{"rows":20,"os":0,"page":1,"total":15188,"documents":{"YTY3ZGQ2YWViNWE0NGJkYTQ4MGIyODcyOGJkYTExMjYzYjI2YWEzNw2":{"id":"YTY3ZGQ2YWViNWE0NGJkYTQ4MGIyODcyOGJkYTExMjYzYjI2YWEzNw2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/11/new-20-million-grant-to-enhance-public-financial-management-for-syria-s-recovery-and-development","count":"Syria","descr":{"cdata!":"The Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project will help improve core public financial management (PFM) and procurement functions, laying the groundwork for their digitalization, strengthen budget controls, and establish robust institutional arrangements for effective coordination and oversight of PFM reforms."},"keywd":"country:Syria,regions:Middle East and North Africa,organization:World Bank Group,organization:World Bank,sites:world-bank,sites:world-bank-group,organization:International Development Association (IDA),subject:governance in public sector,subject:public finance,subject:digital-transformation,subject:fragility-conflict-and-violence,subject:health,subject:education,subject:infrastructure","lang":"English","admreg":"Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, & Pakistan","title":{"cdata!":"New $20 Million Grant to Enhance Public Financial Management for Syria’s Recovery and Development"},"topic":"Governance In Public Sector,Public Finance,Digital-transformation,Fragility-conflict-and-violence,Health,Education,Infrastructure","proid":"P512516","unit":"World Bank Group,World Bank,International Development Association (IDA)","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/11/new-20-million-grant-to-enhance-public-financial-management-for-syria-s-recovery-and-development","lnchdt":"2026-03-11T10:51:00Z","regionname":"Middle East and North Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Syria","countcode":"SY","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" Washington, March 11, 2025 – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved on March 5 a US$20 million grant financing to Syria from the International Development Association (IDA) to strengthen efficiency, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. The Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project will help improve core public financial management (PFM) and procurement functions, laying the groundwork for their digitalization, strengthen budget controls, and establish robust institutional arrangements for effective coordination and oversight of PFM reforms. After fourteen years of conflict and economic challenges, Syria’s PFM systems, institutions, and processes continue to face significant challenges. Fiscal space is severely constrained, undermining the government’s ability to meet people’s needs. Revenue collection has shrunk from close to 20% of GDP before the conflict to less than 5% of GDP due to lower oil and tax revenues. Custom duty collection is marginal despite a heavy reliance on imports of commodities since 2011. The Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project marks a strategic response to these needs, by strengthening government systems and efficiently managing public financial resources. \"A disciplined and transparent management of public funds is critical for the Syrian state to gain the trust of its citizens and that of the international community as it seeks to mobilize domestic and external assistance for the country’s massive reconstruction needs,\" said Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Middle East Division Director. \"This Project will help strengthen the core systems that underpin effective governance to benefit the citizens. Implementation will follow an incremental approach starting with the ‘basics first’ to build foundational systems and capacities and prepare the ground for more advanced reforms.\" The Project includes three components: PFM reform oversight; capacity development for essential public financial management and procurement functions; and establishing a Syria Integrated Financial Management Information System (SIFMIS). These activities are designed to enhance coordination of PFM reforms, improve compliance and transparency of essential PFM functions, and deliver accurate and timely fiscal data. The project will target essential PFM functions: budget preparation and execution, procurement, and financial reporting including simplification and digitalization of the related business processes. Improved payroll, procurement, and budgeting will ultimately contribute to better health, education, or infrastructure services. The upskilling of government staff through professionalization of the PFM and procurement functions will be institutionalized to ensure sustainability. The establishment of coordination mechanisms, including the Syria External Assistance Fiduciary Section (SEAFS) within the Ministry of Finance will serve both national and international projects, ensuring effective fiduciary oversight and harmonization of assistance provided through multiple channels. \"After several years of economic contraction, Syria is expected to record positive growth in 2025 and 2026, marking an important step towards economic stabilization and recovery,\" said H.E. Yisr Barnieh, Syria’s Minister of Finance. \"Our ongoing reform efforts, including the strengthening of public financial management supported by this project, will support a steady economic recovery over the medium-term and help lay the foundation to improve service delivery in a transparent and accountable manner. The Ministry of Finance’s collaboration with the World Bank over the past year has paved the way for a solid partnership after decades of non-engagement.\" The Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project is the second project in the World Bank’s growing engagement that is being developed in close collaboration with the Syrian government. The Syrian government and the World Bank are currently discussing a strategy to expand this engagement, aligned with the principles and priorities of the government’s Statement of National Recovery Priorities for International Cooperation. The World Bank’s emerging strategy for Syria is focused on three foundations for recovery and sustained economic growth: stabilizing the economy and core government systems; restoring essential services and social stability; and enabling growth and private sector-led recovery. PFM is a cross-cutting priority identified in the national recovery plan, aligned with these three foundations for recovery and growth."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" Washington, March 11, 2025 – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved on March 5 a US$20 million grant financing to Syria from the International Development Association (IDA) to strengthen efficiency, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. The Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project will help improve core public financial management (PFM) and procurement functions, laying the groundwork for their digitalization, strengthen budget controls, and establish robust institutional arrangements for effective coordination and oversight of PFM reforms. After fourteen years of conflict and economic challenges, Syria’s PFM systems, institutions, and processes continue to face significant challenges. Fiscal space is severely constrained, undermining the government’s ability to meet people’s needs. Revenue collection has shrunk from close to 20% of GDP before the conflict to less than 5% of GDP due to lower oil and tax revenues. Custom duty "},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Middle East & North Africa Afghanistan & Pakistan, MNA"},"NzE4ZTU5ZTdhN2EyMTg5YTVmZjFhMjM1OWQwYmMwN2M4NTk1OTUyYQ2":{"id":"NzE4ZTU5ZTdhN2EyMTg5YTVmZjFhMjM1OWQwYmMwN2M4NTk1OTUyYQ2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/11/world-bank-supports-nepal-s-clean-air-and-prosperity-project-to-reduce-air-pollution-from-industries-strengthen-air-qual","count":"Nepal","descr":{"cdata!":"Nepal\nAir Pollution\nAir Quality Management"},"keywd":"regions:South Asia,country:Nepal","lang":"English","admreg":"South Asia","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Supports Nepal’s Clean Air and Prosperity Project to Reduce Air Pollution from Industries, Strengthen Air Quality Management"},"proid":"P506527","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/11/world-bank-supports-nepal-s-clean-air-and-prosperity-project-to-reduce-air-pollution-from-industries-strengthen-air-qual","lnchdt":"2026-03-11T09:54:20Z","regionname":"South Asia","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Nepal","countcode":"NP","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 11, 2026 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $52 million credit for the Nepal Clean Air and Prosperity Project to reduce air pollution and strengthen air quality management. The project will help reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, particularly from industrial and commercial boilers and furnaces, while strengthening national systems for air quality management. It will focus on the Kathmandu Valley, the Terai, and surrounding foothill regions where air pollution poses severe risks. “Air pollution is not only a public health crisis but also a significant economic burden in Nepal, costing the country more than six percent of GDP each year through health costs and lost labor productivity,” said David Sislen, Division Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “This project aims to protect millions of people from harmful pollution by helping Nepali enterprises adopt cleaner and more efficient technologies that at the same time also lower operating costs, improve competitiveness, and support sustainable industrial growth.” Industrial emissions are projected to become the largest source of air pollution in the coming years as the country continues to industrialize, underscoring the urgency of cleaner production technologies. Through a combination of clean technology financing, incentives, and technical assistance, the project will support around 400 industrial and commercial enterprises to adopt electric boilers/furnaces, modern biomass boilers/furnaces, or advanced emission control technologies, leading to substantial air quality improvements. “The adoption of clean technology is limited in Nepal due to a combination of high upfront investment costs, constrained access to long-term financing, and low technical capacity among enterprises,” said Martin Heger, World Bank Senior Environmental Economist, South Asia Region. “This project addresses these barriers by pairing long tenor financing and targeted capital incentives with hands-on technical assistance, helping industries to transition to cleaner production.” The project will be implemented by the Department of Industry under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Forests and Environment. Rastriya Banijya Bank will serve as the handling bank for the clean technology financing facility. The project financing from the World Bank is complemented by a $5 million grant from the World Bank’s Resilient Asia Program—funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The project is part of the World Bank’s Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF), a global air pollution hotspot. ###"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 11, 2026 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $52 million credit for the Nepal Clean Air and Prosperity Project to reduce air pollution and strengthen air quality management. The project will help reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions, particularly from industrial and commercial boilers and furnaces, while strengthening national systems for air quality management. It will focus on the Kathmandu Valley, the Terai, and surrounding foothill regions where air pollution poses severe risks. “Air pollution is not only a public health crisis but also a significant economic burden in Nepal, costing the country more than six percent of GDP each year through health costs and lost labor productivity,” said David Sislen, Division Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “This project aims to protect millions of people from harmful pollution by helping Nepali enterprises adopt cleaner and more efficient technologies that at the same tim"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"South Asia, SAR","funding_source":"IDA,IBRD"},"MGEwMzZkZDZkYjJhNWRiZWMzMGQ5YWRhMjBkMDQ0Nzg5NWUwYThlZA2":{"id":"MGEwMzZkZDZkYjJhNWRiZWMzMGQ5YWRhMjBkMDQ0Nzg5NWUwYThlZA2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/10/world-bank-supports-social-protection-inclusion-and-pathways-to-jobs-in-the-city-of-s-o-paulo","count":"Brazil","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank's Board of Directors approved a new project in the Municipality of São Paulo, to expand access to social assistance services and benefits for vulnerable populations"},"keywd":"subject:social inclusion,subject:social development,subject:social protection and growth,subject:inclusive-growth,country:Brazil,regions:Latin America and Caribbean","lang":"English","admreg":"Latin America and Caribbean","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Supports Social Protection, Inclusion and Pathways to Jobs in the City of São Paulo"},"topic":"Social Inclusion,Social Development,Social Protection And Growth,Inclusive-growth","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/10/world-bank-supports-social-protection-inclusion-and-pathways-to-jobs-in-the-city-of-s-o-paulo","lnchdt":"2026-03-10T18:39:53Z","regionname":"Latin America and Caribbean","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Brazil","countcode":"BR","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, DC, March 10, 2026 — The World Bank's Board of Directors approved a new project in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, to expand access to social assistance services and benefits for vulnerable populations, modernize the city's social protection infrastructure, and strengthen the systems that serve hundreds of thousands of residents living in situations of risk and exclusion. The project will also help connect vulnerable residents, especially young people, to better opportunities, skills and jobs. The package includes a US$131.8 million loan from the World Bank, complemented by US$100 million in counterpart financing from the Municipality of São Paulo, for a total investment of US$231.8 million. By combining investments in service delivery, digital modernization, and physical infrastructure, the project aims to improve the quality, reach, and responsiveness of São Paulo's social assistance network, while helping people access services that can support resilience, inclusion, and economic participation. The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 500,000 people currently enrolled in the Municipal Secretariat for Assistance and Social Development (SMADS) services. It will also track improvements in citizen satisfaction with social assistance services and the share of services using digital records. Project highlightsThe main pillars of action include:Services and benefits for at-risk populations: Support for the reintegration of unhoused individuals, including access to housing vouchers and qualified reintegration services. Targeted programs for youth at social risk, including digital skills training through the Digital Public Works program, will help equip them with the skills for better job opportunities, as well as behavioral health support. An Adaptive Social Protection strategy will help vulnerable families cope with climate-related shocks.Modernization of the social assistance delivery system: Renovation and expansion of the physical infrastructure of the SUAS (Unified Social Assistance System) and SUS (Unified Health System) networks across the city. Upgrading the IT systems of SMADS to enable electronic records and improved case management, strengthening the operational capacity of the SMS health care network, and improving services provided by SMPED for people with disabilities. \"São Paulo is home to one of the most complex urban social protection systems in Latin America, and this project will help make it more effective, inclusive, and resilient,\" said Cécile Fruman, World Bank Country Director for Brazil. \"By investing both in the people and in the systems that serve them, we are helping the city better reach those most at risk, including the unhoused, youth, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, while creating stronger pathways to opportunity, inclusion and jobs.\" Website: www.bancomundial.org.brLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bancomundialbrasil/ Media contactBrasiliaimprensa@worldbank.org"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, DC, March 10, 2026 — The World Bank's Board of Directors approved a new project in the Municipality of São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, to expand access to social assistance services and benefits for vulnerable populations, modernize the city's social protection infrastructure, and strengthen the systems that serve hundreds of thousands of residents living in situations of risk and exclusion. The project will also help connect vulnerable residents, especially young people, to better opportunities, skills and jobs. The package includes a US$131.8 million loan from the World Bank, complemented by US$100 million in counterpart financing from the Municipality of São Paulo, for a total investment of US$231.8 million. By combining investments in service delivery, digital modernization, and physical infrastructure, the project aims to improve the quality, reach, and responsiveness of São Paulo's social assistance network, while helping people access services that can support res"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"External and Corporate Relations - Corporate Communications, ECRCC"},"YTJlNjI3NGIzY2VkYjAyMmQ3NmI4MWEwZDdmOTIxMDZmZTc3YzcwZg2":{"id":"YTJlNjI3NGIzY2VkYjAyMmQ3NmI4MWEwZDdmOTIxMDZmZTc3YzcwZg2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/11/world-bank-group-provides-137-million-help-accelerate-digital-integration-job-creation-in-benin-liberia-and-sierra-leone","count":"Sierra Leone,Liberia,Benin","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank Group Board of Directors today approved a transformative regional initiative that will directly boost job creation in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This second operation under the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), totaling $137 million, aims to strengthen the foundations for a dynamic digital economy."},"keywd":"subject:digital economy strategy,subject:digital-transformation,subject:information and communication technologies,subject:regional integration,country:Sierra Leone,country:Liberia,country:Benin,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Group Provides $137 Million to Help Accelerate Digital Integration and Job Creation in Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone"},"topic":"Digital Economy Strategy,Digital-transformation,Information And Communication Technologies,Regional Integration","proid":"P500628","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/11/world-bank-group-provides-137-million-help-accelerate-digital-integration-job-creation-in-benin-liberia-and-sierra-leone","lnchdt":"2026-03-10T15:18:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Sierra Leone,Liberia,Benin","countcode":"SL,LR,BJ","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":"Boosting broadband access to 5.2 million people, enabling 5.4 million new digital service users, nurturing 140+ startups, and unlocking thousands of digital jobs in a growing regional economy.   WASHINGTON, March 10, 2026 - The World Bank Group (WBG) Board of Directors today approved a transformative regional initiative that will directly boost job creation in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This second operation under the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), totaling $137 million, aims to strengthen the foundations for a dynamic digital economy through three core pillars: (i) expanding and upgrading the digital infrastructure needed for competitiveness; (ii) fostering a more business‑friendly environment; and (iii) enabling businesses to scale and operate across regional markets. WARDIP2 will increase broadband access, financing, and usage in participating countries and will enable an environment for cross-border digital services in Western Africa. Approximately 5.2 million people will be connected to new or enhanced broadband internet across the three countries, and 5.4 million new users will access digitally enabled services. “This new initiative positions West Africa to accelerate economic transformation by creating jobs, strengthening resilience, and enabling a more integrated regional digital market,” says Michel Rogy, World Bank Digital and AI Regional Practice Director. “It addresses one of the region’s most persistent challenges: high-cost and unreliable connectivity that limit competitiveness and people’s access to digital opportunities.” Through major investments in digital infrastructure, the project will expand resilient broadband networks, increase international connectivity, and strengthen data‑center capacity, laying the groundwork for new digital jobs and improved public and private-sector service delivery. At the same time, it will invest in people by supporting digital skills training for 9,000 individuals, including women and youth, and expanding opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship. “By harmonizing regulations, modernizing digital governance, and improving competition across regional markets, WARDIP2 creates a more predictable and investment-friendly environment,” says Marina Wes, acting World Bank Regional Integration Director for Africa. “Its support to the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), regulatory reforms in participating countries, and measures that lower deployment costs while expanding access to affordable, high‑quality connectivity are critical to deepening regional integration, unlocking private capital, and creating jobs.” To help businesses scale, WARDIP2 will strengthen digital entrepreneurship ecosystems, expand digital financial services, and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups with seed financing, market access, and cross‑border digital trade opportunities. These investments will not only boost firm growth and competitiveness but also catalyze new digital jobs across participating countries. More than 140 digital startups, including women-led enterprises, are expected to benefit. WARDIP was launched in November 2023 as a game-changing program to expand internet access and to promote a single digital market in West Africa. It’s first operation (WARDIP1), implemented in partnership with the African Union, Smart Africa, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is supporting The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Mauritania to strengthen institutional capacities and extend access to services, benefitting 1.3 million people, half of whom are women, and unlocking new economic and employment opportunities. WARDIP2 builds on this foundation, expanding the program to a total of seven countries and to the WAEMU.Contacts:In Washington: Aby K. Touré, akonate@worldbank.orgIn Cotonou: Yao Gnona Afangbedji, yafangbedji@worldbank.orgIn Freetown: Moses Kargbo, mkargbo@worldbank.orgIn Monrovia: Michael Nyumah Sahr, msahr@worldbank.org"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":"Boosting broadband access to 5.2 million people, enabling 5.4 million new digital service users, nurturing 140+ startups, and unlocking thousands of digital jobs in a growing regional economy.   WASHINGTON, March 10, 2026 - The World Bank Group (WBG) Board of Directors today approved a transformative regional initiative that will directly boost job creation in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This second operation under the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), totaling $137 million, aims to strengthen the foundations for a dynamic digital economy through three core pillars: (i) expanding and upgrading the digital infrastructure needed for competitiveness; (ii) fostering a more business‑friendly environment; and (iii) enabling businesses to scale and operate across regional markets. WARDIP2 will increase broadband access, financing, and usage in participating countries and will enable an environment for cross-border digital services in Western Africa."},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"OGVkMzQzNDMwYzkwN2ZmOTEyNDFiMDZkZmE0ZTliY2I5OWY2ZDI3YQ2":{"id":"OGVkMzQzNDMwYzkwN2ZmOTEyNDFiMDZkZmE0ZTliY2I5OWY2ZDI3YQ2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/10/world-bank-supports-modernization-of-solid-waste-management-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina","count":"Bosnia and Herzegovina","descr":{"cdata!":"A €46 million World Bank loan to Bosnia and Herzegovina will help the country improve services for over a million people, expand waste collection and recycling, and pilot composting efforts."},"keywd":"regions:Europe and Central Asia,country:Bosnia and Herzegovina,subject:waste management planning","lang":"English","admreg":"Europe and Central Asia","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Supports Modernization of Solid Waste Management  in Bosnia and Herzegovina"},"topic":"Waste Management Planning","proid":"P510999","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/10/world-bank-supports-modernization-of-solid-waste-management-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina","lnchdt":"2026-03-10T15:01:00Z","regionname":"Europe and Central Asia","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Bosnia and Herzegovina","countcode":"BA","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 10, 2026—The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a €46 million (US$54 million equivalent) loan to Bosnia and Herzegovina to improve solid waste management services, so communities can benefit from cleaner and healthier environment. The Sustainable Waste Management Project (SWEEP) will focus on the closure and rehabilitation of unsanitary dumpsites, upgrades to regional sanitary landfills, and expanded waste separation, recycling, composting, and recovery. It will enable the safe and sanitary disposal of more than 420,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste annually, increase recycling and recovery rates to 20 percent, and improve service quality for over one million people. “This project will help municipalities replace unsafe waste disposal practices with modern, sustainable systems,” said Christopher Sheldon, World Bank Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. “By strengthening both infrastructure and local capacity, it supports better public health outcomes and advances Bosnia and Herzegovina’s alignment with European Union environmental standards.” Beyond infrastructure investments, SWEEP will provide institutional support to municipalities, cantonal authorities, and municipally owned public utility companies to strengthen operational performance, financial management, and long‑term service sustainability. In total, more than 100 jobs in solid waste management and related services are expected to be created. Aligned with Bosnia and Herzegovina's Environmental Strategy and Action Plan 2022–2032, national climate commitments, and EU accession requirements under Chapter 27 (Environment and Climate Change), SWEEP also contributes to the Western Balkans Green Agenda by promoting circular economy principles and climate-resilient infrastructure. The operation is complemented by a US$1.56 million grant from the Global Partnership for Results‑Based Approaches (GPRBA) Trust Fund."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 10, 2026—The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a €46 million (US$54 million equivalent) loan to Bosnia and Herzegovina to improve solid waste management services, so communities can benefit from cleaner and healthier environment. The Sustainable Waste Management Project (SWEEP) will focus on the closure and rehabilitation of unsanitary dumpsites, upgrades to regional sanitary landfills, and expanded waste separation, recycling, composting, and recovery. It will enable the safe and sanitary disposal of more than 420,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste annually, increase recycling and recovery rates to 20 percent, and improve service quality for over one million people. “This project will help municipalities replace unsafe waste disposal practices with modern, sustainable systems,” said Christopher Sheldon, World Bank Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. “By strengthening both infrastructure and local capacity, it suppo"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Europe and Central Asia, ECA","funding_source":"IBRD,Trust Fund"},"MDM1ZmI2MDZjODIzODEwM2FjODBlZWIwYzliMTIyMzE3ZGVhMDYwOQ2":{"id":"MDM1ZmI2MDZjODIzODEwM2FjODBlZWIwYzliMTIyMzE3ZGVhMDYwOQ2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/10/burkina-faso-a-new-project-to-accelerate-the-transformation-of-the-agricultural-sector","count":"Burkina Faso","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank today approved a project totaling $215.9 million (about CFAF 118.7 billion) to support the development of the agricultural sector. The Burkina Faso Agricultural Transformation Project is in line with national priorities in terms of food security, job creation and promotion of the private sector."},"keywd":"subject:agriculture and food security,country:Burkina Faso,regions:Africa,subject:jobs and development,subject:private sector development,subject:agribusiness","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"Burkina Faso: A New Project to Accelerate the Transformation of the Agricultural Sector"},"topic":"Agriculture And Food Security,Jobs And Development,Private Sector Development,Agribusiness","proid":"P507256","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/10/burkina-faso-a-new-project-to-accelerate-the-transformation-of-the-agricultural-sector","lnchdt":"2026-03-10T11:35:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Burkina Faso","countcode":"BF","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" OUAGADOUGOU, March 10, 2026 - The World Bank today approved a project totaling $215.9 million (about CFAF 118.7 billion) to support the development of the agricultural sector. The Burkina Faso Agricultural Transformation Project is in line with national priorities in terms of food security, job creation and promotion of the private sector. The new project will focus on developing priority agricultural value chains, including rice and maize, by supporting productivity improvements, modernization of processing infrastructure, and better access to markets. It will also help address financing constraints to foster private investment and technology adoption. Attention will be paid to the inclusion of women and youth, to strengthen their participation in agricultural value chains and support the creation of sustainable jobs in rural areas. “Agriculture remains a central pillar of the Burkinabè economy and a key lever for food security and the resilience of rural populations. Through this project, the World Bank reaffirms its commitment to supporting Burkina Faso in transforming its agricultural sector with a view to more inclusive and sustainable growth,” explains Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, World Bank Country Manager for Burkina Faso. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with national authorities, private sector actors, and decentralized stakeholders, to ensure strong ownership and sustainable results, and will cover four of the country's seventeen regions. These zones were selected for their agricultural potential, the presence of priority value chains – including rice and maize – as well as the potential to scale up interventions already implemented under the World Bank-financed Agriculture Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PReCA)."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" OUAGADOUGOU, March 10, 2026 - The World Bank today approved a project totaling $215.9 million (about CFAF 118.7 billion) to support the development of the agricultural sector. The Burkina Faso Agricultural Transformation Project is in line with national priorities in terms of food security, job creation and promotion of the private sector. The new project will focus on developing priority agricultural value chains, including rice and maize, by supporting productivity improvements, modernization of processing infrastructure, and better access to markets. It will also help address financing constraints to foster private investment and technology adoption. Attention will be paid to the inclusion of women and youth, to strengthen their participation in agricultural value chains and support the creation of sustainable jobs in rural areas. “Agriculture remains a central pillar of the Burkinabè economy and a key lever for food security and the resilience of rural populations. Through th"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"OTgwMGNlNDNmZDYyZTkzODE2Y2ViOWIzMGM5YWRlOTIwYTM3NjkwZQ2":{"id":"OTgwMGNlNDNmZDYyZTkzODE2Y2ViOWIzMGM5YWRlOTIwYTM3NjkwZQ2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/09/the-world-bank-group-advances-jobs-agenda-in-pacific-visit","count":"Papua New Guinea,Fiji,Tonga,Samoa,Tuvalu,Kiribati,Vanuatu,Solomon Islands,Micronesia, Federated States of,Marshall Islands,Palau","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank Group is deepening its commitment to Pacific Island countries to strengthen their economies, accelerate job creation, and unlock private investment. A delegation of World Bank Group senior officials - World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Felipe Jaramillo, IFC's Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Sarvesh Suri, and World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services Gallina Vincelette - visited Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand to launch new strategic initiatives and engage with government and private sector partners."},"keywd":"regions:East Asia and Pacific,country:Papua New Guinea,country:Fiji,country:Tonga,country:Samoa,country:Tuvalu,country:Kiribati,country:Vanuatu,country:Solomon Islands,country:Micronesia, Federated States of,country:Marshall Islands,country:Palau","lang":"English","admreg":"East Asia and Pacific","title":{"cdata!":"The World Bank Group Advances Jobs Agenda in Pacific Visit"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/09/the-world-bank-group-advances-jobs-agenda-in-pacific-visit","lnchdt":"2026-03-08T20:40:00Z","regionname":"East Asia and Pacific","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Papua New Guinea,Fiji,Tonga,Samoa,Tuvalu,Kiribati,Vanuatu,Solomon Islands,Micronesia, Federated States of,Marshall Islands,Palau","countcode":"PG,FJ,TO,WS,TV,KI,VU,SB,FM,MH,PW","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" PORT MORESBY, March 9, 2026: The World Bank Group is deepening its commitment to Pacific Island countries to strengthen their economies, accelerate job creation, and unlock private investment. A delegation of World Bank Group senior officials - World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Felipe Jaramillo, IFC's Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Sarvesh Suri, and World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services Gallina Vincelette - visited Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand to launch new strategic initiatives and engage with government and private sector partners. In Goroka, the delegation joined Prime Minister Hon. James Marape to mark Papua New Guinea's National Agriculture Sector Plan 2024–2033, which aims to commercialize the sector and create one million jobs by 2033 as part of the World Bank Group’s global AgriConnect initiative. In Fiji, the delegation introduced the World Bank Group's new Small States Strategy, which addresses the structural vulnerabilities of small island economies through job creation, resilience, and private sector-led growth. It also announced an IFC partnership with Fiji’s BRED Bank to help small and medium enterprises access finance and signed a Grant Facility for Project Preparation agreement to support the country's energy transformation. In Vanua Levu, the delegation saw how the World Bank Group is strengthening tourism as a driver of jobs and growth, including upgrading the airports at Savusavu and Labasa. In New Zealand and Australia, the delegation engaged business leaders and government counterparts on new procurement reforms that open opportunities for domestic and international firms to compete for World Bank-financed projects while enhancing local labor participation. The World Bank Group’s engagement in the Pacific reflects its overarching strategy of helping countries build economies that convert economic growth into local jobs—not by shifting work from developed countries, but by unlocking opportunity where people already live.  Jobs provide income, hope, and dignity, boosting global prosperity and stability. Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 million young people in developing countries will reach working age, but only about 400 million jobs are expected to be created. To accelerate job creation at scale, the World Bank Group invests in the foundational physical and human infrastructure for jobs, supports a business-friendly environment, and mobilizes private capital. It focuses on five sectors with the greatest potential to create jobs: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, primary healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" PORT MORESBY, March 9, 2026: The World Bank Group is deepening its commitment to Pacific Island countries to strengthen their economies, accelerate job creation, and unlock private investment. A delegation of World Bank Group senior officials - World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific Felipe Jaramillo, IFC's Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Sarvesh Suri, and World Bank Vice President for Operations Policy and Country Services Gallina Vincelette - visited Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand to launch new strategic initiatives and engage with government and private sector partners. In Goroka, the delegation joined Prime Minister Hon. James Marape to mark Papua New Guinea's National Agriculture Sector Plan 2024–2033, which aims to commercialize the sector and create one million jobs by 2033 as part of the World Bank Group’s global AgriConnect initiative. In Fiji, the delegation introduced the World Bank Group's new Small States"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"East Asia and Pacific, EAP"},"NjIzY2M0NDU3YzUwYzM5NTJhNzZhMzRkODZiOTk3OWFjZmVlYjQzYw2":{"id":"NjIzY2M0NDU3YzUwYzM5NTJhNzZhMzRkODZiOTk3OWFjZmVlYjQzYw2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/05/for-somalia-building-climate-resilience-is-key-to-unlocking-long-term-growth-and-jobs","count":"Federal Republic of Somalia","descr":{"cdata!":"A new World Bank Group report finds that cost effective and smart development investments, particularly in climate-smart agriculture, resilient cities, disaster risk management, and stronger institutions, could cut projected economic losses for Somalia by half and deliver more stable, productive jobs for its people."},"keywd":"country:Somalia,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"For Somalia, Building Climate Resilience is Key to Unlocking Long-Term Growth and Jobs"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/05/for-somalia-building-climate-resilience-is-key-to-unlocking-long-term-growth-and-jobs","lnchdt":"2026-03-05T14:26:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Somalia","countcode":"SO","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" NAIROBI, March 5, 2026 — A new World Bank Group report finds that cost‑effective and smart development investments, particularly in climate-smart agriculture, resilient cities, disaster risk management, and stronger institutions, could cut projected economic losses for Somalia by half and deliver more stable, productive jobs for its people. Launched today by the Government of Somalia and the World Bank Group, the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Federal Republic of Somalia emphasizes the importance of linking adaptation to employment and productivity, which can enable Somalia to convert resilience investments into job opportunities, advancing its ambition to reach middle‑income status by 2060. “Our focus is to ensure that climate action directly benefits our communities while building a stronger, more resilient Somalia,” said Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Somalia. “Our priority is to ensure that climate resilience supports economic stability and opportunity for our people. This report provides valuable analysis to guide coordinated action across sectors and strengthen collaboration with our partners”. Somalia is among the countries most vulnerable to climate shocks. Without urgent action, climate change could reduce Somalia’s GDP by up to 13.5 percent by 2060, compared to a scenario without climate impacts, undermining growth and employment and exacerbating fragility. “Building a climate‑resilient Somalia is a shared responsibility. Through coordinated leadership, evidence‑based policy, and strong partnerships, Somalia can turn climate challenges into opportunities for employment and productivity,” said Hideki Matsunaga, World Bank Country Manager for Somalia. “With smart investments, particularly in resilient rural livelihoods, climate‑smart cities, and stronger institutions, Somalia can break the cycle of vulnerability, create jobs, and unlock its development potential.” Somalia has made important strides in state‑building and macroeconomic stabilization, completing the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative debt relief process in 2023 and acceding to the East African Community in 2024. However, decades of conflict, weak institutions, recurrent droughts and floods continue to erode livelihoods, displace millions, and strain public services. The report emphasizes that integrating climate and development strategies can reduce vulnerability while supporting private‑sector‑led growth and job creation, shifting from crisis response toward sustained economic opportunity. Investments in early warning systems, disaster preparedness, water management, and climate‑smart agriculture are not only cost‑effective, but they are also essential for protecting lives, supporting growth, and sustaining jobs and livelihoods in communities affected by conflict and displacement. Analysis shows that higher‑quality growth and targeted climate action can sharply reduce economic losses from climate change compared to a business‑as‑usual scenario. At the same time, the report notes that while Somalia will continue to rely on external funding in the near term, over the longer term it will need to take stronger leadership in planning, implementing, and financing climate action. Deepening partnerships with the private sector will be essential to translate resilience investments into durable employment and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance.Contacts In Nairobi:Lydia Gachungilgachungi@worldbank.org In Washington:Daniella Van Leggelo Padilla dvanleggelo@worldbank.orgAbout Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) The World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) are new core diagnostic reports that integrate climate change and development considerations. They will help countries prioritize the most impactful actions that can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and boost adaptation, while delivering on broader development goals. CCDRs build on data and rigorous research and identify main pathways to reduce GHG emissions and climate vulnerabilities, including the costs and challenges as well as benefits and opportunities from doing so. The reports suggest concrete, priority actions to support the low-carbon, resilient transition. As public documents, CCDRs aim to inform governments, citizens, the private sector and development partners and enable engagements with the development and climate agenda. CCDRs will feed into other core Bank Group diagnostics, country engagements and operations, and help attract funding and direct financing for high-impact climate action."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" NAIROBI, March 5, 2026 — A new World Bank Group report finds that cost‑effective and smart development investments, particularly in climate-smart agriculture, resilient cities, disaster risk management, and stronger institutions, could cut projected economic losses for Somalia by half and deliver more stable, productive jobs for its people. Launched today by the Government of Somalia and the World Bank Group, the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for the Federal Republic of Somalia emphasizes the importance of linking adaptation to employment and productivity, which can enable Somalia to convert resilience investments into job opportunities, advancing its ambition to reach middle‑income status by 2060. “Our focus is to ensure that climate action directly benefits our communities while building a stronger, more resilient Somalia,” said Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Somalia. “Our priority is to ensure that climate resilience support"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"MmQyNjI5MWUyMDEzN2RlODY2NDA1ZTBkY2Y3YTBkODY3OTAxNDVlZg2":{"id":"MmQyNjI5MWUyMDEzN2RlODY2NDA1ZTBkY2Y3YTBkODY3OTAxNDVlZg2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/05/world-bank-backs-south-africas-credit-guarantee-vehicle-to-enable-infrastructure-finance-and-boost-job-creation","count":"South Africa","descr":{"cdata!":"South Africa’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth have received a major boost with the World Bank Board of Executive Directors’ approval of the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program. The program establishes a new Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) to help mobilize private capital for resilient infrastructure, with the World Bank—alongside national and international development partners—supporting South Africa’s reform agenda."},"keywd":"country:South Africa,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Backs South Africa’s Credit Guarantee Vehicle  to Enable Infrastructure Finance and Boost Job Creation"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/05/world-bank-backs-south-africas-credit-guarantee-vehicle-to-enable-infrastructure-finance-and-boost-job-creation","lnchdt":"2026-03-05T08:38:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"South Africa","countcode":"ZA","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" PRETORIA, March 5, 2026 — South Africa’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth have received a major boost with the World Bank Board of Executive Directors’ approval of the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program. The program establishes a new Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) to help mobilize private capital for resilient infrastructure, with the World Bank—alongside national and international development partners—supporting South Africa’s reform agenda. South Africa’s growth has averaged less than one percent over the past decade, while unemployment remains above 30%, with young people being disproportionately affected. Persistent bottlenecks in electricity, freight logistics, and water services continue to raise costs, constrain productivity and job creation as well and limit opportunities for firms and households. The CGV will issue market-based credit guarantees that will help de-risk investment in infrastructure, crowd in private capital, and reduce reliance on sovereign guarantees. This will strengthen fiscal sustainability while expanding infrastructure delivery. Over a ten-year period the program is expected to mobilize about $10 billion of capital (approximately R160 billion ZAR), including capital from private investors, commercial lenders and institutional investors, generate about 997,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. “Investment in infrastructure is central to South Africa’s efforts to restore growth and create jobs,” said Satu Kahkonen, World Bank Division Director for South Africa. “This operation supports the government’s agenda by helping mobilize private investment for infrastructure that improves services, strengthens competitiveness, and expands economic opportunity.” South Africa has deep and sophisticated financial markets, yet long-term institutional capital remains under-allocated to infrastructure. At the same time, infrastructure needs are substantial and cannot be financed by the public sector alone. The CGV introduces a blended finance structure designed to crowd in investors to share risk more efficiently and attract long-term private capital at scale. The program, which will be implemented by the National Treasury, includes $350 million in financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), to capitalize the CGV through the Government of South Africa and support project pipeline development and implementation capacity. “I am pleased to announce that National Treasury together with the World Bank are making significant progress with the Credit Guarantee Vehicle. The CGV, which will support massive investments in transmission infrastructure, will be incorporated as a company in the coming months,” said Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance of South Africa. “Next, we expect development partners to confirm their capital participation. We are targeting the CGV to be operational later this year.” The CGV complements reforms under Operation Vulindlela II - the government’s structural reform program to unlock growth and investment - and broader efforts to improve governance, regulatory certainty, and project preparation capacity in the electricity, transport, and water sectors. It is also aligned with South Africa’s just energy transition by supporting investment in renewable energy, transmission, storage, and related infrastructure."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" PRETORIA, March 5, 2026 — South Africa’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth have received a major boost with the World Bank Board of Executive Directors’ approval of the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program. The program establishes a new Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV) to help mobilize private capital for resilient infrastructure, with the World Bank—alongside national and international development partners—supporting South Africa’s reform agenda. South Africa’s growth has averaged less than one percent over the past decade, while unemployment remains above 30%, with young people being disproportionately affected. Persistent bottlenecks in electricity, freight logistics, and water services continue to raise costs, constrain productivity and job creation as well and limit opportunities for firms and households. The CGV will issue market-based credit guarantees that will help de-risk investment in "},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR"},"OTI2ODgyNmUzNWMzM2RhN2VmNzc1MjI3Mzc5NjYwY2FhYWVmODUzNw2":{"id":"OTI2ODgyNmUzNWMzM2RhN2VmNzc1MjI3Mzc5NjYwY2FhYWVmODUzNw2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/06/new-world-bank-group-financing-supports-angola-s-economic-reforms-to-promote-inclusive-growth-and-job-creation","count":"Angola","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s (MIGA) Board of Directors approved the first in a series of operations to support Angola’s ambitious structural reform agenda and its efforts to diversify its economy, promote inclusive growth, and ramp up job creation, particularly for its large youth population."},"keywd":"country:Angola,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"New World Bank Group Financing Supports Angola’s Economic Reforms to Promote Inclusive Growth and Job Creation"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/06/new-world-bank-group-financing-supports-angola-s-economic-reforms-to-promote-inclusive-growth-and-job-creation","lnchdt":"2026-03-05T08:11:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Angola","countcode":"AO","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 5, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s (MIGA) Board of Directors approved the first in a series of operations to support Angola’s ambitious structural reform agenda and its efforts to diversify its economy, promote inclusive growth, and ramp up job creation, particularly for its large youth population.   The operation comprises a $750 million development policy loan and a $240 million policy-based guarantee, complemented by a second loss guarantee from MIGA. The two guarantees cover a $400 million commercial loan, bringing the total package to approximately $1.1 billion. Combined, these financial instruments and knowledge from across the World Bank Group will maximize development outcomes for Angola, while preserving debt sustainability and mobilizing private capital. “This development policy operation reflects the World Bank’s strong partnership with the Government of Angola to advance reforms that promote inclusive growth, strengthen fiscal sustainability and human capital, and protect the most vulnerable,” said Albert Zeufack, World Bank Division Director for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi and Sao Tome and Principe. “By supporting policies that improve public financial management, enhance transparency, and expand opportunities for private sector–led job creation, this operation helps lay the foundation for more resilient and equitable development.” The operation will also contribute to the development of the Lobito Corridor, a key infrastructure initiative linking Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo to the port of Lobito in Angola, which is expected to mobilize foreign direct investment and yield better jobs, more diversified growth, and regional integration. The two guarantees will provide the Government of Angola with additional fiscal space to invest in its development priorities through a debt-for-development swap. This mechanism aims to prepay costly commercial debt with the proceeds of a competitively procured and guaranteed commercial loan, thereby reducing debt service costs and improving debt sustainability. Part of the fiscal savings generated by the swap will be redirected toward expanding access to education, contributing to improved human capital outcomes and enhanced job opportunities for future generations. \"This transaction combines the strength of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and MIGA’s balance sheets to create additional savings to the government—which in turn is used to build schools,” said Muhamet Bamba Fall, MIGA's Director for Industries. \"This operation demonstrates the power of the Guarantee Platform for both liability management and human capital development.\" The World Bank Group is one of Angola’s largest sources of long-term development finance, with a portfolio of nearly $5 billion through IBRD, $265 million via MIGA, and $200 million from the International Finance Corporation."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 5, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s (MIGA) Board of Directors approved the first in a series of operations to support Angola’s ambitious structural reform agenda and its efforts to diversify its economy, promote inclusive growth, and ramp up job creation, particularly for its large youth population.   The operation comprises a $750 million development policy loan and a $240 million policy-based guarantee, complemented by a second loss guarantee from MIGA. The two guarantees cover a $400 million commercial loan, bringing the total package to approximately $1.1 billion. Combined, these financial instruments and knowledge from across the World Bank Group will maximize development outcomes for Angola, while preserving debt sustainability and mobilizing private capital. “This development policy operation reflects the World Bank’s strong partnership with the Government of Angola to advanc"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"ZmFkOWQwNjk3NWIyOTRlMGQ3MTBkMWUyYTVlZjk5NjlhOWZlMDQzMA2":{"id":"ZmFkOWQwNjk3NWIyOTRlMGQ3MTBkMWUyYTVlZjk5NjlhOWZlMDQzMA2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/04/tunisia-scales-up-urban-flood-protection-efforts-with-world-bank-support","count":"Tunisia","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are expanding their partnership to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate and disaster risks through an additional financing for the US$ 125 million Tunisia Integrated Disaster Resilience Program (ResCat)."},"keywd":"country:Tunisia,regions:Middle East and North Africa,organization:World Bank Group,organization:World Bank,sites:world-bank,sites:world-bank-group,subject:climate change,subject:climate change adaptation,subject:jobs and development,subject:infrastructure and growth,subject:infrastructure,subject:disaster-risk-management,subject:urban development,subject:inclusive-growth","lang":"English","admreg":"Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, & Pakistan","title":{"cdata!":"Tunisia Scales Up Urban Flood Protection Efforts with World Bank Support"},"topic":"Climate Change,Climate Change Adaptation,Jobs And Development,Infrastructure And Growth,Infrastructure,Disaster-risk-management,Urban Development,Inclusive-growth","unit":"World Bank Group,World Bank","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/04/tunisia-scales-up-urban-flood-protection-efforts-with-world-bank-support","lnchdt":"2026-03-04T09:24:00Z","regionname":"Middle East and North Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Tunisia","countcode":"TN","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" TUNIS, March 4, 2026 — The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are expanding their partnership to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate and disaster risks through an additional financing for the US$ 125 million Tunisia Integrated Disaster Resilience Program (ResCat). The additional US$50 million will extend urban flood protection to three highly flood prone regions - Western Tunis, Gabès, and Djerba - building on experience from the cities of Bizerte, Monastir, and Nabeul covered under the initial Program. This scale-up comes as Tunisia continues to face significant flood risks, further exacerbated by climate change, as highlighted by the severe flooding in January 2026, which brought the heaviest rainfall in more than 70 years and widespread disruption across several regions. By targeting densely populated corridors and key economic hubs, the scaleup is expected to benefit more than 660,000 additional people. The investments are designed to keep businesses operating, protect jobs, and create new local employment opportunities, particularly for the operation and maintenance of flood protection infrastructure. They will also help reduce service disruptions and economic losses, supporting livelihoods in some of Tunisia’s most vulnerable urban areas. The additional financing will strengthen links between physical investments, modernized hydrometeorological and early warning systems, and disaster risk financing – ensuring infrastructure, data, and financial protection work together as an integrated resilience system. \"The World Bank is supporting Tunisia’s continued progress toward proactive, risk-informed disaster management,\" said Alexandre Arrobbio, World Bank Country Manager for Tunisia. \"By scaling up flood protection in highly flood prone regions and reinforcing early warning and financial protection systems, this additional financing will help protect lives and livelihoods and support a more resilient and inclusive development path.\" The new financing builds on strong results achieved since the Program’s launch in 2021. The parent operation, financed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), has already helped protect nearly 170,000 vulnerable people from urban flooding in several Tunisian cities and supported the rollout of pilot early warning systems. It has also contributed to strengthening national institutions for disaster risk management, including ongoing work on a disaster risk financing strategy and the establishment of a permanent institutional structure to coordinate resilience efforts. \"By combining weather and flood monitoring, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure, the scale-up expands urban flood protection to three new regions and supports a more coherent and sustainable national approach to managing flood risks,\" said Dina Ranarifidy, Senior Urban Specialist, and Task Team Leader at the World Bank."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" TUNIS, March 4, 2026 — The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are expanding their partnership to strengthen the country’s resilience to climate and disaster risks through an additional financing for the US$ 125 million Tunisia Integrated Disaster Resilience Program (ResCat). The additional US$50 million will extend urban flood protection to three highly flood prone regions - Western Tunis, Gabès, and Djerba - building on experience from the cities of Bizerte, Monastir, and Nabeul covered under the initial Program. This scale-up comes as Tunisia continues to face significant flood risks, further exacerbated by climate change, as highlighted by the severe flooding in January 2026, which brought the heaviest rainfall in more than 70 years and widespread disruption across several regions. By targeting densely populated corridors and key economic hubs, the scaleup is expected to benefit more than 660,000 additional people. The investments are designed to keep businesses operating, pr"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Middle East & North Africa Afghanistan & Pakistan, MNA"},"NjQ4MTFmNmU5MGFjNWE5MDliMGI3MDU5YTA0NmQzMjYwMTUxODhmYg2":{"id":"NjQ4MTFmNmU5MGFjNWE5MDliMGI3MDU5YTA0NmQzMjYwMTUxODhmYg2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/03/03/ethiopia-a-new-phase-of-support-for-safety-nets-will-foster-resilience-and-create-pathways-to-decent-jobs","count":"Ethiopia","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new phase of support for safety nets in Ethiopia under the Productive Safety Net Project 6 (PSNP 6), a project designed to create jobs, enhance food security, build climate resilience, and support vulnerable households. Across Ethiopia, families are working hard to make ends meet as droughts become more frequent, food prices climb, and jobs remain scarce."},"keywd":"country:Ethiopia,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"Ethiopia: A New Phase of Support for Safety Nets will Foster Resilience and Create Pathways to Decent Jobs"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/03/03/ethiopia-a-new-phase-of-support-for-safety-nets-will-foster-resilience-and-create-pathways-to-decent-jobs","lnchdt":"2026-03-03T11:52:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Ethiopia","countcode":"ET","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new phase of support for safety nets in Ethiopia under the Productive Safety Net Project 6 (PSNP 6), a project designed to create jobs, enhance food security, build climate resilience, and support vulnerable households. Across Ethiopia, families are working hard to make ends meet as droughts become more frequent, food prices climb, and jobs remain scarce. “These pressures force parents to make impossible choices: skip meals, sell precious assets, or pull children out of school. The PSNP 6 will help families meet immediate needs and strengthen their resilience by connecting people to better, more sustainable jobs, creating community assets, and investing in human capital to tackle challenges like stunting,” said Maryam Salim, World Bank Division Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan and Sudan. The project is financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of $200 million and builds on nearly two decades of partnership with the Government of Ethiopia and development partners. PSNP 6 reaffirms the World Bank's commitment to protecting Ethiopia's most vulnerable families, delivering meaningful, lasting change by addressing immediate crises while building the foundations for long-term resilience, even as climate risks intensify. Beyond providing an emergency response, PSNP 6 creates genuine pathways to economic opportunities. The project will help 700,000 people start or grow small businesses through practical training, mentoring, and basic financial support, with youth and women placed at the center of this effort. At the same time, short-term employment through climate-smart public works will provide income for six million people, while improving the community assets they depend on, including restoring watersheds, rehabilitating degraded land, and building infrastructure that can withstand future shocks. The project also makes a direct investment in the women and the next generation. By expanding access to nutrition, health services, and early childhood development, PSNP 6 aims to contribute towards reducing stunting and gives children the conditions they need to grow, learn, and reach their full potential. It also establishes women’s cooperatives and expands access to credit, linking local producers with value chains and markets. In addition, it will work alongside complementary World Bank initiatives to amplify job creation. “PSNP 6 is a critical investment in jobs and livelihoods for rural Ethiopians. It represents a vital step forward in our national effort to protect vulnerable families and build resilient rural livelihoods,” said Sintayehu Demissie, Head of Ethiopia’s Food Security Coordination Office at the Ministry of Agriculture. “By expanding job opportunities, supporting women and youth, and investing in nutrition and climate‑smart community assets, this program will strengthen our social protection systems and help ensure sustainable, inclusive growth across Ethiopia. We are committed to working closely with the World Bank and our development partners to deliver results that improve lives and secure a brighter future for our communities.” Underpinning all of this is a commitment to promoting effectiveness, fairness, accountability, and sustainability. Stronger digital tools, clear grievance redress channels, and improved monitoring will help ensure that assistance reaches people reliably, transparently, and with the dignity they deserve. *Since 2005, Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program has helped millions of food‑insecure households move toward self‑reliance. Communities have restored land, protected water sources, and rehabilitated social infrastructure—schools, Early Childhood Development centers, and health posts, while creating pathways to jobs and income. Under PSNP 5, communities treated 1.2 million hectares across 11,800 watersheds and completed or rehabilitated nearly 2,600 social infrastructure projects. The program also built a platform for rapid crisis response, reaching over 23 million people with shock‑responsive support, and expanded financial inclusion, with 1.45 million households gaining access to bank accounts."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new phase of support for safety nets in Ethiopia under the Productive Safety Net Project 6 (PSNP 6), a project designed to create jobs, enhance food security, build climate resilience, and support vulnerable households. Across Ethiopia, families are working hard to make ends meet as droughts become more frequent, food prices climb, and jobs remain scarce. “These pressures force parents to make impossible choices: skip meals, sell precious assets, or pull children out of school. The PSNP 6 will help families meet immediate needs and strengthen their resilience by connecting people to better, more sustainable jobs, creating community assets, and investing in human capital to tackle challenges like stunting,” said Maryam Salim, World Bank Division Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan and Sudan. The project is financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of $200 million an"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"MDg2NzRkOWM0YjI5Nzg1MTM1NjlmYjA5Mjg3MGUxM2IyZmJkMzBjZg2":{"id":"MDg2NzRkOWM0YjI5Nzg1MTM1NjlmYjA5Mjg3MGUxM2IyZmJkMzBjZg2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/27/world-bank-supports-jobs-connectivity-and-rural-resilience-in-tocantins","count":"Brazil","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank’s approved a new project in the State of Tocantins to improve road connectivity, strengthen family farming, and promote inclusive, sustainable tourism, especially in rural and vulnerable communities"},"keywd":"subject:road-safety,subject:transport,subject:agriculture and food security,subject:rural development,subject:tourism,subject:economic growth,subject:inclusive-growth,country:Brazil,regions:Latin America and Caribbean","lang":"English","admreg":"Latin America and Caribbean","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Supports Jobs, Connectivity and Rural Resilience in Tocantins"},"topic":"Road-safety,Transport,Agriculture And Food Security,Rural Development,Tourism,Economic Growth,Inclusive-growth","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/27/world-bank-supports-jobs-connectivity-and-rural-resilience-in-tocantins","lnchdt":"2026-02-27T20:00:00Z","regionname":"Latin America and Caribbean","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Brazil","countcode":"BR","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, DC, February 27, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a new project in the State of Tocantins, in Northern Brazil, to improve road connectivity, strengthen family farming, and promote inclusive, sustainable tourism, especially in rural and vulnerable communities, supporting the creation of more and better jobs in the state. The package includes a US$120 million loan from the World Bank, complemented by US$30 million in counterpart financing from the State of Tocantins and an estimated US$7.7 million in private capital mobilization. By combining investments in transport, agriculture, and tourism, the project aims to expand economic opportunities while building climate resilience. “This project consolidates a partnership of more than 20 years with the World Bank and marks a new chapter in the state’s development. Beyond investments in road infrastructure, including highway improvements and the paved connection to Lizarda, the project expands its reach by strengthening family farming and inclusive tourism. This initiative will generate jobs and income, promote the productive inclusion of women, youth, and quilombola communities, and drive sustainable growth across all regions of Tocantins,” stated Wanderlei Barbosa, Governor of Tocantins. “Tocantins has strong potential to create quality jobs while protecting its natural and productive assets,” said Cécile Fruman, World Bank Country Director for Brazil. “By linking safer and more resilient roads with climate-smart agriculture and inclusive tourism, this project supports a development model that expands opportunities for women, youth, family farmers, and traditional communities, while strengthening the state’s long-term competitiveness.” Project highlights The main pillars of action include:Roads: The project will rehabilitate and maintain 746 km of paved state roads under performance-based contracts. It will also finance targeted road safety improvements and support the preparation of Tocantins’ first road public-private partnerships (PPPs).Family farming: Expanded rural extension services and climate-smart agriculture support, along with matching grants and productive alliances for 12,000 family farmers, including women-led, youth, Indigenous, and Quilombola producers.Tourism: Investments in the Jalapão region to strengthen planning and small-scale infrastructure, and support micro businesses and Quilombola communities through training, mentoring, and competitive grants.Project management: Implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and fiduciary and environmental and social risk management coordinated by the State Secretariat for Planning and Budget (SEPLAN). The project will be implemented over eight years and is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs across transport, agriculture, and tourism, while improving access to markets and services for rural populations across Tocantins. Website: www.bancomundial.org.brLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bancomundialbrasil/ Media contactBrasiliaimprensa@worldbank.org"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, DC, February 27, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Directors approved a new project in the State of Tocantins, in Northern Brazil, to improve road connectivity, strengthen family farming, and promote inclusive, sustainable tourism, especially in rural and vulnerable communities, supporting the creation of more and better jobs in the state. The package includes a US$120 million loan from the World Bank, complemented by US$30 million in counterpart financing from the State of Tocantins and an estimated US$7.7 million in private capital mobilization. By combining investments in transport, agriculture, and tourism, the project aims to expand economic opportunities while building climate resilience. “This project consolidates a partnership of more than 20 years with the World Bank and marks a new chapter in the state’s development. Beyond investments in road infrastructure, including highway improvements and the paved connection to Lizarda, the project expands its reach by stren"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"External and Corporate Relations - Corporate Communications, ECRCC"},"ZWI0YzNjNzk4ZjEzZTJjOGRhMjY4YmZlOWFjNDM1YjE5Y2MxNmZlMQ2":{"id":"ZWI0YzNjNzk4ZjEzZTJjOGRhMjY4YmZlOWFjNDM1YjE5Y2MxNmZlMQ2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/26/new-program-to-equip-18-million-youth-and-enable-jobs-in-eastern-and-southern-africa","count":"Comoros,Congo, Democratic Republic of,Madagascar,Mozambique,Sao Tome and Principe,Tanzania,Zambia","descr":{"cdata!":"Millions of young people across Eastern and Southern Africa stand to gain skills they need to thrive through a new regional program that is designed to support job creation at scale. By 2034, 18 million young people in the region are expected to receive better education and skills, unlocking opportunities in key economic sectors through the program that will also contribute to millions of new jobs."},"keywd":"subject:jobs and development,regions:Africa,subject:education,country:Comoros,country:Congo, Democratic Republic of,country:Madagascar,country:Mozambique,country:Sao Tome and Principe,country:Tanzania,country:Zambia","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"New Program to Equip 18 Million Youth and Enable Jobs in Eastern and Southern Africa"},"topic":"Jobs And Development,Education","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/26/new-program-to-equip-18-million-youth-and-enable-jobs-in-eastern-and-southern-africa","lnchdt":"2026-02-26T15:47:32Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Comoros,Congo, Democratic Republic of,Madagascar,Mozambique,Sao Tome and Principe,Tanzania,Zambia","countcode":"KM,CD,MG,MZ,ST,TZ,ZM","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, February 26, 2026 – Millions of young people across Eastern and Southern Africa stand to gain skills they need to thrive through a new regional program that is designed to support job creation at scale. By 2034, 18 million young people in the region are expected to receive better education and skills, unlocking opportunities in key economic sectors through the program that will also contribute to millions of new jobs. There is an urgency to create jobs for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population. In Eastern and Southern Africa, about 8 million young people enter the labor market each year, yet fewer than one million of the new entrants secure waged jobs. Meanwhile, an estimated 6.5 million youth, including 3.6 million women, are neither in school nor in any kind of job (formal or informal). Creating more and better jobs requires sustained investment in physical and human infrastructure – including an array of relevant skills to raise productivity, expand employment, and increase wages, along with reforms that create a business-friendly environment, and efforts to mobilize private capital. The Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs Program in Eastern and Southern Africa (SET4Jobs) will support countries over eight years through a multi‑phase approach designed to drive job creation at scale. The program aligns investments in skills with specific value chains poised for job growth and is supported with a $972 million financing package, funded through the International Development Association* (IDA).   “SET4Jobs is a transformative investment in Africa’s greatest resource – its youth,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa. “Working closely with the private sector, we will help align training with growing industries such as agribusiness, energy, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing. The goal is to equip millions of young people with the skills needed to get good jobs, thrive in a modern economy and drive regional prosperity.” SET4Jobs will be implemented through investment projects in Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, and Zambia. Additional countries are expected to join in subsequent phases. The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), which plays a central role in fostering regional collaboration in tertiary and technical education, will oversee coordination and work with countries to enhance skills development, tertiary education, research and incubation for jobs.   “IUCEA brings deep regional experience in strengthening institutional capacity, advancing industry-aligned training, and fostering applied research and innovation in higher education and technical training. Through SET4Jobs, we are building on this momentum—transforming higher education and skills development into a powerful engine for jobs and shared prosperity across the region,” said Prof. Idris Rai, Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA. SET4Jobs will establish a regional knowledge-exchange platform to enable the efficient sharing of experiences and lessons learned among participating countries. It will leverage IDA and International Finance Corporation advisory services and serve as a platform for financing from development and private sector partners. Contacts In Washington:Daniella van Leggelo-Padilla, dvanleggelo@worldbank.org The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 78 poorest countries, 40 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.3 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has provided $563 billion to 116 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $34.5 billion over the last three years (FY22-FY24), with about 70 percent going to Africa. Learn more online: IDA.worldbank.org. #IDAworks"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, February 26, 2026 – Millions of young people across Eastern and Southern Africa stand to gain skills they need to thrive through a new regional program that is designed to support job creation at scale. By 2034, 18 million young people in the region are expected to receive better education and skills, unlocking opportunities in key economic sectors through the program that will also contribute to millions of new jobs. There is an urgency to create jobs for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population. In Eastern and Southern Africa, about 8 million young people enter the labor market each year, yet fewer than one million of the new entrants secure waged jobs. Meanwhile, an estimated 6.5 million youth, including 3.6 million women, are neither in school nor in any kind of job (formal or informal). Creating more and better jobs requires sustained investment in physical and human infrastructure – including an array of relevant skills to raise productivity, expand employment, and "},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"ZDQ0MDU1OTc5M2M3MmNjOWVjOTZiNjczNDhhYzEwMTZiNmZjMTgyNg2":{"id":"ZDQ0MDU1OTc5M2M3MmNjOWVjOTZiNjczNDhhYzEwMTZiNmZjMTgyNg2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/24/malawi-economic-monitor-stabilizing-the-economy-to-unlock-private-investment-and-create-jobs","count":"Malawi","descr":{"cdata!":"After years of high inflation, widening fiscal and external deficits, and declining exports, Malawi’s economy requires coordinated action to restore macroeconomic stability, reignite export-led growth, and create the jobs its citizens urgently need, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM), Getting Reforms Right."},"keywd":"country:Malawi,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"Malawi Economic Monitor: Stabilizing the Economy to Unlock Private Investment and Create Jobs"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/24/malawi-economic-monitor-stabilizing-the-economy-to-unlock-private-investment-and-create-jobs","lnchdt":"2026-02-24T12:12:00Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Malawi","countcode":"MW","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" LILONGWE, February 24, 2026 — After years of high inflation, widening fiscal and external deficits, and declining exports, Malawi’s economy requires coordinated action to restore macroeconomic stability, reignite export-led growth, and create the jobs its citizens urgently need, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM), Getting Reforms Right. With 270,000 young people entering the labor market each year—but only about 40,000 formal jobs created—job creation is a central economic challenge. The report calls for accelerated progress on critical reforms to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, resolve foreign exchange shortages, increase and diversify exports, and improve service delivery—laying the foundations for private sector–led job growth. Malawi’s macroeconomic situation remains fragile. Real GDP growth is projected at 1.9 percent in 2025—below population growth—marking a fourth consecutive year of declining GDP per capita. Fiscal deficits remain among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with interest payments approaching half of domestic revenues, while public debt stands near 90 percent of GDP and the country remains in external debt distress. Inflation remains elevated, driven by food prices and large fiscal deficits, while rising public debt continues to crowd out credit to the private sector. The MEM underscores that macroeconomic stability is essential for job creation. Without predictable policies, access to foreign exchange, and sustainable public finances, private investment—the engine of employment—cannot grow at the scale Malawi needs. The MEM’s Special Topic, “Reversing Malawis Export Decline”, highlights the sharp deterioration in exports over the past decade which has had implications for employment. High and unpredictable trade costs—stemming from non-tariff barriers, complex and time-consuming licensing processes that often take weeks, ad hoc import and export bans, and slow border procedures—have reduced competitiveness and discouraged firms from expanding production and hiring. Distortions in the foreign exchange market have increased uncertainty and deterred investment. As a result, goods exports as a share of GDP have declined since 2014, the number of exporting firms has fallen sharply, and many firms have shifted to informality and smuggling, fueling illicit trade. Malawi’s export basket remains highly concentrated, with tobacco still dominant, while diversification has receded with fewer product lines and markets than a decade ago. New opportunities in agro‑processing—such as macadamia, soybeans, and groundnuts—and emerging mining projects show potential to improve the economy and create jobs along the value chain. But policy inconsistencies, foreign exchange shortages, and infrastructure constraints limit scale, competitiveness, and employment generation. “Malawi has the talent and the opportunity to turn the tide—if the country moves quickly to stabilize the macroeconomy and clear the bottlenecks that make it hard to produce and export,” said Firas Raad, World Bank Country Manager for Malawi. “The MEM suggests that by simplifying trade procedures, improving border efficiency, and creating predictable policies, the country can unlock new investments in agro‑processing and manufacturing—creating better jobs and higher incomes, the very foundation of economic growth.” To stabilize the economy and support job creation, the MEM recommends strengthening fiscal discipline and increasing domestic revenue mobilization, including streamlining inefficient tax exemptions and prioritizing productive spending. It also calls for progress on debt restructuring and resolving foreign exchange imbalances to anchor inflation expectations. In line with a comprehensive jobs strategy, the report urges repurposing agricultural expenditures away from inefficient subsidies, deepening fiscal decentralization to improve local service delivery, expanding access to affordable and reliable electricity, and facilitating private sector investment in the road sector. Investment in both physical and human capital—including skills aligned with labor market demand—is essential to enable firms to grow and generate employment. To reverse the export decline, the MEM calls for targeted reforms focused on improving trade efficiency and ensuring predictability. This includes modernizing border management through simplified and digitized import and export licensing procedures and applying transparent timebound trade measures. Strengthening export performance is not only vital for foreign exchange and growth—it is central to creating more and better jobs. The Malawi Economic Monitor concludes that getting reforms right—and sequencing them well—can quickly ease pressures on firms, drive export growth, and place the economy on a more resilient and inclusive growth path. With decisive implementation and strong public–private collaboration, Malawi can reverse the export decline, rebuild stability, and unlock the private sector dynamism needed to generate more and better jobs.Contacts: In Lilongwe: Henry Chimbali, (+265) 888 890 047, hchimbali@worldbank.org In Washington: Daniella van Leggelo-Padilla, (+1-202) 473-4989, dvanleggelo@worldbank.org"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" LILONGWE, February 24, 2026 — After years of high inflation, widening fiscal and external deficits, and declining exports, Malawi’s economy requires coordinated action to restore macroeconomic stability, reignite export-led growth, and create the jobs its citizens urgently need, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM), Getting Reforms Right. With 270,000 young people entering the labor market each year—but only about 40,000 formal jobs created—job creation is a central economic challenge. The report calls for accelerated progress on critical reforms to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, resolve foreign exchange shortages, increase and diversify exports, and improve service delivery—laying the foundations for private sector–led job growth. Malawi’s macroeconomic situation remains fragile. Real GDP growth is projected at 1.9 percent in 2025—below population growth—marking a fourth consecutive year of declining GDP per capita. Fiscal deficits remain "},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR","funding_source":"IDA"},"NTA0MGU3ZjNmZmFkMzU1ZmEzMGIwZDMxYzdmZGRiNDYzZmE4NzcwNw2":{"id":"NTA0MGU3ZjNmZmFkMzU1ZmEzMGIwZDMxYzdmZGRiNDYzZmE4NzcwNw2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/24/women-s-economic-opportunity-laws-only-half-enforced-globally","descr":{"cdata!":"For the first time, the latest Women, Business and the Law report assesses not only the degree of equality in laws on the books, but also the extent to which those laws are enforced. Legal experts surveyed estimated that laws that encourage full economic participation by women are only half-enforced, indicating that governments have a long way to go. Even as they make progress in establishing new equal-opportunity laws, economies on average have in place fewer than half of the policies and services needed for enforcement. Only 4% of women across the world live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality. That is keeping economies from reaching their full potential to grow and create jobs."},"lang":"English","title":{"cdata!":"Women’s Economic-Opportunity Laws Only Half-Enforced Globally"},"cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/24/women-s-economic-opportunity-laws-only-half-enforced-globally","lnchdt":"2026-02-24T09:00:00Z","wcmsource":"cq5","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":"Only 4% of women worldwide live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality   WASHINGTON, February 24, 2026—Laws designed to ensure equal economic opportunities for women are only half-enforced on average across the world, indicating that the barriers that keep women from contributing fully to growth and prosperity are far steeper than previously thought, according to a new report from the World Bank Group. Even if the laws were fully enforced, women would still enjoy barely two-thirds of the legal rights of men. For the first time, the latest Women, Business and the Law report assesses not only the degree of equality in laws on the books, but also the extent to which those laws are enforced. Legal experts surveyed estimated that laws that encourage full economic participation by women are only half-enforced, indicating that governments have a long way to go. Even as they make progress in establishing new equal-opportunity laws, economies on average have in place fewer than half of the policies and services needed for enforcement. Only 4% of women across the world live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality. That is keeping economies from reaching their full potential to grow and create jobs. “On paper, most countries are doing reasonably well: the average country scores 67 out of 100 on the adequacy of laws to enable economic equality between women and men,” said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics. “But when it comes to enforcing the laws, the average score drops to 53. And when the systems needed to implement those rights are assessed, the adequacy score is just 47. These numbers reflect huge opportunity gaps— and the findings of this report provide policymakers with intelligence to reverse the decline in the growth potential of developing economies.” Women, Business, and the Law assesses the global state of women’s economic participation across 10 key areas, including safety from violence, access to childcare, entrepreneurship, employment protections, asset ownership, and retirement security. It identifies safety from violence as a key shortcoming, leaving women less able to work consistently. “True equality begins with safety. Whether at home, at work, or in public, women deserve protection to thrive,” said Norman Loayza, Director of the World Bank’s Policy Indicators Group. “Globally, we’re falling short. We have only a third of the safety laws we need, and even then, enforcement is failing 80% of the time.” Tea Trumbic, Manager for the Women, Business and the Law project and the report’s lead author, said: “Over the next decade, 1.2 billion young people—half of them girls—will enter the workforce. Many will come of age in regions where women face the biggest barriers, and where the GDP boost that would result from their participation is most needed. Ensuring equal opportunity for women here—and everywhere—benefits societies as a whole, not just women. It’s an economic must-have, in short, not just a nice-to-have.” Entrepreneurship is another low-scoring area, the report finds. Although women can start businesses on the same legal terms as men in nearly all economies, only about half promote equal access to credit, leaving women entrepreneurs locked out of financing. Childcare is a crucial opportunity for policymakers. Affordable, reliable childcare tends to be one of the strongest predictors of whether parents—particularly mothers—can work or move into higher-productivity jobs. Yet less than half of the 190 economies covered in the report have laws providing financial or tax support for families. Among those, only 30% of policies needed to support affordable and high-quality childcare services are in place. In low-income economies, just 1% of childcare support mechanisms are in place. Despite these conditions, progress is occurring with respect to equal-opportunity laws on the books:Over the past two years, 68 economies have enacted 113 positive legal reforms across most areas of women’s economic life, with the greatest progress in entrepreneurship and safety from violence. Seven countries also expanded paternity leave to help redistribute caregiving and support women’s employment.Sub-Saharan Africa implemented 33 reforms over the past two years, the largest number of any region. Madagascar and Somalia lifted prohibitions on women working in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.Egypt, Jordan, and Oman made progress. Egypt was the world’s top reformer over the past two years, increasing its legal equality score by nearly 10 points. Recent reforms extended paid parental leave from 90 to 120 days for mothers and introduced one day of paid leave for fathers, mandated equal pay, and allowed requests for flexible work arrangements.    Website: https://wbl.worldbank.org/en/wblFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldbankX (Twitter): https://x.com/worldbankYouTube: https://youtube.com/worldbank"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":"Only 4% of women worldwide live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality   WASHINGTON, February 24, 2026—Laws designed to ensure equal economic opportunities for women are only half-enforced on average across the world, indicating that the barriers that keep women from contributing fully to growth and prosperity are far steeper than previously thought, according to a new report from the World Bank Group. Even if the laws were fully enforced, women would still enjoy barely two-thirds of the legal rights of men. For the first time, the latest Women, Business and the Law report assesses not only the degree of equality in laws on the books, but also the extent to which those laws are enforced. Legal experts surveyed estimated that laws that encourage full economic participation by women are only half-enforced, indicating that governments have a long way to go. Even as they make progress in establishing new equal-opportunity laws, economies on average have in place few"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Development Economics, DEC"},"MDAzZWMzODRmZWVkOTlkOWQ4MTEwYmMyZjczNTAxMTRlODBmOTI2OA2":{"id":"MDAzZWMzODRmZWVkOTlkOWQ4MTEwYmMyZjczNTAxMTRlODBmOTI2OA2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/congo-basin-countries-forge-strategic-path-to-carbon-markets-with-roadmaps-to-monetize-forest-wealth","count":"Cameroon,Central African Republic,Congo, Republic of,Congo, Democratic Republic of,Gabon,Equatorial Guinea","descr":{"cdata!":"Six countries of the Congo Basin are working to take bold steps to unlock results-based payments and climate finance. The newly launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector for the Congo Basin Countries developed with support from the World Bank, serve as blueprints to transform the region’s vast forest wealth into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth and sustainable development and green jobs."},"keywd":"subject:climate change adaptation,subject:climate finance,subject:climate change,subject:green-growth,subject:sustainable economic growth,country:Cameroon,country:Central African Republic,country:Congo, Republic of,country:Congo, Democratic Republic of,country:Gabon,country:Equatorial Guinea,regions:Africa","lang":"English","admreg":"Africa","title":{"cdata!":"Congo Basin Countries Forge Strategic Path to Carbon Markets with Roadmaps to Monetize Forest Wealth"},"topic":"Climate Change Adaptation,Climate Finance,Climate Change,Green-growth,Sustainable Economic Growth","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/congo-basin-countries-forge-strategic-path-to-carbon-markets-with-roadmaps-to-monetize-forest-wealth","lnchdt":"2026-02-23T11:13:35Z","regionname":"Africa","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Cameroon,Central African Republic,Congo, Republic of,Congo, Democratic Republic of,Gabon,Equatorial Guinea","countcode":"CM,CF,CG,CD,GA,GQ","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, February 23, 2026 - Six countries of the Congo Basin—Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo—are working to take bold steps to unlock results-based payments and climate finance. The newly launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector for the Congo Basin Countries developed with support from the World Bank, serve as blueprints to transform the region’s vast forest wealth into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth and sustainable development and green jobs. These roadmaps provide country-specific blueprints to help High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Congo Basin countries to engage credibly and effectively in global carbon markets, mobilize results-based finance, and transform their forest assets into engines for climate-resilient growth. Tailored to each country’s readiness and institutional landscape, the roadmaps build on the foundational data from Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem Accounts to create a comprehensive framework aligning nature and climate goals with national development priorities. As part of the World Bank’s broader Analytical and Advisory Services (ASA) for the Congo Basin, these roadmaps aim to shift the region’s development narrative—from one of forest loss or degradation to forest-led growth. “Forests across the Congo Basin offer more than global climate regulation—they represent critical financial assets and a development opportunity,” said Chakib Jenane, World Bank Regional Practice Director Western and Central Africa Region. “These roadmaps provide the crucial link and show how countries can convert natural capital into tangible investments that generate revenues, jobs, and resilience for local communities.” The roadmaps call for stronger institutional coordination, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and robust digital, and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. While countries like Gabon, Republic of Congo are advancing with pilot results-based agreements and REDD+ progress, others like Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic are in the early stages of development. Opportunities abound also in Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The roadmaps highlight the gaps and prioritize key actions that will allow countries to harness the potential from carbon markets and climate finance. “Carbon markets can be a game-changer for Congo Basin countries—but only if the right enabling conditions are in place,” said Cheick Fantamady Kanté, World Bank Division Director for Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. “These strategic roadmaps provide a practical end-to-end guide for governments to operationalize carbon finance, with a focus on good governance, private sector engagement, and benefits for local communities.” Developed through broad stakeholder consultations and grounded in national priorities, the roadmaps support countries to:Align national frameworks with Paris Agreement Article 6.2 and 6.4.Build digital and institutional capacity for MRV readiness.Clarify the legal and fiscal treatment of carbon credits.Engage the private sector and ensure the participation of local communities and indigenous peoples.Attract long-term climate investment and technical partnerships. These carbon market climate roadmaps represent a convergence of jobs, environment, and economic agendas.Contacts:In Brazzaville: Franck Bitemo, +242 05 675 06 99 / 06 959 39 93, fbitemo@worldbankgroup.orgIn Yaounde: Odilia Hebga: [+237] 697 85 99 55, ohebga@worldbank.orgIn Bangui: Emmanuel Crispin Dembassa Kette, edembassakette@worldbankgroup.orgIn Libreville: Laetitia Ornela Mebaley, lmebaleymenno@worldbankgroup.orgIn Kinshasa: Marinette Utezi Kegbia, mkegbia@worldbankgroup.org"},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, February 23, 2026 - Six countries of the Congo Basin—Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo—are working to take bold steps to unlock results-based payments and climate finance. The newly launched Strategic Roadmaps for Carbon Market and Climate Finance in the Forest Sector for the Congo Basin Countries developed with support from the World Bank, serve as blueprints to transform the region’s vast forest wealth into a powerful engine for climate-resilient growth and sustainable development and green jobs. These roadmaps provide country-specific blueprints to help High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) Congo Basin countries to engage credibly and effectively in global carbon markets, mobilize results-based finance, and transform their forest assets into engines for climate-resilient growth. Tailored to each country’s readiness and institutional landscape, the roadmaps build on the foundati"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Africa, AFR"},"YjkzMDQzM2ZmMTRiYWYxMjg0NWJhZGIyMTBlZjNjZTkyMDc5NTE5OA2":{"id":"YjkzMDQzM2ZmMTRiYWYxMjg0NWJhZGIyMTBlZjNjZTkyMDc5NTE5OA2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/updated-ukraine-recovery-and-reconstruction-needs-assessment-released","count":"Ukraine","descr":{"cdata!":"Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in the country, as of December 31, 2025, is estimated at almost $588 billion over the next decade."},"keywd":"country:Ukraine,regions:Europe and Central Asia,subject:fragility-conflict-and-violence","lang":"English","admreg":"Europe and Central Asia","title":{"cdata!":"Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment Released"},"topic":"Fragility-conflict-and-violence","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/updated-ukraine-recovery-and-reconstruction-needs-assessment-released","lnchdt":"2026-02-23T08:00:00Z","regionname":"Europe and Central Asia","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Ukraine","countcode":"UA","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":"Findings highlight the expanding footprint of destruction and the increasing complexity in restoring systems essential for economic recovery and social well‑being KYIV, Ukraine, February 23, 2026—Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) released today by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations currently estimates that as of 31 December 2025, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is almost $588 billion (over €500 billion) over the next decade, which is nearly 3 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2025. With the support of development partners, the Government of Ukraine is taking significant steps to meet recovery and reconstruction priorities for 2026, including public investment projects and essential recovery support programs such as funding for destroyed housing, demining, and multisector economic support programs, totaling more than $15 billion. In addition, per the available information collected under the RDNA assessment, at least $20 billion in needs have already been met since February 2022 through urgent repairs and early recovery activities in housing, energy, education, transport, and other essential sectors. “Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, the total cost of Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery is now estimated at nearly $588 billion over the next decade, nearly three times the country’s projected nominal GDP for 2025,” noted Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. “Amid unprecedented Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and homes across Ukraine this winter, our people show resilience, our entrepreneurs keep working. We still manage to recover fast and develop further. I thank the World Bank, EU, and UN teams for supporting our efforts to stand against the challenges. The assistance helps us urgently repair our critical infrastructure to keep the country running as well as continue systematic recovery activities focusing on energy projects and housing for our people.” The latest update presents an overview of nearly four years of impact, covering 46 months between February 2022 and December 2025.  It finds that direct damage in Ukraine has now reached over $195 billion (€166 billion), up from $176 billion (€150 billion) in the RDNA4 of February 2025, with housing, transport, and energy sectors being most affected. Damage, losses, and needs remain concentrated in frontline oblasts and major metropolitan areas. In the energy sector, which has been subject to increased attacks as Ukraine endures a winter of record intensity, there has been an approximately 21 percent increase in damaged or destroyed assets since the RDNA4, including power generation, transmission, distribution infrastructure, and district heating. In the transport sector, needs have increased by around 24 percent since RDNA4 and are the result of intensified attacks on rail and ports during 2025. As of December 31, 2025, 14 percent of housing has been damaged or destroyed, impacting over three million households. “Despite the widespread damage that continues to mount against Ukraine’s people, economy and infrastructure, the entire country continues to press on with remarkable strength and resolve,” said Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. “The World Bank Group stands firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction and helping to advance the people of Ukraine with jobs, opportunities and hope in a resilient, modern, and competitive economy.” Ukraine’s private sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of unprecedented disruption and will play a critical role in recovery and reconstruction. The RDNA5 underscores that unlocking the full potential of private investment—both domestic and international—will depend on sustained reforms to improve the business environment, strengthen competition, expand access to finance, address labor constraints, and align production with EU green and digital standards. Promoting sustainable and inclusive development and job creation, and integrated approaches to resilient recovery at the local level—such as through the Government’s pilot Comprehensive Restoration program—will also be essential. The RDNA5 findings complement the reform and investment agenda of the Ukraine Facility, grounded in the EU accession process, for the next two years. \"Russia’s war of aggression has brought destruction unseen in generations,” said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. \"This assessment shows the scale of the challenge and the opportunity before us. Our response is clear: we will rebuild Ukraine as a strong, modern EU country. Through bold reforms and the Ukraine Investment Framework as our tools to mobilize investments at scale, we will transform devastation into prosperity and advance Ukraine’s path to the EU.” * Of the total long-term needs, reconstruction and recovery needs are the highest in the transport sector (over $96 billion (€82 billion)). This is followed by the energy sector (nearly $91 billion (€77 billion)), the housing sector (almost $90 billion (€77 billion)), commerce and industry sector (over $63 billion (€54 billion)), and agriculture sector (over $55 billion (€47 billion)). The cost of explosives hazard management and debris clearance is almost $28 billion (€24 billion), despite some progress in surveying and demining that helped to contain losses in this sector. “People are central to recovery,” said Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. “Ukraine’s most critical asset is its people. Refugee return, veteran reintegration, and women’s labor force participation will shape economic recovery as much as capital flows and rebuilding infrastructure. Recovery must be human-centered and community-based.” The RDNA5 acknowledges the Government of Ukraine’s efforts to build a forward looking, inclusive, and resilient economic model anchored in postwar recovery planning and long-term growth and underscores the pivotal role played by EU accession and reforms under the Ukraine Plan, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group supported programs. The Government’s emerging postwar economic strategy—the Ukraine Economy of the Future (UEF)—focuses on macrofiscal stability, governance and rule of law reforms, private sector dynamism, infrastructure rebuilding, and investments in human capital and social sustainability. These efforts will help to strengthen confidence among citizens, investors, and partners and position Ukraine for accelerated EU convergence and long-term prosperity. Editorial note: All EUR estimates use the Dec 31, 2025, USD/EUR exchange rate. *Note: this quote was updated after initial release."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":"Findings highlight the expanding footprint of destruction and the increasing complexity in restoring systems essential for economic recovery and social well‑being KYIV, Ukraine, February 23, 2026—Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) released today by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations currently estimates that as of 31 December 2025, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is almost $588 billion (over €500 billion) over the next decade, which is nearly 3 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2025. With the support of development partners, the Government of Ukraine is taking significant steps to meet recovery and reconstruction priorities for 2026, including public investment projects and essential recovery support programs such as funding for destroyed housing, demining, and multisector economic support programs, total"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Europe and Central Asia, ECA"},"NDI0OWM1NGRjNTE5N2YxZDg3NDhlMTYyNmY3NGU2N2Y1Y2EyZjBlYg2":{"id":"NDI0OWM1NGRjNTE5N2YxZDg3NDhlMTYyNmY3NGU2N2Y1Y2EyZjBlYg2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/partnership-with-world-bank-group-backs-papua-new-guinea-s-efforts-to-create-more-jobs","count":"Papua New Guinea","descr":{"cdata!":"A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Papua New Guinea aims to support the reforms and investments necessary to create jobs, improve services, and help build a foundation of lasting resilience."},"keywd":"country:Papua New Guinea,regions:East Asia and Pacific","lang":"English","admreg":"East Asia and Pacific","title":{"cdata!":"Partnership with World Bank Group Backs Papua New Guinea’s Efforts to Create More Jobs"},"proid":"P500795","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/23/partnership-with-world-bank-group-backs-papua-new-guinea-s-efforts-to-create-more-jobs","lnchdt":"2026-02-22T17:57:00Z","regionname":"East Asia and Pacific","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Papua New Guinea","countcode":"PG","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" PORT MORESBY, February 23, 2026 – A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Papua New Guinea aims to support the reforms and investments necessary to create jobs, improve services, and help build a foundation of lasting resilience.   The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors approved the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) on February 17, 2026, setting the direction for World Bank Group support through 2031 in line with the government’s own development priorities.  Papua New Guinea is rich in natural resources but faces significant challenges to turn this wealth into better living conditions for all Papua New Guineans. With most of the population living in remote areas and limited access to basic infrastructure, expanding opportunity beyond the extractive sector and strengthening institutions will be critical.   The CPF puts jobs at the center and focuses on four priorities: building skills and human capital, connecting communities to basic infrastructure, strengthening economic governance, and supporting private sector growth and economic diversification. Agriculture is a key area, with strong potential to create jobs if productivity and access to markets improve.  The new partnership will invest in education, health, and nutrition, critical in a country where the Human Capital Index stands at 0.42, while expanding access to electricity, roads and basic infrastructure so rural communities can participate more fully in the economy. It will also support reforms to improve transparency in the management of resource revenues, ensuring public funds are better directed toward people and infrastructure.  “Papua New Guinea has immense natural wealth and extraordinary human potential,” said Han Fraeters, World Bank Director for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. “Turning that potential into tangible development outcomes and opportunities for all Papua New Guineans is the challenge ahead. We look forward to supporting practical reforms and investments that create jobs, strengthen institutions, and contribute to a more resilient and secure Papua New Guinea.”   The CPF includes an estimated US$1.2 billion financing envelope over six years from the World Bank Group. Together, the World Bank Group will help mobilize private capital, strengthen economic governance, and improve transparency and management of resource revenues so that growth delivers greater benefits for Papua New Guineans. "},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" PORT MORESBY, February 23, 2026 – A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Papua New Guinea aims to support the reforms and investments necessary to create jobs, improve services, and help build a foundation of lasting resilience.   The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors approved the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) on February 17, 2026, setting the direction for World Bank Group support through 2031 in line with the government’s own development priorities.  Papua New Guinea is rich in natural resources but faces significant challenges to turn this wealth into better living conditions for all Papua New Guineans. With most of the population living in remote areas and limited access to basic infrastructure, expanding opportunity beyond the extractive sector and strengthening institutions will be critical.   The CPF puts jobs at the center and focuses on four priorities: building skills and human capital, connecting com"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"East Asia and Pacific, EAP"},"ZmNmNTFjMjhlOGRkODZlMjAzOTEyNDcxZmUzMmQ4Njg2NzBkYTA0Mw2":{"id":"ZmNmNTFjMjhlOGRkODZlMjAzOTEyNDcxZmUzMmQ4Njg2NzBkYTA0Mw2","url":"http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/19/world-bank-support-to-enhance-rail-connectivity-and-logistics-in-kazakhstan","count":"Kazakhstan","descr":{"cdata!":"The World Bank approved a $846 million IBRD guarantee to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a major rail connectivity project along Kazakhstan’s section of Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), a strategic trade route linking Asia and Europe."},"keywd":"country:Kazakhstan,regions:Europe and Central Asia,subject:transport,subject:infrastructure,subject:infrastructure and growth,subject:trade","lang":"English","admreg":"Europe and Central Asia","title":{"cdata!":"World Bank Support to Enhance Rail Connectivity and Logistics in Kazakhstan"},"topic":"Transport,Infrastructure,Infrastructure And Growth,Trade","proid":"P512386","cqpath":"/content/wb-home/en/news/press-release/2026/02/19/world-bank-support-to-enhance-rail-connectivity-and-logistics-in-kazakhstan","lnchdt":"2026-02-19T15:47:00Z","regionname":"Europe and Central Asia","wcmsource":"cq5","country":"Kazakhstan","countcode":"KZ","conttype":"Press Release","content":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, February 19, 2026—The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a $846 million IBRD guarantee to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a major rail connectivity project along Kazakhstan’s section of Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), a strategic trade route linking Asia and Europe. The Transforming Rail Connectivity in Kazakhstan (Middle Corridor Development) Project aims to improve the efficiency and resilience of the country’s rail network while strengthening the financial sustainability and commercial viability of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway operator. The project will reinforce Kazakhstan’s role as a key Eurasian transit and logistics hub, supporting economic growth, regional integration, and climate resilience. “Beyond enabling critical infrastructure investments, this project supports important reforms that will strengthen Kazakhstan Temir Zholy’s financial sustainability and long-term competitiveness,” said Andrei Mikhnev, World Bank Country Manager for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. “By combining phased investments, institutional reforms, and private capital mobilization, we are helping build a modern rail system that will deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits for Kazakhstan and the wider region.” The project comprises two main components: railway connectivity investments and institutional and implementation support. The first component will finance the construction of a new 322.3-kilometer greenfield railway line between Mointy and Kyzylzhar. This critical link will eliminate a major network detour, shorten the corridor by 149 kilometers, relieve congestion on heavily used sections, and enable double-stack container operations. The new line will include modern signaling and telecommunications systems, with provisions for future expansion and electrification. The second component will provide technical assistance and institutional strengthening to KTZ, including support for tariff reforms, exploration of alternative financing mechanisms, enhanced financial and environmental management, and preparation for a future initial public offering (IPO). The project is expected to contribute to tripling the volume of freight operations and halving end-to-end transit times along the Middle Corridor by 2030. By shifting freight from road to rail, the project will reduce transport-related emissions, contributing to Kazakhstan’s climate commitments and sustainable development agenda. Investments in modern, climate-resilient infrastructure will also improve market access, lower trade costs, and stimulate job creation and local economic development, particularly in communities along the new railway corridor. The project is being implemented through a Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (MPA), enabling sequenced implementation and learning while gradually reducing reliance on sovereign guarantees. It forms part of the joint implementation plan for the development of the Middle Corridor in Kazakhstan, which brings together the combined expertise and financing instruments of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The project mobilizes $1.41 billion in private financing, supported by an IBRD guarantee of $846 million and a co-guarantee from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) of $564 million."},"content_1000":{"cdata!":" WASHINGTON, February 19, 2026—The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a $846 million IBRD guarantee to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a major rail connectivity project along Kazakhstan’s section of Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), a strategic trade route linking Asia and Europe. The Transforming Rail Connectivity in Kazakhstan (Middle Corridor Development) Project aims to improve the efficiency and resilience of the country’s rail network while strengthening the financial sustainability and commercial viability of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway operator. The project will reinforce Kazakhstan’s role as a key Eurasian transit and logistics hub, supporting economic growth, regional integration, and climate resilience. “Beyond enabling critical infrastructure investments, this project supports important reforms that will strengthen Kazakhstan Temir Zholy’s financial sustainability and long"},"displayconttype":"Press Release","originating_unit":"Europe and Central Asia, ECA","funding_source":"IBRD"},"facets":{"displayconttype_exact":{"0":{"count":15188,"name":"Press Release","label":"Press Release"}},"topic_exact":{"0":{"count":1624,"name":"Financial Sector Development","label":"Financial Sector Development"},"1":{"count":1285,"name":"Capital Markets","label":"Capital Markets"},"2":{"count":1126,"name":"Economic Growth","label":"Economic Growth"},"3":{"count":821,"name":"Climate Change","label":"Climate Change"},"4":{"count":814,"name":"Health","label":"Health"},"5":{"count":794,"name":"Environment And Natural Resources","label":"Environment And Natural Resources"},"6":{"count":785,"name":"Education","label":"Education"},"7":{"count":709,"name":"Jobs And Development","label":"Jobs And Development"},"8":{"count":639,"name":"Energy And Extractives","label":"Energy And Extractives"},"9":{"count":580,"name":"Agriculture And Food Security","label":"Agriculture And Food Security"},"10":{"count":554,"name":"Poverty","label":"Poverty"},"11":{"count":548,"name":"Urban Development","label":"Urban Development"},"12":{"count":497,"name":"Governance In Public Sector","label":"Governance In Public Sector"},"13":{"count":493,"name":"Macroeconomic And Structural Policies","label":"Macroeconomic And Structural Policies"},"14":{"count":491,"name":"Disaster-risk-management","label":"Disaster-risk-management"},"15":{"count":482,"name":"Covid-19-coronavirus","label":"Covid-19-coronavirus"},"16":{"count":481,"name":"Trade","label":"Trade"},"17":{"count":480,"name":"Transport","label":"Transport"},"18":{"count":474,"name":"Social Protection And Growth","label":"Social Protection And Growth"},"19":{"count":432,"name":"Private Sector Development","label":"Private Sector Development"},"20":{"count":402,"name":"Sustainable Economic Growth","label":"Sustainable Economic Growth"},"21":{"count":390,"name":"Infrastructure And Growth","label":"Infrastructure And Growth"},"22":{"count":365,"name":"Rural Development","label":"Rural Development"},"23":{"count":328,"name":"Gender","label":"Gender"},"24":{"count":321,"name":"Water Supply And Sanitation","label":"Water Supply And Sanitation"},"25":{"count":319,"name":"Public Sector Management","label":"Public Sector Management"},"26":{"count":313,"name":"Water","label":"Water"},"27":{"count":299,"name":"Social Development","label":"Social Development"},"28":{"count":262,"name":"Fragility-conflict-and-violence","label":"Fragility-conflict-and-violence"},"29":{"count":251,"name":"Nutrition","label":"Nutrition"},"30":{"count":248,"name":"Climate Change Adaptation","label":"Climate Change Adaptation"},"31":{"count":247,"name":"Inclusive-growth","label":"Inclusive-growth"},"32":{"count":244,"name":"Economic Growth Analytics","label":"Economic Growth Analytics"},"33":{"count":243,"name":"Fiscal Policy","label":"Fiscal Policy"},"34":{"count":235,"name":"Renewable Energy","label":"Renewable Energy"},"35":{"count":229,"name":"Integrity-and-anti-corruption","label":"Integrity-and-anti-corruption"},"36":{"count":221,"name":"Public Finance","label":"Public Finance"},"37":{"count":219,"name":"Climate Finance","label":"Climate Finance"},"38":{"count":202,"name":"Power And Electricity Sector","label":"Power And Electricity Sector"},"39":{"count":195,"name":"Investment Climate","label":"Investment Climate"},"40":{"count":184,"name":"Innovation Technology And Entrepreneurship","label":"Innovation Technology And Entrepreneurship"},"41":{"count":182,"name":"Human Capital For Growth","label":"Human Capital For Growth"},"42":{"count":180,"name":"Information And Communication Technologies","label":"Information And Communication Technologies"},"43":{"count":163,"name":"Energy-access","label":"Energy-access"},"44":{"count":149,"name":"Modes Of Transport","label":"Modes Of Transport"},"45":{"count":145,"name":"Financial-inclusion","label":"Financial-inclusion"},"46":{"count":144,"name":"Sexual Reproductive Maternal And Child Health","label":"Sexual Reproductive Maternal And Child Health"},"47":{"count":142,"name":"Social Inclusion","label":"Social Inclusion"},"48":{"count":141,"name":"Energy Efficiency","label":"Energy Efficiency"},"49":{"count":141,"name":"Poverty Measurement And Analysis","label":"Poverty Measurement And Analysis"},"50":{"count":136,"name":"Infrastructure","label":"Infrastructure"},"51":{"count":127,"name":"Anti-corruption","label":"Anti-corruption"},"52":{"count":121,"name":"Small And Medium-sized Enterprises And Jobs","label":"Small And Medium-sized Enterprises And Jobs"},"53":{"count":116,"name":"Green-growth","label":"Green-growth"},"54":{"count":106,"name":"Debt Management","label":"Debt Management"},"55":{"count":105,"name":"Regional Integration","label":"Regional Integration"},"56":{"count":100,"name":"Financial Infrastructure And Remittances","label":"Financial Infrastructure And Remittances"},"57":{"count":99,"name":"Digital Economy Strategy","label":"Digital Economy Strategy"},"58":{"count":99,"name":"Inequality And Shared Prosperity","label":"Inequality And Shared Prosperity"},"59":{"count":94,"name":"Legal And Regulatory Framework","label":"Legal And Regulatory Framework"},"60":{"count":91,"name":"Water Allocation And Water Economics","label":"Water Allocation And Water Economics"},"61":{"count":79,"name":"Agribusiness","label":"Agribusiness"},"62":{"count":74,"name":"Agricultural Water Management","label":"Agricultural Water Management"},"63":{"count":73,"name":"Public-private Partnerships","label":"Public-private Partnerships"},"64":{"count":69,"name":"Road-safety","label":"Road-safety"},"65":{"count":68,"name":"Sustainable-development-goals","label":"Sustainable-development-goals"},"66":{"count":67,"name":"Trade Facilitation And Logistics","label":"Trade Facilitation And Logistics"},"67":{"count":66,"name":"Community Driven Development","label":"Community Driven Development"},"68":{"count":64,"name":"Pollution Management","label":"Pollution Management"},"69":{"count":59,"name":"Cultural Heritage And Sustainable Tourism","label":"Cultural Heritage And Sustainable Tourism"},"70":{"count":59,"name":"Levels Of Education","label":"Levels Of Education"},"71":{"count":57,"name":"Education For All","label":"Education For All"},"72":{"count":56,"name":"Fiscal Balance","label":"Fiscal Balance"},"73":{"count":50,"name":"Waste Management Planning","label":"Waste Management Planning"},"74":{"count":49,"name":"Land Tenure","label":"Land Tenure"},"75":{"count":46,"name":"Monetary Policy","label":"Monetary Policy"},"76":{"count":44,"name":"Migration Policies And Jobs","label":"Migration Policies And Jobs"},"77":{"count":42,"name":"Gender-based-violence","label":"Gender-based-violence"},"78":{"count":36,"name":"Innovation And Growth","label":"Innovation And Growth"},"79":{"count":34,"name":"Social Safeguards","label":"Social Safeguards"},"80":{"count":33,"name":"Environmental Safeguards","label":"Environmental Safeguards"},"81":{"count":30,"name":"Education Management And Administration","label":"Education Management And Administration"},"82":{"count":25,"name":"Digital-transformation","label":"Digital-transformation"},"83":{"count":25,"name":"Extractives And Cross-cutting Themes","label":"Extractives And Cross-cutting Themes"},"84":{"count":23,"name":"Financial-integrity","label":"Financial-integrity"},"85":{"count":23,"name":"Manufacturing Sectors","label":"Manufacturing Sectors"},"86":{"count":22,"name":"Private-sector","label":"Private-sector"},"87":{"count":20,"name":"Research Development And Innovation","label":"Research Development And Innovation"},"88":{"count":20,"name":"Science Technology And Innovation","label":"Science Technology And Innovation"},"89":{"count":19,"name":"Forced Displacement","label":"Forced Displacement"},"90":{"count":16,"name":"Mobile Networks And Devices","label":"Mobile Networks And Devices"},"91":{"count":13,"name":"Supply Chain And Logistics","label":"Supply Chain And Logistics"},"92":{"count":11,"name":"Demographic Change","label":"Demographic Change"},"93":{"count":10,"name":"Credit Reporting","label":"Credit Reporting"},"94":{"count":9,"name":"Economics Of Education","label":"Economics Of Education"},"95":{"count":7,"name":"Country-outcomes","label":"Country-outcomes"},"96":{"count":7,"name":"Data-and-statistics","label":"Data-and-statistics"},"97":{"count":7,"name":"Prediction Markets","label":"Prediction Markets"},"98":{"count":6,"name":"Government-procurement","label":"Government-procurement"},"99":{"count":5,"name":"Competition Policy","label":"Competition Policy"},"100":{"count":3,"name":"Human Rights","label":"Human Rights"},"101":{"count":3,"name":"Hydropower","label":"Hydropower"},"102":{"count":2,"name":"Aid Dependence","label":"Aid Dependence"},"103":{"count":1,"name":"Tourism","label":"Tourism"}},"lang_exact":{"0":{"count":15188,"name":"English","label":"English"}},"count_exact":{"0":{"count":756,"name":"India","label":"India"},"1":{"count":656,"name":"China","label":"China"},"2":{"count":590,"name":"Bangladesh","label":"Bangladesh"},"3":{"count":530,"name":"Vietnam","label":"Vietnam"},"4":{"count":526,"name":"Philippines","label":"Philippines"},"5":{"count":502,"name":"Indonesia","label":"Indonesia"},"6":{"count":440,"name":"Lao PDR","label":"Lao PDR"},"7":{"count":386,"name":"Nepal","label":"Nepal"},"8":{"count":385,"name":"Brazil","label":"Brazil"},"9":{"count":384,"name":"Tajikistan","label":"Tajikistan"},"10":{"count":370,"name":"Pacific Islands","label":"Pacific Islands"},"11":{"count":367,"name":"Pakistan","label":"Pakistan"},"12":{"count":353,"name":"Kenya","label":"Kenya"},"13":{"count":338,"name":"Mongolia","label":"Mongolia"},"14":{"count":334,"name":"Japan","label":"Japan"},"15":{"count":327,"name":"Uzbekistan","label":"Uzbekistan"},"16":{"count":326,"name":"Thailand","label":"Thailand"},"17":{"count":323,"name":"Kazakhstan","label":"Kazakhstan"},"18":{"count":323,"name":"Myanmar","label":"Myanmar"},"19":{"count":322,"name":"Cambodia","label":"Cambodia"},"20":{"count":313,"name":"Turkey","label":"Turkey"},"21":{"count":312,"name":"Kyrgyz Republic","label":"Kyrgyz Republic"},"22":{"count":311,"name":"Croatia","label":"Croatia"},"23":{"count":309,"name":"Malaysia","label":"Malaysia"},"24":{"count":308,"name":"Albania","label":"Albania"},"25":{"count":308,"name":"Ukraine","label":"Ukraine"},"26":{"count":306,"name":"Papua New Guinea","label":"Papua New Guinea"},"27":{"count":302,"name":"Ethiopia","label":"Ethiopia"},"28":{"count":302,"name":"United States","label":"United States"},"29":{"count":297,"name":"Sri Lanka","label":"Sri Lanka"},"30":{"count":295,"name":"Nigeria","label":"Nigeria"},"31":{"count":294,"name":"Romania","label":"Romania"},"32":{"count":289,"name":"Poland","label":"Poland"},"33":{"count":289,"name":"Timor-Leste","label":"Timor-Leste"},"34":{"count":287,"name":"Moldova","label":"Moldova"},"35":{"count":284,"name":"Bulgaria","label":"Bulgaria"},"36":{"count":281,"name":"Tanzania","label":"Tanzania"},"37":{"count":279,"name":"Serbia","label":"Serbia"},"38":{"count":275,"name":"Morocco","label":"Morocco"},"39":{"count":273,"name":"Kosovo","label":"Kosovo"},"40":{"count":272,"name":"Russian Federation","label":"Russian Federation"},"41":{"count":272,"name":"West Bank and Gaza","label":"West Bank and Gaza"},"42":{"count":270,"name":"Georgia","label":"Georgia"},"43":{"count":268,"name":"Mozambique","label":"Mozambique"},"44":{"count":265,"name":"Bosnia and Herzegovina","label":"Bosnia and Herzegovina"},"45":{"count":265,"name":"Ghana","label":"Ghana"},"46":{"count":262,"name":"Afghanistan","label":"Afghanistan"},"47":{"count":256,"name":"Tunisia","label":"Tunisia"},"48":{"count":254,"name":"Liberia","label":"Liberia"},"49":{"count":253,"name":"Uganda","label":"Uganda"},"50":{"count":248,"name":"Lebanon","label":"Lebanon"},"51":{"count":247,"name":"Armenia","label":"Armenia"},"52":{"count":245,"name":"Rwanda","label":"Rwanda"},"53":{"count":240,"name":"Malawi","label":"Malawi"},"54":{"count":239,"name":"Senegal","label":"Senegal"},"55":{"count":238,"name":"Burkina Faso","label":"Burkina Faso"},"56":{"count":238,"name":"Peru","label":"Peru"},"57":{"count":236,"name":"Sierra Leone","label":"Sierra Leone"},"58":{"count":233,"name":"Mexico","label":"Mexico"},"59":{"count":232,"name":"Benin","label":"Benin"},"60":{"count":232,"name":"Colombia","label":"Colombia"},"61":{"count":232,"name":"Zambia","label":"Zambia"},"62":{"count":231,"name":"Jordan","label":"Jordan"},"63":{"count":227,"name":"Haiti","label":"Haiti"},"64":{"count":227,"name":"Montenegro","label":"Montenegro"},"65":{"count":226,"name":"Mali","label":"Mali"},"66":{"count":225,"name":"Germany","label":"Germany"},"67":{"count":223,"name":"Niger","label":"Niger"},"68":{"count":222,"name":"Congo, Republic of","label":"Congo, Republic of"},"69":{"count":222,"name":"South Africa","label":"South Africa"},"70":{"count":219,"name":"Argentina","label":"Argentina"},"71":{"count":216,"name":"Djibouti","label":"Djibouti"},"72":{"count":215,"name":"Belarus","label":"Belarus"},"73":{"count":215,"name":"Togo","label":"Togo"},"74":{"count":213,"name":"Madagascar","label":"Madagascar"},"75":{"count":210,"name":"Dominican Republic","label":"Dominican Republic"},"76":{"count":209,"name":"Bhutan","label":"Bhutan"},"77":{"count":209,"name":"Chad","label":"Chad"},"78":{"count":209,"name":"Switzerland","label":"Switzerland"},"79":{"count":206,"name":"Iraq","label":"Iraq"},"80":{"count":203,"name":"Guinea","label":"Guinea"},"81":{"count":203,"name":"Jamaica","label":"Jamaica"},"82":{"count":202,"name":"Cameroon","label":"Cameroon"},"83":{"count":202,"name":"Somalia","label":"Somalia"},"84":{"count":198,"name":"Maldives","label":"Maldives"},"85":{"count":195,"name":"Chile","label":"Chile"},"86":{"count":193,"name":"Mauritania","label":"Mauritania"},"87":{"count":191,"name":"Turkmenistan","label":"Turkmenistan"},"88":{"count":189,"name":"Sudan","label":"Sudan"},"89":{"count":187,"name":"Bolivia","label":"Bolivia"},"90":{"count":187,"name":"Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of","label":"Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of"},"91":{"count":186,"name":"Ecuador","label":"Ecuador"},"92":{"count":183,"name":"Burundi","label":"Burundi"},"93":{"count":182,"name":"Central African Republic","label":"Central African Republic"},"94":{"count":182,"name":"Egypt, Arab Republic of","label":"Egypt, Arab Republic of"},"95":{"count":180,"name":"Honduras","label":"Honduras"},"96":{"count":179,"name":"Nicaragua","label":"Nicaragua"},"97":{"count":178,"name":"Costa Rica","label":"Costa Rica"},"98":{"count":178,"name":"Saudi Arabia","label":"Saudi Arabia"},"99":{"count":177,"name":"Azerbaijan","label":"Azerbaijan"},"100":{"count":177,"name":"Guatemala","label":"Guatemala"},"101":{"count":177,"name":"Solomon Islands","label":"Solomon Islands"},"102":{"count":176,"name":"Panama","label":"Panama"},"103":{"count":173,"name":"El Salvador","label":"El Salvador"},"104":{"count":172,"name":"Guinea-Bissau","label":"Guinea-Bissau"},"105":{"count":171,"name":"Lesotho","label":"Lesotho"},"106":{"count":170,"name":"Kuwait","label":"Kuwait"},"107":{"count":170,"name":"Uruguay","label":"Uruguay"},"108":{"count":167,"name":"Tonga","label":"Tonga"},"109":{"count":166,"name":"United Kingdom","label":"United Kingdom"},"110":{"count":164,"name":"Algeria","label":"Algeria"},"111":{"count":164,"name":"Comoros","label":"Comoros"},"112":{"count":163,"name":"United Arab Emirates","label":"United Arab Emirates"},"113":{"count":162,"name":"Libya","label":"Libya"},"114":{"count":161,"name":"Angola","label":"Angola"},"115":{"count":161,"name":"Singapore","label":"Singapore"},"116":{"count":160,"name":"Guyana","label":"Guyana"},"117":{"count":160,"name":"Netherlands","label":"Netherlands"},"118":{"count":159,"name":"Gabon","label":"Gabon"},"119":{"count":159,"name":"Italy","label":"Italy"},"120":{"count":157,"name":"Yemen","label":"Yemen"},"121":{"count":156,"name":"Seychelles","label":"Seychelles"},"122":{"count":155,"name":"Bahrain","label":"Bahrain"},"123":{"count":155,"name":"Korea, Republic of","label":"Korea, Republic of"},"124":{"count":155,"name":"Oman","label":"Oman"},"125":{"count":155,"name":"Qatar","label":"Qatar"},"126":{"count":155,"name":"St. Lucia","label":"St. Lucia"},"127":{"count":154,"name":"Sao Tome and Principe","label":"Sao Tome and Principe"},"128":{"count":153,"name":"Grenada","label":"Grenada"},"129":{"count":153,"name":"Zimbabwe","label":"Zimbabwe"},"130":{"count":152,"name":"Paraguay","label":"Paraguay"},"131":{"count":151,"name":"Australia","label":"Australia"},"132":{"count":149,"name":"Botswana","label":"Botswana"},"133":{"count":149,"name":"Samoa","label":"Samoa"},"134":{"count":148,"name":"Belize","label":"Belize"},"135":{"count":147,"name":"Fiji","label":"Fiji"},"136":{"count":147,"name":"Mauritius","label":"Mauritius"},"137":{"count":147,"name":"St. Vincent and the Grenadines","label":"St. Vincent and the Grenadines"},"138":{"count":145,"name":"Dominica","label":"Dominica"},"139":{"count":144,"name":"Syrian Arab Republic","label":"Syrian Arab Republic"},"140":{"count":143,"name":"France","label":"France"},"141":{"count":141,"name":"Kiribati","label":"Kiribati"},"142":{"count":141,"name":"Venezuela","label":"Venezuela"},"143":{"count":140,"name":"Norway","label":"Norway"},"144":{"count":140,"name":"Vanuatu","label":"Vanuatu"},"145":{"count":138,"name":"Equatorial Guinea","label":"Equatorial Guinea"},"146":{"count":138,"name":"Suriname","label":"Suriname"},"147":{"count":136,"name":"Hungary","label":"Hungary"},"148":{"count":136,"name":"Namibia","label":"Namibia"},"149":{"count":134,"name":"Eritrea","label":"Eritrea"},"150":{"count":134,"name":"Swaziland","label":"Swaziland"},"151":{"count":132,"name":"Cote-dIvoire","label":"Cote-dIvoire"},"152":{"count":132,"name":"St. Kitts and Nevis","label":"St. Kitts and Nevis"},"153":{"count":131,"name":"Antigua and Barbuda","label":"Antigua and Barbuda"},"154":{"count":131,"name":"Latvia","label":"Latvia"},"155":{"count":131,"name":"Marshall Islands","label":"Marshall Islands"},"156":{"count":130,"name":"Tuvalu","label":"Tuvalu"},"157":{"count":129,"name":"Canada","label":"Canada"},"158":{"count":129,"name":"Trinidad and Tobago","label":"Trinidad and Tobago"},"159":{"count":128,"name":"Austria","label":"Austria"},"160":{"count":126,"name":"Denmark","label":"Denmark"},"161":{"count":125,"name":"Israel","label":"Israel"},"162":{"count":125,"name":"Micronesia, Federated States of","label":"Micronesia, Federated States of"},"163":{"count":124,"name":"Iran, Islamic Republic of","label":"Iran, Islamic Republic of"},"164":{"count":124,"name":"Slovenia","label":"Slovenia"},"165":{"count":124,"name":"Sweden","label":"Sweden"},"166":{"count":123,"name":"Slovak Republic","label":"Slovak Republic"},"167":{"count":120,"name":"Barbados","label":"Barbados"},"168":{"count":120,"name":"Czech Republic","label":"Czech Republic"},"169":{"count":119,"name":"South Sudan","label":"South Sudan"},"170":{"count":119,"name":"Spain","label":"Spain"},"171":{"count":118,"name":"Lithuania","label":"Lithuania"},"172":{"count":117,"name":"Belgium","label":"Belgium"},"173":{"count":116,"name":"Finland","label":"Finland"},"174":{"count":115,"name":"New Zealand","label":"New Zealand"},"175":{"count":113,"name":"Cape Verde","label":"Cape Verde"},"176":{"count":113,"name":"Greece","label":"Greece"},"177":{"count":113,"name":"Reunion","label":"Reunion"},"178":{"count":112,"name":"Cote d'Ivoire","label":"Cote d'Ivoire"},"179":{"count":112,"name":"Cuba","label":"Cuba"},"180":{"count":112,"name":"Estonia","label":"Estonia"},"181":{"count":110,"name":"Palau","label":"Palau"},"182":{"count":110,"name":"Portugal","label":"Portugal"},"183":{"count":109,"name":"Iceland","label":"Iceland"},"184":{"count":109,"name":"Luxembourg","label":"Luxembourg"},"185":{"count":107,"name":"Montserrat","label":"Montserrat"},"186":{"count":105,"name":"Bermuda","label":"Bermuda"},"187":{"count":105,"name":"Ireland","label":"Ireland"},"188":{"count":104,"name":"Guadeloupe","label":"Guadeloupe"},"189":{"count":103,"name":"Martinique","label":"Martinique"},"190":{"count":103,"name":"Puerto Rico","label":"Puerto Rico"},"191":{"count":102,"name":"Gambia, The","label":"Gambia, The"},"192":{"count":101,"name":"Cayman Islands","label":"Cayman Islands"},"193":{"count":101,"name":"Turks and Caicos Islands","label":"Turks and Caicos Islands"},"194":{"count":100,"name":"Aruba","label":"Aruba"},"195":{"count":98,"name":"French Guiana","label":"French Guiana"},"196":{"count":97,"name":"Cyprus","label":"Cyprus"},"197":{"count":96,"name":"Falkland Islands (Malvinas)","label":"Falkland Islands (Malvinas)"},"198":{"count":95,"name":"Brunei Darussalam","label":"Brunei Darussalam"},"199":{"count":95,"name":"Korea, Republic of, Democratic People's Republic of","label":"Korea, Republic of, Democratic People's Republic of"},"200":{"count":95,"name":"Netherlands Antilles","label":"Netherlands Antilles"},"201":{"count":93,"name":"Malta","label":"Malta"},"202":{"count":90,"name":"Liechtenstein","label":"Liechtenstein"},"203":{"count":88,"name":"Bahamas, The","label":"Bahamas, The"},"204":{"count":88,"name":"Cook Islands","label":"Cook Islands"},"205":{"count":87,"name":"American Samoa","label":"American Samoa"},"206":{"count":87,"name":"French Polynesia","label":"French Polynesia"},"207":{"count":87,"name":"Virgin Islands (UK)","label":"Virgin Islands (UK)"},"208":{"count":86,"name":"Guam","label":"Guam"},"209":{"count":86,"name":"Monaco","label":"Monaco"},"210":{"count":86,"name":"New Caledonia","label":"New Caledonia"},"211":{"count":86,"name":"Northern Mariana Islands","label":"Northern Mariana Islands"},"212":{"count":86,"name":"Yemen, Republic of","label":"Yemen, Republic of"},"213":{"count":84,"name":"Andorra","label":"Andorra"},"214":{"count":84,"name":"Taiwan, Province of China","label":"Taiwan, Province of China"},"215":{"count":83,"name":"Commonwealth of Independent States","label":"Commonwealth of Independent States"},"216":{"count":83,"name":"Gibraltar","label":"Gibraltar"},"217":{"count":82,"name":"Isle of Man","label":"Isle of Man"},"218":{"count":81,"name":"Gambia","label":"Gambia"},"219":{"count":77,"name":"Egypt","label":"Egypt"},"220":{"count":76,"name":"San Marino","label":"San Marino"},"221":{"count":73,"name":"Hong Kong SAR, China","label":"Hong Kong SAR, China"},"222":{"count":73,"name":"Macao SAR, China","label":"Macao SAR, China"},"223":{"count":73,"name":"St. Helena","label":"St. Helena"},"224":{"count":73,"name":"Stateless","label":"Stateless"},"225":{"count":72,"name":"Jersey, C.I.","label":"Jersey, C.I."},"226":{"count":62,"name":"Guernsey, C.I.","label":"Guernsey, C.I."},"227":{"count":56,"name":"Cabo Verde","label":"Cabo Verde"},"228":{"count":54,"name":"North Macedonia","label":"North Macedonia"},"229":{"count":47,"name":"Congo, Democratic Republic of","label":"Congo, Democratic Republic of"},"230":{"count":41,"name":"Republic of Türkiye","label":"Republic of Türkiye"},"231":{"count":32,"name":"Syria","label":"Syria"},"232":{"count":24,"name":"Bahamas","label":"Bahamas"},"233":{"count":24,"name":"Iran","label":"Iran"},"234":{"count":22,"name":"Hong Kong","label":"Hong Kong"},"235":{"count":19,"name":"Macedonia","label":"Macedonia"},"236":{"count":18,"name":"Eswatini","label":"Eswatini"},"237":{"count":16,"name":"St. Maarten","label":"St. Maarten"},"238":{"count":15,"name":"Macao, China","label":"Macao, China"},"239":{"count":15,"name":"Virgin Islands, British","label":"Virgin Islands, British"},"240":{"count":11,"name":"Guernsey","label":"Guernsey"},"241":{"count":10,"name":"Congo","label":"Congo"},"242":{"count":7,"name":"Lao PDR People's Democratic Republic","label":"Lao PDR People's Democratic Republic"},"243":{"count":6,"name":"Country","label":"Country"},"244":{"count":4,"name":"Federal Republic of Somalia","label":"Federal Republic of Somalia"},"245":{"count":3,"name":"Korea","label":"Korea"},"246":{"count":2,"name":"Taiwan","label":"Taiwan"},"247":{"count":1,"name":"C.I.","label":"C.I."},"248":{"count":1,"name":"China,Macedonia","label":"China,Macedonia"},"249":{"count":1,"name":"Czechia","label":"Czechia"},"250":{"count":1,"name":"Democratic People's Republic of,Korea","label":"Democratic People's Republic of,Korea"},"251":{"count":1,"name":"Equatorial Guinea-Bissau","label":"Equatorial Guinea-Bissau"},"252":{"count":1,"name":"Falkland Islands , Malvinas","label":"Falkland Islands , Malvinas"},"253":{"count":1,"name":"Hong Kong SAR","label":"Hong Kong SAR"},"254":{"count":1,"name":"Japan,Jersey","label":"Japan,Jersey"},"255":{"count":1,"name":"Jersey","label":"Jersey"},"256":{"count":1,"name":"Kiribati,Korea","label":"Kiribati,Korea"},"257":{"count":1,"name":"Korea, Democratic People's Republic of","label":"Korea, Democratic People's Republic of"},"258":{"count":1,"name":"Micronesia","label":"Micronesia"},"259":{"count":1,"name":"Republic of","label":"Republic of"},"260":{"count":1,"name":"St. Lucia,St. Vincent and the Grenadines,Trinidad and Tobago,Turks and Caicos Islands,Uruguay,Venezuela","label":"St. Lucia,St. Vincent and the Grenadines,Trinidad and Tobago,Turks and Caicos Islands,Uruguay,Venezuela"},"261":{"count":1,"name":"The","label":"The"},"262":{"count":1,"name":"Yugoslav","label":"Yugoslav"}},"admreg_exact":{"0":{"count":3061,"name":"Africa","label":"Africa"},"1":{"count":2740,"name":"East Asia and Pacific","label":"East Asia and Pacific"},"2":{"count":2696,"name":"Europe and Central Asia","label":"Europe and Central Asia"},"3":{"count":1861,"name":"South Asia","label":"South Asia"},"4":{"count":1296,"name":"Latin America and Caribbean","label":"Latin America and Caribbean"},"5":{"count":1189,"name":"Middle East and North Africa","label":"Middle East and North Africa"},"6":{"count":236,"name":"The World Region","label":"The World Region"},"7":{"count":168,"name":"Western Europe","label":"Western Europe"},"8":{"count":159,"name":"North America","label":"North America"},"9":{"count":105,"name":"Rest of The World","label":"Rest of The World"},"10":{"count":36,"name":"Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, & Pakistan","label":"Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, & Pakistan"},"11":{"count":32,"name":"Rest Of The World","label":"Rest Of The World"},"12":{"count":4,"name":"Donor Countries","label":"Donor Countries"},"13":{"count":2,"name":"Global","label":"Global"}}}}}