An analysis by Save the Children ahead of the United Nations General Assembly reveals that child malnutrition in conflict-affected countries remains alarmingly high, undermining global progress toward ending hunger. In 20 conflict-affected countries, more than one in three children under five—approximately 44 million—are stunted, a figure that has not improved since the adoption of the… [Read More]
IOM Chief Urges Stronger Global Cooperation on Migration at UN General Assembly
As world leaders gather in New York for the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is emphasizing the need for stronger international dialogue and collective action to harness migration as a driver of development and prosperity. IOM Director General Amy Pope stressed that… [Read More]
Persistent Inequalities Slow Global Social Justice Progress, Warns ILO Report
A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report highlights that, despite significant advances in education, poverty reduction, and productivity over the past three decades, entrenched inequalities, declining trust in institutions, and slow progress in key areas continue to hinder social justice worldwide. The study, The State of Social Justice: A Work in Progress, published ahead of… [Read More]
Global Social Justice Efforts Hampered by Inequality, Says New ILO Report
A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report highlights that despite major gains in education, poverty reduction, and productivity over the past three decades, entrenched inequalities, declining trust in institutions, and slow progress in critical areas continue to hinder social justice worldwide. The study, The State of Social Justice: A Work in Progress, published ahead of… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Advances Agenda to Ensure Living Wages for Workers
A regional dialogue organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 23–26 September 2025, highlighted the potential for achieving living wages across Asia and the Pacific through systematic approaches grounded in social dialogue and evidence-based wage systems. The event, held under the Global Coalition for Social Justice, brought together participants from… [Read More]
Darfur Cholera Vaccination Begins Amid Sudan Conflict
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a cholera outbreak in Sudan, which began in July 2024 in Kassala, has now spread to all 18 states. Over 113,600 cases have been recorded, with more than 3,000 deaths, reflecting a concerning case fatality rate of 2.7 percent. The outbreak has surged in areas including White Nile… [Read More]
Gaza and Nicaragua Human Rights Updates, WHO Hypertension Alert, and US Autism Claim Controversy
In Gaza, damaged facilities include nine schools and two health centres sheltering over 11,000 people, with at least five displaced individuals injured. UNRWA’s operations in Gaza City have been severely reduced after the closure of its only functioning health centre north of central Gaza. The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, has reported rising displacement and nearly… [Read More]
US President Trump Criticizes UN, NATO, and Calls Climate Change a ‘Hoax
US President Donald Trump sharply criticized the United Nations, questioning its effectiveness and describing its actions as “empty words” that fail to solve conflicts. He suggested that, rather than awards like the Nobel Peace Prize, the true measure of success is saving millions of lives. On Iran, Trump called the country “the world’s number one… [Read More]
Climate Summit 2025: Paving the Way to COP30
The UN Climate Summit, held on 24 September 2025 at UN Headquarters, is designed as a targeted high-level launchpad for COP30. Unlike the extensive negotiations of a full UN climate conference, this summit brings together Heads of State, government leaders, businesses, and civil society to present concrete pledges and new national climate plans, emphasizing actionable… [Read More]
Uruguay’s Energy Transition: Driving Investment for a Cleaner, Fairer Future
In Montevideo’s bustling port, trucks are beginning to run on cleaner power, while across Uruguay, engineers are testing the country’s first autonomous charging station for heavy vehicles and laying the foundations for a pilot green hydrogen plant. These initiatives signal a significant transformation in how Uruguay is powering its future, reflecting the country’s commitment to… [Read More]
New Philippine Legislation Enables Early Disaster Response to Safeguard Communities
The Government of the Philippines has enacted the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Bill, a landmark measure that institutionalizes anticipatory action within the country’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework. Developed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) with technical support from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other partners, the bill… [Read More]
Octave Capital and Katapult Ocean Launch $75 Million Fund to Support Ocean Ventures in Asia
Octave Capital and Katapult Ocean have launched the USD 75 million (EUR 63 million) Asia Ocean Fund, an impact investment fund aimed at supporting the development of Asia’s ocean sector. The fund was established through a memorandum of understanding between the two organizations, with a focus on deploying capital to ventures that restore ocean health,… [Read More]
EU Funding Sustains Humanitarian Air Service Operations in Afghanistan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan has received a EUR 4 million (US$4.6 million) contribution from the European Union to support the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). This funding will ensure UNHAS continues its operations, providing a critical link for the safe transport of aid workers and delivery of essential relief… [Read More]
Independent Evaluation Urges ADB to Boost Collaboration and Local Partnerships for Urban Livability
An evaluation by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Independent Evaluation Department has concluded that while the bank has contributed significantly to urban livability across Asia and the Pacific, greater progress will depend on stronger cross-sectoral collaboration, enhanced staff capacity, and deeper engagement with local governments. The review, covering ADB’s livable cities portfolio from 2017 to… [Read More]
ADB Invests in Fosun United Health Insurance to Expand Healthcare Coverage in China
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has made its first direct equity investment in the insurance sector by committing CNY 270 million ($37.3 million) to Fosun United Health Insurance Company Limited (FUHI). The investment, approved by regulators, is part of a joint effort with the International Finance Corporation and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical, both of which contributed… [Read More]
AfDB Board Approves New Strategy to Boost Economic Diversification in Lesotho
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a new $209 million Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Lesotho, outlining a five-year plan to accelerate economic diversification, resilience, and inclusive growth. The strategy comes at a pivotal time, as the country grapples with multiple challenges, including the impact of a 15 percent U.S. tariff… [Read More]
African Development Bank Trains East African Finance Experts to Boost Service Delivery
The African Development Bank Group’s Fiduciary and Inspection Department, in partnership with the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Secretariat of the World Bank, organized a flagship training on the PEFA framework for public financial management (PFM) experts in Eastern Africa. Held from 16 to 18 September 2025, the program brought together more than 60… [Read More]
African Development Bank Strengthens Project Management Capacity in the DRC
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) recently held a four-day workshop in Kinshasa aimed at strengthening project management and improving the performance of Bank-financed operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The event, organized between 8 and 11 September 2025 by the African Development Institute and the Bank’s fiduciary departments in collaboration with the… [Read More]
WTO Opens NGO Accreditation for 2026 Yaoundé Ministerial Conference
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially opened the accreditation process for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishing to attend its 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled to take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March 2026. Registered NGOs will be allowed to attend the plenary sessions of the conference, though without speaking rights. Applications are… [Read More]
Amnesty International USA Warns of Growing Threat to Free Expression in the United States
Amnesty International USA has raised urgent concerns over what it describes as a mounting crisis for freedom of expression in the United States. Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, warned, “There is a stunning wave of fear to speak out in the United States right now, which would have been simply unthinkable just… [Read More]
Slovak Parliament Urged to Reject Constitutional Amendments Threatening LGBTI Rights and Gender Equality
Ahead of the September 25 vote in the Slovak parliament, Amnesty International Slovakia has called on lawmakers to reject proposed constitutional amendments that would recognize only two genders, restrict comprehensive sexuality education, and limit adoption to married heterosexual couples. Rado Sloboda, Director of Amnesty International Slovakia, warned that if passed, the changes would “deal a… [Read More]
EIB Backs Nexans with €250 Million to Boost Innovation, Copper Recycling, and Energy Transition
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved €250 million in financing to support Nexans, a global leader in cable system manufacturing and services, enabling the company to accelerate its research and development (R&D) and industrial investments for 2024–2029. Part of the funding is backed by an InvestEU guarantee, reinforcing innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in strategic… [Read More]
Eastern Europe and Central Asia Transform Climate Challenges into Sustainable Opportunities
Countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are feeling the impacts of climate change more intensely than ever. Droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall are increasingly affecting food production, hydropower, and critical infrastructure. These disruptions threaten the most vulnerable populations, particularly poorer households, while the cost of climate-related damages is projected to rise sharply by 2050…. [Read More]
