Two UN Special Rapporteurs have strongly condemned Russia’s decision to end its cooperation with the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture. They stressed that external monitoring bodies serve as essential safeguards against abuses in prisons and other places of detention, warning that Russia’s move raises serious concerns about conditions behind bars. The experts highlighted… [Read More]
Canada Launches Centre of Excellence to Boost Community Disaster Recovery
Recent disasters across Canada, including the Lytton wildfire in 2021, Hurricane Fiona in 2022, the Northwest Territories wildfires in 2023, and severe wildfire seasons in 2024 and 2025, have underscored the complexity of disaster recovery. Early planning—ideally before a disaster occurs—can significantly accelerate rebuilding, help businesses resume operations sooner, and integrate measures that reduce future… [Read More]
$14.6 Million Investment by Canada and Ontario to Help Farmers Enhance Farmlands
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $14.6 million through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) to help farmers improve their farmland and build long-term resiliency. This investment aligns with the Grow Ontario Strategy, aiming to equip farmers with tools to remain competitive amid U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainties. An additional $9.6… [Read More]
A Nordic Perspective on Workplace Compliance and the Power of Social Dialogue
A Turkish tripartite delegation visited Sweden from 25–29 August 2025 under the EU-funded project “Workplace Compliance through Labour Inspection Guidance and Social Dialogue (WPC),” jointly implemented by the ILO and Türkiye’s Directorate of Guidance and Inspection (DoGI). The delegation included senior labour inspectors, as well as representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations, who engaged with… [Read More]
African Development Bank Pledges Stronger Climate Action at Africa Climate Week 2025
The African Development Bank reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Africa’s climate agenda at the opening of Climate Week 2025 in Addis Ababa, where leaders called for urgent implementation of global pledges. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie declared that Africa was embracing a new path, envisioning prosperity through integrated electricity markets, transformed food systems, and the… [Read More]
Atlantic Lithium Raises £28M Equity Funding to Advance Ewoyaa Project
Atlantic Lithium has secured a £28 million equity funding package through an agreement with Long State Investments, marking a major milestone for Ghana’s Ewoyaa Lithium Project. This funding is set to support the company’s ambition of becoming Ghana’s first lithium producer while helping it manage regulatory delays and market volatility. Investor confidence in the project’s… [Read More]
Thailand Trade Unions Advance Efforts for Safer, Healthier Workplaces
Thai trade unions have taken an important step toward embedding workers’ voices in occupational safety and health (OSH) standards with the launch of a new training initiative. The first workshop, held on 22 August 2025 in Bangkok, was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) with support from the governments of Japan and Canada. It… [Read More]
Unlocking Social Infrastructure Funding in South Africa: Why Getting the Basics Right Matters
South Africa’s social infrastructure challenges often appear to be a question of funding, but the reality is more complex. While money is scarce compared to the country’s needs, a recent Sustainability at a Crossroad 2025 report by GlobeScan, ERM, and Volans shows that funding gaps are often a symptom of deeper systemic issues. The report,… [Read More]
Women Power Half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s Agrifood Sector, Yet Inequalities Persist: New Report
In sub-Saharan Africa, women play a central role in agrifood systems, with approximately 76 percent of working women employed in the sector and women making up 49 percent of the overall agrifood workforce. Employment for women in off-farm segments—including production, processing, distribution, consumption, and packaging—has increased from 21 percent in 2005 to 29 percent in… [Read More]
FAO-GEF Partnership Strengthens Namibia’s Dryland Farmers, Protects Seeds, and Reduces Food Loss
In Namibia’s Kavango East region, seventy smallholder farmers have received training to reduce food losses and preserve traditional seeds as part of an initiative themed “Our Seeds, Our Heritage.” The program, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Namibian government and funded by the Global Environment… [Read More]
Zimbabwean Youth Explore Green Entrepreneurship at Look and Learn Event
Young green entrepreneurs in Marondera district in Zimbabwe, who were previously supported by FAO under the Green Jobs for Rural Youth Employment Project implemented in 2020–2024, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), are undertaking a look-and-learn event to showcase and share experiences. Youths are leading the organisation od the event with support from… [Read More]
From Thread to Opportunity: Silk Industry Empowers Women with Jobs in Egypt
In Naqada, Upper Egypt, silk weaving is giving women like Sumaya Mohamed a new sense of purpose and independence. Once struggling to find work, Sumaya discovered opportunity through a weaving workshop run by the Egypt Network for Integrated Development (ENID), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Spanish Agency for International… [Read More]
Painless Microneedle Patches Offer Breakthrough in HIV Treatment for Children
For many families, ensuring that children take their daily HIV medication is a constant source of stress. Tablets often need to be crushed and carefully measured as children grow, and even small mistakes or missed doses can have serious consequences. A new solution is now emerging that could change this routine entirely: painless microneedle patches… [Read More]
Google.org Grants US$1M to Support Wits MIND Institute’s Innovation and Research
The Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute at Wits University has received core funding of US$1 million from Google.org. Under the leadership of Professor Benjamin Rosman, recently recognized in TIME magazine’s TIME100 AI 2025 list, the institute is set to strengthen its position as a leading hub for artificial intelligence research in Africa. The… [Read More]
Nigeria Opens Multiple Grant and Program Opportunities for Youth, Women, and SMEs in 2025
Nigeria is set for a wave of empowerment and development in 2025 as numerous domestic and international organizations roll out new application calls for grants, accelerators, and capacity-building programs targeting youth, women, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Key Takeaways New funding and training opportunities are open in sectors such as technology, education, agriculture, and… [Read More]
Controversy Grows as ADB Funds Major Copper Mine in Pakistan Amid Human Rights Concerns
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a $410-million funding package to support the development of the massive Reko Diq copper-gold mine in Balochistan, Pakistan—a project deemed vital for meeting global copper demand in the clean energy transition. However, this decision has sparked concerns among rights advocates due to persistent allegations of human rights abuses… [Read More]
India-Bhutan Foundation Opens Call for Proposals to Boost Bilateral Collaboration
The India-Bhutan Foundation has announced an open call for proposals aimed at strengthening people-to-people exchanges and fostering collaboration between the two neighboring nations. This initiative invites individuals, institutions, and organizations to submit project ideas that can enhance mutual understanding and partnership. Key Takeaways The India-Bhutan Foundation is seeking project proposals from various sectors. Selected projects… [Read More]
India’s Remarkable Progress Against Poverty: Data, Reforms, and Global Impact
India has registered an astonishing decline in extreme poverty, with new World Bank data showing millions lifted above the poverty line. This achievement stands out globally, especially as stricter poverty benchmarks have pushed numbers higher elsewhere, highlighting India’s role in reshaping international poverty statistics. Key Takeaways Extreme poverty in India fell from 27.1% (344 million)… [Read More]
Ivory Coast Secures Africa’s First Sustainability-Linked Loan Backed by World Bank Guarantee
Ivory Coast has successfully raised €433 million ($507 million) through Africa’s first sustainability-linked foreign currency loan, backed by guarantees from the World Bank. The landmark deal highlights the country’s growing focus on sustainable finance as it works to strengthen resilience against climate shocks and diversify its funding sources. Earlier in July, Ivory Coast had also… [Read More]
Global Agri-Energy Coalition Launched to Address Food and Energy Security Gaps
At the 2025 Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, a new multi-stakeholder alliance—the Agri-Energy Coalition—was officially launched to address critical challenges at the intersection of agriculture and energy in low- and middle-income countries. The coalition brings together leading organisations from the agriculture, energy, and development sectors to deliver sustainable and scalable solutions that transform… [Read More]
Controversial $400M Nauru Deal and Deportation Bill Raise Corruption and Community Concerns
Tonight’s hearing on the Government’s Anti-Fairness and Deportation Bill has sparked widespread concern over transparency and fairness, as only Home Affairs officials are allowed to provide evidence. Human rights organisations, legal experts, and frontline community groups—those directly supporting people affected by Labor’s secret $400 million Nauru deal—have been excluded. The Senate-established hearing, scheduled for just… [Read More]
CT Foodshare Boosted by State Funding Amid Federal Aid Uncertainty
The state of Connecticut has released its first round of additional funding to Connecticut Foodshare following lawmakers’ approval of a $3 million allocation earlier this year. This represents more than a three-fold increase over previous annual funding and comes amid rising food insecurity across the state. The funding, part of the Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Program… [Read More]
UK Invests £5 Million in 26 New Rail Safety Projects Nationwide
The UK government has allocated £5 million in funding to 26 innovative rail projects aimed at improving passenger safety and the overall railway experience. This investment, announced by the Department for Transport (DfT), is part of the First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) competition, run in partnership with Innovate UK, Network Rail, and train operators. The scheme supports projects… [Read More]
