Nearly 65% of adults in the Arab region remain excluded from formal financial systems, according to a new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Annual SDG Review 2025 paints a sobering picture of persistent financial exclusion that is undermining the region’s ability …
There are still 2.8 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean cooking solutions, a figure that has remained stubbornly high. This persistent gap shows that despite huge efforts, cookstove initiatives have largely failed to reach scale. Among other issues, access to affordable finance is still an immense barrier. Of …
Over the years, there has been a gradual recognition of the potentially important role to be played by the states in helping India achieve its renewable energy (RE) targets, with national agencies emphasising a vertical integration of the RE policy and a strengthening of state capacities. At present, states policies …
The report summarizes the findings and recommendations developed and agreed by the Task Force since its inception in November 2018. It is based on an extensive engagement with stakeholders and research. It sets out an ambitious but achievable set of recommendations that could make a major difference in achieving our …
The study finds that while micro enterprise financing in Samoa is accessible to much of the population, only 50 per cent of small and medium enterprise (SMEs) have obtained commercial finance. The studies analyse the supply and demand of financial services for MSMEs within Samoa’s existing policy and regulatory frameworks …
A central concept in the report is that of the integrated landscape investment portfolio.This is a set of investments across sectors that contribute to landscape-scale objectives as defined through an integrated landscape management (ILM) process. This portfolio approach can address shortcomings of project-based, sector-focused finance, reduce investment risks and costs, …
Recent technological advancements have ushered in a new era of the “internet of bodies” (IoB), with an unprecedented number of connected devices and sensors being affixed to or even implanted and ingested into the human body. The IoB generates tremendous amounts of biometric and human behavioral data. This is, in …
In recent years, along with the growing recognition of the rural gender gap in financial access as a key constraint to rural development, research has focused increasingly more towards analysing in depth the financial habits and patterns followed by women in rural areas, in order to produce observations and insights …
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Punjab Dyers Association Vs Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change & Others dated 24/07/2020. The proceedings in the matter were initiated on a grievance put forward by the Punjab Dyers Association that payment of amount as per applicable scheme …
Order of the Supreme Court of India in the matter of Bar Council of India Vs Union of India & Others dated 22/07/2020. The matter related to financial aid for members of bar affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the lives of citizens and …
Africa’s economic growth has stabilized at 3.4 percent in 2019 and is expected to pick up to 3.9 percent in 2020 and 4.1 percent in 2021 but to remain below historical highs.Growth’s fundamentals are also improving, with a gradual shift from private consumption toward investment and exports. For the first …
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item published in "The Times of India" Authored by Vijay Pinjarkar Titled "String of new road projects in Maha to cut off tiger corridors" dated 07/07/2020. The issue for consideration is the obstruction of tiger corridors by new road …
The Independent Evaluation Office of IFAD (IOE) has prepared a project performance evaluation (PPE) report on the Tejaswini Rural Women’s Empowerment Programme. The project was implemented in India, in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, between 2007 and 2018. The evaluation found that the project demonstrated a promising model …
India is ranked the fifth most vulnerable nation to the effects of climate change with 2.5-4.5% of its GDP at risk annually. As a result, India has pledged to reduce its carbon intensity by 33-35% by 2030 from its 2005 levels, but to achieve this target, India needs to mobilize …
This new report from End Water Poverty and WaterAid, Common Purpose, Common Future, shows that the financing gaps for achieving universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (SDG 6) and Agenda 2030—although large—can nevertheless be met. However, the resurfacing of past problems of indebtedness signals that new solutions are …
Every rupee spent on the National Monsoon Mission (NMM) and on augmenting high-performance computing used for weather modelling has returned ₹50 in economic benefits to poor farmers and fishing families, a report said. The report, released by the New Delhi-based National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), showed that ₹551-crore …
Risk asset prices have rebounded following the precipitous fall early in the year, while benchmark interest rates have declined, leading to an overall easing of financial conditions. Swift and bold actions by central banks aimed at addressing severe market stress have boosted market sentiment, including in emerging markets, where asset …
Amid huge uncertainties, a disconnect between financial markets and the evolution of the real economy has emerged, a vulnerability that could pose a threat to the recovery should investor risk appetite fade.Other financial system vulnerabilities may be crystallized by the COVID-19 pandemic. High levels of debt may become unmanageable for …
Global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) will be under severe pressure this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These vital resources are expected to fall sharply from 2019 levels of $1.5 trillion, dropping well below the trough reached during the global financial crisis and undoing the already …
India is beset with a perfect storm of shocks. The COVID-19 public health emergency has led to an unprecedented, months’ long lockdown of 1.3 billion citizens, which has displaced millions of migrant workers, put the economy under severe stress and stretched administrative capacity. The Government of India has announced a …
As COVID-19 hits the fossil fuel industry, the GTR 2020 shows that renewable energy is more cost-effective than ever – providing an opportunity to prioritize clean energy in economic recovery packages and bring the world closer to meeting the Paris Agreement goals. Governments and companies around the world have committed …
