Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward shaping its national approach to responsible artificial intelligence with the launch of the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) Report. This initiative, led by the ICT Division with support from UNESCO, UNDP, a2i, and funding from the European Union, provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s preparedness to adopt… [Read More]
Global Action Tackles Online Gender-Based Violence and Promotes Safe Digital Space
In Bangkok on 27–28 November 2025, UNDP and the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) convened the Global Policy Dialogue on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and cybersecurity, addressing the rising misuse of technology to perpetrate digital violence against women and marginalized groups. The two-day event brought together governments, law enforcement, civil society, UN partners, and private… [Read More]
Audience Ages Up and Media Awareness Increases: 2025 Kyiv National Media Literacy Test Findings
In 2025, Ukraine’s annual National Media Literacy Test revealed a significant shift in its audience, with older adults increasingly participating and demonstrating stronger media literacy skills. This indicates that media literacy is becoming recognized as essential across broader segments of the population, rather than being limited to younger age groups. While over 60% of test-takers… [Read More]
How 30+ Volunteers Are Driving UNDP Knowledge Project Success in 2025
In 2025, UNDP’s Knowledge Project engaged over 30 dedicated volunteers who contributed their time, expertise, and passion to support the mission of empowering nations and individuals through knowledge. Their collective efforts further UNDP’s mandate of helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable development while promoting innovation and strengthening communities. Volunteers play a vital role in… [Read More]
From Crisis to Recovery: WFP Drives Relief and Resilience in Hurricane Melissa’s Wake
One month after Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reached over half a million people with emergency food assistance and is now pivoting toward long-term recovery. Working closely with governments and communities, WFP is not only providing immediate relief but also laying the groundwork for resilience through cash-based… [Read More]
World Bank Releases $500 Million to Support Philippines’ Recovery After Typhoon Kalmaegi
The World Bank has released US$500 million to aid the Philippine Government in recovery and reconstruction efforts following Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as “Tino,” which struck on November 4, 2025. The typhoon affected over 5 million people across more than 400 municipalities and cities, causing injuries, deaths, and extensive damage to homes, agriculture, and public… [Read More]
Jamaica Secures $6.7 Billion International Support Package to Rebuild After Hurricane Melissa
Jamaica is set to receive up to US$6.7 billion in international support over three years to drive recovery and reconstruction following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The comprehensive package, assembled at the request of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, involves the CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Caribbean Development Bank… [Read More]
Developing Countries’ Debt Outflows Reach Half-Century Peak Amid Rising Financial Pressures
Developing countries paid out $741 billion more in principal and interest on their external debt than they received in new financing between 2022 and 2024, marking the largest gap in at least 50 years, according to the World Bank’s latest International Debt Report. Despite these historic outflows, many nations found temporary relief in 2024 as… [Read More]
Brazil’s Northeast Poised to Drive Jobs, Growth, and Clean Energy Opportunities
Brazil’s Northeast has the potential to become a major engine of national growth, job creation, and sustainable development, according to a new World Bank report, “Routes to the Northeast: Productivity, Jobs, and Inclusion.” Home to 54 million people—80 percent of whom are of working age—the region offers one of the country’s largest and most dynamic… [Read More]
World Bank Urges Gabon to Strengthen Climate Adaptation to Protect Growth and Livelihoods
The World Bank’s Gabon Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), released today, emphasizes the urgent need for the Central African nation to bolster climate adaptation to safeguard its economy, natural wealth, and people’s livelihoods. The report highlights Gabon’s position as a global environmental leader and one of the world’s most forested countries, while underlining its… [Read More]
Algeria Strengthens Growth Amid Climate Challenges and Economic Diversification
Algeria’s economy showed resilience in the first half of 2025, expanding by 4.1 percent, with GDP growth projected at 3.8 percent for the full year, according to the World Bank’s Fall 2025 Algeria Economic Update. Non-hydrocarbon sectors drove much of this momentum, growing 5.4 percent, while inflation eased to 1.7 percent over the first nine… [Read More]
World Bank and Korea Launch Global Digital Knowledge Hub to Power AI-Driven Transformation
The World Bank Group (WBG), in partnership with the Republic of Korea, has unveiled the Korea-WBG Global Digital Knowledge Center, a state-of-the-art hub aimed at accelerating digital transformation and harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for inclusive growth and job creation. The center seeks to equip countries with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in… [Read More]
Empowering Women and Rebuilding Communities: ILO Vocational Training Spurs Post-Earthquake Recovery in Myanmar
In the wake of the devastating March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is equipping women with essential skills to earn incomes, rebuild livelihoods, and contribute to community recovery. Two training courses launched in late November 2025 in Southern Shan State—a two-week computer literacy course and a two-month advanced sewing techniques programme—enrolled… [Read More]
Amid Sudan’s Devastation, Courage and Resilience Offer Glimmers of Hope
Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s military government and the formerly allied Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has been plunged into one of the world’s most severe crises. Triggered by the collapse of the transition to civilian rule following the 2019 ousting of longtime President Omar al-Bashir, the conflict has displaced over… [Read More]
European Commission Faces Backlash for Plans to Weaken Water Protections
The European Commission has sparked alarm among environmental groups by announcing plans to review and revise the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by the second quarter of 2026 under the RESourceEU Action Plan, citing the goal of promoting “access to critical raw materials in the EU.” Critics warn that this move could seriously undermine European water… [Read More]
Sri Lanka Faces Worst Floods in Decades as IFRC Launches $5 Million Emergency Appeal
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 5 million Emergency Appeal to support the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in responding to devastating floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island nation on 27 November 2025. The cyclone unleashed over 350 mm of… [Read More]
Faroe Islands Take Key Step Toward Safe and Legal Abortion
The Faroese parliament, the Lagtinget, has voted to amend the territory’s restrictive abortion law, permitting access to abortion on request up until the end of the twelfth week of pregnancy. The decision, welcomed by Amnesty International Faroe Islands, marks a significant step toward ensuring safe and legal abortion services in the region. Turið Maria, Director… [Read More]
UK Recognises Cryptocurrency as Personal Property, Strengthening Legal Protections and Boosting Fintech
The UK has become one of the first countries in the world to formally recognise digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as personal property, offering millions of owners stronger legal protection. The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act, which recently received Royal Assent, clarifies that digital assets are to be treated like traditional property,… [Read More]
ADB and World Bank Launch Groundbreaking Pacific Projects to Boost Health and Infrastructure
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank Group have unveiled the first two projects under their innovative Full Mutual Reliance Framework, a cofinancing model designed to streamline development finance and maximize impact in the Pacific region. The framework allows countries to work with a single lead lender, either ADB or the World Bank,… [Read More]
African Development Bank Backs OCP Group with €450 Million Guarantee for Green Investments
The African Development Bank Group has approved a non-sovereign partial credit guarantee of up to €450 million to support Morocco’s Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Group, enabling it to raise up to €530 million in long-term funding from international financial institutions. This marks the first time such a financing instrument has been launched in Morocco… [Read More]
PROFISHBLUE Transforms Fisheries and Boosts Livelihoods Across Southern Africa
A regional fisheries programme funded by the African Development Bank Group is transforming the lives of nearly three million people across Southern Africa, boosting fish production, trade, and incomes while strengthening food security and climate resilience. The $9.2 million initiative, known as the Program for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (PROFISHBLUE), has… [Read More]
New Malaria Tools Saved One Million Lives in 2024, But Drug Resistance Threatens Hard-Won Progress
New prevention tools against malaria—including dual-ingredient mosquito nets and WHO-recommended vaccines—helped avert an estimated 170 million cases and save 1 million lives in 2024, according to the latest World Malaria Report released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite these achievements, growing drug resistance and funding shortfalls threaten to reverse progress. Since WHO approved the… [Read More]
IFC Makes First-Ever Global Green Hydrogen Investment, Selecting Uruguay as Regional Clean Energy Pioneer
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has chosen Uruguay for its first global investment in green hydrogen, partnering with Grupo Santander to develop Kahirós—Uruguay’s first major project in the sector. The initiative is set to generate new jobs and position the country as a regional leader in scalable clean energy… [Read More]
