10. Speeches of World Bank Presidents [collection under construction]

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Remarks by World Bank Group President Malpass at the G7 Ministerial Conference on Uniting for Global Food Security

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-06-24) Malpass, David

These remarks were delivered by World Bank Group President Malpass at the G7 Ministerial Conference on Uniting for Global Food Security on June 24, 2022. He said food systems were fragile even before Russia invaded Ukraine, and the war has now accelerated a global food crisis. He recommended the following actions that countries should take to mitigate impacts of higher food prices and make sure that the most vulnerable continue to have food: First, support vulnerable households through social safety nets and well-targeted cash transfers; Second, enhance the next season's production by facilitating farmers’ access to agriculture inputs such as fertilizers; Third, invest in strengthening the resilience of food systems; and fourth, and most importantly, facilitate increased trade by building international consensus. He said that to help countries taking these actions, the World Bank Group is making up to thirty billion available over the next fifteen months. He highlighted that together with the G7 Presidency, the World Bank has co-convened the Global Alliance for Food Security – an alliance for countries and organizations to support existing initiatives and catalyze an immediate and concerted response. He concluded by saying that he looks forward to more opportunities to work with G7 member countries and other organizations.
Discussion at the Center for Global Development

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2019-11-05) Malpass, David

David Malpass, President of the World Bank, addressed the common challenge presented by slowing world growth. He remarked that governance issues are apparent around the world. On matters of debt, he emphasized dispute settlement, debt contract transparency, contract fairness, and facilitating better living standards. He noted that some countries’ debt payments are in arrears.
Boosting Shared Prosperity

( 2014-10-01) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, spoke about how the Bank and other institutions can help boost shared prosperity and reduce inequality around the world. He talked about the importance of measuring income growth among the bottom 40 percent and compared that to the general population, but stressed that income alone cannot fully capture whether the bottom 40 percent are sharing in the prosperity of a country. Kim also spoke about the terrible consequences when institutions have too low aspirations for the poor, which the world is once again learning in its late response to the Ebola epidemic. He discussed that it's not only a moral imperative for countries to come to the aid of the three countries most affected by the epidemic, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, but also an economic imperative to respond as rapidly and effectively as possible now before the epidemic spreads much wider.
Quality Education for the World We Want

( 2014-09-24) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, emphasized that children learned better when we level the playing field at an early stage. He stressed the need for stronger basic education with immediate investment, and a focus on recruitment, grooming, and motivation of teachers. He concluded that we must sustain this momentum and use all available resources and evidence to make sure that every child is in school and learning.
Development Committee Closing Press Conference

( 2013-10-12) Belka, Marek ; Kim, Jim Yong ; Lagarde, Christine

Jim Yong Kim (President of the World Bank Group), Christine Lagarde (Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund), and Marek Belka (Chairman of the Development Committee) made opening statements. Belka emphasized that the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity must be pursued in a sustainable manner. Over the past six months, we have witnessed intensive consultations and analysis designed to put the flesh on the bones--to work out a detailed strategy by which the Bank Group will set out to translate the goals into operational programs with its borrowing member countries. Kim highlighted one major shift in the strategy—leveraging IDA to increase investment in fragile states. Lagarde focused on growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, including increased technical assistance. Replenishment of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust fund has passed the 90 percent threshold. Media raised questions on emerging markets, the Mexican economy, global growth, tapering, unconventional monetary policy, U.S. growth.
Within Our Grasp: A World Free of Poverty

( 2013-04-02) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group discusses the opportunity to create a world free from the stain of poverty and economic exclusion. He states that the environmental challenge is a fundamental threat to economic development and the fight against poverty in the world. He believes that assuring growth is inclusive is both a moral imperative and a crucial condition for sustained economic development for any country. The World Bank Group is now working on a revamped strategy to significantly strengthen our climate change interventions and help catalyze urgent action among global partners on the scale required. Progress is never inevitable. He concludes by saying that if we act today, if we work relentlessly toward these goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, we have the opportunity to create a world for our children which is defined not by stark inequities but by soaring opportunities.
Remarks at the Council of Foundations

( 1998-04-28) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, discussed the issues that link the United States to other countries: health, migration, trade, peace and stability, energy, food, and crime and narcotics. The responsibilities of foundations do not end with our cities and communities. The job the Bank does can only be done on the basis of partnership with the governments, with the other multilateral institutions, with the private sector, but most particularly with civil society. It is crucial that the foundation organizations in the country that have the experience, that know about volunteerism, about taking things in their own hands, diversity of interests, different points of view, and experience, should come together on the global issues.
Attracting Capital to Africa

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1997-04-21) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, stated unequivocal financial commitment to and belief in Africa’s future. Africa is not without its problems. He noted that 200 million people live in poverty, earning under a dollar a day. The Bank is investing at the rate of nearly $3 billion a year on top of the $17 billion already put into the region. There has been a real change in the investment climate not only for international investors but also for domestic investors. It is in partnership with the private sector that Africa finds a profound opportunity to change the continent. We can help through the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to provide assistance with financing and insurance against risk. The Bank is very keen to play part in assisting the flow of private sector funding. We see that Africa wants to succeed and is being led by people who want to lead their countries to success. Their optimism will be fulfilled only if there is a real partnership.
Address to the Closing Plenary Session of the Microcredit Summit

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1997-02-04) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, noted that the Bank endorsed the effort to bring about microcredit to 100 million families. Microcredit is a very important answer to poverty. Helping the world's poor has to be a partnership between people who are linked by various things including economic opportunity and trade. A far more real reason for committing to this goal is social justice. In the next 30 years we will be one world of the same sort of people. It is the strength and dignity of the people that we are working with. The human spirit is the same: a desire for a better life, a desire for opportunity, not a desire for charity, a desire to grow, a desire to feel something in oneself, a desire to create something in the family. Central to this is the role of women, and central in responsibility is the role of education of children, particularly girl children, because it is through them that all families, be they from rich countries or poor countries, emerge. Let us work together as partners in trying to reach the 100 million goal, and in trying to leave the world a more peaceful and safer place for children.
New Directions and New Partnerships

( 1995-10-10) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, addressed the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He discussed the context in which the Bank operates today; the role of the Bank in development now, and in the coming years; what the Bank can do to achieve its objectives in an effective and accountable manner; and the Bank’s immediate and early initiatives. He called for a new IDA compact. The problem of debt overhang continues. He focused on the power of partnerships. He mentioned the need to develop an institutional culture focused on excellence and results.