Aid convoys in Sudan are struggling to reach hundreds of thousands of people trapped near the frontlines as the military government and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia fight for control of the country. Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown, speaking from Tawila, about 50 kilometres from El Fasher in North Darfur, described the enormous challenges… [Read More]
cat
The Final Frontier: UN Highlights Space Innovation and International Collaboration
The 2025 theme “Living in Space” celebrates how scientific innovation, international law, and global collaboration are shaping the next chapter of human history beyond Earth while also driving technological advances that benefit life on our planet. Established by the UN in 1999, the annual commemoration runs from 4 to 10 October, linking two historic milestones:… [Read More]
UN Empowers Young Women to Become Future Space Professionals
Now 18, Ms. Maharjan from Nepal is actively involved in aerospace projects through the Shakthi SAT initiative, collaborating with other young women and exploring the intersection of computer engineering, artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics, and embedded systems that control satellites, drones, and rockets. With the support of her program, she is preparing to launch her own… [Read More]
Combating Rabies in Haiti: How Vaccines and Awareness Save Lives
Last July, in the remote locality of Butête in southern Haiti, nine-year-old Jonas lost his life to rabies. The boy had been bitten on the leg by a stray dog, and the wound initially seemed minor. Living far from health facilities, his mother was unaware that immediate medical care was critical. Within a week, Jonas… [Read More]
Building Zambia’s Future: The Impact of Investing in Women and Girls
In May, Cathy Gumbo from Chisamba District in Zambia shared her story. At just 16 years old, she faced difficulties staying in school because her family could not always afford essentials like uniforms, books, and sanitary supplies. With a bursary from the GEWEL Project, Cathy now attends school regularly and is beginning to plan for… [Read More]
Thailand’s Path to High Income: The Role of Climate-Smart Investment
The World Bank’s new Country Climate and Development Report indicates that while Thailand faces significant climate risks, strategic and timely development investments can unlock new economic growth opportunities. Focused on adapting to extreme weather, reducing emissions, and promoting green exports, these investments are crucial for Thailand to realize its aspiration of becoming an inclusive and… [Read More]
$3.4 Million from Japan to Fund Rohingya Refugee and Host Community Assistance
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has acknowledged a timely contribution of Japanese Yen 500 million, approximately equivalent to US$3.4 million, from the Government of Japan for its crucial, lifesaving support to Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. This funding will enable WFP to provide monthly food and nutrition assistance to over… [Read More]
Somalia on Brink of Deeper Hunger as WFP Aid Faces Critical Cuts
The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a severe warning that millions in Somalia face worsening hunger and malnutrition as critical funding shortages are forcing a drastic reduction in life-saving emergency food assistance. Specifically, the agency must slash its coverage by over two-thirds, reducing the number of people receiving food aid from 1.1 million in… [Read More]
Africa Resilience Forum 2025 Highlights Power of Local Solutions in Preventing Conflict
Development financiers, aid agencies, and political leaders across Africa have emphasized the need to prioritize investment in local solutions for conflict prevention rather than crisis response. This call was made during the opening of the Africa Resilience Forum, hosted by the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Participants noted that around 250 million people… [Read More]
Denmark Boosts Contribution to African Development Fund by 40% to Support Africa’s Poorest Nations
Denmark has announced a significant pledge of DKK 1.1 billion to the African Development Fund’s 17th replenishment (ADF-17), marking a 40 percent increase over its previous contribution. The announcement was made during the 2025 Nordic-African Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting and highlights Denmark’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement in Africa…. [Read More]
Africa Resilience Forum 2025: Call for Digitised Border Systems to Boost Intra-African Trade and Integration
At the sixth edition of the Africa Resilience Forum, held from 1 to 3 October 2025 in Abidjan, participants emphasized the need for strong political will and quality infrastructure at borders to enhance regional integration and trade across Africa. They highlighted that establishing single digitised checkpoints between neighbouring countries could significantly facilitate the free movement… [Read More]
NGOs Urge EU Action to Protect US-Sanctioned Palestinian Human Rights Organizations
As Israel’s attacks on Palestinians in Gaza escalate, supported by US military and political backing, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on leading Palestinian human rights organizations—Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. These sanctions constitute a severe assault… [Read More]
Banning the Rainbow: Hungary’s Pécs Pride Ban and the EU’s Urgent Role
The annual LGBTQI Pride March in Pécs, Hungary, scheduled for 4 October 2025, has been banned by Hungarian authorities, putting the organizer at risk of imprisonment. Unlike Budapest Pride, which is organized as a municipal event, Pécs Pride is organized by a private individual and is classified as an assembly under Hungarian law. The police… [Read More]
Digital Kyzylorda: Linking Local Entrepreneurs to Global Innovation Through Astana Exchange
The Digital Kyzylorda initiative reached a new milestone this week as 15 entrepreneurs and local municipality representatives from Kyzylorda traveled to Astana for an experience exchange workshop focused on digital transformation, startup support, and the evolving role of AI. Hosted at Maqsut Narikbayev University, the program combined expert lectures, business pitching sessions, and networking with… [Read More]
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Into a Clean Energy Future with UNDP Partnership
Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a global leader in renewable energy, defying expectations by deploying clean energy at an unprecedented pace. While the Kingdom started from a relatively low base compared to other nations, careful planning and strategic investments over the past two decades have laid a solid foundation for a dynamic take-off toward… [Read More]
UNDP Advances Climate-Smart Farming in Córdoba Through SCALA Project Workshop
As part of Expo Ganadera del Centro in Córdoba on September 30th, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Argentina hosted a regional workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), under the SCALA project. Developed in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), SCALA aims to support the sustainable transition of… [Read More]
Milton Secures $8.4 Million to Accelerate Housing Through Ontario’s Building Faster Fund
The Ontario government is awarding Milton $8.4 million through the second round of the Building Faster Fund, which rewards municipalities that meet at least 80 percent of their provincially designated housing targets. In 2024, Milton broke ground on 2,260 new homes—nearly 130 percent of its housing target—qualifying it for this significant funding. The investment will… [Read More]
Ontario Pledges $6 Million to Boost Indigenous-Led Community Infrastructure
The Ontario government is investing $6 million to launch the annual intake for the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP), supporting Indigenous communities and organizations in building vital infrastructure projects. These projects aim to foster long-term economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen local prosperity across the province. “Working alongside Indigenous communities, our government is investing… [Read More]
US to Block Funding for Global Transgender and Diversity Programs: Report
The Trump administration is reportedly set to halt federal funding for American and foreign organizations that support gender identity or diversity initiatives overseas, according to Politico. The policy is expected to cut off US funding to entities promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” and transgender programs, which the administration claims conflict with its interpretation of women’s… [Read More]
Commonwealth Secretariat Strengthens Africa’s Fight Against Corruption
Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) across Commonwealth Africa have bolstered their leadership and institutional capacity following targeted training delivered by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Financial Crimes Commission of Mauritius. The training, held in Port Louis, responded directly to requests from agency leaders at the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption… [Read More]
New Alliance Harnesses Islamic and Arab Finance to Transform Economies in Africa and Beyond
UNIDO, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have launched a strategic partnership under the Islamic and Arab Finance for Economic Transformation in Africa, the Arab Region and Beyond (IFETAA) Programme. Access to finance remains a critical barrier to small… [Read More]
Elite Founders, Hidden Markets: Key Takeaways from EchoVC’s Eco Pilot Fund in Africa
Shell Foundation is excited to share insights from EchoVC’s inaugural Eco Pilot Fund, launched in partnership with UKaid through our Transforming Energy Access programme. The Fund set out with a bold mission: to support elite African founders tackling climate and climate-adjacent challenges with early-stage solutions that both cut emissions and boost incomes, transforming underserved markets…. [Read More]
Beyond the Convoy: How Local Voices Can Transform West Africa’s Humanitarian Aid
As the harmattan dust drifts across Burkina Faso’s horizon, white aid trucks rumble through Kaya, their tarpaulins branded with logos from far-off capitals. Children run alongside—not with hope for something new, but with expectation of the familiar: sacks of grain, cartons of oil, medicines labeled in languages they don’t speak. Nearby, under a neem tree,… [Read More]
