WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2013: JOBS 71294 CHAIR’S SUMMING UP Meeting of the Executive Directors July 17, 2012 Executive Directors considered the “World Development Report 2013: Jobs and welcomed its key messages, including that jobs are at the center of the development transformations, indeed that development happens through jobs and therefore stressing the developmental value of jobs. Directors also responded favorably to the introduction of different job challenges which cut across regions of the world as well as income levels. Directors welcomed the rigorous analyses in the report, and its significant empirical evidence, such as in evaluating labor market reforms. They acknowledged the message that most often the obstacles to job creation lie outside the labor market proper. Management was urged to take these findings into account when structuring and prioritizing country dialogues with clients. Directors also supported the outlined data initiative and called for a continued cooperation with other multilateral institutions on improving the statistical base for evidence- based policy making. Directors welcomed the collaborative preparation of the Report, including the close interaction with the ILO. Given the urgency of finding solutions for more intense job creation all around the world, particularly for youth and women, Directors suggested a continued close interaction with the other multi-lateral partners which could also lead to joint analytical work or using external knowledge for designing programs to be financed by the World Bank. While agreeing with the Report’s emphasis on the private sector’s role for job creation, some Directors cautioned the authors not to understate the importance of public sector job creation. Further, although the primary audience of the Report are the developing countries, Directors highlighted the importance for engagement and dialogue in high-income countries drawing out the lessons of the Report for high-income settings as well. Also, the need to sharpen the discussion on gender, building on the previous WDR on Gender, particularly regarding equal access to jobs and employment, was underscored. Additionally, Executive Directors suggested an added emphasis on the role of informal employment. Directors suggested the team bring out the main messages more prominently in the Overview. Crystallizing the main findings in a very short and easily accessible document would be important for policy makers to access the findings of the Report. Tailoring such engagement to local contexts, including by identified job challenges, could be an important tool to maximize the Report’s potential impact. Directors looked forward to the companion paper for the Development Committee. That paper would draw out the implications of the Report for the work of the Bank, emphasizing the need for better diagnostics, more comprehensive and reliable data, and tailoring of policy advice to the particular circumstances of each country, including its demographic, governance and economic context.  This summary is not an approved record.