A new report reveals how influential industry groups in Europe, including those in agriculture, energy, mining, and chemicals, are attempting to weaken the EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD), which safeguards rivers, lakes, and groundwater from pollution. These sectors are pressuring the European Commission to use the upcoming Environmental “Omnibus” Package to roll back key protections… [Read More]
EU Funding Under Fire: NGOs Criticize Right-Wing MEPs’ Investigative Working Group
Ahead of the inaugural meeting of the European Parliament’s new scrutiny working group (SWG) on EU funding for NGOs scheduled for 26 November, environmental organisations have voiced strong concerns about the group’s mandate, composition, and purpose. They argue that the SWG’s narrow focus on NGOs, rather than all beneficiaries of EU funding, is unnecessary and… [Read More]
UNCTAD Sounds Alarm on Gaza’s Worst-Ever Economic Crisis
UNCTAD’s 2025 report on the economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory highlights a catastrophic economic collapse in Gaza and a severe downturn in the West Bank. Deputy Secretary-General Pedro Manuel Moreno emphasized that decades of movement restrictions, compounded by recent military operations, have wiped out long-standing progress, leaving both regions facing prolonged devastation. Gaza, in… [Read More]
UNAIDS Report: HIV Response Suffers Major Global Backslide
UNAIDS has launched its 2025 World AIDS Day report, Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response, highlighting a severe decline in international HIV funding. OECD projections indicate that external health assistance could fall by 30–40 per cent in 2025 compared with 2023, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the human cost… [Read More]
Join the 2026 Middle East Youth Summit in Makkah: Umrah and Networking with World Leaders
The Middle East Youth Summit (MEYS) 2026, organized by Youth Break the Boundaries (YBB), has officially opened registration for its international gathering of Muslim youth. Scheduled from March 30 to April 2, 2026, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the summit carries the theme “Global Muslim Youth Collaboration for Sustainable Development.” It aims to bring together young… [Read More]
Every 10 Minutes a Woman Dies: Understanding the Surge in Global Femicide
Femicide, the gender-related killing of women and girls, represents the most extreme form of violence against females worldwide. A joint report by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, highlights that femicide is increasing globally. Unlike general homicide, femicide… [Read More]
Northern Nigeria Faces Surge in Abductions and Insurgent Violence
Since 17 November, at least 402 people, primarily schoolchildren, have been abducted across four north-central Nigerian states—Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno—according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Of those kidnapped, only 88 have reportedly been freed or managed to escape. OHCHR has called on Nigerian authorities at all levels to take immediate and lawful… [Read More]
Violence Against Women: UN Reports Surge in Femicide and Online Abuse Worldwide
Ms. Tesfai recounted her experience of digital stalking during a UN event in New York commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. What began as anonymous online interactions escalated into physical stalking, with the perpetrator sending messages describing what she was wearing. Despite reporting the threats to the police, she was… [Read More]
Global Crisis: More Than 600 Million Children Face Domestic Violence, UNICEF Reports
UNICEF has warned that over 600 million children worldwide are exposed to violence at home, with the highest rates in Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central and Southern Asia. These figures reflect deep regional inequalities and the widespread abuse that women face globally. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that the safety and autonomy of women… [Read More]
IDB Supports Uruguay in Strengthening National Road Infrastructure
WASHINGTON — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) of $675 million to support a program designed to optimize public spending, improve road asset management, and preserve Uruguay’s National Road Network (RVN). The initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure planning, ensure financial sustainability, and enhance the overall efficiency… [Read More]
WHO Africa Approves Strategic Roadmap for Safeguarding Communities During Health Crises
Pretoria—The World Health Organization (WHO) in the African region, together with Member States and partners, has endorsed a regional roadmap to protect communities during public health emergencies. This initiative marks the first time the region has formally established systems holding both governments and WHO jointly accountable for preventing and addressing sexual misconduct in their operations…. [Read More]
Building Climate-Resilient Communities: Southern Africa Advances Anticipatory Action
Since the 1980s, Southern Africa has faced increasingly frequent and severe disasters, including droughts, cyclones, floods, and health crises. These repeated shocks have intensified displacement, food insecurity, and community vulnerability, highlighting the need for proactive, integrated, and locally anchored anticipatory action systems that respond to the realities of affected populations. This approach has gained high-level… [Read More]
Floods in Southern Thailand Affect Hundreds of Thousands of Children, Claim Three Lives
Thailand is facing some of its worst flooding in a generation, with severe impacts across the southern provinces. Schools in the 12 most affected provinces have been shut indefinitely, and communities are struggling with rising floodwaters, power outages, and displacement. Save the Children has warned that children are at serious risk of electrocution from downed… [Read More]
Strengthening Serbia’s Food Systems: UN Initiative Marks a Year of Progress
The United Nations joint programme “From Seed to Sustainability: Food Systems 4 All” concluded in August 2025, marking a significant step forward in Serbia’s efforts to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems. Running from July 2024 to August 2025, the initiative fostered cooperation across institutions and communities, introduced innovative food production models, and placed… [Read More]
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: IOM Urges Worldwide Commitment
Geneva, 25 November 2025 – As the world begins the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is calling on governments, humanitarian actors, and communities to strengthen efforts to prevent, address, and ultimately eliminate violence against women and girls globally. IOM emphasizes the urgency of placing women and… [Read More]
Peru’s UNESCO Initiative Promotes Safe Digital Spaces with “UNITE” Campaign
UNESCO Peru has launched the campaign “For a Web Without Violence” as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, joining the United Nations global initiative “UNITE to End Violence against Women and Girls.” The campaign seeks to address the rising threat of digital violence, which affects women and girls at… [Read More]
€1 Billion Infrastructure Loans to Be Distributed by FIFA and Saudi Arabia
FIFA and the 2034 World Cup host, Saudi Arabia, have announced a plan to distribute up to $1 billion in concessional loans aimed at supporting sports infrastructure in developing nations. The initiative, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF), will finance the construction or enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums and… [Read More]
European Contribution Reductions Put Global Fund at Risk
Several European governments have announced cuts to the Global Fund at a recent fundraising summit in South Africa, signaling a shift away from their historically strong support for global health initiatives. The European Union did not commit to a specific amount, as negotiations for its long-term budget for 2028–2034 are still ongoing, meaning the total… [Read More]
Ending Online Violence: Protecting Women and Girls in the Digital Age
Digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) offer transformative potential for human development and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, yet they also create new risks that disproportionately affect women and girls. From deepfakes to coordinated online harassment, digital violence amplifies existing gender-based abuse while introducing new forms of harm. These threats intersect with broader global… [Read More]
England’s Wildlife at Risk: Conservation Leaders Warn of a ‘Perfect Storm’
Two of the UK’s largest conservation charities, the RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts, have issued a stark warning that the UK Government’s “Build Baby Build” agenda is creating a perfect storm for nature, putting wildlife and habitats at risk. The organisations stress that this approach runs counter to widespread public support for protecting the natural… [Read More]
How Emerging Countries’ Innovations Drive Global Climate Resilience
A new global development paradigm, the climate resilience transition, is emerging in response to the increasing frequency and severity of climate hazards such as floods, heatwaves, storms, droughts, and forest fires. While development finance institutions (DFIs) and development aid agencies (DAAs) support climate resilience projects, a significant portion of the market opportunity for private-sector innovation… [Read More]
From Cost to Investment: Advancing Health Equity for People with Disabilities
Around 1.3 billion people with disabilities continue to face substantial health inequities, many of which are rooted in how health systems are financed. High out-of-pocket costs, limited benefit packages, and insufficient funding for accessibility and reasonable accommodations prevent many from accessing essential health services. To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the International… [Read More]
Promoting Fair Labor Practices: Thailand’s Strategy for Competitive Trade
Bangkok (ILO News) — Thailand is increasingly linking trade policy with decent work principles to enhance long-term competitiveness, especially amid global trade uncertainty and volatility. A national policy dialogue held on 25 November 2025, titled “Decent Work and Trade Readiness: Harnessing Thailand’s Potential for Global Competitiveness in the Era of Changing Trade Patterns,” brought together… [Read More]
