The G20: how it works and why it matters
7/3/2025: The US seems intent on undermining the existing world order, raising concerns about mechanisms for global cooperation, such as the G20. The G20 tends to work well as a cooperative forum when the world is confronting an economic crisis but less well when confronted with other types of crises such as the COVID pandemic.
Source: The Conversation
Up to one million Syrians plan to return home in desperation
7/3/2025: As of January, more than 3.4 million internally displaced persons were still in the northwest of Syria and a significant proportion are planning to return to their homes in the near future, placing additional strain on already overstretched basic services and infrastructure. Former frontline areas in the Idleb and Aleppo governorates are the primary intended destinations.
Source: UN News
Israel again blocks Gaza aid, further risking lives
5/3/2025: Since March 2 the Israeli government has again blocked all aid entering Gaza, including fuel, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. Supplies of food and water are at imminent risk. Israel as a warring party has an obligation to facilitate humanitarian aid, ceasefire or not, according to Human Rights Watch.
Source: Human Rights Watch
It’s time for a woman to be UN Secretary-General
5/3/2025: As the UN prepares to host the 69th Commission on the Status of Women in New York, the UN itself remains stuck in a cycle of male dominance. There is no real collective effort to break the all-male stronghold at the highest leadership level. The 1 for 8 Billion Civicus campaign calls on UN member States to nominate feminist women candidates for the appointment of the next Secretary-General.
Source: Inter Press Service
Gaza ceasefire looks doomed as Israel blockades humanitarian aid
4/3/2025: On March 1, as stage one of the ceasefire was due to end, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full blockade of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. A Middle East expert answers questions as to what is happening and how this situation may play out.
Source: The Conversation
New report finds sexist laws persist worldwide
4/3/2025: Research by Equality Now for International Women's Day reveals that while some commendable gains have been achieved in strengthening legal protections for women and girls over the past five years, progress is under threat from a growing backlash against women’s rights. Prospects for Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality are a concern.
Source: Inter Press Service
The 2026 Aid Transparency Index is canceled. Here’s what it means.
4/3/2025: The CEO of Publish What You Fund has announced that the 2026 Aid Transparency Index will not be produced due to failure to secure funding. Since 2012, every two years, the Index has independently assessed and ranked the transparency of the world’s 50 largest aid agencies. Without it, an unchecked decline in aid transparency is likely.
Source: Devex
Launch of $750M African climate-resilient infrastructure fund
4/3/2025: The Africa Finance Corporation has closed the first round of financing for a new fund focused on climate-resilient infrastructure on the continent. Designed to accelerate climate adaptation, the fund has attracted significant support from the Green Climate Fund and the European Investment Bank.
Source: Devex
Almost 80,000 flee DR Congo amid fighting, sexual violence
4/3/2025: Armed clashes between government forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have created insecurity and horrific sexual violence, according to the UN Refugee Agency Close to 80,000 people have fled into neighbouring countries.
Source: UN News
Does Trump administration threaten survival of the UN?
3/3/2025: The UN is on the verge of fighting for its survival, as the Trump administration continues with its threats to drastically cut funding and pull out of several UN agencies. The US currently provides 22 percent of the UN budget.
Source: Inter Press Service