ODA flows must increase to support SDG-related investment
Regional integration in Africa and Asia is crucial for sustainable development
China?s direct investment in Latin America slows
Monthly Briefing on the World Economic Situation and Prospects

Trade tensions and policy uncertainty are damaging global growth prospects
Several countries continue to experience setbacks in their fight against poverty
Carbon pricing a key element in combating climate change

Many developed and developing economies take an easier monetary policy stance
VAT increase in the Russian Federation temporarily adds to inflation
Argentina imposes price controls to curb inflation

Addressing youth employment remains a policy challenge, especially in Africa
In North America, central banks pause interest rate rises despite tight labour markets
Shortage of young workers prompts Japan to relax immigration policies

Growing demand for leveraged loans may pose a new global financial risk; surge in African sovereign external bond issuance raises concern; China?s recent policy easing may further increase the domestic debt level

WESP 2019 warns of rising climate risks to the world economy
Parts of Africa and Latin America still experiencing very weak per capita income growth
East and South Asia remain world?s most dynamic regions, but risks h

The Handbook on the Least Developed Country Category is prepared by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) to provide comprehensive information on the least developed country (LDC) category. This third edition of the Handbook builds

CO2 emissions expected to reach an historical high in 2018
The low cost of coal relative to alternative energy sources is slowing progress towards energy transition in many regions
Phasing out coal use requires a reliable and stable alternative energy supply, plus support to the economic and employment transition in regions dependent on coal production

Global growth may have reached a peak
Firms in the United States and Japan are facing capacity constraints
Manufacturing activity slows in developed and developing economies