The Lubin Files

The World Bank Annual Report 2008

The full text of this publication is available to FAO staff members via access to the World Bank E-Library:

The 2008 Annual Report focuses on the dire impact on developing countries of soaring food and commodity prices, and the world financial debacle. Other features include an update on midpoint progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, and discussion by the President of his six strategic goals: focus on the poorest countries, particularly in Africa; fragile and post-conflict states; middle-income countries; global and regional public goods; expanding opportunity for the Arab world; and knowledge and learning.

Innovative Financing for Development -- E book

The full text of this publication is available to FAO staff members via access to the World Bank E-Library:

Innovative Financing for Development

This book argues that poor countries need additional, cross-border capital channeled to the private sector for employment generation, growth, and poverty reduction. For that, innovative financing mechanisms are necessary. The volume brings together various market-based innovative methods of raising development finance including securitization of future flow receivables, diaspora bonds, and the role of shadow sovereign ratings in facilitating access to international capital markets.

Annual World Bank Conference on Development Economics 2008 -- E book

The full text of this publication is available to FAO staff members via access to the World Bank E-Library.

Annual World Bank Conference on Development Economics 2008, Regional

This annual conference is a global gathering of the world's leading scholars and practitioners. Among the attendees are participants from developing countries, think tanks, NGOs, and international institutions. These papers concern issues such as: Higher Education and International Migration in Asia: Brain Circulation; Interfaces in Higher Education: Two Sector in Sync?; Financing Higher Education: Lessons from developed economies, options for developing economies; Well-springs of Modern Economic Growth: Higher Education, Innovation and Local Economic Development; Higher Education, Innovation, and Economic Development; Higher Education and the Labour Market in India.

Proceedings from the "Berlin 2008: Agriculture and Development" conference-- E-book

The full text of this publication is available to FAO staff members via access to the World Bank E-Library.

Agriculture and Development.  Proceedings from the "Berlin 2008: Agriculture and Development" conference.  (held in preparation for the World Development Report 2008).

Global Monitoring Report 2008

The full text of this publication is available to FAO staff members via access to the World Bank E-Library.

Abstract:  Global Monitoring Report 2008, the fifth in an annual series, is essential reading for those who wish to follow the global development agenda and debate in 2008. The year marks the midpoint toward the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is also an important year to work toward a consensus on how the world is going to respond to the challenge of climate change, building on the foundation laid at the Bali climate change conference in December 2007. The report spans this agenda. It provides a comprehensive assessment of progress toward the MDGs and related policies and actions. It addresses the challenge of climate change and environmental sustainability and assesses its implications for development.The report's assessment of MDGs at midpoint presents a mixed picture, one of both significant progress and formidable challenges.

World Bank: The Little Book on External Debt 2008

New publication available to FAO staff members via library subscription to the World Bank E-Library:

Abstract: The Little Data Book on External Debt provides a quick reference for users interested in external debt stocks and flows, major economic aggregates, key debt ratios, and the currency composition of long-term debt for all countries reporting through the Debtor Reporting system. A pocket edition of the Global Development Finance 2008, Volume II: Summary and Country Tables, it contains statistical tables for 135 countries as well as summary tables for regional and income groups.

View the publication here.

Global Economic Prospects 2008

New publication available to FAO staff members via library subscription to the World Bank E-Library:

Abstract: Global Economic Prospects 2008: Technology Diffusion in the Developing World examines the state of technology in developing countries and the pace with which it has advanced since the early 1990s. It reveals both encouraging and cautionary trends. On the one hand, the pace of technological progress in developing countries has been much faster than in high-income countries-reflecting increased exposure to foreign technology.On the other hand, the technology gap remains large, and the domestic factors that determine how quickly technologies spread within developing countries often stymie progress, especially among low-income countries.

Rapid technological progress in developing countries has been central to the reduction of poverty in recent decades. While the integration of global markets has played and will continue to play a key role in this, future success will increasingly depend on strengthening technical competencies and the business environment for innovative firms in developing countries.

Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008

New publication available to FAO staff members via library subscription to the World Bank E-Library:

Abstract: Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008 contains statistical snapshots for 195 countries and 13 regional and income groups. The 200+ tables, each focused on one country, region, or income group, explore immigration, emigration and skilled emigration, and inward and outward remittance flows. Summary reports on the top 10 countries in each category are also included.

Technology Diffusion and the Digital Divide

The World Bank recently released the report, "Global Economic Prospects 2008: Technology Diffusion in the Developing World"

The report concludes that developing countries have enjoyed rapid technological progress since the early 1990s and have used those gains to help pull millions of people out of poverty.  However, "the gap remains large."

The entire report is available here.

Little Data Book on Africa 2007: E-book

The full text of this publication (pdf, 121 pp.) is available to FAO staff members via library subscription to the World Bank E-Library:

This book provides profiles of over 50 countries with 54 development indicators about people, environment, economy, technology, infrastructure, trade and finance, all in one handy, pocketsized volume. A must-have for anyone interested in today's development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.