Today, the European Commission disbursed €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) to Egypt, marking the first instalment of a €4 billion operation under the EU-Egypt Strategic Comprehensive Partnership signed in March 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Egypt is a key strategic partner for the EU and that the funding supports… [Read More]
Climate and Conflict: 800,000 People in Gaza Face Flood Risks
In Gaza, families like Amina’s are struggling to survive as their shelters are soaked and unsafe, leaving children unable to sleep. Millions of residents face the dual threats of flooding, heavy rain, and ongoing bombing, creating an urgent need for life-saving aid. Access to humanitarian assistance has been severely restricted following a recent Israeli ban… [Read More]
UN Chief Warns of Global Chaos as Impunity and Unpredictability Spread Worldwide
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the global system is under unprecedented strain from wars, deepening divisions, climate breakdown, and the erosion of respect for international law. He framed his address as both a diagnosis of the current global disorder and a personal commitment to press for change during his… [Read More]
UN Calls for Maximum Restraint in Iran Crisis to Avert Further Loss of Life and Regional Escalation
Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee briefed an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, convened by the United States to address the ongoing crisis in Iran. She described the situation as “fluid and deeply concerning,” noting that protests were continuing, although reportedly at a smaller scale than the previous week. Ms. Pobee expressed… [Read More]
Historic Global Ocean Treaty Now in Effect to Protect Marine Life
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement is a landmark legally binding UN treaty that governs the ocean areas beyond national jurisdictions, including the high seas and the international seabed. These regions cover over two-thirds of the ocean’s surface and account for more than 90 percent of Earth’s habitat by volume, given the vastness of… [Read More]
Boosting Tourism and Climate Preparedness: Ontario Commits $7 Million
The Ontario government is investing $7 million in the Evergreen Brick Works Recovery and Climate Resilience project to protect one of Canada’s first large-scale community environmental hubs, located in the heart of Toronto. This initiative demonstrates how climate-resilient infrastructure can safeguard communities while maintaining a key cultural and tourism destination. The funding will be used… [Read More]
Ottawa Arts and Culture Receive Major Support from Canadian Government
Canada’s artists, creators, and cultural entrepreneurs play a central role in the country’s creative economy, enriching communities and strengthening cultural identity. Recognizing their importance, Yasir Naqvi, Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, announced $530,000 in funding for three performing arts and festival organizations in the Ottawa region on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister… [Read More]
Empowering Indigenous Youth: Programs for Emerging Artists
Canada’s cultural ecosystem is a cornerstone of national identity, economic growth, and shared pride. Fostering a vibrant arts sector requires investment in professional arts training to ensure a strong next generation of artists who can succeed locally and internationally. The Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) and Member of Parliament for Kelowna, announced… [Read More]
Canada & FCM Back 80 Municipalities to Strengthen Climate Resilience
Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, and Mayor Danny Breen, Board Member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, announced an investment of approximately $7.1 million through the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. This funding will support 80 climate adaptation projects across Canada, with 25… [Read More]
UK Updates Disability Confident Programme to Strengthen Standards for Disabled Workers
The UK Government has announced a major overhaul of the Disability Confident scheme, aiming to improve workplace inclusion and living standards for disabled people while supporting employers to recruit and retain talent. The reforms are part of the broader Plan for Change, designed to help sick and disabled people access work and progress in their… [Read More]
€1.5 Million Funding Launched to Support Care Leavers and Traveller & Roma Students in Higher Education
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, James Lawless, has announced the rollout of €1.46 million in targeted funding to advance educational access, equity, and student success across Ireland. The funding is being delivered through his Department as part of the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2026 and reflects the Government’s commitment to… [Read More]
Irish Ministers Announce Next Phase of Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme
Ireland has launched the next phase of the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme, with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education and Youth announcing that the initiative will begin by offering HPV vaccinations to students in fifth and sixth year of post-primary school. Delivered by the Health Service Executive primarily through schools,… [Read More]
Cabo Verde’s Local Businesses Lead the Way on Sustainable Development Goals
On small island states like Cabo Verde, development challenges are often shaped by physical distance, limited access to finance, and the uneven reach of institutions. Translating the Sustainable Development Goals into meaningful local outcomes therefore depends on whether global commitments can be effectively embedded within municipal systems, local economies, and everyday livelihoods. On the islands… [Read More]
Cambodia’s Decentralized Food Systems: Governance Insights from an Inter-Provincial Workshop
The Inter-Provincial Workshop on Sharing and Dissemination of Results of Decentralized Governance of Food Systems, Food Security, and Nutrition was held on 18 December 2025 at the Prey Veng Provincial Administration, bringing together 83 participants from national and sub-national government bodies, development partners, research institutions, and community stakeholders. Co-organized by the Council for Agriculture and… [Read More]
Humanitarian Aid Workers Exonerated in Greece After Years of Legal Uncertainty
After seven years of legal proceedings, a court on the Greek island of Lesbos has acquitted all 24 humanitarian workers who were charged with serious felonies for providing lifesaving assistance to migrants at sea. The verdict prompted an emotional response in the courtroom, with relief and celebration marking the end of what many described as… [Read More]
Uganda Halts Operations of Seven Human Rights NGOs Before General Elections
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation Against Torture, has raised serious concerns over the suspension of at least seven human rights non-governmental organisations in Uganda ahead of the country’s general elections. The affected organisations include Chapter Four Uganda,… [Read More]
Solar-Powered Fishing Boats Launched by UNDP, KKP and BRIN to Boost Clean Energy for Small-Scale Fishers
The Clean Energy Electric Boat Innovation Expo held on Tunda Island highlighted how solar-powered electric boats can support small-scale fishers by reducing fuel costs, lowering emissions, and strengthening livelihoods amid climate change. Convened by UNDP and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the event demonstrated practical clean energy solutions tailored to the needs of… [Read More]
Bridging the Gender Gap: Three Key Pathways Strengthening EU–India Cooperation
India’s rapid economic growth and strategic importance have made it a key partner for the European Union, with renewed momentum in EU–India relations following the adoption of a Joint Communication in September 2025. This agenda spans trade, technology, security and connectivity, while negotiations on the long-awaited EU–India Free Trade Agreement are nearing completion. This phase… [Read More]
Eliminating Extreme Poverty: Lessons from Kerala for ASEAN Countries
When Kerala’s Chief Minister announced on 1 November 2025 that the state had eliminated extreme poverty, it drew attention both nationally and internationally. While debates over definitions and measurement emerged, most observers acknowledged that Kerala had successfully addressed severe deprivation by ensuring access to nutrition, healthcare, and education. The focus quickly turned to understanding how… [Read More]
Youth-Led Social Ventures in Korea: Current Landscape and Opportunities
The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Korea’s youth social entrepreneurship ecosystem and derive actionable policy recommendations. A secondary objective is to present Korea’s entrepreneurship policies as a reference framework for other countries seeking to strengthen their own ecosystems. While Korea’s policies have limitations and may not be directly transferable due to differing… [Read More]
Rethinking AI Adoption: Strategic Lessons from Five Enterprise AI Failures
Across five industries—banking, healthcare, software, legal services, and retail—AI transformation efforts repeatedly failed despite enthusiasm and leadership support. These failures, while diverse in context, reflected predictable patterns rooted in structural, cultural, and strategic misalignment. Leaders often underestimated the complexity of integrating AI and overestimated readiness across teams and systems. In banking, data fragmentation and regulatory… [Read More]
How Catalytic Capital Creates Real-World Impact
The practice of impact measurement and management (IMM) is crucial to the impact investment field, yet inherently complex. While investors can leverage a growing body of tools and expertise, challenges remain in effectively aggregating, attributing, and analyzing impact. Over the past year, MacArthur’s development of its IMM report on the Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3) investments… [Read More]
PIDG Invests $3.3M in Kenyan Waste-to-Energy Expansion Driving Africa’s Circular Economy
The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) has invested $3.3 million to support the expansion of Sanivation’s waste-to-energy facility in Naivasha, Kenya, marking a key milestone in promoting circular economy solutions across East Africa. The investment, channeled through PIDG’s project development arm InfraCo, is complemented by a $500,000 technical assistance grant to strengthen operational capacity and… [Read More]

























