Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has called on international financial leaders to prioritize decent work and social justice in their policy frameworks. Speaking through written statements to the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., Houngbo highlighted the critical role that strong labour institutions… [Read More]
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Digital Transformation in Indonesia’s Dairy Ecosystem: ILO and OJK Collaboration
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) launched the Dairy Ecosystem Digitalization Programme in Malang, East Java, as part of the SECO-supported Promise II Impact project. The initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion and cooperative efficiency by connecting dairy farmers, cooperatives, and financial institutions through an integrated digital system, marking a… [Read More]
Promoting Ethical Labour Migration Reporting: ECOWAS Adopts ILO Toolkit
In a significant effort to reshape labour migration narratives and combat forced labour, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and key partners, held a Regional Adaptation Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria. The workshop focused on localizing the ILO’s Media Toolkit on Reporting Forced Labour and Fair… [Read More]
Albania Employment and Social Protection: Building Inclusive Opportunities
Albania is advancing inclusive social and economic reforms through the “Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania” (LEAP) Joint Programme, implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, and UN Women with support from the Joint SDG Fund. The initiative aims to expand social protection, improve care services, and create decent employment opportunities for children, women, youth, and the… [Read More]
Agriculture, Employment, and Economic Growth: Building Job-Rich Economies
With more than a billion young people expected to enter the workforce over the next decade, creating sufficient jobs and opportunities has become a critical global challenge. Jobs are not just a source of income; they provide self-sufficiency, dignity, and hope, making employment one of the most effective routes out of poverty. At the World… [Read More]
Colombia Poverty Reduction: Five Strategies to Bridge Regional Inequalities
During a recent visit to Tumaco, Colombia, the resilience and determination of its residents and local authorities were evident, as they work toward improving quality of life. Despite these efforts, Tumaco continues to face challenges that other parts of the country have already overcome, and significant work remains to expand opportunities for its population. Territorial… [Read More]
Charting Pakistan’s Path Out of Poverty: Enduring Challenges & Fragile Gains
Pakistan’s journey in poverty reduction reflects both notable achievements and persistent challenges. Between 2001 and 2018, the country’s poverty rate fell dramatically from 64.3% to 21.9%, largely due to increased labor incomes driven by a shift from agriculture to sectors like construction, trade, transport, and manufacturing. Real wages in these areas rose modestly, and by… [Read More]
How Employment Drives Poverty Reduction in Central America and the Dominican Republic
Poverty continues to affect millions in Central America and the Dominican Republic, with significant challenges remaining in reducing inequality and improving living standards. In the region, one in three people lives on less than $8.30 per day (2021 PPP), higher than the Latin American average of one in four. For many households, poverty is persistent… [Read More]
How Quality Jobs Promote Economic Growth and Equity in the Dominican Republic
Every October 17, the world observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a moment to reflect on progress and ongoing challenges in reducing inequality. In the Dominican Republic, this day highlights the country’s notable achievements in poverty reduction, driven by sustained economic growth and inclusive policies. The World Bank’s new representative in the… [Read More]
How Skills Training Is Transforming Careers for Young People Across Africa
From a young age, Leah Francis Basu was captivated by aircraft and the principles of flight, a curiosity that eventually led her to pursue a career in aviation. She enrolled at the National Institute of Transport (NIT) in Tanzania to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, benefiting from a scholarship under the World Bank-funded East Africa Skills… [Read More]
Post-Ceasefire, WFP Expands Food Support to Families Most at Risk
Following the recent ceasefire in Gaza, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has resumed food distributions across the region, reaching families through bakeries, nutritional programs, digital payments, and family food boxes. Since 11 October, WFP has dispatched over 280 trucks—nearly 3,000 metric tons—supporting bakeries, nutrition initiatives, and general food distributions. Early on 21 October,… [Read More]
Food Assistance in Syria Strengthened Through OPEC Fund and WFP Partnership
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) have signed a US$500,000 grant agreement to support emergency food assistance in Syria. This funding will enable WFP to scale up its operations and provide monthly support to 1.6 million people across the country. Vulnerable families will receive electronic… [Read More]
El Gouna Film Festival 2025 Showcases Food Security Initiatives with WFP Egypt
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF), in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Egypt, dedicated its 8th edition to raising awareness about food security, one of the world’s most pressing challenges. The festival’s opening night on World Food Day (16 October) launched a week-long series of events highlighting the fight against hunger and… [Read More]
ADB Urged to Redefine Its Strategy in Kazakhstan, Says Independent Evaluation
A new evaluation by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Independent Evaluation Department (IED) has called for a major strategic shift in how ADB engages with Kazakhstan. The report recommends that ADB build on its strong record of project-level success and adopt a more integrated approach that combines lending, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and policy dialogue…. [Read More]
$3 Billion ADB–World Bank Partnership to Strengthen Development Financing in Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $3 billion sovereign exposure exchange agreement (EEA) with the World Bank to boost its lending capacity for developing member countries across Asia and the Pacific. This marks ADB’s first such agreement with the World Bank and its sixth with multilateral development banks (MDBs) since 2020, raising the… [Read More]
Guterres Warns of Financial Crisis as UN Unveils Sharply Reduced 2026 Budget
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has unveiled a sharply reduced 2026 budget proposal, marking a significant cut from his original request of $3.715 billion. The new proposal is 15.1 per cent lower than the 2025 approved appropriation, reflecting the United Nations’ deepening financial strain. Addressing the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which oversees administrative and budgetary matters,… [Read More]
Developing Countries Struggle Under $31 Trillion Debt Burden, UN Summit Reports
Addressing the 195 Member States of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasized that 72 percent of global trade continues to operate under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. She praised the international community’s commitment to maintaining a rules-based trading system, noting that such cooperation has prevented the kind… [Read More]
Despite Progress, Women Still Face Exclusion from Peace Negotiations Worldwide
The UN Secretary-General’s annual report on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), released on Monday, reveals that despite global commitments, women continue to be largely excluded from peace processes. The report underscores the vital role women play as peacemakers and how conflicts disproportionately affect them. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous highlighted the urgent need for… [Read More]
Fighting Antisemitism in Higher Education: Best Practices and Solutions
In recent years, universities around the world have witnessed a rise in antisemitic incidents, posing threats to students’ safety and undermining the core values of inclusion, respect for diversity, and intellectual freedom that are central to higher education. In response, UNESCO has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, aiming to… [Read More]
Dubai Police Partners with UNITAR to Promote Human Rights
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has partnered with the Dubai Police to launch a series of capacity-building programmes, with the first flagship initiative on Human Rights scheduled from 21 to 23 October 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This three-day training represents a significant step in strengthening human rights practices within… [Read More]
Fair Wealth Distribution: Key to Ending Global Poverty
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on October 17, serves as a reminder that despite significant progress over the years, poverty persists—and in some cases, is worsening. In Bangladesh, a country once celebrated for its rapid poverty reduction, recent data shows that more than one in four citizens now live below… [Read More]
Lessons from China: Effective Approaches to Reducing Poverty
Poverty remains a critical challenge in developing countries, which are home to more than 70 percent of the global population, according to Ms. Jie Ping, Deputy Director General of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC). She made these remarks during the opening of a two-week seminar on “Rural Development and Poverty Reduction for… [Read More]
Capacity Building in Non-Profits: Training for Greater Efficiency and Impact
Non-profit organisations play a critical role in society, acting as lifelines amid crises, conflict, and inequality. They provide urgent relief during disasters, drive long-term development, and fill service gaps that governments cannot address, promoting justice and restoring dignity for vulnerable populations. Despite these essential roles, many non-profits face challenges such as limited capacity and insufficient… [Read More]
