ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 15, 2026--
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is strengthening water security and agricultural resilience in Serbia through a nearly US$100 million concessional financing programme supporting irrigation infrastructure across five regions.
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The development of irrigated agriculture project covers 122,432 hectares of agricultural land, with more than 108,000 hectares already irrigated and a further 14,000 hectares under construction. Infrastructure upgrades include 17 irrigation canals extending over 500 kilometres and more than 60 pumping stations, improving water access, strengthening flood control and supporting more reliable agricultural production.
Dragan Glamočić, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, said: “Climate change and increasingly extreme weather conditions have made the importance of irrigation clear. With strong partners such as ADFD and the UAE, Serbia has been able to access highly favourable financing to develop irrigation infrastructure across tens of thousands of hectares. This is strengthening agricultural production, supporting new businesses and increasing revenues across Serbia. Most importantly, this partnership is helping to strengthen stability and food security for our citizens.”
H.E. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said: “Water security is fundamental to resilient agriculture, particularly as changing climate and rainfall patterns place greater pressure on farmers and agricultural systems. Our partnership with the Serbian Government reflects our commitment to strengthening the infrastructure needed in partner countries to secure water for agriculture, support more reliable production and enable farmers to plan and invest with greater confidence.”
The programme reflects ADFD’s longstanding commitment to water security as a foundation for agricultural development and food security. This commitment is further advanced through the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, launched in January 2026, which aims to mobilise US$2 billion in financing, including an initial US$1 billion commitment from ADFD between 2026 and 2030. With an additional US$1 billion expected from partners, the platform targets approximately 10 million beneficiaries worldwide and supports progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
Source:AETOSWire
Abu Dhabi Fund For Development's Irrigated Agriculture Development Project in Serbia (Photo: AETOSWire)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Open enrollment for Medicare plans begins Thursday and enrollees will face a slew of changes that go into effect in 2027.
During the enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7, people will have the opportunity to choose between traditional Medicare and privately run Medicare Advantage plans in their area, as well as prescription drug plans. Those changes go into effect on Jan. 1.
Open enrollment also comes as inflation adds pressure on seniors whose healthcare costs have risen and as midterm elections are weeks away. Voters have consistently said cost-of-living is a major concern headed into the elections.
The Medicare enrollment period also comes as the Social Security Administration announced Wednesday that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will go up by 3.6% beginning in 2027, which translates to $75 extra per month for the nearly 72 million people who receive monthly Social Security benefits and about 7.3 million beneficiaries who get Supplemental Security Income.
New changes to Medicare coming in 2027 include higher Part D out-of-pocket caps, the end of temporary federal Part D premium subsidies, and new drug price negotiations.
Here are a few of the biggest changes:
The cap on annual out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare Part D drugs will increase to $2,400, up from $2,100 in 2026, and the standard deductible will increase from $615 to $700.
The temporary Part D premium subsidy will also end early.
The Trump administration concludes at year’s end a temporary Medicare Part D subsidy program that has helped offset premiums.
It was initially implemented by former President Joe Biden's administration in 2024 to lower patients’ Medicare Part D prescription drug costs in response to effects of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has projected only modest price increases for most people. CMS did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.
New Medicare-negotiated prices, part of a Biden-era law that allows the haggling for Medicare, will go into effect for 15 drugs, including weight-loss and diabetes medications Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy.
Additionally, Trelegy Ellipta, Xtandi, Pomalyst, Ibrance, Ofev, Linzess, Calquence, Austedo/Austedo XR, Breo Ellipta, Tradjenta, Xifaxan, Vraylar, Janumet/Janumet XR, and Otezla will be covered by Medicare as of Jan. 1.
CMS expects the change to lower prescription drug coverage for people enrolled in Medicare by $685 million in 2027.
AARP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Nancy LeaMond said in a statement that “higher healthcare costs are making it harder for older Americans to afford the care they need."
“It’s more important than ever to shop around, compare your options, and choose the coverage that’s best for you," she said.
Along with the changes, President Donald Trump in recent weeks made a series of promises to Medicare enrollees and retirees.
Last week, Trump said his administration will make one-time payments of $90 per person in October to help more than 20 million Medicare enrollees — or less than one third of enrollees — pay for their Part B premiums. It will cost about $2 billion.
Not eligible are roughly 35 million Medicare Advantage enrollees, millions of other people with disabilities and low-income Medicare recipients.
According to the CMS website, eligible beneficiaries will receive one $90 rebate this month, with most getting a direct deposit. Others will receive a paper check from the Treasury Department later in October.
Trump also announced recently that roughly 1 million people would get rebate checks of $500 for Affordable Care Act premiums.
FILE - A Medicare Advantage PPO card rests on top of a Medicare card in Portland, Ore., June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
