On September 17, 2025, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the country’s first law dedicated to protecting children’s rights online. Known as ECA Digital, the legislation updates Brazil’s 1990 Statute of the Child and Adolescent to address the digital environment, ensuring that technology companies design products with children’s best interests, privacy, and safety… [Read More]
Industry
Global Change Award 2026: Nominations Now Open for Innovators Worldwide
The Global Change Award (GCA) 2026, launched by the H&M Foundation, is now accepting nominations for early-stage ideas aimed at reshaping the textile industry toward a net-zero future. This annual innovation challenge supports bold changemakers who seek to transform how fashion is made, used, and valued. Program Director Annie Lindmark highlights that each year brings… [Read More]
The Ndege Group Launches African Rare Earth Mineral Fund to Boost Continental Sovereignty
The Ndege Group, through Africa’s Sovereign Development Trust® (ASDT), has announced the launch of the African Rare Earth Mineral Fund, a landmark initiative aimed at advancing Africa’s economic sovereignty. This fund represents a strategic move to ensure that the continent directly manages and benefits from its valuable natural resources, securing wealth for its people and… [Read More]
Central African Republic to Launch National Guarantee Fund Supporting SMEs
The Central African Republic (CAR) has announced plans to establish a new national guarantee fund to improve small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) access to financing. The initiative was revealed by Minister of Economy Richard Filakota during a roundtable on the National Development Plan (PND-RCA 2024–2028) in Casablanca, Morocco, on September 15, 2025. The fund is… [Read More]
EU-Funded Food Safety Workshop in Afghanistan Strengthens Trade, Led by WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), with support from the European Union (EU), organized a two-day workshop on food safety standards in Kabul from 15 to 16 September. The training focused on dried fruits and nuts, bringing together representatives from the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Afghan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and… [Read More]
Saint Lucia Advances Toward Its First UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
In early September 2025, Saint Lucia hosted a two-day workshop led by Bandiougou Diawara, Programme Specialist for Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean. The event brought together representatives from government, academia, industry, and civil society to develop a proposal for establishing the country’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere… [Read More]
WIPO Global Innovation Index 2025: Switzerland, Sweden, US, South Korea & Singapore Lead; China Breaks Into Top 10
The World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025 ranks Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore as the top innovators worldwide. They are followed by the United Kingdom, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China, which enters the top 10 for the first time. However, the report highlights a slowing… [Read More]
UKRI Awards £120 Million in Future Leaders Fellowships to Top UK Researchers
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the latest round of its prestigious Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF), awarding £120 million to 77 promising early-career researchers across the UK. These fellowships aim to empower the next generation of research and innovation leaders by providing them with the resources and support to lead cutting-edge projects. Among the… [Read More]
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones: Is Putin Escalating His War on Europe?
On Wednesday, Poland shot down several Russian drones that had entered its eastern territory near the borders with Ukraine and Belarus. These incursions coincided with Russia’s large-scale drone and missile strikes in Ukraine and have sparked concerns over whether the drones strayed by accident or represent an intentional escalation by President Vladimir Putin. In response,… [Read More]
US Awards $500 Million Grant to Expand Green Iron Production and Reduce Emissions
The Australian government has released guidelines for the National Development Stream of the Green Iron Investment Fund, providing eligible businesses with an early opportunity to prepare their applications. The program offers $500 million in grant funding to support the growth of a domestic green iron industry, aiming to position Australia as a leader in sustainable… [Read More]
Ontario Secures $100 Million Investment to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chain
Electra Battery Materials is set to establish North America’s first battery-grade cobalt refinery in Temiskaming Shores, Ontario, with a total investment of nearly $100 million. The Ontario government is supporting the project as part of its strategy to strengthen domestic supply chains, protect jobs, and support key sectors, including the automotive industry, amid U.S. tariffs… [Read More]
UK Announces £1.1 Billion Investment to Create Jobs and Boost Growth in Coastal Towns
The UK government and private industry have announced a joint investment of more than £1.1 billion to boost growth, jobs and skills in coastal towns and cities, with a strong focus on maritime innovation and clean energy. The funding, revealed at London International Shipping Week (LISW), includes £448 million in government support and £700 million… [Read More]
SUNeVision Wins Big at UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong 2025
SUNeVision Holdings Ltd., Hong Kong’s largest data centre provider and the technology arm of Sun Hung Kai Properties, has been recognised at the UNSDG Achievement Awards Hong Kong 2025 with both the Sustainable Organisation Merit Award and the Recognised Project Award. This marks the third consecutive year the company has received the accolade, distinguishing it… [Read More]
ILO Charts Roadmap for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth of Kosovo’s HoReCa Sector
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has outlined a strategic roadmap to support the sustainable development of Kosovo’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HoReCa) sector, one of the country’s most dynamic and promising industries. Conducted under the “Support to the labour market integration of young people in the Hospitality and Tourism sector” project, funded by the Italian… [Read More]
Zambia’s Copper Boom: Can the Workforce Keep Pace?
Zambia aims to triple its copper production by 2031, driven by rising global demand and investments from major mining companies such as Anglo American, First Quantum Minerals, Barrick, and Kobold. Copper has long been a cornerstone of Zambia’s economy, contributing 15% of GDP and over 70% of exports. Despite this, production has remained around 800,000… [Read More]
Ethiopia’s TVET Reforms Empower Young Women with Skills and Opportunities
In Ethiopia, major reforms to the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system are helping young women gain practical skills, pursue employment, and start small businesses. Supported by the World Bank–backed EASE and EASTRIP projects, the reforms aim to improve training quality, promote inclusion, and better align education with labor market demands. At Misrak… [Read More]
Taoiseach Announces €9 Million Shared Island Funding for Two Bioeconomy Projects
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, along with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA, announced €9 million in funding for two bioeconomy demonstration projects under the Shared Island Initiative. The announcement highlights the island-wide collaboration on sustainability and climate action,… [Read More]
Vietnam Launches Responsible Business Training with ILO to Empower Trainers and Enterprises
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Hanoi on 4–5 September to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and responsible business conduct. The initiative aims to equip VCCI trainers from its extensive national network with the skills… [Read More]
Canada Invests $28.7 Million to Train Clean Energy Workers and Advance AI Research
Canada has announced major new investments to prepare workers for the future of clean energy while strengthening the country’s artificial intelligence research capacity. The federal government emphasized the importance of equipping Canadians with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving energy sector, while ensuring researchers and innovators have access to the advanced AI tools… [Read More]
Canada Funds Cutting-Edge Carbon Capture and Storage Projects in British Columbia
Canada is advancing its clean energy agenda with a focus on building a stronger economy while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $5.8 million investment to support made-in-Canada carbon management technologies. This includes $1.3 million to Svante to enhance testing capabilities and establish new… [Read More]
WHO’s Sixth Virtual cGMP Training Marathon Launches to Strengthen Global Local Production Capacity
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the launch of the sixth edition of its Virtual cGMP Training Marathon, organized by the Local Production & Assistance (LPA) Unit under the leadership of Dr. Jicui Dong. Scheduled from 9 September to 2 October 2025, this year’s program is themed “Building Blocks for Sustained Excellence” and aims… [Read More]
Standard Bank Invests $10 Million in African Women Impact Fund (AWIF) to Empower Female Entrepreneurs
Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, has committed $10 million to the African Women Impact Fund (AWIF), aiming to support women fund managers running businesses across the continent. This significant investment was announced at the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) Women to Africa event, hosted in collaboration with Standard Bank and South… [Read More]
Government of Canada Invests $1M+ to Boost Mining Innovation in Northern Ontario
Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced a FedNor investment of $1,050,000 in Cambrian College’s Centre for Smart Mining (CSM), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor. This funding will support the expansion of CSM’s research and training services to meet the increasing demands… [Read More]
