The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million policy-based loan to support reforms aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ insurance industry, fostering broader participation, and stimulating economic growth. The Insurance Reform Program, Subprogram 1, focuses on enhancing regulation and supervision, increasing long-term credit intermediation for government infrastructure projects, and creating a more efficient, consumer-oriented,… [Read More]
Industry
Strengthening Indonesia’s Economy: ADB Supports Trade, Competitiveness, and Green Initiatives
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million policy-based loan to support Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen competitiveness, promote green growth, and accelerate trade under the third subprogram of the Competitiveness, Industrial Modernization, and Trade Acceleration Program (CITA). The program aims to attract investment in sustainable businesses, reduce trade barriers, and empower local enterprises,… [Read More]
Building Africa’s Vaccine Future: EIB and EU Commission Collaborate with BioNTech
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission (EC) are partnering with BioNTech to advance a state-of-the-art mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali, Rwanda, with up to €95 million in blended financing. The funding includes a €35 million EC grant and a potential €60 million EIB loan, while a CEPI grant of up to… [Read More]
National Thematic Forum Highlights Skills and Mobility in Morocco’s Tourism Sector
A national forum held in Rabat, supported by the ILO through the THAMM Plus project and the European Union, focused on identifying skills needs in Morocco’s tourism sector and outlining a roadmap for attractive and decent professional mobility pathways between Morocco and the European Union. This forum, the culmination of two preparatory webinars held in… [Read More]
Just Transition at the Core: Bangladesh Strengthens Climate Action Commitments
Bangladesh has set a global precedent by embedding just transition principles at the core of its climate strategy in the third Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) under the Paris Agreement. Submitted to the UNFCCC on 30 September, the NDC 3.0 marks the first time the country has explicitly integrated just transition to ensure that the… [Read More]
Philippines Faces Productivity Challenge Amid Growth and Job Struggles
The Philippines has made steady progress in recent years, but its economic growth continues to lag behind regional peers. Between 2010 and 2024, the country’s GDP grew at an average of 5.3 percent—slower than Korea and Malaysia’s 7–10 percent growth during similar development phases. Most new jobs are concentrated in low-productivity, low-wage service sectors, and… [Read More]
£50 Million Investment to Advance Pioneering Mental Health Research in the UK
The UK Government has announced a £50 million investment to support groundbreaking mental health research aimed at developing more effective treatments for people living with mental health conditions. Poor mental health affects one in four people in England, with its social and economic impact costing the UK economy around £300 billion annually due to unemployment,… [Read More]
Thailand’s Rubber Industry to Benefit from New ILO-Canada Initiative
The International Labour Organization (ILO), with funding from the Government of Canada, has launched a project to support labour rights and enhance competitiveness in Thailand’s rubber sector and supply chain. Named “Strengthening Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and Trade Readiness in Thailand,” the three-year initiative was inaugurated on 10 October 2025, bringing together the… [Read More]
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Nestlé Partners with World Farmers’ Organisation
Nestlé and the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) have launched a pioneering partnership aimed at enhancing the resilience of global food systems to climate change. The collaboration focuses on advocating for fair policies and practical solutions, including regenerative agriculture, to empower farmers and support their adaptation to climate-related challenges. Arnold Puech d’Alissac, President of the WFO,… [Read More]
The Coconut Sector Reinvented: How AI is Driving Circular Economy Solutions
In the Philippines, where coconut palms shape both landscapes and livelihoods, a transformative initiative is underway to modernize the coconut sector using artificial intelligence (AI) and circular economy principles. Announced at the World Coconut Congress 2025 in Manila by the International Labour Organization (ILO), this vision aims to make coconut farming a driver of inclusive,… [Read More]
Boosting Sustainability: Ontario Commits $10M to Forest Sector Innovation
The Ontario government is investing $10 million through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program to help Daiken North America upgrade its laminated board production line at its Huntsville facility. This investment will enable the company to bring a first-of-its-kind wood panel product to market, create jobs, and boost productivity, while supporting the province’s plan… [Read More]
CLEAR Supply Chains Project Strengthens Occupational Safety in Uganda’s Coffee Industry through WIND Methodology
In September 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted a Workplace Improvement in Neighbourhood Development (WIND) training of trainers in Uganda under the CLEAR Supply Chains project, aimed at eliminating child labour in coffee supply chains. The training brought together 56 participants, including agronomists from leading coffee companies, local government officials from six districts, representatives… [Read More]
Rethinking Masculinity: Improving Safety and Health for Madagascar’s Construction Workforce
The International Labour Organization’s Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Branch has released a report examining how cultural norms around masculinity influence the health and safety of construction workers in Madagascar. Using a participative “photo-elicitation” methodology, the study engaged workers through photographs and interviews to uncover how peer dynamics and groupthink shape attitudes toward workplace safety…. [Read More]
Minsk Forum Unites Stakeholders to Build Belarus’ Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem
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]
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]
