Paraguay | World Bank

Paraguay - Pilot Community Development Additional Financing Project

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Paraguay: First Public Sector Programmatic Development Policy Loan

Tue, 05 May 2009 20:34:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$100 million

TERMS: Maturity = 27 years; Grace = 8 years

Project Description: The First Public Sector Programmatic Development Policy Loan Program for Paraguay aims to a) safeguard the proportion of budgeted social expenditure during execution, as a contribution of the anti-crisis plan; and b) pave the way for the reform process in the areas supported by the loan. The Bank operation will also be included in the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) contingency package totaling US$300 million, which is one of the components of the anti-crisis plan aiming at creating fiscal space to soften the impact of the crisis through an increase in public investment and prioritized social expenditures. The operation will focus on four program components: 1) tax system; 2) public sector financial control; 3) expenditure management; and 4) human resources management.

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P113457

World Bank Approves New Strategic Partnership with Paraguay

Tue, 05 May 2009 19:23:28 GMT

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2009 – The World Bank’s Executive Board of Directors announced today a New Strategic Partnership with Paraguay with US$500 million in assistance for 2009-2013. These funds will be used to reduce poverty, foster economic growth and improve governance. The Board also approved a US$100 million Public Sector Policy Development Loan to minimize the impact of the global economic crisis while improving fiscal performance.

“This assistance will provide key support to Paraguay’s Economic Recovery Plan, helping to protect and create jobs and funding social policies that will protect the most vulnerable Paraguayans,” said Dionisio Borda, Paraguay’s finance minister.

Paraguay faces critical challenges in terms of social inclusion and governance. Poverty, traditionally endemic in rural areas, now is also present in urban settings. Overall poverty rates in Paraguay are high compared to other Latin American countries. The country has the fourth highest income inequality rate, while land concentration tops the list worldwide. Furthermore, multiple public opinion surveys have found that most Paraguayans do not trust the government, and consider it corrupt.

“We want to support and strengthen the role of both the government and civil society in transforming Paraguay into a more democratic, equal and prosperous society,” said Pedro Alba, World Bank director for Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. “To this end, we are increasing our project portfolio and strengthening our local presence so as to better respond to the country’s requirements,” he added.

To reach these goals the World Bank / Paraguay Strategic Partnership has the following objectives:

Support poverty reduction and promote social equity through human development and social infrastructure projects and provide technical support to improve land redistribution;
Support the modernization of the state and develop a counter-cyclical fiscal policy to offset the impact of the global financial crisis;
Promote better governance by supporting initiatives to improve government accountability, transparency and integrity.

Mitigate the Impact of the Global Economic Crisis

The First Public Sector Development Policy Loan will fight the effects of the global financial crisis in Paraguay and improve fiscal performance in four key areas:

Improved tax system;
Efficient financial monitoring of the public sector, particularly in state-owned enterprises;
Quality management of public expenditure; and
Human resource policy.

“This support is the result of efforts begun in October, 2008, and will strengthen government institutions, improve public expenditures, and help maintain macroeconomic stability and state-owned companies and regulatory entities. It also will support professional training and better management of civil servants,” said Dionisio Borda, Paraguay’s finance minister

“We strongly support the government’s approach to mitigate the impacts of the global financial crisis. This operation will be an effective contribution to the government’s Economic Reactivation Plan and will be instrumental in safeguarding the progresses made in social policies,” said Rossana Polastri, World Bank representative in Paraguay.

The fixed-rate First Public Sector Development Policy Loan of US$100 million by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the World Bank´s branch for middle-income countries, is payable in 27 years, including an eight-year grace period.

For more information on the “Strategic Partnership with Paraguay” and the World Bank’s work in Paraguay,, please visit: http://www.bancomundial.org.py

Paraguay: Water/Sanitation Sector Modernization Project

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:45:55 GMT

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2009 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:

IBRD Loan: US$64 million

TERMS: Maturity = 27 years; Grace period = 8 years

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project will increase the efficiency, coverage, and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services in Paraguay by (a) improving the governance of the sector, (b) improving water services and increasing access to sewerage services in the Asunción metropolitan area, and (c) increasing access to sustainable water and sanitation services in rural areas.

Media Contact

Gabriela Aguilar

(202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

For more project information, please visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=40941&menuPK=228424&Projectid=P095235

Paraguay: WB Approves US$64 Million to Improve Water, Sanitation for Most Vulnerable

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:00:40 GMT

Contacts:

In Asunción: Ruth González Llamas 664-000
rgonzalez2@worldbank.org

In Buenos Aires: Yanina Budkin (54-11) 4316-9724

ybudkin@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2009 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$64 million loan to increase the efficiency, coverage and sustainability of water and sanitation services in Paraguay. The project will directly benefit almost 17 percent of Paraguayans, especially the most vulnerable and underserved groups.

“The World Bank has supported Paraguay in improving water and sanitation services since the 1970s, and today we continue to support its efforts to expand services to the entire population,” said Pedro Alba, World Bank Director for Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

The Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Project seeks to:

Improve sector governance;
Improve water services and increase access to sanitation in Metropolitan Asunción; and
Increase access to sustainable water and sanitation services in rural areas.

“As seldom in the past years in Paraguay, this modernization program will significantly help to increase water and sanitation coverage and enhance supply efficiency,” said Minister of Public Works and Communications Efraim Alegre, adding that this investment “will benefit a major sector of our population, especially the most vulnerable groups.”

The project is estimated to benefit about one million people who live in the Metropolitan area of Asunción by increasing sewage coverage, treating water effluents, and improving the quality of the supplied drinking water.

In rural areas, the project will benefit nearly 24,500 people with the construction of about 70 water supply systems, to provide the infrastructure to process and obtain drinking water. Additionally, the project seeks to build and/or expand approximately 30 water systems to support more than 6,000 indigenous peoples in rural areas.

Paraguay has limited access to water networks. In rural areas, only 49 percent of the population has access. While nearly 80 percent of Paraguay’s urban residents have access to water, only 15 percent have access to sanitation networks, an issue that has turned critical in Asunción and its Metropolitan Area, where only 33 percent of the population is connected to the sanitation network.

“It is very important for us to be part of the Government of Paraguay’s efforts to strengthen sector institutions and thereby provide sustainable water and sanitation services for the population,” said María Angélica Sotomayor, World Bank Project Manager.

The project also will increase coverage for indigenous populations and implement health education campaigns in rural communities.

The fixed-rate US$64 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a 27-year maturity and an eight-year grace period.

For more information on this project, please visit:

http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=500945&menuPK=500977&Projectid=P095235

For more information on the work of the World Bank in Paraguay, please visit:

http://www.worldbank.org/py

Paraguay - First Public Sector Programmatic Development Policy Loan Program

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The First Public Sector Programmatic Development Policy Loan Program has the objective for Paraguay of: a) safeguarding the proportion of budgeted social expenditure during execution, as a contribution of the anti-crisis plan; and b) paving the way for the reform process in the areas supported by the loan. The operation has been conceived within the context of the FY09-13 CPS to support the implementation of the Government plan and the anti-crisis plan. Building on the dialogue developed with the Government, the Bank intends to contribute through this operation to the Government plan's overall objective of achieving sustainable and more equitable growth by providing direct support to three of its pillars: 1) macroeconomic policy; 2) state-owned enterprises; and 3) state modernization. The Bank operation will also be included in the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) contingency package totaling US$300 million, which is one of the components of the anti-crisis plan aiming at creating fiscal space to soften the impact of the crisis through an increase in public investment and prioritized social expenditures. The operation will focus on four program components: 1) tax system; 2) public sector financial control; 3) expenditure management; and 4) human resources management.

Paraguay - Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Project

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The development objective of the Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Project for Paraguay is to increase the efficiency, coverage, and sustainability of water supply and sanitation (WSS) services in Paraguay by: (a) improving the governance of the sector; (b) improving water services and increasing access to sewerage services in the Asuncion metropolitan area; and (c) increasing access to sustainable water and sanitation services in rural areas. There are three components to the project. The first component of the project is support to the modernization of sector governance and institutional strengthening. The component includes support for: (a) the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) to strengthen the recently created Water and Sewerage Services Unit; (b) strengthening the Regulatory Entity (ERSSAN) to effectively regulate the sector; and (c) the Environmental Secretariat (SEAM) by strengthening the water resources and the environmental licensing directorates. The second component of the project is urban WSS and institutional strengthening of the Sanitary Services Company of Paraguay (ESSAP). This component includes: (a) institutional strengthening and corporate governance of ESSAP; and (b) priority WSS infrastructure investments. The third component of the project is rural water supply, sanitation, and hygiene education and institutional strengthening of the National Environmental Sanitation Service (SENASA). This component includes: (a) strengthening the SENASA and its governance; (b) increasing coverage of WSS for indigenous communities; (c) increasing coverage of WSS, and hygiene education in rural communities; and (d) construction and/or expansion of services in rural communities using minimum subsidy schemes.

Paraguay - Public Sector Reform Project

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Paraguay - Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Project

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Paraguay - Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Project

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Involuntary resettlement and acquisition of property policy framework

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The development objective of the Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Program Project for Paraguay is to contribute to the improvement of health and the quality of life of the population through the expansion of the coverage of drinking water and sanitation services, the consolidation of the legal and institutional framework, and the improvement of institutional efficiency. With regard to the urban area, from the assessment of the prioritized list of works, no involuntary displacement is expected. Any resettlement (if it did materialize) will be small (no exceeding 200 people). However, the classification of subprojects of the environmental and social framework envisages actions and procedures to be followed in case any involuntary displacement in urban areas does occur. Once the location of the works is known during program implementation, individual resettlements plan will be prepared for each subproject as necessary, but at this stage no expropriation or taking of land is envisaged. If individual resettlement plans are necessary, they will be approved by the Bank before being implemented. In rural areas, works may not cause involuntary displacement since the National Environmental Health Service (SENASA) requirement states that the communities to be assisted by them have to demonstrate availability of suitable land for construction of systems; therefore the resettlement policy for rural areas may not apply. However, the classification of subprojects of the framework envisages actions and procedures to be followed in case involuntary displacement occurs. Mitigation measures include: census and socioeconomic survey of displaced households and/or businesses; impacts caused by displacement; valuation of assets; description of compensation and other resettlement assistance to be provided; consultations with displaced people about acceptable alternatives; timetable; budget; institutional responsibility for implementation and procedures for grievance redress; and arrangements for monitoring and implementation.

Paraguay - Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Program Project : indigenous peoples management framework

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The development objective of the Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Program Project for Paraguay is to contribute to the improvement of health and the quality of life of the population through the expansion of the coverage of drinking water and sanitation services, the consolidation of the legal and institutional framework, and the improvement of institutional efficiency. No negative impacts to indigenous peoples (IP) are expected; however several subprojects will take place in rural areas where indigenous zones are located. IP in Paraguay are the most excluded social group, experiencing extreme poverty and serious social problems. They represent only 1.7 percent of the total population (about 87,100 people), according to the most recent Indigenous Peoples Census (2002). Notwithstanding, IP, show a higher population growth rate (3.9 percent) than the average for the national population (2.7 percent). Therefore, it is possible to expect that the proportion of IP will continue to grow for some time, even though they will continue to be a small proportion of the total population, and where will continue to be some assimilation into the population. Poverty among IP is extremely high. While there are no nation-wide representative household survey data regarding poverty among indigenous peoples, existing data from various projects financed by the World Bank and other donors, as well as local Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working with IP in Paraguay, suggest that the poverty rate among IP will be above 95 percent. It is important to note that IP's survival strategies include a combination of economic activities (subsistence farming, hunting, fishing, gathering, occasional paid labor, and handicrafts). However, the precarious state of these different activities results in persistent poverty and extreme vulnerability to shocks. Mitigation measures include: i) refining eligibility criteria to prioritize areas of interventions and groups to benefit; ii) participation strategies and delivery modes with positive identification of the most vulnerable groups, including a gender perspective; and iii) mechanisms to coordinate the supply and demand of water and sanitation investment in indigenous communities.

Draft integral environmental assessment terms of reference

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The objective of the Water and Sanitation Sector Modernization Program Project is to contribute to the improvement of health and the quality of life of the population through the expansion of the coverage of drinking water and sanitation services, the consolidation of the legal and institutional framework, and the improvement of institutional efficiency. Low sewerage coverage is a critical problem in Asuncion and its metropolitan area, where only 33 percent of the population is connected to the system. The rest of the wastewater is discharged into shallow aquifers (which in turn are used as a source of water supply) or directly into the streets, creating serious public health and environmental pollution concerns. Both the public utility Sanitary Services Company of Paraguay (ESSAP) which provides water and sanitation in urban areas and the National Environmental Health Service (SENASA), the public entity of technical assistance provider for rural areas has an inventory of prioritized works to be financed through the loan. Rural works include construction or expansion of water systems, and condominial sewerage. For these construction works, minor environmental impacts, mostly nuisances (disposal of construction waste, dust and noise, erosion control, protection of spring catchments in rural areas, etc.) will be addressed by appropriate guidelines that will be incorporated into the technical specifications of construction contracts. Mitigation measures include: (i) consolidating and improving water resources management in the country; (ii) connecting people to sewage collection and treatment systems in Asuncion's metropolitan area and other urban centers, thereby protecting water sources; and (iii) increasing the efficiency of the water supply services.

Environmental and social management framework

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Consultations on the Bank Web Site

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:37:38 GMT

Dear reader,

A few years ago, the World Bank’s Web site was noted as a leader among development organizations’ websites. As technology has rapidly advanced and user expectations evolved, our Web site too needs to change and adapt.

You come to our Web site because you are looking for the latest information on development. Our project information, data and research assist you in tackling your challenges or keeping up on the Bank’s activities.

Now we’re catching up. We are revamping our Web site and expanding our online capabilities to better satisfy our business needs and meet audience demands.

We’re examining all aspects of the site—content, technology, business needs and audience demands—to figure out what needs to stay, be improved or be removed.

This is a complex undertaking. We are currently gathering information to determine requirements for our future site.

Through our open online consultation, we are looking for comments from anyone who wishes to discuss their information needs and any difficulties they encounter with the site. The online consultation period ends on December 31, 2008.

All feedback we receive will inform the future design and functionality of the Web site by informing Bank management on audience needs.

Our ultimate goal is to make the Web site better support the institution’s mission of fighting global poverty and helping countries develop.

Your feedback will bring us closer to this goal.

Thank you,

Angie Gentile
Managing Editor, www.worldbank.org

Global food and fuel crisis will increase malnourished by 44 million

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Contacts:
In Washington :Carl Hanlon 202-473-8087; chanlon@worldbank.org;
Philip Hay 202-473-1796
phay@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2008 – High food and fuel prices will increase the number of malnourished people around the world in 2008 by 44 million to reach a total of 967 million, a report from the World Bank says.

While food and fuel price increases may have moderated in recent months, prices remain much higher than previous years and show few signs of declining significantly, according to the report entitled “Rising food and fuel prices: addressing the risks to future generations”. Poor families around the world are being pushed to the brink of survival, causing irreparable damage to the health of millions of children. As families cut back on spending, there are also grave risks for the educational performance of poor children.

“While people in the developed world are focused on the financial crisis, many forget that a human crisis is rapidly unfolding in developing countries. It is pushing poor people to the brink of survival,” said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. “The financial crisis will only make it more difficult for developing countries to protect their most vulnerable people from the impact of rising food and fuel costs.”

The report, due to be presented on Sunday to the Development Committee at the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF, says the food and fuel crisis could have long term effects on poor people and countries. Malnourished children cannot develop into healthy adults and become productive members of society who can contribute to the growth needed to lift themselves and their country out of poverty.

The report says priority should be given to a series of targeted measures. These include:

Making existing targeted cash (or near cash) transfer programs more generous;
Getting nutrition to infants and pregnant women;
expanding so-called ”in-kind” food distribution programs including school feeding and the distribution of fortified calorically dense food;
using fee waivers, lifeline-pricing and other forms of targeted subsidies for poor users/consumers; and
introducing additional measures to prevent children from dropping out of school, such as fee waivers, subsidies for school inputs, or cash transfers.

The report also argues that allocating the necessary amount of budget to finance an expansion of safety net programs may require pruning less-priority spending in other areas. But it notes that well-designed safety net programs do not have to be prohibitively expensive to be effective. Some of the most successful programs in the world cost well under 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product. Moreover, investing in safety net programs now will give governments new tools to address not just the current crisis, but future ones as well.

In May, the World Bank launched a $1.2 billion rapid financing facility to help poor countries cope with the food crisis. Since then, around US$850 million has been committed to finance seeds, plantings, and feeding programs. In April, Zoellick called for a New Deal for Global Food Policy that included short, medium and long-term measures to provide immediate help to poor people and farmers while increasing food production.

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For more information on the Bank's work in nutrition, please visit: www.worldbank.org/nutrition

and for more on social safety nets, click here: www.worldbank.org/safetynets

New report on economic growth offers lessons on achieving sustained, high economic growth

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:11:32 GMT

Contacts:

In Washington:

Maya Brahmam at +1-202-473-6231 or email at mbrahmam@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2008 – The World Bank Group welcomes a new report by the independent Commission on Growth and Development, a global panel of eminent experts, which reveals important lessons from countries that have achieved high, long-term economic growth. The experts say the lessons learned could help policy makers in developing countries as they seek to set their countries on a steady growth path.

The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development says integration into the world economy, maintaining high rates of savings and investment, and committed, capable governments are among the key features of countries that have sustained growth rates above 7 percent for 25 uninterrupted years since World War II.

"This report underscores to the development community that one size doesn’t fit all." said World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick. I am especially pleased that it draws on input from first class practitioners and leaders who have hands-on pragmatic and practical experience of making inclusive development a success. This will help enrich the thinking and practice of the World Bank Group as well as others in the development field.” “

High, long-lasting growth is not easily achieved, but the report by some of the world’s top policy-makers and thinkers, believes it can be reproduced in developing countries, giving them a chance to reduce poverty and improve opportunity and quality of life for their citizens.

“We are acutely aware that there are no silver bullets to create long-running, inclusive growth, and that no single paradigm exists,” says Commission Vice Chair Danny Leipziger, who is also Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management at the World Bank. “While seeking to identify those key elements that can lead to long running and inclusive growth, the report is clear that policy makers will need to customize and experiment with polices rather than follow any rigid set of guidelines.”

Commission Chairman Michael Spence said: " What makes the report so unique is that it was prepared by policymakers, many from developing countries, who have been in the trenches themselves and have learned what works and why. It is these commissioners who are now providing their insights to the next generation of policymakers on ways to improve growth prospects and the quality of life in the poor parts of the globe."

Spence is one of two Nobel Laureates on the 21-member commission comprising leaders from business, government and academia. The Commissioners come from 18 countries that include a broad mix of developing, emerging and developed economies, as well as small island states and populous, large countries.

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To download full report click here:

http://www.growthcommission.org/

World Bank Broadens Transport Agenda

Wed, 21 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Contacts
In Washington:
Roger Morier (202) 473 5675, rmorier@worldbank.org
Anna Piasecka (202) 458 7027, apiasecka@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 21, 2008 – The World Bank Group today launched a new transport business strategy for 2008-2012 that will help partner countries establish the governance, strategies, policies and services to deliver transport for development in a way that is economically, financially, environmentally and socially sustainable.

Called Safe, Clean, and Affordable… Transport for Development, the business strategy strengthens the alignment of the transport sector approach with the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2000. At the same time, it widens the directions and deepens the routes that will be taken to meet the evolving development agenda. It gives more attention to emerging trends, such as trade globalization, urbanization of populations; rising concerns about climate change, the increase in traffic congestion; and the recognition of access as a key to both economic opportunity and good governance.

“In striving to achieve its development objectives—and foremost to eradicate poverty—the World Bank Group is mobilizing the transport sector to the fullest possible extent,” said Katherine Sierra, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development. ”To that end, the transport business strategy aligns Bank Group instruments along a few key strategic directions that will pave the way to truly sustainable development, one where transport plays a crucial role.”

“In a world with rising levels of greenhouse gases, poor road safety, and the too-frequent spread of communicable diseases along international routes, transport must be looked at anew. A coherent way forward requires innovative thinking and cooperation among sectors to optimize the role of transport without jeopardizing personal and commercial mobility.”

The Bank Group consulted widely in preparing its new business strategy, seeking contributions from over 75 transport development partners, governments, professional institutions, civil society organizations, multilateral and bilateral donors, and putting an early draft on its external website for four months to elicit public comments.

Safe Transport
Acknowledging the importance of transport for achieving public health outcomes within the Millennium Development Goals, the strategy stresses the need to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to address safety in all transport modes, especially road transport. It also addresses the safety issue in air transport which, although globally much safer, still shows a safety record significantly affecting growth and investment prospects in some regions, in particular Sub-Saharan Africa. Transport and supply-chain security has also become a major issue in ensuring fair access of developing country exports to developed markets, and needs to be addressed as a new global public good.

“Road crashes kill an estimated 1.2 million people a year and injure 50 million more, disproportionately affecting the poor,” said Anthony Bliss, Lead Road Safety Specialist, Program Coordinator for the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility. “We are placing special emphasis on road safety, extending our support to include not only road safety components embedded in road infrastructure projects, but also larger stand-alone projects to formulate national policies and strategies that would improve road safety across the board. We will also pursue cross-sectoral approaches, such as including pre-hospital components in road programs and road safety components in health programs.”

Clean Transport
Urban air pollution, 90 percent of it generated by motor vehicles, kills an estimated 800,000 people each year. Transport now produces approximately 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reflecting the contribution of transport to the wider environmental aims of the Millennium Development Goals, the strategy encompasses the transport-energy-environment nexus, from the energy consumption to the emissions and climate change impact perspectives. Going forward, the World Bank Group will be working to help restrain transport energy consumption. It will be assessing and controlling transport projects emissions, favoring shifts to low carbon modes.

“We are setting guidelines for environmentally effective transport planning and decision making,” said Jamal Saghir, Director, Energy, Transport and Water Department and Chair of the Transport Sector Board. “We are seeking ways to mitigate the effects of transport on the climate—and the effects of climate change on transport asset. We intend to build climate change issues into transport project appraisals where appropriate.”

Affordable Transport
An estimated 1 billion people in low-income countries lack access to an all-weather road. Affordable transport can enhance mobility and inclusion. It can promote social, economic, and political integration, by keeping a country together despite geographic disparities, by overcoming potential disputes over access to resources, and by defusing the seeds of conflict that sometimes arise from feelings of isolation.

Marc Juhel, Sector Manager for Transport stressed the fact that affordability concerns not only the rural and urban poor, but also the whole freight economy, aiming at improving competitiveness to foster stronger economic growth:

“The strategy stresses the need for better knowledge and control of transport costs, for both passengers and freight, on domestic and regional, urban and rural settings. The implementation of an effective urban transport strategy, reaching out to the growing urban poor population, is a key element of this approach. On the freight side, the cooperative work on trade and transport facilitation—in particular on customs and transit issues—will be strengthened.”

World Bank contribution to transport over previous decade
Since the Bank’s 1996 transport strategy, Sustainable Transport, was endorsed by the World Bank’s Board of Directors, the Bank Group has committed around US$42 billion for more than 530 dedicated transport operations and transport components in over 500 non-transport specific projects in more than 100 client countries. Lending in fiscal year 2007 (July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007) reached over US$5 billion, amounting to 20 percent of World Bank Group new annual commitments.

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View the transport business strategy—Safe, Clean, and Affordable… Transport for Development at: http://www.worldbank.org/transport

World Bank Group President Appoints Vice President of Institutional Integrity

Mon, 05 May 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Contacts:
In Washington: Carl Hanlon (202) 473 8087
chanlon@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. May 5, 2008 – World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick has named South African Leonard McCarthy to head the Bank’s Department of Institutional Integrity (INT). McCarthy has earned international recognition for investigations and prosecutions of individuals engaged in corruption as head of South Africa’s Directorate of Special Operations.

“Leonard McCarthy is recognized worldwide for his integrity, independence, and effectiveness in fighting corruption and strengthening good governance,” says Zoellick. “This is the first time that the Department of Institutional Integrity will be headed at the level of Vice President, and McCarthy brings to the post stature, skill, and tested experience. This post is critical for our work, reputation, and fiduciary duty. I am confident that he will bring effective leadership to our highest obligation to protect the Bank’s assets and hold people, businesses, and governments responsible if they steal from the poor.”

McCarthy’s work with South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority has included investigating and prosecuting high profile cases of financial crime, organized crime, and high-level corruption. He has worked closely with African governments and law enforcement officials across the globe to expose and prosecute transnational financial crime. McCarthy was formerly a Director of Public Prosecutions appointed by President Nelson Mandela.

An experienced trial lawyer, he has held numerous positions in government, including Investigating Director in the Office for Serious Economic Offenses, Deputy Attorney General in Cape Province and Senior Public Prosecutor. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of South Africa in Cape Town.

Following talks with the South African government, President Mbeki has agreed to release McCarthy from service, to take up the position at the World Bank on June 30, 2008.

“I am honored to receive this appointment and to be joining the World Bank, I believe strongly in its vision, said McCarthy. “President Zoellick has made clear to me the strong emphasis he places on INT’s role, its need for strong, highly skilled people who will both pursue investigations and integrate anti-corruption work into Bank projects across the world. I am committed to delivering results and building on INT’s work to strengthen financial due diligence and ensure that precious development resources benefit people who need them most.”

McCarthy was selected from a list of candidates assessed by an internal search committee with the addition of former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, who led a review of INT last year. In his report Volcker called for greater attention to protect against corruption in designing and implementing Bank programs.

Mr. Volcker has welcomed the fact that: “the Bank is now implementing the recommendations of the Panel he chaired, importantly including elevating the head of INT to the level of vice president.”

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World Bank Marks World Press Freedom Day with Study on Broadcasting and Development

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Contact:

In Washington: Christopher Neal, (202) 473-2049

Cneal1@worldbank.org

MAPUTO, May 2, 2008—The World Bank marked World Press Freedom Day by launching a study outlining conditions under which radio, television and online broadcasting can fulfil a vital role in development by making governments accountable, and giving voice to the world’s poor.

“Huge numbers of people, including those who can’t read, have access to broadcast media,” said Kreszentia Duer, of the World Bank Institute (WBI), who presented the study, Broadcasting, Voice and Accountability, at a conference here on freedom of expression hosted by UNESCO. “In countries with strong oral traditions, community broadcasting can enable people to share information and raise issues with a large audience, and hold government officials to account. This makes broadcasting a powerful tool for enhancing governance and promoting development.”

The 400-page study, subtitled A Public Interest Approach to Policy, Law and Regulation, is the result of five years of research by six media experts, including Ms. Duer, Steve Buckley, president of the World Association of Community Broadcasters; Toby Mendel, ARTICLE 19, Global Campaign for Free Expression; Seán Ó Siochrú, founder of the Campaign for Communication Rights in the Information Society; Monroe E. Price, of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania; and Marc Raboy, of Canada’s McGill University.

The study reviews broadcasting practices and regulations around the world, and identifies those which produce an “enabling environment” for broadcasting that is free, independent and pluralistic. These characteristics are essential, the report says, for broadcasting to perform an effective role in giving people voice, and ensuring government accountability.

Drawing from their research, the authors propose standards on freedom of expression, access to information, use and misuses of defamation law, content rules and limits to free speech, and the regulation of journalists. The study also offers guidelines on best practice for broadcast regulators, as well as the respective roles of public service, community non-profit, and commercial private sector broadcasters, all of which, it argues, should be present in a healthy media environment.

Co-author Steve Buckley notes that increased movement towards democracy in developing countries opens the way to build broadcasting that serves the public interest.

“Countries that are opening their economies, democratizing, and decentralizing public service delivery are looking for guidance on how to involve citizens in decisions that affect them,” he said. “Broadcasting, enabled by the right regulation and conditions, can empower groups through bottom-up participation.”

The book cites countries that have developed systems to enhance the quality and diversity of media content, while fully respecting freedom of expression, and identifies ways in which government regulation can expand access to broadcast media. Community broadcasting, for example, can be encouraged through special licensing arrangements that guarantee fair and equitable access to radio frequencies and financial support.

“This book focuses on useful proactive approaches to setting up, sustaining, and governing broadcasting systems across the world,” said Ruth Teer-Tomaselli, UNESCO Chair in Communication for Southern Africa at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. “It’s based on sound scholarship and provides practical advice for policymakers, media scholars and broadcasters alike.”

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