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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) have launched a new initiative through an inception meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, to advance the Strategic Basin Investment Programme (SBIP). The programme aims to unlock multi-million-dollar investments to strengthen climate resilience, water security, and sustainable livelihoods across the Zambezi… [Read More]

The European Union (EU), through the Accelerated Industries Climate Response Sri Lanka (AICRSL) Project implemented by UNIDO, has handed over advanced Solar PV training and demonstration equipment to five Technical Colleges in Sri Lanka. The initiative was formally marked at the Department of Technical Education & Training (DTET) in Colombo and was carried out in… [Read More]

The Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a US$45.78 million agreement to strengthen inclusive, market-led and climate-resilient agricultural value chains in Mizoram, in northeast India. The initiative, titled Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the Northeast (FOCUS 2.0), will support sustainable rural development in line with Mizoram’s… [Read More]

A 52-year-old trans woman from Villahermosa, Karla’s experience reflects the barriers faced by many trans people in Mexico when their identity documents do not match their gender identity. Despite graduating with honors in nursing and qualifying for a public hospital position in Tabasco, she was denied employment after officials pointed to a mismatch between her… [Read More]

Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCIP), one of the most prominent organizations documenting the impact of Israeli occupation on Palestinian children since 1991, has announced it is ending its operations. The group said its closure is the result of “challenges resulting from Israel’s targeted criminalization of Palestinian human rights organizations,” highlighting the growing pressure faced by… [Read More]

Amnesty International has condemned the Russian authorities’ decision to designate the prominent human rights organization Memorial as “extremist” and ban its activities, calling it a direct attack on civil society and human rights work. Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Regional Director, said Memorial has spent nearly four decades documenting state… [Read More]

Belarus’s parliament adopted a new law on April 2 banning the so-called “propaganda” of same-sex relationships, gender reassignment, and even “childlessness,” marking a further alignment with Russia’s restrictive political and legal approach. The legislation is part of a broader effort by both countries to stigmatize minority groups, control public discourse, and restrict freedom of expression… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a new report calling for a strong global expansion of social protection systems, warning that significant gaps in coverage, adequacy, and financing are leaving millions of workers exposed in an increasingly unstable global economy. The report, Universal social protection in changing labour markets: Protecting workers in all types… [Read More]

Trade union representatives in Malaysia are enhancing efforts to promote more inclusive organizing, with a strong focus on increasing the participation and leadership of women and migrant workers. These initiatives were discussed during a two-day training workshop held in Kuala Lumpur on 16–17 March 2026, which brought together 25 representatives from around 10 unions affiliated… [Read More]

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have warned that essential assistance for refugees could be drastically reduced in the coming months unless a $428 million funding shortfall is urgently addressed. The agencies highlighted the growing strain on humanitarian operations as displacement from Sudan continues to rise. Chad is currently hosting… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Lebanon, Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, described Wednesday as one of the deadliest days in the current escalation of violence, following multiple strikes that hit densely populated areas in Beirut and other locations within minutes. He reported that civilians were caught off guard during the attacks, which struck during working… [Read More]

The 2026 Financing for Sustainable Development Report evaluates progress on the Sevilla Commitment, a 2025 global agreement aimed at mobilizing the estimated $4 trillion required annually to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the end of the decade. UN officials emphasized that implementing this commitment is critical to maintaining global cooperation and ensuring sufficient… [Read More]

The Irish Government has announced €4.42 million in funding for 40 projects under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2026 to support the repair, conservation, and protection of landmark and heritage buildings across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and the Minister of State… [Read More]

xThe United Nations Resident Coordinator in Chile, María José Torres, visited the La Araucanía region from 30 March to 1 April to review the progress of the Connected Communities programme, supported by the Joint SDG Fund. The initiative aims to reduce the digital divide in rural areas and strengthen access to essential services such as… [Read More]

Flooding, displacement, and ongoing economic hardship are significantly increasing humanitarian needs across Yemen, affecting vulnerable communities nationwide, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Years of conflict have already created a severe crisis, with widespread displacement and limited access to basic services, and recent conditions have further worsened the situation. In 2026, more than… [Read More]

Nepal’s economic growth is projected to slow to 2.3 percent in FY26, down from 4.6 percent in FY25, according to the World Bank’s latest Nepal Development Update. The slowdown is attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the lingering effects of domestic unrest in September 2025. The services sector is expected to… [Read More]

India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.6 percent in FY27, according to the World Bank’s latest India Development Update, even as higher global energy prices driven by the Middle East conflict and ongoing supply chain disruptions weigh on economic activity. Despite the moderation, India is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing major economies… [Read More]

Bhutan’s economy is expected to maintain strong growth over the medium term, with the World Bank projecting real GDP growth of 7.1 percent in FY25/26 and 6.4 percent in FY26/27, driven mainly by hydropower expansion, including major projects such as Punatsangchhu-II, Dorjilung, and Khorlochhu. Despite this positive outlook, the report highlights rising challenges, including youth… [Read More]

Mongolia’s economy is projected to grow by 5.0 percent in 2026, following strong performance in 2025, according to the latest World Bank Mongolia Economic Update. The economy expanded by 6.9 percent in 2025, supported by a rebound in agriculture and strong mining output, particularly copper production at Oyu Tolgoi, which helped offset weaker coal performance…. [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened the first-ever Global Forum of its Collaborating Centres, bringing together more than 800 designated institutions across over 80 countries to strengthen global scientific cooperation in public health. The forum highlighted growing global health challenges in an increasingly fragmented world, while also emphasizing new opportunities for collaboration and innovation…. [Read More]

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the return of its Sudan Country Office to Khartoum, three years after its premises were destroyed at the start of the 2023 conflict. The announcement followed a meeting between WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau and Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris, with the agency’s new Country Director Abdallah… [Read More]

More than one million Sudanese refugees in Chad are facing severe cuts to essential humanitarian assistance as UNHCR and the World Food Programme warn of a critical US$428 million funding shortfall. The agencies say that without urgent financial support, life-saving services such as food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, and protection will be drastically reduced in… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Outlook (April 2026) projects a sharp slowdown in Maldives’ economic growth due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting tourism, raising energy costs, and tightening fiscal and external buffers. Growth is expected to fall significantly to 1.0% in 2026 from 5.4% in 2025, before gradually… [Read More]