By Abdullahi Lukman
Governments and international development institutions are stepping up investments in food security, public health, climate resilience, education and inclusive employment as countries seek to better withstand economic, environmental and humanitarian shocks.
In the Caribbean, countries are targeting greater food self-sufficiency after spending more than $6 billion annually on food imports. A new regional investment Deal Book has identified more than $315 million in opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, agro-processing and logistics, with the aim of attracting private investment alongside public and development financing.
Food insecurity is also worsening in Myanmar, where conflict, displacement and rising prices have left more than 12 million people facing acute hunger. The Republic of Korea has provided an additional $5 million to the World Food Programme to support food assistance for 140,000 people and nutrition programmes for 15,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In Africa, the African Development Bank is highlighting the impact of its $1.5 billion Emergency Food Production Facility, which has supported more than 15 million farmers and contributed to over 45 million tonnes of food production. The bank is also urging increased financing for land restoration in fragile and conflict-affected areas, linking degraded-land recovery to food security, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Public health remains another major concern. Guinea-Bissau is responding to its first reported mpox outbreak, with children accounting for about half of 46 suspected cases, including 16 children under four. Authorities are prioritising early detection, contact tracing, public awareness and protection of vulnerable groups.
In Colombia, about 1.2 million people require humanitarian assistance following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in the western part of the country. More than 134,000 homes have been damaged and nearly 30,000 destroyed. UN agencies are seeking $148.1 million for shelter, food, healthcare, sanitation and protection, although reaching isolated communities remains difficult.
Energy and education investments are also gaining momentum. Maryland has signed a 20-year solar power purchase agreement expected to save between $298 million and $515 million while generating about 250,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually from 2028. The state has also awarded $14.7 million in grants to support 845 educators pursuing teacher licensure, particularly in special education and early childhood education.
Across Asia, the International Labour Organization is advocating stronger disability-inclusive employment policies. A study of employment quota systems in Indonesia and other Asian economies recommends better enforcement, monitoring, incentives and institutional support, offering 17 recommendations to expand opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Development finance is meanwhile supporting broader resilience efforts. The Asian Development Bank has raised $2 billion through a 10-year global benchmark bond as part of its 2026 capital-market programme.
In Latin America, Chile has joined a regional network aimed at strengthening essential public-health functions and cooperation among countries.
Taken together, the initiatives reflect a growing shift from short-term crisis response toward long-term investments in resilient food, health, energy, education, employment and environmental systems.
