Spring Meetings 2026 | Unlocking Women’s Economic Power

How can increasing women’s economic participation help create more and better jobs?

Expanding women’s access to jobs, finance, and digital tools can increase labor force participation, support business growth, and drive job creation at scale. When women can manage economic risks, connect to markets, and access capital, they contribute directly to stronger and more inclusive economic growth.

The World Bank Group works with countries and partners to strengthen the systems that enable women’s economic participation—such as social protection, digital inclusion, and access to capital. Together, these pathways help women build resilience, participate fully in the economy, and grow enterprises that generate jobs.

This discussion explores progress toward the World Bank Group’s 2030 ambitions, the barriers that remain, and what it takes to scale impact. It also highlights how coordinated action across policy, institutions, and investment can accelerate women’s economic inclusion and support sustainable job creation.

“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”

How an AI-powered Jobs Tool Made Hidden Skills Visible

Thousands of people work, solve problems, and care for others every day, but their skills often go unseen in the formal labor market. In Argentina, an AI‑powered employment pilot is beginning to change that by revealing a wealth of experience that up to now has remained invisible and helping people connect, often for the first time, with public employment services.

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World Bank Group and IMF to Hold 2029 Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

New global platform aligns country reforms, financing, and partnerships to scale delivery

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2026—The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and key partners, today launched Water Forward, a global platform to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The platform will align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods—essential conditions for job creation.

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World Bank Group Launches Initiative to Improve Water Security for 1 Billion People

New global platform aligns country reforms, financing, and partnerships to scale delivery

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2026—The World Bank Group, in partnership with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions and key partners, today launched Water Forward, a global platform to help improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The platform will align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen systems against droughts and floods—essential conditions for job creation.

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To turn demographic growth into jobs, get the rules right

The world is entering a decade defined by two hard realities: a historic demographic surge and tighter public finances.

Over the next 10 to 15 years, more than 1 billion young people in developing countries will reach working age. They deserve the income, stability, and hope that only a job can provide.

Yet current projections suggest that far fewer jobs will be created. The gap is large — and it is growing. It’s exacerbated with every shock — conflict, natural disasters, and economic volatility.

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Portfolio of Guarantees Pushes MIGA’s Total Issuance over $100 Billion

Guarantees to AMEA Power would support up to 23 renewable energy and battery storage projects in countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.    

Washington, April 9, 2026 – The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), home of the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, has signed a framework agreement with AMEA Power, Ltd. to support a portfolio of guarantees of up to 23 renewable energy and battery storage projects—including onshore wind power plants, solar photovoltaic power plants, and battery energy storage systems—across countries spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

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