Migration is a development challenge. About 184 million people—2.3 percent of the world’s population—live outside of their country of nationality, and almost half of them are in low- and middle-income countries. In this episode of The Development Podcast, we explore the conversation around migration, from global economic imbalances, demographic changes, and conflict, to the opportunities it can bring to people and host communities.To unpack this and more, we speak to Xavier Devictor, the World Bank’s co-Director for this year’s World Development Report and four individuals, including two migrants in Colombia and the Philippines, who share their stories of success and survival outside of their home countries. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesXavier Devictor, Co-Director, World Development Report 2023Paula Rossiasco, Senior Social Development Specialist, World BankAlejandra Botero, Former Director, Nation Planning Department ColombiaAlvin Ang, Professor in the Department of Economics, Ateneo de Manila UniversityDexibel Bravo, Venezuelan entrepreneurAngelito Castro, Philippine fish farmerTimestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:03] Colombia: Perspectives and stories from the ground[09:58] Philippines: Perspectives and stories from the ground[14:00] The state of migration around the world[18:08] The role of governments and policy makers[26:01] Closure and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 

World Bank Group | The Development Podcast

On the Move: The Migration Challenge

The 2023 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings took place from April 10-16, amidst a backdrop of challenges: from stress in the banking sector, persistent inflation, rising debt, climate change and of course Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Addressing this instability, and looking to a future free from poverty, was at the heart of the discussions which involved dozens of contributors from across the globe.In this latest episode of The Development Podcast, we draw on some of the highlights from that week, hearing from various speakers who attended our events and how they look to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Listen on to hear from:  World Bank Group President David Malpass, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Senior World Bank Managing Director Axel van Trotsenburg, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Senegal's Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, H.E. Oulimata Sarr, Save the Children UK CEO Gwen Hines, and Founder of the grassroots organization, We Love Reading, Rana Dajani. Listen now!Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesDavid Malpass, World Bank Group PresidentKristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior World Bank Managing DirectorAmina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-GeneralH.E. Oulimata Sarr, Senegal's Minister of Economy, Planning and CooperationGwen Hines, Save the Children UK CEO Rana Dajani, Founder of the grassroots organization, We Love ReadingTimestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:38] Complex challenges facing the global economy and a vision for the future[10:09] Accelerating development in an age of global crisis[14:31] Human capital to accelerate the green transition[17:02] Cash transfers and other practical investments in children[20:35] The importance of investment in the next generation[22:31] Closure and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 

Spring Meetings 2023: Toward a New Era

What impact does unpaid care work have on women's economic prospects and growth? How can we support these everyday superheroes? In this episode of The Development Podcast, we explore the economics around this issue, whether women are tending to children or the elderly. What goes into this often invisible workload, and how do the burdens these women carry affect their every day lives?  We draw from recent findings of this year’s 2023 Women, Business, and the Law report and also speak with three guests: Laura Rawlings, Lead Economist for the World Bank’s Gender Group, Nguyen Thi Kieu Trang (KT), Marketing and Communications Manager with CARE International in Vietnam, and Jyoti Macwan, General Secretary at the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and former tobacco worker, who share their insights and own experiences in the struggles women continue to face today but also steps women—and men—can take in the fight for gender equality. Listen now!Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesLaura Rawlings, Lead Economist for the World Bank’s Gender Group. "A lot of the disproportionate distribution of unpaid work and lack of access to affordable quality care is one of the key constraints impacting female labor force participation."Nguyen Thi Kieu Trang (KT), Marketing and Communications Manager with CARE International in Vietnam. "The prejudice about the unpaid care work is changing. Men taking care of more of their housework and share with their women more."Jyoti Macwan, General Secretary at the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA). "So the childcare centers were started in the villages, and that's how they [women in a tobacco-growing village in India] were able to go regularly to their workplaces."Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:29] Recent data about women's lives and livelihoods[04:48] Visions from India: Struggles for women in the informal sector[09:16] Visions from Vietnam: Women in rural areas and care workload[11:21] Gender inequality: The importance of addressing unpaid care[15:04] The impact of the pandemic around the world[19:37] Closure and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity,...

Everyday Superheroes: Exploring Unpaid Care Work By Women

In this episode of The Development Podcast, we mark one year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and explore the depth and breadth of fragility, conflict and violence (FCV) around the world. What are the spillover effects of war as we see increased displacement of populations, high energy and food prices, shocks to natural disasters and more? And what is the World Bank Group’s position and long-term strategy on FCV, and how can we begin to tackle some of these challenges we face head on? Axel Van Trotsenburg, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, the Honorable John Dabi, Deputy Commissioner of South Sudan Commission for Refugees Affairs, Fidel Saad, Save the Children Lebanon’s Food Security, Livelihoods and Social Protection Technical Advisor, and Lara, a Ukrainian refugee living in Oxford, talk to us on these issues and more. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesAxel Van Trotsenburg, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations. "The human suffering that we are seeing in many countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) settings are calling out for solidarity."Honorable John Dabi, Deputy Commissioner of South Sudan Commission for Refugees Affairs. "The whole area is prone to climate change and it's also prone to conflict. So you either become displaced because of the conflict or because of the climate change."Fidel Saad, Save the Children Lebanon’s Food Security, Livelihoods and Social Protection Technical Advisor. "There's the food security crisis, but there's also the employment crisis. There's an education crisis in Lebanon and we've seen an increased number of cases of child protection, meaning children engaged in labor."Lara, a Ukrainian refugee. "We didn't know where to move. We knew only that I take my kid, I take my 70-year-old mom and we're crossing the border. Where? We didn't know where."  Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:20] Fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV) settings[03:50] The case of Lara, a Ukrainian refugee living in Oxford, UK[08:16] South Sudan: Food security, climate change, conflict, and displacement[11:22] The case of Lebanon and FCV settings[14:05] Global overlapping crises and their impact[15:25] Conflict in fragile settings and middle-income countries[17:37] The support from the World Bank Group[21:04] Closure and thanks for tuning!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe 

Challenges Without Borders: Confronting Crises Around the World

The recently released January edition of this year’s Global Economic Prospects report warns that the global economy is dangerously close to a recession, with worldwide economic output projected to be just 1.7% in 2023. While the outlook for all economies is quite grim, the edition takes a special focus on the plight of 37 small states—countries with a population of 1.5 million or less—that are already vulnerable to shocks stemming from the pandemic, climate change, disruptions to tourism and more.In this episode of The Development Podcast, we speak with three guests: Dana Vorisek, senior economist and one of the lead report authors of the Global Economic Prospects report; the Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for Finance and Tonga World Bank Governor; and Anna Kay, a female-owned restauranteur in Jamaica, who share their insights and experiences to the impacts of a worsening global economy on already vulnerable states. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesDana Vorisek, Senior Economist, World Bank Group. "The main reason small states were really hard hit by COVID was tourism. People were fearful of traveling, but also these countries shut their borders for a long time."Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for Finance and Tonga World Bank Governor. "The impact of climate change is obviously reflected on the frequency and intensity of a natural disaster, which further impacted our primary sector for economic development."Anna Kay, a female-owned restauranteur in Jamaica. "We can't get a lot of the things that we used to get, brands that we used to get before, or supplies that we used to get. The biggest thing is the cost of things."Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:29] Insights from the Global Economics Prospects Report[03:51] Visions from the Caribbean: The case of Jamaica[08:18] Visions from the Pacific: The case of Tonga[13:56] Characteristics, challenges and vulnerabilities of small states[18:44] Closing and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development....

Why Have Smaller States Been Hit So Hard by Economic Shocks?

The past twelve months have been turbulent for the global economy. Conflict, inflation, food supply crises and the long tail of the Covid-19 pandemic have caused shockwaves across the world. In this episode of The Development Podcast we speak to World Bank Group chief economist Indermit Gill, and take stock of the last twelve months, while looking ahead to 2023. Indermit explains why forecasts at the start of the year were wrong, and why he remains optimistic for the coming year. We also reflect on one of the biggest stories of 2022, food prices. We get an update from Egyptian baker and restaurant owner Dareen Akkad. Listen now! Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesIndermit Gill, Chief Economist of the World Bank Group and Senior Vice President for Development Economics: "I think that the last two years will become a case study of how the world forgot Economics 101, and I think it was because of fear, it was because of the disease, it was because of the war, but it was also because of impatience, and I'm hoping that 2023 will not be part of this case study."Dareen Akkad, Egyptian baker and restaurant owner : "The businesses that survive are those that are able to change and adapt. We've already made plans to create food that is completely locally sourced."Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:23] Putting 2022 in context[02:31] What were we expecting 2022 to look like in January?[03:47] The economic impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine[05:02] Are we looking at a recession next year that's getting worse?[06:47] Policy steps being taken[09:28] Monetary tightening, raising interest rates, subsidies, inflation[16:07] Stories of people's lives[17:30] Inflation and food security: Visions from a pizza baker in Cairo[19:42] Closing and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 

2022 in Review: A Year of Uncertainty

COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and other crises have dealt the biggest setback to global poverty reduction in decades. 2020 alone saw the largest one-year increase in extreme poverty since global monitoring began. In this episode of The Development Podcast, we comb through the recent Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report (PSPR) to understand what’s happening, where and why.  Ruth Hill, a lead economist at the World Bank discusses the actions governments can take to help correct course. We also get a snapshot of just how hard the last few years have been for many people, such as Sonia Cifuentes in Bogota, Colombia, and how cash transfers helped her when she needed support to cover the basics for herself and her children. Listen now! Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Featured VoicesRuth Hill, Lead Economist, Global Unit of the Poverty and Equity Global Practice, World Bank. "There's evidence that households which receive cash transfers are more likely to have their kids in school. And that has a long run impact on household welfare."Sonia Cifuentes, Colombian citizen benefited from a cash transfer program: "If I hadn't had access to those transfers, I would've had to have found someone to give me a donation because I had to feed my children."Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:37] Understanding the data behind the Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report[07:28] Visions from Bogota, Colombia: Vulnerability and cash transfer programs[11:10] The meaning behind poverty[12:42] 2020 saw the biggest setback to global poverty in decades[14:36] Measuring poverty: Methodology and research[15:33] Progress made in ending poverty over the last few decades[17:05] The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poverty reduction efforts[19:40] Increase in poverty in different regions of the world[20:35] Public policies to counter poverty trends[21:37] Subsidies and cash transfer programs[25:37] Closing and thanks for tuning in!ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 

Why Are We Witnessing the Biggest Setback to Global Poverty Reduction in Decades?

This year’s World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings took place against the backdrop of a series of overlapping crises threatening catastrophic consequences for the poor. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and conflict were the focus for delegates who gathered at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington DC. In this special edition of The Development Podcast we’ll bring you some of the key moments from this year’s sessions. Leaders, experts, and activists discussed how best to respond to the multiple overlapping crises facing developing countries and how to work together to build a resilient future. Listen now! Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction to the Annual Meetings[02:12] Addressing multiple crises in an era of volatility[12:02] Food and fuel crises[19:09] Inclusive growth and financial inclusion[24:07] Financing the low-carbon, resilient transition[27:01] Human capital and education[33:30] Support to Ukraine[36:21] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured VoicesAnne Tvinnereim, Norway's Minister of International Development. "Due to the fertilizer crisis, in one season, we will not produce enough food in the world to feed everyone. Now, that's an unprecedented situation."Augustine Mayabi, Deputy Director in Kenya's Ministry of ICT Innovation and Youth Affairs. "There is need to reskill. Even the youth who are informal and self-employment, some of them could not have gone to school."David Malpass, President, World Bank Group. "We have to work so fast now to create space for the climate problems that are facing many of the developing countries most." Janet Yellen, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. "Meeting Ukraine's needs will require a unified and coordinated effort, but together the G7, the international financial institutions and all of Ukraine's partners can help Ukraine win this war."Karima Ola, LeapFrog Investments Partner. "We can't talk about inclusive growth without talking about climate, because then path to net zero is one which impacts different people differently."Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund. "I actually am heartbroken to see the world again, witnessing increasing poverty, increasing hunger and malnutrition."Lawrence Summers, President Emeritus and Professor of Harvard University. "There has not been a moment when there was so great an opportunity to invest resources on a large scale in promoting the development of the countries where the vast majority of the world's population lived."Makhtar Diop, IFC Managing Director. "Of the the main roadblocks is how do we make sure that we bridge the funds that are available in the private market, the private capital, with the investment needs?."Mostafa Terrab, OCP Group Chairman and CEO. "What's visible today has been revealed by a crisis, but it's based on a long-term situation which is a great imbalance between production of fertilizer and what the world needs."Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation. "One very important message is that climate and development should not be seen as separate objectives. They need to...

Highlights from the 2022 World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings: Navigating an Uncertain World

Our warming world needs to wean itself away from fossil fuels, but closing coal mines can impact jobs and communities. How can we ensure people and communities are at the center of the transition away from coal? In this episode of The Development Podcast, we hear about the challenges and opportunities involved in this important transition.We get the view from some Indian women benefiting from new green jobs, hear from new solar panel owners, and from Reema Nanavaty, director of the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).We also hear from World Bank experts Elizabeth Ruppert Bulmer, Lead Economist with the Social Protection & Jobs Global Practice, and Rachel Perks, Senior Mining Specialist with the Energy & Extractives Global Practice. They explain why this task can’t be left to future generations to fix, and how phasing out coal can mean new opportunities for communities and jobs. Listen now! Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:36] Trends with coal production in recent years[06:54] Visions of India moving away from coal[11:53] Just transition, coal, and climate change[14:02] What's behind turning off coal[15:55] Progress made around the world[17:12] The impact of closing down coal mines[21:05] Transitions and new livelihoods and opportunities[22:54] Historical perspective and lessons learned[24:40] Stakeholder engagement and consultations[26:39] Land repurposing[29:03] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured VoicesElizabeth Ruppert Bulmer, Lead Economist, Social Protection & Jobs Global Practice, World Bank: "There are a whole slew of jobs that will be needed in that renewable energy space. A lot of these coal mining jobs are taken up by people who aren't youth, and then youth are struggling to find some alternative."Rachel Perks, Senior Mining Specialist, Energy & Extractives Global Practice, World Bank: "We also have to be very sensitive that these are communities that have been dependent on their livelihoods and their identities for generations. Now we're asking them to reimagine, in fact, what their entire community is going to look like." Reema Nanavaty, Director of India’s Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA): "You create a nurturing economy, generate greener livelihoods, and that is what exactly is just transition." ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast 

From Coal to Clean Energy: Protecting People Through the Transition

The world is grappling with a sharp deceleration in growth, coupled with rising inflation. Are we experiencing so-called stagflation, what does that mean for people, and what can we learn from comparable situations in the past?In this episode of The Development Podcast, World Bank forecasting expert Franziska Ohnsorge, Manager of the Prospects Group, one of the lead authors of the Global Economics prospect Report; and debt expert Marcello Estevão Global Director of the World Bank Group's Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment global practice give the big picture on stagflation. While Enrique Cárdenas, a Mexican economist and economic historian, explains what it felt like to experience stagflation during the so-called “lost decade” of the 1980s. Listen now!Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:45] What is stagflation? When did we see it last? Are we in stagflation right now?[06:42] Visions from Mexico, the 15th largest economy in the world[11:47] Global economy: How significant is the slowdown right now[13:09] How real is the risk of stagflation?[14:57] Central banks and interest rates... and stagflation[17:24] Impacts for average people in emerging markets and developing economies[19:19] How can stagflation lead to debt crises?[23:31] What is creating this toxic mix of slow growth and inflation?[24:59] Recommendations for governments to promote growth and tame inflation[29:21] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured VoicesFranziska Ohnsorge, Manager of the Prospects Group, World Bank: "Stagflation, weak growth and high inflation, is something that really hurts the lower income households particularly hard."Marcello Estevão, Global Director of the World Bank Group's Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice: "The debt overhang can be dismantled, if governance improved debt management procedures and public expanding while strengthening the living environment for debt contracting."Enrique Cárdenas, Mexican economist and economic historian: "Not every income was indexed to inflation and therefore those who weren't suffered even more because they couldn't cope with inflation as it evolves."ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe...

What Does Stagflation Mean for the Global Economy?

The world is facing rising food prices that are hitting poor and developing countries hardest. Even before COVID-19 reduced incomes and disrupted supply chains, chronic and acute hunger were on the rise due to factors, including conflict, socio-economic conditions, natural hazards, climate change and pests. The disruption caused by the war in Ukraine has added to price pressures, with costs likely to remain high for the foreseeable future and expected to push millions of additional people into acute food insecurity.In this episode of The Development Podcast, World Bank Food and Agriculture Global Practice Manager Julian Lampietti explains the challenges and discusses some of the solutions. And we hear from a pizza restaurant owner in Cairo who is struggling with the rising cost of bread. Listen now! Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[01:32] What's happening in terms of agriculture and food in the world right now[06:47] Visions from Cairo: Food costs, supply chains, local business... and pizza[13:08] A human catastrophe? Food price crisis related to the war in Ukraine[14:21] Availability issues, people's access to food, or the production of food?[18:05] Food prices: How the situation could evolve in the short term[19:22] Lessons learnt from previous food price crisis[24:07] Investments in agricultural and food technologies[27:45] How the World Bank is responding to this crisis[29:32] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured voicesJulian Lampietti, Manager for Agriculture & Food Global Practice, World Bank Group: "The war in Ukraine just accelerated what was already happening, we have this food system that feeds us and it's wonderful but it's also destroying the planet as it does that. And it's getting more and more unstable."Dareen Akkad, restaurant owner in Cairo, Egypt: "One of the ways that we have to plan is to find products that we can create that rely less heavily on imports and more so on locally grown ingredients or let's say even if it's locally processed ingredients."ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANK GROUPThe World Bank Group is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for...

Why Is the World Facing a Food Crisis? And Why Are Prices Climbing So High?

Putting people first through investing in human capital – the knowledge, skills, and health that people need to achieve their potential – is critical for sustainable, inclusive growth and poverty reduction. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to leave generations behind and exacerbate inequalities. Health impacts, setbacks to nutrition, the early years and learning, job losses and expanding gender gaps must be addressed with urgency. Countries have stepped up in innovative ways to put people first through building, protecting, and utilizing human capital – with support from the World Bank and partners. However – ambition, innovation, and sustained support are needed to recover human capital losses and strengthen recovery. Investing in people consistently and providing opportunities for all to achieve their potential can yield economic dividends – and help bring greater stability in a challenging global context.During the 2022 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings, leaders, innovators and change-makers shared how investments in human capital can not only change lives for individuals, but also create more inclusive and equitable societies. Listen to the Spring Meetings highlights in a special series of The Development Podcast. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:38] Tanzania's education system[05:13] Tanzania's investment in health[08:28] Tanzania: Challenges in education and health[13:35] Tackling learning poverty[17:36] Special considerations from a gender and fragility context[19:07] Impacts of the pandemic on young people[23:50] The value of investing in people[28:10] Equipping young people for the jobs of the future[29:32] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured voicesSamia Suluhu Hassan, President of United Republic of Tanzania: "In some societies, the herd keepers, the livestock keepers, they prefer their kids to go for herding rather than going to school. We had to educate the parents to accept sending their kids to school."David R. Malpass, President, World Bank Group: "Men are part of the problem [gender-based violence] and have to be educated and brought forward along."Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General: "Even if you had connectivity, teachers were not prepared to teach, and learners were not prepared to learn, even though we thought we had them connected."Mari Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank: "This accelerated learning recovery really needs a focus, in terms of the programs that we need to design, the teachers that we need to train, to be able to have the tools and resources to address this."Malala Yousafzai, Co-Founder of Malala Fund: ""We know that when children enroll into schools, there's also the issue of what they learn in their classrooms. So it's the access to education, but also the quality of education that are important."Beatrice Mahuru, Founder & CEO, GLaD Ltd and B&WE Ltd: "Conflict resolution is definitely one of those soft skills that's required, both to manage workplace conversations, as well as their communities back at home." ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data,...

Human Capital at the Crossroads: Reversing the Losses, Reclaiming our Future | Highlights from the WBG-IMF Spring Meetings 2022

Trade can be an effective catalyst for growth and development. However, the growing use of market-distorting subsidies undermines the multi-lateral, rules-based trading system that has promoted trade liberalization and global growth in the past. At a time when the global economy is coping with multiple shocks, including the pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supply chain disruptions to food and other goods, governments are increasingly turning to subsidies for relief. But the costs can be very high, in terms of public spending and distorted incentives for investment and consumption. How can international cooperation help create a fairer trading system for countries at all income levels?During the 2022 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings, the heads of the four key global economic policy institutions—the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)—discussed the importance of trade and global cooperation for overcoming current challenges and implications of subsidies for markets and poor countries. They called for more transparency and proactive measures to reduce their harm, especially for the largest and most distortive subsidies. Listen to the Spring Meetings highlights in a special series of The Development Podcast. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:54] Subsidies, trade, and international cooperation[06:19] National self-interest vs. globalization[08:34] The end of an era of globalization?[11:28] Measurement of agricultural subsidies[13:40] Subsidy and economic policy in a crisis mode[18:03] Tackling subsidies: Politically expedient vs sensible things[24:42] Transparency, access to information, collaboration[26:34] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured voicesDavid R. Malpass, President of the World Bank Group: "We need to find a way to have trade that occurs in an efficient way to get the gains for the people around the world. It's going to help the poorest people the most."Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund: "I worry most about multiple shocks simultaneously hitting us and our proven, inability to deal with more than one crisis at one time."Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization: "This globalization, this multilateral trading system that has been built, it's a global public good. It took time to build it. And it has lifted more than a billion people out of poverty."Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: "It is about having a level playing field, making sure that resources are allocated to where they can have the most beneficial economic impact for everyone and subsidies really distorted that greatly."ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Don't miss an episode! Listen and subscribe for free on your

Preserving Open Trade: Subsidies, Geopolitics, and International Cooperation | Highlights from the WBG-IMF Spring Meetings 2022

By 2030, up to two-thirds of the world's extreme poor could live in fragility, conflict, and violence settings, so without addressing the challenges in these economies, we will not succeed in our mission to eradicate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. The disturbing trend of rising and compounding crises points to an urgent need for the international community to come together and develop new and innovative approaches to support countries facing conflict and fragility. During the 2022 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings, we discussed how to stay engaged during times of crisis and meet the challenges in new and innovative ways, along with our partners. World leaders came together to discuss how to best build resilience & manage uncertainty. Listen to the Spring Meetings highlights in a special series of The Development Podcast. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:15] The case of Yemen: Crises, challenges, and solutions[06:03] How Colombia has been addressing the refugee crisis from neighboring Venezuela[10:15] How the international community can come together to assist the most vulnerable[19:44] How the private sector can play an essential role[28:14] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured voicesMaeen Abdulmalik Saeed, Prime Minister, Yemen: "Unprecedented times need unprecedented actions. The response of the crisis determine how we can build back better after the crisis. So the response should be unique." Alejandra Botero, Director General, Department of Planning, Colombia: "If we're going to promise to give them all the services so that they can be part of the social system, health, schools, everything, you have to have a plan to integrate the migrants at all these sectors."Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director of Operations, World Bank: "Our estimate shows that extreme poverty will be concentrated in fragility, conflict, and violence settings in the next couple of years; so if we want to stop that trend, we have to invest."Hervé Ndoba, Minister of Finance and Budget, Central African Republic: "When we're facing fragility, the fiscal space is very reduced and we have to find solutions in order to increase this fiscal space. We have started the cleanup of the public financing."Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF: "Roughly 425 million children right now are living in conflict zones. These children are living in places where the compounding of the challenges requires a compounding of the responses."Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, IFC: "We need to be persistent enough to convince the private sector to invest in a fragile country, but also we need to think about how the private sector can help mitigate the risk of working in this context."Donald Kaberuka, Chairman and Managing Partner, SouthBridge: "These small businesses, what you call the informal sector, unfortunately are actually the ones able to provide the daily jobs which people need."Mary Nazzal-Batayneh, Founder of Landmark Hotels & 17 Ventures: "Looking at the multiple crises that we are facing as humanity, it shows that the public sector and private sector and civil society need to work together...

On the Frontlines of Rising Fragility: Collaborating and Innovating for Impact | Highlights from the WBG-IMF Spring Meetings 2022

The connection between development and climate change is increasingly clear: delivering on these together will require large-scale low-carbon and resilient investments. It will also require approaches that tackle the political economy of the low-carbon transition and help communities build long-lasting resilience to climate change. What are the investments needed to achieve a green, resilient and sustainable future? How can we unlock private finance for climate action? How are countries stepping up to the challenge? During the 2022 World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings, we explored the actions that are needed to create enabling environments, leverage different pools of capital at the right time, for specific needs, while involving communities and bringing them along in the global low-carbon, resilient transition. World leaders came together to discuss how to best build resilience & manage uncertainty. Listen to the Spring Meetings highlights in a special series of The Development Podcast. Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! Timestamps[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic[02:10] COP27 & Egypt: Creating meaningful solutions for the future[07:56] How to make climate finance tangible and action-oriented[15:20] Private capital in supporting climate action[23:27] Transitioning economies, transforming climate[26:04] Closure and thanks for tuning!Featured voicesRania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Arab Republic of Egypt: "We cannot think about climate as separate from the development process of the country."Rhian-Mari Thomas, Chief Executive, Green Finance Institute: "We clearly need that enabling policy and regulatory frameworks in country, as well as the mechanisms to improve credit worthiness so that we can secure both local and international funds."Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government, London School of Economics: "We have to put in place a big transition and we have to do it now, and of course, exiting coal, moving away from coal. That will involve a great deal of investment, but we're going to have to adapt."Mari Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank: "Another realism that we are facing today the Ukraine war and its impact on high energy prices and increased concerns around energy security. How can we move forward to continue accelerating the energy transition?"Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, IFC: "We are hearing very much from the private sector about green taxonomy. People want to know when they invest to support a fight against climate change, that is really targeted to activities which are related to that."ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Don't miss an episode! Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. Tell us what you think of our podcast 

Financing Climate Action: Transitioning Economies, Transforming Climate | Highlights from the WBG-IMF Spring Meetings 2022

In this flagship podcast from the World Bank Group, we’ll take you on a journey around the world of international development. Everyday World Bank researchers and staffers are working to address the biggest international problems – everything from poverty to climate change, education to nutrition, and a whole lot more. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and the solutions making the world a better place, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. More information: http://wrld.bg/f2SX50MJyZB Share your thoughts on the podcast: http://wrld.bg/LJwA50MJyYM

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