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Cities Globally Leverage Local Food Systems to Enhance Food Security and Resilience

Cities Globally Leverage Local Food Systems to Enhance Food Security and Resilience

A recent session, sponsored by CIHEAM Bari and held during the World Farmers Markets Coalition’s Fourth General Assembly in Nairobi, focused on how cities can utilize local food systems to bolster food security, resilience, and sustainable territorial development. The discussion brought together international organizations and local government representatives from Africa and Europe to explore the strategic role of local food systems. Experts highlighted that local food systems, which integrate production, markets, consumption, natural resources, communities, and institutions, are crucial for strengthening territories. The session emphasized that 'local' refers to a strategic, place-based approach that understands food movement within a territory and fosters collaboration among various actors. Examples from cities like Cagliari, Italy; Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; and Kisumu, Kenya, showcased diverse approaches to integrating food into strategic planning and local development. The event also formed part ...
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Global Water Scarcity Intensifies, Driving Diverse Adaptation Strategies Across Nations

Global Water Scarcity Intensifies, Driving Diverse Adaptation Strategies Across Nations

Roughly half of the world's population experiences severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, a figure projected to rise due to climate change, population growth, and increasing demand, according to the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Countries are implementing varied strategies to cope with these pressures. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), an arid nation with scarce rainfall and no permanent rivers, relies heavily on desalination of seawater for its drinking water supply. The UAE is also actively promoting water security on the international stage, co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference. In contrast, Uzbekistan, where agriculture is a cornerstone of its economy, depends on extensive irrigation networks to transport water across dry landscapes to farmlands. Modernization efforts, such as a World Bank-backed project in the Fergana Valley, have improved irrigation infrastructure, including pumping stations and pipelines, to enhance water delivery and allow for cultivation of previou...
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Kenya Secures World Bank Emergency Financing to Bolster Climate and Health Resilience

Kenya Secures World Bank Emergency Financing to Bolster Climate and Health Resilience

Kenya is leveraging emergency financing from the World Bank to enhance its preparedness and response capabilities for climate-related disasters and public health emergencies. This funding aims to provide the government with immediate resources to address severe shocks such as floods, droughts, and disease outbreaks without solely relying on pre-allocated domestic funds. The initiative is part of Kenya's broader strategy to fortify its health system against climate impacts. Preparations for the 2026 El Niño season include strengthening disease surveillance, safeguarding vulnerable health facilities, ensuring the availability of medicines and vaccines, monitoring water safety, and establishing emergency response teams across all 47 counties. Officials have highlighted that flooding can escalate the risks of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and malaria, while simultaneously disrupting access to healthcare services. The World Bank's crisis-financing framework is designed to offer additional support for major na...
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World Bank sees Nigeria growth averaging 4.4% through 2028

World Bank sees Nigeria growth averaging 4.4% through 2028

By Camillus Eboh ABUJA, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Nigeria's economy is expected to grow by an average of 4.4% a year through 2028, with inflation and poverty declining if the government sustains reforms and improves service delivery, the World Bank said on Thursday.
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FTC and USDA Launch Joint Inquiry into Agricultural Equipment Market Practices

FTC and USDA Launch Joint Inquiry into Agricultural Equipment Market Practices

FTC and USDA Launch Joint Inquiry into Agricultural Equipment Market Practices
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Smart Agriculture Market Projected to Reach $58.59 Billion by 2035, Driven by Technology Adoption

Smart Agriculture Market Projected to Reach $58.59 Billion by 2035, Driven by Technology Adoption

Smart Agriculture Market Projected to Reach $58.59 Billion by 2035, Driven by Technology Adoption
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Multilateral Development Banks Call for Increased Investment in Fertilizer Supply Chains to Combat Crisis

Multilateral Development Banks Call for Increased Investment in Fertilizer Supply Chains to Combat Crisis

Six multilateral development banks and international financial institutions, including the AfDB Group, ADB, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Bank Group, have issued a joint statement urging greater investment across fertilizer supply chains. This call encompasses production, processing, blending, storage, transportation, and other critical infrastructure. The statement also advocates for improvements in soil diagnostics, fertilizer recommendations, precision nutrient management, digital agriculture, farmer advisory services, research, innovation, and market monitoring. This initiative aims to build more robust systems that ensure the continuous movement of agricultural inputs and food, addressing the current fertilizer crisis and strengthening resilience against future shocks.
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Lithuania Allocates Additional €15 Million for Ukraine's Recovery Through World Bank and EIB

Lithuania Allocates Additional €15 Million for Ukraine's Recovery Through World Bank and EIB

Lithuania has committed an additional €15 million to support Ukraine's recovery and enhance its resilience. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga announced that these funds will be channeled through the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Sibiga expressed gratitude to Lithuania, highlighting its consistent support for Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict and its provision of practical solutions for the country's recovery and strengthening. This allocation comes as Lithuania has also extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2028, though with certain caveats. Separately, Ukrainian authorities have proposed to the European Union to exclude men aged 23 to 60 from the temporary protection mechanism, referring to draft-eligible Ukrainian citizens currently residing in EU countries.
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Anabel González Appointed Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at IDB

Anabel González Appointed Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at IDB

Anabel González has been appointed as the Vice President for Countries and Regional Integration at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with her tenure beginning on September 1, 2023. González brings over 30 years of experience in economic development, specializing in trade, investment, competitiveness, and the private sector. Her extensive career includes roles in international organizations, the public sector, consulting, and research. Prior to joining the IDB, she served as Deputy Director-General at the World Trade Organization (WTO) from June 2021 to August 2023, where she facilitated trade negotiations and oversaw divisions related to economic research, market access, services trade and investment, and intellectual property. She also held positions as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and as Senior Director of the World Bank’s Global Practice on Trade & Competitiveness. In her public sector experience, González served as Costa Rica's Minister of T...
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UN Human Rights Council Extends Sudan Fact-Finding Mission Amid Condemnation of War

UN Human Rights Council Extends Sudan Fact-Finding Mission Amid Condemnation of War

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution condemning the ongoing war in Sudan and extending the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan for another year. The resolution, passed with 28 votes in favor, 10 against, and 9 abstentions, strongly condemns external interference, including weapons supplies and the deployment of foreign fighters, fueling the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The council urged all Sudanese parties and external actors to respect Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, comply with UN Security Council resolutions, and halt military support to warring factions. The resolution also highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis, with over 33 million people requiring aid, 11.3 million internally displaced, and 4.6 million refugees in neighboring countries. It warned of severe acute food insecurity affecting 19.5 million people, with famine conditions threatening 14 areas in Darfur and South Kordofa...
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South Asia growth holds firm, but energy shock, weather pose risks, says World Bank economist

South Asia growth holds firm, but energy shock, weather pose risks, says World Bank economist

By Shubham Batra NEW DELHI, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The World Bank raised its growth forecast for South Asia, citing resilient consumer demand despite an energy shock, but warned that persistently high oil prices, a severe weather shock and a global market correction could threaten the region's outlook.
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World Bank Reports Slower Growth in Europe and Central Asia Amid Global Headwinds

World Bank Reports Slower Growth in Europe and Central Asia Amid Global Headwinds

World Bank Reports Slower Growth in Europe and Central Asia Amid Global Headwinds