A technical summit hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva brought together global health leaders, researchers, funders and advocates to review progress in accelerating the development and access to new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines for adults and adolescents. The forum highlighted ongoing work under the TB Vaccine Accelerator initiative and emphasised the urgent need… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a global network of regional training centres for biomanufacturing across all six of its regions, aiming to strengthen the workforce needed to produce vaccines, biotherapeutics and other biological products. This initiative is part of the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative launched in 2023, designed to address critical skills… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is investing up to $125 million in a Eurobond issued by Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, as part of a broader bond programme of up to $1 billion listed on major exchanges including the London Stock Exchange, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange and the Astana International Exchange. The investment aims to… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Inecobank CJSC are jointly financing a green mixed-use residential complex in Yerevan through a senior secured loan of up to $30 million (€26 million). The funding is being provided under their risk-sharing facility and will support the development of a large-scale residential and commercial project covering approximately… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing a €35.5 million sovereign loan to Société de Gestion des Déchets et de la Salubrité to support the modernisation of municipal solid waste systems in Grand Nokoué. The project, co-financed with the European Investment Bank, aims to upgrade infrastructure serving around 2.8 million people and marks… [Read More]

Small Island Developing States (SIDS), home to over 65 million people, face a critical development finance challenge as they deal with deep-rooted economic vulnerabilities alongside the escalating impacts of climate change. Despite contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, these nations are highly exposed to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental… [Read More]

Ireland has announced a €37.5 million investment to fund 30 new research projects across the agri-food, forestry and bioeconomy sectors, involving 19 research institutions. The funding, unveiled by Martin Heydon and Noel Grealish, is aimed at strengthening innovation and ensuring these sectors remain competitive, resilient and sustainable in the years ahead. The research programme focuses… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group has approved $48.8 million in financing to support populations affected by conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through the Crisis Response Project (PRECAPE). The funding package includes a combination of loans and grants from the Bank’s concessional windows, aimed at addressing urgent humanitarian needs while promoting long-term recovery,… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group and India are strengthening cooperation in digital infrastructure, industrial development, and finance ahead of the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit scheduled for 31 May 2026 in New Delhi. This collaboration aligns with the Bank’s strategic priorities to expand access to capital, enhance digital and financial systems, and accelerate industrialisation across Africa…. [Read More]

A new implementation research study led by Addis Ababa University, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Federal Ministry of Health and the World Food Programme, has found that treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) can be effectively integrated into Ethiopia’s national Health Extension Program. Conducted between 2023 and 2025 across multiple districts, the study shows that embedding… [Read More]

The government of Ontario has announced an investment of up to $8 million through Intellectual Property Ontario to strengthen support for research and innovation across publicly funded colleges, universities, and research institutions. The initiative aims to ensure that locally developed discoveries translate into economic benefits such as job creation, increased investment, and a more self-reliant… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, has committed €160 million to support Pakistan’s recovery and infrastructure development, marking its return to the country after a decade. The funding will help rebuild flood-damaged homes in Sindh province and improve access to clean water in Karachi, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen climate resilience and… [Read More]

Lyceum No. 12 in Kovel, in Ukraine’s Volyn region, has reopened after a comprehensive energy-efficiency renovation that has improved conditions for more than 1,200 students and staff. The refurbishment included insulation upgrades, new windows and doors, modernised heating systems, and enhanced accessibility and safety features. Funded by a €982,000 loan from the European Investment Bank,… [Read More]

A new analysis by Save the Children warns that official migration data may be significantly underestimating the number of people travelling along the Balkans Route, leaving many children invisible and at greater risk of abuse and exploitation. While Frontex reported around 12,500 irregular crossings in 2025—a notable decline—evidence from regional and national sources suggests that… [Read More]

The National Grain and Feed Association has welcomed the advancement of the fiscal year 2027 agriculture appropriations bill by the House Appropriations Committee, highlighting its importance for strengthening the U.S. grain and feed sector. The legislation includes measures aimed at improving reliability, transparency, and global competitiveness, particularly by supporting continuity in grain inspection and weighing… [Read More]

A major climate-focused initiative has been launched in Zimbabwe to support youth-led solutions and create green job opportunities. The US$30 million Adolescents and Youth for a Sustainable Future (AY4SF) project, led by the government in partnership with Save the Children and the Green Climate Fund, aims to benefit more than 240,000 people, including nearly 80,000… [Read More]

At a recent briefing of the United Nations General Assembly held at United Nations Headquarters, officials presented updates on the UN80 Initiative, highlighting progress in addressing complex challenges across the UN system. Guy Ryder introduced a new guidance document designed to clarify decision-making processes, outlining objectives, actions taken so far, and planned next steps for… [Read More]

The European Commission has intensified enforcement action against Croatia by issuing an additional letter of formal notice over shortcomings in the country’s implementation of the Digital Services Act. While Croatia adopted national legislation in 2025, the Commission remains concerned that the country’s enforcement framework is not fully capable of applying the regulation effectively in practice…. [Read More]

The UK government has enacted the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, introducing a range of reforms aimed at reducing costs for families, strengthening safeguarding measures, and improving education standards. From September 2026, schools will limit branded uniform items, expand access to free school meals to an additional half a million children, and roll out over… [Read More]

Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, has announced nearly €8 million in government funding for regional airports as part of the Regional Airports Programme 2026–2030. This new five-year initiative expands eligibility for support to airports handling up to three million passengers annually, allowing Shannon Airport to benefit from the programme for the first time. The… [Read More]

Africa has made notable progress in expanding electricity access over recent decades, but advancement has been uneven and slow in several major economies. This raises important questions about what lessons can be drawn from both Africa’s own experience and from regions that have achieved faster electrification. New research highlights that simply expanding access to electricity… [Read More]

Research on access to finance has traditionally focused on microfinance, which provides small loans to self-employed individuals or household businesses. While these studies show that microcredit can increase business activity, they generally find limited impact on profits and job creation. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) differ significantly from microenterprises, as they are more established,… [Read More]

In Olinda, discussions about jobs and economic growth in Northeast Brazil highlight a region rich in culture, youth, and untapped potential. With a population of around 54 million—most of them of working age and increasingly educated—the Northeast holds significant promise to drive the country’s future economic expansion. Despite this demographic advantage, the region continues to… [Read More]