The UK government has unveiled an ambitious new strategy to accelerate the phase-out of animal testing in science, fulfilling a manifesto commitment to improve animal welfare. Science Minister Lord Vallance announced the roadmap, which aims to replace certain animal tests with alternative methods where safe and reliable options exist, while maintaining rigorous safety standards for… [Read More]
Boosting Agrifood SMEs: TERRA Programme Enhances Financing Opportunities
Rome – Privately-owned micro, small, and medium agrifood enterprises (MSMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Türkiye now have improved access to financing through TERRA, a new programme launched by Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the European Union. TERRA, which stands for “Transforming… [Read More]
FAO and Pan-African Parliament Collaborate to Enhance Africa’s Food Security and Nutrition Policies
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and supported by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, has launched a two-day capacity development workshop titled “Legislating the Right to Adequate Food.” The workshop, organized under the Pan-African Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security… [Read More]
Climate Shocks and Conflict: UNHCR Warns of Rising Forced Displacement Worldwide
Millions of refugees and displaced people are caught in a worsening cycle of conflict and climate disasters, warns a new report by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Released in Belém, Brazil, the report highlights how extreme weather is compounding humanitarian crises and driving repeated displacement. By mid-2025, 117 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, with… [Read More]
Strengthening Digital Access: UN Expands Connectivity Efforts for Refugees in Eastern Chad
The Connectivity for Refugees (CfR) initiative is gaining momentum in its mission to promote digital inclusion for 20 million forcibly displaced people and host communities by 2030. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are expanding partnerships in Chad and other refugee-hosting countries to provide affordable and accessible internet connectivity that… [Read More]
UNHCR Appeals for Urgent Aid as Refugees Confront Severe Winter Conditions
As winter approaches across several regions, millions of refugees and internally displaced people are bracing for harsh conditions with sharply reduced humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). With global humanitarian funding in decline, many displaced families will face freezing temperatures without adequate shelter, heating, or warm clothing. Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director of… [Read More]
Yorkshire and County Durham Communities to Benefit from New Energy Upgrade Funds
National Grid has opened applications for new local community benefit funds supporting three major energy infrastructure projects — Yorkshire GREEN, Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), and Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2). These funds will provide grants of up to £20,000 to eligible community projects and initiatives in County Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North… [Read More]
New Employment Policy in Namibia Aims to Address Jobless Growth and Boost Decent Work
The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation, recently held a policy dialogue under the theme “The jobless growth puzzle: Can Namibia unlock inclusive prosperity?” The event brought together senior government officials, economists, representatives of business and workers’ organizations, and university students to discuss how Namibia can transition from jobless… [Read More]
Namibia Advances Toward New National Employment Policy to Drive Job Creation
At the beginning of November 2025, national experts and social partners gathered in Swakopmund, Namibia, to advance the drafting of the country’s third National Employment Policy (NEP). The technical workshop, led by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, brought together representatives from government institutions, employers, and workers’ organizations. The shared objective was to shape… [Read More]
Promoting Ethical Fashion: Indonesia Business Forum 2025 Advances Responsible Garment Production
The Indonesia Business Forum (IBF) 2025, organized by Better Work Indonesia (BWI)—a joint programme of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)—brought together around 130 key stakeholders in Jakarta to promote Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in the garment sector. Under the theme “The Power of Unified Efforts in Driving Sustainable… [Read More]
Myanmar Earthquake Recovery: ILO Leads Efforts to Rebuild Jobs and Livelihoods
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched an employment-intensive infrastructure rehabilitation initiative to support recovery in Myanmar following the devastating earthquake of March 2025. The disaster struck the Inle Lake area in Southern Shan State and the Mandalay Region, damaging 58 townships and affecting more than 17 million people. Over nine million remain in need… [Read More]
Empowering Albania: Lifelong Learning at the Heart of National Growth
Fifty-year-old Thelleza Facia had waited a decade for a job opportunity that never arrived — until she joined a long-term care training course offered by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The programme equipped her with essential caregiving skills, from first aid to medical documentation, enabling her to earn a steady income with dignity and recognition…. [Read More]
World Bank Supports Tunisia’s Shift to Renewable Energy with New Power Sector Project
The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia have signed a financing agreement to implement the Tunisia Energy Reliability, Efficiency, and Governance Improvement Program (TEREG), a five-year initiative valued at US$430 million, including US$30 million in concessional financing. The program aims to modernize Tunisia’s energy sector by ensuring a sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity supply…. [Read More]
Unlocking Morocco’s Blue Economy: The Rising Potential of Sustainable Aquaculture
Morocco is positioning aquaculture as a key driver of sustainable growth, innovation, and job creation, with an ambitious target of producing 300,000 tons of aquaculture products and generating 30,000 jobs within the next decade. The country’s extensive coastline, diverse marine ecosystems, and growing domestic and global demand for sustainable seafood have created ideal conditions for… [Read More]
May the Forest Be With You: Protecting Nepal’s Forests for People and Nature
Nepal’s forests play a vital role in sustaining both ecosystems and rural livelihoods, and the country’s experience offers key lessons for sustainable forest management. Regularly updated, accurate subnational forest data is essential to help local governments make evidence-based decisions for effective planning and resource allocation. Such data also supports performance-based fiscal transfers in the forest… [Read More]
COP30: Amazonian Nations, IDB Group, and World Bank Group Unite to Boost Regional Connectivity
At the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, countries from the Amazon region launched the Alliance for Sustainable, Resilient, and Integrated Transport in the Amazon, a major initiative supported by the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) and the World Bank Group. The alliance seeks to strengthen regional connectivity and transform transportation systems in the… [Read More]
World Food Programme Expands Relief Operations Following Twin Typhoons in the Philippines
Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, has struck Luzon—the Philippines’ largest and most populated island—bringing catastrophic winds, torrential rainfall, and severe flooding. The storm, the 21st of the season, hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi (Tino), compounding the destruction and leaving communities struggling to recover. Together, the two typhoons have affected over 8.3 million… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Grants $10 Million to Strengthen Vanuatu’s Fight Against Noncommunicable Diseases
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $10 million grant to help reduce the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and expand access to quality healthcare in four northern provinces of Vanuatu—Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba. The Northern Provinces Health and Treatment Project aims to strengthen provincial health systems to improve early diagnosis, treatment,… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Initiates Wetland Conservation Project in the Philippines
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched the Philippines Flyway Project, a new initiative aimed at conserving vital wetland ecosystems that serve as habitats for migratory birds and support local livelihoods. Announced in Cebu during the 12th Meeting of Partners of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership, the project is funded by a $3 million grant… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Supports Uzbekistan’s Efforts to Boost Inclusive and Microfinance Growth
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 million policy-based loan, including $100 million in concessional financing, to support Uzbekistan’s efforts to expand access to finance for underserved micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women. The initiative also aims to strengthen the country’s microfinance sector and promote inclusive economic growth…. [Read More]
African Development Bank Group, Equatorial Guinea Endorse Action Plan to Accelerate $167 Million Project Portfolio
The African Development Bank Group and the government of Equatorial Guinea have jointly approved an action plan to enhance the implementation and performance of the Bank’s $167 million project portfolio in the country. This decision followed a comprehensive portfolio review workshop held in Malabo from 27 to 31 October 2025, which brought together representatives from… [Read More]
African Development Bank’s SEFA Leads COP30 Discussion on Financing Renewable Energy and Energy Access in Africa
The African Development Bank Group and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) will host a high-level side event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on November 14, 2025. Titled “Mobilising Commercial Capital for Renewable Energy and Energy Access in Africa,” the session will take place at the Africa Pavilion and online, focusing on accelerating private… [Read More]
20 Years of Colombia’s Justice and Peace Law: Reflections on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Colombia’s Justice and Peace Law, a milestone in the country’s journey toward peace and accountability. As Colombia continues to heal from decades of armed conflict and social division, this anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the law’s origins, its impact over the past two decades, and the… [Read More]
