One Health Approach Can Prevent the Next Pandemic

The number of emerging infectious disease (EID) outbreaks has grown to several hundred per boy-buffalo-one-health780x439year since 2000. Recent diseases such as SARS, avian influenza, Ebola – and the enormous health, economic, and societal impacts of COVID-19 – have not yet solicited global unity on the importance of preventing pandemics rather than responding to outbreaks as they emerge. What will it take for world leaders, countries, organizations, and communities to understand that prevention is better than cure? The World Bank’s latest flagship report, “Putting Pandemics Behind Us: Investing in One Health to Reduce Risks of Emerging Infectious Diseases,” is a clarion call for the universal adoption of an integrated approach to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

Setting standards: Why updating poverty lines matters in East Asia

East Asia prides itself on rapid economic progress over the past few decades with millionsuntitled_design.jpg lifted out of poverty. Between 2008 and 2018, real per capita GDP in the region grew at an average rate of 6.7 percent per year, significantly above the global average of 1.5 percent. Yet the extent of progress on poverty is exaggerated by the fact that poverty thresholds are set too low compared to other countries at similar income levels. This leads to policies which do not do justice to the scale of the problem. New numbers released by the World Bank using global benchmarks underscore this point. 

Continue reading

Food Security: Latest Update – October 17, 2022

Domestic food price inflation remains high around the world. Information between May todownload September 2022 shows high inflation in almost all low-income and middle-income countries; 88.9% of low-income countries, 91.1% of lower-middle-income countries, and 96% of upper-middle-income countries have seen inflation levels above 5%, with many experiencing double-digit inflation. The share of high-income countries with high food price inflation has risen to 85.7%.

Continue reading

Correcting course to accelerate poverty reduction

On End Poverty Day this year, it’s hard to find cause for celebration.  The COVID19mari_blog_october_17_1140x500.jpeg pandemic triggered a historic setback, pushing 70 million people into extreme poverty in 2020 – the largest one-year increase in three decades.  The war in Ukraine deepened the global economic slowdown, which is now in its steepest decline following a post-recession recovery since 1970. At this rate, nearly 7 percent of the world’s population – almost 600 million people – will still be struggling in extreme poverty in 2030.   

Continue reading

Annual Meetings 2022: Development in Crisis

The 2022 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings: Unity in a time of crises

The 2022 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings: Unity in a time of crises

Annual Meetings Live Events

Join leaders, experts and activists to discuss how we can best respond to the multiple overlapping crises facing developing countries. How can we work together to navigate an uncertain world?  Read more

October 10-16, 2022

Set reminders to join the live events and post questions for our development experts.

Check back for regular updates and event highlights. 

1440x150_annual-meetings-2022-banner

The 2022 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings: Unity in a time of crises