financial

World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick

New World Bank facility to fast-track $2 billion to help world’s poorest countries

10 December 2008
The World Bank has created a $2 billion fast-track facility to speed up grants and long-term interest-free loans to help the world’s poorest countries cope with the impact of the global financial crisis, noting a marked slowdown everywhere, including in formerly resilient developing nations.
ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer and Indonesian Foreign Minister N. Hassan Wirajuda

Financial, climate crises could threaten development gains in Asia-Pacific – UN

9 December 2008
Challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region – the food, energy and financial crises, as well as climate change – could unravel development successes, a top United Nations official warned today.
UN volunteers pack donated sports clothes for refugees in Asia

On Volunteer Day, UN officials celebrate ''great reserve of energy and initiative''

5 December 2008
Communities should harness the energy and initiative of the thousands of volunteers who contribute to projects around the world, including critical United Nations activities, senior UN officials said today as they marked the day dedicated to those who give their time and efforts for free to help others.