WWF and IKEA have renewed their global partnership for another five years, building on more than two decades of collaboration aimed at protecting natural resources and transforming business practices. Since 2002, the partnership has demonstrated that working with businesses can drive meaningful global change, delivering measurable benefits for both people and the planet. Over the… [Read More]
Business
2026 Budget Proposal for Ireland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Government Branches
The Government of Finland has proposed a total of EUR 1.155 billion in appropriations for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its branch of government for 2026. This represents a reduction of EUR 66 million compared to the 2025 Budget, largely due to EUR 46 million in adjustments outlined in the spring 2025 measures. The… [Read More]
UK Government Launches £10 Million Fund to Boost Next-Generation Semiconductor Development
Tech Minister Kanishka Narayan has announced a £10 million investment to strengthen the UK semiconductor sector, aiming to move innovation from laboratories to the market. The initiative will benefit up to 40 British companies developing advanced computer chip technologies that power everyday items such as smartphones, cars, medical devices, and renewable energy systems. The funding… [Read More]
Irish Government Allocates €4.6 Million to Support Diaspora Communities in the US and Canada
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris TD, together with Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond TD, have announced over €4.6 million in grants to support Irish diaspora organisations in the US and Canada. The funding, part of the US Emigrant Support Programme, will benefit 145 Irish organisations… [Read More]
Pakistan Urged to Implement Bold, People-Centered Reforms to Tackle Poverty and Protect Vulnerable Communities
The World Bank has released “Reclaiming Momentum Towards Prosperity: Pakistan’s Poverty, Equity and Resilience Assessment,” the first comprehensive evaluation of poverty and welfare trends in Pakistan since the early 2000s. The report shows that after a steady decline in poverty from 64.3% in 2001-02 to 21.9% in 2018-19, the national poverty rate began rising in… [Read More]
African Development Bank Provides €30 Million to Bridge Bank Côte d’Ivoire to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
The African Development Bank Group and Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire have signed an agreement to establish a €30 million financing facility aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Côte d’Ivoire, with a particular emphasis on women-led businesses. This facility is designed to provide Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire with the financial resources… [Read More]
Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Finance Dialogue: Over 40 Countries Explore Innovative Conservation Solutions
More than 120 biodiversity finance experts and government representatives from Europe, Asia, and the Pacific convened in Da Nang for one of the region’s largest exchanges on biodiversity finance. Organized by UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and the Government of Viet Nam, the Eurasia-Pacific Regional Dialogue brought together over 40 countries to explore investment-ready solutions… [Read More]
Cyprus SMEs and Start-ups to Benefit from €62.5 Million Financing from EIB Group and Eurobank
The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) has announced the first InvestEU Guarantee transaction in Cyprus, marking a significant step in providing EU-backed financing to local businesses. The agreement, signed between the European Investment Fund (EIF) and Eurobank, will mobilize up to €62.5 million in new loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups… [Read More]
Kerala–EU Blue Economy Conclave Ends with Pledge for Future Sustainable Partnerships
The inaugural Kerala–European Union (EU) Blue Economy Conclave concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on 19 September 2025, marking a significant step toward deeper EU–India collaboration in sustainable ocean investments, maritime activities, climate action, skills, and innovation. Co-hosted by the Government of Kerala, the EU, and the Government of India, the conclave brought together a “Team Europe” delegation… [Read More]
EU and Kenya Launch ‘I’ve Got the Power’ Campaign to Boost Clean Energy Future
The European Union (EU) has launched the I’ve Got the Power campaign in Kenya to celebrate and promote the strong collaboration between Kenya and the EU for a sustainable and prosperous future. The campaign emphasizes the shared commitment to accessible, reliable clean energy and highlights the transformative impact of EU-supported initiatives that provide renewable energy… [Read More]
EBRD and EU Fund New Customs and Logistics Centre in Yerevan, Armenia
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with support from the European Union (EU), is financing the construction of a new customs and logistics centre on the outskirts of Yerevan, Armenia. The project is backed by a €39 million sovereign loan from the EBRD, complemented by a €6 million EU grant, aiming to modernize… [Read More]
EBRD Boosts Türkiye’s Local Pet Food Production with Strategic Support
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has acquired a minority stake in Çağatay Evcil Hayvan Mamaları ve Yem Ürünleri San. ve Tic. A.Ş., a Turkish pet food producer, as part of an initiative to support the company’s growth and competitiveness. Çağatay produces high-quality dry pet food under its own brands, competing with global… [Read More]
USDA Announces Funding for 58 Community Projects to Reduce Wildfire Risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is investing $200 million in 58 projects through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, as announced by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. This funding, mandated by Congress, aims to help at-risk communities plan for and reduce wildfire risk, protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The program emphasizes… [Read More]
Ireland Invests €4.6 Million to Strengthen Ties with Diaspora in US and Canada
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris TD, along with Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond TD, have announced over €4.6 million in grants to support Irish diaspora organisations in the US and Canada. The funding, distributed through the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), will assist 145 organisations in… [Read More]
Ontario Invests $5 Million+ to Safeguard Forest Sector Jobs in Northern Ontario
The Ontario government is investing over $5 million to support workers and businesses in the forest sector in Northern Ontario, focusing on repairing key regional infrastructure and adopting new technology to modernize operations. This initiative aims to boost productivity, create new jobs, and open opportunities for revenue generation from underused wood and forest biomass, contributing… [Read More]
UN Experts Urge Suspension of Israel from International Football Amid Palestinian Genocide Allegations
UN human rights experts have urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel’s national football team from international competitions as a response to the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory. The experts referenced the United Nations Commission of Inquiry’s conclusion that Israel is committing genocide, as well as the International Court of Justice’s Interim Order… [Read More]
IOM Chief Urges Stronger Global Cooperation on Migration at UN General Assembly
As world leaders gather in New York for the High-Level Week of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is emphasizing the need for stronger international dialogue and collective action to harness migration as a driver of development and prosperity. IOM Director General Amy Pope stressed that… [Read More]
Climate Summit 2025: Paving the Way to COP30
The UN Climate Summit, held on 24 September 2025 at UN Headquarters, is designed as a targeted high-level launchpad for COP30. Unlike the extensive negotiations of a full UN climate conference, this summit brings together Heads of State, government leaders, businesses, and civil society to present concrete pledges and new national climate plans, emphasizing actionable… [Read More]
Uruguay’s Energy Transition: Driving Investment for a Cleaner, Fairer Future
In Montevideo’s bustling port, trucks are beginning to run on cleaner power, while across Uruguay, engineers are testing the country’s first autonomous charging station for heavy vehicles and laying the foundations for a pilot green hydrogen plant. These initiatives signal a significant transformation in how Uruguay is powering its future, reflecting the country’s commitment to… [Read More]
Eastern Europe and Central Asia Transform Climate Challenges into Sustainable Opportunities
Countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are feeling the impacts of climate change more intensely than ever. Droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall are increasingly affecting food production, hydropower, and critical infrastructure. These disruptions threaten the most vulnerable populations, particularly poorer households, while the cost of climate-related damages is projected to rise sharply by 2050…. [Read More]
EU Champions Inclusion and Youth at Mongolia’s Hope and Possibility Marathon 2025
The European Union, through its Global Gateway initiative, joined the Hope and Possibility Marathon 2025 in Mongolia to promote inclusion, equality, youth participation, and public health. The event, held at Ulaanbaatar’s National Garden Park and organized by Achilles International Mongolia, brought together around 3,000 participants, including youth, athletes, persons with disabilities, families, and supporters under… [Read More]
Botswana Charts a Roadmap for Decent Work and Responsible Investment
Botswana has taken a major step toward ensuring that trade and investment drive inclusive growth and decent work, with a three-day national workshop held in Gaborone from 16–18 September. The event, titled “Advancing Decent Work (SDG 8) through Responsible Business Conduct and Respect for International Labour Standards in Trade and Investment,” brought together representatives from… [Read More]
AI and Digitalization Could Create Thousands of Jobs in the Arab States—If the Transition Is Inclusive
A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report projects that digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) could deliver significant economic and employment gains across the Arab States—if countries adopt inclusive, forward-looking policies. The study underscores the importance of ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable groups are not left behind as the region embraces a rapidly evolving digital… [Read More]
