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Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Publication
    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.
  • Publication
    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.
  • Publication
    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.
  • Publication
    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.
  • Publication
    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.
  • Publication
    Address to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, United Nations, NY, December 5, 1968
    (1968-12-05) McNamara, Robert S.
    These are the prepared remarks of Robert S. McNamara, President of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and the International Development Association (IDA). He declares that our common enterprise is to drive back poverty, to lift living standards and to enhance the dignity of man. The Bank intends to lend twice as much in the next five years as in the previous five. He discusses the Bank’s lending in Asia. He discusses new geographical accents. The Bank and IDA are now ready to finance state-owned development banks; and training of managers and agriculturalists. He discusses putting population policy at the center of future strategy.