Tackling violence against women is essential for economic growth in Central Asia

“Where are all the women?” I asked my team after assuming the duties of the World Bankkazakhstan_women_bazaar.jpg director for Central Asia in July 2021. In my introductory meetings with heads of state, governments, and major cities across the region, I and other World Bank officials were usually the only women in the room.

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Remittances Grow 5% in 2022, Despite Global Headwinds

WASHINGTON, Nov 30, 2022 — Remittances to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) withstood global headwinds in 2022, growing an estimated 5% to $626 billion. This is sharply lower than the 10.2% increase in 2021, according to the latest World Bank Migration and Development Brief.

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How Vietnam Opened New Doors for Deaf Children

STORY HIGHLIGHTSQIPEC-4

  • The Quality Improvement of Primary Education for Deaf Children Project developed new sign language gestures and trained deaf teachers, mentors, and caregivers.
  • Expanded sign language facilitated the integration of deaf children in Vietnam into the mainstream and special education.
  • The success of the project makes it suitable for expansion around the country and to older students.

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Blue Economy for Resilient Africa Program

About the Blue Economy for a Resilient Africa Program 20180510-Guinea-Tremeau-015

The African Union estimates that the Blue Economy currently generates nearly US$300 billion for the continent, creating 49 million jobs in the process. These and other crucial benefits—most notably food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity—are entirely dependent on the ocean’s health. By safeguarding and enhancing marine and coastal health, countries will be in a better position to take full advantage of future Blue Economy opportunities, which range from sustainable blue energy to aquaculture to blue carbon.

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World Bank Mobilizes Additional $4.5 billion for Ongoing Assistance to Ukraine

WASHINGTON, November 22, 2022—The World Bank Group today announced an assistance package for Ukraine of $4.5 billion in additional grant financing provided by the United States government. The grant is mobilized under the World Bank’s Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) Project, which aims to help the Government of Ukraine sustain essential services and core government functions at the national and regional levels.

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Key drivers of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in developing countries

Costa Rica’s Forest Conservation Pays Off

STORY HIGHLIGHTS World-Bank-Climate-Funds-Management-Unit-48050851712-db2b2023b6-b

  • Costa Rica has become the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to receive payments from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation—commonly known as REDD+.
  • This first payment – of $16.4 million for independently verified emission reductions — is a milestone for Costa Rica.
  • Results-based climate finance such as payments for emission reductions increasingly is being used to incentivize climate action and help countries achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.

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Global Water Security & Sanitation Partnership: Five Years of Advancing a Water-Secure World for All

STORY HIGHLIGHTS GWSP-2022-AR-Feature-story

  • Over the past five years, climate considerations have become embedded in GWSP support, leading to a rising number of projects with climate co-benefits.
  • The World Bank Water Global Practice’s work in fragile, conflict and violence-affected areas has grown significantly, and Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership now supports active engagement in 33 countries.
  • There is more social inclusion in the water sector. The average share of female engineers in 23 participating utilities in Ethiopia increased from 8 percent to 12 percent in just two years. Continue reading

Remarks by World Bank Group President David Malpass at the COP27 Climate Finance Event

Thank you, Prime Minister Madbouly, Dr. Shoukry for hosting this event on climate finance. 

Developing countries are facing an economic crisis, heavy debt burdens, high inflation, and climate change. It is a crisis facing development itself.

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