Alexandra is pursuing her passion for bio-entrepreneurship at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, Sophia is advancing her studies in microbiology within the multicultural academic environment of the University of Sorbonne, and Thodoris is focusing on socially impactful machine learning applications at MIT as part of his Master’s in Business Analytics. Their academic journeys were made… [Read More]
WHO
OPCW Syria Missions Receive €2 Million Contribution from Germany
The Government of Germany has contributed €2 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund for Syria Missions, formalized on 15 December 2025 during a signing ceremony at the OPCW headquarters in The Hague. The agreement was signed by Germany’s Ambassador to the OPCW, H.E. Thomas Schieb, and OPCW Director-General… [Read More]
One Health Workshop in Serbia Boosts Collaboration Across Human, Animal, and Environmental Health
Serbia advanced its health security and cross-sector collaboration during a two-day workshop titled “From theory to practice: Implementing the One Health approach holistically,” held in Belgrade on 1–2 December 2025. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in its role as the current chair of the Quadripartite, with support from… [Read More]
Innovative FAO Mesh Grid Technology Enhances Rural Energy Security in Jamaica
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Jamaica Country Office, hosted a webinar on Mesh Grid Systems for Innovative Rural Energy Communities (MIREC) on 15 December 2025. The virtual event brought together over 40 energy experts, policymakers, and development practitioners to explore resilient, low-emission rural energy planning. The session focused… [Read More]
Improving Premature Newborn Survival: Lithuania’s Policy Approach
Lithuania has launched a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for preterm and sick newborns, positioning the country as a leader in Europe’s efforts to secure the well-being of its youngest citizens. The announcement, made through a Call to Action at the Growing Europe 2025 summit in Vilnius, was attended by Lithuania’s… [Read More]
Saving Lives: The Role of Midwives in Central African Republic’s Maternal Health
Bangui — The Central African Republic faces one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with 829 deaths per 100,000 live births recorded in 2023. Many women give birth far from health facilities, face long travel distances, and encounter limited resources, while cultural beliefs sometimes prevent access to care. Fewer than half of pregnant women… [Read More]
Building Zambia’s Health Future: Development Through Stronger Health Systems
Zambia continues to show strong political commitment to advancing health and well-being, recognizing that a healthy population underpins sustainable development. Increased investments in health financing, disease prevention, and system strengthening reflect this understanding, with the World Health Organization (WHO) partnering closely to support these efforts. Hon. Moses F. Moyo, Second Deputy Speaker of the National… [Read More]
Young Women Leading Peacebuilding: Stories from Tbilisi and Beyond
In a region long overshadowed by conflict, a new generation of women leaders is quietly reshaping peacebuilding efforts. At the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Youth Forum in Riyadh, young women from the South Caucasus showcased how reconciliation can be fostered not through formal negotiations, but through everyday conversations in courtyards, virtual sessions, and cross-border… [Read More]
Smart Agribusiness in the Philippines: One Young Farmer’s Success Story
Maria Joyce Escosa, a 24-year-old farmer from Igbaras, Philippines, has successfully grown her organic farm despite a general trend of young people showing less interest in agriculture. Combining traditional farming with modern techniques, she cultivates and sells vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, chillies, and okra, while also retailing produce from fellow farmers and offering home… [Read More]
Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Leveraging Finance and Insurance for Sustainable Farming
The article draws insights from UNDP’s side event at the 8th World Congress on Rural and Agricultural Finance in Mombasa, Kenya, which led to the adoption of the Mombasa Declaration. The declaration calls on financial institutions to implement de-risking mechanisms, including agricultural insurance, to support smallholder farmers who are increasingly exposed to climate-related hazards. Over… [Read More]
People Living with HIV Share Perspectives on HIV Service Integration Across Six Countries
In early 2025, the global HIV response was thrown into crisis as abrupt funding cuts from major international donors led to clinic closures, layoffs of health workers, and the collapse of community programmes that had supported millions for decades. For people living with HIV, these cuts translated into missed appointments, treatment interruptions, medication stockouts, and… [Read More]
Over £1 Billion Allocated to Help Domestic Abuse Survivors Access Support in the UK
The UK government has announced a major increase in funding to support victims of domestic abuse, adding £19 million to existing allocations for safe accommodation, counselling, court guidance, and children’s services. This investment comes on top of £480 million already confirmed in local government budgets and £550 million across the justice system over the next… [Read More]
World Bank Approves $150 Million Financing to Boost Private Sector and Employment in Togo
The World Bank Group has approved a $150 million International Development Association (IDA) operation to support Togo in implementing structural reforms aimed at boosting private investment, creating quality jobs, and laying the foundation for inclusive and resilient economic growth. This operation is the first in a three-year programmatic series designed to address key drivers of… [Read More]
Humanitarian Workers in Tunisia Face Bogus Criminal Trial: Authorities Must Act Now
Tunisian authorities are being urged to immediately drop charges against six staff members of the French NGO France Terre d’Asile, who are facing a criminal trial for their humanitarian work with refugees and migrants. Three of the staff, including Sherifa Riahi and Mohamed Joo, have been held in arbitrary pretrial detention for over 19 months,… [Read More]
New Frontiers in Anti-Corruption: Why Integrity Will Shape Asia’s Future
Six years ago, the author questioned whether Asia’s future could break from its past if corruption continued to distort public institutions, development outcomes, and public trust. On the International Day for Anti-Corruption, these concerns remain highly relevant as corruption in the form of state capture, bribery, abuse of power, and embezzlement continues to shape how… [Read More]
East Asia Research Receives $4.4 Million Grant for Scientific Advancement
The Australian Government is investing $4.4 million to enhance research innovation in the East Asia region by supporting Australian participation in leading international collaborative health and medical research. This funding targets transnational projects under the NHMRC e-ASIA 2025 Joint Research Program (JRP), which promotes multilateral research collaboration and encourages interaction among researchers through scientific workshops…. [Read More]
Civil Society Urges African Leaders to Secure Fair Terms After Kenya Halts US Health Agreement
Kenya’s High Court has suspended the implementation of the country’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States following two separate court challenges by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) and local Senator Okiya Omtatah. COFEK argued that the agreement violates Kenya’s Data Protection Act, Digital Health Act, Health Act, and other regulations designed to… [Read More]
Sudan Conflict: Humanitarian Deal Opens Path to Aid for El Fasher
United Nations humanitarian agencies have warned that the essentials for survival in El Fasher have been completely destroyed after the town was overrun by Rapid Support Forces fighters in October following a prolonged siege. With communications largely cut off, limited information from the ground indicates catastrophic conditions, with between 70,000 and 100,000 people believed to… [Read More]
Iraq Reaches Post-Conflict Milestone as UN Mission Prepares to Exit
In an interview with UN News, Mohamed Al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMI, said the Mission’s planned closure reflects the profound transformation Iraq has undergone since UNAMI was established in 2003, when the country was emerging from dictatorship, regional wars and the violence of ISIL. He recalled that the Mission… [Read More]
Youth Urged to Champion Global Peace by UN Alliance of Civilizations
Ahead of the 11th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Miguel Ángel Moratinos urged youth worldwide to reclaim peace as a global priority. He emphasized that the future depends on a generation willing to prioritize dialogue over division and humanity over hatred, highlighting the critical role young people play in… [Read More]
UK PACT 2.0 Fund Boosts UK-Malaysia Climate Partnership
The United Kingdom and Malaysia have strengthened their climate partnership with the launch of the second phase of the Malaysia-UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) Fund, the UK’s largest bilateral climate programme in Malaysia. The fund will focus on accelerating progress in green finance and carbon markets, supporting Malaysia’s efforts to achieve its… [Read More]
2025 Milestones in Social Health Protection Highlighted by ILO
GENEVA (ILO News) – On International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, the ILO reaffirmed its commitment to a rights-based approach to achieving health for all. Throughout 2025, the organization collaborated with governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and international partners to strengthen social health protection systems and support countries in advancing toward universal health coverage. A… [Read More]
Assessor Training in Bishoftu Boosts Ethiopia’s Recognition of Prior Learning Initiative
Ethiopia is advancing the national rollout of its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system, with 35 assessors completing a four-day training in Bishoftu under the ILO Global Skills Programme, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. The training aimed to build assessor capacity to recognise the skills of competent but unqualified workers, paving the… [Read More]
