Development Policy Centre

EU ministers are holding a meeting focused on continued aid for Ukraine, while in parallel diplomatic news has broken that Donald Trump has rejected a deal proposed by Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The simultaneous developments keep both the Ukraine war funding question and Gulf shipping tensions at the centre of international attention today.

India is looking to established semiconductor centres across Asia as it works to accelerate its chip manufacturing ambitions. The report indicates New Delhi is drawing on the experience and supply chains of regional hubs to fast-track development of its domestic semiconductor industry, a key priority in its industrial policy.

Coverage is circulating of the second part of a highlights roundup from the World Cancer Congress 2026, summarising key presentations and developments shared at the global oncology gathering. The roundup is aimed at cancer professionals and researchers following the congress remotely, distilling sessions into digestible takeaways. Interest centres on what new research, treatment approaches and policy discussions were featured at this year's event.

Air pollution in Viet Nam is under renewed focus as the United Nations Development Programme highlights the gap between existing environmental policies and their implementation on the ground. The discussion centres on how the country can move from planning to enforcement, improving air quality in cities and protecting public health through coordinated government action.