The 2025 Academic Conference on Africa at UN Headquarters convened African scholars, ministers, and activists to discuss why many countries on the continent feel off course and to explore pathways for Africa to assert its role in a changing global landscape. In an interview following the conference, UN Special Adviser Cristina Duarte highlighted that mindset… [Read More]
Global Fight Against Corruption: Lessons from the UN Summit in Doha
Heads of State, civil society representatives, and private sector leaders are convening this week in Doha, Qatar, for the 11th session of the UN Conference of the States Parties (COSP11) to discuss pressing issues surrounding corruption and strategies to combat it. The conference, taking place from December 15–19, is the largest international gathering dedicated to… [Read More]
Smart Agribusiness in the Philippines: One Young Farmer’s Success Story
Maria Joyce Escosa, a 24-year-old farmer from Igbaras, Philippines, has successfully grown her organic farm despite a general trend of young people showing less interest in agriculture. Combining traditional farming with modern techniques, she cultivates and sells vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, chillies, and okra, while also retailing produce from fellow farmers and offering home… [Read More]
EU and UNDP Advance Albania’s Local Democracy with ReLOaD Phase 3 for EU Accession Support
The Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 (ReLOaD3), funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, has officially launched its third phase in Albania, covering 2025–2029. The launch event, attended by Ervin Demo, Minister of State for Local Governance, Ritva Heikkinen, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania,… [Read More]
Inclusive Community Center Opens in Divjaka Backed by the Government of Switzerland
A modern Community Center providing specialized social care services for children with disabilities, older persons, and other vulnerable groups was inaugurated in Divjaka, Albania. The center was established under Phase 2 of the United Nations Joint Programme “Leave No One Behind” (LNB), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by… [Read More]
Building Resilience for Refugees and Host Communities: Humanitarian and Development Solutions
At the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review, UNDP highlighted how development-focused approaches help both refugees and host communities recover and rebuild amid growing displacement. Conflict, disasters, and climate shocks are driving unprecedented levels of displacement, yet displaced people and their host communities continue to work toward restoring dignity, livelihoods, and stability. UNDP supports these efforts… [Read More]
Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Leveraging Finance and Insurance for Sustainable Farming
The article draws insights from UNDP’s side event at the 8th World Congress on Rural and Agricultural Finance in Mombasa, Kenya, which led to the adoption of the Mombasa Declaration. The declaration calls on financial institutions to implement de-risking mechanisms, including agricultural insurance, to support smallholder farmers who are increasingly exposed to climate-related hazards. Over… [Read More]
Rethinking Internal Displacement: From Global Vision to Local Action and Impact
Globally, forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels, with more than 117 million people uprooted by conflict, violence, human rights violations, and disasters. While some cross borders as refugees, the majority remain within their own countries as internally displaced persons. By the end of 2024, a record 83.4 million people were living in internal displacement, highlighting… [Read More]
Equitable Ecosystem-Based Adaptation in Latin America: Insights from Water Fund Models
The blog by Gabriela Villamarín and Karen Hildahl of FFLA-CDKN examines how the Andean Water Funds Platform is advancing ecosystem-based adaptation across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru while embedding gender equality and social inclusion at the core of climate action. It highlights how community-led and participatory approaches enable water funds to respond to climate threats such… [Read More]
South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Startup Ecosystem Development: Cross-Regional Insights and Policy Pathways
A cross-regional dialogue brought together policymakers, development practitioners, and startup ecosystem stakeholders from across the Global South to examine how South-South and triangular cooperation can accelerate the growth of inclusive and resilient startup ecosystems. The discussion focused on shared challenges, policy innovation, and strategic partnerships that can unlock entrepreneurship-led growth, particularly for youth and underserved… [Read More]
Madagascar Case Study: Innovative Financing for Cyclone Resilience and Child-Centered Disaster Risk Management
Madagascar is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, experiencing frequent droughts, floods, and increasingly severe tropical cyclones. Between 2000 and 2024, more than 50 cyclones affected the country, impacting over six million people, including large numbers of children. During the pilot phase of the Today & Tomorrow Initiative, cyclones Freddy and Cheneso in early 2023… [Read More]
The Power of Arts-Based Interventions in Addressing Climate Change Anxiety Among Children and Families in Australia
The 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires were an unprecedented climate disaster in Australia, severely affecting large parts of New South Wales over several months. Intensified by climate change, prolonged drought, and rising temperatures, the fires directly or indirectly affected nearly 80 percent of Australians through loss, displacement, and exposure to hazardous pollution. Thousands of homes and… [Read More]
People Living with HIV Share Perspectives on HIV Service Integration Across Six Countries
In early 2025, the global HIV response was thrown into crisis as abrupt funding cuts from major international donors led to clinic closures, layoffs of health workers, and the collapse of community programmes that had supported millions for decades. For people living with HIV, these cuts translated into missed appointments, treatment interruptions, medication stockouts, and… [Read More]
Government of Canada Supports Business Growth Through Strategic Investments
Toronto, Canada’s business and financial hub, contributes 50 percent of Ontario’s GDP and serves as a national centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. With nearly 110,000 businesses and a workforce of 1.8 million people, small- and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the city’s economy. Recognizing their vital role, the Government of Canada is committed to… [Read More]
India Imposes Additional Sanctions on Iran, Minister Anand Confirms
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, announced the imposition of additional sanctions on four senior Iranian officials under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations. The targeted individuals—Mohsen Karimi, Ahmad Kadem Seyedoshohada, Mustafa Mohebbi, and Hassan Akharian—have been implicated in gross and systematic human rights violations and have played significant roles in directing and facilitating… [Read More]
Minister Jim O’Callaghan Announces €3.2 Million Funding for Domestic and Sexual Violence Support
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has announced an allocation of €3.2 million to expand domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) services across Ireland. This funding follows a targeted call by Cuan, the national agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, aimed at supporting service expansion, innovation, and increased capacity to… [Read More]
Ireland Appoints 20 SDG Champions for 2025–2027 to Promote UN Goals
The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, has appointed 20 new organisations from across Irish society as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for the 2025–2027 period. These organisations, ranging from local community groups like Balla Tidy Towns and Killimordaly GAA to larger entities such as Galway City Council, FoodCloud, and Guaranteed Irish,… [Read More]
Minister O’Donovan Allocates €181k for Arts and Culture Infrastructure Upgrades
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has announced capital grants totaling €181,741 to six arts and culture organisations to support the upgrading and development of their facilities. This funding is part of Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, a €1.4 million investment programme aimed at enhancing existing arts and culture centres… [Read More]
Ireland Sets Standardised Payment Period for Annual €65 Million Minor Works and ICT Funding
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced a standardised payment period for the annual Minor Works and ICT grant funding for schools, providing clarity and certainty for budgeting and planning. The payments will now be incorporated into the annual grant payments calendar, with the €30 million Minor Works Grant issued in December 2025… [Read More]
UK Boosts South Africa’s Green Economy with New Climate Finance Initiative
The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) South Africa, funded by the UK Government, has opened its fourth call for proposals, aiming to support the development and financing of low-carbon projects that advance South Africa’s transition to a net-zero economy. The programme targets businesses and project developers working in sectors such as energy, transport, waste management, water,… [Read More]
Over £1 Billion Allocated to Help Domestic Abuse Survivors Access Support in the UK
The UK government has announced a major increase in funding to support victims of domestic abuse, adding £19 million to existing allocations for safe accommodation, counselling, court guidance, and children’s services. This investment comes on top of £480 million already confirmed in local government budgets and £550 million across the justice system over the next… [Read More]
How Clean-Air Initiatives Can Save Lives and Improve Health Across South Asia
Air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF) poses a severe development challenge in South Asia, affecting nearly one billion people. The region experiences around one million premature deaths annually due to unhealthy air, with economic losses estimated at nearly 10 percent of regional GDP each year. The World Bank’s report, A Breath… [Read More]
Modernized Municipal Services to Improve Quality of Life for 1 Million People in Uzbekistan
The World Bank has approved a $250 million financing package to support Uzbekistan’s Livable and Productive Cities Program (LPCP), aimed at improving municipal infrastructure and services in 16 districts and cities. The program targets urban areas with a combined population of 3.6 million, addressing the needs of residents and businesses amid rapid urbanization, aging infrastructure,… [Read More]
