Recent military conflicts in the Middle East have once again exposed how fragile global oil supply chains remain, with direct consequences for import-dependent economies across South and Southeast Asia. Sudden spikes in oil prices quickly translate into higher transport and food costs, increased fiscal pressure from fuel subsidies, and declining household welfare. Macroeconomic evidence from… [Read More]

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Latin American Business Council (CEAL) have announced a new collaboration to strengthen private sector engagement in education systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. The partnership was confirmed in Washington, D.C., during the World Bank Spring Meetings and reflects a shared goal of improving education outcomes by… [Read More]

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has launched a Credit Guarantee Facility to support economic recovery and rebuild livelihoods in Myanmar following the devastating March 2025 earthquake. The initiative is designed to strengthen resilience in fragile communities by reducing investment risk for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that continue to face severe financial… [Read More]

The paper offers a comparative analysis of Argentina and Lebanon to draw lessons for IMF-supported adjustment programs in fragile economies. It examines how both countries experienced severe “twin crises” involving currency collapse and banking sector distress, alongside high public debt, inflation, unemployment, and rising poverty. While IMF programs typically focus on macroeconomic stabilization through fiscal… [Read More]

The global conversation on climate change is shifting from future risks to present realities, as many countries are already experiencing recurring floods, droughts, and rising sea levels. In response to these escalating impacts, the international community established the Fund and the Funding Arrangement for Responding to Loss and Damage in 2022. With the launch of… [Read More]

Sudan is facing a deepening hunger catastrophe as the four-month rainy season beginning in June threatens to cut off already fragile humanitarian access to the Darfur region. Roads connecting Chad to western Sudan are expected to become impassable due to flooding and heavy “black cotton” mud, isolating communities that are already experiencing extreme food shortages… [Read More]

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in November 2025, affected around 2.2 million people, causing widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life. Beyond the immediate humanitarian impact, many families also lost critical identity documents such as birth certificates and marriage records, leaving them unable to access relief, prove ownership, or receive essential public services. To… [Read More]

Serbia’s transition toward energy efficiency and clean energy is progressing within a broader context of economic development, but significant inequalities persist across regions and local self-governments. Many households continue to face high energy costs, which can account for up to 12% of monthly income, contributing to energy poverty, heating insecurity, and inadequate living and learning… [Read More]

Nearly 4 million people have voluntarily returned across Sudan amid ongoing conflict, but the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that without urgent investment in basic services, infrastructure, and livelihoods, these returns risk becoming unsustainable. Many returnees have settled in areas such as Aj Jazirah and Khartoum, driven by improved security in some locations,… [Read More]

Trade unions in Japan are strengthening their capacity to promote responsible business conduct (RBC) and advance labour rights through a capacity-building programme supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The initiative was implemented in collaboration with major national and sectoral unions, including UA ZENSEN, RENGO, FOOD-RENGO, and the Japanese Council of Metalworkers’ Unions, bringing together… [Read More]

The South-4-Care Learning Hub in Colombo, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the World Bank Group and ITCILO, has brought together South Asian countries to strengthen cooperation on advancing decent work in the care economy. Held from 21–24 April 2026, the initiative serves as a regional platform for knowledge exchange, capacity… [Read More]

Iran’s growing support for Russia during the Ukraine war highlights a shifting global security landscape shaped by deepening cooperation among authoritarian states. In testimony before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, experts outlined how ties between Moscow and Tehran have evolved and what this means for the United States and its allies. The… [Read More]

The European Commission has launched a €2.25 million call for proposals to support civil society organisations (CSOs) across Cyprus, with a particular focus on strengthening the Turkish Cypriot community and promoting inclusive civic engagement. This initiative continues the Commission’s long-standing commitment to supporting organisations that shape civil life on the island and foster cooperation between… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group has approved an additional €7.33 million to complete compensation payments and outstanding works under Phase I of the Uganda Rural Electricity Access Project (UREAP), ensuring full delivery of planned development outcomes. The financing addresses revised cost estimates and remaining environmental and social obligations, guaranteeing that all affected households receive due… [Read More]

Climate action is often discussed in terms of policies, targets, and implementation tools, but its real limitations may lie in how climate risks are understood, prioritised, and translated into action. Switzerland provides a compelling example of how political culture, institutional design, and public legitimacy influence what kind of climate action becomes possible. Climate governance is… [Read More]

In Nepal, increasing climate-related disasters such as floods, landslides and heat waves are disrupting schools and affecting children’s access to uninterrupted learning. In response, efforts are being made to improve how climate data is collected, accessed and used within the education sector so that planning can move from reactive responses to proactive, evidence-based decision-making. UNESCO,… [Read More]

The reflection is written in the context of the FAO’s Year of the Woman Farmer and explores what meaningful partnership looks like when the goal is to strengthen women’s role in agriculture. It highlights that resilient, climate-smart and commercially viable supply chains cannot be built without investing in women, who play essential roles as farmers,… [Read More]

The NBSCALE project explored how startups from small domestic markets can successfully expand into international markets. It supported growth-oriented companies from Finland, Sweden, and Estonia by developing a structured methodology to help them prepare for, enter, and scale in foreign markets. The project focused on equipping startups with the skills, tools, and strategic clarity needed… [Read More]

Lebanon is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as more than one million people have been displaced due to ongoing Israeli attacks and continued ceasefire violations. In response, Türkiye has delivered 360 tons of humanitarian aid to Beirut, with Turkish and Lebanese officials highlighting the urgency of relief efforts during a ceremony at the port. The… [Read More]

The Resilient Neighbours Project, a major cross-border initiative aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness, response, and community resilience, was officially launched on 17 April 2026. The project is funded with €2.3 million through the PEACEPLUS programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and is being delivered in partnership with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council,… [Read More]

EU countries will be able to use existing funds under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to provide emergency compensation to fishers, aquaculture producers, processors, and retailers affected by disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis. The support measure applies retroactively from 28 February 2026 and will cover eligible costs until the end… [Read More]

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Coastal Management Program has awarded $970,770 in grants to support a range of coastal projects along Illinois’ Lake Michigan shoreline. The funding, delivered in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will support initiatives focused on coastal education, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, environmental planning, and… [Read More]

The African Union Commission (AUC) has signed grant agreements with 13 leading African think tanks, grouped into three pan-African consortia, marking the official launch of the Africa Think Tank Platform (ATTP). The initiative is designed to strengthen evidence-based policymaking across the continent and support the accelerated implementation of Agenda 2063, Africa’s long-term development framework. The… [Read More]