In this episode, we speak with Arup Banerji, Director of Knowledge and Learning at the World Bank Group, about how the World Bank Group Academy is reshaping the way knowledge is created, shared, and applied. Hosted by Sandra Carrollo, Knowledge Management, Communications & Operations Specialist at IFC, the conversation explores a fundamental shift, from knowledge as static reports and theory to practical, experience-based solutions that help countries make better decisions. Arup explains how the Academy starts with real-world challenges, bringing together global expertise and country-level
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GIIF July Newsletter 2026 features team news, events, blogs, highlights, and interviews.
31
Jul
Index insurance has demonstrated its potential to help farmers, microenterprises, and other climate-vulnerable clients manage shocks that can otherwise erase years of progress. By linking payouts to an objective measure, such as rainfall, temperature, wind speed, or crop yield, these products can provide financial support more quickly and with lower claims-adjustment costs than traditional indemnity insurance. Yet proving that an index-based product can work is not the same as building a market that can endure. Across emerging markets, many promising insurance initiatives have struggled to
30
Jul
Insurance is usually discussed as a mechanism for responding after a disaster. A defined event occurs, a claim or trigger is validated, and a payout provides resources for recovery. That function remains essential. Yet in markets facing more frequent and severe climate shocks, paying for losses after they occur is not enough. Insurance can play a larger role by helping households, businesses, lenders, and governments reduce risk before an event. The next generation of climate insurance should therefore connect three functions: understanding risk, reducing risk, and financing the losses that
21
Oct
The GIIF Program will host a knowledge exchange session titled “Coping with Climate and Disaster Risks” at the International Conference on Inclusive Insurance (ICII) 2026, taking place in Rwanda this October. As climate and disaster risks intensify, communities, farmers, and small businesses face growing uncertainty. This session responds to the need for practical solutions that strengthen financial resilience, with a focus on how collaboration between governments, development partners, insurers, and lenders can support both recovery and long-term stability. Scheduled for Wednesday, October 21
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On 23 June 2026, the Centre of Excellence on Gender-smart Solutions (CoE) convened its 10th LIVE TALK, marking an important milestone in advancing gender-responsive approaches to Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI). Bringing together members of the CoE Community of Practice and the broader CDRFI ecosystem, the session provided a space to reflect on five years of progress, share lessons learned, and explore pathways to sustain and scale gender-smart approaches in an evolving global context. Since its launch at COP26 in 2021, with the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
GIIF has been recognized for its contribution to the Disaster Risk Finance Academy Program, one of the winners of the FY26 Prosperity Team Awards. The award highlights the Program’s successful learning series, which brought together practitioners and experts to promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and capacity building in disaster risk finance. We also celebrate all the FY26 Prosperity Team Awards winners for their outstanding contributions, innovation, and commitment to delivering impactful solutions. GIIF remains committed to supporting initiatives that transform knowledge exchange into
26
Jun
When more than 50 government officials and practitioners gathered in Istanbul in April 2025, the objective was clear: move beyond theory and equip countries with the practical tools needed to strengthen disaster risk insurance systems. Convened under the World Bank Group Academy’s Disaster Risk Insurance Impact Program and delivered in partnership with the Insurance Development Forum, the 2025 Istanbul event focused on one critical question: how to design and implement effective public-private insurance solutions to close the disaster protection gap. But Istanbul was never meant to be a
GIIF April Newsletter 2026 features team news, events, blogs, highlights, and interviews.
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Over the years, GIIF has partnered with leading (re)insurers across Asia and Africa to strengthen agricultural insurance markets, support innovation, and expand protection to underserved communities. This section highlights how these collaborations are translating into real impact—showcasing recent achievements, milestones, and recognitions received by our partners. Recognitions & Key Achievements (2025–2026) To celebrate the successful implementation of our projects, we highlight the accomplishments of our clients, who have received recognition through various awards and accolades. Below is a