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

376 items available

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24239

Sub-collections of this Collection

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa, home to more than 1 billion people, half of whom will be under 25 years old by 2050, is a diverse ...

Overview >

Items in this collection

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8

Address at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development Opening Session

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2016-08-27) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, noted that African countries face key policy challenges including adjusting to a new era of low commodity prices, increasing economic vulnerabilities and the challenge of finding new sources of growth. He feels better at leveraging funds from development partners, stopping illicit financial flows and helping countries mobilize more money domestically. African countries can dramatically increase the flow of private capital to fund infrastructure projects. The World Bank Group is working with African countries and development partners to implement the African Climate business plan which is a comprehensive program and investments totaling US$19.3 billion between 2016 and 2020. Ending stunting everywhere but especially here in Africa is an urgent mission. Universal health care is a critical element to achieve that. Kim called for massive investment, public and private, in infrastructure and universal health coverage for all of Africa.
Remarks on Universal Health Coverage in Africa

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2016-08-26) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, argues that investing in universal health coverage (UHC) is an investment in the future. He mentioned three: First, UHC confronts poverty head on by protecting people from major disease outbreaks and from catastrophic health expenses; Second, UHC accelerates inclusive growth; and Third, UHC stimulates the health sector and creates jobs. The Bank is working with partners to identify the best ways to scale up interventions to improve nutrition and early child development, and to eliminate childhood stunting. He welcomes the government of Japan’s decision to support the annual production of the World Bank and World Health Organization global monitoring report on universal health coverage, with a strong focus on Africa.
Commemorating End Poverty Day

( 2015-10-16) Kim, Jim Yong

Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, discusses the goals of the World Bank Group, aligned to support the poor and the vulnerable, and to preserve our planet for future generations. He talks about the report "Poverty in a Rising Africa" that traces two decades of unprecedented economic growth on the continent with messages that are both encouraging and sobering. He speaks about how economic growth coupled with specific health and education interventions have contributed to improving people’s lives, and contributed in many countries, such as Ghana, to major reductions in poverty. He talks about the structural transformation, a shift out of agriculture that led to an increase in non-agricultural self-employment and, to a lesser degree, wage jobs in Ghana. He speaks about how improving the agricultural sector will be critical to further reduce extreme poverty in the country. He commends Ghana that has invested in its people, specifically in education in most parts of the country. He appreciated the country’s urban areas that have grown quickly, creating more and higher-paying jobs.
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.
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.