Captagon, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant, has been trafficked illegally from the Middle East to Africa and back, with around 80 per cent of global seizures since 2019 linked to Syria as the country of origin, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). However, new UNODC research indicates that one year… [Read More]
Somalia Faces Severe Aid Shortfalls as Funding Cuts Hit Millions Affected by Drought
More than 4.6 million people across Somalia, nearly a quarter of the population, are currently affected by the drought, according to local authorities. Rising water prices, growing food shortages, livestock deaths and the collapse of livelihoods have already displaced at least 120,000 people between September and December. The crisis is also disrupting education, with more… [Read More]
Strengthening National Evidence-Informed Policymaking: Building Resilient Policy Ecosystems
The project aimed to support seven European countries—Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands—in strengthening their capacity for evidence-informed policymaking within governance and public administration. It sought to enhance political and scientific understanding of the investments and actions needed for evidence to meaningfully inform policy decisions. Central to this effort was… [Read More]
NGOs Warn of ‘Catastrophic Impact’ from Israel’s New Registration Rules
New registration rules in Israel for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are raising serious concerns about their potential impact on aid work in Gaza and the West Bank. Relief workers warn that the measures could have a catastrophic effect on humanitarian operations, particularly as Gaza continues to face a severe crisis, with ongoing shortages of running water… [Read More]
2025 Update of the Gender Justice and the Law Matrix Unveiled
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), together with ESCWA, UN Women, and UNFPA, launched the 2025 annual update of the Gender Justice and the Law Matrix during a virtual meeting on 18 December 2025. The event brought together representatives from national women’s machineries, human rights institutions, and civil society organizations across the Arab region to… [Read More]
Community Peace in Mangochi: How Leadership and Policing Work Together to Curb Violence
In the riverside community of Mpondasi in Mangochi, the morning unfolds with familiar routines of fishing and market preparation, yet a deeper transformation is taking place. Citizens, like farmer Emmanuel Jere, are actively participating in community patrols and peacebuilding initiatives, shifting away from cycles of theft, mob justice, and violent disputes. Their efforts illustrate that… [Read More]
New Coral Reef-Positive Investments Launched in Kenya by GFCR and UNCDF
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), through the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), has launched two new financing agreements to support reef-positive businesses in Kenya. These investments aim to tackle wastewater pollution and unsustainable fishing while promoting sustainable coastal livelihoods. The funding supports Sanivation and Kumbatia, two Kenyan enterprises that reduce pressures on… [Read More]
China’s Climate Pledges: From Baku to Belém
China’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035 outlines a clear pathway for reducing emissions, marking a shift from targets tied to economic growth to an absolute national emissions limit. The country has committed to cutting total emissions by 7-10 per cent from their peak, a significant step given China’s economic size and global influence…. [Read More]
Erosion of Press Freedom and Democracy in Bangladesh: Key Concerns
On December 18, 2025, coordinated attacks targeted Bangladesh’s independent media and cultural institutions, including Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and Chhayanaut. These violent acts, alongside the reported public beating and burning of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, signal a dangerous escalation in threats to journalists, activists, and cultural practitioners. The incidents highlight the growing vulnerability… [Read More]
From 1965 to Today: Continuing the Fight Against Racial Discrimination Worldwide
This month marks 60 years since the UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), a landmark treaty that established a global framework for combating racial discrimination. Contrary to the common narrative that Western countries alone shaped human rights, the push for ICERD was largely led… [Read More]
IFC and Tonga Development Bank Partner to Drive MSME Growth and Job Creation in Tonga
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has partnered with Tonga Development Bank (TDB) to support the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and create jobs in Tonga. The partnership comes as Tonga continues to recover from major economic shocks, including the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and the… [Read More]
Türkiye’s Beko Receives IFC Investment to Accelerate Sustainable Growth
IFC has signed a €100 million sustainability-linked loan with Beko, marking the company’s first-ever sustainability-linked financing. The loan will support Beko in expanding its renewable energy capacity, enhancing earthquake resilience, and driving research and development (R&D) for eco-efficient appliances. In addition to environmental goals, the financing includes sustainability-linked targets such as increasing women’s representation in… [Read More]
Women Leading Peace: Mediation and Crisis Response in South Lebanon
As war and displacement continue to affect daily life across South Lebanon, local communities are turning to emerging leaders for support and guidance. Among these leaders are women mediators, trained to resolve conflicts, ease tensions through dialogue, and champion non-violent communication. Many of these women gained their skills through UN Women’s Women, Peace and Security… [Read More]
Sudan War Enters More Deadly Phase, UN Highlights Rising Violence in Kordofan
Senior UN political and humanitarian officials briefed the Security Council on 22 December 2025, highlighting a sharply deteriorating situation in Sudan marked by indiscriminate attacks, expanding territorial gains by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and escalating dangers for civilians, aid workers, and peacekeepers. The conflict, which began in April 2023 amid a power struggle between… [Read More]
UK Government Announces Historic Animal Welfare Reforms, Says Defra
The UK government is launching its Animal Welfare Strategy on 22 December 2025, introducing the most ambitious reforms in a generation to protect pets, wildlife, and farmed animals across the country. The strategy aims to end cruel practices such as puppy farming, where dogs are overbred in poor conditions, often resulting in long-term health problems,… [Read More]
Strengthening Sustainable Fisheries: UK and Belize Partner on Community Management Initiatives
A team from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is working closely with the Belize Fisheries Department, Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation to engage local fishers and gather feedback on Managed Access Committees (MACs), a key part of Belize’s Managed Access Programme. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment by the UK and Belize… [Read More]
Additional £8 Million Fishing Quota Secured by UK for 2026
The UK has secured bilateral fisheries agreements with Norway and the Faroe Islands for 2026, valued at approximately £8 million based on historic landing prices. These agreements maintain the same access to Arctic stocks in Norwegian waters and key stocks, including haddock and saithe, in Faroese waters as in 2025, ensuring continuity for the UK… [Read More]
Ballina Flood Relief Scheme Secures €55M Funding as Project Moves to Detailed Design, Says Minister Moran
Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD announced on 22 December 2025 that Mayo County Council has instructed its engineering consultants to commence the detailed design (Stage 3) for the €55 million Ballina Flood Relief Scheme. The scheme aims to protect 297 properties, including 228 residential and family homes, from flooding, with the design informed… [Read More]
Over €850,000 Allocated to Schools for Education for Sustainable Development Initiatives
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD announced over €850,000 in funding for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) projects in 390 primary and post-primary schools across Ireland. Schools received grants ranging from €1,000 to €2,500 for their successful 2025/2026 sustainability project proposals under the 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD to… [Read More]
Ireland Commits €330 Million+ to Address Global Humanitarian Crises in 2025
In 2025, Ireland provided over €330 million in direct humanitarian assistance to respond to crises worldwide, according to Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee and Minister for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond. The funding, delivered through Irish Aid, supported the provision of shelter, food, and medicine to people affected by conflicts in… [Read More]
€26 Million Boost for Nationwide Town and Village Renewal Projects Announced by Minister Calleary
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced funding of €26 million for 116 projects across rural communities in Ireland under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) on 22 December 2025. The funding aims to stimulate town centre economic and social regeneration, tackle vacancy and dereliction, and enhance… [Read More]
Strengthening Workers’ Voices: ILO ACTRAV Engages Organisations in Türkiye
The Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), represented by Desk Officer for Europe and Central Asia Sergejus Glovackas, conducted a working visit to Türkiye on 17 December 2025. The visit included a series of meetings and consultations aimed at strengthening cooperation with workers’ organizations, supporting fundamental principles and rights at… [Read More]
Blue Justice 2025: ILO Calls for Global Adoption of Decent Work Standards in Marine Fishing
At the Blue Justice Conference in Copenhagen, the International Labour Organization (ILO) presented Indonesia’s pioneering “Survey on Decent Work in Marine Fishing” and called on governments worldwide to adopt similar evidence-based tools to address forced labour and trafficking in the fishing industry. The survey, developed with ILO technical support under the Blue Justice Initiative, was… [Read More]
