Issue 5: Standards: The Unsung Heroes of Development
Standards are the hidden foundations of prosperity. They are the shared rules that make plugs fit sockets, medicines work safely, and digital systems connect seamlessly. For developing countries, they are more critical than ever as nearly 90% of global trade is now shaped by nontariff measures, most linked to standards. The new World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development explores how standards should be at the heart of development strategies. Read the main policy messages and use AVA to explore the report, or listen to the key takeaways in our podcast.
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Rethinking Resilience: Adapting to a Changing Climate Report
The report finds that economic development remains among the strongest driver of resilience because higher incomes expand savings, diversify livelihoods, strengthen market access, and increase the fiscal space needed for public investment. Read the policy recommendations and use AVA to explore more, or listen to the main highlights.
International Debt Report 2025
Developing economies paid out $741 billion more in principal and interest than they received in new financing between 2022–24 — the largest net debt outflow in half a century. The new International Debt Report 2025 includes an analysis of end-2024 external debt flows and debt stock positions as well as the macroeconomic and debt outlook for 2025 and beyond. Read the policy messages and dig deeper with AVA.
Expert Insights
Putting debt-strapped countries on a sustainable path
Easing financial conditions offer only a brief window for debt-strapped countries. As World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill notes in this blog, World Bank data show record net outflows and rising human costs—including millions unable to afford a healthy diet. Read more
Economic growth in 2025 has defied the gloomy expectations
2025 has been a rollercoaster for global growth forecasts. Yet, actual activity has remained remarkably resilient. Read and in-depth analysis by Ayhan Kose, Deputy Chief Economist of the World Bank Group; Nikita Perevalov, World Bank Senior economist; Peter Selcuk, World Bank Economist; and Shijie Shi, World Bank Data Scientist. Read more
Economic development is the surest path to climate resilience
World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill explains why stronger economies recover faster from climate shocks and how developing countries can close the resilience gap. Read more
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AGORA in Motion
Follow up content and engagement with our partners
Industrial Policy for Africa Conference
February 16-18, 2026
The Institute for Economic Development, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) Program, and the International Growth Center (IGC) are pleased to invite you to join us in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore the role of industrial policy in Africa’s transformation agenda. The conference will bring together leading researchers to share insights and diverse perspectives on industrial policy. Register by January 16, 2026.
Africa’s Agricultural Moment: Why Food Corridors Are Key to Transforming the Continent
December 19, 2025
Agnes Kalibata, Founder and Chair: C4Impact Advisory Group, and Romina Cavatassi, Program Manager at the Institute for Economic Development, outline why food corridors are a practical solution to unlock scale, reduce trade costs, and make African agriculture more competitive domestically and globally. Read more
Policy Research Working Paper: Work and Opportunity for Africa
December 19, 2025
This paper evaluates the developmental impact of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the United States’ unilateral trade preference program for Sub‑Saharan Africa, over its 25‑year history and outlines priorities for its modernization. The study examines the AGOA experience using U.S. International Trade Commission and related trade statistics, and sectoral and country case studies. Read more
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News & Updates from our Activities
The latest news from our work and our partners.
News and Announcements
Research in Action: Fast, Far, and for All
The Institute for Economic Development is transforming development research into practical, accessible insights that reach more people to drive real-world impact. Our AI‑powered tools, interactive platforms, multilingual podcast, and partnerships help policymakers, practitioners, and experts apply evidence more effectively across contexts. Read more
Expanding Partnerships for a More Resilient Asia
The Institute's Tokyo Center led a consultative visit that brought together a cross-section of Japanese stakeholders, building relationships and identifying opportunities for collaboration under the World Bank’s Resilience workstream. Funded by Japan’s Ministry of Finance, the visit reflected Japan’s ongoing partnership with the World Bank to advance applied research for global public good. Read more
Call for Papers: Mend the Gap in Economic Opportunities in ECA
The Institute for Economic Development, the Axa Gender Lab at Bocconi University, the Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF), the World Bank ECA Gender Innovation Lab (ECAGIL), and the Center for Research on Women and Jobs (CRWJ) invite abstract submissions on key constraints to women’s labor market participation and on effective policies to expand women’s access to jobs, with particular relevance for Europe and Central Asia. Submission deadline: January 16, 2026. Read more
Recent Activities
Regional Consultation on WDR 2026: Artificial Intelligence for Development
December 17, 2025
The Institute for Economic Development Tokyo Center, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank Institute and the Government of Japan, convened a regional consultation on the World Development Report 2026: Artificial Intelligence for Development in Tokyo. The consultation brought together senior policymakers, economists, and global experts to share regional perspectives that will inform the analytical framework and policy recommendations of the forthcoming WDR 2026. Read more
Growth Academy Tokyo
December 15, 2025
The Growth Academy is an intensive program designed to strengthen the link between research and policy in support of economic growth in middle-income countries. In Tokyo, the Growth Academy aims to establish a regional hub for Asia-focused collaboration, addressing the region’s challenges and opportunities, from energy transition and gender equality to technological transformation and business dynamism. Read more
The Middle-Income Trap and Development Strategies in Asia in the Post-Globalization Era
December 15, 2025
The Institute for Economic Development Tokyo Center, in partnership with IDE–JETRO and Asahi Shimbun, convened a high-level symposium in Tokyo examining the World Development Report 2024 through the lens of Asia’s development experience. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to discuss how Asian economies at different stages of growth can overcome the middle-income trap amid shifting global trade dynamics, financial fragilities, and geopolitical uncertainty. Read more
Shaping Asia’s Future Prosperity with Quality Growth
December 9, 2025
The Institute for Economic Development and the Asian Development Bank Institute hosted the conference Shaping Asia’s Future Prosperity with Quality Growth - First Policy Dialogue Roundtable in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event brought together senior policymakers, academics, private sector leaders, and development practitioners to discuss how Asian economies can sustain momentum in the face of slowing productivity, demographic shifts, and technological change. Read more
Expanding the Frontier of Taxation
December 5, 2025
The Institute for Economic Development and the Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF) organized this event in Rome to explore the future of taxation in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) and share insights from the upcoming World Bank Policy Research Report on Domestic Revenue Mobilization. The event explored advances in the global tax debate, showcased country examples and how better evidence can shape more effective Domestic Revenue Mobilization strategies. Read more
Subnational B-Ready Report on Italy: Insights for Regional Competitiveness
December 3, 2025
The Institute for Economic Development and the Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF) hosted the launch of the World Bank Subnational Business Ready (B-Ready) Report on Italy in Rome and discuss Italy's local business environment. The conversation offered an opportunity for participants to take stock of changes, reforms, and progress in the regulatory environment in which Italian firms operate. Read more
Read more news and updates from our activities.
Learning Opportunities with the Data Academy
Join these online courses developed in collaboration with the World Bank Group Data Academy.
Documenting Development Data Using Metadata Standards
Do you want to make your data more effective and AI-ready? Join this online, self-paced course to learn how to build high-quality metadata that makes data easier to find, reuse, and trust. Register here
Introduction to Behavioral Science in Public Policy
This course will equip participants with an introduction into how behavioral science impacts policy design, enhancing outcomes in education, healthcare, social norms, gender equality, tax compliance, climate action and more. Register for this online, self-paced course. Register here
Understanding the Copenhagen Framework
How can citizen data shape policies and improve public services? This online course will present an overview of how citizen data informs decision-making and contributes to building more transparent and responsive communities. Register now for this self-paced course. Register here
Explore additional learning opportunities.
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