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World Bank Group addresses barriers in South Asia's mortgage lending

"My dream is very simple—owning a tiny apartment. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or luxurious, but with basic amenities that I can call home,” says Sakib Ahmed, a 31-year-old from Dhaka, Bangladesh.


Biden proclaims June 2024 as Pride Month recognizing LGBTQI+ achievements

During Pride Month, the United States recognizes the courage and contributions of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community.


World Bank Group initiates stakeholder consultations for new partnership framework in Pakistan

The World Bank Group (WBG) is in the process of preparing a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Pakistan, which will outline its strategic support in the country over the next 6-10 years.


World Bank highlights informal Lao PDR waste workers' contribution

The important and often unrecognized work of individuals who collect and recycle waste from landfill sites or city streets in the Lao PDR is documented in a report issued by the World Bank today. "Unseen Green Jobs, a Study on Informal Waste Workers" details the role of waste pickers in building a green economy and recommends actions to protect them against dangers and improve their legal status.


Côte d'Ivoire receives $35M payment for verified reduction of carbon emissions

Côte d'Ivoire has received $35 million from the World Bank for successfully reducing 7 million tons of carbon emissions. This payment, part of the Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), directly benefits local communities and forest conservation stakeholders who have played a key role in reducing pollution by fixing damaged forests, planting crops and trees, and preserving existing forests. The amount granted is part of a larger agreement aiming for a total emission reduction of 10 million tons, valued at...


NCUA places 1st Choice Credit Union into conservatorship

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has placed 1st Choice Credit Union in Atlanta, Georgia, into conservatorship. This decision was made in consultation with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.


Advanced SPS Course follow-up session concludes in Geneva

The follow-up session of the Advanced SPS Course concluded in Geneva on June 14, 2024. The event featured presentations where participants shared their action plan objectives, achievements, and lessons learned from implementation. Group discussions led by WTO SPS experts and coaches addressed mitigating implementation challenges, the role of the WTO SPS Committee, specific trade concerns, and SPS disputes. These activities allowed participants to reflect on strategies to maintain positive results and strengthen their understanding of the SPS Agreement and related transparency...


World Bank suggests structural reforms to sustain China's economic growth

Economic activity in China picked up in early 2024, driven by stronger exports, while growth in domestic demand moderated. Manufacturing and infrastructure investment and consumer spending on services remained robust, despite the ongoing property market correction, according to the World Bank's latest report titled "Growing Beyond Property: Cyclical Lifts and Structural Challenges," released today.


World Bank approves $50 million for Cameroon's transport sector development

The World Bank has approved $50 million in additional financing from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the construction of urban roads in Bamenda, located in Cameroon's North-West region. This funding is part of the Cameroon Transport Sector Development Project, which aims to enhance transport planning, improve efficiency and safety on the Babadjou–Bamenda section of the Yaoundé–Bamenda transport corridor, and bolster safety at selected airports.


WIPO-WTO executive program concludes first edition focusing on intellectual property issues

Participants were welcomed by WIPO Deputy Director General Lisa Jorgenson and WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill. Both underscored the importance of capacity-building initiatives jointly supported by both organizations.


Montenegro accepts WTO fisheries subsidies agreement

Montenegro has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, marking a significant step towards sustainable fishing practices. Director-General Okonjo-Iweala commented, “I am delighted that Montenegro has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Montenegro's embrace of this agreement signals its dedication to aligning its fishing practices with sustainability objectives. This decisive step emphasizes the importance of collective action in safeguarding our oceans for generations to come and shows Montenegro's commitment to the multilateral trading...


World Bank approves $150 million to enhance primary education in Punjab

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $150 million for a project aimed at increasing participation rates in pre-primary and primary grades and enhancing reading proficiency in Punjab Province, Pakistan. The initiative, titled "Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Punjab Project" (GRADES), will focus on improving learning outcomes, recovering from COVID-19 related learning losses, strengthening school management, and expanding school participation levels.


Working Party Chair meets Somalian president to discuss WTO accession

The roundtable on the economic dimensions of peacebuilding was organized by the Federal Government of Somalia and Interpeace, an international organization focused on preventing violence and building lasting peace.


World Bank approves $40M program supporting refugees' aid & economic reforms in Moldova

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved the Growth and Resilience Development Policy Operation (DPO) for the Republic of Moldova. This initiative aims to support the Moldovan government's efforts to assist refugees and households affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while maintaining progress on economic integration with the European Union (EU) and enhancing climate resilience.


World Bank Group addresses CAO investigation into Bridge International Academies

The World Bank Group issued a statement today regarding the IFC's investment in Bridge International Academies. The statement, released on behalf of Bank Group management and the IFC’s Board of Executive Directors, addressed concerns raised by a CAO investigation report.


World Bank mandates HSBC for $200 million Amazon reforestation bond

The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD) has mandated HSBC to structure a new outcome bond aimed at supporting reforestation efforts in the Brazilian Amazon region. This principal-protected outcome bond, with an expected nominal amount of approximately $200 million, will support the World Bank’s sustainable development activities while mobilizing private capital from foregone coupon payments to finance reforestation projects in Brazil.


Salvador advances digital transformation in public health sector

At 9:30 a.m. on a bustling Friday morning at the Imbuí Basic Health Unit in Salvador, family physician Suzane Araújo is with Clayton Arapiraca, a 62-year-old retiree in for a routine post-surgery check-up. Instead of sifting through physical files, Dr. Araújo simply logs into the Vida+ system on her computer. This digital tool, a key component of the municipality's public health digital overhaul, allows her to review Clayton's medical history, medications, vaccinations, and more, and to update his records on the spot.


U.S. Embassy advises caution for scheduled protest in Bratislava

The U.S. Embassy has issued a notice to American citizens regarding a scheduled protest in Bratislava on Friday, June 14.


World Bank approves $2.25 billion financing package for Nigerian economic reforms

The World Bank has approved two financial operations for Nigeria, totaling $2.25 billion. The initiatives include the $1.5 billion Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation (RESET) Development Policy Financing Program (DPF) and the $750 million Nigeria Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms (ARMOR) Program-for-Results (PforR). These funds aim to support Nigeria's efforts to stabilize its economy and provide assistance to vulnerable populations.


World Bank emphasizes youth empowerment initiatives in Africa

The population of young people aged 15-24 in Africa is projected to reach 500 million by 2080. This growing working-age population presents an opportunity to enhance economic growth and lead to greater prosperity for billions on the continent. However, this potential can only be realized if the population is healthy, educated, and skilled.