World Bank

WASHINGTON, September 4, 2007--During fiscal year 2007, ending June 30, the World Bank Group committed US $34.3 billion in loans, grants, equity investments, and guarantees to its members and to private business in its member countries – up $2.7 billion (7.8 percent) from fiscal year 2006. The recipients are using these funds in more than 620 projects designed to overcome poverty and enhance growth – for example, by improving education and health services, promoting private sector development, building infrastructure, and strengthening governance and institutions.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, September 4, 2007. The World Bank Group (WBG) mobilized close to US $8 billion financing to public and private sector projects and programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, aimed to address the persistent inequality in the region and foster sustainable growth during fiscal year 2007, ending June 30, according to figures released by the WBG today.

World Bank    » read more »

While 22 countries have actually increased gas flaring, 16 have made progress in reducing it, and nine have maintained stable levels of flaring over a 12-year period, according to the study

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 30, 2007 — The first globally consistent survey of gas flaring has been conducted using satellite data, and a series of national and global estimates of gas flaring volumes have been produced covering a twelve-year period spanning 1995 through 2006.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, August 21, 2007 - The World Bank’s Board of Directors today approved a US$30 million loan to support Colombia’s efforts to increase rural competitiveness and build up entrepreneurship in poor rural communities through partnership schemes with the commercial private sector.    » read more »

Lima, August 20, 2007 - The World Bank announced today a grant of US$400,000 through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDR) to assist the Government of Peru in responding to the aftermath of the earthquake that shook the south of Peru on August 15.

The grant from the World Bank will help the Government to finance reconstruction planning for the most severely damaged areas.    » read more »

Washington, DC , August 16, 2007- World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Pamela Cox, expressed today the institution’s solidarity and condolences to the people and Government of Peru for the tragic loss of lives as a result of the earthquake that struck about 145 km southeast of Lima yesterday evening.    » read more »

August 13, 2007 - As host country of the 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), Sri Lanka is gearing up to welcome more than 3,500 delegates from over 60 countries.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Dr. Nimal Edirisinghe, Program Director for the World Bank-funded National HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, said this the first time the conference is taking place in a low-prevalence developing country.

“We have the opportunity to show the whole world that our health, education, and cultural systems are very well developed.”    » read more »

Tokyo, August 9, 2007 – World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick visited Japan for two days during which he met Prime Minister Abe, Foreign Minister Aso, Finance Minister Omi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mrs. Ogata, Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Mr. Shinozawa, other key policymakers and Diet Members, and opinion leaders.    » read more »

Washington DC, July 11, 2007 -- Following recent media interest in the finalization of a joint World Bank-Government of China report entitled Cost of Pollution in China – Economic Estimates of Physical Damages, the head of the World Bank in China, David Dollar made the following statement:    » read more »

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2007 – The World Bank today approved US$65 million in additional financing to Andhra Pradesh Rural Poverty Reduction Project, a program that has improved the lives of some 5.7 million women since its inception in 2003, when the original project was approved by the World Bank.    » read more »

BOGOTA, July 10, 2007 – Investing today in youth –especially those considered “at risk”– in Latin America and the Caribbean will be much more beneficial both socially and financially than facing the consequences of not investing, concludes a new World Bank report. The report states that over half of youth between ages 12 and 24 in the region are considered at risk.

The report, entitled The Promise of Youth: Policy for Youth at-Risk in Latin America and the Caribbean, recommends developing specific programs for these groups.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2007 — The report, Governance Matters, 2007: Worldwide Governance Indicators 1996-2006 being launched today by the World Bank Institute and the World Bank Development Economics Vice-presidency, shows that a number of countries - including in Africa - are making progress in improving governance and fighting corruption. This is encouraging given that good governance and corruption control are fundamental for long-term growth and reducing poverty.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2007 –The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) have agreed that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has taken the steps necessary to reach its decision point under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan becomes the 31st country to reach its decision point and now qualifies for interim debt relief under the Initiative.[1]    » read more »

JAKARTA, 7 July, 2007 -- The World Bank Board yesterday approved US$ 86 million in support of the Government’s plan to improve the skills and performance of teachers, widely recognized as a key challenge to improving education standards in Indonesian schools.    » read more »

$90 million Credit for Service Delivery, Improved Management

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2007 – The Executive Board of the World Bank today approved a Poverty Reduction Support Credit* (PRSC-7) in the amount of US$90 million to Burkina Faso. The credit will have a significant positive impact on poverty reduction and accelerate economic growth.    » read more »