In emerging markets and developing economies, large numbers of people work outside the legal and regulatory framework: they account for 70 percent of employment and about a third of GDP. These “informal” workers were more likely to lose their jobs or suffer severe income losses during COVID-19 lockdowns—and they tend to be largely excluded from social safety nets. Against this backdrop, this event will explore the findings of the first comprehensive study of the extent of informality and its implications for a sustainable and inclusive recovery going forward. Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, IMF Brahima Coulibaly, Vice President, Global Economy & Development, Brookings Institution Ferid Belhaj, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, World Bank Group Mari Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank Join us for the live conversation on May 11th. Be sure to sign up for an email reminder! Learn more by downloading the report The Long Shadow of Informality: Challenges ...
South Asia is the third largest contributor to global plastic waste. It generates 334 million metric tons of solid waste every year. Nearly 70-80% of this waste ends up in the ocean 12% is plastic. On current trends, if no action is taken, the amount of mismanaged waste (including plastic) across South Asia is projected to double to 661 million tons by 2050, adversely affecting the region’s ocean ecosystems, livelihoods, human health, and sustainable development more broadly. COVID-19 has further exacerbated plastic pollution, with increased demand for single-use plastic and pressure on solid waste management systems. With no single solution to this, South Asia needs a collective response to plastic pollution which is both national and transboundary in nature. The region’s two transboundary river systems—the Indus River System, which connects Afghanistan, India and Pakistan and the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna River System, which connecting Bhutan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh—are among the top five most polluting rivers in the world. The rivers act like ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has offered a dramatic test case for the effectiveness of digital solutions across the Middle East and North Africa region, from the Ocean to the Gulf. Together with universal and affordable broadband, the widespread availability of cashless payments is a key enabler for digital transformation and a driver for economic recovery. The objective of this webinar, organized in partnership with the Arab Monetary Fund, is to increase awareness of how digital payments can support job creation, enhanced service delivery, and inclusion of youth and women. This webinar is the second of the MENA Tech talk series, which aims to engage with high-level decision makers, policymakers, regulators, private sector business leaders, and influencers, to share a vision and strategies to successfully foster digital transformation in the region. The event will be livestreamed and will offer simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, English, and French. It will include a panel discussion and testimonials from civil society organizations and the private sector, ...
Maritime transport has come under increased pressure to lower, and ultimately eliminate, its contributions to climate change. To inform shipping’s energy transition and support the sector’s climate action, the World Bank has developed two technical reports on “The Potential of Zero-Carbon Bunker Fuels in Developing Countries” and “The Role of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the Transition Toward Low-and Zero-Carbon Shipping.” Accompanied by a “Summary for Policymakers and Industry”, these reports will be launched in a virtual high-level event during Singapore Maritime Week 2021. This 90 minutes’ launch event will discuss the key findings of the reports from a development perspective. It will also highlight current country ambitions and industry initiatives aimed at building up a zero-carbon bunker fuel supply chain based on green ammonia and green hydrogen. After opening remarks by Nigel Topping, High-Level Climate Action Champion COP26, the authors will present the key conclusions of the research. This presentation will be followed by two panels featuring speakers like ...
While the World Bank Group may not be the first organization that comes to mind when thinking innovative technology, the complexity of our work and the need to adapt quickly to global challenges requires the brightest minds. For IT professionals seeking a place that will nurture their development, this is the place to be. If you’re an IT professional looking for a place to develop your skills and have a fulfilling career, you cannot miss our next episode of Behind the Mission: Working at the World Bank Group. Join the conversation with Denis Robitaille, World Bank Group Vice President, Information and Technology Solutions, and WBG Chief Information Officer, who will share his insights and advice on finding a fulfilling career at the World Bank Group. Join us for the live conversation on April 20th. Be sure to sign up for an email reminder! About Behind the Mission: Working at the World Bank Group: Who are we? Where do we ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital technologies in African countries, and the latest Africa’s Pulse provides new evidence on how digital is enhancing the productivity of existing jobs and creating new jobs, for people of all skill levels and backgrounds. This is particularly important as the region looks toward economic recovery post-pandemic, and many Sub-Saharan African countries are making tremendous investments to advance digital adoption and build skills. Against the backdrop of a COVID-19 induced recession, African countries are weathering the economic storm better than expected and are poised for recovery, but the strength of this recovery depends on the reforms, policies, and investments that countries make now. Hosted by Georja Calvin-Smith of France 24, join a panel of Africa’s distinguished ministers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the digital space to discuss the future of work in Africa. They will touch on how governments can support digital transformation, discuss the macroeconomic outlook for the region and how ...
The World Bank recognizes the innate value of racial equity in global efforts to eradicate poverty and create opportunities that boost prosperity for all. By enabling all persons to realize their full potential regardless of race, racial equity enhances benefits for society as a whole and aids the attainment of long-term development objectives and the reduction of poverty.
World Bank Group President David Malpass will address the press during the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund 2021 Virtual Spring Meetings. He will share his views on the key outcomes from the Development Committee, as well as the G20 discussions. He will also report on the World Bank Group's response to the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, due to the coronavirus, the Management of the IMF and World Bank Group and their Executive Boards are adapting the 2021 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings to a virtual format. Website: The World Bank Group’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
A high-level panel featuring Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization, Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF, and Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director, World Bank explores the need for global solidarity in the battle against the pandemic and the work currently underway with developing countries to prepare for vaccine rollouts.
