The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture have jointly launched the country’s first Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Guide in Agriculture, a significant step toward improving labor conditions in a sector vital to Lebanon’s economy. This initiative represents a foundational shift in how safety and health are integrated into agricultural practices across… [Read More]
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How Emerging Technologies Are Transforming Jobs in East Asia and the Pacific
Technology is rapidly transforming jobs and wages across East Asia and the Pacific, creating both new opportunities and fresh challenges. While technological advancements are boosting employment and incomes in some sectors, their benefits are not being equally shared. The impact depends largely on which tasks can be automated and how profitable that automation is. Moreover,… [Read More]
World Bank, AfDB, and Mastercard Unite to Expand Digital Access in Africa
The World Bank Group has officially joined the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa as a co-chair, partnering with the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard. The initiative aims to expand digital access to essential services for 100 million individuals and businesses across Africa by 2034. With its entry into the alliance,… [Read More]
How Health Taxes Are Boosting Public Health in Cameroon
On July 25, 2025, a high-level seminar was held at the Palais de Verre Paul Biya in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to address the pressing need for regulating and taxing unhealthy food products. Organized by the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA), in partnership with national and international health stakeholders such as the Parliamentary Health Funding Caucus, Oxygen… [Read More]
EU–Africa Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Development
In 2025, the EU-AU Partnership marks its 25th anniversary since its establishment at the Cairo Summit in 2000. This milestone comes at a critical time, following the successful 3rd EU-AU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels and ahead of the 7th AU-EU Summit scheduled for later in the year. The EU and Africa remain firmly committed to… [Read More]
Historic Milestone: Jordan Achieves Record Female Political Representation
A new generation of Jordanian women is entering politics, driven by grassroots activism and substantial national reforms, many of which are supported by UN Women initiatives. Advocates like Yusra Al-Kharisha emphasize the need for women to see themselves in leadership roles beyond the home, including in Parliament and education. Over the past five years, Jordan… [Read More]
Empowering Youth to Drive Local Change for Climate Justice and Gender Equality
International Youth Day 2025 celebrates the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” spotlighting the vital role of youth in driving sustainable development and justice. Across countries like Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kyrgyzstan, young women leaders are demonstrating how grassroots action can lead to global change. UN Women highlighted four changemakers using… [Read More]
Rising Global Tariffs Push Landlocked Developing Countries to Diversify Economies
Recent global trade uncertainties and rising tariffs are impacting Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) more severely than their coastal counterparts. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), each 1% rise in global tariff rates results in a 4% drop in LLDC trade volumes, causing a significant decline in national incomes. A new UNDP policy paper,… [Read More]
Africa’s Path to Sustainability: Stakeholders Rally to Unlock Local Capital for SDG Financing
The United Nations estimates that between $3 trillion and $5 trillion is needed annually to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. For Africa alone, the annual financing gap stands at $194 billion, representing about 7% of the continent’s GDP. Addressing this shortfall, the Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK), in collaboration with the Principles… [Read More]
Africa Begins Phase 1 HIV Vaccine Trial Targeting Highly Networked T-Cell Epitopes
The first doses of a promising investigational HIV vaccine candidate, known as GRAdHIVNE1 (Gorilla Adenovirus Vectored HIV Networked Epitopes Vaccine), have been administered as part of a landmark Phase 1 clinical trial. The vaccine was first given on July 28, 2025, at the Mutala Trust clinical trial site in Harare, Zimbabwe. This initiative represents a… [Read More]
SADC to Host 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State in Madagascar on 17 August 2025
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will hold its 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on 17 August 2025 at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This event is significant for Madagascar, as it marks the 20th anniversary of its membership in SADC, which began in August 2005. The Summit will… [Read More]
South Africa and UNESCO Urge G20 to Prioritize Social Protection Systems
UNESCO participated in the inaugural session of the G20 Working Group on Illicit Financial Flows and Social Protection, held in South Africa. This initiative stems from a commitment made earlier in the year by South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who emphasized that closing illicit financial flows must be tied to reinforcing social protection and advancing… [Read More]
Global Update: Uganda Faces Refugee Funding Crisis, Serbia’s Academic Freedom Under Scrutiny, Afghanistan Strengthens Rural Resilience
Uganda is currently grappling with a deepening refugee funding crisis. Its progressive policy, which allows refugees to work and access public services, along with its geographic proximity to regional conflicts, has made it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. However, emergency aid funding is set to run out by September, putting the lives of vulnerable… [Read More]
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Unveils New Funding to Accelerate Women-Focused Innovation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a landmark $2.5 billion investment to be made through 2030, aimed at accelerating research and development in women’s health. This funding will support over 40 innovations across five key areas that are historically underfunded—maternal health, menstrual and gynecological health, contraceptive innovation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and maternal… [Read More]
Over £450,000 in Funding Awarded to Support Local Community Groups
More than £450,000 in grant funding has been awarded to community groups across Chesterfield to help them deliver projects aimed at building a more resilient and healthier borough. The funding is part of the Community Grants Fund scheme launched by Chesterfield Borough Council in 2023, which supports initiatives that improve the lives of local residents…. [Read More]
Sutton Council Launches Grant to Tackle Homelessness and Boost Community Wellbeing
Sutton Council has introduced a new community grant aimed at addressing homelessness and enhancing health and wellbeing across the borough. Known as the Prevention Pilot Grant, this initiative will support projects led by local charities, community groups, and faith-based organisations that work to either reduce homelessness or lessen the need for adult social care services…. [Read More]
World Breastfeeding Week: Global Call to Invest in Health Systems and Support Mothers
Breastfeeding is recognized as one of the most effective ways to support a baby’s health, development, and survival, especially in the earliest stages of life. It serves as a natural immunity booster, protecting infants from life-threatening illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Despite its benefits, global breastfeeding rates remain low. Only 48% of infants under… [Read More]
FM Sitharaman: NABARD Supports Over 6,200 Farmer Producer Organisations Across India
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has so far promoted the formation of 6,215 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under various government schemes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that NABARD’s key support to these FPOs includes assistance with their formation, capacity building, credit facilitation, financial literacy, and establishing market linkages… [Read More]
NABARD Disburses ₹1.59 Lakh Crore to States for Rural Infrastructure: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided over ₹1.59 lakh crore in loan assistance to state governments for rural infrastructure development over the last three financial years (2022–23 to 2024–25). A significant portion, ₹1.23 lakh crore, was disbursed under the Rural Infrastructure… [Read More]
AFREC Boosts South Africa’s Capacity for Accurate Energy Statistics and Reporting
The African Energy Commission (AFREC) has successfully completed a three-day technical training workshop in South Africa, aimed at improving the country’s capacity to compile and manage national energy statistics. This initiative marks an important step toward enhancing energy data management in the Southern African region. The training, held from 30 July to 1 August 2025,… [Read More]
IOM Resumes Operations Across Syria to Strengthen Humanitarian Support
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has welcomed the formal approval from Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to re-establish its official presence in the country and expand humanitarian operations nationwide. This move signals a renewed commitment by Syrian authorities to closely partner with IOM to strengthen coordination and enhance the impact and sustainability… [Read More]
Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations Begin in Geneva to Tackle Pollution Crisis
Plastic waste is set to triple by 2060 unless the global community reaches a binding international agreement, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This stark warning underscores the urgency of the UNEP-led negotiations currently underway, following a 2022 decision by UN Member States to create a legally binding instrument aimed at ending the plastic… [Read More]
India and UN Strengthen South-South Cooperation to Accelerate SDG Progress
The United Nations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have launched a pioneering partnership to promote sustainable development through South-South Cooperation. This collaboration, known as the ‘UN-India Global Capacity-Building Initiative’, aims to share India’s successful development models with countries across the Global South, helping them achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this initiative,… [Read More]
