Zambia has taken an important step toward strengthening its social protection system with the launch of a comprehensive assessment report comparing national laws and practices to the standards outlined in the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102). The event, held in Lusaka on 12 November 2025, marks a milestone in the country’s progress… [Read More]
Mongolia Streamlines MSME Regulations with Support from the ILO
Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make up nearly 70 percent of Mongolia’s total employment, yet many struggle to access public services due to lengthy and complex procedures. To help address these issues, the ILO, together with key ministries, held a workshop on 28 October 2025 aimed at improving MSME registration and licensing processes. The… [Read More]
Jordan Studies International Approaches to Boost Social Security Access Through Contribution Subsidies
A national workshop held in Amman on 9–10 November brought together the Social Security Corporation (SSC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) to explore global models for expanding social security coverage through contribution subsidies. Organized under the Estidama++ programme—which is supported by the ILO and funded by the United… [Read More]
World Bank Group Launches Network for Impact in Africa to Accelerate Development Solutions
The World Bank Group, together with four leading African think tanks, has launched the Network for Impact in Africa (NIA), a collaborative platform aimed at strengthening knowledge partnerships and improving development outcomes across the continent. The initiative focuses on combining global expertise with local insights to support policymakers and deliver practical, country-specific solutions. By embedding… [Read More]
Super, Medium, or Mini VAT? Breaking Down Argentina’s VAT Structure and Its Key Challenges
The Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a key revenue source for more than 160 countries, generating between 20% and 30% of total tax income. Its global dominance stems from its ability to raise substantial resources with relatively low administrative and economic costs. Although widely used, debates continue in many countries about how efficiently VAT functions and… [Read More]
World’s Most Extensive Resource on Reserve Management Practices Released in New Report
The World Bank has released its most comprehensive report to date on global reserve management practices, based on survey responses from 136 central banks—the highest participation since the survey began. The 5th Biennial Reserve Management Survey Report 2025, produced by the World Bank Treasury’s Reserve Advisory & Management Partnership (RAMP), examines how central banks protect… [Read More]
World Bank Launches New Support to Modernize Transport Infrastructure in Haiti
The World Bank has approved a new project in Haiti designed to improve rural accessibility and strengthen road connectivity in the country’s South and North departments. The initiative focuses on critical segments of National Road 2 and Departmental Road 41, both of which are vital corridors for regional mobility and economic activity. By targeting these… [Read More]
How Digital Transformation and Public Sector Reform Are Accelerating Western Balkans’ EU Integration and Economic Development
The Western Balkans—comprising Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—are undergoing rapid transformation as they modernize public institutions and embrace digital technologies. Despite global uncertainties, the region continues to experience steady economic growth supported by improvements in governance, increased business confidence, and expanding job opportunities. As the countries move closer to European… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Launches Türkiye Operations, Targets $3 Billion Yearly Financing for 2026–2027
The Asian Development Bank has officially launched its operations in Türkiye following high-level meetings between ADB President Masato Kanda and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. During the discussions, ADB reaffirmed its intention to provide $3 billion annually in project financing for 2026 and 2027, supporting Türkiye’s national development priorities. President Kanda emphasized Türkiye’s strategic… [Read More]
African Development Bank Clears $310 Million Financing to Support MSMEs, Women Entrepreneurs and Agribusiness Growth in South Africa
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $310 million financial package for FirstRand Bank to expand lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa. The support places strong emphasis on women-led businesses and agribusinesses, aiming to enhance access to capital for groups that traditionally face significant financing barriers. As one of Africa’s… [Read More]
$211.4 Million AfDB Investment Set to Transform Agriculture and Employment in Eastern Angola
The African Development Bank Group has approved a financing package worth $211.4 million to strengthen agricultural production and expand employment opportunities in eastern Angola. The initiative, known as the Eastern Region Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, aims to turn the region into a major food hub for Angola and neighbouring countries by capitalizing on its… [Read More]
Disaster Recovery Timeline: Steps from Immediate Response to Sustainable Rebuilding
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, it triggered one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. The recovery process spanned over a decade and involved multiple phases, beginning with emergency response and gradually moving toward long-term rebuilding. Initially, the priority was rescuing stranded residents and delivering immediate aid, which… [Read More]
Palestinian NGO Denied Appeal on UK F-35 Export Ruling to Israel
A Palestinian human rights organization, Al-Haq, has been denied permission to appeal a UK court ruling that permitted components of F-35 fighter jets to be exported indirectly to Israel. Al-Haq, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, had previously challenged the UK’s Department for Business and Trade over its decision to exempt F-35 parts from a… [Read More]
Human Trafficking in Romania: Need for Better Legislation, Prevention, and Protection for Vulnerable Groups
Romanian authorities have made important strides in combating human trafficking, yet further measures are needed to protect vulnerable populations, identify and assist victims, and hold perpetrators accountable, according to a new report by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA). The evaluation examines Romania’s actions since 2021,… [Read More]
Taliban in Afghanistan Could Face Fresh Sanctions, Says Australia
The Australian government is moving to amend its sanctions regulations to enhance accountability for Taliban officials and others responsible for serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan, according to Human Rights Watch. The proposed changes to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations will introduce criteria specific to Afghanistan, allowing Australia to impose targeted sanctions and travel bans on… [Read More]
New Study Warns Jobs Alone Cannot Solve Child Poverty Crisis
New research funded by the Nuffield Foundation warns that the UK government’s reliance on employment growth alone will be insufficient to reduce child poverty unless accompanied by the removal of the two-child limit and the benefit cap. The study, conducted by the London School of Economics (LSE) and the University of Glasgow, finds that even… [Read More]
Ethiopia Strengthens Agricultural Insurance Through Strategic Partnerships
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has entered a strategic partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Association of Ethiopian Insurers (AEI) to strengthen the country’s agricultural insurance system and bolster the resilience of smallholder farmers against climate and market risks. This collaboration aims to establish a sustainable, scalable, and farmer-focused insurance framework… [Read More]
R15 Billion South African Infrastructure Bond Aims to Boost Investment in Key Projects
South Africa is set to launch a R15 billion infrastructure bond to fund critical infrastructure projects, aiming to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana highlighted in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) that the government will also contribute R2 billion to capitalise a Credit Guarantee Vehicle, initially focused on expanding electricity… [Read More]
Call for Proposals: Enhance the Impact of Digital Remittances in Morocco’s Rural Communities
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through its Financing Facility for Remittances (FFR) and as part of the DigitRemit Morocco programme (2024–2028) co-financed by the European Union Delegation in Rabat, has launched a Call for Proposals (CfP25) to increase the impact of digital remittances in Morocco. The initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion, economic… [Read More]
COP30 Insights: How Governance, Transparency, and Inclusive Leadership Accelerate Climate Action
As the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) convenes in Belém, Brazil, marking the tenth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, the global focus has shifted toward implementing climate solutions and translating commitments into tangible action. Climate change is not solely an environmental issue but a multidimensional challenge that intersects with governance at all… [Read More]
$6.5 Million Mellon Awards Propel Jazz Research and Cultural Storytelling
The Mellon Foundation has announced over $6.5 million in grants to expand jazz scholarship and strengthen its cultural infrastructure, as part of the Foundation’s broader $35 million commitment to preserving jazz as America’s first original art form. Central to this funding is a $5.8 million grant to the Jazz Study Group (JSG), an interdisciplinary collective… [Read More]
FAO Hosts 17th Multidisciplinary Team Meeting for West Africa in Abidjan
West Africa is among the world’s most vulnerable regions to climate change, facing recurrent droughts, floods, and irregular rainfall that exacerbate insecurity, pressure on natural resources, and poverty. These compounding shocks have negatively impacted agricultural performance and worsened food insecurity, which currently affects over 34 million people across the region. In response to these challenges,… [Read More]
WHO Confirms Egypt Has Eliminated Trachoma as a Public Health Problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Egypt has successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the seventh country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to reach this milestone. Globally, Egypt’s achievement brings the total number of countries that have eliminated trachoma as a public health issue to 27. This landmark accomplishment… [Read More]
