The drought in Afghanistan has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, compelling some families to sell their daughters to pay off debt or buy food. (Photo: AFP) Her father saw them and assumed they were already together. He told her she had to marry the man and live with him. She dropped out of school and soon became pregnant. It was only when her husband became abusive that she was allowed back to the family home. Since then, Ms Topodzi has been working to stop other girls having the same experience. She took on the government to change the law and increase the minimum legal age of consent for marriage from 16 to 18. "As a mother and survivor of child marriage, I am so passionate about ending child marriage," she told AFP at a recent conference on the subject in Ghana's capital Accra. "I know how it feels to be married early and I know how you handle things in your marriage - that is so difficult." HIGH RATES According to a new World Bank report, more than a third of … [Read more...] about Child marriage costs countries billions in lost earnings: World Bank
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World Bank pledges US$200b for climate action
The World Bank on Monday (Dec 3) unveiled US$200 billion in climate action investment for 2021-25, adding this amounts to a doubling of its current five-year funding. File photo of smoke from factories. (Photo: AFP/TORSTEN BLACKWOOD) The World Bank said the move, coinciding with a UN climate summit meeting of some 200 nations in Poland, represented a "significantly ramped up ambition" to tackle climate change, "sending an important signal to the wider global community to do the same." Developed countries are committed to lifting combined annual public and private spending to $100 billion in developing countries by 2020 to fight the impact of climate change - up from 48.5 billion in 2016 and 56.7 billion last year, according to latest OECD data. Southern hemisphere countries fighting the impact of warming temperatures are nonetheless pushing northern counterparts for firmer commitments. In a statement, the World Bank said the breakdown of the $200 billion would comprise … [Read more...] about World Bank pledges US$200b for climate action
World Bank promises $200 bn in 2021-25 climate cash
The World Bank on Monday unveiled $200 billion in climate action investment for 2021-25, adding this amounts to a doubling of its current five-year funding. Much of the climate action financing is being set aside for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, notably through development of renewable energy strategies The World Bank said the move, coinciding with a UN climate summit meeting of some 200 nations in Poland, represented a "significantly ramped up ambition" to tackle climate change, "sending an important signal to the wider global community to do the same." Developed countries are committed to lifting combined annual public and private spending to $100 billion in developing countries by 2020 to fight the impact of climate change -- up from 48.5 billion in 2016 and 56.7 billion last year, according to latest OECD data. Southern hemisphere countries fighting the impact of warming temperatures are nonetheless pushing northern counterparts for firmer commitments. In a … [Read more...] about World Bank promises $200 bn in 2021-25 climate cash
HCM City signs MoU with World Bank
HCM City authorities on November 14 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank on a comprehensive partnership for strategic engagements in the 2018-21 period. — VNA/VNS Phto Xuân Khu HCM CITY — HCM City authorities on November 14 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank on a comprehensive partnership for strategic engagements in the 2018-21 period. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nguyễn Thành Phong, chairman of HCM City’s People’s Committee, said the signing of the MoU was an important milestone, deepening the cooperation between the World Bank and HCM City in the coming time. The World Bank is one of HCM City’s long-term partners, he said, adding that its investment projects and technical assistance have contributed to improving infrastructure and the quality of life of its residents. He said the city hoped to continue to receive assistance from foreign partners so that … [Read more...] about HCM City signs MoU with World Bank
Vietnam slips 1 notch in World Bank’s Doing Business ranking
The Hanoitimes - Vietnam carried out three reforms during the past year, two fewer compared to the Doing Business 2018 report. Vietnam has moved down one notch from the 68th to 69th place out of 190 economies in the World Bank’s 2019 Ease of Doing Business ranking, although its score went up 1.59 points compared to a year earlier to 68.36 out of the maximum 100 points. Source: World Bank. According to the report, economies in the East Asia and Pacific region continued their strong reform agendas, carrying out 43 reforms in the past year to improve the ease of doing business for domestic small and medium enterprises. Of the region’s 25 economies, two are among the world’s top 10 ranked economies – Singapore (in 2nd place) and Hong Kong SAR, China, which moves up one spot to the fourth place. China is among this year’s top 10 improvers. With a single-year record of seven reforms in the past year, China advanced to 46th place in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam slips 1 notch in World Bank’s Doing Business ranking