The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging people worldwide to recommit to collaboration and the support of science as essential drivers of better health, marking World Health Day 2026 with the theme: “Together for health. Stand with science.” The campaign coincides with the anniversary of WHO’s founding on 7 April 1948 and launches a year-long… [Read More]

A film project supporting young refugees and asylum seekers in the Highlands has secured crucial funding to continue for the next three years. Compass Collective’s Film Futures initiative, which began about a year ago, has already produced two short films viewed by more than 600 people in Inverness, Fort William, and Evanton. The charity, awarded… [Read More]

Circulate Capital has raised $220 million at the first close of its Asia-focused fund, Circulate Capital Asia II, surpassing 70% of its $300 million target and exceeding the size of its predecessor, which closed at $188 million. The Singapore-based investment manager plans to use the new capital to scale circular supply chains and recycling businesses… [Read More]

Singapore-based circular economy investment manager Circulate Capital announced the first close of its new fund, Circulate Capital Asia II, raising $220 million to support circular supply chains and recycling businesses across South and Southeast Asia. The fund has now reached over 70% of its $300 million target, surpassing its predecessor, Fund I, which closed at… [Read More]

Ladi Ashifa was seventeen when she began rebuilding her life after being displaced from Borno State in 2014. Living in Nigeria’s Kuchingoro Camp with her family, she survived on small-scale catering, earning less than ₦20,000 ($13) a month. Her education was interrupted, and her future uncertain. Joining the WINGS initiative transformed her trajectory. Through a… [Read More]

In Ulaanbaatar’s Ger districts, residents like Bat-Erdene face harsh winter conditions in structurally fragile homes, relying on coal stoves that struggle to heat poorly insulated spaces. These informal settlements, home to over half of the city’s population, suffer from inadequate services, severe air pollution, and substandard housing. The resulting health impacts reduce productivity and workforce… [Read More]

In West Africa, decision-makers in both public and private sectors increasingly need faster, more granular, and high-frequency data to respond to complex development challenges. Traditional sources such as censuses and household surveys are slow and costly, whereas mobile phones generate continuous signals that can provide near-real-time insights on populations across the region. Recognizing this potential,… [Read More]

Türkiye is seizing the opportunity to create more and better jobs for women in the transport sector, a critical part of the World Bank Group’s development agenda focused on empowering youth and strengthening communities. Investments in infrastructure, including railways, roads, electricity, and digital access, are key pathways to building human and physical capital, creating business… [Read More]

South Sudan is at a critical juncture, facing increasingly frequent climate shocks, particularly severe flooding, which displace communities, destroy crops, and drive up food prices. Economic fragility, rooted in dependence on oil, chronic macro‑instability, and limited private sector development, exacerbates vulnerabilities. External aid, once a crucial safety net, is declining just as these pressures intensify…. [Read More]

When economists hear “development accounting,” they often think of a macroeconomic exercise that decomposes income differences across countries into factors like education, capital, and total factor productivity. However, there is a growing field of research that approaches development from an accounting perspective, emphasizing practical applications in developing countries. The Accounting and Development Forum, organized by… [Read More]

Insured losses from natural catastrophes have exceeded $100 billion for six consecutive years, highlighting the growing impact of climate-related events on banks in emerging markets. Loan defaults from flood-affected farmers, devalued collateral, and uninsured small businesses are increasingly common, showing that climate impacts are now a core part of financial risk management. Traditionally, climate adaptation… [Read More]

Armenia is harnessing the potential of tourism by improving accessibility to its cultural heritage sites, including medieval monasteries, historic towns, and traditional neighborhoods. Investments backed by the World Bank have revitalized surrounding municipalities, creating opportunities for small businesses, employing local residents, and encouraging reinvestment into communities. These initiatives have not only diversified the economy but… [Read More]

Pashchimanchal Gas Company Limited (PGCL) has received financing from the World Bank for the Gas Sector Efficiency Improvement and Carbon Abatement Project. Part of the funding will be used for the procurement of the “Design, Supply, Installation & Commissioning of SCADA & GIS for 10 Gas Stations, including necessary hardware and software” under the Installation… [Read More]

Since 2019, Ethiopia has undertaken a comprehensive reform program to modernize its state-owned enterprises (SOEs), supported by the World Bank. This effort established the country’s first SOE database, strengthened oversight, and updated the legal and governance framework. As a result, SOEs have shifted from relying on public funds to generating revenue, contributing ETB 117 billion… [Read More]

Despite centuries of medical study, women’s bodies remain poorly understood, with research often describing them as “mysterious” compared to men’s. This knowledge gap has real consequences: women experience longer delays in diagnosis, higher rates of chronic pain, and overall spend 25 percent more of their lives in ill health than men. These disparities are compounded… [Read More]

TotalEnergies faces a $7.4 billion offshore project in South Africa’s Deep Western Orange Basin, currently delayed by legal proceedings at the Western Cape High Court. The ruling will determine whether drilling permits proceed or encounter further postponements. The case highlights growing environmental and regulatory risks that even large-scale offshore projects now face, reflecting a broader… [Read More]

The UN80 Initiative, launched last year, is entering a delivery-focused phase aimed at reshaping how the United Nations operates to maximize impact for people and the planet. Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder highlighted that recent achievements have built momentum, including the completion of over 80 percent of early milestones in the UN80 Action Plan, which… [Read More]

Pakistan faces a silent nutrition crisis where diets high in grains and sugar leave many undernourished while diabetes rates continue to rise. Although the country produces enough food, access to balanced diets remains limited, particularly for vulnerable populations. Experts suggest that shifting from a traditional ‘food security’ approach to a comprehensive ‘food systems transformation’ could… [Read More]

The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB) has approved an $80 million investment loan to Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento do Extremo Sul (BRDE) to support critical infrastructure development and the recovery of micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul State. The project, Prosul Reergue Sul, aims… [Read More]

Ukraine has endured the fourth winter since the full-scale invasion by Russia, surviving conditions that were deliberately engineered to break civilian resilience. Throughout the cold months, Moscow repeatedly targeted power and heating infrastructure with the apparent aim of forcing millions of Ukrainians into submission during subzero temperatures. While such tactics have been used each winter,… [Read More]

Zambia’s development path is closely tied to its ability to create more and better jobs, especially for its rapidly growing youth population. As digital technologies continue to transform how businesses operate and how work is performed, building relevant digital skills has become essential for improving employability, boosting productivity, and expanding access to opportunities. Strengthening technical… [Read More]

Across Asia and the Pacific, climate pressures, population growth, and widening inequalities are intensifying the region’s water challenges. Addressing these issues requires more than building infrastructure—it demands meaningful collaboration with civil society. Civil society organizations (CSOs) bring trusted community connections, social insights, and technical expertise that enhance inclusion, accountability, and sustainability across water and development… [Read More]

The Caribbean is among the most climate-vulnerable and disaster-prone regions in the world, with its exposure shaped by geography, topography, and socio-economic factors. Despite these challenges, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the region have set ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, aiming to advance renewable energy, protect ecosystems, enhance coastal resilience,… [Read More]