The Challenge. Global public goods are aspects of development that reach across borders: examples include the environment, public health, and international trade and financial infrastructure. Actions are often needed that extend beyond what market systems or individual countries can do on their own - developing new vaccines, for instance, and reducing carbon emissions to address global warming.

What We're Doing. The World Bank Group is helping spur multilateral action and global partnerships involving governments, nonprofit organizations, and socially responsible corporations. Our work on global public goods focuses on the environment, especially climate change; controlling communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and malaria; preventing and mitigating crises in international financial systems; and promoting an open, multilateral trade system.