The Asian Development Bank announced that it will invest more than $10 billion through 2030 to strengthen projects under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. The commitment aims to advance regional goals of digital connectivity, economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that this expanded support will help… [Read More]
Business
UN-Supported Initiative Drives Digital and Economic Revival in Rural Indonesia
Members of the South Bandung Farming Cooperative have seen strong economic gains in the past two years, with productive loans rising by 38 per cent and sales volumes increasing by 43 per cent after the introduction of a digital business app. Cooperative head Aun Gunawan explained that easier access to financing allows farmers to expand… [Read More]
EIB Group backs €17.7 billion in funding for semiconductors, green infrastructure, energy networks, and social housing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has approved a €17.7 billion financing package to drive Europe’s green transition, strengthen economic competitiveness, and foster global partnerships. The investments will support innovation in semiconductor manufacturing, battery storage, and strategic infrastructure, while also addressing social priorities such as social housing in Belgium, climate adaptation projects in Italy and… [Read More]
Transnet secures €350 million EIB Global loan to drive South Africa’s green transformation
EIB Global has signed a €350 million loan agreement with South Africa’s state-owned transport and logistics company, Transnet, supported by a €21 million grant from the European Union, to advance the country’s green transition under the Just Energy Transition Partnership. The funding will modernize port and rail infrastructure, develop green hydrogen facilities, and promote cleaner… [Read More]
Vianode Invests $3.2 Billion in St. Thomas, Strengthening Ontario’s Tech Sector
The Ontario government has secured a $3.2 billion investment from Vianode, a global leader in synthetic graphite manufacturing, to establish a state-of-the-art facility in St. Thomas. This marks Vianode’s entry into the North American market and represents a significant milestone in Ontario’s strategy to build a competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy. The initial phase of… [Read More]
£200 Million Fund Backed by Major UK Pension Schemes to Accelerate Science and Tech Innovation
The UK government has secured major backing from three pension funds—Aegon UK, NatWest Cushon, and M&G—for an initial £200 million fund aimed at investing in the country’s most innovative science and technology companies. Announced at Downing Street ahead of the upcoming Budget, the fund forms part of the British Growth Partnership and aligns with the… [Read More]
AI to Drive UK Economic Renewal with Billions in New Government Funding and Business Plans
The UK government has announced a multi-billion-pound investment in artificial intelligence to drive national growth, create thousands of jobs, and strengthen the country’s position as a global leader in AI. Key initiatives include the creation of AI Growth Zones, with the first in South Wales projected to generate over 5,000 jobs over the next decade,… [Read More]
Mongolia Strengthens Anti-Corruption and Crypto Risk Measures with OSCE Support
A two-day OSCE workshop held on 13–14 November in Ulaanbaatar convened 27 representatives from Mongolia’s Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC), the Financial Regulatory Commission, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and other relevant bodies to strengthen national capacities in addressing money-laundering risks linked to virtual assets and blockchain-based finance. The workshop emphasized practical aspects of compliance,… [Read More]
How Generali and UNDP Are Boosting MSME Resilience in Asia
Generali, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted the regional conference “Protecting the Future: Building MSME Resilience in Asia” in Bangkok on 21 November 2025. The initiative focuses on strengthening the resilience of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Asia against rising risks, emphasizing access to insurance and sustainable business growth…. [Read More]
How Grant Funding Helped a Kenyan Recycler Create Jobs from Waste
A Nairobi-based glass recycling company has rapidly expanded over the past five years, growing its workforce from 60 to 140 employees and reaching an annual revenue of $800,000. Its growth was supported by a $36,000 grant from the World Bank-funded Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), which, through the MbeleNaBiz initiative, has helped 750… [Read More]
Building Lasting Growth: How Good Governance Is Transforming Sarawak
Thirty-eight-year-old journalist Norman Goh, originally from Kuching in Sarawak, reflects on how the state has evolved and how good governance can unlock its potential. Now based in Kuala Lumpur, he believes Sarawak can attract high-impact investments by improving efficiency, strengthening human capital, and focusing on key industries. For Goh, transparency and sound governance are essential… [Read More]
Boosting Yemen’s Resilience Through Sustainable Fisheries
Yemen’s fisheries sector, once central to food security and local livelihoods, has suffered immense damage due to prolonged conflict, collapsing infrastructure, and worsening climate impacts. Fishers have faced rising costs, limited access to cold storage, and deteriorating landing sites, all of which have reduced earnings and made nutritious fish less affordable for communities. Despite these… [Read More]
Lao PDR to Strengthen Inclusive and Green Growth with ADB Support
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $36 million financing package to align technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with labor market demands in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The Skills Enhancement for Inclusive and Green Economic Development Project aims to increase local employment opportunities for young people, particularly women, by… [Read More]
UN Syria Envoy: Millions Facing Acute Humanitarian Needs Amid Conflict
UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi told the Security Council that humanitarian conditions in the country remain “extremely serious,” with over 16 million people in need of aid and hundreds of thousands displaced, according to the UN humanitarian coordination office (OCHA). She welcomed the removal of UN sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa and… [Read More]
Namibia Joins 20 ILO Member States Promoting MNE Declaration Through National Focal Points
Namibia has become the 20th International Labour Organization (ILO) member state to appoint national tripartite focal points to promote the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration). This appointment marks a significant step toward strengthening responsible business practices in Namibia and fostering collaboration among the government, employers, and workers… [Read More]
Government of Canada Invests in Expanding Cultural Tourism in Grand Falls
The Government of Canada has announced new federal support to strengthen cultural tourism in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, recognizing the sector’s importance to regional economic development. A non-repayable contribution of $112,500 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has enabled the Regional Municipality of Grand Falls to purchase and install a modular stage and specialized… [Read More]
Government of Canada Extends Funding for Black-Led Initiatives in Atlantic Canada
The Government of Canada has renewed its commitment to strengthening Black-led organizations and supporting Black entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada through a major funding boost to the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP). With an additional national investment of $189 million over five years, the initiative aims to help Black business owners access capital, scale their enterprises, and… [Read More]
Greener Albania: EU Promotes Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Initiative
The Delegation of the European Union to Albania has launched a new communication campaign, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for a Greener Albania,” to raise awareness among the business community about Albania’s transition towards a circular economy and to encourage sustainable business practices. The launch event, held at Europe House Tirana, brought together representatives from the Albanian… [Read More]
Multi-Million Pound Funding Boosts UK Research and Innovation
The UK government has announced significant new funding to support pioneering life sciences projects, aiming to transform healthcare, enhance economic growth, and strengthen national renewal. This investment will back bold initiatives ranging from the use of robots in medicine production to turning spent nuclear fuel into innovative cancer therapies. It forms a key part of… [Read More]
New ASEAN Initiative Strengthens Child Labour Prevention Strategies
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), has launched the ASEAN Roadmap for the Prevention of Child Labour Including the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2035. Endorsed at the 47th ASEAN Summit, this Roadmap reinforces the region’s commitment to collective action to end… [Read More]
Thailand Construction Sector: Enhancing Protection and Accountability for Migrant Workers
The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the EU-funded PROTECT Project, is collaborating with civil society and private sector partners to promote fair recruitment and decent work for migrant workers in Thailand’s construction industry. The sector depends heavily on migrant labour, with approximately 600,000 migrant workers employed in 2022, around one-third of whom are women. Many… [Read More]
$50 Million in Fraudulent Commonwealth Claims Seized During AFP Operation
The Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT), in collaboration with the Financial Crime and Money Laundering Working Group (FCML), has executed 33 search warrants across Australia as part of a nationwide crackdown on Commonwealth fraud. This operation involved over 75 investigators from multiple agencies, including the AFP, Services Australia, NDIA, NDIS Commission, and the Department… [Read More]
World Children’s Day 2025: Top Five Ways to Create a Better World for Children
World Children’s Day, celebrated on 20 November each year, is a global occasion to recognise children as rights-holders and reaffirm the commitments outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It encourages adults and communities to create safer, fairer, and more inclusive environments for children. The day also highlights ways to promote children’s… [Read More]
