Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

World Bank Institute for Economic Development

An AI-powered, expert-led podcast on cutting-edge policy solutions for today’s biggest development challenges, direct from our global research network. 🌐 Listen to other languages: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/wbginstitute

  1. −4 d

    Episode 38 The Next Growth Model: How East Asia Can Thrive in an AI-Driven World

    Global private investment in generative AI reached $34 billion in 2024, while AI-related exports account for 34% of GDP in Malaysia and 32% in Viet Nam. Yet growth in East Asia and Pacific is projected to slow from 5.0% in 2025 to 4.2% in 2026. In this episode, we explore how one of the world's most dynamic regions can sustain growth in an era of slowing productivity, rising trade uncertainty, and rapid technological change. Drawing on the East Asia and Pacific Economic Update 2026, we examine the opportunities and challenges of industrial policy in the digital age—from investing in human capital and opening services markets to supporting innovation while avoiding costly policy mistakes. We also discuss how AI is reshaping competitiveness and what governments can do to help firms and workers benefit from the next wave of growth. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/east-asia-and-pacific-economic-update

    9 min

  2. 6 juni

    Episode 37 When One Shipping Route Stops: The Global Shock Behind Rising Prices and Slower Growth

    What happens when a single shipping route that carries a large share of the world's energy supply suddenly stops functioning? In March 2026, global oil supply fell by an estimated 10 million barrels per day—roughly one-tenth of world consumption—the largest oil supply shock on record. This episode examines how that disruption is projected to push commodity prices up 16 percent in 2026, slow growth in developing economies to 3.6 percent, and increase pressures on food systems, inflation, and global supply chains. We also explore what policymakers can do to strengthen resilience against future shocks. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/f3138644a1e8e2bb631399ae11d6c408-0050012026/original/CMO-April-2026.pdf

    10 min

  3. 9 maj

    Episode 36 The Return of Industrial Policy: What's Driving the Surge in Europe and Central Asia?

    Europe and Central Asia has announced more than 2,600 industrial policies since 2009 — more than one new intervention every day for sixteen years. But have these policies actually delivered stronger growth, resilience, and diversification? In this episode, we unpack the findings of the World Bank’s Spring 2026 Europe and Central Asia Economic Update. From slowing growth and persistent inflation to rising subsidies and geopolitical pressures, the discussion explores why industrial policy has returned to the center of economic strategy across the region. The episode examines what tends to make industrial policy succeed, where it often fails, and why open trade, competitive markets, and structural reforms remain essential foundations for long-term growth. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f6424ef3-a279-4872-a77a-34cf01c4c8af/content

    11 min

  4. 2 maj

    Episode 35 WDR2025 Mini Series: 3 How Do Standards Help Us Breathe Cleaner Air?

    Ninety-nine percent of people worldwide breathe air that fails to meet safety standards. In this episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development mini series, we explore why standards alone are not enough—and what happens when enforcement, data, and capacity fall short. Drawing on Chapters 6–8, the episode unpacks the “compliance gap,” where strict rules exist on paper but fail in practice. We examine how weak monitoring systems leave governments unable to enforce air quality standards, how fragmented regulations shift pollution across borders, and how better-designed systems—from China’s coordinated reforms to Rwanda’s tiered standards—can deliver real results. The episode also looks beyond air, showing how standards shape public sector performance, service delivery, and global coordination in an increasingly complex world. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025

    12 min

  5. 25 apr.

    Episode 34 Can Standards Make—or Break—Firms and Services?

    47% fewer fatalities—just by using a simple surgical checklist. In this second episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mini series, we explore how standards can make—or break—firms and the delivery of essential services. Drawing on Chapters 4 and 5 of the WDR25 report, we examine how the rise of technical regulations—now covering nearly 90% of global trade—has reshaped opportunities for firms while creating costly barriers. The episode also shows how the same standards shape health and education outcomes—from checklists that reduce fatalities to adaptive teaching models that double learning gains. We highlight how countries can lower compliance costs through domestic quality infrastructure and alignment, while adopting phased, process-oriented standards to expand access and improve service delivery. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025

    11 min

  6. 18 apr.

    Episode 33 How Can Standards Unlock or Block Development?

    Two hundred thousand euros—sometimes more than a firm’s entire annual revenue—just to meet international standards. In this third episode of the World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development (WDR25) mni series, we explore how standards can either unlock growth or become costly barriers to trade.   Drawing on Chapters 1–3 of the WDR25 report, we unpack the “vicious circle of low quality,” where weak demand, limited capacity, and high compliance costs reinforce each other. The episode examines how governments can avoid copying overly ambitious rules without enforcement capacity and instead choose the right balance between voluntary and mandatory standards.   Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts.   Read more at https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2025

    11 min

  7. 11 apr.

    Episode 32 From Dialogue to Direction: AGORA 2025 on Rethinking Agriculture as a System in Africa

    Africa imports $70–80 billion of food each year—even for products it could often produce competitively. This episode revisits dialogues held at AGORA 2025 to explore why. We examine a key shift: viewing agriculture not as a sector, but as a system shaped by markets, infrastructure, technology, finance, institutions and people. The discussion highlights the “hidden middle”—where much of the value addition and job creation actually happens—and why weak market linkages continue to limit impact. We also unpack persistent barriers, from financing gaps and climate risks to policy uncertainty, and what it takes to build more connected, functioning and resilient agrifood systems.  Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/7f05de3a99602388dce224151870a1b1-0050012026/original/AGORA-Takeaways-of-Agribusiness-Session.pdf

    9 min

  8. 4 apr.

    Episode 31 From Dialogue to Direction: What AGORA 2025 Revealed About Africa’s Energy Future

    Over 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity—but as discussions at AGORA 2025 made clear, access alone is no longer enough. This episode reflects on key conversations from the inaugural Africa Growth and Opportunity: Research in Action (AGORA 2025) conference, where policymakers, researchers, and practitioners examined what it truly takes to power growth. At AGORA 25, participants explored a critical shift in thinking—from expanding connections to delivering reliable, affordable energy that enables firms to grow, create jobs, and drive competitiveness. The discussions highlighted a dual-track approach: continuing household electrification while prioritizing energy for productive use. But they also surfaced difficult trade-offs—around pricing, financing, governance, and political feasibility. The episode unpacks discussions around why institutional quality remains the make-or-break factor, how financing gaps can be addressed through reform, and what remains uncertain—from risk allocation to measuring real economic impact. Looking ahead, AGORA 2026 will build on these insights, turning dialogue into tested solutions and sustained partnerships. Generated with AI using wondercraft.ai and guided by our experts. Read more at https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/74c381a242831efd02d6b88d437401e7-0050012026/original/AGORA-Takeaways-of-Energy-Session.pdf

    12 min
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Om

An AI-powered, expert-led podcast on cutting-edge policy solutions for today’s biggest development challenges, direct from our global research network. 🌐 Listen to other languages: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/wbginstitute

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  • Skapad av
    World Bank Institute for Economic Development
  • Aktiva år
    2025 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    49
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Programmets webbplats
    Accelerating Development: Ideas for Impact

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