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Publication
Belt and Road Economics: Opportunities and Risks of Transport Corridors
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2019-06-18)China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 to improve connectivity and cooperation on a transcontinental scale. This study, by a team of World Bank Group economists led by Michele Ruta, analyzes the economics of the initiative. It assesses the connectivity gaps between economies along the initiative’s corridors, examines the costs and economic effects of the infrastructure improvements proposed under the initiative, and identifies complementary policy reforms and institutions that will support welfare maximization and mitigation of risks for participating economies. -
Publication
The World Bank Group A to Z 2016
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2016)Note: Information in this title reflected the institution at the time of publication and may be subject to change... The World Bank Group A to Z provides concise and essential information about the mission, policies, procedures, products, and services of the new World Bank Group. This second edition is a follow-up to the first volume released for the 2014 Annual Meetings. The World Bank Group A to Z series builds on previous editions of A Guide to the World Bank to include features not found in its predecessors including: a graphical introduction to the World Bank Group, highlighting the Bank Group’s goals, financials, regions, and results; examples and photos of Bank Group projects and programs; and tools to guide you to the information you are looking for (even if you don’t know exactly what that is). It also reflects the wide-ranging reforms that have taken place within the World Bank Group in recent years, including the launch of the new World Bank Group Strategy; new approaches to development; the establishment of new Global Practice Groups and Cross Cutting Solutions Areas; and the goal of becoming a “Solutions Bank,” one that will marshal the vast reserves of evidence and experiential knowledge across the five World Bank Group agencies and apply them to local problems. With more than 280 entries arranged in encyclopedic A-to-Z format, readers can easily find up-to-date information about the five agencies of the World Bank Group and the wide range of areas in which they work: from agriculture, education, energy, health, social protection and labor to gender, jobs, conflict, private sector development, trade, water and climate change. The World Bank Group’s work in all of these areas now focuses on two new twin goals: eliminating extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity of the poorest 40 percent in every developing country. -
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The World Bank Group A to Z
(Washington, DC, 2015)Note: Information in this title reflected the institution at the time of publication and may be subject to change... The World Bank Group (also known as the “Bank Group”) is the largest anti-poverty institution in the world, offering loans, advice, knowledge, and an array of customized resources to more than 100 developing countries and countries in transition. Established in 1944 and headquartered in Washington DC, the Bank Group is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is made up of 188 member countries. It works with country governments, the private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs), regional development banks, think tanks, and other international institutions on a range of issues—from climate change, conflict, and food crises to education, agriculture, finance, and trade—with the sole purpose of meeting two goals: ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity of the bottom 40 percent of the population in all developing countries. The World Bank Group A to Z provides ready-reference insight into the history, mission, organization, policies, financial services, and knowledge products of the institution’s five agencies. Each of the more than 200 entries are arranged in encyclopedic A-to-Z format and are extensively cross-referenced to related information in the book. This volume also has a detailed index, reference materials on World Bank Group country membership, organizational charts of the five agencies, and information about how to connect with or work for the institution. Building on previous editions of A Guide to the World Bank, The World Bank Group A to Z has been completely revised and updated to reflect the wide ranging reforms of recent years, including the new World Bank Group Strategy; new approaches to development assistance; the establishment of new Global Practice Groups and Cross Cutting Solutions Areas; and the goal of becoming a “Solutions Bank”, one that will marshal the vast reserves of evidence and experiential knowledge across the five World Bank Group agencies and apply them to local problems. An indispensable guide for anyone interested in understanding what the World Bank Group does and how it does it, this book shows readers who want to learn more where to begin. -
Publication
Turn Down the Heat : Confronting the New Climate Normal
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2014-11-23)This report focuses on the risks of climate change to development in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and parts of Europe and Central Asia. Building on earlier Turn Down the Heat reports, this new scientific analysis examines the likely impacts of present day (0.8°C), 2°C and 4°C warming above pre-industrial temperatures on agricultural production, water resources, ecosystem services, and coastal vulnerability for affected populations. Data show that dramatic climate changes, heat, and weather extremes are already impacting people, damaging crops and coastlines, and putting food, water, and energy security at risk. Across the three regions studied in this report, record-breaking temperatures are occurring more frequently, rainfall has increased in intensity in some places, while drought-prone regions are getting dryer. The poor and underprivileged, as well as the elderly and children, are found to be hit the hardest. There is growing evidence that even with very ambitious mitigation action, warming close to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by mid-century is already locked into the Earth’s atmospheric system, and climate change impacts such as extreme heat events may now be unavoidable. If the planet continues warming to 4°C, climatic conditions, heat, and other weather extremes considered highly unusual or unprecedented today would become the new climate normal—a world of increased risks and instability. The consequences for development would be severe as crop yields decline, water resources change, diseases move into new ranges, and sea levels rise. The task of promoting human development, ending poverty, increasing global prosperity, and reducing global inequality will be very challenging in a 2°C world, but in a 4°C world there is serious doubt whether this can be achieved at all. Immediate steps are needed to help countries adapt to the climate impacts being felt today and the unavoidable consequences of a rapidly warming world. The benefits of strong, early action on climate change -- action that follows clean, low carbon pathways and avoids locking in unsustainable growth strategies -- far outweigh the costs. Many of the worst projected climate impacts could still be avoided by holding warming to below 2°C. But the time to act is now. -
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Financing Energy Efficiency : Lessons from Brazil, China, India, and Beyond
(Washington, DC : World Bank, 2008)Energy for heating, cooling, lighting, mechanical power, and various chemical processes is a fundamental requirement for both daily life and economic development. The negative impact on the environment of current energy systems is increasingly alarming, especially the global warming consequences of burning fossil fuels. The future requires change through the development and adoption of new supply technologies, through a successful search for new, less resource-intensive paths of economic development, and through adoption of energy. Greater energy efficiency is key for shifting country development paths toward lower-carbon economic growth. Especially in developing countries and transition economies, vast potential for energy savings opportunities remain unrealized even though current financial returns are strong. Activities included specialized technical assistance, training, and applied research covering the four primary areas of country interest: (a) development of commercial banking windows for energy efficiency; (b) support for developing energy service companies (ESCOs); (c) guarantee funds for energy efficiency investment financing; and (d) equity funding for ESCOs or energy efficiency projects. One clear message from the experience of the three country Energy Efficiency Project is the importance of establishing and maintaining practical, operationally focused dialogue between the banking community and the energy efficiency practitioner community. -
Publication
Financing Cities : Fiscal Responsibility and Urban Infrastructure in Brazil, China, India, Poland and South Africa
(New Dehli : Sage Publications and World Bank, 2007)This book, Financing cities, emphasized case studies on different topics to look at the interactions of a range of variables and factors and to see how they fit together. Rather than require each case to follow the same format, the authors have structured their papers around the issues that matter most from their perspective in addressing the topic in hand. The first part of this book presents case studies describing the framework established at the national level to promote urban infrastructure finance while ensuring fiscal discipline and reviewing recent experience as well as future challenges. The subjects covered include the impact of political and fiscal decentralization, limitations on borrowing, managing moral hazard, the role of the financial sector, the achieving of the right balance between stringent controls and encouragement of local governments taking responsibility for fiscal discipline coupled with market discipline. The cases featured include three of the world's largest decentralized nations; together the five countries featured in the conference account for nearly a third of the world's urban population. Part I includes case studies for each of the five countries featured in the conference: Brazil (Chapter 1), China (Chapter 2), India (Chapter 3), Poland (Chapter 4) and South Africa (Chapter 5). Part II then shifts from the frameworks for fiscal discipline to urban infrastructure investments and the strategies used to mobilize investment funding. Chapters 6 and 7 examine the financing strategies for urban infrastructure in Shanghai and Brazil respectively. The next two chapters focus on specialized intermediaries offering urban infrastructure finance in cities. One is a fully private venture in South Africa (Chapter 9) while the other, in Tamil Nadu, India (Chapter 8), is a spin-off of a government fund with minority private ownership. The final two chapters examine experiences with two other mechanisms for mobilizing funding for infrastructure investments from the private sector, land leasing and sales (Chapter 10) and private participation in infrastructure operations (Chapter 11). -
Publication
Rolling Back Malaria : The World Bank Global Strategy and Booster Program
(Washington, DC, 2005)This report translates the Bank's corporate commitment into increased efforts to control malaria. It lays the basis for a Booster Program for Malaria Control, through which the Bank will make an important contribution to malaria control in the years ahead. This effort will be undertaken in support of country-led programs, and in partnership with community service organizations, specialized agencies, and financiers of malaria control at all levels. Consistent with the new Global Strategic Plan of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, the Bank's work will combine measures to increase coverage of malaria-specific interventions with effective service delivery, broader health-system development, and capacity building across multiple sectors. The new business model combines an emphasis on outcomes with flexibility in approaches. Products and services related to malaria control will be tailored to client segments, in order to meet the needs of countries, and deploy the Bank's comparative advantages, while strengthening collaboration with partner agencies, co-financiers, and civil society. In the short to medium term, the new Booster Program for Malaria Control will provide increased financing, and technical support to accelerate program design and implementation, increase coverage, and improve outcomes rapidly. Henceforth, malaria control will be mainstreamed into the Poverty Reduction Strategies, and large sector-development programs that emphasize outcomes. -
Publication
Environment Matters at the World Bank : Annual Review 2004
(Washington, DC, 2004)This Annual Review of Environment Matters, dedicated to Economic Growth and the Environment, brings together a wide variety of external and internal viewpoints on the challenges ahead, and the progress that is taking place. In this issue, three major partner countries-China, India and Mexico-present their perspectives. Among other topics, this edition features the Bank's recent research on what happens to environment during growth, and the different tools available to promote environmentally, and socially sustainable economic growth. It also includes reviews of the Bank's environmental programs in developing countries and its global engagement. The review includes viewpoints on the environment and competitiveness; on harmonizing environmental concerns and economic growth from the Indian perspective; integrating rapid growth and environmental protection as a challenge for China; mainstreaming and infrastructure; and, health-driven environmental issues. Moreover, the review features articles such as the environment during growth - accounting for governance and vulnerability, on sustainable development and policy reform, on energy, climate change, and development, and, on the elements of sustainable infrastructure. Other subjects include regional articles, and institutional perspectives by the International Development Association (IFC) and the World Bank Institute (WBI). -
Publication
Asian Interfaith Dialogue : Perspectives on Religion, Education and Social Cohesion
(Singapore: Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs and the World Bank, 2003)The events of the last few years have directed even more attention to the relationships among religion, education and social cohesion in the context of development in Asia. There is, therefore, a need to consider the combined role of religion and education in fostering a more holistic form of development without concurrently fanning flames of ethnic, religious and other kinds of conflicts. This book discusses the relationship between religion, the role of education in generating social capital and its impact on the development of society. It draws on papers presented at an interfaith workshop co-hosted by the World Bank and the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA). The dialogue took place in Singapore on 27-28 October 2001, with the participation of some 50 experts from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The book describes the rich group of partners associated with this dialogue, their call to move beyond the discourse of dialogue and the imperative to start practicing it. It conveys an effort to learn from both sides. It lays out the debates of scholars who see education as a major instrument for fostering knowledge and skills -- with the purpose of improving knowledge sharing, teaching methodologies, and bolstering mutual development efforts. -
Publication
Tobacco Control Policy Control Policy : Strategies Successes and Setbacks
(Washington, DC: World Bank and Research for International Tobacco Control, 2003)This publication was commissioned and published in the hope that descriptions of strategies, successes, and setbacks in promoting stronger tobacco control policies around the world would be of wide interest and might be useful to people grappling with similar issues. As participants in academic, advocacy, and policy meetings on tobacco control, we have been struck by the impact of real-life stories and examples. We have been educated and edified by many excellent presentations and discussions of the principles, practice, and impact of tobacco control policy - but what we remember most clearly, long after, are the stories. We have seen rooms come alive with interest and crackle with energy when people who had been at the center of efforts to develop tobacco control policy related their experiences. The case studies in this book are addressed to a wide set of readers who share an interest in health issues and policy - people in non-governmental organizations, community activists, scientists, decision-makers, health officials, and members of the public. Each story is set in the unique historical, cultural, and political environment of a particular country, but there are common threads and shared lessons that can be applied and adapted in many other countries and circumstances.