The World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Anna Bjerde has concluded her first official visit to Ukraine last week. During the visit, Ms. Bjerde met with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, and Governor of the National Bank Kyrylo Shevchenko, to discuss Ukraine’s challenges and opportunities, the World Bank’s record investment and assistance program in the country, opportunities for accelerating the implementation of ongoing World Bank-funded … [Read more...] about World Bank VP reiterates support for Ukraine on first visit to Kyiv
$50 million Agreement to promote intra-Africa trade
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $50 million Trade Finance Unfunded Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) facility between the African Development Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. The agreement is expected to boost intra-Africa trade, promote regional integration, and contribute to the reduction of the trade finance gap in Africa, in line with implementation aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The parties will share the … [Read more...] about $50 million Agreement to promote intra-Africa trade
International orgs and vaccine manufacturers agree to deepen cooperation to deliver Covid vaccines
The heads of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization met with the CEOs of leading vaccine manufacturing companies to discuss strategies to improve the access to COVID-19 vaccines, especially in low- and lower middle-income countries and in Africa. The Task Force expressed concerns that without urgent steps the world is unlikely to achieve the end-2021 target of vaccinating at least 40% of the population in all countries—a … [Read more...] about International orgs and vaccine manufacturers agree to deepen cooperation to deliver Covid vaccines
WHO calls on world leaders to focus on vaccine equity at the UN General Assembly
WHO is urging leaders attending the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to guarantee equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and other life-saving tools; ensure the world is better prepared to respond to future pandemics; and renew efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed the lives of nearly 5 million people around the globe, and the virus continues to circulate actively in all regions of the world. Vaccines … [Read more...] about WHO calls on world leaders to focus on vaccine equity at the UN General Assembly
World Patient Safety Day: WHO promotes safe maternal and newborn practices
The World Health Organization is calling on healthcare facility managers, leaders and health workers around the world to adopt a set of 5 World Patient Safety Day Goals 2021 to improve maternal and newborn safety at the points of care, particularly around childbirth. The goals will be launched at a Virtual Global Conference “Together for safe and respectful maternal and newborn care” on World Patient Safety Day on 17 September, with this year’s theme – Safe maternal and newborn care. Every … [Read more...] about World Patient Safety Day: WHO promotes safe maternal and newborn practices
Call for applications for the African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank have launched a call for applications for the first edition of the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthAdapt) Challenge. The call encourages young entrepreneurs, innovators from micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and other youth-led and youth-owned enterprises in Africa, to implement solutions for building resilience and adapting to the adverse impacts of climate change. Young entrepreneurs between the … [Read more...] about Call for applications for the African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge
Somalia’s economy recovering from ‘triple shock,’ finds report
The latest World Bank Somalia Economic Update reports that the economy contracted by 0.4 percent in 2020, less severe than the 1.5 percent contraction projected at the onset of the global pandemic. Somalia’s economy is rebounding from the “triple shock” that ravaged the country in 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme flooding, and the locust infestation. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.4 percent in 2021. This growth momentum is expected to continue in the medium term and reach pre-COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Somalia’s economy recovering from ‘triple shock,’ finds report
Guyana: Youths from regions 8,9,10 train on Covid and reproductive health services
The Guyana Responsible Association (GRPA), in collaboration of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Civil Society Project has conducted a two-day advocacy training for the Youth. The training focused on improving access to sexual and reproductive health services, especially to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic and understanding their Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Youth-friendly sexual and Reproductive services. Ten participants … [Read more...] about Guyana: Youths from regions 8,9,10 train on Covid and reproductive health services
Gates Foundation’s Report finds stark disparities in Covid impacts
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has launched its fifth annual Goalkeepers Report, featuring an updated global dataset illustrating the pandemic’s adverse impact on progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s report, co-authored by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shows that disparities caused by COVID-19 remain stark, and those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic will be the slowest to … [Read more...] about Gates Foundation’s Report finds stark disparities in Covid impacts
UN report is a wake-up call for governments around the world: FAO Director General
A new United Nations report calling for repurposing damaging incentives to achieve more of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and realize the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. The report finds that global support to producers in the agricultural sector amounts to $540 billion per year, making up 15 percent of total agricultural production value. By 2030, this is projected to soar up more than three times to $1.759 trillion. Yet 87 percent of this support, approximately $470 billion, is … [Read more...] about UN report is a wake-up call for governments around the world: FAO Director General
