Representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Peru, Tanzania, and Uganda gathered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 2 to 7 November 2025 to exchange experiences and develop practical strategies for strengthening Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in the global coffee supply chain. The event, organized by the International Labour Organization through its Vision Zero Fund with… [Read More]
Industry
Asian Development Bank Sanctions $846 Million to Enhance India’s Skills and Workforce Readiness
The Asian Development Bank has approved an $846 million loan to support the development of a future-ready workforce in India, particularly for its manufacturing and emerging technology sectors. The initiative will strengthen the government’s national skilling program by transforming Industrial Training Institutes across the country and improving the quality of technical education and training available… [Read More]
Defying Challenges: How Young Innovators Are Shaping Future Industries
Despite the high failure rate for startups, many young entrepreneurs remain undeterred, seeing the potential to make meaningful impact. Business management student Daniel Wu, for example, embraces the challenge, aiming to improve lives through his digital skills platform for rural youth, which teaches AI and software skills. His project reached the finals of the Innovation… [Read More]
Europe’s Space Industry to Scale Up with EIB’s New Space TechEU Initiative
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched Space TechEU, its first dedicated financing programme for the European space sector, as part of the broader TechEU initiative to foster innovation and the development of new technologies. The announcement was made at the European Space Agency’s triannual Council of Ministers meeting in Bremen. The programme aims to… [Read More]
€170 Million Boost for Irish Companies Through European Space Programmes
Ireland is investing over €170 million in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes through 2030, aiming to strengthen Irish companies’ presence in the rapidly growing global space industry. The investment was announced by Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon, during an ESA meeting in Bremen, Germany, which brought together ministers from… [Read More]
New ILO-IOE Handbook Helps Businesses Combat Forced Labour
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) have released the third edition of Combating Forced Labour: A Handbook for Employers and Business. The handbook is designed to help companies identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for actual and potential forced labour risks in their operations and supply chains. It also provides… [Read More]
Brunei Government, Employers, and Workers Unite for Inaugural Safety Dialogue
Brunei Darussalam has convened its first dedicated dialogue on occupational safety and health (OSH), bringing together government, employers, and workers in a historic move to strengthen social dialogue and enhance national OSH governance. The milestone event, held on 20 November 2025, was organized by the Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) following an ILO… [Read More]
New Funding Injection Speeds Up the Fight Against Malaria
Research to eliminate malaria, one of the world’s deadliest diseases, is set to accelerate with a USD $4.7 million grant from the Gates Foundation awarded to scientists at The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia (UWA). Global malaria cases surged to an estimated 263 million in 2023, resulting in over 597,000… [Read More]
How Local Innovators and Mobile Industry Leaders Are Powering Africa’s Digital Health Transformation
The GSMA Mobile for Development team is conducting major research on how the mobile industry can advance digital health across varied economic contexts. October saw active engagement at the Africa HealthTech Summit and MWC Kigali, where digital health was a central theme. A strong message emerging from these events is that Africa’s digital health transformation… [Read More]
New Analysis Reveals Attempts to Weaken EU Water Regulations
A new report reveals how influential industry groups in Europe, including those in agriculture, energy, mining, and chemicals, are attempting to weaken the EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD), which safeguards rivers, lakes, and groundwater from pollution. These sectors are pressuring the European Commission to use the upcoming Environmental “Omnibus” Package to roll back key protections… [Read More]
From Green Sukuk to Greener Halal Value Chains: Islamic Finance Driving Climate Solutions
The report analyzes the role of Islamic finance in advancing sustainable and climate finance within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries, examining market trends, financial instruments, and innovations. Drawing on surveys of Islamic finance professionals, halal industry enterprises, and interviews with policymakers and private sector participants, the report identifies opportunities and challenges for… [Read More]
Tripartite Dialogue in Mongolia Adopts Recommendations to Promote Responsible Business and Workers’ Rights
Representatives from the Government of Mongolia, employers’ organizations, and workers’ groups developed an action plan containing key policy recommendations following a national tripartite dialogue on promoting sustainable and responsible business practices for decent work and inclusive growth, held on 14–15 October 2025. Alimaa Baasansuren, Director General of the Labour Policy Department, reaffirmed Mongolia’s commitment to… [Read More]
How a New Global Coalition Aims to Strengthen Financial Health and Resilience
A growing global focus on financial inclusion has expanded access to bank accounts and digital tools, but many people still struggle with true financial resilience. While 79% of adults worldwide now have a bank account — up from just over half in 2011 — more than two billion people remain unbanked or underbanked. Even among… [Read More]
$15 Million Investment by African Development Bank in Adenia Fund 1 to Fuel Small and Mid-Cap Enterprises
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $15 million equity investment in Adenia Entrepreneurial Fund 1 (AEF 1). The decision, made in Abidjan on 19 November 2025, aims to provide growth capital to small- and mid-cap companies across multiple African countries. These companies operate in sectors that strengthen economic resilience, including… [Read More]
From Smartphones to Fridges: UK Tackles Critical Mineral Import Reliance
The UK government has unveiled a new Critical Minerals Strategy aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on imported minerals essential for everyday technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and household appliances. The strategy sets ambitious targets, including producing 10% of the UK’s critical mineral needs domestically and meeting an additional 20% through recycling by 2035…. [Read More]
Call for Applications: Strengthen Market Access and Boost Technical Capacity for Ghanaian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
The “Strengthening the Ghanaian Pharmaceutical Sector with a Focus on Vaccine Production” (PharmaVax Ghana) programme is inviting qualified Ghanaian private pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to participate in a Call for Applications aimed at enhancing market access and technical capacity. Co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)… [Read More]
Support Fund Established for Jamaican Tourism Workers Following Hurricane Melissa
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica has established a $1 billion fund to support tourism workers affected by the storm, with strong backing from both the government and private sector. Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett highlighted the rapid mobilization of the sector, emphasizing that the country’s tourism staff are its most valuable asset. The… [Read More]
US Says Global Diversity Policies Breach Human Rights Standards
The United States has introduced new rules that classify certain diversity, equity and inclusion policies, as well as other social measures implemented by foreign governments, as potential human rights violations. According to the State Department, these instructions will guide all US embassies and consulates in their contributions to the annual human rights report, marking a… [Read More]
Improving Child Health on World Children’s Day: Expanding Access to Better Medicines
On World Children’s Day, the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations Network (GAP-f) renewed its call to improve access to essential and age-appropriate medicines for children. Despite progress in global health, millions of children—especially in low-resource settings—still face barriers to receiving the medicines they need due to gaps in research, policies, and timely investments. GAP-f emphasizes… [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]
High Sugar in Baby Foods: Nestlé Faces NGO Criticism Across Africa
Swiss NGO Public Eye has accused Nestlé of maintaining a double standard regarding the sugar content in its infant cereals sold in Africa compared to those in more developed markets. The critique, which has drawn concern from health advocates, underscores ongoing debates over nutrition and marketing practices in the global food industry. In collaboration with… [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]
