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The World Bank Group’s latest EU Regular Economic Report says Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could increase labor productivity by 10 to 15 percent through wider adoption of digital technologies, especially software and AI-enabled tools. At a time when the European Union economy is growing at only about one percent annually, productivity gains of this… [Read More]

A new World Bank and Malaysia Productivity Corporation study shows that Malaysia is turning regulatory reform into measurable economic gains by speeding up industrial approvals and reducing bureaucratic delays. The report highlights how better-designed processes and faster government services are improving productivity, attracting investment, creating jobs, and supporting broader economic growth. The study, Investors Can’t… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $600 million loan to support Kazakhstan’s ongoing reform agenda aimed at strengthening private-sector-led growth, creating more and better-paid jobs, and improving the country’s economic resilience. The financing comes through the Second Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Development Policy Operation, which is designed to help Kazakhstan… [Read More]

The World Bank, the Government of India, and the Government of Haryana have signed an agreement to support Haryana’s multi-sectoral action plan to improve air quality across the state. The initiative is designed not only to reduce pollution but also to create new employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women, while strengthening long-term public health… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved a $10.6 million grant to help Uzbekistan reduce leaks in its aging gas transmission system and recover valuable gas for use by households and industry. The project is aimed at improving energy security, increasing state revenues, and supporting job creation by making the country’s gas infrastructure more efficient and reliable…. [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a three-month emergency response in Liberia to provide immediate food and nutrition support to 11,500 people affected by the Mpox outbreak. The assistance is aimed at individuals and families facing isolation and disrupted access to food, helping them cope with the impact of public health measures… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a large-scale emergency response in Afghanistan to support communities affected by the conflict with Pakistan, while also adapting its operations to continue delivering life-saving aid despite violence and major shipping disruptions. The agency has already started mobilizing assistance rapidly as the humanitarian situation worsens across the… [Read More]

The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) has launched LAC Crece, a new platform designed to accelerate private-sector-led growth in Latin America and the Caribbean by aligning public policies with private investment. The initiative aims to unlock productivity, create jobs, and boost long-term economic growth by turning development priorities into sequenced, practical, and financed actions…. [Read More]

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has pledged to strengthen ADB’s support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the regional bloc begins implementing its long-term development agenda, ASEAN Vision 2045. Speaking at the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Manila, he emphasized that Southeast Asia is prioritizing economic integration and cooperation… [Read More]

Warwickshire has taken an important step in tackling food poverty by developing a new plan to increase the availability of affordable food and empower communities to improve health outcomes and diets. A key event brought together stakeholders involved in the Warwickshire Food Strategy to assess the effectiveness of the outgoing strategy (2023-26) and gather input… [Read More]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Thursday that recent attacks by Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso have led to civilian deaths and widespread infrastructure destruction, qualifying as war crimes. The rights group has called on local authorities to thoroughly investigate these crimes and urged the international community to offer necessary support to Burkina Faso…. [Read More]

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has confirmed that Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity by deporting and forcibly transferring children, and by enforcing their disappearances. Over 1,200 children have been deported to Russia or transferred to occupied Ukrainian territories, with many still unaccounted for four years later. The Commission found that… [Read More]

A new online training course under the action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia” has been launched to enhance the capacity of 36 Serbian lawyers in handling trafficking cases and safeguarding victims’ rights. Organized in partnership with the Serbian Bar Association and the Bar Academy, and supported by the HELP Programme in the Western Balkans, the… [Read More]

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela has reported that the country’s repressive State machinery remains operational following the abrupt apprehension of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026. In its update to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Mission highlighted both significant events and positive developments, but emphasized… [Read More]

The £5 million funding, part of the Defence Growth Deal, will support technology development in Scotland’s marine and advanced manufacturing sectors. This funding will specifically focus on skills development and innovation at the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus (AGIC), which operates both virtually and physically at Rosyth Docks in Fife. AGIC, established in 2022, aims to… [Read More]

Lebanon’s crisis of hundreds of thousands of displaced people remains a critical concern, and France is taking an active role in providing aid. In partnership with the CMA CGM company, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and its Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) successfully shipped nearly 60 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Lebanon… [Read More]

Bangladesh is currently making headlines as its recent elections rekindle hope and progress for democracy, following a period of political instability under the previous government. This change has been largely driven by the relentless efforts of student activists, who played a crucial role in the movement, as highlighted by Time. These students, despite facing intense… [Read More]

Tekion, an AI-native automotive platform company, has partnered with NGO Mind and Matter to address mental health issues among students in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, aiming to reach over 10,000 students this year. Under its CSR initiative “Tekion for Good,” the partnership strives to break the stigma surrounding mental health by making resources accessible to… [Read More]

The Carney government has pledged more than $37 million in humanitarian aid to support civilians in Lebanon, who are caught in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This announcement was made by Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, who called for immediate de-escalation and constructive dialogue to prevent further suffering. The funding… [Read More]

The ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran has led to severe humanitarian crises, both in the Middle East and globally. As of early March 2026, up to 3.2 million people have been temporarily displaced in Iran, while over 300,000 people in Lebanon are also facing displacement. Shelters in Lebanon are overcrowded as… [Read More]

Across Africa, governments have made numerous formal commitments to gender equality, including constitutional guarantees of equal rights, ratification of international treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and legislative measures aimed at promoting equality in employment, politics, and social protection. Despite these commitments, the lived experiences of… [Read More]

The UNODC Youth Forum 2026, held from March 9-11 on the sidelines of the 69th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria, brought together 26 youth leaders from 21 countries. For nearly 15 years, the forum has aimed to create a space for active youth leaders to learn about evidence-based drug… [Read More]

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has partnered with CreditAccess Philippines Financing Company, Inc. (OnePuhunan), a leading microfinance institution in the Philippines, to improve access to finance and promote job creation in rural communities. This collaboration focuses on microloans, particularly for women-owned or led microenterprises, aiming to support business… [Read More]