Lasting poverty reduction requires the cooperation of various groups including, communities, civil society, government, and donor agencies.  Working with these groups, the World Bank provides technical expertise and funding for poverty-reduction programs in areas such as health, agriculture, and basic infrastructure.
  

 

  How are priorities selected?

Working with governments and civil society, the World Bank develops an action plan known as the Country Assistance Strategies (CAS) to broadly reduce poverty and promote economic development.  The CAS describes what support and how much could be provided to a country during a 3-year period.

The CAS supports the Government's own development program.  In this manner, the CAS is specifically designed to the local conditions in the country and designates funding targets for projects, studies, and other support. 

Learn more:
   Regional and country briefs - Overview of development progress, challenges, and assistance.
 
   Country Assistance Strategies for East Asia & Pacific countries - Detailed reports on the projected lending and technical assistance provided by the World Bank.
 
  More general information on Country Assistance Strategies

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Project assistance

As outlined in the assistance strategy, countries then develop their own projects with World Bank financing and technical support.  

The project cycle outlines the process of identifying, financing, implementing, and evaluating throughout a project's life.  Various  financing options are available based upon the type of assistance needed.

Loans or credits for these projects are then submitted to the   Executive Directors for approval, the World Bank's decision-making body which represents all member countries. 

It is important to note that the Implementation of projects is managed by the government itself.  The government establishes an office, referred to as the Implementing Agency, which is responsible for aspects of implementation such as procurement and selection of consultants.

Project Guidelines

Operational Policies set guidelines to ensure that projects meet the World Bank's own criteria such as social and environmental standards.   Project evaluations are conducted of projects to capture and share lessons on previous experiences.

   World Bank-supported projects East Asia & Pacific

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Technical Assistance - Studies

The World Bank also produces studies and reports based on its own analysis of a given issue.  Topics of research and analysis are outlined in the Country Assistance Strategy.  This research is intended to provide unbiased perspective on a range of specific development challenges.

Additional studies include reviews of economic policies (Country Economic Memoranda), fiscal spending (Public Expenditure Review), environmental reviews (Environmental Action Plan), and other specific topics.

The Bank promotes discussion of development issues though workshops and other events. These events increasingly bring together groups such as government, media, and civil society organizations to discuss how best to move forward on a given issue.

    World Bank reports on East Asia & Pacific
 
   Events across East Asia & Pacific

 

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