World Bank

The World Bank is an international financial institutions composed of 188 member states. It was established in 1994, and its main role is to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. 

While the Bank’s activity is largely focused on the provision of financial services (loans, credits, and grants) to developing countries, the institution also offers support through policy advice, research, and analysis aimed to assist countries in their developing processes. The Bank also undertaked capacity development initiatives at national level.

The World Bank has been undertaking research on issues related to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their role in promoting sustainable development, as well as on other specific Internet governance related aspects.  Examples in this regard include: the ‘World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends’ (together with the related background papers on cybersecurity and on multistakeholder Internet governance), the ‘Economic Internet Toolkit for African Policy Makers’, and the report on ‘The Right to Information and Privacy: Balancing Rights and Managing Conflicts’.