Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, highlighted the escalating threats to democratic sovereignty posed by foreign interference, noting how technology, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency have amplified these assaults. Her remarks, delivered on the 35th anniversary of the Venice Commission, underscore the challenges Moldova faced during consecutive election cycles marked by cyberattacks, illicit financing schemes, and information manipulation… [Read More]
GEF Allocates $52.8 Million to Strengthen UNEP Climate and Ecosystem Initiatives
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has announced USD 52.8 million in funding for four new projects led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aiming to address pressing environmental challenges worldwide. The initiatives, approved during GEF’s 70th Council meeting, focus on restoring critical ecosystems, promoting clean mobility, and enhancing global climate transparency. The announcement follows… [Read More]
GEF Funds Innovative Adaptation Projects to Strengthen Climate Resilience and Safeguard Ecosystems
The Global Environment Facility (GEF), through its Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), has launched a new set of projects aimed at strengthening climate resilience in some of the world’s most vulnerable nations. The LDCF and SCCF Council approved a work program providing approximately $52 million in GEF support, expected… [Read More]
UK Shifts Strategy in Africa: Introducing the “From Donor to Investor” Programme
The United Kingdom has unveiled a modernised approach to its relationship with African countries, moving from a traditional aid-focused model to one centred on partnership, investment, and shared reform. Delivered by the new Minister for Development and Africa, the address emphasised the need for long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that reflect Africa’s diversity and leadership, rather… [Read More]
BGS Secures Funding to Advance Malaysia’s Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Goals
Malaysia faces significant risks from rainfall-triggered landslides, driven by extreme weather conditions. Historical data from 1961 to 2024 records over 6,400 landslides, resulting in substantial loss of life and economic damages exceeding $1 billion. These risks are expected to grow due to climate change and rapid urbanisation, disproportionately affecting low-income households and small businesses. While… [Read More]
Towards a Unified Higher Education Regulator: India’s Plan to Streamline Oversight
The Government of India has introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan (VBSA) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to consolidate multiple higher education regulators into a single, strengthened umbrella commission supported by a digital one-stop regulatory platform. The bill, previously known as the HECI Bill, was submitted on 15 December 2025 as part of… [Read More]
EIB Global to Back Bosnia and Herzegovina in Green and Social Impact Investments
The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) is set to provide guidance to the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina on green financing and enhance funding access for local companies. Through its Greening Financial Systems (GFS) technical assistance programme, EIB Global will advise the central bank on climate risk management, regulatory supervision, and improving green reporting… [Read More]
Yemen on the Edge: Guterres Urges Calm Amid UN Staff Detentions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of rising tensions in Yemen, highlighting “dramatic new developments” in the country’s eastern governorates that are exacerbating the conflict. Since 2014, Yemeni government forces, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, have been fighting Houthi rebels backed by Iran, who currently control the capital, Sana’a. This month, forces aligned with the… [Read More]
Humanitarian Needs Rise in Sudan Amid Kordofan Fighting
Since Sunday, over 1,000 people have been newly displaced from Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, as well as the towns of Dilling and El Koaik. Many are seeking shelter in North and West Kordofan, Khartoum, and White Nile states. The ongoing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces… [Read More]
Gaza Humanitarian Response at Breaking Point as Israel Urged to Remove New Restrictions
The Humanitarian Country Team, comprising senior UN officials and over 200 local and international aid groups, issued a stark warning on Tuesday, urging the international community to pressure Israeli authorities to reverse measures that are severely restricting humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip. Central to the concern is a new registration system for international non-governmental… [Read More]
Jamaica Faces Ongoing Recovery Challenges 50 Days After Hurricane Melissa
Fifty days after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, the country continues to face extensive challenges in recovery and rebuilding. Estimates place the total damage and loss between $8 billion and $15 billion, representing nearly a quarter of Jamaica’s gross domestic product, according to Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands,… [Read More]
Global Leaders Pledge People-Centered Digital Transformation and Enhanced AI Regulation at UN
The high-level meeting marked the conclusion of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a process launched in the early 2000s to guide global cooperation on digital development, access, and inclusion. While the summit initially focused on connecting people to the internet, delegates noted that today the challenge has shifted to ensuring digital technologies,… [Read More]
Government of Canada Provides Over $12M to Help Quebec Businesses Manage Tariff Impacts
On 17 December 2025, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) announced investments totaling $12,043,213 to support 19 projects across Quebec under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). The funding will benefit eight projects in the Mauricie region, six in Lanaudière, and five in Centre-du-Québec, helping businesses face challenges posed by tariffs. The Government of… [Read More]
Ireland’s Early Learning and Care Sector Receives Two New Action Plans from Minister Foley
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, published two new action plans for the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector to improve affordability, accessibility, and quality of services. The first, ‘Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan’, sets out measures for 2026 to reduce costs for families, expand access, and enhance the… [Read More]
Increased Investment Announced for Ireland’s Community Services Programme by Ministers Calleary and Buttimer
On 17 December 2025, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, announced increased funding for over 400 organisations nationwide under the Community Services Programme (CSP). The revised funding, effective from 1 January 2026, will see higher annual contributions… [Read More]
Promoting Health Equity: Angola Advances Financial Protection for UHC
On 12 December 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) marked Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day in Luanda under the theme “Financial Protection for Universal Health Coverage.” In collaboration with the Private University of Angola (UPRA), the initiative highlighted pathways to financial protection in accessing health services and emphasized the importance of sustaining policy commitments to… [Read More]
Protecting Children and Promoting Education: Angola’s School Deworming Results
In Angola, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis remain major public health challenges, particularly affecting children’s nutrition, learning ability, and school performance in endemic regions. Addressing these diseases is essential for promoting child development and equitable access to health care. Aligned with global health commitments and the 2030 Agenda, Angola aims to eliminate schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis… [Read More]
Africa Unites to Bolster Diphtheria Response as Member States Renew Pledges
Brazzaville – As diphtheria continues to pose a threat across eight African Member States, Ministers of Health have renewed their political commitment to halt the resurgence of this vaccine-preventable disease. The renewed pledges aim to strengthen immunization systems, coordinate partners, and accelerate country-level action to protect vulnerable populations. The high-level advocacy meeting, convened by WHO… [Read More]
IFRC Unveils 2026 Strategy to Tackle Rising Global Humanitarian Needs
Geneva, 12 December 2025 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched its Global Plan for 2026, outlining operational priorities as humanitarian needs worldwide reach unprecedented levels while funding continues to decline. The plan addresses urgent challenges, including more frequent climate-related disasters, protracted conflicts, rising displacement, health emergencies, and… [Read More]
REMIT PRIME Programme in Tajikistan Strengthened by IFAD and Bank Arvand Support
On 17 December 2025, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Bank Arvand signed a grant agreement to invest approximately €445,000 in the REMIT PRIME Central Asia Programme, an initiative aimed at helping rural communities in Tajikistan transform remittance flows from relatives abroad into sustainable economic opportunities. The REMIT PRIME Programme brings together IFAD,… [Read More]
Data-Driven Agricultural Planning Gains Momentum in Gabon
Gabon is taking significant steps to enhance data-driven agricultural investment and planning, with support from the Joint SDG Fund and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These efforts aim to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in agriculture and promote sustainable development across the country. From 16 to 19 June 2025, the Government of… [Read More]
Cyclone Ditwah Relief: IOM Appeals for USD 7.3 Million in Sri Lanka
Colombo, 17 December 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an appeal for USD 7.3 million to support over 100,000 people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The cyclone has displaced more than 280,000 people and damaged or destroyed over 81,000 homes, leaving families in urgent need of shelter, protection, and… [Read More]
Strengthening Labour Governance: Arab States Hold First Regional Tripartite ILO Workshop
Senior officials from ministries of labour and social affairs, leaders of employers’ organizations and trade unions, along with ILO experts from across the Arab States, concluded the region’s first tripartite workshop on International Labour Standards in Muscat, Oman. The workshop addressed pressing labour issues in the region, focusing on the practical application of international standards… [Read More]
