Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Equatorial Guinea's economy reentered recession in 2023, with GDP growth estimated at -5.7 percent, primarily due to a decline in hydrocarbon production and domestic demand [14][15][38] - The fiscal position deteriorated, with hydrocarbon revenues decreasing from 27.3 percent of GDP in 2022 to an estimated 19.1 percent in 2023, while government spending as a percentage of GDP increased [15][16] - The report emphasizes the need for structural reforms to diversify the economy away from oil dependency and promote sustainable growth, particularly through the forestry sector [19][22][29] Summary by Sections Chapter 1: Recent Economic Developments and Outlook - Economic activity in Equatorial Guinea contracted in 2023, driven by a decline in the hydrocarbon sector, with oil production decreasing by 21.7 percent [14][15] - The non-hydrocarbon sector showed growth, particularly in construction and services [14] - The medium-term economic outlook remains negative, with projected average real GDP growth of -3.7 percent from 2024 to 2026 [17][18] Chapter 2: Designing Fiscal Instruments for Sustainable Forestry - Equatorial Guinea has significant forest resources, covering about 87 percent of its territory, but faces challenges with deforestation and forest degradation [20][21] - The forestry sector's contribution to GDP has declined from 20 percent in 1995 to 0.2 percent in 2023, highlighting the need for local value-added processing [21][22] - The report discusses the potential of fiscal reforms to enhance revenue from the forestry sector, suggesting the implementation of a "bonus-malus" system to incentivize sustainable practices [25][29] - Recommendations include adjusting forest tax rates based on ecological impacts, promoting forest certification, and enhancing community engagement in forest management [29][30]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The report emphasizes the critical role of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly forests, in carbon regulation and climate change mitigation [18][19] - It highlights the importance of accurate carbon stock estimation and valuation for effective environmental policy and investment decisions [21][28] - The ARIES approach is introduced as a method for integrating data and models to assess carbon stocks and ecosystem services [23][29] Summary by Sections Introduction - The introduction outlines the significance of global maps representing modeled vegetation carbon stocks from 2001 to 2020 [17] - It discusses the role of terrestrial ecosystems in providing carbon regulation services and their importance in addressing climate change [18] Overview of Carbon Stock Estimates - The model computes terrestrial carbon stock as the sum of aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, and soil organic carbon stocks [30] - The report provides annual snapshots of carbon stock estimates for various land cover classes, emphasizing the contributions of forests and wetlands [31] Carbon Stock Valuation - The monetary valuation of carbon retention is discussed, focusing on the annual flow of carbon storage and its economic implications [28] - The report aims to produce a comprehensive collection of measurements for carbon stocks, integrating biophysical and monetary values [22] ARIES Approach - The ARIES approach is highlighted for its ability to combine data and models to study the interaction of human and natural systems [23] - It emphasizes interoperability, allowing for the integration of new data and methodologies to improve results [29] Discussion of Results - The report discusses vegetation carbon stock results aggregated by country and disaggregated by land cover class, providing insights into global carbon distribution [5.1][5.2] - It identifies key drivers of change in carbon stocks, including land cover changes and ecological transformations [24][46]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the World Bank Group's activities in El Salvador. Core Insights - The World Bank Group (WBG) is perceived as a long-term partner in El Salvador, with high trust ratings among government institutions, but lower trust from academia and civil society [11][30][46] - Stakeholders emphasize the need for the WBG to enhance collaboration with civil society, academia, and the private sector to increase effectiveness [53][55] Summary by Sections Objectives - The survey aims to understand stakeholder perceptions of the WBG, focusing on familiarity, trust, effectiveness, and development priorities [4] Methodology Overview - The survey was conducted from January to April 2024, with a response rate of 52% from 201 participants [5] Overall Context - Stakeholders suggest that the WBG should design financing strategies that address El Salvador's high debt burden and promote sustainable growth [7] Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group - The WBG is rated highly for its relevance and alignment with development priorities, with a mean rating of 7.8 for its role in development [16][18] Key Performance Indicators - The WBG's effectiveness in helping El Salvador achieve results is rated at 7.5, indicating a positive perception among stakeholders [17][30] World Bank Group's Support for Development Areas - Key areas for WBG focus include education (59%), jobs (48%), and agriculture/food security (36%) [42] Effectiveness of WBG's Support in Sectoral Areas - The WBG's effectiveness ratings in education and social inclusion have declined since FY21, while public service infrastructure received high ratings [43] World Bank Group's Engagement on the Ground in El Salvador - Respondents perceive the WBG as responsive to needs but suggest improvements in data sharing and project supervision [46][50] Financial Instruments and Knowledge Work - Financial resources are considered the WBG's greatest value, with 60% of respondents highlighting their importance [57] Conclusion - The report indicates a generally positive perception of the WBG's role in El Salvador, with specific recommendations for enhancing collaboration and effectiveness in various sectors [41][55]

Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the importance of investing in Blue Biodiversity as a means to support sustainable development and economic growth, aligning with the World Bank's mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet [44][46][47]. Core Insights - Blue Biodiversity is crucial for human well-being, providing food, jobs, and ecosystem services that mitigate climate change impacts [22][35][39]. - The estimated natural capital value of the ocean is approximately US$24 trillion, contributing 5% to global GDP, highlighting the economic significance of marine biodiversity [25][48]. - The report advocates for a whole-of-economy approach to safeguard Blue Biodiversity, utilizing tools like Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to manage marine resources effectively [26][30][31]. Summary by Sections The Invaluable Global Ocean - The ocean is vital for sustenance and employment, with marine fisheries providing over 50 million direct jobs and supporting food security for billions [23][24]. - Nature-based tourism generates significant revenue, with coral reefs alone contributing approximately US$11.5 billion annually [24]. Blue Biodiversity Loss—Drivers and Solutions - Blue Biodiversity faces threats from habitat loss, unsustainable practices, pollution, and climate change, necessitating urgent action to halt biodiversity loss [28]. - Effective solutions include area-based management strategies like MPAs and OECMs, which can help restore marine ecosystems [28][30]. Goals of the Report - The report aims to enhance understanding of Blue Biodiversity and promote equitable participation in marine management, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities [30]. - It emphasizes the need for spatial management to facilitate the design and management of protected areas, reducing conflicts among maritime sectors [30][31]. The Economics of Blue Biodiversity - The ocean's marketable goods and services are valued at approximately US$24 trillion, underpinning a gross marine product of US$2.5 trillion annually [48]. - Blue Biodiversity supports various ecosystem services, including food production, carbon sequestration, and recreational opportunities, which are essential for economic stability [48][52]. Safeguarding Blue Nature and the Ocean Asset Base - Protecting Blue Biodiversity is complex due to the open-access nature of many marine resources, requiring integrated management approaches [54][55]. - Assessments and identification of priority spaces for biodiversity conservation are critical for effective marine management [57][58].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the biodiversity sector, but it emphasizes the critical need for investment in biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices to mitigate risks associated with biodiversity loss [3][8]. Core Insights - Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services that support human well-being and economic stability, yet it is declining at an unprecedented rate due to human activities [1][3]. - The economic value generated from nature and its services is estimated at US$44 trillion, indicating that over half of the world's GDP is dependent on biodiversity [3]. - Global efforts to address biodiversity loss have been insufficient, with most targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) not being fully achieved [7][8]. - The World Bank Group plays a significant role in addressing biodiversity challenges through financing, policy engagement, and the promotion of nature-smart investments [13][14]. Summary by Sections Background and Context - Biodiversity loss is occurring at rates tens to hundreds of times higher than historical averages, with global wildlife populations declining by two-thirds over the past 50 years [1][3]. - The interconnection between biodiversity and climate change is highlighted, with ecosystems acting as natural carbon sinks [6]. Economic Implications - Biodiversity loss threatens food security and the resilience of agricultural systems, with 75% of food crops relying on pollination valued between US$235 billion and US$577 billion annually [5][3]. - The report underscores the economic risks associated with biodiversity loss, estimating that US$44 trillion of economic value generation is moderately or highly dependent on nature [3]. Global Efforts and Frameworks - The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2050, with targets to conserve at least 30% of Earth's land and ocean by 2030 [8][9]. - The report notes that effective conservation efforts must engage Indigenous peoples and local communities, as they play a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity [9][10]. Role of the World Bank Group - The World Bank Group has been addressing biodiversity loss since 1990, focusing on conservation and integrating biodiversity considerations into national policies and financing projects [13][14]. - The report emphasizes the need for a whole-of-economy approach to biodiversity, scaling up financing and implementing equitable measures to address the biodiversity crisis [14][15]. Evaluation Purpose and Scope - The evaluation aims to assess the World Bank Group's performance in supporting biodiversity conservation and integrating biodiversity considerations in key production sectors [15][16]. - It will focus on the relevance and effectiveness of the Bank Group's support, with a particular emphasis on country-level impacts [15][16].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The World Bank has a comparative advantage in development knowledge, which is valued by countries and partners, helping to attract funding and new business [2][3] - The World Bank aims to promote the use of the best global and country knowledge to inform operations, contributing directly and indirectly to outcomes [3][4] - Managing knowledge within the World Bank is complex, with various strategies and reforms implemented over the years to enhance global knowledge flows [4][7] - The new Knowledge Compact for Action aims to transform the World Bank's approach to knowledge, creating a dynamic ecosystem for knowledge flows [7][11] - Past evaluations indicate that projects informed by knowledge inputs tend to perform better, with a strong link between the quality of project teams and project outcomes [9][10] Summary by Sections Background and Context - The World Bank's knowledge is a key differentiator from other development organizations, enhancing its ability to inform client reforms and financing [2][3] - The Strategic Framework for Knowledge (SFK) aims to improve the Bank's knowledge contributions through prioritization systems, staff incentives, and human capital development [4][6] Evaluation Purpose and Objectives - The evaluation aims to improve learning in World Bank-financed operations, focusing on identifying knowledge enablers and barriers to learning [11][12] - It will assess the types of knowledge used in project design and implementation, current knowledge management practices, and provide recommendations for consistent learning [13][21] Evaluation Questions - The evaluation will explore how different types of knowledge inputs inform project design and implementation, the effectiveness of knowledge enablers across operational units, and what is needed for consistent learning [18][19][20] Evaluation Design - A mixed methods approach will be used, including case studies, quantitative analysis, and interviews to gather insights on knowledge inputs and management practices [34][35][36] - The evaluation will focus on projects from 2014 to 2023, covering various financing instruments and regions [22][23] Expected Outputs - The evaluation will produce a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations, aiming to align with the ongoing development of the Knowledge Compact for Action [43][44]

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Research Working Paper 10959 Is Escaping the Fiscal Pro-Cyclicality Trap Possible? Evidence from the Middle East and North Africa Željko Bogetić Dominik Naeher Public Disclosure Authorized Prosperity Practice Group October 2024 A verified reproducibility package for this paper is available at http://reproducibility.worldbank.org, click here for direct access. Policy Research Working Paper 10959 Abstract This paper ...

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized | --- | --- | |----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | | | | Approach Paper | | | Early-Stage | Evaluation of the Multiphase Programmatic | | Approach | | | June 10, 2024 | | | 1. Background and Evaluation Rationale | | 1.1 The multiphase programmatic approach (MPA) is a way of structuring a long, large, or complex engagement—typically over 8–10 years—either as a set of smaller linked operations or phas ...

Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the importance of investing in hydrometeorological services, indicating a benefit-cost ratio of at least 3:1 for every dollar invested in these services [26][39]. Core Insights - The roadmap outlines a strategic approach for the modernization of the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) in Bhutan, focusing on enhancing service delivery and resilience against natural disasters [57][58]. - It highlights the critical role of hydrometeorological information in supporting economic activities, particularly in sectors like hydropower, agriculture, and tourism, which are highly sensitive to climate change [19][37]. - The report identifies significant gaps in the current capabilities of NCHM, including the need for improved observation systems, forecasting models, and ICT infrastructure [28][39]. Summary by Sections Executive Summary - The roadmap provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of hydromet services in Bhutan and proposes a modernization approach in two stages to enhance NCHM's capabilities [57][58]. - It builds on previous efforts and aligns with the National Hydromet Policy 2023, aiming to inform future Five-Year Plans [58][59]. Approach to Modernization - A system-of-systems approach is proposed to analyze and improve the various elements within the NCHM, assessing their maturity on a five-level scale [51]. - The hydrometeorological value chain is emphasized as a framework for understanding service delivery and identifying areas for improvement [51]. Current Status of NCHM Services and Infrastructure - The report details the existing services and infrastructure of NCHM, applying the maturity framework to establish a baseline for future enhancements [52]. - It identifies specific observation networks and forecasting systems that require modernization to meet user needs effectively [12][13]. Roadmap for Modernizing NCHM's Services - The roadmap is divided into short-term (2024-2029) and medium-term (2029-2034) modernization plans, outlining specific recommendations for infrastructure investments and expected improvements in service maturity [53][54]. - It includes detailed cost estimates and timelines for the proposed modernization activities [54][56]. Conclusion - The conclusion emphasizes the need for public-private partnerships and innovative approaches to enhance NCHM's service delivery and resilience [54]. - It calls for stakeholder engagement and a collaborative effort to implement the roadmap effectively [40][54].

Industry Overview - The Results and Performance of the World Bank Group (RAP) 2024 report focuses on analyzing trends in the performance ratings of World Bank Group operations, including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) [2][3] - The report aims to provide a deeper analysis of specific issues, such as the performance of COVID-19-exposed operations and the association between development outcomes, additionality, and work quality ratings in IFC investment projects [3] - The report will also analyze trends in country program ratings and conduct an in-depth review of Bank Group performance at the country level [3] Key Analytical Components - The report will analyze trends in IEG ratings of World Bank Group operations, including outcome type analysis and factors linked to the performance of COVID-19-exposed projects [10] - For IFC investment projects, the report will identify factors specific to work quality and additionality that are associated with development outcomes [10] - The report will also analyze trends in IEG ratings of country programs and factors linked with World Bank Group performance at the country level over a 10-year period [10] Methodology and Approach - RAP 2024 will apply a mix of methods, including statistical analysis, text analysis, and supervised machine learning, to analyze performance ratings and trends [14] - The report will use a three-year rolling average for World Bank and IFC projects and a six-year rolling average for MIGA guarantee projects due to the small number of projects evaluated annually [19] - The analysis will include breakdowns of performance ratings across various dimensions, such as region, fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS), and country lending group [19] Performance Ratings and Outcome Types - The report will analyze the performance ratings of World Bank projects, including outcome, efficacy, and Bank performance, using a six-point scale [63][64][65] - For IFC investment projects, the report will assess development outcomes, additionality, investment outcomes, and work quality, using a six-point scale for development outcomes and a four-point scale for other dimensions [72][73][74][75] - The report will also analyze the performance ratings of MIGA guarantee projects, including development outcomes, MIGA effectiveness, and work quality, using a six-point scale for development outcomes and a four-point scale for other dimensions [84][85][86] Factors Linked to Performance - The report will identify factors linked to the performance of COVID-19-exposed operations, including challenges related to procurement, conflict, and institutional capacity [130] - For IFC investment projects, the report will analyze factors such as unfavorable economic conditions, market competition, and sponsor capacity that affect project performance [111][112] - The report will also explore the association between preparation, processing, and preimplementation scoping time and performance ratings for World Bank, IFC, and MIGA projects [18]