Watch a global conversation about the digital revolution highlighted innovative ways countries are using digital technologies. From digital financial services, to remote schooling, to more inclusive government services, digital solutions are accelerating more equitable and resilient growth. We heard from public and private sector leaders from around the globe about how safe and effective digital technology has become essential to development in the digital age.

From severe flooding in South Asia, record-breaking hurricanes in the Caribbean and violent earthquakes in Mexico, to heavy rain and landslides in Sierra Leone – recent disasters have left a trail of devastation across the globe. With more infrastructure likely to be built in the next 20 years than the last two millennia, leaders from the private sector and policy makers will gather on the International Day for Disaster Reduction to explore how we can make these investments more resilient. Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group, will deliver a keynote address. This event is hosted by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery GFDRR), and is part of the ongoing Resilience Dialogue series, which promotes awareness and action for building resilience.

During the World Bank IMF Annual Meetings an array of leaders expressed strong support and optimism for the Belt and Road initiative, launched by China’s President Xi Jinping in 2013 and described as the largest infrastructure project in history. The BBC’s Tanya Beckett moderated the discussion which focused on the benefits of the massive, multiyear mission to connect 65 countries across the Eurasian continent through improved infrastructure, lower trade barriers, financial cooperation and improved social cohesion to name some. The benefits of multilateral cooperation through the project was a theme echoed by all panelists. World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said the world needs multilateral approaches like the Belt and Road. He said the initiative has the potential to spur economic growth and urged the need for policy  reforms in order for countries to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the initiative. The Bank Group – including all its institutions – is supporting the Belt and Road Initiative and ...

The need for sustainable and resilient infrastructure is enormous. Some 1.2 billion people in the world don't have access to electricity; At least 663 million people lack access to safe drinking water. About one billion people in low-income countries lack access to an all-weather road – cutting them off from basic health, education, trade, and employment opportunities: more than 4 billion people (60% of the global population, most in developing countries) do not have access to the internet – this is a significant opportunity gap for those without it. Much work is needed to make projects "investor ready" and to develop innovative frameworks to leverage private investment in order to mobilize the trillions of dollars needed to close the infrastructure gap. This event is hosted by the Global Infrastructure Facility, a partnership among governments, multilateral development banks, private sector investors and financiers designed to provide a new way to collaborate on preparing, structuring and implementing complex projects. The seminar will feature high-level panelists who will provide ...