The Second Edition (2018) of World Bank Group’s (WBG) “Implementing the 2030 Agenda” outlines Bank’s commitment and actions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each section provides a deeper look at how implementation efforts translate into results on the ground through many examples of the Bank’s projects impact at the local, national, regional, and global levels – and in the full range of sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, technology, climate change, gender equality, business development, energy, and many others.
Key findings:
SDG 1 No poverty: The WBG is working to end poverty and reduce inequality in many ways – from funding projects that can have transformational impacts on communities, to collecting critical data and building the evidence needed to target these programs to reach the poorest and most vulnerable, to helping governments create more inclusive, effective policies and institutions.
SDG 2 Zero hunger: The WBG’s Food and Agriculture Global Practice works with low and middle-income countries and partners to innovate and provide resources so that the food system can help lift people out of poverty, produce safe nutritious food for everyone, and become sustainable and resilient amid resource constraints and climate change.
SDG 3 Good health and well-being: The WBG Global Practice on Health, Nutrition and Population is addressing SDG 3, as well as contributing to other cross-cutting health and nutrition goals. This strategy is implemented both through lending operations to low- and middle-income countries and through analytical work and convening.
SDG 4 Quality education: The WBG is applying a systemic approach to creating and enhancing education systems that deliver learning for children, young adults, and those who need skills in adulthood.
SDG 5 Gender equality: The WBG Gender Strategy has stepped up efforts to help countries and companies close gaps between men and women, boys and girls, and ensure shared progress for all.
SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation: With a portfolio of water investments of $39 billion, WBG is the largest multilateral source of financing for water in developing countries.
SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy: Over the past eight years, the WBG has committed $1.3 billion for off-grid electrification in 24 countries. 90%of these projects were based on renewable energy, mostly solar.
SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth: Three main challenges that most developing countries face are: creating more jobs in the formal sector, increasing the quality of informal jobs and connecting vulnerable groups to jobs. The WBG supports developing countries in design and implementation of integrated, multi-sector, job strategies.
SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure: A big increase in infrastructure investments in emerging market and developing economies is needed to sustainably achieve poverty reduction and shared prosperity and tackle climate change. This is at the heart of the WBG’s Maximizing Finance for Development approach.
SDG 10 Reduced inequalities: Ensuring shared prosperity for all is part of the twin goals of the Bank Group. The Independent Evaluation Group published a report concluding that although there have been significant efforts to incorporate the goal into products and services, more need to be done to translate those efforts into tangible development results.
SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities: The WBG has a strong programme of operations and technical assistance to support countries in implementing SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda, to help make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for all.
SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production: The WBG is providing financing, technical assistance and expertise to help countries sustainably manage their land, sea, and freshwater natural resources.
SDG 13 Climate action: Recognizing that public resources will never be enough to meet SDG13 or the Paris goals, the WBG is prioritizing efforts to leverage private capital by mobilizing more finance for climate action.
SDG 14 Life below water: The WBG is strongly engaged in promoting a sustainable ocean-based economy. Activities and investments range from the prevention of marine pollution, to the management and protection of coastal and marine ecosystems and spaces.
SDG 15 Life on land: The WBG supports an integrated approach for managing land sustainably and for multiple purposes and functions. Managing renewable natural resources in an integrated way across different land uses provides the basis for enhancing people’s livelihoods, security, and resilience to climate variability and change.
SDG 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions: There is an inextricable link between poor governance and persistent poverty that is compounded by fragility, conflict and violence. The WBG is promoting the transparency agenda through technical assistance and capacity building.
SDG 17 Partnerships for the goals: The WBG provides a platform for coordinated action and partnerships with the UN, the other MDBs, bilateral agencies, civil society, foundations, academia, and the private sector.
More information: http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/893311531748303554/2030Agenda-2018Update-July-19.pdf