The United Nations has finalised the revised estimates for its 2026 proposed programme budget, outlining more than $500 million in reductions, while also introducing the first measures of the UN80 Initiative – a wider effort to make the Organisation more effective and resilient as it marks its 80th anniversary. The revised estimates, communicated on Monday…
Borrowing costs for governments and businesses in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya have risen in the last five years due to policy weaknesses, unfavourable market conditions and inflation, according to a study by Moody’s Ratings published yesterday. Although economies in the region face ever-rising funding needs to keep development and growth on track, they have…
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will kick-off in Morocco in exactly 100 days, bringing together passionate fans from across the continent and showcasing Africa’s football excellence to the world. Africa’s biggest sporting event is expected to break the records set by the hugely successful 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire, which attracted a…
Oslo — Ahead of the Africa Climate Summit, Policy reporter Will Worley spoke to one of the early drafters of the new Common African Position. A few years ago, the link between climate change and conflict was a niche policy area. It has now begun to dominate UN climate summits. That recognition is about to…
Brazil — THE BRICS list now includes eleven full members. Six other countries, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia joined the original founding countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In July 2025, Saudi Arabia formally became a full member, marking another milestone in the history of the alliance. South African…
President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of numerous NATO countries were set to hold a virtual meeting Wednesday ahead of Friday’s scheduled summit in Alaska between Mr. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Trump is slated to be in the White House. Zelenskyy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, the…
Awaza, Turkmenistan — Once relegated to the periphery of Africa’s economic map due to their lack of coastline, the continent’s landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are now reframing their geographic constraints as gateways to opportunity. At the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries held this week in Awaza, Turkmenistan, the UN Development Programme (UNDP)…
Awaza, Turkmenistan — “The term ‘negotiation’ must be understood in ethical context… When an arsonist comes and burns down my house and then asks me to negotiate so I can rebuild my house, that becomes the paradox.” With these searing words, Malawi’s Vice President Michael Bizwick Usi cut through the diplomatic pleasantries at a high-level…
Trapped by geography and squeezed by global market forces, the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries remain among the poorest – and most overlooked. At a major UN conference underway this week in Awaza, Turkmenistan, calls are growing to tackle the high trade costs, investment gaps and growing digital divide that continue to hold these countries…
ADDIS ABABA – Trade corridors, streamlined transit systems, and deeper regional integration are essential lifelines for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said. He made the remark recently at the opening of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs (LLDC3) in Awaza, Turkmenistan. In his address, Guterres urged world leaders to rethink global…
