UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive Ian Chapman has addressed recent concerns in an open letter to the research and innovation community, outlining changes to UKRI’s investment approach and the financial position of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Chapman acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding funding levels for curiosity-driven and applied research, emphasizing that… [Read More]
UK Introduces ETA Requirement for Finnish Travellers
The United Kingdom is introducing Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for visitors who do not currently require a visa for short stays or who do not hold an existing UK immigration status. Eligible European travellers can begin applying for an ETA from 5 March 2025, and the requirement to hold an ETA for travel to the… [Read More]
New Vaccine Customs Code Introduced to Boost Emergency and Pandemic Preparedness
The World Health Organization, working with the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization, has supported a major update to the global system used by countries to classify goods at customs. As part of the Harmonized System 2028, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028, thirty-eight new customs codes will be introduced… [Read More]
Pandemic Preparedness in 2026: Lessons Learned Six Years After COVID-19
Six years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the pandemic’s impact continues to shape global health priorities and collective memory. While the emergency phase officially ended in May 2023, WHO now reflects on whether the world is better prepared for the next pandemic. The answer, according to… [Read More]
How India’s Seed Cluster Model Can Strengthen Ghana’s Agriculture
Dr Amos Rutherford Azinu, Founder and CEO of the Legacy Crop Improvement Centre (LCIC), has urged Ghana to adopt India’s seed cluster development model as a proven strategy for achieving food security, empowering farmers, and modernizing agriculture. Speaking after attending the India–Africa Seed Summit in Hyderabad, Dr Azinu emphasized that the summit highlighted how purposeful… [Read More]
Supporting Indigenous Climate Leaders in Cambodia: The Role of Direct Grants
In Taok Commune, located in northwestern Cambodia, Indigenous families rely heavily on community forestry and small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods, cultural practices, and food security. In recent years, however, these forests have come under increasing pressure from deforestation and climate change, posing threats to crops, food sources, and traditional ways of life. As local Por… [Read More]
Côte d’Ivoire: IFC and CGECI Partner to Support Local Enterprises and Employment Growth
In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on January 29, 2026, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI) announced the launch of the Local Champions Acceleration Initiative. The program aims to identify and support high-potential local businesses that demonstrate market maturity, strong organizational capacity, and the ability… [Read More]
Regional Drive for PCB Elimination Strengthened at Abidjan Stockholm Convention Workshop
The Inception Workshop for the Global Elimination Program for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (GEP-PCB) was held from 27 to 29 January 2026 at the African Development Bank headquarters in Abidjan. The event marked a significant step in supporting African countries to fulfill their obligations under the Stockholm Convention while enhancing the performance and sustainability of their electricity… [Read More]
Submit Your Proposal for Confidence-Building Initiatives
The Joint EU–UNDP Initiative for Lasting and Inclusive Peace – Phase II (FLIP II) has launched a call for proposals inviting local civil society organizations, think tanks, research centers, academic institutions, and eligible international NGOs to submit confidence-building grant ideas. The initiative encourages applications from women- and youth-led organizations, grassroots groups, and applicants from diverse… [Read More]
IFAD Launches 2026 with SEK 750M Sustainable Bond Supporting Global Small-Scale Farmers
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) kicked off 2026 by issuing its thirteenth sustainable bond, a private placement under its Sustainable Development Finance Framework, to three investors. The SEK 750 million note was led by Skandia, supporting IFAD for the third time, alongside two new investors, AP3 and Kammarkollegiet. The proceeds from the bond… [Read More]
IFAD Launches SEK 750M Sustainable Bond to Strengthen Global Development Financing
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) began 2026 by issuing its thirteenth sustainable bond under its Sustainable Development Finance Framework. The SEK 750 million private placement was acquired by three investors: Skandia, the lead investor supporting IFAD for the third time, and two new investors, AP3 and Kammarkollegiet. The proceeds from the bond will… [Read More]
E-Commerce Success Stories: How Companies Keep Customers Coming Back
In today’s competitive e-commerce environment, retaining customers is as crucial as acquiring new ones. Understanding effective customer retention strategies can have a significant impact on a business’s bottom line. This article explores real-world case studies of leading e-commerce brands, highlighting innovative approaches that have successfully fostered loyalty and enhanced business performance. Amazon demonstrates the power… [Read More]
Learning from the Best: Case Studies of Successful Crisis Management in Business
In the modern business landscape, the true measure of an organization’s success is not the absence of crises but the ability to navigate them effectively. This article examines case studies of companies that not only survived unexpected challenges but emerged stronger, offering practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their crisis management… [Read More]
Europe’s Path to Climate Neutrality: Lessons Learned from 52 Citizen-Led Cities
In European cities, climate action is most effective when it directly engages residents in shaping their everyday environment, from tram lines and courtyards to renovated apartment blocks. As Europe pushes toward its 2030 climate neutrality goals amid rapid urban growth, the Pilot Cities Programme has shown that cities progress fastest when citizens are treated as… [Read More]
Antarctic Cooperation Strengthened: Germany and New Zealand Issue Joint Statement
The Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and New Zealand have reaffirmed their shared commitment to the Antarctic Treaty System, highlighting their roles as Consultative Parties to the Treaty, participants in the Protocol on Environmental Protection, and members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Both countries cooperate to… [Read More]
New Zealand-Germany Partnership Boosts Cooperation Across Sectors
New Zealand and Germany have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership, highlighting shared concerns over global developments in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who met his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in the Bay of Islands, emphasized the importance of reinforcing relationships with trusted partners amid ongoing geostrategic upheaval. Following… [Read More]
Strengthening Social Protection: ILO Backs Social Security Expansion in Laos
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is assisting the Lao Social Security Office (LSSO) in expanding social security coverage to rural areas of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where access to the National Social Security Fund has been limited. Many rural populations are reluctant to join due to a lack of understanding about long-term financial protection… [Read More]
New Initiative Protects Ukrainians in the Energy Sector, Led by ILO and Netherlands
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of the Netherlands have launched a project to protect and prepare Ukraine’s energy workforce for sustainable recovery. This initiative comes at a time when energy workers in Ukraine continue to operate under extreme conditions due to ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure, putting their safety and wellbeing at… [Read More]
Tackling ‘Forever Chemicals’: UK Launches Groundbreaking National Plan
The UK Government has unveiled its first-ever PFAS Plan to better protect public health and the environment from harmful ‘forever chemicals.’ This strategy provides a coordinated framework for governments, businesses, and regulators to identify the sources of these chemicals, understand how they spread, and take steps to reduce exposure. While PFAS have supported economic growth… [Read More]
46,000 Workers Gain Social Security Benefits as Estidama++ Project Concludes
Under the patronage of Jordan’s Minister of Labour, Khaled Al Bakkar, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Jordan’s Social Security Corporation (SSC) marked the conclusion of Estidama++, a multi-donor initiative supported by Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The project celebrated its achievements in expanding social security coverage and promoting labour market formalization across… [Read More]
Barnsley Leads the Way as UK’s Inaugural Tech Town with Government Support
Barnsley has been named the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, marking a major step in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to transform local services, education, healthcare, and business. The initiative aims to provide bespoke government support to local schools, colleges, businesses, and the NHS, positioning Barnsley as a national blueprint for using AI to improve everyday… [Read More]
Undersea Cables: The Hidden Network Keeping the World Connected
The rapid exchange of data around the world relies on an often-overlooked infrastructure: undersea cables that connect continents and carry nearly all international internet traffic. These fiber-optic cables, laid hundreds of meters beneath the ocean, form the backbone of global connectivity, enabling everything from financial transactions to daily communications. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the… [Read More]
Global Health Under Threat as Funding Reductions Bite, Says WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that global health systems are increasingly at risk due to rising pandemics, drug-resistant infections, and fragile healthcare services, compounded by severe funding cuts. Speaking at the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the impact of workforce reductions and sudden declines in bilateral aid during… [Read More]
