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Under the 2026 theme “Cooperatives for a peaceful world”, the International Day of Cooperatives highlights the role of cooperative enterprises in advancing social justice, inclusion and solidarity. Announced by the International Cooperative Alliance, the theme recognizes cooperatives as people-centered institutions that foster trust, social cohesion, decent work, poverty reduction and peacebuilding by bringing communities together through democratic ownership, open membership and collective responsibility.

Rising borrowing costs are squeezing developing countries’ budgets, leaving less funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure and climate action while highlighting the need for more affordable long-term finance.

Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of economies worldwide, representing more than 90 per cent of businesses and contributing significantly to employment, livelihoods and economic growth. As the world confronts intersecting economic, social, environmental and technological challenges, empowering MSMEs is essential to building resilient economies. By expanding access to technology, digital infrastructure, affordable finance and market opportunities, governments and partners can help MSMEs drive inclusive growth and contribute to sustainable industrial development.  

sent by more than 200 million migrants and diaspora members support around 800 million people worldwide and are a vital source of income for rural communities. Through its , the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is helping maximize their impact by investing in digital infrastructure, financial inclusion and innovative partnerships. Programmes in Africa, Central Asia and beyond are making remittances safer, cheaper and more accessible while linking them to savings, credit, entrepreneurship and climate resilience. By strengthening financial services and leveraging diaspora investments, IFAD aims to transform remittance flows into a powerful driver of rural development, economic growth and long-term resilience.

A simple transfer of money can sow the seeds of opportunity, resilience and growth. The International Day of Family Remittances (18 June) highlights the theme “Remittances for Rural Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Employment.” Nearly US$700 billion is sent annually to low- and middle-income countries, with around one-third reaching rural communities. The 2026 campaign calls on governments, the private sector and civil society to harness remittances and diaspora investment to expand entrepreneurship, create decent jobs, strengthen food security, and build more resilient and inclusive rural economies.

UNCTAD warns could add $20 billion yearly to import bills, hitting vulnerable economies and worsening poverty globally.

Nutrition is a cornerstone of rural transformation, linking healthy populations, resilient food systems and stronger local economies. Malnutrition costs the global economy up to US$3.5 trillion each year, while every dollar invested in nutrition can generate about US$23 in returns. The International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD) promotes nutrition-sensitive investments that address the causes of malnutrition and strengthen sustainable food systems. Home-grown school feeding programmes illustrate this approach by improving children’s diets while creating reliable markets for small-scale farmers. In Kenya, IFAD-supported cooperatives supply nutritious grains to schools, boosting food security and livelihoods. Through partnerships with governments, donors and international agencies, including Norway-funded initiatives in seven African countries, IFAD has improved nutrition and livelihoods for over 263,000 rural people. 

���󴡶�’s public-private-producer partnerships connect companies with small farmers, increasing incomes, strengthening supply chains, and supporting sustainable rural development globally.

The is helping textile manufacturers in Albania improve productivity, workplace standards and wages, supporting business growth while creating better-quality jobs for local workers.

As conflict rises and aid declines, UNDP argues that investing in long-term development is essential to building resilience, reducing costs, and securing global peace and stability.

When psychosocial factors harm workers, they become hazards that, alongside physical, chemical and biological risks, must be addressed and managed to ensure safe and healthy working environments. Each year, an estimated 840,000 deaths are linked to psychosocial risks at work, underscoring the scale and urgency of the challenge. The 2026 campaign of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April) focuses on creating safe and healthy psychosocial working environments, tackling issues such as work-related stress, burnout and mental health, alongside physical safety.

The world is seeing a huge rise in the number of young people ready to work, especially in developing countries, but far too few jobs are being created. Governments don’t need to create all the jobs themselves. Instead, they should make it easier for businesses to start, grow, and hire by setting clear, fair, and predictable rules. When companies feel confident to invest, more jobs follow. If countries succeed, growth and stability will spread globally. If they fail, job shortages could lead to deeper poverty, migration, and unrest.

A where developing countries collaborate, share debt management strategies, and strengthen collective capacity to address rising financial challenges.

The  finds that a worsening global context—marked by financing gaps, energy shocks, debt burdens, aid declines, and geopolitical fragmentation—is constraining progress on the SDGs. It highlights a “financing squeeze” in developing countries, with high borrowing costs and limited investment.  The report calls for implementing the , a blueprint for action on financing development.

To protect low-income households, small businesses, farmers and vulnerable communities from financial risk, UNDP and partners roll out world’s largest .