How Do We Support the World’s Poorest Countries? | The Development Podcast

Meet the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries—75 to be exact. It’s the largest single source of donor funds for basic services in these countries and aims to eliminate extreme poverty. IDA’s most recent replenishment, IDA20, resulted in a historic $93 billion financing package for IDA countries for fiscal years 2022-2025.

On this episode of The Development Podcast, we explore how IDA works across the world on a range of key development issues and priorities, with the help of some key partners. Join us as we speak with Dirk Reinermann, the World Bank’s Director of Development Finance who oversees IDA, Gregory Chen, Managing Director for the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative, within BRAC International, and Maaria Henry, a Fisheries Protection Officer from the Republic of Kiribati in Micronesia, which sits at the forefront of the climate challenge. 

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Featured Voices

• Dirk Reinermann, Director, IDA Mobilization & IBRD Corporate Finance, World Bank
• Gregory Chen, Managing Director, Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative, BRAC International
• Maaria Henry, Fisheries Protection Officer from Kiribati.

Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome and introduction of the topic

[02:25] Story from the ground: Climate resilience and job prospects in Kiribati

[06:46] IDA: How it was created, how it works, where it gets its cash from?

[09:51] Partnerships: BRAC International, Bangladesh and IDA

[15:21] IDA's priorities and replenishments

[19:16] Partnerships: Maximizing financing for development

[22:15] IDA's greatest success stories

[24:17] Closure and thanks for tuning in!

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This international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;)

Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! 

ABOUT THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.