Making Waves - World Bank Support for the Blue Economy (2012-2023) - Independent Evaluation Report to the Board from the Committee on Development Effectiveness - Meeting of July 22, 2024

Jul 19, 2026

An independent evaluation of World Bank Group support for the blue economy covering 2012 to 2023 is presented to the Board through the Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) meeting of July 22, 2024. Members assess the report’s value for informing the next phase of engagement and for wider climate-change and corporate scorecard discussions. The discussion supports strengthening blue-economy assistance, refining the concept definition, addressing knowledge gaps, and scaling partnerships, including UNEP, to advance SDG 14 and related cross-cutting priorities like food security, biodiversity, and poverty alleviation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

Committee Meeting Overview

Background and Evaluation Purpose

Key Acknowledgements and Recommendations Support

Strategic Integration and Partnerships

Mainstreaming into WBG Diagnostics and Operations

Holistic Definition and Policy Framing

Implementation Focus and Thematic Priorities

Knowledge Gaps and Country Tailoring

Plastics, Marine Pollution, Green Jobs, and Women’s Empowerment

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Making Waves-World Bank Support for the Blue Economy (2012-2023) -An Independent Evaluation Report to the Board from the Committee on Development Effectiveness 􀀍 Meeting of July 22, 2024 The Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) met to consider the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) report entitled Making Waves-World Bank Support for the Blue Economy (2012-2023) -An Independent Evaluation (CODE2024-0017) and the World Bank Group Draft Management Response (CODE2024-0025) . Members welcomed the evaluation as timely and forward-looking. They acknowledged the Report’s value in informing the next phase of the World Bank support for the blue economy as well as future discussions on the wider climate change, and Corporate Scorecard discussions. Members expressed support for IEG’s recommendations aimed at enhancing the Bank’s support for the blue economy. They appreciated Management’s agreement with the evaluation’s recommendations and its commitment to implementing them. They underscored the significance of the blue economy in the context of the WBG Evolution Roadmap and the importance of partnering with other development institutions to address the SDG 14 goal of life below water. Members acknowledged the Bank’s progress in implementing the blue economy agenda and encouraged Management to better cover this agenda in the WBG Scorecard and the planned Global Challenge Programs (GCPs) . Members emphasized the cross-cutting aspects of blue economy, noting its linkages to food security, climate change, biodiversity, poverty alleviation, the circular economy, and its role as a driver of growth. They stressed the importance of addressing the knowledge gaps identified and expressed support for Management’s commitment to articulate a more holistic definition of the blue economy, enabling the concept to be used as a policy framing tool. Members called on Management to establish a more comprehensive approach to integrate the blue economy into the WBG’s diagnostics and operations through cross-sectoral coordination, including Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs), Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs), and Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs), while continuing to tailor the approach to country-specific contexts. Some cautioned against using the holistic blue economy approach to restrict countries from accessing water to address essential livelihood needs. Members strongly encouraged Management to strengthen its partnerships and cooperation with key partners, like the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP); as well as with regional platforms and national initiatives for enhanced effectiveness and impact. They expressed interest in identifying success stories from the Bank's support to the blue economy in aid of peer learning. The challenges of plastics and marine pollution were recognized, and the Bank was urged to expand and scale up the production of plastic substitutes. Members also called for more green jobs, sustainable trade, and women’s empowerment. They urged Management to proactively support clients towards achieving sustainable development of coastal and marine areas by leveraging partnerships and enhancing the use of the PROBLUE Trust Fund as a catalytic to promoting the blue economy agenda across sectors. 􀀍 This report is not an approved record.

FAQs

What is the purpose of the CODE meeting held on July 22, 2024?

CODE met to consider an independent evaluation report on World Bank support for the blue economy (2012–2023) and draft management responses.

How did members respond to the evaluation’s recommendations?

Members supported the recommendations to enhance the Bank’s support for the blue economy and appreciated Management’s agreement and commitment to implement them.

What actions did members request to integrate the blue economy across World Bank Group work?

Members called for a more comprehensive approach to integrate the blue economy into WBG diagnostics and operations through cross-sector coordination across tools like CPFs, SCDs, and CCDRs.

Jul 19, 2026

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