The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo to mark the launch of new UK-Japan partnership programmes under the MUSUBI Initiative, a unique public-private collaboration designed to foster the next generation of leaders in both countries. The event highlighted the deepening friendship and shared values between the United… [Read More]
Industry
Beyond Tech: How Digital Traceability is Powering Fair Trade and Green Growth in the Global South
Small businesses across Africa and Asia are blending age-old practices with cutting-edge digital traceability to boost trade compliance, expand market access, and strengthen local economies. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopian and Indian researchers are testing enzyme-based tanning methods to replace harmful chemicals in leather production. Thousands of kilometres away in Pakistan and Bangladesh, each hide’s journey… [Read More]
Stone by Stone: Strengthening Safety for Barbados’ Fishing Communities
In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, caused over B$190 million in damages in Barbados, severely impacting coastal sectors, particularly the fishing industry. Approximately 90 percent of the island’s fishing fleet was destroyed or damaged, along with key infrastructure, including the Bridgetown Port and the Fisheries Marina. The storm’s surge displaced the… [Read More]
UNGA: PAHO Joins Global Call for Action at High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health
On 25 September, global leaders will convene at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York for the Fourth High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The meeting aims to adopt a Political Declaration to accelerate global efforts to reduce the… [Read More]
Slowing Progress on NCDs and Mental Health: WHO Calls for Affordable Interventions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report titled “Saving Lives, Spending Less”, highlighting that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) could generate economic benefits of up to US$1 trillion by 2030. The report also analyzes country-level progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019…. [Read More]
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: Strategic Partnership Empowers Youth with Careers and Opportunities
Jim Bowman, Chairperson of the New Jersey Advisory Board for Think Big for Kids, recognized the need for a strong alliance to advance the organization’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty for teens and young adults. Drawing on his long-standing commitment to the nonprofit, Bowman turned to the Association for Corporate Growth New Jersey… [Read More]
Zanzibar Sets Sail for Inclusive Growth: New UN-Backed Programmes Tackle Climate Change and Empower Communities
Zanzibar has launched two groundbreaking joint programmes designed to drive inclusive growth, women’s economic empowerment, and climate resilience across the northern regions of Unguja and Pemba. Spearheaded by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the United Nations, and key development partners, these initiatives aim to uplift vulnerable communities while advancing the country’s blue economy and Sustainable… [Read More]
EU Moves to Fund Ukraine with Frozen Russian Assets, Bypassing Hungary’s Veto
The European Union is weighing a proposal to create a “reparation loan” for Ukraine, secured by frozen Russian assets, in an effort to bolster Kyiv’s wartime finances while sidestepping Hungary’s repeated vetoes. Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow, has consistently opposed sanctions on Russia and blocked Ukraine’s EU accession talks, testing the bloc’s unity… [Read More]
Israel’s Glilot Partners Secures $500M to Fund Young Cyber and AI Startups
Israeli venture capital firm Glilot Capital Partners has successfully raised $500 million to support local entrepreneurs and rapidly growing startups in cybersecurity, enterprise software, and AI tools. The capital was primarily sourced from large financial institutions in the US and Europe, signaling strong confidence in Israel’s tech ecosystem despite international criticism of the country’s actions… [Read More]
MCC Celebrates Completion of Côte d’Ivoire Compact, Boosting U.S.-Ivorian Relations
This week, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Acting Vice President Jason Small visited Abidjan to mark the successful closeout of the U.S.-Côte d’Ivoire transport and workforce development compact and to sign a new regional energy compact. The visit highlighted the U.S.’ commitment to partnerships that promote shared prosperity, advance American interests, and create opportunities for U.S…. [Read More]
Brazil Enacts Landmark Law to Safeguard Children Online
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]
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]
