Photo: A general view of particiânts during Regional Consultation on Financing for Development. 23 March 2015.

Leveraging the FfD4 Preparatory Process to Remove Barriers to Channelling Special Drawing Rights to Multilateral Development Banks

In the face of multiple crises, the availability of development finance for developing countries is declining, even as their financing needs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals are increasing. The Pact for the Future has recently called for eligible countries to channel half of their 2021 allocations of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) at the International…

Photo: Group Photo of the World leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference on 12 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Opening Ceremony of World Leaders Climate Action Summit

It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over: COP29’s Decision on the New Climate Finance Goal – the Fine Line Between Compromise and Compromising

When the gavel went down in the early hours of Sunday morning in Baku and a decision was reached on the new collective quantified goals (NCQG) on climate finance it caused as much relief as disbelief in the room. The European Union (EU), represented by EU climate commissioner Woepke Hoekstra, praised the decision as “a…

Artificial intelligence: From massive energy consumer to problem-solving?

An image of a server Image by Dario Ruglioni onPixabay

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to drive innovation across numerous sectors. Yet, growing energy appetite related to its use raises critical questions about how much it is helping with or rather fanning climate change. A sustainability perspective requires AI to come – over even help – with a transition to renewable energy sources. Understanding this challenge is essential for ensuring that technological advancements do not come at the expense of our planet.…

Technology as a Catalyst Driving the Youth Engagement in Global Development – Boon or a Bane?

Photo: A group of young diverse people are busy with their smartphones Photo by Keira Burton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/multiracial-positive-male-and-female-students-using-smartphones-in-city-park-6146931/

Digital development has tremendously transformed lives and interactions across the globe during the past decades. The 2023 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) statistic shows, almost four in five (79%) of world’s youth aged between 15 and 24 use the internet, making the youth a generation of digital natives. Overall, more than two-thirds (67%) of the world’s population are internet users.…

Youth, employment, and the future of work: A call for action

Photo: Founded before Senegal's independence, the Cheikh Anta Diop University at Dakar is the oldest in the country.

By I, MyriamLouviot, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2532799

As the global landscape undergoes rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, climate change, and shifting economic paradigms, it is imperative that young people are equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to navigate these challenges and seize emerging opportunities. The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) highlights the importance of preparing younger generations for the future, emphasising sustainability and inclusivity as key pillars of global economic development. This blog post explores the critical steps required to empower youth for the labour market.