Switzerland has pledged a contribution of 4 million Swiss francs to support UNCTAD’s E-commerce and Digital Economy Programme for the 2025–2029 period. The funding, provided by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), will enhance the programme’s capacity to deliver innovative research, technical cooperation, and facilitate intergovernmental consensus on digital trade and e-commerce issues. The… [Read More]
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GSK, ViiV Healthcare Renew Commitment to Global Fund with £6 Million for Local Health Solutions
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has welcomed a new £6 million investment from GSK plc and ViiV Healthcare, aimed at strengthening community-led responses to HIV, TB, and malaria in lower-income countries. This contribution will be matched by the Gates Foundation, bringing the total investment to £12 million. The pledge underscores the… [Read More]
Rwanda Secures $17.5 Million to Establish AI Scaling Hub, Leading Africa’s AI Innovation
Rwanda is making significant strides toward becoming a hub for artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa, securing a $17.5 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub. This initiative aims to drive AI innovation across sectors such as health, agriculture, and education, with a particular focus on addressing… [Read More]
African Fintech Leader Moniepoint Raises $90 Million in Series C, Accelerating Growth
Moniepoint, a leading African fintech company, has successfully raised an additional $90 million in its ongoing Series C funding round, bringing the total capital raised to $200 million after an initial $110 million investment in 2024. The latest round was led by Development Partners International (DPI), with participation from major investors including the International Finance… [Read More]
UK Urged to Maintain £1 Billion Global Fund Pledge by NHS and Health Experts
More than 355,000 NHS and UK health workers with global roots have called on the UK Prime Minister to maintain Britain’s £1 billion commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, warning that any reduction would cost lives and threaten UK health security. Coordinated by Global Health Partnerships, the open letter from… [Read More]
Risk-Knowledge Workshop in Djibouti Advances Early Warning Systems under EW4All
Djibouti hosted a two-day technical workshop on 19-20 October 2025 aimed at strengthening Early Warning and Early Action (EWEA) systems, bringing together 25 representatives from national agencies responsible for risk assessment, early warning, and disaster management. Organized by UNDRR and facilitated by the CIMA Research Foundation, the workshop focused on integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability… [Read More]
Venezuela Crisis: UN Officials Denounce US Coercive Actions
GENEVA – UN experts have condemned the United States’ covert actions and threats of armed intervention against Venezuela, stating that such measures violate the country’s sovereignty and breach the UN Charter. They emphasized that these actions contravene international obligations prohibiting interference in the domestic affairs of other states or the use of force, warning that… [Read More]
Addressing Urban Displacement: UN Expert Calls for Rights-Based Approaches
Urban displacement is emerging as one of the most pressing human rights challenges globally, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Paula Gaviria Betancur. In her report to the General Assembly, she emphasized that while cities can provide safety and opportunities, they can also increase vulnerability if… [Read More]
Driving a Resilient Water Future Through Multi-Sector Partnerships
Innovate UK has partnered with water regulator Ofwat to deliver the £40 million Water Innovation Cross-Sector Challenge, part of the broader £400 million Ofwat Innovation Fund. The initiative aims to identify and support innovative solutions that address shared challenges across the water sector and other industries, creating mutual benefits for society, businesses, and the environment…. [Read More]
£4.6 Million Funding Announced for Arts and Culture Initiatives Across the UK
Five arts and culture projects in the West Midlands have been awarded a total of £4.6 million in funding to increase community participation in cultural activities. The grants, provided by Arts Council England, will support Creative Black Country, Reimagine Redditch, Outside in Staffordshire, Appetite in Stoke-on-Trent, and Rooted in Nuneaton and Bedworth, each receiving substantial… [Read More]
Major Funding Secured for 10 Innovative African Climate Projects
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa has announced the successful conclusion of its funding call under the Belmont Forum Collaborative Research Action (CRA) initiative, selecting 10 transdisciplinary research projects led by African institutions. This effort, undertaken in partnership with the Belmont Forum, aimed to support research addressing climate change vulnerability across the continent,… [Read More]
Health Experts Warn: Polio Can Still Be Ended Despite 30% Funding Drop
Global health officials have emphasized that eradicating polio remains possible despite significant funding cuts, outlining plans to cope with the shortfall. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a partnership that includes the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation, faces a 30% budget reduction in 2026 and a $1.7 billion funding gap projected through 2029…. [Read More]
Over €46 Million from EIB to Enhance Energy, Transport, and Municipal Services in Ukraine
More than €46 million in EU-guaranteed funding has been disbursed to support Ukrainian cities in maintaining and restoring essential urban services and critical infrastructure amid the ongoing war. The financing targets energy-efficient public buildings, urban transport systems, and municipal services to ensure continuity for citizens. Cities benefiting from the support include Dnipro, Kamianske, Kovel, Kremenchuk,… [Read More]
Empowering Fact-Checkers: “Digital Detectives” Kicks Off Uzbekistan Training Program
On 20 October 2025, the “Digital Detectives” project launched a two-day training in Uzbekistan designed to prepare participants to become trainers themselves, enabling them to conduct similar workshops for journalists and fact-checkers across the country. The training aimed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills to enhance professional growth and strengthen the fact-checking ecosystem. During… [Read More]
Strengthening Indigenous Economies: Ontario Invests Over $3 Million
The Ontario government is investing $3.2 million to launch the next intake of funding applications under the Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF), aimed at supporting Indigenous businesses, communities, and organizations to boost economic growth and create jobs across the province. The program forms part of Ontario’s broader plan to foster prosperity and opportunities for Indigenous… [Read More]
Green Transition Fund Expands with UK and ASEAN Clean Energy Initiative
The UK Mission to ASEAN has officially launched the Clean and Just Energy Transition Pillar of the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF) during the 25th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF). Officiated by UK Ambassador to ASEAN Helen Fazey and Yanuar Fajari, Head of the Energy and Minerals Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, the initiative marks… [Read More]
Over One Million People Return to Khartoum as Sudan’s Recovery Remains Fragile
Between November 2024 and September 2025, over one million people returned to Khartoum, Sudan, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These families are seeking to rebuild their lives after months of displacement caused by ongoing conflict. Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, highlighted that while the return of families reflects resilience,… [Read More]
Global Forests See Positive Signs as Deforestation Slows Over Ten Years
Nearly 500 million hectares of forest—equivalent to about 750 million football pitches—have been lost globally since 1990. However, deforestation has slowed in every region of the world over the past decade, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Deforestation refers to the loss of forest cover or its conversion to other uses, such… [Read More]
DR Congo Faces Surge in Sexual Violence Against Women, UN Reports
Speaking to journalists at the UN Office in Geneva, Shoko Arakaki, director of humanitarian affairs at the UNFPA, highlighted a sharp rise in sexual violence against women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Essential services have been severely disrupted, and incidents of rape and conflict-related sexual violence have surged by a third… [Read More]
Congo Reports Declining Cholera Cases Amid Ongoing Response
The cholera outbreak in Congo is showing significant signs of decline, with no confirmed cases reported between 15 and 16 October 2025. This progress reflects the strengthened response efforts led by the Ministry of Health and Population, supported by partners including the World Health Organization (WHO). Improved treatment and care have been key to reducing… [Read More]
Advancing Public Health in Africa: WHO and Africa CDC Deepen Collaboration
Addis Ababa, October 6, 2025 — The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have signed a landmark framework to strengthen their collaboration on disease prevention, health security, and universal health coverage across the continent. The agreement provides a strategic platform to… [Read More]
World Food Day 2025 in Ghana: Promoting Sustainable Food and Nutrition
Ghana joined countries worldwide to commemorate World Food Day 2025 under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future.” The national celebration, held at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in Accra, brought together government officials, development partners, farmers, civil society, and media to reflect on collective efforts toward building… [Read More]
IOM Signs MoU with CCCPA to Advance Regional Peace, Security, and Migration Management
In Aswan, Egypt, on 19–20 October 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Fifth Edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. The agreement underscores a shared commitment to advancing sustainable peace, inclusive… [Read More]
