Updated Bank Policy - Development Cooperation and Fragility, Conflict, and Violence

Jul 19, 2026

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The Updated Bank Policy Development Cooperation and Fragility, Conflict, and Violence updates OP 2.30 to reflect the World Bank Group Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence. It provides an operational framework for tailored support to countries facing fragility, active conflict, and violence, with emphasis on humanitarian crises, refugee and forced displacement, and work involving security and military actors. The revised approach strengthens risk identification and mitigation, incorporates new research, and aligns with evolving client needs while outlining how the Bank can enhance operational effectiveness in FCV settings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

Overview

Revision of OP 2.30 and the Updated Policy

Background and Current Policy Framework for FCV Interventions

Evolution of Bank FCV Strategies and Operations

Definitions of FCV and strategic drivers

Implications for Engagement in FCV Situations

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Updated Bank Policy: Development Cooperation and Fragility, Conflict, and Violence 1. Overview. In February 2020, Executive Directors discussed the World Bank Group Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (the “FCV Strategy”). The FCV Strategy providesan operational framework for tailored support to countries facing diverse challenges and lists specific implementation measures to more effectively support countries impacted by fragility, conflict, and violence. A key objective of the FCV Strategy is to enhance the Bank’s operational and development effectiveness on the ground in FCV situations.1 It commits the Bank to update Operational Policy 2.30 (Development Cooperation and Conflict) and, in particular, to articulate how the Bank will operate in humanitarian crises, in refugee and forced displacement situations, and when dealing with security and military actors, particularly in insecure environments.2 2. To fulfill that commitment, OP 2.30, the Bank’s existing policy framework for postconflict operations, which has served the institution well, is being revised to comply with the Policy and Procedure Framework and reissued as the updated Bank Policy Development Cooperation and Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (the “Updated Policy”) . The Updated Policy reflects the evolution of the Bank’s operational practice, the need for adequate risk identification and mitigation, the latest knowledge and research, and changing client needs and demands. 3. This paper provides the background and summarizes the content of the proposed revisions to OP 2.30. It also includes a the Updated Policy (see Annex), which will be issued by Management reflecting the content of the policy changes approved by Executive Directors and in accordance with the Bank’s Policy and Procedure Framework. The Vision Statement, described in paragraph 55 below, is also circulated with this paper. 4. Current Policy Framework for Bank’s FCV Interventions. OP 2.30, alongside its accompanying Bank Procedure, constitutes the bedrock policy for the Bank’s current FCV engagements. For the past two decades, these documents have served the institution well as the operational framework for Bank engagements in conflict-affected and post-conflict situations—notably Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, and South Sudan—and continue to provide a flexible basis for Bank operations in challenging situations such as Yemen. 1 The term “FCV” refers to the challenges of fragility, conflict and violence.“Fragility” refers to situations of deep governance issues and state institutional weakness; “conflict” refers to situations of active conflict; and “violence”refers to situations of high levels of interpersonal and gang violence. These challenges may impact a country regardless of whether it is listed in the Bank’s classification of Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations or other lists. For more detail, see the World Bank Group Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence 2020-2025 (see paragraphs 8-10) . 2 FCV Strategy, Table 1 and paragraph 135. 5. OP 2.30 emerged from the Bank’s first strategy for post-conflict reconstruction (Framework for World Bank Involvement in Post-Conflict Reconstruction: R97-14-1) (the “1997 Framework”) that the Board discussed in February 1997. The policy was issued in January 2001 after IDA and IBRD’s Executive Directors approved the policy’s content in October 2000. It primarily addresses the Bank’s work in relation to conflict and focusses its objectives only in countries that are vulnerable to conflict, are in the midst of conflict, or are in transition from conflict. 6. Evolution of Bank FCV Strategies and Operations. The World Bank’s strategic and operational engagements in this area have transformed since OP 2.30 was issued in 2001, from the initial focus on post-conflict reconstruction, to address a range of development priorities and challenges posed by fragility,

FAQs

What is the purpose of the FCV Strategy referenced in the policy overview?

It provides an operational framework for tailored World Bank support and lists measures to strengthen implementation in countries affected by fragility, conflict, and violence, aiming to improve development effectiveness on the ground.

Why is OP 2.30 being revised into the Updated Bank Policy?

To comply with the Policy and Procedure Framework and to reflect changes in operational practice, including stronger risk identification and mitigation, updated research, and evolving client needs.

What kinds of FCV situations does the Updated Policy focus on?

It addresses how the Bank will operate in humanitarian crises, refugee and forced displacement settings, and in engagements involving security and military actors, especially in insecure environments.

Jul 19, 2026

Upload by Skyler