Canada has reinforced its unwavering support for Ukraine as Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Canada, the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty in 1991, has maintained consistent backing for the country as it faces Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion. The visit underscored Canada’s commitment to defending democracy,… [Read More]
World Bank
World Bank Returns to Canadian Dollar Bond Market with CAD 1.5 Billion Benchmark Issue
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, Aaa/AAA) has priced a new three-year CAD $1.5 billion Sustainable Development Bond, maturing in September 2028. The benchmark transaction carries a semi-annual coupon of 2.90% per annum, an issue price of 99.946%, and a final spread of 9.8 basis points over the CAN 3.25% September… [Read More]
Viet Nam’s Green Rice Revolution: Boosting Farmer Incomes and Protecting the Environment
Drought and extreme heat are increasingly threatening the livelihoods of smallholder farmers worldwide, particularly those reliant on rain-fed agriculture. Climate-resilient irrigation has emerged as a transformative solution, enabling farmers to produce more crops with less water despite erratic rainfall. This sustainable approach not only enhances agricultural productivity but also strengthens local economies and could help… [Read More]
Reviving Soil and Farming Livelihoods in Ethiopia for Sustainable Agriculture
Smallholder farmers across Ethiopia are learning sustainable farming practices such as vermicomposting and integrated pest management to restore soil health and improve their agricultural productivity. These techniques have already resulted in higher maize yields, enhancing household food security, strengthening family incomes, and supporting broader community resilience. Through the Ethiopia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), more… [Read More]
Protecting Women and Girls in the DRC from Cervical Cancer Through Early Detection and Care
In Kinshasa, secondary school girls joined government officials in a walk against cervical cancer, chanting “No to Cervical Cancer!” along Boulevard du 30 juin. Some participants were winners of a flyer contest supported by the Gates Foundation, receiving tuition prizes. Their biggest concern was where they could access the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which plays… [Read More]
Investing in People: How Nepal Can Drive Better Jobs and Economic Growth
In Nepal, one of the biggest barriers to better jobs and economic growth is not geography, natural resources, or access to finance, but the country’s limited investment in its people. Many young Nepalis are growing up without quality education, healthcare, and skills, particularly in remote and poorer regions. This has left much of Nepal’s human… [Read More]
AND Global Secures $21.4 Million Funding to Drive Financial Inclusion
Leading global fintech company AND Global has successfully raised $21.4 million in a Series B funding round led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of The World Bank Group, and AEON Financial Service, a major Japanese financial group operating in 11 Asian markets. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the company’s… [Read More]
TICAD9: AfDB to Drive Partnerships and Investment at Tokyo Conference on African Development
The African Development Bank will participate in the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), taking place in Yokohama, Japan, from 20 to 22 August. The conference comes at a pivotal moment as Africa works to bridge investment gaps and build resilience against global economic and climate shocks. The Bank will play a central… [Read More]
Local Voices, Real Impact: Insights on Localising Aid from Dakar
On June 18, 2025, BudgIT, in collaboration with Connected Development, hosted a Pause and Reflect session in Dakar, Senegal. The event was intentionally designed as a space for civil society organisations, community-based organisations, community leaders, and development actors to share candid reflections on what it truly means to localise development aid. Unlike typical conferences or… [Read More]
ILO Launches New Occupational Safety and Health Guide for Agriculture in Jordan
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with Jordan’s Ministries of Labour and Agriculture, has launched the final Arabic version of the “Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health in the Agriculture Sector.” The new guide is a major step toward improving workplace safety, reducing risks, and promoting decent work for Jordan’s agricultural workforce, which operates… [Read More]
Africa-Japan Higher Education Partnership Matchmaking Seminar to Strengthen Academic Collaboration
Since 2018, the World Bank has supported Africa-Japan higher education partnerships through initiatives such as the Africa Centers of Excellence (ACE) program and the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund. These programs focus on improving the quality of scientific research and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa while… [Read More]
IFC and OTP Leasing Launch €50M Facility to Drive Ukraine’s Private Sector Growth and Green Energy Projects
IFC and OTP Leasing have launched a €50 million risk-sharing facility (RSF) in Ukraine to expand financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and midcap companies. The initiative targets sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, energy, and logistics, with a strong focus on sustainable energy solutions to enhance the country’s energy resilience. The program also aims… [Read More]
Namibia Adopts ICT Initiative for Remote Monitoring of Development Projects
Namibia has officially joined 37 other African countries in adopting advanced technology for development project management through the launch of the Remote Appraisal, Supervision, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RASME) project. The initiative was unveiled in Windhoek by senior government officials in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB). The RASME platform represents a transformative shift in… [Read More]
UNDP and UNDRR Join EU to Strengthen Caribbean Climate and Crisis Resilience
The European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) have launched a four-year initiative under the European Union‑Caribbean‑Resilient Programme (EU‑CA-RES), supported by a €4 million EU grant. The programme aims to strengthen early warning systems and build recovery capacities across Caribbean nations, helping governments, communities,… [Read More]
South Sudan Unveils One Health Strategic Plan and 2nd National Health Security Action Plan (2025–2030)
In 2025, South Sudan officially launched and signed off on the One Health Strategic Plan and the 2nd National Action Plan for Health Security (2025–2030), aimed at strengthening preparedness and response to public health emergencies of international concern. These complementary plans build on evidence from the 2024 Joint External Evaluation and integrate human, animal, and… [Read More]
Costa Rica Boosts Indigenous Leadership in Forest Conservation with World Bank Backing
On August 11, the World Bank approved a $4 million grant to Costa Rica to enhance Indigenous Peoples’ participation in forest conservation and ensure their equitable access to the benefits of the country’s Emission Reductions Program from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. The initiative will foster inclusive decision-making and knowledge exchange on sustainable land use, with… [Read More]
African Development Bank Boosts Africa’s Data Transformation with SDMX and Open Data Platform 2.0 Training
The African Development Bank’s Statistics Department, in partnership with the African Union Institute of Statistics (STATAFRIC), the Africa Centre for Statistics of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and other international organizations, hosted a regional workshop on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) and the Bank’s Open Data Platform 2.0 (ODP 2.0). Held… [Read More]
Southern Albania Sees Job Growth Through Heritage Tourism Initiatives
Communities across Southern Albania, including Berat, Gjirokastra, Përmet, and Saranda, are experiencing significant economic growth thanks to investments supported by the World Bank. Publicly funded initiatives to preserve heritage sites and improve nearby infrastructure have attracted private sector investment, particularly from entrepreneurs in tourism and hospitality. These efforts have created thousands of new jobs, many… [Read More]
Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta City Gains New Infrastructure to Combat Chronic Flooding
Can Tho City, a key hub in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta, once faced chronic flooding that cost its economy an estimated US$200 million annually. Floodwaters regularly disrupted daily life, contaminating streets and homes with debris and waste. In 2023, however, the city withstood its first major tidal surge without inundation, thanks to the Can Tho… [Read More]
The Power of Youth: Driving Change for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future
Across East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), young people are transforming their lives and communities through greater access to skills, jobs, and new opportunities. From East Java in Indonesia to Lae in Papua New Guinea, the World Bank is working with governments and partners to create inclusive pathways for youth, focusing on job creation as… [Read More]
World Bank to Support Marshall Islands in Strengthening Public Spending and Local Services
The World Bank has approved a US$15 million grant to help the Republic of the Marshall Islands improve public fund management and strengthen local financial expertise. The Strengthening Public Financial Management II project will support the Ministry of Finance, Banking, and Postal Service in delivering more timely and transparent budgets and financial reporting. Building on… [Read More]
Bringing Prenatal Ultrasound to Rural Burkina Faso: Saving Lives and Improving Maternal Care
In Burkina Faso, a new initiative is transforming maternal healthcare by training midwives to perform basic obstetric ultrasounds during antenatal consultations, especially in remote areas. Previously, pregnant women had to travel long distances and pay high costs to access ultrasound services, leading many to forgo essential scans. Now, free ultrasounds are available locally, reducing delays… [Read More]
World Bank Approves $650M to Boost Istanbul’s Disaster Resilience
The World Bank has approved a $650 million loan to finance the Istanbul Resilience Project, an initiative designed to strengthen the city’s preparedness and response to disasters and climate risks. As Türkiye’s largest city, generating nearly a third of the national GDP and home to more than 15 million people, Istanbul’s vulnerability to earthquakes and… [Read More]
