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

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Remarks at the Second Investing in Africa Forum

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2016-09-07) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, discussed the partnership to promote development, investment, and multilateral cooperation in Africa. There are ample opportunities to accelerate growth, productivity, and Africa’s economic transformation. He pointed to four key things: first, close the large gap in infrastructure -- in roads, energy, water, sanitation, broadband, and transport; second, make agriculture more productive; third, improve the fundamentals needed to accelerate industrialization; and fourth, invest in people – in health and education – which is increasingly vital in the digital age. He believe the partnership will continue, and this relationship will help millions of people lift themselves out of poverty and realize opportunities for a better life.
Remarks at Press Conference, Accra, Ghana, October 16, 2015

( 2015-10-16) Kim, Jim Yong

This is the transcript of the remarks delivered by Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group at a press conference in Accra, Ghana. He discusses on the two goals, to end extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity to the bottom 40 percent in developing countries. He talks about improving the productivity of agriculture and making sure that every industry, every person in Africa has access to energy to end extreme poverty. He talks about the importance of investing in the health and education of people for future economic growth in developing countries. He commended Ghana on its structural transformation, shift out of a solely agricultural-focused economy and in one in which non-agricultural self-employment and, to a lesser degree, wage jobs have also become part of the economy. He concludes by talking about taking action on improved and fair, more just, more efficient tax systems and stopping illicit financial flows, in order to benefit the development of the country.
Ethiopia Rising: Aspiring to Become a Carbon Neutral Middle Income Manufacturing Hub by 2025

( 2015-07-14) Kim, Jim Yong

Remarks delivered by Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, discuss Ethiopia’s commitment to climate action, the role of industrialization in delivering development, and bringing these together for low-carbon, equitable growth. He speaks about the government’s promotion of low-carbon growth, poverty reduction, and climate resilience to tackle the impact of climate changes. He talks about the crucial component of Ethiopia’s drive for growth and transformation will be the development of a vibrant manufacturing and industrial base, which creates jobs for growing urban areas. The World Bank Group is working with the government to ensure that new industrial parks make use of recycled water and renewable resources, develop green areas, and reflect upgraded environmental standards and inspection systems.
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 the African Union Summit, Addis Ababa

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2008-01-31) Zoellick, Robert B.

Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank, addressed the challenges and opportunities for World Bank Group cooperation with the African Union. He discussed the following topics: (i) Millennium Development Goals have become critical for social development in Africa; (ii) growth and opportunity for Sub-Saharan Africa; (iii) natural resource development; (iv) post-conflict countries and those in fragile situations; and (v) the danger of high energy and food prices.
Africa: The Road to Opportunity

( 2006-10-18) Wolfowitz, Paul

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, remarked that the past-quarter century has to count as the most successful 25 years in history in the fight against poverty. The one region that has so far been conspicuously left behind by that progress is Sub-Saharan Africa. The people of Africa are hard at work building a more hopeful future for their continent. There is no shortage of energy, ambition, or entrepreneurial spirit. What are most severely lacking are resources to support good plans and good ideas. For Africa and the poorest countries in the world a critical source of development funding comes from the International Development Association or IDA. France has been a leader in IDA in the past. The World Bank has responded with an ‘Africa Action Plan.’ Wolfowitz briefly discussed four key areas of focus: Education, Health, Private Sector Development, and Infrastructure.
China a Model Country

( 2005-10-14) Wolfowitz, Paul

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, noted that China has shown astonishing resolve in the last 25 years in fighting poverty, with remarkable progress to show for it. With similar resolve, China can successfully work with the Bank and with other partners to overcome the remaining development challenges it faces today: battling continued poverty, confronting environmental decline, and lowering barriers to global trade. He commented that the upcoming meeting of the G-20 presents a vital opportunity for China and the international community to redress the imbalances in the global economy, to create a more stable and equitable world for future generations. It is the first time that China is hosting this meeting of the G-20-and this is appropriate evidence of China's growing role as a major force in the global economy. The decisions at that meeting can make a difference for the world's poor--between a life of deprivation and suffering or a future with dignity and opportunity.
Charting a Way Ahead: The Results Agenda

( 2005-09-24) Wolfowitz, Paul

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, makes the case for ending poverty in our lifetime, especially in Africa. There is an urgent need for action, because thousands of people living in extreme poverty, many of them children, die every day from preventable diseases. The call to end poverty reaches across generations, continents, and nationalities. It spans religions, gender, and politics. Wolfowitz claims that the world is at a turning point, with grounds for hope. The last few decades have witnessed dramatic improvement in the condition of the world's poorest people. He cites as key factors leadership and accountability, respect for women, civil society, the private sector, and legal empowerment of the poor. He concludes that in order to find solutions for alleviating poverty, the World Bank needs to strengthen its knowledge and expertise in such areas as education, health, infrastructure, energy and sustainable development, and agriculture. We must chart a course for a future in which today's poor become tomorrow's entrepreneurs.
Africa: Whatever You Thought, Think Again

( 2005-09-08) Wolfowitz, Paul ; Fay, Michael ; Leautier, Frannie ; Gomes, Paulo

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, congratulated the editorial team of National Geographic for the special issue on Africa. National Geographic has played a unique role in broadening the knowledge of the world. The World Bank partnered with National Geographic to produce a full-color wall map to raise awareness of the millennium development goals (MDGs) and to highlight each country's progress. We often hear about an Africa that is ravaged by poverty, disease and conflict. There is another face to Africa, one of hope, ambition, energy, intelligence and achievement. That face is also captured compellingly in this issue. Africa’s future holds rich opportunities. To seize these opportunities, there are many challenges to overcome. Given the enormous scale of this challenge, we need to come to terms with what we can and cannot achieve with the MDGs. The World Bank is working with countries that request help to strengthen legislation and institutions so they can take charge of combating corruption. Africa's transformation will depend on the commitment of the international community and the resolve of Africa's people and leaders. Michael Fay, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, spoke of his travels in Africa and said that there is a very direct relationship in particular in the African continent, but indeed everywhere on earth, between the management of the natural resource base and poverty alleviation, the wellbeing of humanity. Frannie Leautier, of the World Bank Institute, said countries working together can reach solutions that are much better than when they work individually. She noted the need to balance between human life and other life forms, with the forests, animals and so on. Paulo Gomes, of the World Bank Board of Directors, said the issue was very rich in presenting the ecological dimension of the diversity of Africa. The Bank needs to do something in preparing a comprehensive strategy to rebrand Africa in a more positive light. Africa has a formidable reservoir of variety in fauna and flora that can be used for science and the good of the continent. The panel fielded questions on urban ecology, indigenous knowledge, resource management, and governance amid ethnic diversity.