The forum in Belarus represents a significant step in the country’s systematic development of artificial intelligence by fostering partnerships between the public sector, private enterprises, and academia. AI is increasingly recognized as a critical element of the global agenda, with experts highlighting its potential to advance Sustainable Development Goals in areas such as healthcare, education,… [Read More]
Industry
Amazon Announces €20,000 Fund to Break Barriers for Irish Creatives
Amazon has launched the Regional Creatives Fund Ireland to open new pathways into creative careers for underrepresented individuals across the country. The fund offers grants of up to €20,000 to registered Irish charities that help people pursue careers in publishing, music, gaming, film, TV, fashion, visual arts, podcasting, and other creative sectors. The initiative aims… [Read More]
Upskilling Youth Drives Green and Digital Innovation in Thailand’s Construction Industry
New research by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified key gaps and opportunities to upskill and reskill young workers in Thailand’s construction sector. On 7 October 2025, government officials, industry leaders, academic representatives, and workers’ organizations convened in Bangkok to review and provide feedback on the initial findings. The study focuses on developing industry-led… [Read More]
Indonesia’s Workers Rise Up: Protests Expose Deepening Modern Slavery Crisis
Tens of thousands of workers across Indonesia have taken to the streets, demanding fair wages, safer working conditions, and stronger labour rights. The nationwide protests have drawn attention to growing concerns about modern slavery, as weak labour protections continue to leave millions vulnerable to exploitation. At the heart of public anger is the controversial Omnibus… [Read More]
Africa’s Industrial Future: Empowering Workers Through Skills Development
The International Labour Organization (ILO) emphasized the importance of skills development and lifelong learning for inclusive industrialization during the inaugural Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA), held from 9 to 10 September 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. Organized by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in collaboration with the Government of Zambia, the event focused on accelerating… [Read More]
Global Tobacco Use Persists: WHO Says One in Five Adults Still Smoke
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest report on tobacco use, analyzing global smoking trends from 2010 to 2024, and concluded that while progress has been made, the tobacco epidemic remains a major public health challenge. Globally, tobacco use declined from 26.2 percent in 2010 to 19.5 percent in 2023, and the UN health… [Read More]
Second Cohort of IYBA-WE4A Programme to Fund 1,000+ Women-Led Enterprises
The European Union (EU), Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) have launched the second cohort of the Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) Programme. This initiative… [Read More]
UN Empowers Young Women to Become Future Space Professionals
Now 18, Ms. Maharjan from Nepal is actively involved in aerospace projects through the Shakthi SAT initiative, collaborating with other young women and exploring the intersection of computer engineering, artificial intelligence, autonomous robotics, and embedded systems that control satellites, drones, and rockets. With the support of her program, she is preparing to launch her own… [Read More]
Africa Resilience Forum 2025: Call for Digitised Border Systems to Boost Intra-African Trade and Integration
At the sixth edition of the Africa Resilience Forum, held from 1 to 3 October 2025 in Abidjan, participants emphasized the need for strong political will and quality infrastructure at borders to enhance regional integration and trade across Africa. They highlighted that establishing single digitised checkpoints between neighbouring countries could significantly facilitate the free movement… [Read More]
TCS Layoffs: IT Giant Offers Up to Two Years’ Severance Amid Restructuring and AI Push
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, is offering severance packages of up to two years’ salary to employees affected by its latest restructuring exercise, according to a Moneycontrol report. The move comes as the company seeks to realign its workforce with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and evolving client demands. The layoffs… [Read More]
UK Re-Elected to ICAO Council; Assembly Rejects Russia’s Candidacy
The United Kingdom has been successfully re-elected to Part 1 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, a position it has held since the organisation’s inception. Membership on the ICAO Council provides the UK with a key platform to advance global aviation policy, ensuring the safety, security, and sustainability of international air travel, while… [Read More]
Cambodia Strengthens Workforce Skills and Productivity Through Public-Private Collaboration
The Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), hosted a high-level workshop on skills and productivity, emphasizing the critical role of public–private partnerships in building a competitive, future-ready workforce. The Validation Workshop on Skills and Productivity brought together industry leaders, employer associations, training institutions, trade unions,… [Read More]
ILO Integrates AI into SME Training through SCORE Programme in the Philippines
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the UN Joint Programme Inclusive, Competitive, and Responsible Digital Philippines (Digital-PINAS), has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme, marking a major step in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Philippines. This digital innovation equips enterprises with practical, low-cost… [Read More]
ZE-Gen and CLASP Announce $100,000 Global LEAP Solar Generator Competition to Drive Innovation in Clean Energy
ZE-Gen (Zero Emissions Generators Initiative) and international NGO CLASP have announced the launch of the Global LEAP Solar Generator Competition, a major international challenge to accelerate the transition from polluting fossil fuel generators to sustainable solar-powered solutions. Launching on 8 October 2025, the competition will award $100,000 in innovation prizes to showcase high-performing, efficient solar… [Read More]
ADB Signs $30M Sustainability-Linked Loan with Envoy Textiles, Marking First in Bangladesh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $30 million sustainability-linked loan facility with Envoy Textiles Limited (Envoy), marking ADB’s first such financing in Bangladesh. The deal follows the Bank’s earlier textile manufacturing project with Envoy in 2022. Sustainability-linked loans are forward-looking, performance-based instruments tied to key performance indicators (KPIs) and sustainability performance targets (SPTs)…. [Read More]
How Water Management Drives Sustainable Economic Development
The 11th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue took place in Maseru, Lesotho, from 29 to 30 September 2025. The discussions reviewed progress in water-related initiatives under the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus framework, focusing on how water security and integrated planning can strengthen the region’s new smart economic corridors. The aim was to ensure… [Read More]
Safeguarding Fishers’ Rights: Indonesia Targets ILO Convention 188 Ratification by 2026
The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the labour rights of both domestic and migrant fishers. On 30 September 2025, a high-level tripartite stakeholders meeting was convened in Jakarta, bringing together representatives from key government ministries, employers’ associations, and trade unions to discuss… [Read More]
International Nuclear Energy Summit Announced by Swedish Government
On 7 October 2025, Sweden will host a high-level summit on new nuclear energy in the Baltic Sea region, led by Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch along with several ministerial colleagues. Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala will co-host the event. The summit reflects strong regional interest in nuclear… [Read More]
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs in Laos to Strengthen Sustainable Tourism
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) and Plan International Laos have launched the Lasting Laos Project, aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Lao tourism sector to adopt sustainable consumption and production practices, circular economy models, and decent work standards. The initiative, co-funded by the European Union,… [Read More]
Thailand’s Auto Sector Boosted by ILO Mentorship Programme on Responsible Business
A pioneering mentorship initiative in Thailand’s automotive sector has provided key stakeholders with knowledge and tools to improve workplace practices, strengthen industrial relations, and support responsible business. The International Labour Organization (ILO) implemented the social dialogue mentorship programme, reaching over 350 managers, HR professionals, trade unionists, and worker representatives across the automotive supply chain. The… [Read More]
Central Viet Nam to Gain Flood Resilience and Better Connectivity with World Bank Support
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new project designed to strengthen flood protection and transport connectivity in Da Nang City and Gia Lai Province in central Viet Nam. The initiative will benefit more than 1.2 million people by enhancing flood safety, ensuring reliable evacuation routes, and improving consistent access to markets… [Read More]
Six UK Regions Awarded £25 Million to Strengthen Creative Sector
The UK government is providing a significant boost to creative industries outside of London, with six regions—Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East, West of England, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire—each receiving £25 million through the Creative Places Growth Fund. This initiative, part of the Creative Industries Sector Plan and the broader Industrial Strategy, aims… [Read More]
Moldova Engages Investors to Unlock Capital for Economic Growth
Major investment opportunities are emerging in Moldova as the European Commission launches a Call for Expressions of Interest for private investment. The initiative invites businesses from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Moldova to participate, with the aim of driving economic growth and supporting new investments in the country. This Call will be… [Read More]
