The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026, published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), warns that the region is on track to miss 103 of 117 measurable targets across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, representing 88 per cent of all targets. These goals,… [Read More]
Climate Shocks and Conflict Trigger Acute Hunger for Millions in Pakistan
From December 2025 to March 2026, approximately 1.25 million people in Pakistan are expected to face ‘emergency’ levels of acute food insecurity, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. These populations are experiencing large food gaps and high rates of acute malnutrition, making immediate lifesaving assistance critical to prevent a humanitarian… [Read More]
Sustainable Agave Farming Revives Oaxaca’s Dry Forests and Ecosystems
Oaxaca’s dry forests are ecosystems uniquely adapted to extreme conditions, enduring prolonged periods without rain by shedding leaves and storing water in deep roots. This resilience contributes to Oaxaca’s standing as one of Mexico’s most biodiverse states, with its dry forests hosting the country’s largest variety of reptiles and amphibians and 722 plant species found… [Read More]
Thi Qar Wetland Restoration Boosts Climate Resilience, Benefits 30,000 People
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and Iraqi national authorities have officially handed over a newly constructed wetland in Thi Qar, southern Iraq, designed to tackle pollution and drought. The project directly benefits 30,000 local residents by providing effective wastewater treatment while offering a sustainable, nature-based solution for climate adaptation,… [Read More]
Minister McEntee Advances Humanitarian Protection in Sudan with Joint Statement
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, along with 31 international counterparts, has endorsed a Joint Ministerial Statement on the Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Operations in Sudan. The statement expresses deep concern over the ongoing deadly attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian operations amid heavy fighting in the Kordofan and… [Read More]
Ethiopia to Receive New Funding for Maternal, Child Health and Gender-Based Violence Programs
Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has announced new funding to support maternal, neonatal and child health, as well as initiatives to tackle gender-based violence in Ethiopia. During his visit, Minister Richmond met with Ethiopia’s Minister for Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, to reaffirm Ireland’s long-term commitment to strengthening Ethiopia’s health system and… [Read More]
Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Serbia: From Strategy to Implementation
After five years of coordinated efforts, Serbia’s agricultural sector is now better equipped to manage climate risks. The project Strengthening Disaster Resilience in Agriculture, funded by the European Union and implemented from March 2021 to January 2026, integrated climate resilience across agricultural policies, institutions, and farming practices, reinforcing the sector from national strategies down to… [Read More]
Unsafe Nurse Staffing in Europe Threatens Patient Safety and Drives Nurses Away
Health systems across Europe are facing growing pressures from nurse shortages, rising care demands, and increasing burnout. In response, WHO/Europe has issued the Region’s first policy brief on safe nurse staffing, defining it as having the right number and mix of appropriately educated and supported nurses to deliver safe care. Evidence shows that insufficient staffing… [Read More]
FAO Regions Collaborate to Harness Nuclear Technologies for Global Food Security
Senior leaders from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded a high-level visit to the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture on 12 February 2026, highlighting their shared commitment to scaling science-based, innovative solutions to tackle food insecurity, malnutrition, and sustainability challenges across regions. The FAO and… [Read More]
NI SMEs Receive £10m+ Boost from Targeted Investment Fund
Northern Ireland’s Co-Fund III, managed by Clarendon Fund Managers, has invested over £10 million in local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during its first year of operation. The fund, part of Invest NI’s “Access to Finance” initiative, contributes alongside private investors and business angels to support high-growth companies across the region. In its initial year,… [Read More]
ECA Highlights $1.1 Trillion in Domestic Capital to Unlock Africa’s Growth Potential
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has highlighted that Africa holds more than $1.1 trillion in domestic institutional capital, which could be strategically deployed to finance the continent’s transformation. Speaking at the Ninth Africa Business Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete emphasized that while Africa faces infrastructure-financing gaps and annual losses… [Read More]
N1bn Women Entrepreneurship Fund Unveiled by MTN Foundation and BOI
The MTN Foundation and the Bank of Industry (BOI) have partnered to establish a N1 billion Matching Fund aimed at expanding access to finance and capacity-building support for women-led microenterprises across Nigeria. This initiative, operating under the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 programme, is designed to reach women who run viable businesses but are often excluded from formal… [Read More]
$3.9 Billion Raised by African Startups in 2025 as Venture Investments Stabilize
In 2025, African startups raised a total of $3.9 billion across 506 deals, signaling a stabilising trend for the continent’s venture ecosystem after two years of global market adjustments, according to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association’s (AVCA) 2025 Venture Capital Activity in Africa report. While overall capital deployment remained below previous peak… [Read More]
Collaborative Efforts by Health Organisations Enhance Local Community Care
A new collaboration between NSW Ambulance and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District aims to provide patients with the right care in the right place while reducing pressure on emergency departments. The initiative will deploy two additional Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) vehicles, staffed by six highly skilled paramedics, to expand existing community-based care models. These… [Read More]
Environmental and Technological Governance in the Amazon: Insights from Colombia and Peru
The Amazon, the world’s most biodiverse biome, faces growing threats from deforestation, illegal mining, agricultural expansion, and extreme climate events that exceed local capacities to respond effectively. Addressing these challenges requires a clear understanding of how institutions—government agencies, local organizations, universities, research centers, NGOs, and technological networks—interact and cooperate to manage environmental governance across the… [Read More]
EU Commits Over €81 Million to Support Communities in Eastern DRC Amid Growing Crisis
The escalation of conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has triggered widespread displacement, leaving essential resources such as food, water, and shelter under severe strain. Women and children are increasingly exposed to violence and exploitation, prompting urgent humanitarian intervention. In response, the European Union is mobilizing €81.2 million in aid to support… [Read More]
Nordic Council of Ministers Allocates DKK 30M to Empower Civil Society Organisations
The Nordic Council of Ministers is inviting non-profit civil society organisations with ideas involving partners from multiple Nordic countries to apply for the Demos funding programme. The initiative aims to strengthen the voice of Nordic civil society and provide organisations with opportunities to influence society. Previous projects supported by Demos include research initiatives, travel grants,… [Read More]
TCDA’s $12B Tree Crop Plan: Driving Economic Growth and Employment Opportunities
Ghana’s Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has unveiled a comprehensive growth blueprint for the country’s tree crops sector, aiming to boost export performance and generate significant employment by 2030. The plan, presented at the Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Accra, targets six priority commodities: cashew, oil palm, shea, coconut, rubber, and… [Read More]
How the IRC Serves Communities Across America: 3 Impactful Approaches
In 2025, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) supported 29 communities across the United States through programs aimed at strengthening the economy, assisting vulnerable populations, and ensuring humanitarian protections are upheld. Working closely with local partners, employers, schools, and community members, the IRC combines immediate support with long-term solutions to help families affected by crises rebuild… [Read More]
Japan Pledges $6.9 Million to UNESCO for Urgent Humanitarian Support
UNESCO has announced the launch of 19 new emergency-focused projects totaling $6.9 million, funded by Japan, to support communities affected by crises worldwide. These projects will strengthen initiatives in cultural heritage, education, and access to information, reinforcing UNESCO’s critical role in emergency response. Japan’s continued support highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the… [Read More]
Successive Cyclones in Madagascar: Urgent Risks to Children Highlighted
Cyclone Gezani struck eastern Madagascar on 10 February 2026 with winds exceeding 200 km/h, marking the second cyclone to hit the country within two weeks. The storm has affected over 270,000 people, displaced more than 16,000 individuals, and left at least 6,000 children without homes. In the hardest-hit Atsinanana region, particularly in Toamasina, damaged and… [Read More]
UNICEF Report: Four Years of War Leave 1 in 3 Ukrainian Children Displaced
UNICEF has reported that over a third of Ukraine’s children—approximately 2,589,900—remain displaced as the war enters its fifth year. This includes more than 791,000 children displaced within Ukraine and nearly 1,798,900 living as refugees abroad. The ongoing conflict continues to threaten their safety, with attacks on civilian areas following many of these children even after… [Read More]
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Invests $141 Million in Brampton, Ontario
The Ontario government is celebrating a $141 million investment from Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd. to renovate and expand its flagship manufacturing, distribution, and sales facility in Brampton. The expansion will introduce a cutting-edge production line capable of producing at least 20 million additional cases annually, creating up to 500 well-paying construction jobs and reinforcing Ontario’s… [Read More]
