Agriculture remains a key driver of economic growth in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), but it also faces significant challenges. The sector contributes heavily to environmental pressure while farmers are increasingly exposed to extreme weather events. At the same time, many producers lack access to financial instruments and technical support needed to shift toward… [Read More]

The Global Report on Food Crises 2026 highlights that acute food insecurity and malnutrition remain at alarmingly high levels worldwide, with hunger increasingly concentrated in a small group of countries. The report, released by the Global Network Against Food Crises, shows that acute hunger has doubled over the past decade, and for the first time,… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Government of Ethiopia, the German Embassy, and KfW Development Bank, has inaugurated a solar-powered irrigation scheme in Gode, located in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. The initiative aims to strengthen year-round food production and improve the ability of drought-prone communities to withstand climate-related shocks. It is funded… [Read More]

The Global Fund has announced a new phase in its malaria response in southern Africa, launching the MOSASWA multi-country grant alongside additional emergency and climate-responsive funding. The initiative, announced ahead of World Malaria Day, aims to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination by addressing rising transmission risks linked to population movement and extreme weather events. The… [Read More]

Misconceptions about women migrant workers remain deeply rooted in Cambodia, often shaped by traditional gender norms that contribute to stigma, discrimination, and in some cases, violence. A 2023 UN Women Cambodia survey of 168 male university students in Phnom Penh found that half of the respondents considered physical abuse against women migrant workers to be… [Read More]

CVC Credit, the global credit management platform of CVC plc, has announced the final close of its fourth CLO equity fund, CVC CLO Equity IV, securing $1 billion in commitments. The fund is designed to support around $15 billion in global CLO issuance through CVC Credit’s Liquid Credit platform, reinforcing its scale in structured credit… [Read More]

The speech delivered at the conference on restoring security and safety at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant reflects both remembrance and urgency. It begins with a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster, honoring the courage and sacrifice of the first responders who risked and often lost their lives to contain the catastrophe… [Read More]

On World Malaria Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on global and national partners to strengthen efforts to prevent a resurgence of malaria in Pakistan, emphasizing that eliminating the disease within this generation is now a realistic goal. While Pakistan recorded a 10% reduction in malaria cases in 2025 compared to the previous… [Read More]

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a regional initiative to strengthen technical capacity in the implementation of the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11), focusing on improving the recording and analysis of mortality data across the Americas. The initiative began with the course “Training of ICD-11 coders and its tools: mortality component… [Read More]

Jamaica is joining the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and global partners in observing the 24th Vaccination Week in the Americas and the 15th World Immunization Week from April 25 to May 2, 2026. The campaign is being held under the theme “Your decision makes a difference. Immunization for all.” and highlights the importance of… [Read More]

Ahead of World Malaria Day on 25 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a major breakthrough in malaria control with the prequalification of the first-ever treatment specifically designed for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms. The medicine, artemether-lumefantrine, meets international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy and is expected… [Read More]

During World Immunization Week, observed from 24 to 30 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are emphasizing the life-saving impact of vaccines across all stages of life. The campaign highlights scientific advancements that have enabled effective vaccines against diseases such as malaria, HPV, cholera, dengue, meningitis, RSV, Ebola, and mpox, underscoring the… [Read More]

At the 2026 World Overflight Risk Conference in Malta, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar warned that rapidly evolving weapon technologies are increasing the risk to civilian aircraft operating in or near conflict zones. He stressed that while the aviation sector has shown strong resilience during recent geopolitical crises, operational adaptability… [Read More]

In rural and hard-to-reach parts of Uganda, female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a serious human rights violation and public health concern, deeply rooted in traditional gender norms. These practices often lead to child marriage, school dropouts, and increased exposure to violence, trapping girls in cycles of poverty and limiting their future opportunities. For many communities… [Read More]

The Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of global oil and gas supplies pass, has become a critical point of vulnerability as ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States has severely disrupted maritime traffic. This disruption has exposed the global economy’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels, leading to volatile prices, supply… [Read More]

The United Nations is currently supporting efforts to make parts of the South Pacific safe for habitation again, as the long-standing danger of unexploded ordnance (UXO) continues to pose increasing risks to public health and the environment. However, experts warn that corroding munitions left behind from past conflicts are steadily leaking toxic substances into land… [Read More]

Renewable energy is increasingly being recognized as a key driver of energy security, offering countries a stable, domestically produced alternative to fossil fuels. Unlike oil and gas, which are subject to price volatility and geopolitical risks, renewables help reduce emissions, enhance long-term economic stability, and strengthen national energy independence. The second part of this series… [Read More]

Gunfire and explosions were reported on Saturday across multiple locations in Mali, including the capital Bamako, a major military base outside the city, as well as the regions of Gao, Kidal, and parts of central Mali. The attacks come amid ongoing violence involving Tuareg rebel groups seeking a breakaway state in the north, alongside extremist… [Read More]

Since the escalation of conflict following the US–Israeli bombing of Iran in late February, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters in the Persian Gulf have become highly volatile, leaving up to 20,000 seafarers stranded on around 2,000 vessels. Ships have been unable to safely navigate the narrow and strategically vital waterway, highlighting the growing… [Read More]

The African Development Bank, in partnership with the Government of Gabon, successfully concluded the 10th edition of the Africa Energy Market Place (AEMP) in Libreville, held on 8–9 April 2026. The high-level forum brought together policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders to accelerate reforms and investments aimed at unlocking Gabon’s energy potential and advancing… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group, through the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility (ADFI), has approved a $510,000 grant to Morocco’s Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority (ACAPS). The funding is aimed at promoting digital innovation and strengthening financial inclusion within Morocco’s insurance sector, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and young people. ACAPS will… [Read More]

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has convened a civil society consultation as part of its ongoing efforts to shape the Regional Integration Strategic Framework (RISF) 2026–2033. This initiative builds on the Bank’s earlier institutional dialogue held in March 2026 with Regional Economic Communities and continental institutions, which helped lay the groundwork for Africa’s next decade… [Read More]

Governments worldwide invest heavily in programs designed to improve small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) access to finance, with the expectation that better credit access will boost firm growth, employment, and economic diversification. However, evidence from Kazakhstan shows that the effectiveness of these programs depends heavily on how they are designed, not just how much money… [Read More]