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Humanitarian organizations in Somalia have warned that millions of people are facing an escalating hunger crisis, urging international donors to increase funding immediately to prevent widespread loss of life. In an open letter, dozens of NGOs highlighted the critical situation, emphasizing that lives are at imminent risk due to rising food insecurity and malnutrition across… [Read More]

Lumina Foundation’s FutureReady States (FRS) initiative brings together a cohort of states working to strengthen short-term credential ecosystems and ensure that state investments in nondegree credentials (NDCs) deliver meaningful economic and social returns for residents. This multi-state analysis synthesizes findings from state landscape assessments and highlights cross-cutting themes, persistent challenges, and emerging opportunities to guide… [Read More]

The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) at Texas A&M AgriLife will host the Spring 2026 Watershed Coordinator Roundtable on April 8 in Houston, bringing together conservation leaders, watershed professionals, and community partners to explore collaborative strategies for protecting water quality across the state. The event will take place at the Tracy Gee Community Center, with… [Read More]

The South-East European Platform to Beat Pollution (SEEPP), established in 2019 with support from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, acts as a central regional mechanism for advancing commitments toward a pollution-free planet. The platform translates global initiatives, such as the UNEA-3 Ministerial Declaration Towards a Pollution-Free Planet, into regional cooperation, knowledge sharing,… [Read More]

One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral approach that addresses health threats at the intersection of humans, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the well-being of people, animals, and ecosystems by acknowledging their interdependence. This integrated framework relies on cooperation across disciplines and sectors to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging health threats. The Regional… [Read More]

In April 2012, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle belonging to Ikuo Yokoyama, a survivor of Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami, was found on Graham Island in the Haida Gwaii archipelago. Yokoyama had lost his home and three family members in the disaster. Fifteen years after the magnitude-9.0 earthquake off Japan’s northeastern coast, which triggered a devastating tsunami… [Read More]

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic (MNRETS), in partnership with UNDP, launched the preparation of the “Combined Second Biennial Transparency Report (BTR2) and Fifth National Communication (NC5)” on 10 March 2026. The event brought together representatives from government agencies, international organizations, the scientific community, and climate experts. As… [Read More]

Delivering Europe’s clean energy transition will require massive annual investments, estimated at €660 billion until 2030 and rising to €695 billion between 2031 and 2040. Although significant progress has been made, the current pace and scale of investment must increase to ensure the continent’s economy relies on secure, affordable, and clean energy. In response, the… [Read More]

Earlier this month, Unitaid announced its collaboration with the South African government to engage Gilead Sciences in discussions about lenacapavir, a next-generation HIV preventive medicine. The talks aim to secure a voluntary license that would allow local generic manufacturers to produce the drug, increasing regional access and strengthening local pharmaceutical capacity. Unitaid, a global health… [Read More]

Globally, women and girls continue to face systemic barriers to justice, even where laws exist to protect them. Stories of survivors illustrate how societal bias, fear of retaliation, and institutional weaknesses prevent accountability for abuse. Laws alone are insufficient if enforcement is weak, leaving human rights as words on paper rather than tangible protections. Currently,… [Read More]

The completion of Phase III of the “Conservation of the Wall Paintings of the Royal Tomb of Amenhotep III – KV22” project marks a major milestone in safeguarding one of Egypt’s most significant royal monuments. Conducted under the UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism… [Read More]

When disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires, or droughts occur, the most visible impacts are often damaged homes, destroyed crops, and disrupted infrastructure. However, crises also create less visible consequences by deepening existing social inequalities, particularly gender inequality. Women and girls frequently face increased risks during emergencies, including higher exposure to violence, heavier caregiving responsibilities,… [Read More]

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Union (EU), and Hamkorbank have launched a new programme aimed at strengthening rural entrepreneurship and improving financial inclusion in Uzbekistan. The initiative targets nearly 4,000 households that receive remittances as well as migrant workers who have returned to their home communities. By supporting these groups, the… [Read More]

The European Union is seeking to rapidly conclude new free trade agreements with Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries as it looks to diversify its trading partners amid increasing global uncertainty. This push follows recent trade agreements with Mercosur and India signed in January. However, critics argue that in its eagerness to expand trade relations,… [Read More]

The United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway announced on February 26 the creation of a new coalition aimed at preventing atrocities and promoting justice in Sudan. Formed by countries that make up the Sudan Core Group at the Human Rights Council, the initiative comes at a time when violence in the country continues… [Read More]

The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to highlight the critical role that rangelands and pastoralist communities play in sustainable food production, ecosystem protection and climate resilience. According to FAO Assistant Director-General Thanawat Tiensin, rangelands are diverse landscapes used for grazing, including grasslands, savannahs, deserts, mountains, wetlands and drylands…. [Read More]

Across much of sub-Saharan Africa, farming activities depend heavily on the timing of seasonal rains. Farmers have only a short window to prepare their land and plant crops, and missing this period can significantly reduce yields or lead to crop losses. However, many farmers are unable to complete these tasks on time due to limited… [Read More]

Burundi is facing a growing humanitarian crisis as thousands of people fleeing violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to cross the border. Since late 2025, more than 100,000 refugees—most of them women and children—have arrived in the country after escaping armed conflict in South Kivu. Many have settled in refugee camps where… [Read More]

The Ontario government is investing more than $47 million this year through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support 153 non-profit organizations, First Nations communities and small municipalities across the province. The funding aims to strengthen community services and support programs that encourage active lifestyles, promote arts, culture and heritage, and expand opportunities for children and… [Read More]

UN officials have raised serious concerns about the health and environmental consequences of recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on oil depots in Tehran. Speaking in Geneva, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani warned that toxic pollutants released into the air following the attacks could pose major risks to public health and the environment. She… [Read More]

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate ceasefire in South Sudan, warning that violence has caused significant civilian casualties in recent weeks. Over the past 17 days alone, more than 160 civilians have reportedly been killed. Among the dead were at least 139 people who were killed on 1 March… [Read More]

A new report presented at the Human Rights Council in Geneva warns of “alarming trends” in online risks faced by children and calls for urgent action from the entire digital ecosystem to better protect them. According to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the findings highlight the need for governments, technology companies, educators and communities to act… [Read More]

In Chile’s rural Ñuble region, where internet connectivity and access to digital tools are limited, young girls are beginning to explore opportunities in science and technology through digital inclusion initiatives. One example is 15-year-old Jessika Hurtado, who developed an interest in technology after learning about electric circuits and communication systems. Her curiosity has led her… [Read More]