Carnivals across Latin America and the Caribbean are more than cultural spectacles; they function as socio‑economic engines that connect creative industries, tourism, and local economies. The Inter‑American Development Bank (IDB) promotes viewing carnivals as economic infrastructure, integrating them into long‑term strategies, strengthening institutions, and improving data to sustain their impact year‑round. These celebrations sit at… [Read More]
AfDB and Partners Fund Durable Solutions for Displaced Somalis
The African Development Bank Group, in partnership with UNHCR and the Federal Government of Somalia, has launched a landmark $20.55 million project in Doolow, Gedo region, to provide durable solutions for displaced people and host communities. The Strengthening Urban Resilience of Displaced and Host Communities in Doolow (SURDHT) project focuses on improving housing, water, sanitation,… [Read More]
African Development Bank Backs Power Sector Regulation Reforms
In Nairobi, the African Development Bank, in collaboration with Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), convened a high‑level peer learning session for African electricity regulators to strengthen tariff‑setting frameworks and enhance regulatory capacity in support of universal energy access under Mission 300. The event was held as a side session to EPRA’s 7th Annual… [Read More]
UN Experts Urge US to End Cuba’s “Energy Starvation”
UN experts have warned that the January 2026 executive order issued by the President of the United States imposing a fuel blockade on Cuba amounts to “energy starvation” with severe consequences for human rights and development. They described the measure as unlawful, noting that it cripples essential services required for a dignified life and intensifies… [Read More]
EU-UNDP Partnership Advances Risk-Informed Development
Disasters are becoming more frequent, intense, and interconnected, often driven by climate change, environmental degradation, and resource pressures. For fragile economies, a single event can undo years of development gains. Recognizing this, the EU and UNDP partnership is prioritizing disaster risk reduction and resilience as central to sustainable development, peace, and stability. Their collaboration focuses… [Read More]
International Response Launched for Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak
In Washington, D.C., PAHO announced its support for international coordination following a cluster of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Health authorities, in collaboration with WHO, are conducting epidemiological investigations and response activities, while PAHO facilitates technical cooperation through regional experts in laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, and infection prevention…. [Read More]
ICT Equipment Boosts Maternal and Child Health Services
In Belize City, the Ministry of Health and Wellness received ten all‑in‑one desktop computers and a video projector to strengthen maternal and child health services. This support came through the project “Strengthening the EMTCT Strategy with Maternal and Child Health Services,” funded by the India‑UN Development Partnership Fund via the United Nations Office for South‑South… [Read More]
Kresge Foundation Announces $1.25M Grants for Cultural Heritage Projects
The Kresge Foundation, in partnership with Co.act Detroit and Michigan Community Resources, has launched the first Cultural Heritage funding round under the Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit Plus (KIP:D+) initiative. The programme will provide up to $1.25 million in funding to support community-led projects that preserve, celebrate, and activate cultural identity across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland… [Read More]
WHO Highlights Indonesia’s Leadership in Preventing Zoonotic Diseases
The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Indonesia for its strong leadership in reducing the risks posed by priority zoonotic diseases through a strengthened One Health approach. Announced on World Health Day 2026, the initiative highlights Indonesia’s growing commitment to integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems to better prevent and respond to disease outbreaks…. [Read More]
Bangladesh Renews UNDP Funding Support
The Government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development by contributing to the core resources of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The renewed contribution highlights Bangladesh’s ongoing support for global development efforts and reflects the country’s dedication to addressing pressing international challenges through collaborative action. UNDP noted that flexible… [Read More]
EIB Provides €22.5 Million for Sustainable Fibreboard Production in Germany
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €22.5 million in financing to support a joint initiative between Germany-based WEPA Group and Spanish company Honext Material. The partnership aims to manufacture and distribute high-quality circular fibreboards designed for sustainable construction and interior design applications across Europe. The fibreboards are engineered to combine high strength, lightweight properties,… [Read More]
European Cooperation Gains Global Reach Through EIB and JEFIC
EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation (JEFIC) to strengthen coordination among European development finance institutions. JEFIC brings together national bilateral development banks and European financial institutions working with public partners in developing countries, supporting private‑sector mobilisation and regulatory… [Read More]
UNDP and Dhaka University Partner to Build Skilled Inclusive Insurance Professionals
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, in partnership with the Center for Policy Research on Business and Development (CPRBD) at the University of Dhaka, has launched an International Certification in Inclusive Insurance to strengthen Bangladesh’s insurance sector and improve financial protection for underserved communities. The programme was officially introduced on 5 May 2026 at… [Read More]
Midwives Play Critical Role in Reducing Maternal Deaths Worldwide
The International Day of the Midwife highlights the essential role midwives play in improving maternal health and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. Despite significant progress in healthcare, nearly 290,000 women died during or after pregnancy and childbirth in 2020, with the vast majority of deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Many… [Read More]
IFC Supports Jobs and Financial Inclusion in Peru
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has announced a proposed US$250 million sustainable subordinated debt investment in Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP). The initiative aims to expand access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including women‑owned businesses, while scaling lending for sustainable construction and climate‑resilient agriculture. These… [Read More]
FAO and UN Women Promote Climate-Smart Agriculture in Kosovo
United Nations agencies, experts and stakeholders gathered in Pristina to discuss climate risks facing Kosovo’s agricultural sector and identify strategies to strengthen climate resilience and rural livelihoods. The event was organized under the project “Promoting Rural Women’s Empowerment in Kosovo,” funded by the Austrian Development Agency and jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization… [Read More]
ADB, ACWA Fund $116M Uzbekistan Wind Power Project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $116 million financing package with Acwa to support the development of a 300‑megawatt wind power plant in Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region. The project, known as Bash 2, will accelerate the country’s renewable energy transition and builds on the earlier Bash Wind Power Project cofinanced by ADB in 2023…. [Read More]
Maryland Launches $300 Million Affordable Housing Investment Plan for 2026
Governor Wes Moore has approved Maryland’s 2026 Qualified Allocation Plan, a major housing initiative designed to guide more than $300 million in investments for affordable housing development across the state. The plan, developed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, outlines how state funding and federal tax credits will be allocated to support… [Read More]
ADB: Global Value Chains Drive Uneven Growth in Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched its Asian Development Policy Report 2026 at the Annual Meeting in Samarkand, highlighting how greater specialization in global production has driven growth, job creation, and poverty reduction across Asia and the Pacific over the past 25 years. The report, Global Value Chains and Inclusive Development, shows that the… [Read More]
WHO Introduces Genomics Costing Tool 2.0 for Stronger Public Health Systems
WHO, in collaboration with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), FIND and the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has launched an updated version of the Genomics Costing Tool (GCT 2.0) to help countries better understand the costs of establishing, expanding and maintaining genomic surveillance systems. The tool is designed to support sustainable planning… [Read More]
WHO Supports Ireland in Building a More Inclusive Assistive Technology System
Ireland has taken significant steps to improve equitable access to assistive technology following the publication of a new Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment (ATA-C) conducted jointly by the Government of Ireland and WHO/Europe. The assessment offers the most detailed evaluation so far of Ireland’s ability to provide assistive technologies such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, walking canes,… [Read More]
Climate-Smart Sugarcane Farming Gains Momentum in South Africa
Across South Africa’s sugarcane-producing regions, small-scale farmers are playing an increasingly important role in advancing sustainable agriculture and supporting the country’s transition toward a greener economy. In Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, farmers, technical experts, United Nations agencies and industry stakeholders gathered for a workshop led by the United Nations in South Africa, with technical support from United… [Read More]
EBRD Raises Stake to 18.4% in Sarytogan Graphite Limited
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has increased its investment in Sarytogan Graphite Limited, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company developing one of the world’s largest known high-grade graphite deposits in Kazakhstan. Through a follow-on equity investment of AUD 1.4 million, the EBRD has raised its ownership stake in the company to 18.4 per cent,… [Read More]
