government Revives £20 Million #iwill Fund to Support Youth Social Action
The National Lottery Community Fund has announced a new £20 million round of funding through the #iwill Fund, giving young people across England—especially those facing disadvantage, discrimination, or underrepresentation—an opportunity to drive positive change in their communities. The initiative aims to empower youth to take the lead on issues they care about most, from organizing… [Read More]
Over $9 million awarded to strengthen Australia’s health and medical research collaborations
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced a combined investment exceeding $9 million to advance collaborative health and medical research partnerships. Of this, $4 million is provided through NHMRC’s Partnership Project scheme, complemented by $5 million in co-investment from funding partners. Three lead investigators and their research teams will work closely with… [Read More]
More Than $370 Million Boost for Fundamental Research to Strengthen Australia’s Knowledge Base
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced over $370 million in funding for more than 520 new projects through the 2026 Discovery Projects scheme. This significant investment reinforces the ARC’s dedication to supporting bold ideas, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and long-term national benefit. ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor Ute Roessner emphasized that the selected projects reflect the… [Read More]
Australia invests over $22 million to boost national research partnerships
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has allocated more than $22 million under the 2025 Round 1 ARC Linkage Projects scheme to support over 40 new collaborative research projects. The funding aims to strengthen partnerships among Australia’s researchers, industry, government, and communities, addressing key national priorities and promoting innovative, real-world solutions. ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor… [Read More]
