In theory, the higher a country’s vulnerability to climate change , the more aid it should receive. In practice, however, the study finds that this logic only applies to grants. For grants, higher climate vulnerability increased both the chance of selection and the amount of funding per capita.

For return-based instruments, the relationship was rather inverted, such that the more vulnerable a country, the less likely it was to receive loans or investments.

“Study results also underscore the continued value of grant funding, especially for countries with the greatest funding need where return-based investments are less likely, and the need to explore ways return-based instruments might succeed in high-need countries,” the study indicated.

Return-based instruments are typically used by development banks or private financiers who expect at least partial repayment. This, the study revealed, makes them risk-averse; in contrast, grants provided by public donors or multilateral agencies are driven by humanitarian and development goals, targeting the poorest and most exposed countries.

Grants dominate in Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are highly vulnerable but considered financially risky.

The analysis, covering 124 countries across the Global South between 2013 and 2022, found that only about one-third of all projects actually targeted both climate adaptation and biodiversity protection together, even though the two goals are deeply interconnected.

The study, published in World Development, drew on data from 230 government and non-governmental funders, both bilateral and multilateral, tracking the flow of climate and nature aid. 

Of the 182,834 projects reviewed, about 55,900 aimed to address both climate adaptation and biodiversity. Yet only 6,200 treated both issues as core priorities; the rest treated one as a co-benefit of the other.

“Thirty percent of the 182,834 projects, climate and/or biodiversity projects explicitly sought to contribute to both climate adaptation and biodiversity objectives. Of these 55,907 projects, approximately 6,208 had both climate adaptation and biodiversity as their principal objective. Other projects had either climate adaptation or biodiversity as the principal objective and had the other as a significant objective,” the study found.

That means most projects still treat climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation as separate missions, despite increasing evidence that their success depends on one another.

The study said the link is clearest in two sectors, agriculture and environmental protection, which together accounted for roughly half of all dual-purpose projects. These areas, the authors suggested, offered the greatest potential for synergy, such as climate-smart agriculture, mangrove restoration, or forest-based carbon projects that support both ecosystems and livelihoods.

Most importantly, the study found that Asia dominated the climate funding between 2013 to 2022, with the top five recipients of climate adaptation finance being Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Between 2013 and 2022, Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam together received 25% of all international climate adaptation funding to the Global South , according to a new study published in World Development.

According to the study, "Thirty percent of the 182,834 projects climate and/or biodiversity projects explicitly sought to contribute to both climate adaptation and biodiversity objectives. Of these 55,907 projects, approximately 6,208 had both climate adaptation and biodiversity as their principal objective."

“Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam were the top 5 recipients of climate adaptation funding. These 5 countries together make up for a quarter of the total funding during the study period,” the study found.

"Vietnam and India also appear in the top 5 of total biodiversity investments," the study also found.

Here is a breakdown of total climate adaptation investment, per capita adaptation investments, total biodiversity investments, per hectare biodiversity investments, and total mixed investments.

Bangladesh

The delta nation, crisscrossed by rivers and facing sea-level rise and cyclones, has long been the face of climate vulnerability. But it’s also been proactive.

Between 2013 and 2022, Bangladesh received a total of $2,882 million in climate adaptation funding; climate adaptation funding per capita of $17.63; total biodiversity funding of $654.5 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $4,432, and total mixed funding of $471 million.

India

India ranks second with climate projects ranging from solar irrigation and urban cooling to water conservation and ecosystem restoration. India received climate adaptation funding of about $2,753 million; climate adaptation funding per capita of $1.996; total biodiversity funding of $2,929 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $891.0; and total mixed funding $903.9 million.

The study indicated that "the differences between the top and bottom recipients of funding are large: average per capita investments of the top 10 countries over the period 2013–2022 are US$ 930, with Tuvalu receiving per capita funding as high as US$ 4257, compared to less than US$ 1 for the bottom 10 recipient countries."

Ethiopia

Ethiopia ranks third, and many of its projects focus on restoring degraded land and improving food security , areas that also generate biodiversity co-benefits.

The country received climate adaptation funding of about $2,600 million; climate adaptation funding per capita of $23.72; total biodiversity funding of $1,267 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $1,115; and total mixed funding of $1,351 million.

But despite being one of Africa’s most climate-exposed nations, Ethiopia still receives far less per capita than smaller or more stable countries, showing that vulnerability alone doesn’t guarantee funding.

Indonesia :

With its vast tropical forests, peatlands, and coastlines, the country is both a carbon sink and a climate hotspot. Indonesia received climate adaptation funding of about $2,409 million; climate adaptation funding per capita of $9.029; total biodiversity funding of $1,320 million; biodiversity funding per hectare of $689.5; and total mixed funding of $781.1 million.

Further stating that "climate adaptation funding and biodiversity funding were strongly and positively correlated. This finding is supported by spatial analysis, which shows that countries receiving relatively high amounts of both climate adaptation funding per capita and biodiversity funding per hectare are roughly located around the equator."

Vietnam:

Home to one of the most polluted cities, Hanoi, Vietnam, receives the fifth-largest share of the global climate adaptation funding. Vietnam received $2.188 billion in total climate adaptation funding, equivalent to $23.33 per capita. It also received $1.526 billion in total biodiversity funding, or $4,606 per hectare in biodiversity funding. In total, it received $768.8 million.

The study, published in World Development, examined US$163 billion in climate adaptation funding and US$91 billion in biodiversity investments and found that Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), often described as the “ground zero” of global warming, lags far behind other regions in both the amount of money received and the likelihood of being selected for funding.

The researchers, Charissa Bosma, Lars Hein and Daniel C. Miller, found a paradox that countries that are most exposed to rising temperatures, drought, and floods are less likely to be chosen for climate adaptation projects than those with lower levels of vulnerability.

“Sub-Saharan Africa makes up for a bit more than one-third of funding flows for both objectives (37 and 35 percent, respectively). Roughly 40 percent of climate adaptation and 35 percent of biodiversity funding was invested in South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific. Latin America received about one-quarter of the biodiversity funding, compared to 13 percent of the total climate adaptation funding. The Middle East and North Africa accounted for slightly less than 10 percent of adaptation funding and only 6 percent of the total biodiversity funding,” the study disclosed.

Even after accounting for regional and multi-country aid packages, Africa’s underfunding trend persisted. While regional programs exist, they have not been enough to offset the imbalance in country-level disbursements.

“These variations suggest that regional funding influences the magnitude of some estimates, but does not fundamentally alter the overall pattern of underfunding observed for Sub-Saharan Africa,” the study further stated.

However, the study further noted that one major factor shaping where the money goes is governance quality. Countries with stronger institutions, political stability, and regulatory quality were more likely to attract both climate and biodiversity funding, regardless of their vulnerability levels.

That means well-governed middle-income nations, such as Vietnam or Colombia, often attract more financing than poorer but highly vulnerable African countries. 

The alliance collaborates with both public and private partners to finance renewable energy initiatives across the African continent. Woochong Um, CEO of GEAPP, noted that with aid budgets under pressure, there is a growing need for new models capable of delivering development at scale.

“With aid budgets under pressure, we need new models to deliver development at scale”.

Africa is home to 600 million people without access to electricity, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) . Despite abundant renewable resources, from solar and wind to hydro and geothermal, investment has lagged due to high financing costs, limited affordable capital, and fragmented infrastructure.

GEAPP’s latest report highlights that addressing both supply and demand in planning is key to building a robust green economy. Analysts say the $4.2 billion mobilisation, alongside a broader $100 billion green investment pledge secured by African nations at the 2025 Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, could be a turning point for the continent’s energy transition.

This development positions Africa to not only tackle its urgent development needs but also to play a central role in the global fight against climate change, and help the continent leapfrog into a renewable-powered future and sustainability.

‘Trapped between two emergencies’

Having lived in the Brazilian Amazon since 2018, he tells Global South World, “People living in the areas of the Amazon are trapped between two emergencies. And it's not just an environmental issue… on an economic and social level too.” 

The Italian, whose work explores the social and environmental challenges facing the rainforest, says its people are “suffering”, watching their societies erode and their economic activities massively impacted—they struggle to take care of their families.

“I met a family from a remote village, and it took 15 hours to make it from their village to the nearest bank in a small city called Tefe. And that was just to withdraw some basic emergency aid that the government was providing during the drought,” he said. 

“They pay a lot for gas just to take a few dollars back to [take care] of their families… On a trip that usually takes three hours when it's not a dry river,” he added.

People in the Brazilian Amazon engage in agriculture, fishing, and the sustainable use of forest resources. According to Falco, the climate crisis is forcing migration from small villages for economic reasons.

“Most of the people in the Amazon are a sort of sustainable extractivists. So they are based on some fishing together with some kind of bioeconomy products that they can sell in the nearest cities. So it's a sort of economy with no or few money involved,” he said.

‘Almost like a Western movie’

With over 18% of its rainforest lost to illegal logging, soy agriculture, and cattle ranching in the last 40 years, the majority of the forest is in danger. The Amazon’s unmatched biodiversity is essential to regulating the Earth's climate. 

Brazil's rapidly expanding population settled large swaths of the Amazon Rainforest in the 20th century. As a result of settlers clearing land for farmland and grazing pastures, as well as timber, the Amazon forest's size drastically decreased.

In the arc of deforestation, for example, where scientists have discovered that it is the most vulnerable to drought, Falco says it almost looks like a “desert”.

The area has the highest rates of Amazonian deforestation and is where the agricultural border transitions into the forest.

It spans 500,000 square kilometres of land, passing through the states of Mato Grosso, Rondônia, and Acre as it moves westward from the east and south of the Brazilian state of Pará.

“The landscape there is mostly paved roads, a lot of cattle, some cowboys. It's almost like a Western movie,” he added.

COP 30 — Not the World Cup?

Being the first United Nations Climate Conference to be held in the Amazon, there’s a lot of anticipation for COP 30.

Over $700 million in structural investments have been committed for the global event to welcome more than 50,000 participants to Belém.

According to Hana Ghassan, Vice-Governor of the state of Pará, this goes “beyond preparing the city for a single event—they’re about transforming lives and caring for people.” 

However, despite the various construction and infrastructure initiatives currently taking place ahead of the conference in November, Falco says there is a real disconnect.

“In the local Ver-o-Peso. The largest open-air market in Latin America, where all fishermen and fruit sellers have their stalls… Speaking to this lady… she was so happy that there would be thousands of people. I was intrigued by her enthusiasm, but then I understood that COP 30 in Brazil sounds a bit like 'copa', which is like the World Cup,” he said.

“The reality is she was thinking that COP 30 was like the World Cup, and that would have been happening in Belém.”

Help never reaches the people in need

Not only do illicit environmental activities constitute crimes against Brazil's Amazon, but government officials designated to oversee the flow of funds appropriated for the protection of the region and its inhabitants are occasionally involved as well.

The Superintendência de Desenvolvimento da Amazônia (SUDAM), created to boost enterprise in Brazil’s Legal Amazon, became infamous for policies that fuelled mass deforestation and a corruption scandal in 2000 involving over $500 million in embezzled funds. The revelations, sparked by a political feud, exposed deep-rooted graft and marked the country’s costliest corruption case at the time.

“When other governments want to help the indigenous community, this kind of aid always passes through governments… 90% of the funds will get lost,” Falco said. “There's a lot of middleman corruption that never reaches the people who are in need.” 

According to a press release, the funding is aimed at doubling the number of children with basic math skills by the age of 10. “This is a multi-year program. It’s for the long term, trying to make sure the work that’s already going on in Malawi to make math education as effective as possible is continued into the future and is really embedded,” Dodds said.

She emphasised the program's broader impact on children, young people, families, and communities, adding, “It can deliver that change for children, young people, and their families and communities, and ultimately the whole Malawi and economy as well.”

Dodds also addressed Malawi’s challenges in accessing climate finance, a critical issue for the nation and other developing countries. She reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to improving access to such funds. “The UK has been working really hard with our friends like Malawi to call on the climate finance providers and say to them, ‘Let’s make sure that access is more open,” she said.

Malawi, formerly Nyasaland, was a British protectorate from 1891 until it gained independence in 1964. 

The intense negotiations, which stretched over two weeks of chaotic bargaining and sleepless nights, concluded in a sports stadium in Baku. Diplomats from both developed and developing countries struggled to reconcile deep divisions.

However, the applause following the deal's approval was short-lived, with India immediately rejecting the proposed financial commitment. Indian delegate Chandni Raina described the pledge as “abysmally poor” and “a paltry sum.”

"This document is little more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face," the AFP quoted Raina.

The central issue at the summit was the amount wealthy nations, historically responsible for the majority of global emissions, should contribute to support poorer countries, which bear the brunt of the climate crisis despite having contributed the least to it.

The $300 billion annual pledge, which is a significant increase from the previous $100 billion commitment, was met with anger from developing countries. Many had demanded at least $500 billion to help vulnerable nations build resilience against climate disasters and transition to greener economies.

Despite strong opposition, the deal passed after tense negotiations, with developing nations reluctantly agreeing to it despite its shortcomings.

A key component of the deal is the commitment from developed nations to provide at least $300 billion per year by 2035 for climate finance. However, critics argue this amount falls far short of the billions required to address the growing impacts of climate change.

The walkout included representatives from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), who have long been demanding greater financial commitments from wealthy nations to tackle the climate crisis. Cedric Schuster, the Samoan chairman of AOSIS, voiced frustration, stating, "We came here to this COP for a fair deal. We feel that we haven't been heard."

At the heart of the dispute is a proposed increase in climate finance, which would see rich nations raise their funding to poorer countries to $300 billion annually by 2035—up from the current $100 billion. The deal is part of the ongoing negotiations for a final text to be adopted by the 198 nations present at the summit.

However, many developing countries argue that the offer falls short of their needs, with Sierra Leone’s climate minister Jiwoh Abdulai condemning the draft as "effectively a suicide pact for the rest of the world."

An unpublished version of the final text circulating in Baku also revealed that the draft proposal includes a broader target of $1.3 trillion per year to help nations combat climate change and its devastating effects, with most of that funding coming from private sources.

This has been met with scepticism, particularly as many developing nations argue that relying on private financing won’t address the urgent needs of vulnerable countries.

Silva emphasized the urgency of securing robust climate action, stating, "We'll be working right up to the last minute to ensure that we don’t bring the multilateral system into disrepute when it comes to tackling climate change."

Brazil's proposal highlights the growing divide between developed and developing nations over the level of financial support required to mitigate the impacts of global warming and promote sustainable development.

The deal faced immediate criticism, with Tina Stege, the climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, condemning it as "shameful." The island nation, along with many others vulnerable to rising seas, has called for greater support, the AFP reports.

The Alliance of Small Island States, echoing this sentiment, described the offer as showing "contempt for our vulnerable people."

Ali Mohamed, chair of the African Group of Negotiators, called the proposal "totally unacceptable and inadequate," warning that it would lead to "unacceptable loss of life" in Africa and beyond.

Developing nations, including China, had previously demanded at least $500 billion to help build resilience to climate change and reduce emissions.

While the United States, led by the outgoing Biden administration, maintained that $250 billion would require "extraordinary reach," it signalled it was not prepared to negotiate for a higher sum.

Germany, facing its political challenges ahead of elections, argued that the costs of addressing climate change could not fall solely on governments and would require debt restructuring and other financial tools.

The draft text also set an ambitious goal of raising $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, with contributions coming not only from developed nations but the private sector. However, economists commissioned by the UN have argued that $250 billion is "too low" and inconsistent with the global climate targets agreed in previous talks.

Obed Koringo, a Kenyan activist, criticized the proposal as "a joke," declaring that "no deal is better than a bad deal." Yet, some experts, like Avinash Persaud from the Inter-American Development Bank, suggested the offer was a sign that negotiations were "within sight of a landing zone" after days of deadlock.

The negotiations have also highlighted tensions over the role of emerging economies like China, which, while the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, remains classified as a developing nation and prefers to provide climate assistance on its own terms. There were also calls for stronger language in the deal to commit to a global transition away from fossil fuels.

However, Saudi Arabia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, rejected any text targeting specific sectors, including fossil fuels.

Azerbaijan, as the host country, has faced criticism for its handling of the negotiations, with some describing the summit as "the worst COP in recent memory."

The country, which relies heavily on oil and gas exports, was accused of not having the expertise to steer the complex talks effectively.

As the summit enters its final stretch, the world faces an increasingly dire climate crisis. With 2024 poised to be the hottest year on record, extreme weather events like deadly storms, droughts, and historic floods have affected nations worldwide since the summit began, underscoring the urgency of reaching an effective global climate agreement.

Brazil is commemorating Black Consciousness Day as a national holiday for the first time on November 20, marking the anniversary of the capture and death of Zumbi, a key figure in the resistance against slavery and leader of the quilombo Palmares. This holiday, celebrated amid ongoing demands for racial equality, serves to honour the collective struggle of Black people in Brazil and counter-narratives that glorify the abolition of slavery on May 13, 1888. Black movements have distinguished November 20 as an affirmation of Black identity and history, especially in light of past governmental resistance and criticism from far-right factions. Events are planned nationwide, including a primetime special by Brazil's largest television network highlighting injustices faced by Black individuals. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the law to establish the holiday in December 2023, amid controversy and scepticism from conservative groups. 

Brazil’s President Lula to make first post-pandemic visit to Japan

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will make a state visit to Japan in March 2025, marking the first such visit since the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit coincides with the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil. The two countries aim to establish a strategic partnership focused on trade and investment, particularly in resources and biofuels, and strengthen supply chains for commodities. Lula's visit will include a banquet hosted by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. 

China’s Xi to visit Brazil to strengthen ties 

Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Brazil to strengthen ties with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following recent G20 and APEC summits. As China braces for a potentially more confrontational US stance under Donald Trump, both nations aim to assert leadership in the Global South amid global uncertainties. Xi's meetings will focus on enhancing bilateral relations, trade, and shared interests, as Brazil seeks to increase exports of value-added products while primarily trading in commodities like soybeans. This meeting marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil and highlights efforts to balance ties with both China and the US amid concerns over trade imbalances, experts suggest that collaboration on re-industrialisation will be crucial for future economic relations. 

Five arrested over alleged assassination plot against President Lula

Brazilian police have arrested five individuals, including a former adviser to ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, over an alleged assassination plot targeting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other officials. The plot, conceived in late 2022 before Lula took office, involved advanced military tactics and proposed methods such as poisoning or explosives. The suspects, including retired general Mário Fernandes, are prohibited from leaving the country or contacting others involved. An investigation into Bolsonaro’s potential connection to the plot is ongoing, as he has denied any wrongdoing. Lula narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in the 2022 election, leading to riots by the former president's supporters in January 2023. 

Lula urges world leaders to accelerate net zero emissions target

At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged leaders to accelerate their national climate targets, aiming for net zero emissions by 2040 or 2045 instead of the 2050 deadline. Lula emphasised the urgency to address climate change as 2024 is projected to be one of the hottest years on record. The summit also highlighted tensions regarding climate financing, with Lula criticising developed nations for not meeting their promised $100 billion annual contribution to developing countries by 2020. US President Joe Biden supported the need for financial resources to help vulnerable nations combat climate change. The G20 leaders called for increased climate finance and a legally binding treaty to limit plastic pollution by the end of 2024. 

Based on current emission rates and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) recommendations, the clock calculates how much time remains to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

As of Monday , July 22, the clock will read less than 5 years as projected by the clock's operators in New York, highlighting the critical need for immediate and collective action.

The 1.5°C limit is a key target set by the Paris Agreement, an international treaty adopted in 2015 to combat climate change. Scientists warn that exceeding this limit could lead to severe consequences, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, rising sea levels, and widespread disruption of ecosystems.

Additionally, The Climate Clock's operators have declared Monday "Climate Emergency Day" as a call to action to urge individuals and communities to demand scalable solutions and intensify efforts to address the climate crisis.

“Climate Emergency Day is our moment to unite with communities, influence policy and investments and hold governments and corporations accountable for their promises to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and finance climate solutions. This urgency is heightened as nearly half of the world goes to the polls this year. It is a decisive year for our planet and for our leaders to demonstrate their commitment to a sustainable future,” said Mahak Agrawal, the Global Campaign Lead at Climate Clock.

According to a 12th July publication by Reuters, The United Nations's climate summit in November this year will focus on finance, pressuring large economies like the EU to commit more funding to help developing nations address climate change.

The EU will also pressure countries at COP29 to follow through on their fossil fuel phase-out pledges, a draft negotiating position shows.

Honda has announced plans to consolidate vehicle production in Thailand by focusing on its Prachinburi plant and repurposing the Ayutthaya facility for parts manufacturing. This decision comes as Honda faces increasing competition from Chinese brands and growing demand for electric vehicles in the Thai market. The restructuring aims to address declining production and sales, improve efficiency, and align manufacturing output with market demand. It also reflects a cautious approach to future investments in the country. The shift towards electric vehicles and the entry of new competitors are forcing established players like Honda to reassess their strategies and operational structures in the Southeast Asian automotive industry, WION reports.

Woman barred from flying home to London

Yoga teacher Rosie Viscomi was prevented from boarding her flight back to London from Thailand due to a tear in her passport. Despite extending her visa and securing the necessary documents, airline officials refused to let her board, leaving her stranded and facing additional expenses. She was also accused of staying in Thailand illegally. According to the Mirror , the dance and yoga instructor, residing in Norfolk, had made the Thai island of Koh Pha-ngan her home since April, following the completion of her yoga certification in India. During her stay, Rosie deepened her understanding of yoga and engaged in volunteer activities, before deciding to return to the UK.

Police investigate a Chinese couple for having intercourse in a car park

Authorities in Thailand are investigating an incident involving a Chinese couple allegedly engaging in intimate behaviour in a public car park at a popular tourist destination. The incident, which took place at Chiang Mai University, a well-known spot among international visitors, was reported to the police after bystanders witnessed the couple's behaviour and took photos, which subsequently circulated on social media. According to eyewitnesses, the couple had ordered food from a nearby vendor before the incident occurred, Independent reports.

ADB launches climate finance initiative

ADB has launched a climate finance program in Thailand to boost climate finance and support the country's net-zero emissions target. The programme includes developing innovative finance tools and strategic partnerships with organisations like Thailand’s DCCE and Agence française de développement. ESG News highlights that ADB is committed to enhancing climate-focused activities in Thailand and helping the country achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Chinese toy trend in Southeast Asia

Chinese toy brand Pop Mart's character Labubu has become extremely popular in Southeast Asia, with Thailand using the fluffy monster in a tourism campaign. Celebrity endorsements, such as K-pop star Blackpink's Lisa, have also contributed to the character's popularity. However, the surge in demand has also led to scams and fraudulent sales, causing the Thai government to warn the public, reports CNA . The success of Labubu in Thailand has also prompted the country to facilitate travel for Chinese tourists. The brand's success has also led to competitors entering the market in Southeast Asia.

Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Douglas Mwonzora, is pushing for the country to rejoin the Commonwealth to boost its economy and trade relations with Western countries. Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2002, and Mwonzora believes rejoining will provide economic opportunities and help Zimbabwean students attain scholarships. He expressed concern about the country's isolation and emphasised the need for integration, the Zimbabwe Mail reports.

Aims to tap into Russian tourism market

Zimbabwe's tourism industry is looking to attract more travellers from Russia, as there has been a surge in group travels from Russia, China, and Japan. The country aims to stimulate growth and development in travel and tourism, especially after the impact of COVID-19. President Mnangagwa launched the Tourism Growth and Recovery Strategy in 2020 to achieve a US$5 billion industry. According to New Zimbabwe , the nation’s tourism authority has hosted delegations from different countries and recently met with a Russian delegation to highlight the untapped potential of the Russian market.

Agricultural support from South Korea

South Korea pledges to support Zimbabwe and other African countries in improving food production and fighting hunger. This includes providing training and strengthening agricultural value chains. South Korea's Ambassador to Zimbabwe reiterated the government's full support for implementing projects in the country, local media the Herald reports.

Climate insurance payouts to drought victims

The African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group has made a US$32 million climate insurance payout to help people affected by drought in Zimbabwe. The government received US$16.8 million to support recovery efforts and assist the most affected populations. The payouts will complement in-country recovery efforts and help communities and governments better respond to and recover from climate-related shocks. This payout follows severe crop failures and will help vulnerable households and communities recover from a failed agricultural season. The Final Implementation Plan will guide the use of the payout to assist millions of people in affected regions.

$370 million in reserves to back ZiG

Zimbabwe's new currency, the ZiG, now has approximately $370 million in reserves, up from $285 million three months ago. This increase is attributed to accumulating reserves from royalties of gold and other minerals. The ZiG was introduced in April to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, which had significantly declined in value. Zimbabwe has introduced measures to build up mineral reserves, with the country being a significant producer of platinum, nickel, chrome, lithium, and coal, Bloomberg reports.

Reports show that April 2024 was 0.67 degrees Celcius above the 1991-2020 average for April and above the previous high set in April 2016. The global average temperature for the past 12 months, from May 2023 to April 2024, is now the highest ever recorded, indicating a worrying trend in global warming.

The heat has had far-reaching impacts, with numerous countries experiencing brutal heat waves that have shattered records. In Asia, nations like Bangladesh, South Korea, and parts of India recorded their hottest April, leading to school closures and government advisories urging people to stay indoors. The extreme temperatures have also been linked to at least 38 deaths in Thailand due to heatstroke.

Droughts have also wreaked havoc in regions such as Vietnam , where the deaths of hundreds of thousands of fish have been recorded. In the Philippines, the receding water levels in a reservoir have revealed the ruins of a 300-year-old town , a grave reminder of the severity of the situation

Europe, the continent warming the fastest on Earth in the face of the human-driven climate crisis, saw temperatures in April that were 1.49 degrees Celcius above the 1990-2020 average, making it the second-hottest April on record for the region. The average global sea surface temperatures outside the polar regions were also the highest in records from 1979 for the month.