In its first institution-wide review of its knowledge work, the World Bank is looking to increase the impact and openness of its research and advisory services.

In the report, The State of World Bank Knowledge Services: Knowledge for Development, the World Bank reviewed its $600 million in spending on research, economic and sector reports, technical assistance, and training to refocus its role in the context of new technologies, new players, and evolving client needs for perspectives on what works and what doesn’t.

“In this new world economy, good data and information will be at least as important as financial assistance,” said Robert Zoellick, World Bank Group President. “The World Bank’s ‘Open Data; Open Knowledge; Open Solutions’ initiative is already revealing the power of information. From gender equality to trade policy, the World Bank can offer a public good by generating data, sharing it, and sponsoring others who will help us democratize development.”