Remarks by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia

 

As Prepared for Delivery

Thank you for the kind introduction.

For me, this moment marks the culmination of a journey that began over a year ago—when I first started at the World Bank and promised to visit every region where we operate.

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Climate Finance Fiscal Year 2024 Snapshot

WASHINGTON, September 19, 2024 — The World Bank Group delivered a record $42.6 billion in climate finance in fiscal year 2024—which covers July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024—supporting efforts to end poverty on a livable planet, investing in cleaner energy, more resilient communities, and stronger economies. This is a 10% increase in climate finance compared to the previous year. 

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Pacific Island Leaders Call for Bold Action to Replenish IDA (worldbank.org)

SUVA, September 10, 2024 –Leaders from across Pacific Island countries have called for a robust 21st replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA21), echoing the call from African Heads of State who agreed in April on a bold transformation agenda with IDA as a cornerstone. Hosted by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, leaders and representatives from 11 countries met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga last week and reaffirmed IDA’s critical role in supporting Pacific islands as they work to boost development and climate resilience.

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Finding a path to peace, stability, and development in Haiti

 

Less than an hour after landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday last week we were ida-haiti-1140x500already at the National Emergency Operation Center of the Direction Générale de la Protection Civile discussing how the International Development Association (IDA) can help strengthen the country’s disaster risk management capacity. Remarkably, the center was launched in May 2024 despite the ongoing security and political crisis at the time, demonstrating the resilience of the IDA program implementation in Haiti. We witnessed similar results in other programs and during the field visit to the Southern Peninsula, where IDA projects are having a visible impact on the lives of the Haitian residents of that area.  

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A new World Bank database to support a new era in biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity conservation is vital for sustainable development, poverty alleviation, biodiverstiy-illustration-1-960-540-1and a livable planet. It sustains ecosystems that support human livelihoods, particularly in developing nations, by providing essential resources like food, clean water, and climate stability. Healthy ecosystems are crucial for agriculture, fishing, and forestry, which reduce poverty and foster sustainable economic growth. Additionally, biodiversity fuels industries such as ecotourism and pharmaceuticals, generating jobs and income. Maintaining biodiversity strengthens ecosystem resilience, stabilizes climate, and mitigates climate change impacts, making it key to environmental health and global sustainability.

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What middle-income countries can learn from America’s innovation system

The American model of innovation has long been the envy of the world. From the garage USA-flag-chip_1140x500tinkerers of Silicon Valley to the research labs of prestigious universities, the United States has consistently churned out groundbreaking technologies that have reshaped industries and transformed lives. Today, the United States leads the world in the number of patents produced per person—as well as the importance of these patents.

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Financial Sector at a Crossroads in Emerging Markets: Climate Risks and Financing Gaps Demand Action

 

WASHINGTON, August 29, 2024 — In almost 60% of banks in Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs), lending for climate-related investment accounts for less than 5% of their overall portfolios, and more than one-quarter offer no climate financing at all, according to a new World Bank report.  

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More than 400 Million Students Affected by Climate-Related School Closures since 2022

 For less than $20 per student schools can adapt and minimize learning losses

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2024 – A staggering 400 million students globally experienced school closures from extreme weather since 2022, according to a new World Bank report released today. The report examines the detrimental impacts of climate change on education in low- and middle-income countries and offers solutions to harness education to spur climate action. It also estimates that a one-time investment of $18.51 per child can mitigate the impact from climate shocks.

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Why land is key to tackling climate change and infrastructure gaps