News from May 2024
Irrigation transforms Ethiopian desert into fertile fields
By Globe Banner | May 30, 2024
In the arid outskirts of Dire Dawa, a city administration in eastern Ethiopia, a story of resilience and agricultural transformation has emerged. Mohamed Aduse and his group of young friends transitioned from laboring in quarries to pioneering agricultural prosperity with support from the World Bank’s Ethiopia Agricultural Growth Project II (AGP II). The project's goal is to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization for smallholder farmers in targeted locations.
Survey reveals impact of Russian invasion on Ukrainian livelihoods
By Globe Banner | May 29, 2024
The World Bank, in collaboration with the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, conducts the Listening to Ukraine Household Phone Surveys (L2Ukr) to provide a picture of how Russia's invasion is impacting the well-being of ordinary Ukrainians and how the government's response, enabled by external support, has helped citizens cope amidst the war.
World Bank approves $74M grant for climate-resilient transport in Sierra Leone
By Globe Banner | May 29, 2024
The World Bank Board approved a $74 million International Development Association (IDA) grant to enhance climate-resilient transport connectivity and agricultural market access in Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leone Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project (CAMIP) aims to support all-season connectivity and access to jobs, markets, and services, particularly in rural areas where the lack of infrastructure has hindered economic development.
Goods Council announces 2024 chairpersons for subsidiary bodies
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Members of the Goods Council have agreed on the chairpersons for its subsidiary bodies for 2024. The appointments are as follows:
Bridge transforms connectivity and economy in Northern Brazil
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
For 51-year-old Ricardinho Nunes from the Apinajé village in São Valério, Tocantins, his aspiration was to leave his ferryman days behind. He succeeded. For seven years, he managed the ferry that shuttled residents and goods across the Manoel Alves River between São Valério and Santa Rosa do Tocantins in Northern Brazil. The ferry, which was merely tethered by a cable, was at the mercy of the river's whims, posing a hazard to all who crossed.
EU-backed initiative supports socio-economic development in Azerbaijan
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Azerbaijan Rapid Technical Assistance Facility (AZTAF) is a technical assistance program for the Republic of Azerbaijan, financed by the European Union and implemented by the World Bank. The AZTAF program aligns with Azerbaijan’s National Priorities and goals of its Socio-economic Development Strategy for 2022-2026.
Pandemic Fund launches strategic plan to bolster global health preparedness
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director at the World Bank, addressed the Pandemic Fund Ministerial Event at the World Health Assembly on May 28, 2024. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of collective action and solidarity in addressing global health challenges.
Dominican Republic leads adaptive social protection systems against disasters
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
When Julia returned home after Hurricane Fiona passed in September 2022, she found a desolate scene. "The hurricane destroyed everything. It was a disaster," she recalls.
Emergency cash transfers aid Dominican women amid climate crises
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
"When Hurricane Fiona came, the river flooded our house," says Alexandra Hernández from Higüey, in the province of La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic. "We were in shock."
Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Initiative outlines post-MC13 work plan
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
At a recent meeting following the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), participants of the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative advanced their work plan for the year. Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, coordinator of the FFSR initiative, emphasized the direction set by MC13: “The MC13 Ministerial Statement and its associated work programme has set out a clear direction for the work of the initiative under its three pillars and related action steps,” she stated. “This will be the focus of our work this year.”
World Bank launches €80M safe transport initiative in Western Balkans
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Safe and sustainable transport allows for the efficient movement of goods and people, which is crucial for economic activity. Improved transport infrastructure can lead to reduced production and distribution costs, increased trade and investment, and enhanced connectivity with other regions. As a result, businesses can access new markets, and consumers can benefit from a wider variety of products and services. This is particularly crucial for the small and open economies of the Western Balkans, where trade has played a significant role in driving growth and economic progress.
WTO publication addresses strategies against illicit food trade
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
A new World Trade Organization (WTO) publication titled “Illicit Trade in Food and Food Fraud” has brought together contributions from experts across international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the WTO Secretariat. The publication highlights the detrimental impact of illicit food trade on food security and public health and outlines various strategies to counter these issues. A comprehensive response is deemed necessary, involving regulatory measures, enforcement, industry cooperation, and consumer education.
Vietnamese intergenerational self-help clubs aid elderly care amid rapid aging
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Nguyen Thi Tuyen, a 78-year-old woman living with Parkinson’s Disease in Viet Nam’s Nghia Ninh commune in Quang Binh province, faces the challenges of living alone. “I have three children, but they have migrated to other places to earn their living and rarely visit me. I do not eat much and do not need much clothing. What I need more is medications for my disease and have someone to talk with and help me,” she says.
World Bank addresses reverse gender gap impacting Caribbean's socioeconomic landscape
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Boys in the Caribbean are experiencing educational setbacks in what has been termed a "reverse gender gap," posing challenges to the region’s socioeconomic landscape. In Jamaica, for example, fewer boys and men attend upper secondary school and tertiary education, affecting the male population, particularly in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
NCUA grants first provisional charter under new pilot initiative
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has granted a federal charter and Share Insurance Fund coverage to Tribe Federal Credit Union in Minneapolis. This marks the first federal credit union to receive a charter under the NCUA’s provisional charter pilot initiative.
U.S. Embassy seeks bids for elevator maintenance services in Turkmenistan
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
The U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan has announced an invitation for companies to submit quotations for elevator maintenance services under the solicitation number PR12561892.
World Bank-backed project improves menstrual hygiene management in Ethiopian schools
By Globe Banner | May 28, 2024
Tesfanesh Eba, a 6th grade student at Lideta Limat school in Addis Ababa, recalls the previous arrangement of shared toilets for both male and female students. “The boys used the ones on the left and the girls used the ones on the right,” she says. This setup was particularly uncomfortable for girls during menstruation, leading many to stay home and miss school.
World Bank highlights role of Islamic finance in achieving sustainable development goals
By Globe Banner | May 27, 2024
Axel van Trotsenburg, the World Bank Senior Managing Director, addressed the Global Forum on Islamic Economics and Finance on May 27, 2024. He extended greetings to several dignitaries including Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Malaysia's Minister of Finance II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Indonesia's Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, and Goksel Asan from Turkey.
Call for papers open for World Trade Congress on Gender 2025
By Globe Banner | May 27, 2024
The call for research papers on innovation is now open for the World Trade Congress on Gender 2025, scheduled to focus on how women's empowerment drives innovation and how trade can support this process. The Congress, the only international research conference on trade and gender, aims to provide researchers and policymakers with a platform for in-depth discussions and insights into the role of innovation in enhancing gender equality, the impact of new technologies on women's access to trade opportunities, and how trade policies can foster innovation for women's empowerment.
Uzbekistan advances towards WTO membership with accelerated negotiations
By Globe Banner | May 24, 2024
Mr. Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan and Chair of the Inter-Agency Commission on WTO Accession, led a delegation to Geneva as part of the country's ongoing efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). The delegation included Mr. Azizbek Urunov, Special Representative of the President on WTO issues and Chief Negotiator for WTO accession; Mr. Ahadbek Khaydarov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance; Mr. Alisher Karimov, Deputy Minister of Justice; and Mr. Akmaljon Kosimov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Officials from various ministries and...