Kazakhstan’s proposed new Constitution has raised serious concerns over human rights and the rule of law ahead of a referendum scheduled for 15 March, Amnesty International warned. The draft reflects a consolidation of presidential power and a rollback of fundamental freedoms, with limited public consultation or input from independent civil society. The draft Constitution would… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Agrifood Summit 2026 – Banda Seri Begawan
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced advanced preparations for a major Asia-Pacific regional conference aimed at accelerating agrifood systems transformation across 46 countries. The FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (#APRC38) will be hosted by the Government of Brunei Darussalam at The Empire Hotel from 20 to… [Read More]
UN Asia-Pacific Summit 2026 in Banda Seri Begawan
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced that advanced preparations are underway for the 38th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (#APRC38), scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 April 2026 at The Empire Hotel in Banda Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The conference will bring together Ministers… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific UN Conference 2026: Brunei, 20–24 April
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced that advanced preparations are underway for the 38th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (#APRC38), scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 April 2026 at The Empire Hotel in Banda Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The conference will bring together Ministers… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Countries Unite to Cut Agricultural Plastic Pollution
The increasing use of plastics in agriculture across Asia and the Pacific is raising significant environmental concerns. Plastics such as mulch films, seedling trays, irrigation pipes, and greenhouse covers are widely used to increase yields, conserve water, and reduce post-harvest losses. However, improper disposal and limited recycling infrastructure have led to rising microplastic contamination in… [Read More]
EIB Global Invests Up to $95M in Paraguay Green Fertiliser Plant
The Villeta Green H₂ Fertiliser Plant, developed by ATOME PLC in Paraguay, is set to produce around 260,000 tonnes per year of low-carbon calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) using green hydrogen generated from Paraguay’s fully renewable electricity system. The project aims to decarbonise a hard-to-abate sector while contributing to food security, sustainable agriculture, and regional fertiliser… [Read More]
Lebanon Crisis: Women Forced to Give Birth on Roadsides
The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is placing pregnant women at extreme risk, with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warning that 11,600 pregnant women have been affected by the escalating conflict and around 4,000 are expected to give birth over the next three months. Many of these women have been displaced from their homes, cut off… [Read More]
UN Chief Launches Major Humanitarian Appeal for Lebanon
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has launched a major humanitarian appeal during a solidarity visit to Lebanon, calling for urgent international support as the country faces the devastating effects of the ongoing Middle East crisis. Speaking in Beirut, he said that solidarity with the people of Lebanon must go beyond words and be matched with immediate… [Read More]
UN Expert Urges Global Support for Myanmar Civilians
Outgoing UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews has warned that Myanmar is at a critical turning point and urged governments not to abandon the country’s civilians as conflict, repression, and humanitarian suffering continue to intensify. Presenting his final report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he said the current global political climate is making… [Read More]
Global News Brief: Syria Rights Violations and Childbirth Abuse
The United Nations has strongly condemned a recent series of antisemitic attacks targeting synagogues in several countries, warning that such incidents threaten the safety of religious communities and undermine shared human values. The attacks included a powerful explosion outside a historic synagogue in Liège, Belgium, significant shootings at three synagogues in Canada, an attack in… [Read More]
WHO Releases Emergency Funds for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released an additional USD 2 million in emergency funds to support health systems in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria as the wider Middle East crisis intensifies. The funding comes as strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran continue, alongside counterstrikes by Tehran across the Gulf and the broader… [Read More]
Canada Supports New Entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan
Small businesses play a critical role in Saskatchewan’s economy, but starting a new business often comes with major challenges such as understanding the market, creating a strong business plan, securing financing, obtaining the right licences, and managing early-stage risks. To help address these barriers, the Government of Canada has announced CAD 910,000 in funding through… [Read More]
Funding Boost for Arts, Culture and Heritage in Yukon
Canada has announced more than CAD 14.3 million in funding to support arts, culture, official languages, and Indigenous languages organizations across the Yukon, reinforcing the important role the cultural sector plays in building vibrant, inclusive, and resilient communities in the North. The announcement was made by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and… [Read More]
Serbia’s First Biodistrict Boosts Sustainable Food Systems
In western Serbia, a growing network of farmers, producers, and local communities is helping reshape food production and strengthen sustainable local food systems through the country’s first biodistrict in the Kolubara District. The initiative has created a collaborative platform where organic producers, institutions, and communities work together to promote environmentally friendly agriculture and improve how… [Read More]
Nearly 1 Million Displaced in Lebanon, IOM Seeks $19 Million
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an urgent appeal for USD 19 million to expand its emergency response in Lebanon, where nearly one million people have been displaced following a sharp escalation of hostilities since 2 March 2026. The agency warned that the crisis is worsening rapidly, with families in urgent need of… [Read More]
ILO Strengthens Ethiopia’s Skills Recognition in Bahir Dar
Ethiopia is strengthening its national Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system through intensive training for 35 assessors in Bahir Dar, Amhara region, under the ILO Global Skills Programme with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NoRAD). The initiative is designed to build institutional capacity for implementing the National RPL Framework and Policy, enabling… [Read More]
Albania Boosts Rural Jobs Through Digital Skills
Agriculture remains central to Albania’s rural economy, but many rural communities continue to face challenges such as digital exclusion, limited access to technology, and changing labour market demands. To address these issues, the Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Albania (DART) project is combining digital innovation with skills development and institutional support to help rural… [Read More]
World Bank Prices CHF 300 Million Bond Issuance
The World Bank, through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has priced a six-year Swiss franc-denominated benchmark bond maturing in April 2032, raising CHF 300 million to support its sustainable development activities in member countries. The issuance is notable because it marks the largest IBRD Swiss franc transaction since April 2009, underscoring strong… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Philippines on Investment, Jobs Skills and Fiscal Reforms
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved new financing for the Philippines to help strengthen fiscal resilience, attract higher-quality private investment, and improve workforce skills for better and more productive jobs. The support comes through the new Philippines Growth and Jobs Development Policy Loan, which is aimed at helping the country convert strong… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Niger to Boost MSME Finance and Jobs
The World Bank has approved a $250 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to help Niger strengthen its financial sector and expand access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The project is designed to restore liquidity in the banking system, encourage lending to viable businesses, and support job creation and… [Read More]
Innovation Drives Jobs and Growth in Central and Eastern Europe
The World Bank Group’s latest EU Regular Economic Report says Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could increase labor productivity by 10 to 15 percent through wider adoption of digital technologies, especially software and AI-enabled tools. At a time when the European Union economy is growing at only about one percent annually, productivity gains of this… [Read More]
Malaysia Speeds Up Industrial Approvals to Drive Growth and Jobs
A new World Bank and Malaysia Productivity Corporation study shows that Malaysia is turning regulatory reform into measurable economic gains by speeding up industrial approvals and reducing bureaucratic delays. The report highlights how better-designed processes and faster government services are improving productivity, attracting investment, creating jobs, and supporting broader economic growth. The study, Investors Can’t… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Kazakhstan’s Reforms for Jobs and Inclusive Growth
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $600 million loan to support Kazakhstan’s ongoing reform agenda aimed at strengthening private-sector-led growth, creating more and better-paid jobs, and improving the country’s economic resilience. The financing comes through the Second Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Development Policy Operation, which is designed to help Kazakhstan… [Read More]
