The World Bank as knowledge provider
The World Bank is a data and knowledge-driven organisation that generates and shares research-based insights on development, with a goal of being a global thought leader. To the bank, making data and analyses available to all is a matter of importance. One of the bank’s strengths is the combination of knowledge and financing capacity. Technical assistance is an integrated part of World Bank lending – distinguishing the bank from commercial lenders – and is highly valued by partner countries, including China. Country efforts are based on thorough analyses, including of the connection between development and climate issues. In conflict-affected areas, such as Ukraine and Palestine, the World Bank also carries out thorough analyses of physical damage and needs, often in cooperation with the UN and the European Union. Norway promotes systematic sharing of analytical work between the UN and the World Bank.
Norway encourages knowledge work through its support for trust funds, but to secure investments in research and evaluation it also wishes to see an increase in financing via internal budgeting. Norway will promote the use of impact evaluations and learning-based approaches in the work of the World Bank and will support partnerships with research communities in low and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. Norway also supports efforts to increase both demand and capacity for the use of data and research in countries with weak institutions.
The World Bank is building artificial intelligence (AI) capacity with a focus on its strategic and responsible use and the effects on development. The bank’s World Development Report 2026 centres on the implications of AI for low-income countries. Norway supports this work and will closely follow developments in the years to 2030.
The Government will :
- Support continuation of the World Bank’s knowledge-based lending model.
- Highlight the World Bank’s leading role in development and development economics and draw on the bank’s analyses and knowledge production for learning purposes and improving Norwegian assistance efforts where relevant.
- Promote a focus on knowledge production in the World Bank’s core budget.
- Be an advocate for incorporating impact evaluations and learning-based approaches in the World Bank’s operational work.
- Monitor the World Bank’s AI efforts with emphasis on strategic and responsible use and documented development impact.