Now is the time to invest in South Asia’s future

The World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries, IDA has been a reliable partner in South Asia for more than six decades and contributed to a sharp decline in poverty in the region. Yet, for…

Hartwig Schafer |
Climate Change, Education, Environment, Fragility Conflict and Violence, Gender, Governance, Health, Inequality and Shared Prosperity, Jobs & Development, Poverty, Water

Maldivians, you can shape your development story!

We invite all Maldivians, including women and youth, to share what they think are the constraints and opportunities that lie ahead; major challenges faced in ensuring prosperity for all and…

Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough |
Agriculture and Food, Climate Change, Competitiveness, Disaster Risk Management, Education, Energy, Environment, Financial Sector, Gender, Governance, Health, Inequality and Shared Prosperity, Infrastructure & Public-Private Partnerships, Jobs & Development, Poverty, Social Development, Social Protection, Trade, Water

Clearing the skies over Cairo, one policy at a time

As part of the Sustainability Development Strategy: Egypt 2030, the country committed to halving its fine particulate matter (PM10) air pollution by 2030.

Martin Heger, Craig M. Meisner |
Climate Change, Health

What kind of regional connectivity does South Asia aspire to?

World Bank South Asia Region team provides a platform for conversations about regional connectivity and helps find common ground between country priorities and regional integration.

Mandakini Kaul |
Agriculture and Food, Climate Change, Competitiveness, Energy, Inequality and Shared Prosperity, Poverty, Regional Integration, Trade, Transport, Water

In South Asia, the case for road safety investment is stronger than ever

Hartwig Schafer, Makhtar Diop |
Health, Infrastructure & Public-Private Partnerships, Poverty, Social Development, Transport, Urban Development

IDA helps build a brighter future for South Asians

Hartwig Schafer |
Disaster Risk Management, Education, Fragility Conflict and Violence, Gender, Health, Jobs & Development, Poverty, Social Protection, Transport

Undernutrition in South Asia: Persistent and emerging challenges

Indian Bengali tribal mother is feeding her baby on her lap in a rural background. Credit: Abir Bhattacharya/ Shutterstock [[tweetable]]Childhood stunting—or being too short for one’s age—is one…

Ashi Kathuria |
Agriculture and Food, Education, Gender, Health, Jobs & Development

The Middle East and North Africa cannot miss the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The traditional route of industrialization for developing countries may no longer be available for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This should not be a source of regret, as the…

Ferid Belhaj, Rabah Arezki |
Education, Financial Inclusion, Financial Sector, Health, Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management

Applauding the women leaders in South Asia

I just ended my first round of country visits as the World Bank’s Vice President for the South Asia Region.  Over and above all, [[tweetable]]I have been immensely impressed by the resilience,…

Hartwig Schafer |
Agriculture and Food, Education, Gender, Health, Poverty

How South Asia can become a free trade area

Women knit handicrafts for export at Everest Fashion Fair Craft in Lalitpur, Nepal. Photo: Peter Kapuscinski / World Bank The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement has been in effect since…

Sanjay Kathuria, Nadeem Rizwan |
Trade, Transport