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

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Fulfilling Iraq's Potential

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2016-03-26) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, noted that even in the face of substantial challenges, democracy is taking root in Iraq. He believes that Iraq’s success can bring stability and prosperity to hundreds of millions of people. He discussed three critical steps that Iraq must continue to build the foundations of an inclusive society. First, look beyond the traditional social, cultural, and geographic boundaries in Iraq. Empower all its regions, and give more capacity to local government, all the way to the municipal level. Second, Iraq needs to diversify its economy. Third, Iraq needs to put its economic house in order, reducing waste of precious resources, strengthening accountability, and undertaking important, necessary reforms. In the energy sector, for example, reforms must address subsidies which contribute to chronic and pervasive shortages of electricity. He concluded by saying that through war, violence and strife, the Iraqi people have shown the world the meaning of resistance, resilience, courage, and nobility.
Remarks at the World Government Summit

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2016-02-08) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, remarked that for more than 60 years, the World Bank Group has been working with governments in developing counties to reduce poverty and promote human dignity. Good governance is the foundation for all development. Delivering quality public services and creating conditions that encourage businesses to create jobs are fundamental to building opportunity and prosperity for all. The global landscape suggests that reaching these objectives won’t be easy. Economic growth, the most powerful poverty reduction force the world has ever known, is slowing globally. Many emerging markets are suffering sharp reductions in growth because of declining demand from China and lower commodity prices. Warmer temperatures potentially linked to climate change made 2015 the hottest year in history; and the most powerful El Niño on record is affecting the lives and livelihoods of billions across the globe. Many parts of the world are becoming more fragile, making quality leadership and good governance ever more important.
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.
Lebanon Donors Conference--Paris III

( 2007-01-25) Wolfowitz, Paul

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, remarked that Lebanon stands at a critical crossroad in the wake of the war in the previous summer. Lebanon now needs to go beyond reconstruction. He reviewed the implementation of the Lebanese Government’s economic and social reform program. The World Bank Group is providing financing support in three areas: first, the unprecedented step of providing grants from World Bank Group income for recovery and reconstruction. Second, the International Finance Corporation will provide 250 to 275 million dollars in financing for Lebanon’s financial and business community, including a guarantee program for small and medium-sized enterprises and a trade finance facility. Third, the Bank extended up to 700 million dollars in IBRD financing to support the implementation of the Government’s program, particularly its efforts to stimulate growth and to meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable elements of the population. The Bank is prepared to continue and intensify efforts in assisting the Government to implement its programs, to build institutional capacity, to improve procurement and financial management to undertake sector reforms, with a particular focus on those sectors such as power, which are key to the overall success of the program.The people of Lebanon have called on the world to help revive their economy. We have an opportunity to restore hope and stability that the Lebanese people and their children so deeply deserve.
Common Sense and Economic Aid

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1956-02-18) Black, Eugene R.

Eugene R. Black, President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, spoke about America economic aid to other countries. He described in detail the Bank’s business of economic development. The Bank can help developing countries to make a choice in their own interests. He described a hydroelectric power project in Egypt.