UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay welcomed the entry into force of the BBNJ agreement, a landmark treaty aimed at strengthening protection for the high seas, which cover nearly half of the Earth and have long lacked enforceable safeguards. Adopted in 2023 after almost two decades of negotiation, the treaty reached the required threshold of 60 ratifications,… [Read More]
150th Anniversary: Carlsberg Foundation Pledges DKK 150 Million to Advance Research Centres
The Carlsberg Foundation is preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026 by awarding DKK 150 million in funding for interdisciplinary research centres, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to advancing Danish basic research. Established by brewer J.C. Jacobsen on 25 September 1876, the foundation was created to channel part of the brewery’s resources into scientific progress… [Read More]
Early Talk Boost’ Programme Gets Expansion to Support Children with Language Delays, Announces Minister Foley
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has announced the expansion of the Early Talk Boost programme, which addresses language delays among young children, with the recruitment of up to 50 additional tutors. The programme is already operational in 108 early learning and care settings across 18 counties and is set to reach more… [Read More]
Youth Demand Action at UN: “Listen, Invest, Partner” for Global Impact
At an event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock emphasized that youth participation must go beyond mere attendance at meetings. She highlighted the importance of integrating young people’s lived experiences and expertise to shape policies that affect their lives. The framework, which spans 15… [Read More]
Africa’s Leaders Demand Equity, Justice, and Global Recognition
On the third day of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level debate, African leaders delivered a unified call for meaningful reform of the UN and a reshaping of the global order to ensure fairness, equity, and proper representation for all nations. They emphasized the urgency of reform in the face of a polycrisis marked by… [Read More]
How Contraceptives Empower Women’s Health and Socioeconomic Status
A new evidence brief from the United Nations’ Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the transformative impact of contraceptive use on women’s health and socioeconomic outcomes. Drawing on six systematic reviews, the report consolidates evidence showing that modern contraception not only reduces health risks but also strengthens women’s… [Read More]
Leading Health Funders Pledge to Strengthen Clinical Trials Worldwide
Several of the world’s leading medical research funders have signed a joint statement committing to strengthen clinical trial systems globally, following WHO standards. The agreement aims to integrate clinical trials into sustainable national infrastructures, enhance trial design, ensure diverse and representative participant populations, and embed best practices in transparency, data management, and public engagement. This… [Read More]
Strengthening Health Systems in Africa: WHO and China Join Forces
In Addis Ababa on 23 September 2025, Professor Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative a.i. to Ethiopia and the African Union, met with H.E. Ambassador Jiang Feng, Head of Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the AU, to reaffirm the longstanding partnership between WHO and China in advancing public health across Africa and explore deeper… [Read More]
Inaugural Sierra Leone Workshop Strengthens Death Certification and ICD-11 Adoption
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), concluded Sierra Leone’s inaugural two-day workshop of the death reporting sub-committee on 25 September 2025. This meeting brought together health professionals, civil registration experts, academia, and partners to initiate efforts aimed at institutionalizing the Medical… [Read More]
BFA and WHO Collaborate to Strengthen Health Systems in Angola
Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have formalized a strategic partnership to support Angola’s national response to the ongoing cholera outbreak, which has affected thousands of families across the country. The agreement, signed in Luanda, includes BFA’s contribution of 30 million kwanzas to purchase essential medical supplies such as rehydration… [Read More]
Empowering Migrant Workers in Thailand’s Rubber Sector with Labour Rights and Social Protection
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is collaborating with Thailand’s rubber sector to strengthen social protection for migrant workers and promote responsible business practices across the industry. A workshop held in Rayong on 25 September 2025 brought together over 100 participants from plantations, processing plants, manufacturing facilities, and related sectors nationwide to enhance understanding of labour… [Read More]
Start Your Business Programme: Helping Indonesian Workers Build Retirement Independence
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Confederation of All Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPSI)-ASEAN Trade Union Confederation (ATUC), is supporting Indonesian workers in preparing for retirement through entrepreneurship training. Many workers face uncertainty about their financial security as they approach retirement, with savings or social protection schemes often insufficient to ensure a stable… [Read More]
Riding the Waves: Tanzanian Women Empowered Through Surfing
At sunrise, Halima wades into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, carrying bundles of rope that will become underwater seaweed gardens. For Halima and thousands of other women along Zanzibar’s coastline, these submerged plots are far more than an agricultural activity—they are a source of independence, a way to fund their children’s education, and… [Read More]
New World Bank Initiative to Modernize Indonesia’s Power Grid and Expand Access
The World Bank has approved the Indonesia Electricity Network Transformation (I-ENET) Program, a US$500 million initiative aimed at modernizing the electricity distribution system in the Java, Madura, and Bali regions. The program will support Indonesia’s energy sector development by expanding renewable energy integration and accelerating the digital transformation of the electricity grid, aligning with the… [Read More]
Strengthening Guatemala’s Resilience to Disasters: World Bank Support
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a project aimed at enhancing Guatemala’s resilience to natural hazards and extreme climate events. The initiative focuses on strengthening institutional capacity to manage risks and protect vulnerable groups, including women heading households, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and communities living in informal settlements. The project targets areas highly… [Read More]
PEACE Project Overview: Essential Facts and Highlights
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the World Bank has collaborated with international partners to provide fast, targeted, and predictable financial support to help the Ukrainian government sustain essential public services for nearly 16 million citizens. The Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) Project funds salaries for civilian government employees, teachers, health… [Read More]
Tunisia: African Development Bank Strengthens Project Management with Transparent Governance Training
The African Development Bank organized a training session in Tunis for project implementation units involved in Bank-financed operations in Tunisia, aiming to strengthen skills in integrity and anti-corruption practices. Held on 16 September 2025 alongside a Proactive Integrity Review mission, the session was led by the Bank Group’s Integrity and Anti-Corruption Department (PIAC) and supported… [Read More]
African Development Bank and Michael Bloomberg Partner to Boost Private Investment in Africa
The African Development Bank Group and Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies and Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), have announced a strategic partnership aimed at mobilizing private sector investment across Africa to boost job creation and sustainable development. The announcement was made on 24 September during… [Read More]
Bank of America Pledges $12 Million to Aid Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Recovery
Bank of America has announced $12 million in zero-interest loans to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to support homeowner recovery and small business assistance in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The funds will be managed through three key CDFIs actively involved in the region’s disaster recovery efforts. Self-Help Ventures Fund (SHVF) will receive $8… [Read More]
Bank of America Pledges $1 Million+ to Aid Hill Country Flood Relief via Liftfund
LiftFund, a leading nonprofit small business lender, has received a major commitment from Bank of America to aid small businesses recovering from the July floods in Texas’s Hill Country. The contribution includes $1 million in lending capital and an additional $100,000 to support LiftFund’s disaster relief operations, bringing the total funds raised for the relief… [Read More]
$90 Million in Grants Allocated Under Defense Community Infrastructure Program by Department of War
The Department of War has awarded ten grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) totaling approximately $90 million through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The DCIP is a competitive program that supports states, territories, and communities in enhancing infrastructure to strengthen military readiness, support cadet training at covered educational institutions, improve installation… [Read More]
New Deals Announced to Make HIV Prevention Medicines Accessible, UNAIDS Says
UNAIDS has welcomed the announcement of two new agreements that dramatically reduce the cost of lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting HIV prevention medicine, from USD 28,000 to just USD 40 per person per year. Lenacapavir, produced by Gilead, is administered via injections twice a year and has been shown to be between 96% and 100% effective… [Read More]
Ukraine’s Inclusive Recovery: How Communities Are Leading Barrier-Free Infrastructure Projects
Ukraine’s recovery goes beyond rebuilding structures and restoring infrastructure—it is about creating communities where everyone can move, participate, and live independently. Recognizing this, the Barrier-Free Routes School was launched in 2025 as a collaborative initiative by UNDP in Ukraine, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, and with support from the Government of Japan. The… [Read More]
