Somalia has become the 52nd African country to ratify the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, marking a historic step toward strengthening legal protections for children across the country. The ratification obliges Somalia’s government to align national laws and policies with the charter, which was established 35 years ago, and to… [Read More]
WHO Donation Strengthens Sierra Leone’s Health System with Essential Equipment and Digital Tools
Health workers across Sierra Leone are now better equipped to detect, monitor, and respond to health threats thanks to a major donation from the World Health Organization (WHO). Supplies and equipment valued at USD 456,483.20 were handed over to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), enhancing disease surveillance, antimicrobial… [Read More]
Ebola Response Efforts Show Early Success in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Response efforts to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are beginning to slow the virus’s spread, with cases over the past three weeks showing early signs of decline. While maintaining and strengthening control measures remains critical, authorities are cautiously optimistic. In the week ending 28 September 2025, seven cases—six confirmed… [Read More]
UNCDF and Global Flagship Initiative Partner to Unlock Innovative Financing for Africa’s Food Systems
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security (GFIFS) have signed a Statement of Intent to collaborate on innovative financing solutions aimed at building equitable and sustainable food systems across Africa. The partnership will leverage public capital to mobilize private investment, breaking barriers to financing in high-risk regions… [Read More]
IOM Launches First Pan-African Youth Hackathon to Drive Safe Migration Solutions
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched the first-ever WakaWell Youth Hackathon, a Pan-African initiative empowering young innovators to co-design digital solutions that help youth make safe and informed migration decisions. “Migration is the defining reality of our time, especially for young people,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations. “The WakaWell… [Read More]
Cambodia Strengthens Workforce Skills and Productivity Through Public-Private Collaboration
The Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), hosted a high-level workshop on skills and productivity, emphasizing the critical role of public–private partnerships in building a competitive, future-ready workforce. The Validation Workshop on Skills and Productivity brought together industry leaders, employer associations, training institutions, trade unions,… [Read More]
ILO Project Marketplace in Türkiye Unites Social Partners and Civil Society for Inclusive, Rights-Based Work
Over 50 organizations supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) gathered at the ILO Project Marketplace in Ankara, Türkiye, showcasing innovative projects and exploring collaboration opportunities. Financed by the European Union Delegation to Türkiye, the event highlighted how partnerships can advance fundamental principles and rights at work in a rapidly changing labor landscape. Organized under… [Read More]
UN Task Force Urges Sustained Support for Social and Solidarity Economy Amid Global Recognition
The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) has called for continued commitment to safeguard recent progress as the sector gains international recognition. During its 54th Regular Meeting, held virtually, members and observers welcomed references to cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in the Doha Political Declaration, set to be… [Read More]
ILO Integrates AI into SME Training through SCORE Programme in the Philippines
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the UN Joint Programme Inclusive, Competitive, and Responsible Digital Philippines (Digital-PINAS), has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme, marking a major step in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Philippines. This digital innovation equips enterprises with practical, low-cost… [Read More]
ILO and Senegal Partner to Strengthen Cooperative Development
From 29 September to 1 October 2025, Senegal’s Ministry of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy (MMESS), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), held a training workshop in Dakar aimed at building ministry staff capacity in cooperative development. The initiative focused on applying the ILO’s tools to structure and professionalize Solidarity-Based Production Cooperatives… [Read More]
ILO and Brazil Mark Milestone in Fight Against Forced Labour at American Regional Meeting
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and Brazil’s Minister of Labour and Employment Luiz Marinho commemorated Brazil’s ratification of the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention (No. 29) during the ILO’s 20th American Regional Meeting on 1 October in the Dominican Republic. This meeting provided the first high-level acknowledgment of Brazil’s… [Read More]
WFP Responds to Earthquakes in Afghanistan Amid Rising Humanitarian Needs
One month after a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August, followed by a series of aftershocks, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) continues to provide rapid food assistance and logistical support to affected communities. The earthquakes have compounded an already severe food security and nutrition crisis, leaving more than nine million… [Read More]
Haiti on the Brink: Violence and Funding Shortfalls Push Families Toward Starvation
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that escalating violence in Haiti’s capital is cutting off humanitarian access and worsening hunger, as extreme funding shortfalls force the agency to slash rations and suspend key programmes. Armed groups now control nearly 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, leaving farmers isolated from markets and driving up food… [Read More]
WFP and South Korea Rebuild Schools in Remote Tajikistan to Support Education and Food Security
The Governments of Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea, together with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), have completed the reconstruction of two schools in Rasht and Tojikobod districts, which were damaged by an earthquake earlier this year. The inauguration ceremony was attended by local officials, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic… [Read More]
ZE-Gen and CLASP Announce $100,000 Global LEAP Solar Generator Competition to Drive Innovation in Clean Energy
ZE-Gen (Zero Emissions Generators Initiative) and international NGO CLASP have announced the launch of the Global LEAP Solar Generator Competition, a major international challenge to accelerate the transition from polluting fossil fuel generators to sustainable solar-powered solutions. Launching on 8 October 2025, the competition will award $100,000 in innovation prizes to showcase high-performing, efficient solar… [Read More]
Bhutan Can Harness Benefits of Migration Through Strategic Reforms, Says World Bank
Migration of Bhutan’s educated youth and skilled professionals has become a growing concern for the Royal Government of Bhutan and international partners, according to a new World Bank report released today. Titled Migration Dynamics in Bhutan: Recent Trends, Drivers, and Implications, the report builds on discussions from the South Asia Mobility Conference held in Thimphu… [Read More]
Sarawak Partners with World Bank to Boost Governance and Long-Term Economic Growth
In a landmark initiative to future-proof its economy, Sarawak has signed a strategic agreement with the World Bank and Malaysia’s Federal Government, marking the start of major reforms in State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) governance and public financial management. The three-year partnership aims to enhance the management of public resources by improving SOE governance and aligning budget… [Read More]
World Bank: Digital Transformation Key to Boosting Public Sector Productivity
Malaysia is leveraging GovTech to deliver faster, more trusted public services—a digital transformation the World Bank highlights as central to enabling private sector growth and creating high-quality jobs, accelerating the country’s path toward high-income status. The World Bank’s new report, From Bytes to Benefits: Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Public Sector Productivity, credits Malaysia’s… [Read More]
From Bytes to Benefits: Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Public Sector Productivity
Digital transformation has become a cornerstone of modernization for governments worldwide, enabling institutions to operate more efficiently, citizens to access services more conveniently, and economies to capture new productivity gains. However, the benefits of GovTech are not automatic. Global experience shows that digital tools only translate into tangible improvements when they are coupled with strong… [Read More]
Back to Basics: Why Investing in Disaster Risk Management is Crucial for Global Development
On May 8, 1947, the World Bank approved its very first loan of $250 million—equivalent to about $3.5 billion in today’s terms—to the French government to help rebuild its economy after the devastation of the Second World War. Seventy-eight years later, the World Bank is still helping countries recover from disasters, but its mission has… [Read More]
ADB Approves $190M Loan for Indore Metro Rail Project to Boost Urban Mobility and Sustainability
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $190 million loan to support the Indore Metro Rail Project, a major urban transport initiative aimed at easing congestion, improving mobility, and reducing pollution in Madhya Pradesh’s largest city. The project will finance the construction of an 8.62-kilometer underground metro corridor with seven modern stations, linking high-density… [Read More]
ADB Approves $299M Loan for Delhi–Meerut RRTS, Bringing Total Support to $1.05B
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $299 million loan as the final tranche of financing for the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), India’s flagship urban transport project in the National Capital Region (NCR). With this tranche, ADB’s total support under the multi-tranche financing facility, approved in 2020, now stands at $1.05 billion…. [Read More]
ADB Signs $30M Sustainability-Linked Loan with Envoy Textiles, Marking First in Bangladesh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $30 million sustainability-linked loan facility with Envoy Textiles Limited (Envoy), marking ADB’s first such financing in Bangladesh. The deal follows the Bank’s earlier textile manufacturing project with Envoy in 2022. Sustainability-linked loans are forward-looking, performance-based instruments tied to key performance indicators (KPIs) and sustainability performance targets (SPTs)…. [Read More]
