Tag Archives: Zakendoen

Introducing Senior Advisor Alain Ancion

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I’ve traded field boots for Board papers, but I still keep the map handy. Since last September, I’ve been Senior Advisor and (the most magical job title ever) temporary permanent alternate ED, in the Dutch Executive Director’s Office at the World Bank, where my portfolio spans the Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE), trade, procurement, and a mix of regional and thematic files.

Before the Boardroom, my compass pointed firmly toward the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I built extensive field experience in the Western Balkans as regional security coordinator on counter‑terrorism issues, and in Kenya as Deputy Ambassador for Somalia, leading a cross‑ministerial team drawn from four ministries.

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Unlocking Global International Financial Institution Opportunities: How RVO and the Washington Embassy Support Dutch Business

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Dutch entrepreneurs looking to expand globally through International Financial Institutions (IFIs), the strategic partnership between the RVO Team International Organisations (TIO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington D.C. (WAS) offers a vital support network. TIO serves as the primary point of contact for initial advice on a wide range of institutions—including the IADB, ADB, AfDB, and UN—while the WAS team specializes in providing in-depth guidance for DC-based organizations like the World Bank Group and IADB. Together, they ensure that the Dutch private sector is well-positioned to navigate the complex landscape of international procurement and partnership.

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Job Creation Key to Equality and Faster Poverty Reduction in Bangladesh, says World Bank

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DHAKA, November 25, 2025 — Bangladesh reduced poverty significantly between 2010-2022, lifting 34 million people out of poverty while improving living standards and access to essential services like electricity, education, and sanitation, but since 2016, the pace of poverty reduction slowed and economic growth became less inclusive, says a new report launched today.

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Harnessing Digital Potential to Unlock Inclusive Growth and Job Creation

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Western and Central African countries are committed to accelerating digital transformation to ensure broadband access, develop artificial intelligence capabilities, create digital jobs, and build an integrated market by 2030.

COTONOU, November 18, 2025 – At the conclusion of a regional summit held on November 17–18, 2025, in Benin, ministers responsible for digital affairs from West and Central African countries adopted the Cotonou Declaration, signaling their strong commitment to accelerating digital transformation in the region. They set ambitious targets for 2030, including achieving affordable and reliable broadband access for 90% of the population, deploying interoperable public digital infrastructure such as digital identity and payment systems, doubling intra-African e-commerce, and adopting harmonized frameworks for cybersecurity, data governance, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create a trusted environment.

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Skills Training Is Opening Opportunities for Millions of Young People in Africa

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From a young age, Leah Francis Basu was fascinated by the mechanics of an aircraft. “I loved aircrafts,” she recalls, describing the moment she first discovered the science of lift. “It was surprising to me to learn the Bernoulli’s principle, where air moving faster over the top of the wing creates lower pressure, while the air beneath the wing remains at higher pressure, forcing the aircraft upward to take off.”

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Level Up MENA: How digital education and skills are powering the next generation of jobs

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Imagine landing your dream engineering role at one of Silicon Valley’s top technology companies – from your apartment in Riyadh, Cairo, or Beirut. This dream is now within reach for thousands in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), provided they have the right skills.

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Continental Drying: A Threat to Our Common Future

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The world is facing a dangerous decline in freshwater availability. This persistent freshwater loss—known as continental drying— is disrupting jobs, incomes, and ecosystems. By combining satellite data with economic and land-use information, Continental Drying: A Threat to our Common Future, offers new insight into where and why freshwater is disappearing and what can be done.

The report maps global hotspots, quantifies the economic and environmental toll, and outlines a three-pronged strategy—managing demand, augmenting supply, and improving allocation—to tackle the continental drying crisis. Beyond water, addressing trade barriers, investing in education and skills, and expanding access to markets and finance are critical to strengthening jobs and safeguarding livelihoods worldwide.

FULL REPORT

“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”

How has the profile of extreme poverty changed over the last decade? Five key facts

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There are over 830 million people around the world living in extreme poverty today, but who are they, and what do we know about their daily lives? A deeper understanding of the characteristics of people and households living in extreme poverty can help us design more effective policies. To gain those insights, we need key data.  

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Health Works: Creating Jobs & Growth Through Quality Care

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Good health empowers people, creates jobs, and drives economic growth. It fuels productivity, strengthens resilience, and acts as a powerful engine for employment—each health job generates up to 3.5 additional jobs in related sectors. We are working closely with countries and partners to reach 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable health services by 2030 which could create 29 million additional jobs. Investing in health is investing in economic opportunity. Join us in advancing health for all—share this video, start a conversation, and support efforts to expand quality, affordable health care. Together, we can create healthier communities, unlock economic opportunity, and build a brighter future for all. 

“Credit: World Bank Group. All rights reserved”