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April 17, 2026 We kicked off the 2026 Spring Meetings with straight talk from World Bank Group President Ajay Banga: to create jobs for the historic surge of young people entering the workforce over the next decade, we must get the fundamentals right. In a new op-ed with Development Committee Chair Elisabeth Svantesson, Ajay makes the case that clear rules, predictable regulations, and simpler tax systems aren’t bureaucratic fine print—they’re the foundation for growth, private investment, and job creation. That same impact-driven approach is shaping Water Forward. During the Spring Meetings' flagship event, a coalition of leaders from government, finance, and the private sector came together around some sobering realities: 4 billion people face water scarcity, 2.1 billion lack safe drinking water, and 3.4 billion live without safely managed sanitation. Our shared ambition—to strengthen water security for 1 billion people by 2030—can transform water into a source of jobs, growth, and resilience. Spring Meetings updates showed that our ongoing initiatives are already bearing fruit. As of the end of March 2026, we have improved water security for 31 million people; connected 43 million people to electricity through Mission 300; reached 7 million farmers through AgriConnect; helped 575 million people access quality affordable healthcare and 215 million people (including 110 million women) access social safety nets; and linked 46 million women to broadband internet, and another 5 million women-led businesses to financial services. Want to follow our progress? Our new Target Map makes it easier than ever. With regular updates and clear metrics, it represents a new standard for transparency in development—tracking our commitments to client countries with country-level data across sectors like health, energy, agriculture, digital access, and more.
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The launch of Water Forward at the Spring Meetings brought together a cross-section of leaders with a bold goal: improving water security for 1 billion people by 2030. The discussion focused on country-led water compacts, new financing commitments, and the critical role of private investment. Watch the replay. |
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EDITOR'S PICKS |
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A billion young people are preparing to enter the workforce—an opportunity that could reshape economies. But capturing this “historic demographic surge” will require something fundamental: business environments built on clear rules, predictable regulations, and tax systems that are easy to understand.
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Water insecurity is a global crisis. To support solutions, the World Bank Group has launched Water Forward, a global platform bringing together public and private partners to help countries strengthen water systems and improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.
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Job creation was at the heart of this year’s Spring Meetings. In your opinion, how do jobs contribute to development, and what’s your take on the World Bank Group's efforts in this area?
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CATCH UP HERE: 5 FAST CONVERSATIONS |
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Did you miss the short sessions at Spring Meetings? Here are key takeaways from each talk: ⚡ Powering Growth Through Energy The push to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to reliable, affordable electricity is powering forward: 43 million people are already connected, along with 135,000 businesses and 20,000 private institutions; $9 billion has been mobilized; and 30 energy compacts have been signed. Details here. 🌾 Reaching 300 Million Farmers AgriConnect has committed to help 300 million farmers move from subsistence to surplus by 2030. Seven million farmers from Brazil, Senegal, Togo, and Papua New Guinea are already benefiting from efforts to create more and better jobs while strengthening food security. Find out more. 👩 Unlocking Women’s Economic Power When women earn incomes, build businesses, and take on leadership roles, the benefits extend across communities and economies. Our efforts have helped 300 million more women use broadband, expanded access to capital for 80 million, and strengthened social protection for 250 million. See what progress looks like. 💻 Delivering Digital Health Care Investing in health drives jobs and growth: each health job creates 3.4 more jobs across the economy. Through Health Works, the World Bank Group aims to reach 1.5 billion people with quality, affordable care by 2030. Already, 575 million people have been reached, with 45 countries scaling primary care solutions. Learn more. Ending poverty starts with jobs—and the World Bank Group’s Target Map shows the progress we’re making. To track our commitments to client countries, support transparency, and drive accountability, the map reveals country level data across sectors such as health, energy, agriculture, digital access, and more. See how we’re doing. |
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Accredited journalists may obtain advance access to reports and information by registering with the Bank’s Online Media Briefing Center, a password-protected site for working journalists. Material in this newsletter is copyrighted. Requests to produce it, in whole or in part, should be addressed to pubrights@worldbank.org. For more information visit our website: worldbank.org. |
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