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    <title>Global South World - infrastructure projects</title>
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    <language>en-US</language>
    <description><![CDATA[News, opinion and analysis focused on the Global South and rising nations across the world. Delivered by journalists on the ground in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. From politics and business to technology, science and social issues, Global South World is the first place to come for accurate and trusted information.]]></description>
    <item>
      <title>Brazil tightens grip as world’s largest coffee producer in 2025</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/brazil-tightens-grip-as-worlds-largest-coffee-producer-in-2025</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 17:44:58 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<h2>Main Points</h2>
<p>Brazil is expected to remain the world’s dominant coffee producer in 2025, widening its lead over global rivals as demand for coffee continues to rise despite climate pressures and supply chain volatility affecting major growing regions.</p>
<p>According to data compiled from the  USDA Foreign Agricultural Service  (FAS), the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), Colipse Coffee and StatRanker, Brazil is projected to produce around 63 million 60-kg coffee bags in 2025, far ahead of second-place Vietnam at 30.8 million bags.</p>
<p>Brazil is also forecast to export more than 40 million bags, reinforcing its position as the backbone of the global coffee trade. The country accounts for roughly one-third of global coffee production and remains the world’s largest supplier of arabica beans, widely used in premium blends and espresso markets.</p>
<p>Vietnam, the second-largest producer, is expected to export nearly 27.9 million bags, driven largely by robusta coffee production. Robusta beans, which contain higher caffeine levels and are commonly used in instant coffee, have seen growing global demand amid rising Arabica prices.</p>
<p>Colombia ranks third with a projected production of 13.8 million bags, followed by Indonesia and Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, with estimated outputs of 12.45 million and 11.56 million bags, respectively.</p>
<p>In Africa, Uganda continues to strengthen its role in global coffee markets, with production expected to reach nearly 6.9 million bags, according to USDA estimates.</p>
<p>One notable trend in the data is that countries such as India, Honduras and Peru are projected to export more coffee than they produce domestically during the year. Analysts say this can occur due to carryover inventories from previous harvests, re-exports and stockpiled reserves entering  international  markets.</p>
<p>The global coffee industry has faced mounting pressure in recent years from extreme weather events linked to climate change. Brazil experienced severe drought and frost episodes between 2021 and 2023, while Vietnam and Colombia have also dealt with shifting rainfall patterns affecting crop yields.</p>
<p>The International Coffee Organisation has repeatedly warned that  climate instability  poses a growing long-term threat to coffee-growing regions, particularly for arabica production, which is highly sensitive to temperature changes.</p>
<p>Despite supply concerns, global coffee consumption continues to rise steadily. The USDA projects growing demand across Asia and emerging markets, while established markets in Europe and North America remain among the world’s largest consumers.</p>
<p>Industry analysts say tightening supplies and weather-related disruptions have contributed to elevated global coffee prices over the past two years, affecting everyone from multinational café chains to independent roasters.</p>
<p>What this really  highlights  is how a handful of producing nations continue to shape one of the world’s most traded agricultural commodities, even as climate risks increasingly threaten the future of global coffee production.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
      <media:content url="https://gsw.codexcdn.net/assets/as0Mhb0Cbh1HyJsvc.jpg?width=1280&amp;height=720&amp;quality=75&amp;r=fill&amp;g=no" medium="image" type="image/jpeg">
        <media:credit role="photographer">Abigail Johnson Boakye</media:credit>
        <media:credit role="provider">World Visualized</media:credit>
        <media:title>World’s largest coffee producer</media:title>
      </media:content>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Abigail Johnson Boakye]]></dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <title>Kazakhstan Roundup:  Political leadership advanced, climate cooperation, digital ambitions</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/kazakhstan-roundup-political-leadership-advanced-climate-cooperation-digital-ambitions</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 23:38:23 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<h3>Kazakhstan appoints new First Deputy Prime Minister amid broader government priorities</h3>
<p>Kazakhstan has officially named a new First Deputy Prime Minister,  Nurlybek Nalibayev , signalling an important development in the country’s political and administrative leadership structure. The appointment comes at a time when Kazakhstan continues to balance economic modernisation, regional diplomacy, and domestic reform priorities. Changes at this level of government are closely watched because the role carries substantial influence over economic management, coordination between ministries, and implementation of national development strategies. The move also reflects the government’s continuing effort to position experienced leadership at the centre of policy execution during a period of regional uncertainty and shifting global economic conditions.</p>
<h3>Kazakhstan and Kuwait move to deepen economic cooperation through infrastructure projects</h3>
<p>Kazakhstan and Kuwait are  working to strengthen bilateral economic relations  through a series of infrastructure-focused initiatives aimed at expanding long-term cooperation. The discussions highlight Kazakhstan’s ongoing strategy of attracting foreign investment and reinforcing ties with Gulf states that are seeking broader partnerships in Central Asia. Infrastructure cooperation is particularly significant because it supports Kazakhstan’s ambitions to improve transport corridors, logistics connectivity, energy cooperation, and trade capacity across the region. For Kuwait, the partnership offers opportunities to diversify economic engagement beyond traditional markets while increasing its presence in strategic Eurasian projects. </p>
<h3>Kazakhstan joins regional climate project to protect vulnerable soils</h3>
<p>Kazakhstan has  joined other Central Asian countries  in developing a major climate initiative focused on protecting soils and addressing environmental degradation across the region. The project comes as climate pressures increasingly threaten agricultural sustainability, water security, and rural livelihoods throughout Central Asia. Soil degradation, desertification, and changing weather patterns have become critical regional concerns, particularly for countries with large agricultural sectors and fragile ecosystems. Kazakhstan’s participation demonstrates growing recognition that climate risks cannot be managed through isolated national policies alone. </p>
<h3>Kazakhstan explores joint digital initiatives with the Digital Cooperation Organisation</h3>
<p>Kazakhstan is exploring new digital partnerships with the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) as part of its wider push toward  technological modernisation  and digital transformation. The discussions focus on collaborative digital initiatives that could strengthen innovation, connectivity, and technology-driven economic growth. Kazakhstan has increasingly prioritised digital development in recent years, viewing technology as a key driver of competitiveness, public sector efficiency, and economic diversification. Cooperation with the DCO could support initiatives linked to digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, e-governance, and innovation ecosystems. It also positions Kazakhstan within broader international conversations about the future of digital economies and cross-border technological cooperation. </p>
<h3>Young Kazakh students research melting glaciers in the Tien Shan mountains</h3>
<p>Young students in Kazakhstan are  researching the melting glaciers  of the Tien Shan mountains, drawing attention to one of the region’s most urgent environmental challenges. The research reflects growing concern over the long-term effects of climate change on Central Asia’s water systems. The Tien Shan glaciers play a critical role in supplying freshwater to communities, agriculture, and ecosystems across multiple countries. Accelerated melting threatens future water availability and could intensify regional competition over shared water resources. The involvement of students is particularly notable because it highlights increasing public awareness and educational engagement around environmental science and climate resilience. Their work also underscores how climate change is no longer viewed solely as a scientific or policy issue but as a generational concern affecting future economic and environmental stability throughout the region.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
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        <media:credit role="photographer">Sergey Bobylev</media:credit>
        <media:credit role="provider">Sputnik</media:credit>
        <media:title>Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends the Eurasian Economic Forum in Minsk</media:title>
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      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Abigail Johnson Boakye]]></dc:creator>
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    <item>
      <title>Why six EU countries still refuse to adopt the euro</title>
      <link>https://www.globalsouthworld.com/article/why-six-eu-countries-still-refuse-to-adopt-the-euro</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 22:49:29 Z</pubDate>
      <description><![CDATA[<p>More than two decades after the euro became Europe’s common currency, six European Union member states continue to retain their national currencies, highlighting ongoing political, economic and public resistance to full monetary integration.</p>
<p>While the euro is used by 20 of the EU’s 27 member countries, Poland, Romania, Denmark, Sweden, Czechia and Hungary have all chosen, or in some cases delayed, joining the eurozone, despite being part of the bloc’s single market.</p>
<p>The euro was officially introduced in 1999 for electronic transactions and entered circulation in 2002, becoming one of the world’s most traded currencies alongside the U.S. dollar. According to the  European Central Bank  (ECB), more than 340 million people currently use the euro across Europe.</p>
<p>However, adopting the euro requires countries to meet strict economic  conditions  known as the Maastricht criteria, including limits on inflation, government debt, budget deficits and exchange rate stability.</p>
<p>Among the six holdouts, Denmark remains the only country with a formal opt-out agreement negotiated during the Maastricht Treaty in the 1990s. The Danish krone is closely pegged to the euro through the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, effectively keeping its value stable against the common currency while preserving national monetary control.</p>
<p>Sweden, meanwhile, has repeatedly delayed adopting the euro after voters rejected the currency in a 2003 referendum. Although Sweden is technically obligated to join eventually, successive governments have avoided entering the exchange rate mechanism required for accession.</p>
<p>In Central and Eastern Europe, countries such as Poland, Hungary and Czechia have cited economic flexibility and monetary independence as key reasons for retaining their national currencies.</p>
<p>Poland’s zloty, for example, has often been viewed domestically as an important buffer against external economic shocks. During periods of inflation or slowing growth, governments and central banks can adjust interest rates and currency policy independently, tools that eurozone members surrender to the European Central Bank.</p>
<p>Hungary’s forint and Czechia’s koruna have similarly allowed policymakers greater control over domestic economic conditions, particularly during periods of volatility linked to  energy  prices, inflation and global market uncertainty.</p>
<p>Romania continues to target eventual  euro adoption  but has repeatedly postponed timelines due to inflation and fiscal challenges. The European Commission has previously stated that several non-Euro EU members still do not fully meet convergence requirements.</p>
]]></description>
      <source url="https://www.globalsouthworld.com">Global South World</source>
      <media:content url="https://gsw.codexcdn.net/assets/as49eafp6hMaUb3lc.jpg?width=1280&amp;height=720&amp;quality=75&amp;r=fill&amp;g=no" medium="image" type="image/jpeg">
        <media:credit role="photographer">Abigail Johnson Boakye</media:credit>
        <media:credit role="provider">World Visualized</media:credit>
        <media:title>Why six EU countries still refuse to adopt the euro</media:title>
      </media:content>
      <dc:creator><![CDATA[Abigail Johnson Boakye]]></dc:creator>
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