The Lao Social Security Office (LSSO) has shared progress on a new mobile application designed to expand social protection delivery, with the update presented during a technical workshop supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The app is intended to improve access to information and services for both LSSO members and the general public, with… [Read More]
First Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work Convened by Singapore and ILO
More than 150 policymakers, statisticians, social partners, platform operators, and researchers from over 20 countries gathered in Singapore on 29 September for the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work. Hosted by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the conference marked a key step in global knowledge exchange aimed at addressing… [Read More]
Mozambique Study Reveals How Aspirations and Gender Norms Shape Girls and Women
The research note A Girl Can Dream: Analyzing Aspirations, Gender Norms, and Influencers Among Girls and Women in Mozambique explores the hopes and ambitions of adolescent girls and young women in Mozambique. It examines the barriers they face in pursuing their dreams, including social norms and relationships that shape their life choices, and provides insights… [Read More]
Central African Republic Focuses on National Wealth for Sustainable Growth
After two years of weak growth, the Central African Republic is showing signs of a moderate economic recovery, with growth estimated at 1.5% in 2024, according to a recent World Bank report. This improvement is driven by stable agricultural production, progress in agribusiness, and sustained performance in tertiary activities, supported by enhanced energy supply toward… [Read More]
WHO Sets Influenza Vaccine Guidelines for 2026 Southern Hemisphere Season
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced its recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2026 influenza season in the southern hemisphere. The announcement followed a four-day consultation involving experts reviewing surveillance data and other relevant information to guide vaccine formulation. Regular updates to influenza vaccine composition are essential due to the… [Read More]
Sex Life Impacts Are Key Factor in Contraceptive Discontinuation, Study Shows
A new study conducted by the World Health Organization, the UN Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), and The Pleasure Project reveals that about one in 20 people who discontinue contraception while still needing it do so due to perceived negative impacts on their sex lives. The systematic review, titled The Sex Effect: The prevalence… [Read More]
Angola Advocates for Newborn and Child Safety as Core Health System Priority
Rossana Francisco lost her mother, a nurse, when she was just nine years old, an experience that inspired her to dedicate her life to caring for others. Now 26, Rossana is completing her nursing degree at the Private University of Angola (UPRA) and is currently interning in the gynecology and obstetrics department at Luanda General… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Supports Batumi–Sarpi Highway Development in Georgia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $360 million loan to enhance Georgia’s road infrastructure and regional connectivity. The funding will support the upgrade of the final critical section of Georgia’s East–West Highway, providing a climate-resilient connection to the country’s border with Türkiye at Sarpi and strengthening Georgia’s capacity to manage its road infrastructure… [Read More]
UN Address: China’s Premier Li Calls for Global Solidarity and Economic Growth
China’s Premier Li Keqiang addressed the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing that solidarity benefits all, while division undermines global progress. He warned that unilateralism and protectionism threaten the international order built over decades, and stated that humanity is once again at a crossroads. Reflecting on the defeat of fascism and the founding of the UN… [Read More]
Youth as Drivers of Change: World Leaders Emphasize ‘Extraordinary Power of Ordinary People
At the United Nations General Assembly, world leaders highlighted the central role of young people in addressing the world’s most urgent challenges. They emphasized that today’s generation holds remarkable promise, despite the barriers millions of children and youth face in accessing education, healthcare, and political participation. Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly and one… [Read More]
Exim Bank Tanzania Receives $10M Trade Finance Guarantee from AfDB for SMEs
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $10 million trade finance guarantee facility for Exim Bank Tanzania Limited to unlock and de-risk trade transactions. The facility will provide up to 100 percent guarantees to international confirming banks against the risk of non-payment, enabling Exim Bank to expand access to essential imports… [Read More]
PM of Barbados Calls for Protection of Rules-Based World Order
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados addressed the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing that the survival of small states and global peace depends on preserving a rules-based international system. She warned that truth, trust, and fairness are being eroded by war, inequality, and the climate crisis, and stressed that countries of all sizes can only… [Read More]
UN Faces Crisis, Says Indian Senior Government Minister
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, India’s Minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, criticized the UN as “gridlocked” and underlined the urgent need for international cooperation and organizational reform. He questioned how the UN had lived up to expectations, highlighting ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, West Asia, and numerous other… [Read More]
Indonesia Set to Receive Dubois Collection from the Netherlands
The Netherlands has announced plans to return more than 28,000 fossils from the Dubois collection to Indonesia, following a formal request by Indonesian authorities. The collection, currently held at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, includes key fossils such as a skullcap, a molar, and a femur attributed to Homo erectus, an important species in… [Read More]
India and EU Launch Ideathon to Combat Marine Plastic Litter
The India-EU Ideathon on “Combating Marine Plastic Litter” was officially launched as a joint initiative by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the Delegation of the European Union to India, with support from the India-EU Trade and Technology Council Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. The… [Read More]
How Quality Learning Connects Classrooms to Communities
Md. Mofazzol Haque is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology. Alongside his studies, he works as a student journalist for Bangladesh Pratidin and The Daily Campus. With a strong background in media, he is particularly focused on the role of journalism in strengthening democracy in Bangladesh…. [Read More]
New Wave of Displacement Hits Northern Communities Amid Escalating Conflict
In northern Mozambique, a fresh wave of coordinated attacks by armed groups in September has forced hundreds of families to flee their homes, with many arriving in the districts of Mueda, Nangade, and Montepuez. However, these areas are already struggling after eight years of conflict, making it difficult to provide adequate support for the relentless… [Read More]
10 Ways International NGOs Can Protect Civic Space and Show Solidarity
Civic space is facing growing threats worldwide due to the rise of authoritarianism, right-wing populism, political division, and global instability. These trends have led to restrictions on protest rights, attacks on activists, and burdensome regulations on civil society organisations, limiting their ability to push for social change. In the first part of this blog series,… [Read More]
Ireland Commits €12.3 Million in Aid to Support People of Sudan
Ireland has pledged €12.3 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan in response to the devastating conflict that erupted last year, which has left millions facing hunger and displacement. The announcement was made during an international conference in Paris, jointly organized by the European Union, France, and Germany, to mobilize support for Sudan and its neighbouring… [Read More]
EIB Group Approves €7.1 Billion Financing to Boost European Tech, Energy Security, Defence, and Ukraine Support
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) have approved €7.1 billion in new financing to strengthen Europe’s technological leadership, energy security, and infrastructure. The funding will also back projects for climate adaptation, urban development in Italy, business support in Spain, and sustainable transport in Greece. Additionally, the Boards approved significant investments… [Read More]
Cyprus to Receive Additional EIB Funding for Healthcare and EU Investments
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced two new financing agreements with Cyprus, reinforcing its long-term partnership with the country and its commitment to improving healthcare, research, education, and sustainable development. These investments will also accelerate Cyprus’s green and digital transition, benefiting both people and communities. The first agreement allocates an additional €5 million to… [Read More]
UK Commits Additional £6 Million to Somalia Security Support Facility Trust Fund
The United Kingdom has announced an additional contribution of £6 million (over $8 million USD) to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) Trust Fund, administered by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). This funding will provide vital non-lethal logistical support, including food rations, fuel, communication equipment, tentage, and life-saving medical evacuation services for Somali… [Read More]
la Caixa” Foundation and UNHCR Strengthen Efforts for Maternal and Child Health
The ”la Caixa” Foundation and UNHCR have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership to support refugee communities in Ethiopia, one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting countries. As part of this renewed collaboration, the ”la Caixa” Foundation will continue its support for the Moments of Motherhood (MOM) Project, a flagship initiative that has significantly improved health outcomes for refugee… [Read More]
