Geopolitical risk in the euro area
Geopolitical risk is a key concern for the euro area, yet most available measures reflect a US perspective. This column introduces a new indicator of
Export strength does not equal tech strength: Rethinking EU comparative advantage
Amid geopolitical shocks, the EU is revisiting its industrial strategy. However, traditional metrics often paint a misleading picture of Europe’s underlying strength. This column uses
Why the US and the WTO should part ways
The US embrace of power politics in the trade arena violates both the letter and spirit of the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade,
When poverty meets fragility: Why the next decade of global poverty reduction is at stake
2024 Marks a Pivotal Shift in the Global Poverty Landscape We need a fundamental rethink of where—and how—the fight against poverty must be waged. This
Envisioning the human development opportunity of AI
Understanding what AI can do and how it is different from previous digital tools gives us a way of imagining pathways through which it could
Human soft skills, the key to using agricultural satellite data
Extreme weather events, population growth, and resource constraints are putting unprecedented pressure on agriculture. To respond, farmers around the world need not just tools and
No hygiene, no health: Fixing the foundations of care
When disease outbreaks strike, systems must hold. But in too many places, the absence of basic services, such as clean water, safe sanitation, reliable energy, and
Unlocking energy, jobs and opportunity for Africa’s growing young population
At a workshop in Marimauta Village, Zimbabwe, business is booming. Local entrepreneurs drop by to commission bespoke machinery. A solar-powered maize processing machine serves farmers
Can Africa Claim the 21st Century?
In 2000, the World Bank published, “Can Africa Claim the 21st Century?” This landmark report proposed four crucial areas of progress, and the priorities that were
Powering more with less: How energy efficiency drives growth and jobs
Picture two houses—one with old windows, no insulation, and older appliances, and the other featuring simple energy-efficient upgrades and equipment. The difference between these neighboring
