The Luxembourg government, together with the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), launched the AI-powered "Rio Changemakers" platform at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This initiative was formally unveiled alongside ministers and representatives from eleven countries, with Luxembourg pledging €320 million over the next five years to support transparent, locally-led climate and nature solutions. The announcement is documented on both the official government site and leading climate organizations.​ The Rio Changemakers Platform Developed via partnership between Luxembourg and GLF, "Rio Changemakers" uses proprietary artificial intelligence to connect investors with high-integrity projects led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.​ The platform’s AI engine matches investment pipelines to community-led climate/nature projects globally, with curation for impact, bankability, and transparency.​ It aims to address the major funding gap—less than 15% of climate finance currently reaches local actors—by accelerating investor engagement and capacity-building.​ Impact and International Support The launch drew high-level endorsement; Luxembourg’s Environment Minister Serge Wilmes highlighted the moral and financial imperative to make nature-based solutions more accessible and viable worldwide.​ Representatives from countries including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Switzerland, and Tunisia confirmed support, emphasizing that AI-powered matchmaking can help streamline investments, reduce costs, and improve project visibility.​ The platform will undergo a 12-month pilot phase before becoming fully operational by COP31, promising annual tracking for results and stakeholder engagement.​ The GLF and Luxembourg’s Finance for Nature Platform The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) connects knowledge, innovation, and stakeholders across land use, climate, and biodiversity sectors, with support from organizations like CIFOR-ICRAF, UNEP, and the World Bank.​ Luxembourg–GLF Finance for Nature is an ongoing initiative aiming to mainstream investment in sustainable landscapes, channeling finance toward scalable community-driven solutions that address biodiversity loss and climate change.​ This program establishes Luxembourg as a global leader in sustainable finance and climate technology, while making real inroads in ensuring capital reaches those best equipped to deliver change on the ground.

The national employment agency, ADEM, has officially reported that Luxembourg’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.9% as of October 2025, confirming a gradual decline over several months. This data is published by both ADEM and the national statistics portal STATEC, providing an authentic and reliable government source for employment statistics. ALEBA, the country’s trade union for financial sector employees, publicly expressed "unconditional support" for staff impacted by restructuring at Amazon’s local offices, highlighting shifting dynamics in the tech sector.​ ALEBA’s Support Amid Amazon Layoffs ALEBA, one of Luxembourg’s largest financial sector unions, has voiced firm support for Amazon employees affected by recent redundancy announcements.​ The union pledged to help workers navigate legal and employment challenges, stressing the importance of solidarity in times of change.​ Employment and Unemployment Trends As of the end of October 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 5.9%, according to the seasonally adjusted figures from the national statistical office.​ The number of active jobseekers showed a minor increase compared to this time last year, yet there is a downward trend in jobseekers receiving full benefits, and overall beneficiary numbers fell by 2.2% year-on-year.​ Job vacancies are stable, with nearly 3,141 open positions reported last month, and available positions have increased 7.8% year-over-year—a positive sign for those seeking new opportunities in the tech and finance sectors.​ Broader Impacts Recent layoffs at Amazon reflect wider changes in Luxembourg’s tech industry, driven by automation, global competition, and an evolving regulatory environment.​ Trade unions and government agencies continue to monitor the situation, launching retraining and support programs to cushion the effects on employees. --- Join the largest online community for expats luxembourgexpats.lu

Interest Rate Adjustment On November 21, 2025, Luxembourg’s Cabinet approved a new legal interest rate for 2026, now set at 3.75%. This change reflects ongoing economic policy efforts to balance local financial conditions with broader European market trends. By adjusting the rate, policymakers aim to keep Luxembourg competitive as an attractive environment for investment while managing inflation and economic growth.​ Palliative Care Reforms The government introduced significant improvements to access and administration of palliative care. Notably, rules around deadlines and extension procedures were loosened, including the removal of a five-day deadline for physicians’ declarations and the elimination of the previous 35-day limit on care access. Patients and healthcare providers will benefit from fewer bureaucratic hurdles and a more flexible approach, ensuring faster and easier access to essential care in critical situations.​ Modernizing Tax Administration Luxembourg is pushing further into digital transformation by modernizing its Inland Revenue Service. The new reforms focus on IT upgrades, digitization of internal procedures, and streamlined management of tax data. These changes are set to simplify compliance, enhance efficiency, and support a smarter approach to tax oversight. The move is part of a larger strategy that also includes updates to the carried interest regime, reduced corporate tax rates, and more competitive fund management regulations.​ Digital and Sustainable Finance Vision The Finance Minister emphasized Luxembourg’s aim to establish a robust European framework for digital and green investment—a priority that aligns with the nation’s leading role in sustainable finance and fintech. By bolstering regulatory clarity and supporting innovation in these sectors, Luxembourg is working to solidify its standing as an international hub for next-generation financial products and services.​ These strategic cabinet decisions underscore Luxembourg’s commitment to efficient governance, progressive healthcare, and adaptive financial regulation—laying solid foundations for economic and social wellbeing in 2026 and beyond.

A short daily walk may do more for the brain than we ever imagined. New research indicates that people at higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease could slow cognitive deterioration simply by reaching 3,000 steps a day — a target that’s achievable for most older adults. Researchers from Harvard University tracked 296 people aged 50 to 90 for up to 14 years, using wearable devices to accurately measure their daily movement. Unlike earlier studies based on memory or self-reporting, this approach offered a clearer picture of how physical activity supports brain health. Participants also underwent brain scans to monitor levels of beta-amyloid and tau, two misfolded proteins linked to Alzheimer’s. Those with elevated beta-amyloid at the study’s start showed striking benefits when they stayed active: 3,000–5,000 steps/day → slower buildup of tau proteins → cognitive decline slowed by around 40% 5,000–7,500 steps/day → even slower tau progression → cognitive decline reduced by about 54% But more wasn’t necessarily better — benefits plateaued beyond 7,500 steps a day. Scientists aren’t yet sure exactly why light exercise makes such a difference. Theories include reduced brain inflammation, improved blood circulation, and boosted protective hormones — all known to support neural resilience. “It doesn’t need to be intense. Consistency is key,” researchers noted. Still, the findings aren’t definitive proof. People who feel healthier may naturally move more, and other lifestyle factors could play a role. Future controlled studies will be needed to confirm whether regular walking can directly slow Alzheimer’s progression. What isn’t debatable? The overall value of staying active. Walking is free, low-risk, and improves heart health, mood, sleep — and now potentially long-term brain function. As one expert put it: Don’t stress about hitting a perfect number — just keep moving. A simple daily stroll might be one of the most powerful tools we have to support our brains as we age. Read More: newscientist.com/article/2502635-walking-3000-steps-a-day-seems-to-slow-alzheimers-related-decline Sign up to Join Our Community: luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxair has kicked off the holiday season with the third edition of its much-loved Christmas collection — featuring quirky festive sweaters and matching socks — all for a heart-warming cause. Every euro raised from the limited-edition items will be donated to the Fondation du Grand-Duc Guillaume et de la Grande-Duchesse Stéphanie to help people experiencing hardship in Luxembourg. As part of Luxair’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility, the airline is encouraging the public to turn a fun seasonal purchase into meaningful community support. The collection has been created for all ages, ensuring families across the country can join in the spirit of giving. Available at Luxair Travel Stores and selected retail partners, the campaign will also pop up in three major shopping malls — Kirchberg, Cloche d’Or and Belle Étoile — during three festive weekends: 29–30 November, 6–7 December and 13–14 December. The designs embrace classic red and green tones with a hint of Luxair blue and a playful message: “Fasten your jingle belt.” Campaign visuals, photographed at Luxair HQ, are set against children’s drawings from a community event, underscoring the campaign’s family-focused and inclusive message. “This initiative offers a simple way for people to support neighbours in need while enjoying the festive season,” said Luxair CEO Gilles Feith, who expressed pride in continuing the partnership with the Grand Ducal foundation. Grand Duchess Stéphanie, who leads the foundation, highlighted the immediate impact of the campaign: “It spreads joy during the holidays while providing real support to those facing challenges in our country.” With creativity, community spirit and a touch of Christmas humor, Luxair once again proves that festive fashion can make a real difference. Sign up to Join Our Community: luxembourgexpats.lu

Luxembourg is preparing to host a high-level mission of the World Health Organization’s Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) on 27–28 November 2025 at Senningen Castle, marking a major milestone in the country’s effort to bolster health-emergency readiness. The UHPR is a voluntary, peer-review mechanism that examines a nation’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public-health crises, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and aligning with international health-security frameworks. The mission will bring together senior figures from the Luxembourg government, the WHO and the European Commission, including the Minister of Health and Social Security, the WHO Regional Director for Europe and the Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, as well as high-level representatives from the European Commission’s health and food-safety and health-emergency preparedness authorities. For two days, stakeholders will engage in strategic-level dialogue aimed at strengthening multisectoral coordination, transparency and accountability in Luxembourg’s health-security architecture. Luxembourg’s decision to participate reflects its strategic commitment to national and cross-border health resilience. By undergoing the UHPR, the country seeks to create a tailored action plan to address identified vulnerabilities in governance, financing and system coordination and to demonstrate transparent leadership in health-emergency preparedness. The process is designed to produce non-binding but robust recommendations and to foster peer-exchange among states on best practices and collaborative responses. Preparatory work led by the Ministry of Health and Social Security already includes the creation of a national commission and secretariat, broad consultations across sectors and the drafting of a detailed national review report. These steps underscore the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that the UHPR requires — extending beyond health ministries to encompass civil-society organisations, private sector actors and academic institutions. For Luxembourg, hosting the mission is more than a symbolic gesture: it raises the country’s profile as a pro-active contributor to European health security and aligns national action with the broader EU health-emergency preparedness agenda. As global health threats evolve, Luxembourg’s participation signals that even smaller states can play a significant role in setting standards, committing to meaningful reform and sharing lessons regionally. While the review does not impose legally binding obligations, its value lies in peer accountability, visibility and structured follow-up for capacity-building. As Luxembourg convenes the mission in November, the government emphasises that the exercise will generate concrete next-steps, mobilise domestic and external resources and build momentum for stronger preparedness — ensuring the country is better equipped for whatever health crisis comes next. WHO - who.int/luxembourg/events/item/2025/11/27/default-calendar/luxembourg-s-universal-health-and-preparedness-review-high-level-mission?utm_source Read More: gouvernement.lu/en/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2025/11-novembre/21-deprez-uhpr-oms.html Sign up to Join Our Community : luxembourgexpats.lu

Travellers in Luxembourg will gain a new northern connection as Finnair plans to introduce a direct route linking Luxembourg Airport to Helsinki in 2026. The airline’s expansion aims to strengthen travel between the heart of Europe and the Nordic region, offering passengers easier access to Finland’s capital and its long-haul network across Asia. The upcoming link is part of a broader strategy by Finnair to widen its European footprint after several years of industry challenges. With Luxembourg’s fast-growing international community and business landscape, the new connection is expected to attract both corporate and leisure passengers seeking efficient travel towards Scandinavia and beyond. Helsinki Airport serves as a major hub for flights heading toward Japan and other Asian destinations, giving travellers from Luxembourg an additional gateway to the east. The route is projected to improve Finland’s tourism outreach as well, inviting visitors to discover Helsinki’s coastal culture and the country’s vast natural attractions. Schedules and frequencies have not yet been finalised, but initial plans foresee regular weekly connections from the start of summer 2026. Aviation observers say more details will follow as airlines continue to assess demand and fine-tune their upcoming season plans. For Luxembourg, the launch represents another boost to its air connectivity, reinforcing Findel Airport’s recovery and its role as an efficient point of travel within Europe. With the growing interest in Nordic destinations and the convenience of direct links, the new Finnair route is likely to be welcomed by travellers looking for fresh options in their 2026 plans. Sign up to Join Our Community: luxembourgexpats.lu

In Luxembourg, the Fédération Hospitalière du Luxembourg (FHL) and the major trade-union associations OGBL-LCGB have jointly issued a strong defence of the nation’s public healthcare model, rejecting changes that risk creating a system of “medicine for a select few”. Their declaration on 17 November 2025 comes amid proposed reforms including private medical companies and the decision by doctors to pull out of the convention with the Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS). The FHL and unions argue these shifts threaten equal access to treatment. They emphasise that mandatory physician convention-tariffs ensure all patients receive care under the same conditions, and that any move away from this principle risks privileging those who can pay more. They oppose what they view as the commercialisation of healthcare and call for the convention system to remain intact. While the public ownership structure is not their key concern, the biggest danger facing the system today is the shortage of staff. The organisations stress that attracting and retaining skilled personnel must be a priority. They argue for improved working conditions, expanded training programmes and recognition of foreign diplomas to ensure the system remains sustainable. The statement also supports developing decentralised outpatient centres to improve regional access — provided these remain integrated with the state system and hospital network, preserving a unified service structure. Furthermore, the FHL and unions insist that the collective agreement for hospital workers must apply to all healthcare staff, whether at central hospitals or in new regional facilities, to prevent inequality in employment terms. Their message is clear: healthcare in Luxembourg should be a common good — not a luxury. They reaffirm the country does not need care meant only for the wealthy, but rather a strengthened universal system that has proven effective and sustainable so far. Sign up to Join the Community: luxembourgexpats.lu 

Women across the European Union earn on average just €0.88 for every euro a man makes, according to a recent analysis from the European Commission. This figure reflects a gender pay gap of 12%, meaning that by 17 November, women in effect begin working without pay for the remainder of the year — a date which Brussels designates as this year’s “Equal Pay Day”. While the gap has narrowed by around 4 percentage points over the past decade, progress has been uneven and slower than many hoped. The Commission highlights that roughly 24% of the gap can be attributed to the fact that women are over-represented in lower-paid sectors such as healthcare, education and social services. In addition, women spend more time each week on unpaid labour — such as caregiving and household tasks — which can limit their opportunities for advancement and smaller wage growth over time. Less than one in ten company CEOs across the bloc are women, pointing to structural barriers at higher levels of the workforce. In response, the Commission is pushing forward a set of reforms, notably the Pay Transparency Directive, which will require companies to provide more detailed salary data and act if gender pay gaps exceed 5%. The directive is slated to come into force by June 2026 at the latest. Brussels is also preparing its upcoming Gender Equality Strategy for the post-2025 period, seeking deeper progress across employment, pay and care services. Despite improvements, the pay gap remains meaningful. For women in the EU this year, the implication is stark: the discrepancy in pay means that a portion of their work effectively goes unpaid — a reminder of the work ahead to achieve full gender income equality. Read More: euronews.com/my-europe/2025/11/17/pay-inequality-means-women-work-for-free-until-years-end-european-commission-says

Luxembourg’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.9% as of 31 October 2025, according to data released by Agence pour le développement de l’emploi (ADEM) and the statistics office. The number of resident jobseekers registered with ADEM stood at 18,720, up slightly (+2.3%) compared to the same time last year, driven largely by increases among highly qualified candidates (+9.4%), those aged 45 and over (+4.1%), and long-term jobseekers (+5.0%). The number of young jobseekers fell slightly by 0.7% to 3,697. In October, employers notified ADEM of 3,141 job vacancies, while the stock of available positions climbed 7.8% year-on-year to reach 7,218. Meanwhile, the number of recipients of full unemployment benefits dropped by 575 individuals (−5.5% year-on-year) to 9,800. The figures suggest a labour market that is cooling slowly in terms of unemployment, while showing signs of growth in job opportunities. Read More : statistiques.public.lu/en/actualites/2025/adem-10-25.html?utm_source ADEM : adem.public.lu/en/actualites/adem/2025/11/cp-cc-2025-10.html?utm_source Sign up here to Join the community : luxembourgexpats.lu