In Cuba, Hurricane Melissa has left over 54,000 people displaced, including 7,500 in official shelters, with damage now far exceeding initial estimates. More than 600 health facilities and 90,000 homes have been affected. UN agencies are actively supporting the national response, assisting around 140,000 people in shelters and community kitchens, while distributing agricultural tools and… [Read More]
Brazil’s Bahia to Benefit from €300 Million EIB-Neoenergia Green Investment in Power Grid
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank Group, and Neoenergia have signed a €300 million loan to support the modernization and expansion of the electricity distribution network in Bahia, Brazil. Serving more than six million customers across 415 municipalities, Neoenergia Coelba will use the financing to upgrade infrastructure, invest in automation equipment,… [Read More]
$300 Million CESCE-Backed Loan for Panama Power Grid Modernisation by EIB and Naturgy
EIB Global, the international partnerships and development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Naturgy Energy Group have signed a $300 million CESCE-guaranteed loan to modernise and expand Panama’s power grid. The agreement, the largest loan EIB has signed for a private company in Central America, aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of… [Read More]
Empowering Women and Promoting Sustainability: EIB Global Partners with Banco do Brasil in the Amazon
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, has committed €350 million in a funding initiative with Banco do Brasil to support women-led businesses and renewable energy projects in the Legal Amazon region. The partnership was formalised during the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, and is part… [Read More]
€50 Million Pledge by EIB Global to Support Ardian’s Reforestation Initiative
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, has committed €50 million to a nature-restoration fund managed by the private investment firm Ardian. The equity investment will support Ardian’s Nature-Based Solutions fund, which focuses on reforestation, afforestation, and the restoration of wetlands and mangroves worldwide. The fund aims to restore degraded… [Read More]
2026 Photography Residency “People, Land, Memories” – Call for Applications
The Delegation of the European Union to Jordan, in partnership with the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts under the Factory Platform – Jordan Art Residency & Studios (JARS) Program, is inviting emerging photographers from Jordan and EU Member States to apply for the “People, Land, Memories” photography residency. This seven-day creative programme, taking place… [Read More]
EU4Reconstruction: €37 Million Initiative by Team Europe to Drive Inclusive Reconstruction in Ukraine
The European Union (EU), together with Denmark, Germany, France, and Lithuania, has launched EU4Reconstruction, a €37 million Team Europe initiative designed to strengthen the governance and accountability of Ukraine’s reconstruction. The programme aims to ensure sound and transparent public investment aligned with EU standards by bringing together Europe’s best practices in integrity frameworks, digital tools,… [Read More]
12 November 2025: Join the Global Fight on World Pneumonia Day
Pneumonia remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming more lives of children under five than any other infection and posing a significant threat to older adults and people with chronic health conditions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts to protect children and communities from pneumonia focus on strengthening health systems to ensure… [Read More]
Remembrance Day 2025: British High Commission Malaysia Commemorates Fallen Heroes
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the British High Commission in Malaysia held a Remembrance Day Service to honour service personnel and civilians who served in both World Wars and other armed conflicts. The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, defence attachés, representatives from the Malaysian… [Read More]
Protecting Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage: £200,000 in Emergency Support
The UK government has announced an additional £200,000 in emergency funding to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage during and after Russia’s illegal war, covering everything from ancient manuscripts to historic buildings. Culture Minister Ian Murray made the announcement while attending an informal meeting of EU media and culture ministers in Copenhagen, highlighting the UK’s commitment to… [Read More]
Shaping a Better Future for Migrants: IOM Brings Together Global Voices
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched the 2025 International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) in Geneva, a global forum that unites governments, community leaders, and experts to focus on making migration safer, fairer, and more humane. The Dialogue emphasizes practical solutions for migrants, including recognizing skills, granting legal identity, improving access to visas, securing… [Read More]
Cambodian Women’s Groups Advocate for Migrant Safety and Protection from Exploitation
In Cambodia, women migrant workers returning from abroad are emerging as role models and community leaders, sharing their experiences to raise awareness about safe and legal pathways for overseas employment. These women, many of whom endured dangerous journeys, unsafe border crossings, and exploitation, are now transforming into advocates who help others navigate labor migration safely…. [Read More]
Transforming Türkiye’s Economy: UN Support for Inclusive Care Economy Initiatives
The closing event of the UN Joint Programme on Transformative Growth of the Care Economy in Türkiye showcased the country’s commitment to positioning the care economy as a cornerstone for inclusive and sustainable development. Care work, which supports life, families, and communities, has historically been undervalued and disproportionately carried by women. Recognizing its economic and… [Read More]
IDB Group Launches $1 Billion Amazonia Forever Program for Resilient Cities and Infrastructure in the Amazon
Amazon countries – Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname – have launched the Amazonia Forever Facility for Cities and Resilient Infrastructure, a regional alliance designed to mobilize over $1 billion to accelerate investments in water security, clean energy, and resilient urban infrastructure. The initiative takes a multisectoral and territorial approach, addressing both urban… [Read More]
Top Takeaways from the 7th Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Symposium
The 7th Annual Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Symposium took place in Hong Kong on 6 November 2025, drawing around 470 participants from the GP, LP, financier, and advisory communities. The event provided a platform for networking and knowledge sharing, highlighting the Asia-Pacific region as a dynamic and evolving hub for fund finance. Participants discussed innovative fund… [Read More]
New Zealand’s Youth Mental Health Crisis: Understanding the Causes and Solutions
In 2025, New Zealand recorded the highest child suicide rate among wealthy nations, reflecting a broader youth mental health crisis. Despite ongoing public debate and policy reforms, families across the country continue to experience devastating losses. International surveys indicate that New Zealand children and teenagers report some of the lowest levels of wellbeing, highlighting the… [Read More]
International Pressure Mounts Against Kazakhstan’s ‘LGBT Propaganda’ Draft Laws
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]
