The UN Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board has identified key scientific challenges for sustainable development, including a Blue Economy, biodiversity, climate change, and access to water. The board recommends investing in research and education to address these issues and ensure a better future for humanity.
Grand Challenges Canada and Google.org fund two Canadian organizations to develop diagnostic kits and screen people in need of high-quality hearing aids. The initiatives aim to improve the lives of over 360 million people with hearing loss worldwide.
A new 'flocked swab' tool improved diagnosis and treatment of deadly childhood diarrheal diseases, saving lives by pinpointing treatable pathogens. The innovative test-and-treat strategy led to significant health improvements, including reduced diarrhea recurrence and increased growth in children.
A survey of 10,000 respondents across eight Arctic states reveals major differences on cooperation with Russia and military conflict. Majorities support diplomatic approaches over strengthening military presence in the region.
The $2.5 million funding package supports five health innovations in India, including mobile daycare centers for migrant construction workers' children and early childhood development programs. Grand Challenges Canada has partnered with the Indian government to accelerate efforts to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar.
Grand Challenges Canada funds BasicNeeds' award-winning model for mental health treatment in resource-poor countries, enabling access to care for nearly 75% of the world's people with mental illness. The model generates sustainable impact, enabling 86% of people with mental health problems to access treatment and report reduced symptoms.
Canada has awarded $1.2 million in grants to 11 new global health innovations in La Francophonie member states, aiming to address pressing health challenges such as malaria, malnutrition and sanitation. The projects focus on improving maternal, newborn and child health, with a particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries.
Every day, 2,000 hectares of irrigated land in arid regions are degraded by salt, affecting 20% of the world's irrigated lands. The study estimates global economic losses at $27.3 billion per year due to salt-induced land degradation.
Grand Challenges Canada announces funding for 11 innovative projects addressing critical challenges in low-resource settings. The projects aim to integrate screening and services into primary healthcare, improve medication supply, and develop IT technologies to increase access to care.
Experts urge greater investment in ocean research to address pressing marine-related issues. The declaration sets a five-year roadmap for integrated policy-oriented ocean scrutiny and identifies four key policy goals: valuing the ocean, capitalizing on European leadership, advancing ocean knowledge, and breaking scientific barriers.
The partnership aims to identify and support sustainable approaches to protect and nurture early brain development, ultimately increasing human capital by transforming impoverished communities. Funding of $2.9 million supports 19 projects in 8 countries, with a focus on improving maternal, newborn, and child health.
Grand Challenges Canada announces $2.4 million in grants for 22 innovative projects addressing maternal, newborn and child health globally. These projects include programs improving infant nutrition, malaria diagnosis, and vaccine storage, as well as initiatives to combat iron deficiency and improve access to healthcare.
Malaysia's 'smart villages' offer a global model for poverty relief, tripling monthly income to US $475 per family. The country is also implementing low-carbon cities with solar-generated power and biomass energy.
Grand Challenges Canada awards $2.4 million to 22 projects addressing major health burdens in low-resource countries, including tuberculosis, deafness, and mental health problems. Innovations include a personal eyepiece for deaf children and sterile drill covers for low-cost orthopaedic trauma surgery.
Seven projects have been funded by Grand Challenges Canada to address pressing global health challenges in ASEAN countries. The initiatives include a 'skin printer' for large wounds and an Alzheimer's awareness campaign, with investments totaling $784,000.
Leading scientists warn that tropical coastal waters are under pressure due to growing populations and climate change, highlighting the need for holistic management approaches. They advocate for expanded use of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to balance competing demands from fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, and other human activities.
Leading medical authorities call for global mental health objectives, a UN High Level Meeting on Mental Health, and efforts to end stigma and human rights violations. The experts say action is urgently needed, particularly in Africa, where mental health disorders account for a huge burden of disease and disability.
Renewable energy capacity surged globally, driven by supportive policies in emerging economies. Over 95 nations now have renewable energy growth policies in place, accounting for 56% of net additions to global power capacity. Renewables accounted for 22% of the world's power production and 19% of global final energy consumption.
Experts warn of acute health and environmental concerns due to growing e-waste generation in Latin America, with the region's middle class driving demand for electronic equipment. The UN-backed academy aims to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships to address e-waste management, but regulatory instruments remain limited.
Grand Challenges Canada announces $12 million investments in global health projects aiming to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality. Four Canadian-based projects will share $2.6 million in scale-up grants.
New indicators of social and environmental well-being are being used to measure a nation's success beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These include birth weight, hours slept, eyeglasses, city birds, washing machines, and teenage schoolgirls, highlighting the need for broader measures of societal progress.
A Harvard study suggests that pessimistic early global policy architects stunted developing nations' economies by rejecting innovation and entrepreneurialism. The study recommends prioritizing innovation, building technical capacity, and emphasizing entrepreneurs and risk-taking in emerging countries to drive growth.
Experts developed a step-by-step guide to minimize seismic survey impacts on whales and other marine species. The study presents the most thorough approach to minimizing and monitoring risk of harm during intense sound surveys, primarily used by oil and gas companies.
Grand Challenges Canada announces $7.7M project to improve mental health care in developing countries, with mobile phone technologies and innovative approaches to reach underserved populations. The projects aim to increase epilepsy treatment and eliminate barriers for critical mental health services.
Deep Carbon Observatory scientists have discovered a method to produce hydrogen more quickly and efficiently than natural processes. The new formula uses aluminum oxide, water, and olivine under high pressure, accelerating the production of hydrogen by 7-50 times.
Grand Challenges Canada has awarded $100,000 grants to 83 innovative global health projects addressing disease and healthcare challenges in resource-poor countries. These projects include diagnostic diapers for deadly rotavirus, yogurt-based solutions to pesticide exposure, and storytelling approaches to maternal health.
A new global program aims to increase sustainable electricity in developing countries through well-designed Public-Private Partnerships. The program draws on lessons worldwide and features a set of 'Golden Rules' that will empower decision makers to define successful strategies for the implementation of PPPs.
A three-day meeting of international experts highlighted the need for countries to develop relevant expertise in assessing biodiversity and ecosystem services. The UN's new IPBES platform aims to strengthen national capacities in this area, crucial for informed policy decisions.
Prime Minister Najib Razak emphasizes the need to address poverty and environmental concerns in a unified, people-centered agenda. Malaysia has achieved significant development milestones, but faces challenges like climate change and inequality.
A UN-backed report highlights the need for a 'total economic approach' to tackle global land degradation, which affects 24% of usable lands and results in estimated annual losses of $40 billion. Adopting sustainable land management practices could raise crop supplies by an estimated 2.3 billion tonnes worth $1.4 trillion.
Green energy development, lifelong education, and entrepreneurship are top priorities for emerging economy nations, according to US expert Jerry Hultin. Investments in these areas can drive economic breakthroughs and promote sustainable growth.
A new UN-backed study reveals that treated wastewater has 'massive potential resource' globally, but data on its usage is scarce. Only 55 countries out of 181 studied have information on wastewater generation, treatment, and reuse.
The Saving Lives at Birth partnership has announced 22 Round 3 award nominees for innovative solutions to prevent infant and maternal deaths. These nominees present cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to delivering services, including family planning, nutrition, and HIV prevention.
A special edition of Environmental Development journal captures decades of trans-boundary water management lessons, highlighting the need for science-based governance and innovative approaches to address pressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation. The volume includes articles on Nile River Basin mana...