The Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), convened the Policy Forum on Green Tourism MSMEs in Jakarta on 5 December 2025 to accelerate the country’s shift toward sustainable tourism. Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that this transition is essential for the future of Indonesia’s tourism sector, particularly for… [Read More]
ILO Highlights Urgent Need for G7 Action on Youth Employment and Future Work Skills
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo has urged the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers to take bold measures to empower young people for the future of work, highlighting that one in five youths globally is not in education, employment, or training, with two-thirds of them being women. Speaking during an online meeting under Canada’s G7 presidency,… [Read More]
Advancing Mongolia’s E-Business Platform: Civil Servants Tackle Complexity
The third workshop on improving Mongolia’s E-business platform was held on 4 November 2025, gathering representatives from five ministries, 30 government agencies, IT specialists, and social partners. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and Development (MED) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlighting the collaborative effort to modernize digital services for… [Read More]
Children in Northern Mozambique Face Trauma Amid Escalating Violence
In November 2025, over 100,000 people, including around two-thirds children, were displaced in northern Mozambique due to attacks on civilians by armed non-state actors. The largest displacements were reported in the Erati and Memba districts of Nampula province, reflecting a pattern of repeated population movements triggered by ongoing violence in Cabo Delgado and Nampula. Reports… [Read More]
Empowering Futures: SEWA Inspires Children to Pursue Higher Education
SEWA (Skill Education and Welfare Association) has been combating illiteracy in Amravati and Nagpur, Maharashtra, for decades, and its efforts have now expanded with a new initiative. The organisation’s women’s wing recently launched the “Ghar Ghar Dastak” campaign, aimed at inspiring youth to pursue higher education and build ambitious futures. SEWA’s approach is highly localized… [Read More]
Global Appeal 2026: Urgent Call to Support Millions in Need of Aid
In 2026, humanitarian responses are expected to face unprecedented pressure, with an estimated 239 million people in need of assistance and protection worldwide. Aid organizations plan to reach just over half of this population, but a lack of funding threatens to leave millions without crucial support, particularly in crisis-affected regions such as the Democratic Republic… [Read More]
UN Appeals for $33 Billion to Support Humanitarian Crises Worldwide
The United Nations and its partners have launched a global humanitarian appeal aimed at saving millions of lives affected by wars, climate disasters, earthquakes, epidemics, and crop failures. The 2026 appeal prioritizes supporting 87 million people with immediate lifesaving needs, while aiming to reach 135 million people across 50 countries with a total of $33… [Read More]
Nepalese Girls at Risk: How Reduced Funding Jeopardizes Education and Delays
In Nepal, millions of girls face the threat of early marriage, with 1.3 million married before age 15. Education for girls in underserved communities, such as the Musahar, Dalit, and religious minorities in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces, is not only a path to learning but a critical safeguard against child marriage. Programs like UDAAN, CARE’s… [Read More]
Red Kites Adapt Feeding Habits in Response to COVID-19 Restrictions
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered the feeding behaviour of red kites in Switzerland. During lockdowns, reduced traffic led to fewer roadkill animals, which some red kites typically relied on for food. A study by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach, canton Lucerne, revealed how the birds adapted to this change. Prior to the lockdowns, red… [Read More]
Tuberculosis Infections Increase in Switzerland: Health Authorities Issue Warning
Tuberculosis (TB) cases are increasing in Switzerland, largely driven by arrivals from regions where the disease is more common, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). As of early 2025, 475 cases have been reported, marking a 26% increase compared to 376 and 375 cases in the same period over the past two… [Read More]
Switzerland to Enforce Tobacco Advertising Ban to Protect Minors Starting 2027
Switzerland is moving forward with restrictions on tobacco and nicotine advertising to protect minors, following a decision approved by voters and cantons in February 2022. The popular initiative, “Children and Young People Without Tobacco Advertising,” called for a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising accessible to children. The Federal Council described the new measures… [Read More]
Storm Relief: Switzerland Sends Assistance and Specialists to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has issued an international appeal for assistance following extensive flooding and landslides, and Switzerland has responded by offering support, which the Sri Lankan authorities accepted. The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed that a six-member rescue team, primarily specialists in water, sanitation, and hygiene, has been deployed to the country. In addition, a disaster risk… [Read More]
Accelerating Global Health: WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing Talks to Resume Sooner
WHO Member States concluded their latest round of negotiations on the world’s first Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, agreeing to reconvene in January 2026 to accelerate progress. The decision to resume deliberations reflects the shared urgency among countries to enhance global preparedness and ensure safer, more equitable responses to future pandemics. The fourth meeting… [Read More]
Journey of a UN Volunteer: Contributing to the Joint SDG Fund
When I began my UN Volunteer assignment with the UN Joint SDG Fund in January 2025, I stepped into a role filled with purpose and potential. Joining a team dedicated to driving systemic change and accelerating SDG progress, I quickly realized how much the experience would expand my skills and deepen my understanding of development… [Read More]
$5 Million Funding Boost for Indigenous Community Economic Development in Northern Ontario
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced the Northern Ontario Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (NOICE) and a total FedNor investment of $4,774,515 in 10 Indigenous economic development projects across Northern Ontario. The NOICE program, funded through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Partnerships Initiative and delivered by FedNor,… [Read More]
€35 Million Funding Boost for Advanced Digital Infrastructure Across Ireland
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, announced €35 million in funding for cutting-edge digital infrastructure projects in Ireland under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The CEF is a key EU funding instrument aimed at promoting growth, jobs, and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investments at a European level. The projects… [Read More]
€7 Million Local Enhancement Programme 2026 Announced by Ministers Calleary and Buttimer
Ministers Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer have announced €7 million in funding under the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026. The funding aims to provide capital support to small community groups and organizations across Ireland, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities in both rural and urban… [Read More]
Stronger Climate Adaptation Urged by World Bank to Safeguard Gabon’s Economy and Communities
The Gabon Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), released on December 2, 2025, provides an in-depth analysis of Gabon’s growth and economic diversification prospects in the context of climate change. The report emphasizes Gabon’s status as a global environmental leader and one of the world’s most forested nations, highlighting how climate change intersects with development… [Read More]
Strengthening Health Systems: World Bank Partners with Global Fund to Expand Sustainable Health Financing
The World Bank Group and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help developing countries strengthen health systems and secure sustainable financing for primary healthcare and the fight against HIV, TB, and malaria. Over the next three years, the two organizations plan to mobilize at… [Read More]
World Bank Reports Advances as Countries Adopt National Health Compacts to Expand Quality Health Care
Countries and partners have reported significant progress toward the World Bank Group’s goal of delivering affordable, quality health services to 1.5 billion people by 2030, a target announced in April 2024. Building on this momentum, 15 countries have introduced National Health Compacts, which outline practical five-year reforms aimed at expanding primary health care, improving affordability,… [Read More]
Partnership Between Gavi and World Bank Aims to Boost Health System Resilience and Vaccine Manufacturing
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Bank Group are strengthening their partnership to enhance financing for immunization and primary healthcare systems, while promoting regional vaccine manufacturing in Africa. The two organizations plan to mobilize at least US$2 billion over the next five years through joint financing aligned with country priorities. World Bank Group President… [Read More]
WFP and JT’s Manukan Grille Join Forces to Aid Filipino Schoolchildren and Vulnerable Families
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Filipino actor Joel Torre’s restaurant chain, JT’s Manukan Grille, have launched a partnership called “JT’s Meals for the Kids” to support schoolchildren and food-insecure families in the Philippines. The initiative aims to raise PHP 12 million (US$220,000) over two years by contributing PHP 1 for every order… [Read More]
Punjab, Pakistan to Benefit from $381M ADB Funding for Agriculture, Education, and Health Modernization
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved three major projects worth $381 million to advance agriculture, education, and health services in Punjab Province, Pakistan. These initiatives aim to stimulate economic growth in Punjab, which contributes significantly to the country’s population and economic activity. According to ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan, investments in education,… [Read More]
