World Bank highlights benefits of investing in women and young people

The World Bank launched a Sustainable Development Bond to raise awareness for the significant and long-lasting benefits of investing in the health and nutrition of women, adolescents and children. The five-year benchmark bond raised CAD1 billion from institutional investors. This is the World Bank’s second benchmark bond in the Canadian dollar market this year.

This Sustainable Development Bond is issued as part of a World Bank initiative to engage investors on the importance of investing in the health and nutrition of women, children and adolescents, and demonstrates how private sector investment can support development financing. Since the initiative was launched in June, the World Bank has raised nearly US$1 billion from institutional and retail investors in Europe and Japan who are focused on these issues.

World Bank Treasurer Arunma Oteh said: “We are extremely pleased with the success of our second benchmark issuance in the Canadian dollar market in 2018. The strong investor response reflects the growing demand for safe, liquid bonds that connect with social purpose. We appreciate the excellent support we receive from investors as we continue to raise awareness about the importance of investing in women and young people. By working together, we can ensure a better future for all.”

The World Bank issues between US$50-US$60 billion annually in bonds for sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Bond format allows the World Bank to obtain cost-effective funding while simultaneously engaging with investors and market participants to raise awareness for a specific development challenge, linking it to the Sustainable Development Goals and highlighting the entire developmental mandate of the World Bank.

Original source: World Bank
Published on 26 July 2018