New York — May 27, 2026 — The LEGO Foundation and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have announced a groundbreaking five‑year, $97 million initiative to support more than five million children affected by conflict and crisis across East Africa and the Middle East. The partnership will embed play‑based early learning into national education, health, and childhood development systems,… [Read More]

The Dominican Republic has carried out a nationwide consultation on gender equality that gathered input from more than 4,750 women and girls across all 31 provinces, shaping new policy recommendations that will influence both national reforms and the country’s position at the United Nations. Led by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in partnership with UN… [Read More]

Santo Domingo — May 26, 2026 — Across all 31 provinces of the Dominican Republic, thousands of women have united to share their experiences and aspirations for justice, safety, and equality. The nationwide Gran Consulta Nacional, led by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in partnership with UN agencies and supported by the United Kingdom, gathered insights from more than 4,750 women and girls, shaping the country’s position at… [Read More]

Tashkent, Uzbekistan — New research supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has highlighted the relationship between gender inequality and corruption, calling for more inclusive and gender-sensitive reforms to strengthen anti-corruption efforts in the country. The study, titled “Gender and Corruption in Uzbekistan: Towards Transformational Change,” was presented during a roundtable held on 25… [Read More]

Rotorua, New Zealand is set to receive a $100 million investment in justice infrastructure under Budget 2026, aimed at upgrading and expanding court facilities to improve access to timely legal services. The funding will support the construction of two new courthouses: one housing the Rotorua Law Courts, including the High Court, District Court, Coroners Court… [Read More]

May 26, 2026 — Western Balkans — The European Union‑funded Regional Programme on Local Democracy (ReLOaD3) has signed financial and grant agreements for 21 projects across municipalities including Gllogoc/Glogovac, Gjakovë/Đakovica, Istog/Istok, Malishevë/Mališevo, and Vushtrri/Vučitrn. The agreements, valued at €274,875, mark a significant step in advancing participatory democracy and civil society engagement in the region. Empowering Civil Society… [Read More]

Ukraine expects financial support for Kyiv to be a key topic at the upcoming NATO summit in July, even as allied backing for new funding proposals remains uncertain, according to Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey. Ambassador Nariman Dzhelialov said Ukraine hopes the alliance will consider mechanisms for continued financial assistance to strengthen its security capabilities as… [Read More]

Manila, Philippines is preparing to roll out a mobile-based financial education system aimed at strengthening digital financial literacy and improving decision-making among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The initiative is being developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with stakeholders under the United Nations Joint Programme on Inclusive, Competitive and Responsible Digital… [Read More]

Hurungwe District — May 21, 2026 — The Government of Zimbabwe has officially commissioned the 120 kW Dete Solar Mini‑Grid, a landmark renewable‑energy project designed to bring clean, reliable electricity to rural communities in Mashonaland West Province. The initiative, led by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marks a… [Read More]

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia has launched a targeted capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening labour inspection systems for domestic workers and assistant herders, two of the country’s most vulnerable worker groups. The training was organized under the International Labour Organization (ILO) Formalization of the Informal Economy Project in collaboration with Mongolia’s Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection…. [Read More]

Türkiye has taken a significant step toward shaping its National Just Transition Strategy through a two-day training programme supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), bringing together government institutions, employers, workers’ organisations, and international experts to support the country’s green and digital transformation agenda. The training, held in Ankara on 21–22 May 2026, was organised… [Read More]

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has announced a financing package of up to $150 million in partnership with Banco de Bogotá to support job creation, expand access to finance for small businesses, and accelerate Colombia’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The investment is designed to channel private capital into… [Read More]

New York — May 26, 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has published a thematic review and guidance note on emerging approaches at the intersection of climate, peace and security (CPS). The report draws on operational experience from 15 projects across 28 countries, offering insights into how climate‑related security risks can be addressed through integrated… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, has announced a €10 million technical assistance package aimed at strengthening primary healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and improving access to sustainable health financing. The initiative will initially benefit Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Zambia, supporting governments in designing and structuring health projects that can attract larger-scale domestic… [Read More]

Afghanistan’s economy is showing signs of modest resilience, with real GDP growth estimated at 4.8 percent in 2026, despite ongoing regional tensions, border disruptions, and structural challenges. However, according to the latest Afghanistan Development Update released by the World Bank, this growth is not translating into improved living standards for the population. The report highlights… [Read More]

Macau — May 27, 2026 — Caritas Macau has donated €20,000 to assist communities affected by the devastating winter storms that struck Portugal and Spain earlier this year. The funds, raised through a three‑month local campaign, will be split evenly between Caritas Portugal and Caritas Spain, reinforcing the organisation’s long‑standing humanitarian ties with the Iberian Peninsula. Local Solidarity for Storm… [Read More]

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are expanding their long-standing partnership to accelerate environmental action across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on biodiversity protection, pollution reduction, land restoration, and climate resilience. The collaboration comes as the region faces rising environmental pressures, despite being one of the most… [Read More]

Latin America and the Caribbean must adopt stronger and more coordinated policy responses to global economic shocks, according to analysis from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The region is being advised to focus on protecting vulnerable populations, maintaining fiscal discipline, and strengthening supply chains to improve long-term resilience. The guidance comes amid renewed global instability… [Read More]

Cheyenne — May 27, 2026 — Energy infrastructure leader Enbridge and Meta have expanded their clean‑energy partnership with the launch of the Cowboy Project, a $1.2 billion solar‑plus‑storage development near Cheyenne, Wyoming. The project will combine 365 MW of solar generation with a 200 MW / 1,600 MWh battery system, supporting Meta’s growing data‑centre operations and strengthening grid reliability across the region…. [Read More]

Flood risk management is becoming a critical component in the development of resilient social infrastructure, as governments face increasing threats from extreme weather events. According to development experts, integrating resilience into infrastructure planning is essential to protect lives, maintain public services, and reduce long-term recovery costs. Recent examples from Brazil highlight the urgency of this… [Read More]

Eswatini has launched a new five-year biodiversity initiative aimed at strengthening conservation efforts while supporting local livelihoods and sustainable tourism development in the Lubombo region. The project focuses on establishing a consolidated Big Five Nature Reserve across approximately 87,000 hectares of land within the Lubombo landscape. It is designed to enhance biodiversity protection while also… [Read More]

Brasília — May 27, 2026 — Brazil has unveiled its most ambitious Eco Invest auction, targeting 50 billion reais ($9.9 billion) to accelerate green technology development across six strategic sectors. The initiative, backed by the Climate Fund, will leverage public capital to attract private and foreign investment, with bids open until July. Six Strategic Green Technology Areas The auction… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a strong warning about the devastating health and economic impact of tobacco use in Pakistan, stating that it kills an estimated 164,000 people each year and causes economic losses of around US$6.6 billion. The warning was issued ahead of World No Tobacco Day, observed on 31 May, as… [Read More]