Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry or municipality of Kalamata. Core Insights - Kalamata is positioned as a significant urban center in the Messinia region, with a population growth of 4.4% from 2011 to 2021, contrasting with an overall regional decline of 8.7% [17] - The municipality is experiencing a boost in tourism, particularly with investments in luxury tourism expected to reach €2.5 billion, which will enhance local employment and economic dynamics [12][13] - Agriculture remains a vital sector, with Kalamata olives accounting for 75% of the region's agri-food production, and the sector represents the largest share of enterprises in the municipality [14] - The local economy is diversifying with a focus on sustainability, tourism, agri-food, bioeconomy, and renewable energy as potential growth areas [15] Summary by Sections Quick Facts on Region and Municipal Area - Kalamata is the capital of Messinia, characterized by a low population density of 37.2 inhabitants per km² and rich historical sites [10] - The region is a development pole due to its cultural, educational contributions, and strategic location along major road networks [10] Demographics - The total population of the Messinia regional unit is 146,080, with Kalamata housing 72,906 residents, marking a 4.4% increase since 2011 [17] Human Capital/Labor Market - The potential labor catchment area of Kalamata includes approximately 64,347 individuals, with a labor force participation rate of 67.9% among adults aged 25 to 64 [19][21] - Educational attainment is moderate, with 60% of the workforce having completed secondary school or less [22] Structural Composition of the Economy - As of 2020, there were 11,436 registered enterprises in Kalamata, with a business density of 157 enterprises per 1,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than the European average [36] - Micro and small-to-medium enterprises (MSMEs) account for at least 91% of total registered enterprises, with agriculture, forestry, and fisheries being the largest sector [36][37] Sectoral Analysis - Over 70% of employment is concentrated in four sectors: accommodation and food service activities (20.3%), wholesale and retail trade (20.2%), agriculture (14.5%), and education (14.2%) [38] - Employment in accommodation and food services grew by 47% from 2015 to 2020, while wholesale and retail trade increased by 36% [39] Economic Performance - The municipality's economy is benefiting from significant investments in tourism and infrastructure, which are expected to enhance local employment opportunities [12][13] Private Sector Investments - The report highlights ongoing investments in luxury tourism and infrastructure improvements, including airport connectivity and road enhancements [12][13] Research and Innovation - Kalamata hosts several educational institutions, including the University of Peloponnese, which contributes to the local labor market and innovation [23] Development Opportunities - Future growth areas identified include tourism, agri-food, bioeconomy, and renewable energy, aligning with the municipality's sustainability goals [15]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - Gabon's economic recovery is expected to continue, supported by new exploration and growth in mining, wood, and agriculture, despite challenges such as lower oil revenues and increased spending pressures [16] - The forestry sector is emerging as a key driver in Gabon's diversification agenda, contributing significantly to jobs and exports, while also playing a crucial role in climate commitments [19][20] - Gabon's forests absorb approximately 140 million tons of CO2 annually, highlighting their importance in global climate efforts [19] - The government is implementing fiscal reforms to optimize forest resources, aiming to secure higher public revenues and meet environmental goals [22] Summary by Sections Overview - Gabon's economy showed resilience amid political events, with a 3.7% increase in oil output benefiting from high global prices [14] - Inflationary pressures eased, with consumer price inflation falling to 2.2% year-on-year in December 2023, down from a peak of 5.8% [15] - Poverty affected 35.2% of households, with high unemployment and insufficient job creation contributing to economic challenges [15] Recent Economic Trends and Outlook - Global growth declined from 3.0% in 2022 to an estimated 2.6% in 2023, impacting Gabon's economic performance [25] - Gabon's fiscal revenues reached a record high of 22.9% of GDP in 2023, driven by strong oil production and enhanced tax collection [15] - The trade surplus was affected by lower oil prices and weaker performance in wood and manganese exports, with oil constituting 68% of total exports [15] Designing Fiscal Instruments for Sustainable Forestry - The forestry sector accounted for 3.2% of GDP and 6% of exports in 2023, becoming a major source of jobs and economic diversification [20] - Gabon has implemented a log export ban to promote local timber processing, which has transformed the wood sector into a significant economic pillar [20] - Fiscal policies are being reformed to integrate climate-smart instruments, aiming to enhance public revenues while promoting sustainable forestry practices [22][23]

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 ...