The COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten jobs, businesses and the health and well-being of millions of people, causing exceptional uncertainty. Building confidence will be crucial to ensure that economies recover and adapt, says the latest Interim Economic Outlook.

Many countries are making “green” recovery a central part of stimulus packages to drive a sustainable, inclusive, resilient recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. But some countries are also taking measures that risk having a negative environmental impact, according to Making the Green Recovery Work for Jobs, Income and Growth.

Countries need to work together to defend the ocean from rising temperatures, pollution and overfishing, which threaten its ability to continue supporting marine life and providing food and income for billions of people, according to, Sustainable Ocean for All. The report expects the ocean economy to grow rapidly in the next decade.

The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the many inadequacies and inequities in education systems around the world. As governments start rebuilding their economies and people’s livelihoods, long-term public spending on education must remain a priority, according to Education at a Glance 2020.

Video: African cities hold huge potential for driving future economic and social development, but what are the challenges? How can urban planning and management be harnessed and what actions should governments take? Our guest experts give their views as part of our new special focus on urbanisation in Africa.