Pashchimanchal Gas Company Limited (PGCL) has received financing from the World Bank for the Gas Sector Efficiency Improvement and Carbon Abatement Project. Part of the funding will be used for the procurement of the “Design, Supply, Installation & Commissioning of SCADA & GIS for 10 Gas Stations, including necessary hardware and software” under the Installation… [Read More]

Since 2019, Ethiopia has undertaken a comprehensive reform program to modernize its state-owned enterprises (SOEs), supported by the World Bank. This effort established the country’s first SOE database, strengthened oversight, and updated the legal and governance framework. As a result, SOEs have shifted from relying on public funds to generating revenue, contributing ETB 117 billion… [Read More]

Despite centuries of medical study, women’s bodies remain poorly understood, with research often describing them as “mysterious” compared to men’s. This knowledge gap has real consequences: women experience longer delays in diagnosis, higher rates of chronic pain, and overall spend 25 percent more of their lives in ill health than men. These disparities are compounded… [Read More]

TotalEnergies faces a $7.4 billion offshore project in South Africa’s Deep Western Orange Basin, currently delayed by legal proceedings at the Western Cape High Court. The ruling will determine whether drilling permits proceed or encounter further postponements. The case highlights growing environmental and regulatory risks that even large-scale offshore projects now face, reflecting a broader… [Read More]

The UN80 Initiative, launched last year, is entering a delivery-focused phase aimed at reshaping how the United Nations operates to maximize impact for people and the planet. Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder highlighted that recent achievements have built momentum, including the completion of over 80 percent of early milestones in the UN80 Action Plan, which… [Read More]

Pakistan faces a silent nutrition crisis where diets high in grains and sugar leave many undernourished while diabetes rates continue to rise. Although the country produces enough food, access to balanced diets remains limited, particularly for vulnerable populations. Experts suggest that shifting from a traditional ‘food security’ approach to a comprehensive ‘food systems transformation’ could… [Read More]

The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB) has approved an $80 million investment loan to Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento do Extremo Sul (BRDE) to support critical infrastructure development and the recovery of micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul State. The project, Prosul Reergue Sul, aims… [Read More]

Ukraine has endured the fourth winter since the full-scale invasion by Russia, surviving conditions that were deliberately engineered to break civilian resilience. Throughout the cold months, Moscow repeatedly targeted power and heating infrastructure with the apparent aim of forcing millions of Ukrainians into submission during subzero temperatures. While such tactics have been used each winter,… [Read More]

Zambia’s development path is closely tied to its ability to create more and better jobs, especially for its rapidly growing youth population. As digital technologies continue to transform how businesses operate and how work is performed, building relevant digital skills has become essential for improving employability, boosting productivity, and expanding access to opportunities. Strengthening technical… [Read More]

Across Asia and the Pacific, climate pressures, population growth, and widening inequalities are intensifying the region’s water challenges. Addressing these issues requires more than building infrastructure—it demands meaningful collaboration with civil society. Civil society organizations (CSOs) bring trusted community connections, social insights, and technical expertise that enhance inclusion, accountability, and sustainability across water and development… [Read More]

The Caribbean is among the most climate-vulnerable and disaster-prone regions in the world, with its exposure shaped by geography, topography, and socio-economic factors. Despite these challenges, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region have set ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, aiming to advance renewable energy, protect ecosystems, enhance coastal resilience,… [Read More]

As the Joyce Foundation marks 75 years of impact, its legacy offers a powerful case study in how long-term, policy-focused philanthropy can shape national outcomes. From early investments in gun violence research to environmental protection and education reform, the foundation’s approach underscores the importance of patience, evidence, and risk-taking in addressing complex social challenges. A… [Read More]

India is entering a decisive phase in tackling plastic pollution, with recent updates to its Plastic Waste Management framework signalling a clear shift from policy intent to measurable enforcement. The new regulations place stronger responsibilities on businesses, particularly in the use of recycled plastic, improved traceability, and stricter compliance under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). A… [Read More]

The COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi revealed how deeply interconnected risks can trigger widespread and lasting crises in low-income, multi-hazard environments. Far from being a standalone health emergency, the pandemic exposed underlying structural weaknesses and set off cascading impacts across health systems, livelihoods, education, and governance, underscoring the urgent need for more integrated and resilient disaster… [Read More]

Informal conversations can sometimes reveal deeper policy gaps. A recent discussion with a colleague from Sierra Leone highlighted the role of a government office—the NGO Directorate—designed to ensure that non-governmental organizations operate not just as donor-driven entities but as partners aligned with national development priorities. This raised an important question for Lesotho: who ensures that… [Read More]

India has introduced further restrictions on foreign funding for non-governmental organizations through amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), drawing strong criticism from civil society groups and minority institutions. A key provision in the 2026 amendment is the creation of a government-appointed “Designated Authority” that can take provisional control of foreign contributions and assets… [Read More]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the UN System Staff College, has launched a specialized e-course aimed at strengthening the understanding of sovereign credit ratings among African government officials. The course, developed under UNDP’s Africa Credit Ratings Initiative and hosted on the UNSSC’s UN Learn platform, is designed to provide practical, policy-focused… [Read More]

The United Nations Development Programme, with support from the Japan, has helped the Pryluky City Territorial Community in Chernihiv Oblast secure UAH 160 million in funding after completing project management training under a pilot initiative on local recovery planning. The training enabled local institutions, including the municipal enterprise “Posluha” and the Pryluky Local History Museum,… [Read More]

The Digital Readiness Toolkit for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) provides a structured and practical framework to help institutions navigate digital transformation while upholding human rights principles. Developed to support institutions at different stages of digital maturity, the toolkit emphasizes that technology should enhance—not compromise—human dignity, inclusion, transparency, and accountability. At its core, the toolkit… [Read More]

UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, Hanoi National University of Education, and CJ Group, has launched a new phase of its We Are ABLE initiative to advance gender-transformative STEAM education in Vietnam. The launch event, held on 24 March, brought together around 1,000 participants, including educators, students, policymakers, and development partners… [Read More]

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a US$10 million line of credit to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Trinidad and Tobago. The financing was endorsed during the Bank’s 313th Board meeting held in Barbados on March 26, 2026, and forms part of the Fourth Agricultural and Industrial Line… [Read More]

Peru has secured a major funding boost of $37.5 million from the Green Climate Fund to strengthen conservation and climate resilience efforts across the Peruvian Amazon. The funding supports the “Peru’s Natural Legacy – Amazon & Climate” initiative, a broader $74.5 million programme that includes co-financing contributions. The project aims to enhance climate mitigation and… [Read More]

Businesses across Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight are being invited to apply for funding to support innovative water-saving projects through the Business Partnership Fund. Launched by Southern Water, the fund aims to help businesses, retailers and conservation providers reduce water usage and lower costs. The latest application window opened on 1 April… [Read More]