World Bank

© UNICEF/Pasqual Gorriz/UN

Beirut facing acute environmental crisis, warns UN energy specialist

1 September 2020
Economic Development

Contamination from hazardous chemicals, landfill sites at capacity, and water pollution, are among the most urgent challenges faced by the Lebanese authorities and UN teams tackling the huge task of clearing up Beirut, following the massive explosion in the city’s port on 4 August.

UNDP Eurasia/Karen Cirillo

Coronavirus: World Bank confirms deepest recession since World War Two

8 June 2020
Economic Development

The COVID-19 pandemic will shrink the global economy by 5.2 per cent this year, representing the deepest recession since World War Two, and triggering a dramatic rise in extreme poverty, the World Bank said Monday in its latest Global Economic Prospects report.

UNOPS

New refugee data centre can inform policies, solutions worldwide: Guterres

10 October 2019
Migrants and Refugees

A new UN refugee data centre will improve the way humanitarian agencies support “some of the most dramatically vulnerable people in the world”, UN chief António Guterres said on Thursday.

World Bank/Dominic Chavez

News in Brief 10 October 2019

10 October 2019
News in Brief
  • World Mental Health Day shines spotlight on high youth suicide rates
  • UN winning the fight against Ebola in DR Congo
  • New UN data centre will improve refugee assistance: UN chief
Audio -
2'34"
John Hogg/World Bank

‘Invisible’ crisis of water quality threatens human and environmental well-being: World Bank report

20 August 2019
Economic Development

Deteriorating water quality worldwide is slashing the economic potential of heavily polluted areas, according to a new World Bank report, released on Tuesday. It also warns that the “invisible crisis of water quality” is threatening human and environmental well-being.

World Bank/Rob Beechey

World Bank downgrades global growth forecasts, poorest countries hardest hit

5 June 2019
Economic Development

The World Bank has lowered its expectations of global economic growth for this year in a new report. It says that, although the picture for poorer countries is expected to stabilize in 2020, economic momentum remains weak.

World Bank/Simone D. McCourtie

IMF cuts global growth outlook, but predicts pick up later in 2019

9 April 2019
Economic Development

The outlook for global growth is at its lowest since the financial crisis, but expected to pick up in the second half of 2019, the International Monetary Fund reported on Tuesday, so long as “policy missteps that could harm economic activity” are avoided.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe

News in Brief 9 January 2019

9 January 2019
News in Brief
  • ‘Relative calm’ in Yemen port cities following UN-backed ceasefire agreement
  • ‘Storm clouds brewing for global economy’: World Bank
  • ILO celebrates 100 years of advancing social justice
Audio -
3'6"
Photo: World Bank

World Bank President steps down, Chief Executive assumes temporary role

7 January 2019
Economic Development

The President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, announced on Monday that he is stepping down, after more than six years in the role. Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank CEO, will assume the role of interim President, from 1 February.

UNRWA/Tamer Hamam

Acute lack of funding threatens critical aid for Palestinians : UN agency

25 July 2018
Humanitarian Aid

Despite major fundraising efforts, UNRWA – the UN agency tasked with providing life-saving support to Palestinian refugees – is facing the “largest ever reduction in funding” in its history which is threatening the very existence of many of its critical assistance programmes.