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Reliable soil data is essential for informing agricultural policies and supporting productive and sustainable farming systems. Strengthening the analytical capacities of national laboratories is therefore a key institutional priority for sustainable natural resource management. In Tunisia, FAO, in partnership with the General Directorate of Land Planning and Agricultural Land Conservation (DGACTA), is conducting technical training… [Read More]

Since 2006, FAO’s partnerships with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have mobilized more than USD 1.18 billion across Latin America and the Caribbean to support environmental protection, sustainable land use, and climate resilience. Through the GEF, FAO has secured over USD 530 million benefiting 33 countries, while collaboration with… [Read More]

Grenada occupies a unique position in global agricultural trade as the only country currently authorized to export fresh non-irradiated soursop to the United States. This rare market access makes soursop a highly strategic export crop and highlights the importance of continuously strengthening the country’s sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems across the entire value chain. The… [Read More]

Declining glaciers, shrinking water sources, and increasingly unpredictable weather are placing growing pressure on rural livelihoods in Kyrgyzstan’s At-Bashy district, where many families depend heavily on agriculture and livestock. A recent field mission by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat found that communities are experiencing a… [Read More]

A recent transboundary analysis of the Ma and Neun-Ca shared river basins between Viet Nam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has identified several major threats affecting the shared water systems and surrounding communities. Among the most pressing concerns are fish kills likely linked to agricultural pollution and flash flooding caused by increasingly… [Read More]

Livestock systems across Asia and the Pacific are facing growing pressure from multiple overlapping challenges, including climate change, environmental degradation, zoonotic diseases, and rising demand for animal-source foods. At the same time, millions of people across the region continue to experience food insecurity and cannot afford a healthy diet. In response, governments, scientists, and development… [Read More]

South Africa’s National Department of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, officially launched the first Health Financing Progress Matrix (HFPM) report in Pretoria on 19 March 2026. The launch brought together key partners and stakeholders to present the report’s findings and begin discussions on practical ways to strengthen the country’s… [Read More]

The United Republic of Tanzania has taken an important step toward strengthening its emergency preparedness and response systems by conducting a week-long induction training for Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) in Zanzibar. The initiative marks the formal start of efforts to build a nationally coordinated, rapidly deployable medical response team capable of addressing public health emergencies… [Read More]

The Singapore government is facing growing calls from human rights organizations to immediately drop all criminal charges against government critic Jay Ish’haq Rajoo and repeal the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). Rajoo has become the first person to face criminal prosecution under POFMA since the law came into force in October 2019,… [Read More]

Human Rights Watch used the 61st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council to warn of escalating dangers to civilians across the Middle East and to call for a coordinated, comprehensive, and impartial response to all violations linked to the widening regional conflict. The statement was delivered during an urgent debate held on 25… [Read More]

The Council of Europe and its member states have adopted a new declaration in Chișinău, Moldova, reaffirming their commitment to protecting and advancing social rights at a time of growing political uncertainty across Europe. Known as the Chișinău Declaration, the agreement comes against a backdrop of rising authoritarianism, expanding anti-rights political agendas, and increasing concern… [Read More]

Japan’s ruling coalition is moving to introduce a new law that would criminalize the desecration of the national flag, raising serious concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression. On March 17, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), together with its coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party, announced plans… [Read More]

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a new resolution calling for action to address the enduring legacy of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, with a strong emphasis on reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent. Spearheaded by Ghana on behalf of the 54-member African Group, the resolution was approved with 123… [Read More]

The UK government has announced that the Tay Cities Region in Scotland will receive up to £20 million to accelerate growth in its creative technology sector, with the investment aimed at boosting local innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening the regional economy. The funding will support the area’s growing reputation as a hub for creative and… [Read More]

The UK government has published a new Pandemic Preparedness Strategy aimed at significantly strengthening the country’s readiness for future pandemics, alongside its response to Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. The strategy signals a major overhaul of the UK’s pandemic planning framework and is backed by around £1 billion in health protection investment. It… [Read More]

In Ghana, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the economy, accounting for more than 90 percent of all businesses. Despite their importance, many small businesses continue to struggle to access the credit they need to grow. Nearly 70 percent of MSMEs do not survive beyond their first five years, largely because… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Commission (EC) have launched the first major event under the new Partnership for Decent Work in Fisheries, bringing together governments, employers, workers’ organizations, international institutions, and civil society in Brussels to strengthen labour protection in the fishing sector. The meeting marked the first-ever gathering of the partnership… [Read More]

The Philippines’ construction sector is facing a growing skills gap as it adapts to both digitalization and climate-related demands, raising concerns that many young workers could be left behind if they are not properly prepared. In response, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its partners are working to place youth at the centre of the… [Read More]

Labour inspectors and provincial officers in Cambodia are now better equipped to support enterprises in creating safer and healthier workplaces through the adoption of occupational safety and health management systems (OSH-MS). This progress follows a two-day Training of Trainers session held in Phnom Penh on 12–13 March 2026, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO)… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $5.65 million reimbursable grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to launch the Peace Renewable Energy Certificate (P-REC) Aggregation Facility, an innovative initiative designed to support mini-grid development in Africa’s most fragile and energy-poor countries. The facility is being introduced as a… [Read More]

Honduras has strengthened its climate ambitions by recognizing the conservation value of coastal wetlands such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows in its latest nationally determined contribution (NDC). These ecosystems play a critical role in storing carbon, protecting coastlines, and supporting both biodiversity and coastal communities. With more than 600 miles of shoreline along the… [Read More]

The UK Government has announced landmark measures aimed at protecting the country’s democratic processes from foreign financial influence and interference. The reforms, which are set to come into force immediately, include a new annual cap on political donations from overseas electors and a ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties and candidates. Under the new… [Read More]

Lidl GB has announced a further £110,000 donation to local charities through its community investment programme, marking another milestone in the retailer’s efforts to support communities across the United Kingdom. The initiative involved store colleagues selecting charities within their local areas, with each chosen organisation receiving a one-off donation of £500. In addition, charities connected… [Read More]