Benchmark of global food prices eases from painful record highs
FAO's Food Price Index tracks five commodity groups. Experts say food distribution is a worry even if supplies are plentiful.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our coverage of the U.N.'s 17 'Global Goals' for ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that by 2030 everyone is able to enjoy peace and prosperity.
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Rich economies bounce back as developing economies lose ground
Global economic growth is projected to slow to 2.4% this year, down from 2.7% in 2023 and 3% before the pandemic began.
Ballooning interest rates cripple developing nations with high debt
The World Bank is warning of a "lost decade" as rising interest rates push developing economies to the brink.
China's Belt and Road Initiative recast as 'open, green and clean'
The summit marking BRI's 10-year anniversary notably drew Russia's President Vladimir Putin as a guest of honor among leaders and officials from 130 nations.
War overshadows calls for more IMF and World Bank funding for Africa
The heads of some of the biggest multilateral development banks said the world faces a global “polycrisis” affecting development at an unprecedented scale.
Geneva gains new quantum institute and science diplomacy curriculum
Each of the Geneva-based global initiatives developed by the GESDA Foundation won pledges of millions of Swiss francs.
Geneva is 'building bridges' to connect finance with the SDGs
The idea is to speed up the adoption of a global economic model that more closely aligns with the U.N.'s 17 Global Goals.
U.N. trade body forecasts sluggish global economy as inequality widens
A new report says the world's marketplace appears to be growing at a modest rate that's defined as a global recession.
U.N. sounds alarm on universal roadmap to lift people out of poverty
Just 15% of the SDGs – which include 169 specific targets and 17 broad goals that the world agreed to in 2015 – is on track.
AI robots say they won't rebel but can run world better than humans
Nine social robots offered mixed responses to reporters' questions about how strictly they should be regulated.
Central bankers urge tax raises or spending cuts to tackle infation
The Bank for International Settlements' general manager said the key policy challenge remains fully taming inflation.
For many of the world's poorest nations, economic outlook is bleak
As interest rates soar and the economy slows, the World Bank sees an 'enduring setback' for many developing economies.
Italy undecided about exiting China's Belt and Road Initiative
As the only G-7 member to have joined Beijing's sprawling global pact, Italy had indicated it would leave. But now Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the decision is still up in the air.
Economic sanctions as a modern tool: Cruel to the most vulnerable?
A study finds sanctions contribute to a rise in mortality, poverty and inequality, and a decline in income and rights.
Nations agree to add pollutants under hazardous management
Methoxychlor, a pesticide, and two industrial chemicals, Dechlorane Plus and UV-328, are to be eliminated.
Progress in reducing deaths during pregnancy and birth has 'flatlined'
More than 4.5 million pregnant women and babies die each year during pregnancy, childbirth or the first few weeks of life.