The EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters,’ part of Horizon Europe, is advancing technical assistance to accelerate the restoration and sustainable management of Europe’s aquatic ecosystems. This mission focuses on three main objectives: conserving and restoring freshwater and marine biodiversity, preventing and eliminating pollution, and promoting a carbon-neutral, circular blue economy. Recent examples of… [Read More]
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African Nations Secure US$200 Million for Solar Energy Expansion
African countries have secured US$200 million in financing under the International Solar Alliance’s (ISA) Africa Solar Facility, announced at the Seventh Meeting of the Regional Committee for Africa in Accra. The funding aims to accelerate solar deployment across the continent and foster partnerships to bridge Africa’s clean energy investment gap. ISA Director-General Ashish Khanna emphasized… [Read More]
South Africa’s Financial Sector Confronts Rising Risks Amid Economic Turmoil
South Africa is currently grappling with deep and persistent socio-economic challenges, according to Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Commissioner Unathi Kamlana. Speaking at the 11th Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust Annual Lecture at Rhodes Business School, Kamlana emphasized the urgent need for vision, integrity, and courage among leaders to navigate both domestic difficulties and global… [Read More]
Gender Equality in 2025: Key Gains, Persistent Gaps, and the $342 Trillion Opportunity
2025 marks a pivotal moment for global gender equality, with just five years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals. The Gender Snapshot 2025, produced by UN Women and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, highlights both the achievements and persistent challenges, emphasizing that the choices made now will determine… [Read More]
U.S. and Côte d’Ivoire Partner on Regional Energy Development via MCC Compact
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau joined officials from Côte d’Ivoire and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to sign the Côte d’Ivoire Regional Energy Compact at the U.S. Department of State. The compact represents a significant U.S. investment aimed at strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s energy sector and promoting regional power integration across West Africa. By expanding… [Read More]
Saint Lucia Advances Toward Its First UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
In early September 2025, Saint Lucia hosted a two-day workshop led by Bandiougou Diawara, Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean. The event brought together representatives from government, academia, industry, and civil society to develop a proposal for establishing the country’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere… [Read More]
FAO and UNIVEN Partner to Build Climate-Smart, Resilient Agrifood Systems
The University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have established a results-driven partnership aimed at enhancing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods in Limpopo and the surrounding region. The collaboration focuses on translating academic research into practical solutions for farmers and youth, ensuring that teaching,… [Read More]
South African Fintech Secures R46 Million to Drive Africa’s Financial Technology Growth
South African fintech company Float has raised R46 million ($2.6 million) in a funding round, highlighting Africa’s rising prominence in the global financial technology sector. The round, co-led by Invenfin and Saad Investment Holdings, with support from Platform Investment Partners and Lighthouse Venture Partners, reflects strong investor confidence in South Africa’s fintech ecosystem and its… [Read More]
UK Councils Receive New Funding to Enhance Local Travel and Public Health
The UK’s Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF) merges previous capital and revenue funding streams into a single grant, aiming to support councils in delivering not only cycling and walking infrastructure but also the planning and behavioural interventions needed to encourage use. This integrated approach allows councils to implement a mix of construction projects and complementary… [Read More]
Africa Zero Hunger: How Mtakuja’s Women Farmers Are Leading the Fight Against Hunger
In the sun-scorched terrain of Mtakuja Village in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, farming has always been a daunting task. Extreme heat, dry soil, and irregular rains have made agricultural life a constant challenge for local farmers. Amid these hardships, a strong spirit of resilience has emerged, particularly among women like Margaret, a farmer and mother… [Read More]
Red Cross Launches Climate Resilience Program in Kiribati and Vanuatu
The impacts of climate change are highly visible and severe in the Pacific, particularly in Kiribati and Vanuatu, where rising seas, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events are already disrupting lives, livelihoods, and traditional ways of life. Despite contributing only 0.02 percent of global emissions, these island nations face some of the most devastating consequences… [Read More]
Canada Invests $14M+ in Conservation of S.S. Klondike National Historic Site
Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and presenting national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, helping people connect with history and nature while sustaining economic value for local and regional communities. On behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic… [Read More]
US-UK Partnership to Revolutionize Drug Discovery, Create Tens of Thousands of Jobs
The United Kingdom and the United States have launched the Tech Prosperity Deal, marking the first UK-US technology agreement aimed at accelerating AI, quantum, and nuclear innovations. The pact will drive breakthroughs in healthcare, including faster drug development, improved cancer treatments, and life-saving medical technologies. It also seeks to advance clean nuclear energy, generate high-paying… [Read More]
Gaza Rights Probe Alleges Israel Committed Genocide, Independent Report Finds
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, released a report amid escalating Israeli military operations in Gaza City, urging Israel and all countries to uphold their obligations under international law to end genocide and hold perpetrators accountable. The Commission concluded that Israel is responsible for… [Read More]
Government Corruption Drives Human Rights Crisis in South Sudan, Panel Finds
A new independent report reveals that corruption in South Sudan is systematically siphoning off oil and non-oil revenues through opaque schemes and politically connected contracts, leaving millions of citizens without access to basic services. Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission, described corruption as the driving force behind South Sudan’s decline, fueling hunger, collapsing health systems,… [Read More]
Venezuelan Migrants Contribute USD 900M Annually to Ecuador’s Economy
Households with Venezuelan members contribute an estimated USD 900 million annually to Ecuador’s economy through the consumption of goods and services, according to a new study by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The findings underscore the significant role of migrants in supporting economic growth and development across Latin America and the Caribbean. Kristina Mejo,… [Read More]
India and ILO Launch Study to Develop Global Job Classification System
On 16 September 2025, the Government of India and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an agreement to fund a feasibility study on an international classification of occupations based on skill and qualification requirements. Supported by a €650,000 contribution from India, this initiative marks the country’s first direct funding agreement with the ILO and reflects… [Read More]
Evidence-Based Policymaking Strengthens Nepal’s Capacity for Social Justice and Decent Work
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Nepal’s Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), launched a national training on Evidence-Based Policymaking for Social Justice and Decent Work for All. The week-long course, held in Nagarkot from 8–12 September 2025, aimed to strengthen the capacity of policymakers and social partners to tackle labour… [Read More]
ILO Conducts Training on International Labour Standards for Judicial Officials in Colombia
In August 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with Colombia’s Supreme Court of Justice and the Rodrigo Lara Bonilla Judicial School, conducted two training events in Bucaramanga and Medellín to strengthen judicial capacities in applying International Labour Standards (ILS). The programme, part of the project Institutional Strengthening to Promote Compliance with International Labour… [Read More]
From Fiber to Future: Empowering Indonesian Women through Sustainable Weaving
The traditional textile sector in Indonesia is a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage, but it struggles to compete with mass-produced fabrics. The challenge is compounded by a shrinking number of artisans, as younger generations show little interest in the time-consuming craft. Producing a single piece of traditional woven fabric can take up to… [Read More]
World Bank Approves Financing to Boost Public Expenditure Efficiency and Transparency in Guatemala
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved the project Smart Public Finance: Data-Driven Public Expenditure Management for Greater Efficiency to support Guatemala’s financial modernization. The initiative is designed to strengthen transparency, improve the efficiency of public spending, modernize financial systems, and ultimately enhance access and quality of services for Guatemalan citizens. The project represents a… [Read More]
Bangladesh Faces Mounting Health and Economic Risks from Rising Temperatures: World Bank Report
Bangladesh is facing growing health and economic risks due to rising temperatures, according to a new World Bank report. The study, titled “An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh,” analyzed national temperature and humidity trends from 1976 to 2023 and drew on a large 2024 household survey of… [Read More]
African Development Bank and Algeria Partner at IATF 2025 to Empower Startups and SMEs in Africa
The African Development Bank and Algeria’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-Enterprises have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to accelerate the growth of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The announcement came at the close of the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), held in Algiers from… [Read More]
