Amnesty Tech has strongly criticized the European Commission’s proposed “digital omnibus” measures, warning that they could dismantle key protections against digital threats across the EU. Damini Satija, Programme Director at Amnesty Tech, emphasized that these proposals risk weakening people’s rights, enabling unlawful surveillance, discriminatory profiling in welfare and policing, and undermining individuals’ control over personal… [Read More]
Industry
China Five Years Post–Absolute Poverty: Achievements, Challenges and What’s Next
Five years after shedding its official poverty label, Meishu Village in central China reflects the country’s broader efforts to prevent a return to hardship after eliminating absolute poverty. The village, once isolated and constrained by barren land, began its transformation through upgraded infrastructure, improved housing and the creation of new income sources. When Yang Xiaopeng… [Read More]
Multi-Million Pound Funding Boosts UK Research and Innovation
The UK government has announced significant new funding to support pioneering life sciences projects, aiming to transform healthcare, enhance economic growth, and strengthen national renewal. This investment will back bold initiatives ranging from the use of robots in medicine production to turning spent nuclear fuel into innovative cancer therapies. It forms a key part of… [Read More]
New Strategy to Enhance Energy Infrastructure Resilience and Reliability
The UK government has announced plans to introduce its first comprehensive Energy Resilience Strategy following the North Hyde substation fire in March, which caused widespread disruption at Heathrow Airport. The incident prompted immediate action, including commissioning the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to investigate the fire and assess Britain’s energy resilience. NESO’s investigation, concluded in… [Read More]
Thailand Construction Sector: Enhancing Protection and Accountability for Migrant Workers
The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the EU-funded PROTECT Project, is collaborating with civil society and private sector partners to promote fair recruitment and decent work for migrant workers in Thailand’s construction industry. The sector depends heavily on migrant labour, with approximately 600,000 migrant workers employed in 2022, around one-third of whom are women. Many… [Read More]
The Truth About International Development Volunteering: Not Voluntourism, and Here’s Why
The recent Bond blog by Hayley Still raises valid concerns about voluntourism, but it also blurs the lines between voluntourism and international volunteering in development. This distinction is crucial, especially now, because these two practices have different histories, motivations, and impacts. While voluntourism has expanded into a large commercial industry that prioritises the experience of… [Read More]
Ghana Advances Development Goals Through Intelligent De-Risking of Private Sector Finance
Micro, small, and medium enterprises are central to Ghana’s economy, yet many business owners continue to face major barriers to financial inclusion. Although MSMEs generate most of the country’s employment and economic activity, many operate informally, lack financial literacy, and cannot access traditional financial services. As a result, they frequently rely on high-interest digital loans… [Read More]
Malaysia Launches Sustainability Training to Support Employers with New Compliance Demands
The International Labour Organization has supported the launch of a new sustainability training package designed to help Malaysian employers adapt to rising compliance standards. Introduced during an orientation session hosted by the Malaysian Employers Federation in Kuala Lumpur, the programme was developed by the University of Malaysia and will be officially launched in early 2026…. [Read More]
Pacific Fisheries to Benefit from New Agreement on Labour Standards and Worker Protection
The International Labour Organization and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a new cooperation framework to strengthen labour standards and ensure decent work across the Pacific fishing industry. The agreement aims to reinforce the implementation of key International Labour Standards, including the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, the… [Read More]
Boosting Nigeria’s Health Sector: EU Partnership to Expand Local Manufacturing
On 30 October 2025, the EU Delegation, in partnership with Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), hosted the first-ever EU-Nigeria Health Investment Forum at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. Themed “Made in Nigeria. Made for Health,” the Forum aimed to… [Read More]
Strategic Partnership Between GFTN Capital and Accion Targets Underserved Communities Through Inclusive FinTech
Singapore and Washington D.C., 12 November 2025 – GFTN Capital Pte. Ltd., a growth-equity venture firm under the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), has announced a strategic alliance with Accion, a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing inclusive financial services. The partnership aims to mobilize capital for digital finance and inclusive FinTech companies that serve… [Read More]
Advancing decent work in East Africa: ILO IMPLEMENT’s impact in Kenya and Uganda
In October, over 60 representatives from governments, social partners, and civil society in Kenya and Uganda participated in a series of activities under the ILO IMPLEMENT project, funded by the Government of Flanders, Belgium, to advance decent work through trade and investment policy. The programme, facilitated by experts from the ILO Research Department and the… [Read More]
New ILO–FFA Partnership Aims to Improve Decent Work in Pacific Fishing Sector
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen labour standards and ensure decent working conditions across the Pacific fishing industry. The agreement establishes a cooperation framework focused on improving the treatment and protection of fishers in one of the region’s most… [Read More]
Government of Canada Invests in Women’s Sports to Strengthen Communities and the Economy
The Government of Canada has announced its intention to invest up to $5.45 million in the growth of the Northern Super League (NSL), Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. The announcement was made during the NSL Final at BMO Field in Toronto, a landmark event that celebrates not only sporting excellence but also community pride,… [Read More]
Faster Climate Insurance Payouts Proposed by Kenya Government
The Kenyan government is proposing new rules to protect farmers from the increasing impacts of climate change by requiring insurers to settle claims on weather-related policies within 10 days. The draft regulation focuses on index-based, or parametric, insurance, which pays out based on a predetermined variable such as rainfall, rather than individual claim assessments. The… [Read More]
Indigenous Activists Storm COP30 Summit in Brazil, Demand Stronger Climate Action
Hundreds of people joined an Indigenous-led protest during the second day of the COP30 UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil, drawing attention to growing tensions over the Brazilian government’s claim that Indigenous voices are central to the event. The protest escalated when dozens of Indigenous activists forced their way into the conference venue after a… [Read More]
UK Invests £21 Million to Strengthen Cyber Security Through Advanced Hardware Technology
The UK government has announced up to £21 million in new funding to boost cyber security by embedding advanced protections directly into the hardware of digital systems. This investment, delivered through Innovate UK and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, will help ensure that everything from critical infrastructure to household devices benefits from stronger,… [Read More]
UK Government Teams Up with The King’s Trust and Idris Elba to Expand Creative Industry Pathways for Youth
The government has announced a £500,000 investment to expand Creative Futures, a programme delivered by The King’s Trust in partnership with the Elba Hope Foundation. The initiative aims to break down barriers that prevent young people from entering creative fields such as music, theatre, media and visual arts. In its first year, more than 100… [Read More]
R15 Billion South African Infrastructure Bond Aims to Boost Investment in Key Projects
South Africa is set to launch a R15 billion infrastructure bond to fund critical infrastructure projects, aiming to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana highlighted in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) that the government will also contribute R2 billion to capitalise a Credit Guarantee Vehicle, initially focused on expanding electricity… [Read More]
Guinea Plans Sovereign Wealth Fund Supported by Simandou Mining Revenue in 2026
Guinea’s planning minister has announced plans to launch a sovereign wealth fund in the second quarter of 2026, starting with an initial investment of $1 billion. The fund will leverage revenues from the country’s newly operational Simandou Iron Ore Mine to invest in long-term projects in education, infrastructure, agriculture, and industry, aiming to shield the… [Read More]
Strengthening EU-Laos Relations Through Sustainable Tourism Dialogue
The European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, in collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Laos, hosted the EU–Laos Business Talk & Networking event in Luang Prabang to mark the 50th anniversary of EU–Laos relations. The event was co-chaired by Mr. Mark Gallagher, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, and Mr. Bounleua Sinxayvoravong,… [Read More]
Commissioner Síkela Announces €200 Million Team Europe Investment to Boost Zambia’s Industry
In Lusaka, Zambia, on 12 November 2025, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela announced over €200 million in Team Europe investments to boost Zambia’s industrial growth, skills development, and sustainable development under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The announcement was made at the EU–Zambia Lobito Corridor Business Forum, co-opened by President Hakainde Hichilema, which… [Read More]
Building a Sustainable Future: How Mongolian Businesses Embrace Integrity and Accountability
Over 70 leading Mongolian companies gathered in Ulaanbaatar for a national business conference focused on integrity, compliance, and sustainability. Jointly organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), the event aimed to strengthen corporate responsibility and sustainable business practices. The conference, held on 6 November 2025,… [Read More]
