international development sector

The US is preparing to roll out new global health programs that have not been presented to or reviewed by Congress, according to Devex. The report raises questions about transparency and the administration's authority to fund and direct international health initiatives without legislative oversight, and is likely to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and development-sector observers.

Chinese state media reports that embodied AI robots developed in China are increasingly being deployed in real-world workplaces rather than remaining confined to research and classroom settings. The feature highlights how the country's robotics sector is pushing humanoid and intelligent machines into practical jobs, reflecting China's broader push to lead in embodied artificial intelligence and industrial automation.

The International Monetary Fund has approved a $139 million disbursement to El Salvador, but continues pressing the government to scale back its Bitcoin activities. The fund wants the country to wind down its public Bitcoin accumulation program and limit state involvement in the crypto sector. The move highlights the ongoing tension between El Salvador's Bitcoin adoption strategy and the conditions attached to IMF financial support.

The United Nations Development Programme is calling for greater private sector engagement to restore Sudan's food production and support economic recovery. The appeal comes as the country's agricultural sector and economy have been severely disrupted by ongoing conflict. The UNDP argues that mobilising businesses and investment is essential to rebuilding food systems and stabilising livelihoods across Sudan.

Devex has published a breakdown of salaries for finance roles in the international development sector, outlining what professionals can expect to earn across different positions and organisations. The piece offers pay benchmarks for job seekers and career changers interested in development finance careers.

The World Power Battery Conference 2026 opened on 3 September in Yibin, Sichuan Province, China, bringing together battery manufacturers, technology developers, policymakers and international partners. The fifth annual edition focuses on advanced battery technologies, with discussions centred on the future of the power battery industry and global supply chains.

Investment firms Patria and Ashmore have completed the sale of the Puerta de Oro solar park in Colombia. The deal marks a further transaction in the country's growing renewable energy sector, where international investors have been developing and divesting solar assets. Details of the buyer and the transaction value were not disclosed in initial reports.

Exus Renewables has acquired 715 MW of solar and storage capacity in the United States from developer ibV. The deal adds a substantial portfolio of US renewable energy assets to Exus's holdings and reflects continued consolidation in the American clean energy sector, where developers are selling operational and pipeline capacity to larger international players.

Seven banks, including Barclays and Wells Fargo, have joined Project Agorá, the Bank for International Settlements' initiative to explore tokenised cross-border payments using central bank deposits alongside commercial bank money. The move marks a notable surge in Canadian bank participation in the project. The development signals growing institutional interest in shared ledger technology for wholesale settlements.

French development finance institution Proparco has joined the group of lenders backing a 467-MWp solar project in Peru, according to an announcement reported by Renewables Now. The addition of Proparco to the financing consortium signals continued international support for large-scale renewable energy development in Peru.