Poverty Reduction and Promotion of Social Equity: Sector Strategy (2003)

The main goal of this Strategy (GN-1894-7) is to promote faster progress in the reduction of poverty by tackling its root causes and fostering inclusion and greater social equity, as an essential element of development. It identifies the actions that the Bank should take to support the borrowing countries in order to reach the Millennium Development Goals. The strategy highlights Bank key actions to reduce poverty and promote social equity, including: (i) the promotion of policies and programs for sustainable economic growth and macroeconomic stability as a necessary prerequisite for reducing poverty and inequality; (ii) support for comprehensive poverty reduction strategies that promote consistency in the various efforts; (iii) the productive inclusion of the poor through investments in Competitiveness; (iv) productive inclusion by improving access to regional markets through Regional Integration; (v) initiatives to promote human development and social inclusion through Social Development activities; and (vi) activities to promote democratic governance, the development of social capital, and political inclusion of the poor through the Modernization of the State. The Bank will also assist countries to (vii) strengthen multi-sector social protection systems to reduce the vulnerability of the poor.