In 2025, the Alliance advanced its strategic priorities by strengthening its global network, reinforcing advocacy and accountability, and building members’ capacity to translate evidence into action. Throughout the year, the Alliance amplified NGO voices in global policy spaces and local contexts, ensuring that international road safety commitments were grounded in lived realities and driven by… [Read More]
Preparedness of EU/EEA Public Health Laboratories for Respiratory Infectious Diseases: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health laboratories in EU/EEA countries came under severe strain as demand for testing and surveillance surged while capacity and resources were limited. Laboratories faced significant challenges in recruiting and retaining sufficiently trained staff, rapidly introducing new digital systems for genomic surveillance, and managing supply chain disruptions that caused shortages of… [Read More]
UN Establishes International Day of the Mediterranean Diet, FAO Welcomes Move
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 16 November as the annual International Day of the Mediterranean Diet, a move welcomed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as a way to promote awareness of healthy diets, sustainability, and food traditions that support food security and improved nutrition. The initiative aligns closely… [Read More]
PAHO’s Year in Review: 10 Health Highlights from 2025
In 2025, PAHO strengthened health security across the Americas through extensive epidemiological intelligence, analyzing over 1.8 million signals and detecting 128 new public health events. Early alerts helped countries respond to threats such as avian influenza A(H5N1), yellow fever, pertussis, dengue, chikungunya, oropouche, influenza, and other respiratory viruses. In Colombia, a PAHO-led training in epizootic… [Read More]
Fighting Fake Medicine: Ethiopia Unveils National Strategy for 2026–2030
The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) officially launched the National Strategy for Combating Substandard and Falsified (SF) Medical Products (2026–2030) at a high-level event attended by senior government officials, regulatory bodies, and development partners. The launch featured remarks from EFDA Director General H.E. Ms. Heran Gerba and an opening address from Minister of Health… [Read More]
On Nigeria Big Bet: A Decade of Driving Accountability and Change
After ten years, the On Nigeria Program has concluded, leaving a stronger civil society, media, and justice sector, as well as an ecosystem of accountability that continues to progress. Over its lifetime, the program awarded 340 grants to 135 primarily Nigerian organizations, totaling $154 million, with the aim of strengthening accountability, enhancing responsiveness, and shifting… [Read More]
Protecting 30% of the World’s Oceans by 2030: Key Developments in 2025
The ocean is vital to life on Earth, regulating the climate, supporting food systems, powering local economies, and sustaining livelihoods. Recognizing its importance, the global community has coalesced around the science-backed 30×30 target: protecting and conserving at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. In 2025, the urgency to safeguard ocean health became increasingly… [Read More]
Induction Cooking in Indonesia Could Cut LPG Subsidy Costs and Improve Public Health, Report Finds
Indonesia could achieve substantial economic, environmental, and health benefits by accelerating a shift from subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to electric induction cooking, according to a new study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in collaboration with Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The report, Indonesia’s Next Cooking Transition: Shifting to Non-Fossil… [Read More]
Stronger Together: Knowledge Sharing and Co-Learning via the Mitigation Action Facility Hub
The Mitigation Action Facility (MAF), an agile, grant-based multi-donor fund, is advancing transformative climate action by supporting ambitious projects in energy, transport, and industry. Functioning both as a climate fund and a Knowledge and Learning Hub, MAF connects projects, stakeholders, and the wider climate finance community. By embedding learning into all its activities, the facility… [Read More]
Palau Advances Integrated Strategy for a Resilient and Inclusive Future
Palau is taking proactive steps to build a more resilient and inclusive economic future through an integrated approach addressing employment, youth opportunities, migration, climate, and sustainable tourism. From 18–19 December 2025, the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development hosted a National Policy Alignment Forum in Koror, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO)… [Read More]
Empowering Thai Employers to Promote Migrant Workers’ Rights and Protection
In Kanchanaburi, Thailand, thirty employers from key industries participated in training to enhance their ability to provide newly arrived migrant workers with practical guidance on labor rights and occupational safety and health (OSH). The workshop, organized under the ILO PROTECT project by the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand (ECOT) and the Department of Labour Protection and… [Read More]
Gulf’s First Social Protection Monitoring and Evaluation Training Held in Oman
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with UNICEF and Oman’s Social Protection Fund (SPF), conducted the first training workshop in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of social protection systems. Held in Muscat from 2–5 November 2025, the workshop strengthened the capacities of 26 SPF officials and other national… [Read More]
Improving Working Conditions for Agricultural Wage Workers in Mexico: New Initiatives
The Government of Mexico and the United Nations have launched the Steering Committee for the joint programme “Transformation of Agrifood Systems in Mexico: Towards Comprehensive Social Protection and Decent Rural Employment.” Supported by the Joint SDG Fund, the initiative aims to improve the working and living conditions of agricultural wage workers while strengthening their access… [Read More]
Sudan Conflict: Kordofan’s El-Obeid ‘One or Two Steps’ from Attack
Mohamed Refaat, IOM Chief of Mission in Sudan, has highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding across the country, emphasizing that civilians are fleeing not by choice but in search of safety. Speaking from Port Sudan, he urged international support to ensure protection for those affected by the ongoing conflict. Recent reports indicate that the paramilitary… [Read More]
UN Reports Gaza Famine Averted, Yet Millions Still Face Hunger and Malnutrition
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report indicates that no areas of Gaza are currently classified as being in famine (IPC Phase 5), following improved humanitarian and commercial access after the 10 October ceasefire. Despite this progress, nearly the entire Gaza Strip remains in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4), with hundreds of thousands… [Read More]
UN Security Council Renews DR Congo Peacekeeping Mission Amid M23 Offensive in Eastern Regions
The UN Security Council has renewed the mandate of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) until 20 December 2026 under Resolution 2808 (2025). The resolution maintains an authorized troop ceiling of 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers and staff officers, 443 police personnel, and 1,270 formed police unit… [Read More]
Minister Patrick O’Donovan Announces €987,498 Funding Under Artist Workspaces Scheme
The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has announced arts capital grant awards totaling €987,498 to five Local Authorities for the development of up to 22 new artist workspaces. This funding is provided under the Artist Workspaces Scheme, a €6 million capital investment initiative designed to increase the availability and capacity of… [Read More]
UK Imposes Sanctions on Perpetrators of Violence Against Civilians in Syria
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on individuals and organisations involved in violence against civilians in Syria, targeting both recent coastal violence and historic atrocities committed during the Syrian Civil War. Announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the measures form part of the UK’s ongoing commitment to hold perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable and… [Read More]
UK–Italy Young Leaders Programme: Leadership Opportunities for Emerging Leaders
The UK–Italy Young Leaders Programme brings together a diverse group of professionals who share a strong commitment to leadership and a passion for strengthening ties between the United Kingdom and Italy. Launched in 2023 by the British and Italian Prime Ministers, the programme is designed to deepen mutual understanding, encourage long-term collaboration, and foster high-level… [Read More]
Government of Canada Helps Alberta Businesses Adapt to New Trade Realities and Grow
The Government of Canada has announced a federal investment of $1 million to support Core Design Ltd., an Alberta-based manufacturer, in adapting to shifting global trade conditions and expanding into new markets. The investment, delivered through Prairies Economic Development Canada under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, is intended to help strengthen business resilience, reduce reliance… [Read More]
Government of Canada Begins Engagement to Strengthen Industrial Carbon Pricing and Secure Clean Energy Investments
Environment and Climate Change Canada has launched a national engagement process on proposed changes to the minimum national stringency standards for industrial carbon pricing, known as the federal benchmark criteria. Input gathered through this engagement will inform updates to the benchmark in 2026, with the aim of ensuring that industrial carbon pricing systems across Canada… [Read More]
Pakistan Receives World Bank Support to Strengthen Fiscal Systems and Improve Service Delivery
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved US$700 million in financing for the Pakistan Public Resources for Inclusive Development – Multiphase Programmatic Approach, a multi-year initiative designed to support macroeconomic stability and strengthen public service delivery across the country. The program supports coordinated federal and provincial reforms aimed at mobilizing domestic revenue, improving… [Read More]
World Bank Expands Support for Sustainable Energy Sector Development in Argentina
The World Bank Board of Directors has approved an additional US$300 million in financing to support Argentina’s efforts to strengthen institutional capacity in the energy sector, with a focus on improving the targeting of gas subsidies, protecting vulnerable households, and promoting fiscal and environmental sustainability. The operation aims to ensure that energy subsidies are more… [Read More]
