World Bank Expands Lifeline to Small States hit by Disasters

BAKU, November 12, 2024—The World Bank Group has expanded its lifeline to countries struggling to rebuild from disasters, allowing small, vulnerable states to postpone loan and interest repayments after a catastrophic event—so governments can focus on recovery rather than paying off debt.

1.2 Billion People at High Risk from Climate Change Worldwide

 

Washington, October 31, 2024—1.2 billion people face life-changing risks through exposure to at least one critical climate hazard, such as heatwaves, flooding, hurricanes, and drought. However, a new report from the World Bank Group outlines how faster development and sustainable economic growth can reduce climate change-related economic and quality of life losses.

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Oversupply Could Mute Effects of Wider Middle-East Conflict on Oil Prices

Global Commodity Prices Set to Fall Through 2026 Amid Historic Oil Glut

WASHINGTON, October 29, 2024Global commodity prices are set to tumble to a five-year low in 2025 amid an oil glut that is so large that it is likely to limit the price effects even of a wider conflict in the Middle East, according to the World Bank’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook. Even so, overall commodity prices will remain 30% higher than they were in the five years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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How to build more livable cities for a livable planet

As we mark World Cities Day, we are reminded that livable cities are key to a livable planet.  

For most of us, cities are our homes and workplaces. Today, nearly 60% of the world’s population lives in cities—a share that will rise to almost 70% by 2050. Cities are also a key driver of national growth and development, accounting for more than 80% of global GDP and almost 90% of private sector job creation.

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Letter: G20 must step up aid to world’s poorest countries

This piece originally appeared in the Financial Times.

The world’s poorest countries are in a development crisis and need greater access to affordable financing (Opinion, October 1; and Letters, October 11).

IDA, the World Bank’s concessional financing facility for these countries, has a proven track record for providing this support and its upcoming replenishment is a moment for the international community to match their stated concern with a stepped-up financial contribution. We urge finance ministers of the G20 countries to lead this effort and increase contributions to the 21st replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA21).

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Annual Meetings 2024: Progress and Ambition for the Future

The World Bank Group’s journey to become a better, bigger, and more effective Bank has AM-2024-1advanced at a rapid pace. That progress—and a new focus and ambition on jobs—was on full display at the Annual Meetings.

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Japan Signs $1 Billion Portfolio Guarantee with World Bank

Guarantee will free up additional financing to support crucial projects  

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2024—Japan signed a $1 billion portfolio guarantee agreement on Friday that will scale up financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for projects that address global challenges.

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World Bank Group Advances Gender Strategy, Unveils Economic Opportunity Ambitions

New targets aim to accelerate use of broadband internet, social protection programs, and capital by 2030

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2024 – The World Bank Group today took the first steps toward implementing  Gender Strategy 2030, announcing a set of actions and concrete goals that aim to boost economic opportunities for more women.

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India incorporates green bonds into its climate finance strategy

In 2023, India experienced the hottest February since 1901, the first year the country’sdehli_metro_adobestock_252063301_blog.jpg Meteorological Department started its weather records. Extreme weather events like this are becoming frequent and are expected to get worse due to climate change. India is among the countries most affected by the impacts of extreme weather events

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Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard

Latest Update – September 30, 2024

Domestic food price inflation remains high in many low- and middle-income countries. Inflation higher than 5% is experienced in 77.3% of low-income countries (18.2 percentage points higher since the last Update on June 27, 2024), 54.3% of lower-middle-income countries (8.7 percentage points lower), 44% of upper-middle-income countries (8.0 percentage points higher), and 10.7% of high-income countries (0.2 percentage points lower). In real terms, food price inflation exceeded overall inflation in 55.6% of the 167 countries where data is available.

Download the latest brief on rising food insecurity and World Bank responses