Lawmakers in Kazakhstan are being urged to reject proposed amendments to a draft law on archival affairs that would ban “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation,” according to seven international human rights groups. The amendments, if adopted, would violate fundamental human rights and further marginalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and other queer (LGBTIQ+) people in… [Read More]
How Digital Innovation Is Making Cooling Smarter and Greener in Trinidad & Tobago
At the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), a groundbreaking pilot project is transforming how cooling is managed across the country. Beyond keeping indoor spaces comfortable, the initiative aims to reduce energy consumption, lower emissions, and equip the next generation of technicians and engineers with essential skills for sustainable technology adoption. Cooling systems, including air… [Read More]
Empowering PWDs: UNDP & Digicel Foundation Innovation Challenge
In a landmark initiative for disability inclusion in Trinidad and Tobago, the Digicel Foundation partnered with the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme to award six entities through the first-of-its-kind ‘Innovation Challenge’ grant. The program provides each grantee with funding of up to TT$450,000 to advance their business ideas and transform… [Read More]
Women, Peace, and Security: 25 Years of Progress and Turning Commitments into Action
Marking the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, UNDP and partners organized a series of events to both celebrate progress and renew global efforts. Shoko Noda, UNDP Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Crisis Bureau, highlighted that global peace and stability are at their lowest… [Read More]
How Four Core Elements Are Shaping Adaptation Finance for a Changing Climate
As climate impacts intensify, the demand for stronger and smarter adaptation solutions is growing rapidly, raising a fundamental question: who will fund these efforts, and how? The cost of adapting to climate change in developing countries is projected to exceed US$310 billion per year by 2035—twelve times the current levels of international public adaptation finance…. [Read More]
Driving Local Development Through Effective Climate Action
This year marks the tenth anniversary of both the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), two landmark international frameworks that are increasingly shaping the economies of the future. Today, local development is inseparable from climate resilience, decarbonization transitions, and environmental sustainability. Countries are now presenting their third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs),… [Read More]
From Preparedness to Action: Turning Planning into Effective Outcomes
The Caribbean and Central American regions have long faced hurricanes, but the frequency and intensity of these storms have increased in recent years, causing growing damage and losses. Notable examples include Hurricane Mitch in 1998, Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Dorian in 2019, Beryl in 2024, and Melissa in 2025. These events highlight the… [Read More]
EU Returns Thousands of Africans Home, Many Complain of Lack of Support
Oumar Bella Diallo, a 24-year-old from Guinea, returned home in July after nearly a year attempting to reach Europe, during which he faced police attacks, scams, and witnessed fellow migrants die in the desert. He is one of tens of thousands of Africans repatriated through a European Union-funded program run by the International Organization for… [Read More]
Funding Announced to Support South Australia’s Community Sport and Recreation Sector
South Australia has launched a $2.9 million grant program to make community sport more accessible and to encourage greater participation across the state. The program, called the Sector Success Program (SSP), is designed to support clubs and sporting organisations in growing their capacity, particularly by attracting and retaining volunteers, and building workforce capability. The SSP… [Read More]
£100 Million Green Funding by Unity Trust Bank Targets Sustainable Building Projects
Unity Trust Bank, a social impact bank, has launched a £100 million Green Tariff lending facility to support organisations undertaking energy-efficient projects. The initiative aims to make sustainable investment more accessible by offering favourable lending terms to both new and existing customers, enabling them to reduce emissions and future-proof their buildings. The launch aligns with… [Read More]
Faster Transition from Animal Testing: UK Launches Alternative Methods Roadmap
The UK government has unveiled an ambitious new strategy to accelerate the phase-out of animal testing in science, fulfilling a manifesto commitment to improve animal welfare. Science Minister Lord Vallance announced the roadmap, which aims to replace certain animal tests with alternative methods where safe and reliable options exist, while maintaining rigorous safety standards for… [Read More]
Boosting Agrifood SMEs: TERRA Programme Enhances Financing Opportunities
Rome – Privately-owned micro, small, and medium agrifood enterprises (MSMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Türkiye now have improved access to financing through TERRA, a new programme launched by Italy’s Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the European Union. TERRA, which stands for “Transforming… [Read More]
FAO and Pan-African Parliament Collaborate to Enhance Africa’s Food Security and Nutrition Policies
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and supported by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, has launched a two-day capacity development workshop titled “Legislating the Right to Adequate Food.” The workshop, organized under the Pan-African Parliamentary Alliance for Food Security… [Read More]
Climate Shocks and Conflict: UNHCR Warns of Rising Forced Displacement Worldwide
Millions of refugees and displaced people are caught in a worsening cycle of conflict and climate disasters, warns a new report by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Released in Belém, Brazil, the report highlights how extreme weather is compounding humanitarian crises and driving repeated displacement. By mid-2025, 117 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, with… [Read More]
Strengthening Digital Access: UN Expands Connectivity Efforts for Refugees in Eastern Chad
The Connectivity for Refugees (CfR) initiative is gaining momentum in its mission to promote digital inclusion for 20 million forcibly displaced people and host communities by 2030. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are expanding partnerships in Chad and other refugee-hosting countries to provide affordable and accessible internet connectivity that… [Read More]
UNHCR Appeals for Urgent Aid as Refugees Confront Severe Winter Conditions
As winter approaches across several regions, millions of refugees and internally displaced people are bracing for harsh conditions with sharply reduced humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). With global humanitarian funding in decline, many displaced families will face freezing temperatures without adequate shelter, heating, or warm clothing. Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director of… [Read More]
Yorkshire and County Durham Communities to Benefit from New Energy Upgrade Funds
National Grid has opened applications for new local community benefit funds supporting three major energy infrastructure projects — Yorkshire GREEN, Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), and Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2). These funds will provide grants of up to £20,000 to eligible community projects and initiatives in County Durham, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North… [Read More]
New Employment Policy in Namibia Aims to Address Jobless Growth and Boost Decent Work
The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation, recently held a policy dialogue under the theme “The jobless growth puzzle: Can Namibia unlock inclusive prosperity?” The event brought together senior government officials, economists, representatives of business and workers’ organizations, and university students to discuss how Namibia can transition from jobless… [Read More]
Namibia Advances Toward New National Employment Policy to Drive Job Creation
At the beginning of November 2025, national experts and social partners gathered in Swakopmund, Namibia, to advance the drafting of the country’s third National Employment Policy (NEP). The technical workshop, led by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, brought together representatives from government institutions, employers, and workers’ organizations. The shared objective was to shape… [Read More]
Promoting Ethical Fashion: Indonesia Business Forum 2025 Advances Responsible Garment Production
The Indonesia Business Forum (IBF) 2025, organized by Better Work Indonesia (BWI)—a joint programme of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)—brought together around 130 key stakeholders in Jakarta to promote Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in the garment sector. Under the theme “The Power of Unified Efforts in Driving Sustainable… [Read More]
Myanmar Earthquake Recovery: ILO Leads Efforts to Rebuild Jobs and Livelihoods
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched an employment-intensive infrastructure rehabilitation initiative to support recovery in Myanmar following the devastating earthquake of March 2025. The disaster struck the Inle Lake area in Southern Shan State and the Mandalay Region, damaging 58 townships and affecting more than 17 million people. Over nine million remain in need… [Read More]
Empowering Albania: Lifelong Learning at the Heart of National Growth
Fifty-year-old Thelleza Facia had waited a decade for a job opportunity that never arrived — until she joined a long-term care training course offered by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The programme equipped her with essential caregiving skills, from first aid to medical documentation, enabling her to earn a steady income with dignity and recognition…. [Read More]
World Bank Supports Tunisia’s Shift to Renewable Energy with New Power Sector Project
The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia have signed a financing agreement to implement the Tunisia Energy Reliability, Efficiency, and Governance Improvement Program (TEREG), a five-year initiative valued at US$430 million, including US$30 million in concessional financing. The program aims to modernize Tunisia’s energy sector by ensuring a sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity supply…. [Read More]
