International Youth Day 2025 celebrates the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” spotlighting the vital role of youth in driving sustainable development and justice. Across countries like Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kyrgyzstan, young women leaders are demonstrating how grassroots action can lead to global change. UN Women highlighted four changemakers using… [Read More]
Rising Global Tariffs Push Landlocked Developing Countries to Diversify Economies
Recent global trade uncertainties and rising tariffs are impacting Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) more severely than their coastal counterparts. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), each 1% rise in global tariff rates results in a 4% drop in LLDC trade volumes, causing a significant decline in national incomes. A new UNDP policy paper,… [Read More]
Africa’s Path to Sustainability: Stakeholders Rally to Unlock Local Capital for SDG Financing
The United Nations estimates that between $3 trillion and $5 trillion is needed annually to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. For Africa alone, the annual financing gap stands at $194 billion, representing about 7% of the continent’s GDP. Addressing this shortfall, the Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK), in collaboration with the Principles… [Read More]
Africa Begins Phase 1 HIV Vaccine Trial Targeting Highly Networked T-Cell Epitopes
The first doses of a promising investigational HIV vaccine candidate, known as GRAdHIVNE1 (Gorilla Adenovirus Vectored HIV Networked Epitopes Vaccine), have been administered as part of a landmark Phase 1 clinical trial. The vaccine was first given on July 28, 2025, at the Mutala Trust clinical trial site in Harare, Zimbabwe. This initiative represents a… [Read More]
SADC to Host 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State in Madagascar on 17 August 2025
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will hold its 45th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on 17 August 2025 at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This event is significant for Madagascar, as it marks the 20th anniversary of its membership in SADC, which began in August 2005. The Summit will… [Read More]
South Africa and UNESCO Urge G20 to Prioritize Social Protection Systems
UNESCO participated in the inaugural session of the G20 Working Group on Illicit Financial Flows and Social Protection, held in South Africa. This initiative stems from a commitment made earlier in the year by South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who emphasized that closing illicit financial flows must be tied to reinforcing social protection and advancing… [Read More]
Global Update: Uganda Faces Refugee Funding Crisis, Serbia’s Academic Freedom Under Scrutiny, Afghanistan Strengthens Rural Resilience
Uganda is currently grappling with a deepening refugee funding crisis. Its progressive policy, which allows refugees to work and access public services, along with its geographic proximity to regional conflicts, has made it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. However, emergency aid funding is set to run out by September, putting the lives of vulnerable… [Read More]
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Unveils New Funding to Accelerate Women-Focused Innovation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a landmark $2.5 billion investment to be made through 2030, aimed at accelerating research and development in women’s health. This funding will support over 40 innovations across five key areas that are historically underfunded—maternal health, menstrual and gynecological health, contraceptive innovation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and maternal… [Read More]
Over £450,000 in Funding Awarded to Support Local Community Groups
More than £450,000 in grant funding has been awarded to community groups across Chesterfield to help them deliver projects aimed at building a more resilient and healthier borough. The funding is part of the Community Grants Fund scheme launched by Chesterfield Borough Council in 2023, which supports initiatives that improve the lives of local residents…. [Read More]
Sutton Council Launches Grant to Tackle Homelessness and Boost Community Wellbeing
Sutton Council has introduced a new community grant aimed at addressing homelessness and enhancing health and wellbeing across the borough. Known as the Prevention Pilot Grant, this initiative will support projects led by local charities, community groups, and faith-based organisations that work to either reduce homelessness or lessen the need for adult social care services…. [Read More]
World Breastfeeding Week: Global Call to Invest in Health Systems and Support Mothers
Breastfeeding is recognized as one of the most effective ways to support a baby’s health, development, and survival, especially in the earliest stages of life. It serves as a natural immunity booster, protecting infants from life-threatening illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia. Despite its benefits, global breastfeeding rates remain low. Only 48% of infants under… [Read More]
FM Sitharaman: NABARD Supports Over 6,200 Farmer Producer Organisations Across India
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has so far promoted the formation of 6,215 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under various government schemes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that NABARD’s key support to these FPOs includes assistance with their formation, capacity building, credit facilitation, financial literacy, and establishing market linkages… [Read More]
NABARD Disburses ₹1.59 Lakh Crore to States for Rural Infrastructure: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided over ₹1.59 lakh crore in loan assistance to state governments for rural infrastructure development over the last three financial years (2022–23 to 2024–25). A significant portion, ₹1.23 lakh crore, was disbursed under the Rural Infrastructure… [Read More]
AFREC Boosts South Africa’s Capacity for Accurate Energy Statistics and Reporting
The African Energy Commission (AFREC) has successfully completed a three-day technical training workshop in South Africa, aimed at improving the country’s capacity to compile and manage national energy statistics. This initiative marks an important step toward enhancing energy data management in the Southern African region. The training, held from 30 July to 1 August 2025,… [Read More]
IOM Resumes Operations Across Syria to Strengthen Humanitarian Support
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has welcomed the formal approval from Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to re-establish its official presence in the country and expand humanitarian operations nationwide. This move signals a renewed commitment by Syrian authorities to closely partner with IOM to strengthen coordination and enhance the impact and sustainability… [Read More]
Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations Begin in Geneva to Tackle Pollution Crisis
Plastic waste is set to triple by 2060 unless the global community reaches a binding international agreement, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This stark warning underscores the urgency of the UNEP-led negotiations currently underway, following a 2022 decision by UN Member States to create a legally binding instrument aimed at ending the plastic… [Read More]
India and UN Strengthen South-South Cooperation to Accelerate SDG Progress
The United Nations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have launched a pioneering partnership to promote sustainable development through South-South Cooperation. This collaboration, known as the ‘UN-India Global Capacity-Building Initiative’, aims to share India’s successful development models with countries across the Global South, helping them achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this initiative,… [Read More]
Africa Needs Capital, Not Charity: Inside the UN–Private Sector Alliance Driving Change
While many investors remain hesitant, a new partnership model is proving that Africa’s future is not only investable but also transformational. At the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Pegasus Capital and the UN Joint SDG Fund launched a collaboration that combines public and private capital to unlock impactful projects with long-term returns…. [Read More]
Ireland Allocates €2 Million for New Men’s Mental Health Counselling Supports
The Irish Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, has announced €2 million in funding to launch a new range of counselling and talk therapy services specifically aimed at men. The initiative is set to begin in September 2025 and will deliver more than 15,000 free counselling sessions annually. Designed to improve access to mental health… [Read More]
AfDB Reinforces Support for African Union’s Peacebuilding Efforts in Ethiopia
The African Development Bank Group has reiterated its dedication to promoting peace and stability in Africa by participating in a technical workshop to finalize the “Handbook for the African Union Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM).” Organized by the African Union Commission, the three-day workshop concluded on 21 July and was supported by the Bank’s… [Read More]
Africa Endorses Ubuntu Legacy Initiative to Fast-Track Cross-Border Infrastructure
The National Treasury of South Africa and the African Development Bank Group jointly hosted the first consultative meeting on “South Africa’s Legacy Initiative to Accelerate Cross-Border Infrastructure in Africa: The Ubuntu Approach.” This initiative aligns with South Africa’s contribution to the G20 Infrastructure Working Group and introduces a Toolkit designed to help African countries and… [Read More]
New AFFM Project to Boost Fertilizer Access for Farmers Across Tanzania
The Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM), a special fund administered by the African Development Bank Group, will officially launch a partial credit guarantee project in Tanzania on August 7, 2025. The project aims to improve fertilizer access for 550,000 smallholder farmers across the country by strengthening the supply and distribution chain of fertilizers. With an… [Read More]
RightsCon 2026 Call for Proposals Now Open: Submit Your Session Idea
The Call for Proposals for RightsCon 2026, scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia and online from May 5 to 8, 2026, is now open. Individuals and organizations are invited to submit session proposals by the deadline of September 12, 2025. RightsCon is known for its community-driven programming, offering a platform for activists, policymakers, technologists,… [Read More]
