A teacher uses a tablet in her classroom. In middle-income countries, AI usage is concentrated among ICT workers and teaching professionals. Copyright: Adobe StockUntil recently, researchers studying AI's labor market effects had to work with a fundamental limitation: Without actual usage data, we had to rely on theoretical measures of "exposure&q...
Economic, financial and monetary developmentsSummaryAt its meeting on 5 February 2026, the Governing Council decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. Its updated assessment reconfirmed that inflation should stabilise at its 2% target in the medium term. The economy remains resilient in a challenging global environment. Low unemployment, ...
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development will release its latest Economic Survey of Mexico on Thursday, 26 February 2026. The report analyses the performance of the Mexican economy in the context of current global developments and challenges, highlighting both the main obstacles and the opportunities the country faces to strengt...
Why This Forum MattersThe UNIDO Climate Adaptation and Industrial Resilience Forum 2026 is a global meeting point for governments, industry, finance, and innovation partners to put climate adaptation at the heart of industrial development. Anchored in UNIDO’s Climate Action Plan 2025–2029, it focuses on practical solutions that keep factories running, pr...
Photo: Pexels / cottonbro studioWalk into a grocery store and markets behave as textbooks predict prices signal value; consumers compare options, competition rewards efficiency. Now we swap groceries for cancer treatment, maternal care, or emergency surgery. Healthcare is different. As Nobel Laureate Kenneth Arrow argued six decades ago—and glob...
At a meeting on 16 February, WTO members participating in the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative continued exploring new approaches to reforming fossil fuel subsidies and examining the effects of subsidies provided to emissions-intensive sectors. Members reaffirmed the importance of enhancing transparency through greater information and experienc...
18 February 2026 - 10:30 am - 18 February 2026 - 1:00 pmLocation :UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, FranceRooms :Room IType :Launch of a publicationArrangement type :In-PersonLanguage(s) :French, English
The ongoing war in Ukraine has displaced millions of people and put significant strain on local economies. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), have faced major disruptions, leading to job losses, skill gaps and reduced income opportunities. In response, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), ...
A new ITC report shows strong support for the African Union certification scheme, highlighting quality as the top driver for its success in boosting regional trade.The African Union’s Made in Africa (MiA) label is gaining momentum across the continent, promising to reshape how African-made goods are perceived both locally and internationally. Launched in ...
UN Zambia Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali Delivering her remarks during the launch. UNDP Zambia/Cecilia Mubambe17 February 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf), today officially re-launched iVerify Zambia 2.0, a national fact-checking and response mechanism designe...
