A new report by Positive Money finds that Japan and the Republic of Korea are underperforming in implementing green central banking policies relative to the size of their economies and historic contributions to global carbon emissions. The East and Southeast Asia Green Central Banking report assessed 13 countries, including ASEAN+3 nations, evaluating how central banks… [Read More]
Sweden Pledges $15 Million to Boost Vietnam’s Business Growth Fund
Swedfund, the Swedish government’s development finance institution, has invested $15 million in the Excelsior Capital Vietnam Fund II, a new initiative supporting the growth of medium-sized businesses in Vietnam. The fund targets sectors including healthcare, education, consumer goods, and technology, aiming to strengthen companies that have high growth potential. This investment forms part of a… [Read More]
Cultural Revival: EU and Jordan Inaugurate Mechareus and Abila Heritage Projects
The European Union, in partnership with Italy and Jordan, has inaugurated rehabilitation works at the ancient sites of Mechareus and Abila, supported through a €10 million EU-funded project aimed at enhancing cultural heritage and promoting sustainable local development. The initiative brings together H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, EU Ambassador to Jordan, H.E. Luciano Pezzotti, Italian Ambassador, and… [Read More]
Urban Rainforest Restoration Receives $1.98 Million Funding
Lismore is set to benefit from a $1.98 million initiative aimed at restoring its critically endangered urban rainforests and improving the health of local waterways. The Rainforest to River project will enhance 42 hectares of lowland rainforest across 16 sites, protect native wildlife, and strengthen the community’s connection to nature. Mayor Steve Krieg described the… [Read More]
Singapore Urged by UN to Halt Execution of Malaysian Citizen, Warns of Arbitrary Deprivation of Life
GENEVA – The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, has called on Singapore to immediately halt the planned execution of Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, scheduled for 8 October, and commute his death sentence. He emphasized that drug-related offences do not meet the “most serious crimes” threshold under international human… [Read More]
Disturbing Human Rights Conditions in Cambodia Highlighted by UN Expert
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, Vitit Muntarbhorn, has voiced serious concerns over the increasingly restricted civic and political space in the country. He highlighted that opposition parties have been consistently undermined by elections that were neither free nor fair, allowing a single political clique to maintain monopolistic power despite intergenerational changes…. [Read More]
UN Warns of Mass Displacement Amid Renewed Conflict in Northern Mozambique
The conflict in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, now in its eighth year, has reached a critical point, with more than 100,000 people displaced during 2025 alone. The violence, initially driven by armed groups locally known as al-Shabaab, has been exacerbated by repeated cyclones, floods, and droughts, devastating livelihoods and increasing humanitarian needs. For the… [Read More]
Conflict Prevention Critical as Africa Confronts Growing Security Threats
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga addressed the UN Security Council on the key challenges facing Africa and the importance of UN-AU cooperation. He highlighted ongoing concerns about the number and complexity of conflicts across the continent, which are often exacerbated by weak state authority, violent extremism, inequitable natural resource management, organized crime, climate change, acute food insecurity, and… [Read More]
Increased Official Development Funding Praised by Concern for Humanitarian Impact
Concern Worldwide has expressed strong support for the increased allocation in Ireland’s Budget 2026 for official development assistance (ODA). The additional funding comes at a critical time when other countries are reducing their aid budgets, making Ireland’s commitment a significant gesture in global humanitarian support. Dominic Crowley, CEO of Concern Worldwide, highlighted that Ireland’s continued… [Read More]
New Climate Adaptation Projects Mark Deepening UK-Malaysia Partnership
The UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Seema Malhotra, launched two new climate adaptation initiatives with Malaysia at the Forest Learning Centre in Kuala Lumpur on 6 October. The event was also attended by Datuk Mas Rizal bin Mohd Hilmi, Deputy Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. These initiatives aim to… [Read More]
Start Fund to Strengthen Anticipatory Flood Action in Guatemala
The United Kingdom, through the Start Fund Network, has provided £300,000 (approximately US$402,600) to support anticipatory flood response in Guatemala. The funding will be administered by CADENA, which will collaborate with vulnerable communities to prevent a potential humanitarian crisis. The initiative specifically targets communities in high-risk areas near rivers and regions prone to landslides and… [Read More]
UK Government Invests £20 Million to Support Local Museums and Communities
Millions of people across England are set to benefit from a £20 million investment in civic museums through the government’s Museum Renewal Fund. The funding is aimed at protecting opening hours, safeguarding jobs, and ensuring that local museums can continue to tell the national story at a community level. A total of 75 museum organisations,… [Read More]
Budget 2026: Minister Heydon Achieves 9% Funding Increase, Department Receives Over €2.3 Billion
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, announced Budget 2026 allocations for his Department, securing an additional €170 million, which brings the total departmental vote to over €2.3 billion. He emphasized that the budget provides significant support to farmers, fishers, and foresters, reflecting the Government’s strong commitment to protecting and growing Ireland’s… [Read More]
Ireland Strengthens International Aid and Global Engagement, Says Tánaiste
Tánaiste Simon Harris welcomed the significant allocations in Budget 2026 aimed at supporting Irish citizens and enhancing Ireland’s presence and influence globally. The budget includes almost €10 million to open five new Embassies and Consulates under the Global Ireland 2025 Strategy, along with a €2.5 million allocation to support international market diversification. These measures are… [Read More]
Ireland’s Housing and Heritage Sector Receives Unprecedented €11 Billion in Budget 2026
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been allocated a record €11.275 billion in Budget 2026, marking a 20% overall increase in funding. This unprecedented package aims to boost housing supply, support local government, enhance planning, and conserve Ireland’s natural and built heritage. Housing capital investment alone exceeds €9 billion, reflecting the government’s… [Read More]
Historic €7 Billion Investment in Children and Disability Services Announced in Budget 2026
Budget 2026 delivers an unprecedented package of over €7 billion to support children, disabled people, and vulnerable groups in Ireland, marking a 15% increase on the previous year. The Department of Children, Disability, and Equality will receive funding to strengthen key services, improve accessibility, and reduce inequality. A total of €3.8 billion has been allocated… [Read More]
Minister O’Brien Unveils €1 Billion+ Investment in Budget 2026 to Drive Ireland’s Net-Zero Future
Minister Darragh O’Brien has secured nearly €1.1 billion in Ireland’s Budget 2026 to accelerate the country’s energy transition, support climate action, and underpin its journey to a net-zero future. This investment reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, decarbonization, and environmental protection, while ensuring energy affordability and resilience for all households and communities. A record €558… [Read More]
Why Visibility Is the First Step Toward True Inclusion
The SDG7 Action Forum emphasized a critical truth: without visibility, there is no inclusion. Women remain largely invisible in energy data, and this invisibility perpetuates inequality, limiting their participation in and benefits from the clean energy transition. To achieve a just and sustainable energy future, women must be recognized, counted, and empowered as central actors… [Read More]
Psychologist Helps Survivors Heal and Rebuild Trust in Trinidad and Tobago
Livia Rincón, a clinical psychologist in Trinidad and Tobago, dedicates her life to supporting survivors of exploitation and human trafficking, particularly children. Each session she conducts reveals painful stories, and she carefully balances empathy with resilience, recognizing the importance of staying grounded to help others heal. Originally from Venezuela, Livia moved to Trinidad and Tobago… [Read More]
How One Individual Is Revolutionizing Mental Health Services in Somaliland
For decades, Somaliland had no dedicated mental health department, and public awareness of mental health issues was almost nonexistent. Services were scarce, and funding was virtually impossible to secure. This began to change due to the persistent efforts of Dr. Yacoub Aden Abdi, a psychiatrist who returned to Somaliland in 2019 through IOM’s Migration for… [Read More]
Upskilling Youth Drives Green and Digital Innovation in Thailand’s Construction Industry
New research by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified key gaps and opportunities to upskill and reskill young workers in Thailand’s construction sector. On 7 October 2025, government officials, industry leaders, academic representatives, and workers’ organizations convened in Bangkok to review and provide feedback on the initial findings. The study focuses on developing industry-led… [Read More]
World Bank: Generating Jobs and Growth in East Asia and Pacific Requires Bolder Reforms
The East Asia and Pacific region continues to outperform much of the world, but creating more quality jobs and sustaining growth will require ambitious reforms amid ongoing global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s October 2025 East Asia and Pacific Economic Update. Regional growth is projected at 4.8 percent in 2025, slightly down from 5.0… [Read More]
Boosting Jobs and Economic Growth Through Entrepreneurship in Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean face a persistent low-growth cycle, but the World Bank’s new Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Review: Transformational Entrepreneurship for Jobs and Growth highlights entrepreneurship as a key driver to create jobs, boost productivity, and accelerate innovation. The region’s growth is forecast at 2.3 percent in 2025 and 2.5 percent… [Read More]
