The paper's main objectives are to provide a common thematic basis for urban transport inputs into the making of country-specific assistance strategies, and thereafter to guide urban transport project and sector work included in the business plans agreed under these strategies. It is a companion...

This report reviews the status of the 28 countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) with respect to the environmental Millennium Development Goal (MDG). The aim of this goal is to 'ensure environmental sustainability,' which is elaborated by a set of three targets and eight indicators. The...

Like other regions, Eastern Europe and Central Asia is vulnerable to climate change and its potential socioeconomic impacts. While all countries are facing warmer temperatures, a changing hydrology, and more extreme events (for example, floods and droughts) and are concerned about the level of...

European Council approved the Europe 2020 strategy, an economic growth and wellbeing improvement plan for the European Union (EU) in the ensuing decade. The strategy includes five interrelated headline targets to be achieved by the year 2020, encompassing employment, innovation, education,...

The objective of this paper, besides offering insight in the regional and global development and stability issues, is to initiate a dialog with housing finance market stakeholders on the course of action appropriate for their jurisdictions. The policy options presented in the paper are practical...

The Future of the Natural Gas Market in Southeast Europe analyzes the role of natural gas in the energy mix to meet future demand in nine markets in the region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. These markets are all...

This paper reviews the status of weather and climate services in Europe and Central Asia (ECA).Worldwide, the accuracy and value of weather and climate services are rising, bringing great economic benefits. However, many National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Europe and...

This study aims to contribute to the debate about the appropriateness of health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the countries of the Europe and Central Asia region. It is primarily addressed at policy advisors and senior analysts at the local, regional, and global level, who...