Economic development should no longer be measured solely by how much finance is mobilised or how much fiscal space is created. It must also be judged by whether countries emerge more capable of setting their own priorities, responding to challenges, and seizing new opportunities to shape their own future. By Pepukaye Bardouille

A potentially record-breaking El Niño is expected to intensify extreme weather and deepen climate risks across the globe. By Mandy Freund

Even as hunger declines around the world, food insecurity remains prevalent in rural communities. Restoring soil health, expanding access to new technologies, strengthening land rights, and upgrading public infrastructure are essential to boost agricultural productivity and protect rural livelihoods. By Esther Ngumbi

The dangerous flooding in Nepal and Tibet has demonstrated, once again, the need for prearranged disaster-risk financing to prepare for the economic chain reactions triggered by natural disasters. Asia's policymakers must act now to help cash-strapped Nepal and strengthen other countries' resilience before the next crisis hits. By Yasuto Watanabe