I see it every time I come back to Honiara, Solomon Island’s bustling capital, soon after I arrive.  Young people on the streets, wandering around in groups or by themselves with nothing to do. …

The onslaught of climate change in the Pacific Islands that look like tiny spots from space, is a big wake-up call for the youth of these nations. Young Pacific Islanders are taking a proactive…

Stunning photos we usually associate with the Pacific Islands often overlook the reality for many who live there. Faced with natural hazards and remoteness, they are some of the most vulnerable…

Hurricane Sandy / NOAA In addition to their often devastating human toll, natural disasters can have an extremely adverse economic impact on countries. Disasters can be particularly calamitous for…

Those unfamiliar with the fast growing emerging economies of East Asia are likely to think that governments in these countries let market forces and capitalism roam free, red in tooth and claw.…

Part of the World Bank’s new vision is to step up its efforts to help fragile and conflict-afflicted states break the vicious cycle of poverty. But this is no easy task.   The destruction of…

What does it take to make reforms work in small island countries? At the end of June 2013, twelve Caribbean countries presented a roadmap for growth in three areas -logistics and connectivity,…

On gender equality – it is no secret that the Pacific Islands is lagging. The region is home to some of the world’s highest domestic violence rates. Economic empowerment of women in many countries…

Access to reliable, accurate, and up-to-date data is crucial to the analysis work we do here at the World Bank. Making sure we have that data and making it as accessible as possible to others is…

The World Bank employs a variety of specialists in different disciplines, often with abstract and hard to understand titles. Not me. When people ask what I do for the Bank I say “I build roads”.…