Development finance gap risks reversing decades of progress

© ILO/Zoll Rabe Men work on the Ambondromisotra drain in Madagascar.This article is published in association with United Nations. Global fragmentation, deepening geopolitical tensions and conflicts are putting decades of development progress at risk, the UN warned in a report published on Thursday – calling for stepping up investment to meet internationally agreed goals.  The 2026 Financing for Sustainable Development Report assesses progress on the Sevilla Commitment, a 2025 […]

Development finance gap risks reversing decades of progress

© ILO/Zoll Rabe Men work on the Ambondromisotra drain in Madagascar.This article is published in association with United Nations. Global fragmentation, deepening geopolitical tensions and conflicts are putting decades of development progress at risk, the UN warned in a report published on Thursday – calling for stepping up investment to meet internationally agreed goals.  The 2026 Financing for Sustainable Development Report assesses progress on the Sevilla Commitment, a […]

Developing countries are being priced out, in struggle for affordable finance

UN Photo/Evan Schneider Clean Drinking Water Runs From a Faucet in SenegalThis article is published in association with United Nations. Developing countries are being priced out of the affordable finance they desperately need for sustainable development, with sovereign credit ratings often overstating risk and overlooking long-term economic potential, the UN said on Monday. A credit rating is an assessment of how likely a borrower, such as a government, is to […]

EIB Global and Techcombank announce €200 million credit line for climate investments in Viet Nam

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) have announced a €200 million financing agreement to accelerate climate action and environmental sustainability projects across Viet Nam. The long-term financing facility aims to bridge the financing […]

EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, […]

Women’s representation in parliament sees sluggish gains

© IPU/Pierre Albouy Women parliamentary leaders unite for gender equality and peace at the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. .This article is published in association with United Nations. Women held 27.5 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide as the year began –a 0.3 per cent increase from 2025, marking the slowest growth in nearly a decade, according to a new report from the UN-backed Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).  The report titled Women in parliament 2025 released […]

EIB and WTO sign first agreement to strengthen cooperation on global trade and investment

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat have taken an unprecedented step to support sustainable global commerce and economic development. The EIB Group’s arm for international partnerships and development finance, EIB Global, and the WTO Secretariat today signed a Memorandum of Understanding […]

EIB and Canada team up to strengthen critical raw material resilience

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Canada have taken an important step toward strengthening cooperation on critical raw materials. At the PDAC 2026 conference in Toronto, the two sides signed a non‑binding Letter of Intent, signalling their commitment to closer cooperation on securing […]

EU–US trade legislation: legislative work on hold following US Supreme Court ruling 

Statement by the European Commission on the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individualsThis article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Bernd Lange, chair of Parliament’s International Trade Committee and standing rapporteur for the US, issued the following statement. Following a meeting of the committee’s shadow rapporteurs (i.e. political group representatives), Bernd Lange (S&D, DE) said: “The ruling by the Supreme Court of the United […]

Brazil Can Boost Growth by Bringing More Women into the Labor Force

BrazilThis article is published in association with IMF. Priority reforms include improving childcare, recalibrating social transfers, and closing wage gaps When Brazil’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.2 percent in November 2025—the lowest in a quarter century—it punctuated an impressive turnaround from the pandemic. Yet, while men’s participation in the labor market has returned to its pre-COVID […]

MEPs stress the importance of independent central banks in times of heightened tension

MEPs stress the importance of independent central banks in times of heightened tensionThis article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its annual review of the European Central Bank’s policies and its recommendations for 2026. The vote followed a debate with ECB President Lagarde on Monday. The adopted text says the European Central Bank’s (ECB) independence is essential for it to […]

EU-US trade legislation: MEPs to resume work on Turnberry proposals 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Bernd Lange, chair of Parliament’s International Trade Committee and standing rapporteur for the US, has issued the following statement regarding the EU-US trade deal. Following a Wednesday afternoon meeting of the committee’s shadow rapporteurs (i.e. political group representatives responsible for work on the legislation […]

EU-US trade legislation: MEPs to resume work on Turnberry proposals

Statement by the European Commission on the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individualsThis article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Bernd Lange, chair of Parliament’s International Trade Committee and standing rapporteur for the US, has issued the following statement regarding the EU-US trade deal. Following a Wednesday afternoon meeting of the committee’s shadow rapporteurs (i.e. political group representatives responsible for work on the legislation […]

EU and Viet Nam upgrade ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union and Viet Nam have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, strengthening ties in areas such as trade, energy, climate and security. This marks an important step forward after 35 years of working together. The EU and Viet […]

Towards 2030: A Joint European Union-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. This Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, endorsed at the 16th EU-India Summit held on 27 January 2026 in New Delhi, aims to further reinforce the strategic partnership by broadening, deepening and better coordinating EU-India cooperation to deliver mutually beneficial, concrete and transformative outcomes for […]

16th EU-India Summit: advancing our Strategic Partnership across trade and defence

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Union and India are holding their 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi, opening a whole new chapter in the EU-India Strategic Partnership. The successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the launch of an EU-India Security and Defence Partnership […]

World enters era of ‘global water bankruptcy’

UN News/Alban Mendes de Leon MINUSCA troops survey Central African Republic’s open border with Sudan. Villagers move back and forth freely – by foot, on the back of a donkey, or with cattle. Armed men cross, too.This article is published in association with United Nations. The world has moved beyond a water crisis and into a state of global water bankruptcy, says a new flagship report released on Tuesday by UN researchers. For decades, scientists, policymakers and the media warned of a “global water crisis,” implying temporary shock – followed by recovery.  […]

As Korea Ages, Fiscal Reforms Can Help Safeguard Government Finances

SeoulThis article is published in association with IMF. Thoughtful policy changes can help ensure spending pressures remain contained, while creating space to care for elderly people and respond to economic shocks  Korea’s population is aging faster than almost any other country. That’s because people live longer than in most other countries, while the birth rate is […]

Commission presents a financial support package for Ukraine for 2026–2027

Commission supports the EU's eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and UkraineThis article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission adopted a set of legislative proposals to secure continuous financial support to Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. This marks a significant milestone in the EU’s strong support for the country’s defence against Russia’s war of aggression. The legislative package consists […]

UN, US sign $2 billion humanitarian funding agreement for 17 crisis-hit countries

UN, US sign $2 billion humanitarian funding agreement for 17 crisis-hit countriesThis article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations and the United States on Monday formalized an agreement under which the US committed $2 billion in humanitarian assistance for global relief programmes, a move the UN’s top relief official hailed as a landmark commitment to saving lives amid escalating humanitarian needs worldwide. Speaking […]

Prevention, investment and reform in healthcare bring economic prosperity

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. A new report published as part of the State of Health in the EU shows Europe urgently needs innovative and resilient health systems to improve healthcare and boost competitiveness. With pressing challenges such as ageing populations and non-communicable diseases, EU Member States are now […]

Commission announces strategic approach to strengthen Europe’s economic security

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission and the High Representative presented a Joint Communication on strengthening Economic Security. It outlines concrete steps to reinforce the EU’s strength and resilience in the face of growing external economic threats, while retaining our openness and commitment to international trade […]

World News in Brief: Global economy ‘on the brink’, ending slavery, Latin America jobs update

World News in Brief: Global economy ‘on the brink’, ending slavery, Latin America jobs updateThis article is published in association with United Nations. Global economic growth will slow to 2.6 per cent in 2025, down from 2.9 per cent in 2024, as global trade and investment face growing pressure from financial volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, according to a new report by the UN Trade and Development body (UNCTAD).  Shifts in […]

Gaza facing worst economic collapse ever recorded, UN trade agency warns

This article is published in association with United Nations. The Occupied Palestinian Territory is now in its deepest economic crisis ever recorded, with Gaza suffering an “unprecedented and catastrophic” collapse, according to a new report from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) presented in Geneva on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch of UNCTAD’s 2025 […]

Ahead of G20 Summit, EU and South Africa advance cooperation on clean trade and investment

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU and South Africa have just signed a landmark Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, along with a new cooperation agreement on minerals and metals value chains and new projects under Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy for the world. Announced by President Ursula von […]

Commission proposes strengthened cooperation to combat tax fraud

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission proposed an amendment to strengthen cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘EPPO’), the European Anti-Fraud Office (‘OLAF’), and Member States. The proposal provides a legal basis for the exchange of information and access to VAT data, enhancing the EU’s […]

Belize Invests in Infrastructure to Boost Growth Potential

This article is published in association with IMF. By Ziad Amer, Bunyada Laoprapassorn, and Shane Lowe Country seeks to tackle tourism bottlenecks, improve access to credit, and expand its labor force Blessed by nature with lush forests, coral reefs and a strategic location near Mexico and the United States, Belize’s economy is highly reliant on tourism, […]

At the CELAC-EU Summit, Europe and Latin America chart a common course for a fair partnership

European Commission issues €11 billion in its 2nd syndicated transaction of 2026This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. At the CELAC-EU Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, the European Union and 33 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) renewed their commitment to defending a peaceful global order, rooted in democracy, social justice, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The leaders […]

Nearly a third of Jamaica’s annual wealth wiped out by Hurricane Melissa

This article is published in association with United Nations. Around 1.5 million Jamaicans have been impacted by Hurricane Melissa – the worst climate disaster in the Caribbean nation’s history, said the top UN development official in the region on Thursday. Kishan Khoday, Resident Representative for the UN Development Programme (UNDP), told journalists at UN Headquarters in […]

$31 trillion debt is holding back developing countries, UN trade summit hears

This article is published in association with United Nations. Holding the line on the existing rules-based international trading system remains an essential challenge if the world is the keep a damaging tariff war at bay, a top UN trade official said on Monday. Addressing the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s 195 Member States in Geneva, Rebeca […]

UN faces ‘race to bankruptcy’ as Guterres unveils sharply reduced 2026 budget

This article is published in association with United Nations. The United Nations faces a “race to bankruptcy” unless Member States pay their dues in full and on time, Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Friday, presenting a sharply reduced $3.238 billion regular budget for 2026. The revised proposal marks a significant drop from his original ask for […]

EIB Group to boost investments outside EU to up to €10 billion annually

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has approved strategic orientations for EIB Global, its international partnerships and development arm. The plan targets global challenges and amplifies Europe’s voice in a changing geopolitical landscape. It streamlines support for high-impact projects in over 130 countries, aligned with local […]

Global Gateway Forum: the European Commission and World Bank Group deepen partnership for infrastructure and jobs

Commission proposes Industrial Accelerator Act to strengthen industry and create jobs in EuropeThis article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission, in line with its Global Gateway investment strategy, and the World Bank Group are deepening their strategic partnership to drive a new generation of connectivity projects. An initial pipeline of projects includes 18 high-impact investments in three strategic sectors (energy, transport, […]
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