C. Speeches by Robert B. Zoellick (2007-12)

20 items available

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http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24241

Robert B. Zoellick served as the 11th President of the World Bank Group from 2007 to 2012.

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Modernizing Multilateralism: Learning from Military History

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2012-02-22) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, spoke on the theme of modernizing multilateralism and learning from military history. As the world moves toward multiple poles of growth, the multilateral institutions will need to play a role in connecting developed and developing countries to work cooperatively. The World Bank is a facilitator of such cooperation. The results matter. A focus on outcomes may seem obvious, but assessments of public institutions are often driven by intellectual debates, political positioning, and current ideological fashions. We need thought plus action.
Beyond Aid

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2011-09-14) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, spoke about leaving behind the past and facing today’s challenges squarely, constructively, and creatively. This is not the 1944 world that surrounded the creation of the Bank. Old models no longer fit current problems. The new “normal” will be dynamic, volatile, about countries earning their place, about lifting growth, about smart economic power, and about voice and social accountability. We must recognize that now we are all responsible stakeholders in an interdependent global economy. Zoellick spoke of what this new world means for development. Modern multilateralism heralds a world beyond aid. New policies are required. He advocated democratizing development so that all – North, South, East, West, rich and poor, men and women – can play a part in designing, executing, and continually improving development solutions. Openness, transparency, and accountability are key features – not only of the World Bank Group – but of government policy across the world. He proposed a Fifty Percent Solution, in which gender equality is smart economics. Releasing the full potential of half of the world’s population would truly democratize development.
Opening Remarks on Food Prices

(World Bank, 2011-04-15) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick noted that the World Bank release of the Food Price Watch underscores the need for the G20 to put food first. The key driver behind the upward spiral in the food price index has been sharp rises in the prices of wheat, maize, sugar and oils. Global food price hikes have pushed about 44 million people into extreme poverty. He called for global action to turn things around—help for small holder farmers, with seeds and fertilizer; better weather forecasting; better means to get produce to markets; food and effective safety nets for the most vulnerable people. We need to do a better job of feeding the hungry today before we face the future challenges of feeding the expected nine billion people in the world in 2050.
Remarks at the Opening Press Conference at World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings, Washington, D.C., April 14, 2011

( 2011-04-14) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, World Bank Group President, addresses the biggest threat to the poor around the world: high and volatile food prices. The Bank released an updated Food Price Watch that underscores the need for the G20 to put food first. The key driver behind the upward spiral in the food price index has been sharp rises in the prices of wheat, maize, sugar, and oils. He discusses the global food price hikes which have pushed about 44 million people into extreme poverty. He focusses on global action to help small holder farmers, with seeds and fertilizer, better weather forecasting, better means to get produce to markets, also food and effective safety nets for the most vulnerable people. He concludes that we need global action to ensure we do a better job of feeding the hungry before we face the future challenges of feeding the expected nine billion people in the world in 2050. Zoellick fields questions on causes of the price hikes, measures needed in emerging market countries, a special Trust Fund Facility, Egypt and Tunisia, the longevity of the crisis, and civil problems in Libya.
The Middle East and North Africa: A New Social Contract for Development

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2011-04-06) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, discussed the political firestorm that engulfed Tunisia and the wider Middle East and its lessons for a new social contract for development that goes beyond the region itself. He argued for modernizing multilateralism in the Arab World, reforming international institutions to reflect power shifts in the world. Development economics must be democratized. Investment in the Arab World needs to be more diversified, while the governments increase accountability and reduce corruption and conflict. The new Arab voices are calling for dignity and respect and a series of changes amounting to a new social contract. While the World Bank once steered away from political topics, today our shareholders know that corruption is a drag on economies, strangling opportunity and taxing the poor. Now, anticorruption, gender, and transparency are vital to the practices of the World Bank Group. The upcoming new World Development Report stresses the role of legitimate institutions and governance. Citizen participation matters. Zoellick discussed job creation and safety nets as keys to maintaining development momentum in the region.
Remarks for Opening Plenary of the High Level Segment - COP10

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-10-27) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, discussed four topics: (i) why focus on biodiversity; (ii) World Bank Group investment in biodiversity; (iii) who should be focusing on biodiversity; and (iv) how we value the wealth of biodiversity.
Democratizing Development Economics

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-09-29) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, charged that economics, and in particular development economics, must broaden the scope of the questions it asks – thereby also becoming more relevant to today’s complex, multi-faceted problems. He discussed the following topics: (i) from hubris to humility; (ii) are we equipped to tackle the pressing issues of the day?; (iii) a new multi-polar world requires multi-polar knowledge; (iv) has development economics lost its way?; (v) re-examining the old truisms; (vi) what we now need to know; and (vii) beyond the ivory tower to a new research model on open data, open knowledge, open solution. He identified four problems that merit future research: economic transformation; inclusive and sustainable development; dealing with risk and vulnerability; and results-based analysis of what works. The Bank remains the largest single source of development knowledge, and this treasure chest will be opened to everyone. We have questions to answer. We need to listen and democratize development economics.
Remarks for the Plenary Session of the Summit of Heads of State of the Central American Integration System

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-07-20) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, noted that the region could be more competitive if, working together, you removed bottlenecks to growth; modernized customs systems; facilitated trade; improved infrastructure, integrated your energy grid, and enhanced transport; strengthened the education and skills of your people; and created a better environment for private investment, small business and entrepreneurs. He spoke on the following topics: past and recent integration achievements; an agenda for integration; and the package of World Bank Group initiatives. He announced a two-year trade facilitation window, support for an INCAE training program for public administration, a technical assistance facility to support trade promotion, and a program to support judicial transparency.
The End of the Third World?: Modernizing Multilateralism for a Multipolar World

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-04-14) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, spoke on the theme that we are now in a new, fast-evolving multipolar world economy in which outdated classifications no longer fit. He discussed these topics: (i) the end of the third world; (ii) multilateralism matters; (iii) new sources of demand; (iv) new poles of growth; (v) Africa as a potential pole of growth; (vi) economic shifts mean potential power shifts; (vii) the danger of geo-politics as usual; (viii) financial reform; (ix) climate change; (x) managing for crisis response; (xi) new role for rising powers; (xii) what does this changing world mean for development?; (xiii) modernizing multilateral institutions; (xiv) reforming to become more representative and legitimate; and (xv) reforming by adding resources; and (xvi) reforming to become more effective, innovative, and accountable. We need a League of Networks.
New Partnership in Global Development Finance

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2010-02-17) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group, discussed these topics: a new, more globalized world; global aid architecture; the World Bank and a new multilateralism; and Russia’s role in development. One of the strategic challenges for the World Bank Group is to contribute to the m modernization of multilateralism. This week’s “Moscow Process” can spark a broader international dialogue with new development partners. Finance is most effective if blended with shared experience -- knowledge and learning -- customized to fit local needs. The Bank’s new access to information policy sets a new standard for multilateral organizations.