The forestry sector in Moldova faces
significant governance and sustainability challenges. The
insufficient level of forest coverage in Moldova has a
serious impact on environment and overall economic growth in
the country. The situation is exacerbated by the reportedly
intense pressure on forest resources exerted by the human
factor. Illegal logging and grazing are considered as
significant factors that contribute to forest loss. There is

This paper examines some of the concepts
surrounding the idea that forests and trees can contribute
to making households more resilient to food insecurity. The
paper begins with a discussion of the widely accepted
definitions of food security, and the implications for our
understanding of the role of forests and trees in
contributing to food security. Authors discuss the origins
of the idea of resilience, adaptability, and transformation

Azerbaijan experienced a 'golden
age' in the last decade, during which the average
growth rate reached record high levels and poverty decreased
significantly. On average, the economy grew by 15.3 percent
per year in real terms during this period, mainly driven by
the oil sector (21.5 percent growth per year), but with a
significant contribution from the non-oil sector (11.1
percent per year). As a result, poverty declined

This discussion paper provides the
analytical backdrop for a series of papers on managing
climate- and weather-related risks in China. It reviews and
synthesizes the growing literature on risk-based management
approaches to climate change adaptation and offers guidance
on a process for decision making. Managing risks from severe
weather, present-day climate variability, and future climate
change is integral to China's development. While the

The report is structured to allow
readers familiar with Macedonia s agriculture sector to
quickly grasp the essentials needed to improve the sector,
as well as to inform a general audience on how to address
the challenges of a modern European Union (EU)-aspiring
state. Chapter two provides an in-depth analysis of the
sectoral background, illustrating the main characteristics
and challenges of Macedonia s agriculture sector. The

Financing projects and programs to
mitigate impacts of, and adapt to, the climate change is a
matter of necessity not choice. This green expenditure
policy note looks at factors facilitating the access to
international financial instruments for Latin America and
the Caribbean (LAC) countries that support mitigation of and
adaptation to climate change. This policy note explores two
questions: (i) does the quality of government institutions

This overview of climate change
activities in Tajikistan is part of a series of country
notes for five Central Asian countries that summarize
climate portfolio of the major development partners in a
number of climate-sensitive sectors, namely energy,
agriculture, forestry and natural resources, water, health,
and transport. Recognizing the nature and significance of
climate change contribution to an increase in disaster risk,

This report evaluates the outcomes of
World Bank Group support to Liberia from its post-war
reengagement in 2003 through 2011. The country has moved
from total disarray to a solid foundation for inclusive
development. Although development has not moved forward as
quickly as hoped, substantial progress has been made. Public
finance and key institutions have been rebuilt; crucial
transport facilities have been restored; and hospitals,

This paper reviews Pakistan's
agriculture performance and analyzes its agriculture and
water policies. It discusses the nature of rural poverty and
emphasizes the reasons why agricultural growth is a critical
component to any pro-poor growth strategy for Pakistan. It
supports these arguments by summarizing key results from
recent empirical analysis where the relative benefits of
agricultural versus non-agricultural led growth are

This note presents an overview of
Mexico's forthcoming reform agenda-from the World
Bank's vantage point. It distills the main messages in
the policy notes that make up this compendium. The purpose
is not to provide definitive answers to the many policy
questions likely to occupy the New Mexican administration,
or to provide a comprehensive account of progress to date
and policy recommendations. Instead, it is to provide a view

Local benefit sharing in hydropower
projects can be defined as the systematic efforts by project
proponents to sustainably benefit local communities affected
by hydropower investments. Benefit sharing is a promising
approach for implementing hydropower projects sustainably,
and is emerging as a supplement to the requirements of
compensation and mitigation. Benefit sharing can provide
equitable development, sustainability, and smooth project

Inappropriate regulation can influence
productivity performance by affecting incentives to invest
and adopt new technologies, as well as by directly curbing
competitive pressures. Results of a labor productivity
growth model for European countries suggest that improving
the regulatory environment -- proxied by the Worldwide
Governance Indicators regulatory quality indicator -- and
boosting effective exposure to competition through