sustainable development

Broadcom has agreed to lend Anthropic up to $42 billion, which the AI company will use to lease Broadcom chips, according to Yahoo Finance. The deal is being described as another example of circular investing, in which chipmakers finance their customers' purchases of their own hardware. The arrangement adds to a series of similar financing deals between AI developers and semiconductor suppliers, raising questions among observers about the sustainability of vendor-funded AI expansion.

UN Secretary-General has appointed Brian Williams of the United States as the next United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan. In this role he will lead the UN development system's work in the country, coordinating agency efforts to support Kyrgyzstan's national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The appointment was announced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Pablo Ruiz Hiebra of Spain as the UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba. In this role he will lead UN development work in the country, coordinating agency efforts on sustainable development and support to the Cuban government. The appointment was announced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, which oversees the Resident Coordinator system worldwide.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has used its domestically developed FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time. The announcement marks a milestone for Ukraine's homegrown weapons industry as the country seeks to sustain its defence against Russia despite uncertainty over Western military aid.

The Banker examines how Brazil is pushing sustainability into development finance, looking at efforts to align lending and investment with environmental goals. The piece highlights the country's role in shaping green financing models in emerging markets, a topic drawing attention as investors and policymakers weigh how large developing economies can fund growth while meeting climate commitments.

The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs received a courtesy call from the Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN at the ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting reflects the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two blocs, which maintain a strategic partnership covering trade, connectivity and sustainable development. Details of the discussion were not disclosed.

A new report on the state of the indie games industry in 2026 has been published, with its second part focusing on economics and pricing. It examines how independent developers are setting prices and sustaining their businesses amid a crowded market and rising costs. Industry watchers are following it for insight into how indie studios plan to stay viable in the coming year.

Analysis from consultancy ERM argues that financing for liquefied natural gas projects now faces a narrower window as lenders and investors raise environmental and social expectations. The outlook suggests new LNG developments will need stronger sustainability credentials to secure capital, with scrutiny of emissions, community impacts and climate commitments shaping decisions across the global gas sector.

A Crain's New York Business op-ed argues that Zohran Mamdani must develop a long-term strategy to support New York City's small businesses, beyond short-term measures. The piece says the city's storefronts and entrepreneurs need sustained policy attention as the new administration sets its agenda, and calls on Mamdani to make small-business vitality a core priority.

The UN Forum of Mayors is set to convene in Geneva, bringing city leaders together to discuss how municipalities are accelerating delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. The gathering highlights the growing role of cities in implementing global development targets, as local governments take on more responsibility for climate action, housing and services ahead of international deadlines.