The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $4 million grant to enhance road transport connectivity and resilience in Ermera, a remote and underserved region of Timor-Leste. Funded through the Asian Development Fund (ADF), the grant will support the upgrade of an 11-kilometer road corridor connecting rural communities to markets and essential services while protecting… [Read More]
Boosting African Investments: AfDB Deepens Collaboration with Saudi Financial Institutions
The African Development Bank Group and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen their partnership to accelerate investments across Africa’s key growth sectors, following high-level discussions in Washington. Bank Group President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah met with Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) Chief Executive Saad Alkhalb and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Chief… [Read More]
Understanding AfDB’s Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme in The Gambia on UN Disaster Risk Reduction Day
The United Nations International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes the importance of funding resilience today to avoid higher costs from disasters in the future. The African Development Bank Group’s Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi), in partnership with the Africa Risk Capacity Group, provides African countries with access to disaster risk insurance. By paying… [Read More]
São Tomé and Príncipe Secures €72 Million to Drive Economic Growth and Diversification
The African Development Bank Group and the government of São Tomé and Príncipe have intensified efforts to strengthen the Bank’s €72 million portfolio in the country, aiming to accelerate economic diversification. The initiative was highlighted during a recent Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) workshop, where Minister of State for the Economy and Finance Gareth Guadalupe… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Natural Disaster Defenses Receive $10 Million Funding from UAE
The United Arab Emirates has committed $10 million to strengthen resilience against natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region. This funding, announced under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed through the UAE International Aid Agency, will be channeled to Emirates Nature-WWF to implement the Building Community Resilience to Natural Disasters (BCRND) initiative. The first phase of… [Read More]
$3.2 Billion Boost: U.S. Food Security Initiative Benefits Mid-Mississippi Delta Farmers
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is advancing efforts to protect wildlife habitats while boosting food security by encouraging farmers in the mid-Mississippi Delta to shift from commodity row crops to specialty food crops. This initiative, now organized under the Delta Ag Alliance, brings together farmers, startups, retailers, and investors to create a regional framework supporting… [Read More]
Five Key Breakthroughs Advancing Women’s Rights Amid Conflict and Crisis
Women across the globe continue to drive progress in peace, justice, and development, even as their rights face growing threats. From local communities to formal institutions, women are leading efforts to mediate disputes, advocate for new laws, and support survivors, demonstrating resilience and shaping transformative change. These stories highlight that progress is strongest when people… [Read More]
Global Leaders Urge Action as Child Poverty Reaches Crisis Levels
Public health officials in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have made an urgent call to address the growing crisis of child poverty in the region. According to the 2025 Director of Public Health annual report, around 27,000 babies, children, and young people under the age of 19 are currently living in relative poverty. One… [Read More]
New York Mayor Adams Unveils Initiatives to Make Life More Affordable for New Mothers and Families
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has launched two major initiatives to support new mothers and families, aiming to make life more affordable and to prevent homelessness and poverty among new parents. The first, the Creating Real Impact at Birth (CRIB) program, officially began on September 15, 2025. This $8.5 million pilot initiative will connect… [Read More]
Ruinous Tax Policies in Sri Lanka Fuel Growing Inequality
Sri Lanka’s tax policies have been identified as a major factor behind the country’s devastating 2022 economic crisis and the chronic underfunding of essential public services such as education. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the government’s tax system has long favored corporations and wealthy individuals, while failing to generate sufficient revenue to… [Read More]
India Secures Seat on UN Human Rights Council for 7th Term
India has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026–2028 term, marking the country’s seventh tenure on the Geneva-based rights body. The election results, announced on Tuesday, confirmed that India’s three-year term will begin on January 1, 2026. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, expressed gratitude to all… [Read More]
Ukrainian Organizations Eligible for Microsoft’s European AI Grant Competition
Microsoft has announced the launch of the LINGUA competition, an initiative aimed at promoting greater representation of European languages in artificial intelligence. The announcement was made by Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice President and President, through a company blog post. The competition extends an invitation to Ukrainian organizations to take part in the program. The LINGUA… [Read More]
EU Commits €190m to Support Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector
Nigeria’s agricultural sector is set to benefit from a significant financial boost following the European Union’s approval of a €190 million (approximately ₦320.5 billion) credit line aimed at expanding access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses. The facility, provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), was announced during a bilateral meeting between Nigerian officials and… [Read More]
Humanitarian Rollback Sparks Chaos in Cameroon Amid Aid Cuts and Elections
In Cameroon, significant international aid cuts—led by the United States and followed by other key donors—have severely disrupted humanitarian efforts, coinciding with political tensions around the country’s October 12 elections. President Paul Biya, now 92, is seeking to extend his decades-long rule, while the country struggles with multiple, entrenched humanitarian crises. The withdrawal of aid… [Read More]
Global NGOs Slam G20 for Failing to Act on Debt Crisis During South Africa’s Presidency
More than 165 civil society organizations have accused South Africa, in its role as current president of the G20, of failing to make meaningful progress on addressing the growing debt crisis facing developing countries. With nearly half of these nations already over-indebted or at risk of becoming so, the groups issued a joint statement urging… [Read More]
Germany Pledges €1bn to Global Fund Africa, Backed by Africa CDC
The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has praised Germany’s €1 billion commitment to the Global Fund, calling it a strong show of solidarity and leadership in the global fight against infectious diseases. The announcement was made by Africa CDC Director-General, Jean Kaseya, during the World Health Summit in Berlin. Kaseya stated… [Read More]
World Bank Revises Global Poverty Figures Upward with New Data and PPPs
The World Bank has released its June 2025 Global Poverty Update, revealing significant revisions to poverty estimates. The update incorporates new country-specific survey data, including crucial updates from India, and adopts the 2021 Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs). These changes have led to an upward revision of global extreme poverty rates for 2022. Key Takeaways Global… [Read More]
Lagos Hosts the 2025 Création Africa Forum to Spotlight Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries
From 16 to 18 October 2025, Lagos, Nigeria, will host the second edition of the Création Africa Forum, an event dedicated to advancing Africa’s cultural and creative industries. Organized by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Maison des Mondes Africains (MansA), the Institut Français, and supported by the Team… [Read More]
Yango Group Partners with Kenyan Fintech Zanifu to Strengthen SME Growth in Africa
Yango Group, a UAE-based technology company, has announced a strategic investment in Zanifu, a leading Kenyan fintech platform dedicated to improving access to working capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Beyond providing financial backing, Yango will support Zanifu in refining its long-term business model and growth strategy, leveraging its operational expertise from more than… [Read More]
Top 5 Ways to Fund Disaster Resilience and Build a Safer Future
Disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, and costly, with the poorest countries suffering the greatest losses. Despite the growing threat, resilience—the ability of communities and economies to anticipate, withstand, and recover from disasters—remains severely underfunded. Investing in resilience is essential to protect lives, economies, and development progress, yet global funding continues to prioritize recovery over… [Read More]
Global Resilience Financing in Focus as G20 DRR Working Group Meets in South Africa
Under South Africa’s Presidency, the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group convened in Cape Town for a two-part meeting that culminated in a Ministerial session held on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The technical segment, held from 8–11 October, brought together experts and officials from G20 member states and partner organizations to… [Read More]
Building Climate Resilience in Central America and the Dominican Republic: Funding Progress and Challenges
Central America and the Dominican Republic are regions blessed with immense natural, social, and economic wealth, yet they remain among the most disaster-prone areas in the world. Earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and storms have caused widespread devastation, affecting millions of lives and causing significant economic losses. Beyond these large-scale disasters, countless smaller emergencies impact vulnerable… [Read More]
AI for Disaster Prevention: Funding Resilience Before Crisis Strikes
In 2024, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recorded 617 extreme weather events reported by countries around the world. Of these, 152 were classified as unprecedented and 297 as unusual. According to the WMO’s State of the Global Climate report, these disasters displaced over 824,000 people, injured 1.1 million, and caused 1,700 deaths. Yet, these figures… [Read More]
