The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) held its 53rd Regular Meeting on July 15, 2025, amid what the UN Secretary-General has described as a “global development emergency.” With only 35% of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets currently on track, the meeting focused on aligning the Task Force’s work with… [Read More]
Ontario Invests $4 Million to Enhance Worker Safety in Thunder Bay
The Ontario government has announced a new investment of over $4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support nearly 500 people in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas in accessing well-paying jobs across the construction, industrial, mining, and transportation sectors. This latest funding brings the province’s total investment in training initiatives in Thunder Bay… [Read More]
Eswatini Accelerates Digital Transformation to Boost Economy and Create Jobs
The latest edition of the Eswatini Economic Update launched by the World Bank Group emphasizes the urgent need for Eswatini to embrace digitalization, improve public finance management, and address structural economic weaknesses to sustain long-term growth. The report, titled Harnessing the Potential of Digital Technologies for Eswatini’s Growth and Job Creation, analyzes the country’s recent… [Read More]
World Bank Launches Initiatives to Boost Jobs and Economic Resilience in the Pacific
World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, recently concluded a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where she focused on advancing new strategies for job creation, economic resilience, and delivering faster, more effective development outcomes in the Pacific region. The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships and bring global expertise closer to… [Read More]
Philippines: World Bank Supports Resilience Building for 18 Million Vulnerable Households
Around 18 million households in the Philippines are expected to see a reduction in their vulnerability to natural disasters through a new World Bank-supported initiative known as the Philippines Community Resilience Project, or “Pagkilos.” The project focuses on strengthening community-led planning and infrastructure investment to tackle climate and disaster risks. Local communities will be directly… [Read More]
Nigeria and AfDB Deepen Delivery Dialogue at 2025 Country Portfolio Review
The African Development Bank recently held a workshop in Abuja to review the performance of its portfolio in Nigeria as part of the 2025 Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR). Nearly 200 participants attended, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Bank, and implementing agencies overseeing Bank-supported public sector projects across the country. Both… [Read More]
AfDB Participates in Groundbreaking of Special Agro-Industrial Zone in Oyo, Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oyo State Government, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, are set to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) on 2 August 2025. The event, which will take place in Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area, will feature prominent figures including Nigeria’s… [Read More]
AfDB Approves $46 Million to Strengthen Healthcare System in Sokoto State, Nigeria
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $46 million loan to finance the Sokoto State Health Infrastructure Project, a major initiative aimed at improving access to and the quality of healthcare services in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This intervention comes in response to alarming health statistics in the region, where only one in twenty children… [Read More]
South Sudan and AfDB Launch Project to Strengthen Revenue Collection and Transparency
The Government of South Sudan has launched two major initiatives aimed at enhancing revenue collection and financial accountability: the South Sudan Institute of Revenue Administration (SSIRA) and the second phase of the Non-Oil Revenue Mobilisation and Accountability Project (NORMA II). The launch event, held near Juba on July 25, marked a significant step in the… [Read More]
Breaking the Silence: Survivor Stories of Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s 2024 domestic violence reforms mark a significant shift in addressing intimate partner violence, resulting from years of advocacy by UN Women, civil society organizations, and the public. Survivors now have better access to emergency services, legal aid, and psychosocial support, following a strong legal framework designed to prioritize their protection. Previously, Kazakhstan’s legal system… [Read More]
From Risk to Remedy: Investor Action Against Modern Slavery
The UNDP Finance Against Slavery and Human Trafficking (FAST) Initiative, in partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), has launched a global study to guide investors on how to engage with survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. This engagement is intended to improve human rights due diligence and support the development… [Read More]
How JRCT Is Supporting Social Justice Through Grassroots Funding
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) supports initiatives that address the root causes of conflict and injustice. Recognizing the essential role of grassroots movements led by directly affected communities, JRCT launched a pilot Grassroots Movements Fund to back such efforts. Over the past three years, the pilot program awarded £1.5 million through 22 grants to… [Read More]
Uzbekistan Boosts Data Governance with New Workshop on Open and Gender Data
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the Open Data Charter and the National Committee on Statistics, hosted a two-day workshop on 29–30 July 2025. The event aimed to promote the effective use of open and gender data within Uzbekistan’s public sector. The workshop brought together data professionals from ministries, government agencies, and… [Read More]
Reproductive Injustice in Focus on Pan-African Women’s Day
Unsafe abortion continues to pose a serious public health crisis across Africa, particularly affecting young, poor, rural, and marginalized women. Despite being a known threat for decades, it remains largely unspoken due to its discomforting reality. In Sub-Saharan Africa, three-quarters of abortions are unsafe, and one in every 150 results in death—a grim reflection of… [Read More]
$1 Million Grant Boosts Human Rights Watch Canada Initiatives
Human Rights Watch Canada has received a CAD$1 million grant from The Slaight Family Foundation as part of a broader CAD$13 million emergency funding initiative. This initiative aims to support Canadian humanitarian organizations in response to the negative global impact of recent U.S. foreign aid cuts. The suspension of most U.S. foreign assistance has led… [Read More]
Government of Canada and UK Partner to Advance AI Alignment Breakthroughs
The Government of Canada recognizes artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical driver of the country’s future prosperity, security, and global leadership. To harness its benefits, Canada is investing in scaling up its AI ecosystem, building robust infrastructure, fostering the adoption of AI systems, and strengthening public trust in AI technologies. The government emphasizes that these… [Read More]
World News: Somalia Conflict, Haiti Cholera Surge, and Tax Reforms for Sustainability
Intensifying clashes in Mahas, located in the Hiraan region of Hirshabelle state, Somalia, forced the displacement of over 28,000 residents on 26 July. Additionally, between 23 and 26 July, around 38,000 more people fled violence in the Gedo region of Jubaland state, with some crossing into neighboring Kenya. Security issues have led to the suspension… [Read More]
$9.5 Million Boost for Auckland Sports Facilities Through Council Grants
Auckland Council is supporting the development of community sports infrastructure by allocating $9.5 million in funding to 22 organisations. This funding, provided through the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund (SRFIF), aims to enhance access to quality sports facilities for Auckland residents. The decision to distribute the grants was approved by the Community Committee on… [Read More]
Government Invests in Mt Druitt to Enhance Community Support Systems
The Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) has announced new place-based grants totaling $4.2 million to support seven community networks in Mt Druitt, Western Sydney. These networks, each consisting of three or more partner organizations, work to improve outcomes for children, families, and youth, particularly within First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. The funding… [Read More]
Immigration New Zealand Strengthens Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on 30 July, serves as a global reminder to act against human trafficking. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is actively engaged in preventing, detecting, and disrupting this serious crime. This year’s theme, “Trafficking in Persons is Organised Crime — End the Exploitation,” underscores the growing role of organised criminal… [Read More]
Uganda’s West Nile Refugees Thrive with Climate-Smart Agriculture
Rows of healthy tomato plants now flourish year-round in Uganda’s Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, despite harsh dry seasons that once left the community reliant on humanitarian aid. This transformation is the result of innovative, climate-smart agricultural practices supported by international partnerships. Refugees, like Mary from South Sudan who arrived in 2016, are now actively farming with… [Read More]
Integrating Informal and Hard-to-Tax Sectors into the Formal Tax System
The informal economy and hard-to-tax (HTT) sectors remain largely outside the formal tax system for several reasons. While the informal economy represents economic activity not captured in GDP figures, HTT sectors are defined by their exclusion from the effective tax base. In both cases, accurate measurement and targeted policy are crucial to bringing them into… [Read More]
ADB Unveils New Country Partnership Strategy for Azerbaijan (2024–2028)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has introduced a new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Azerbaijan for the period 2025–2029. This strategy emphasizes value creation, economic integration, and resilience as critical components for achieving the nation’s development objectives. The strategy is built around two central pillars: enabling a green and diversified economy, and fostering low-carbon connectivity… [Read More]
