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

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Remarks by World Bank Group President David Malpass at the Ninth World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2022-03-21) Malpass, David

These remarks were delivered by World Bank Group President David Malpass at Remarks by World Bank Group President David Malpass at the Ninth World Water Forum in Dakar, Senegal on March 21, 2022. At the Fragility Forum at the World Bank in early March, we showed that 23 countries, with a combined population of 850 million people, are facing high, or medium-intensity conflict. Over 300 million people in fragile and conflict settings experienced acute food insecurity in 2021, and the war in Ukraine is making shortages and food price spikes even worse. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought dramatic reversals in development outcomes. Indicators of poverty, growth, nutrition, education, and security are all deteriorating, rather than improving as is needed for the world to truly develop. The latest hammer blow is inflation and rising interest rates. They hit the poor the hardest and make inequality worse. Today’s world faces other enormous challenges. The Water Forum today focuses on the importance of water security for development and peace. Population growth and increased use of water are creating water scarcity and intense competition for water. Ongoing climate change heightens the water crisis, which is starkly evident in Africa. Only 58 percent of Africans have access to safe drinking water. Only 10 percent of hydroelectricity potential is being put to work. Globally, 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water and over 3.6 billion people lack safely managed sanitation.
Remarks at Plenary Session, Third International Conference on Financing for Development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 13, 2015

( 2015-07-13) Kim, Jim Yong

Remarks delivered by Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, discuss building on Ethiopia’s legacy by presenting the world with a shared vision for substantially increasing funding for the world’s poor. He talks about the need to be bold, creative, form strong partnerships, and find new resources to meet our goals of reducing poverty in the world. He talks about how the funding we leverage means more children will be educated, more patients will be treated, and more vital services will be provided. He concludes that we are part of a growing global movement that is the first generation in humankind that can end extreme poverty.
Press Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, September 6, 2012

( 2012-09-06) Gordhan, Pravin ; Kim, Jim Yong ; Diop, Makhtar

Pravin Gordhan, South African Finance Minister, summarized the nature of the meetings held with ministers and deputies. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, discusses that gender and equity is critical for sustainable economic development, as are good jobs for youth. He believes that along with the South African government, social inclusion and economic growth, especially in the private sector, are not mutually exclusive. The Bank is focused around this issue, and so the Bank needs to figure out a way to be the most effective organization in ending poverty and boosting prosperity. South Africa needed energy in order for the economy to grow and provide good jobs. The Bank is working with the government on many clean energy projects. Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice President for Africa, joined Gordhan and Kim in answering questions. Issues included South Africa’s infrastructure program, inclusive growth, new directions at the Bank, energy options, the euro crisis, mining, pension plans and other social infrastructure, the Bank’s budget for Africa. Kim stated that Africa is one of his absolute top priorities.
Remarks at Annual Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank, March 16, 2007

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2007-03-16) Wolfowitz, Paul

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, discussed governance and anticorruption being at the heart of Africa’s development future. He spoke of donor coordination and IDA’s work in the region.
Remarks at Liberia Partners Forum, Washington DC, February 13, 2007

( 2007-02-13) Wolfowitz, Paul

In his opening remarks, President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz said that the international community needs to do much more and faster and take advantage of this unique opportunity that Liberians have now, after 25 years of instability, to take control of their destiny. Liberia’s $3.7 billion debt is clearly unsustainable and an unacceptable burden. He called on the international community to work together to clear the arrears so that the country can move forward. He paid tribute to what he terms as the “inspirational leadership of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” and added that this new hope must not be allowed to fade away. He said that “Those who remember the horror of the past can hardly imagine that Liberia has now become a place of hope.
Japan’s Role in Africa

( 2005-10-11) Wolfowitz, Paul

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, discussed how Japan’s success is an inspirational example for developing countries. Now, Japan is the second largest shareholder in the World Bank and a valued partner. Today the world is challenged to help the poor countries achieve the millennium development goals and that Japan and the World Bank have a common set of priorities in that endeavor. The Hong Kong round of the Doha development trade round is a big challenge ahead. The relationship between Japan and the World Bank is one of the most critical ones.