MONROVIA, January 30, 2008 –World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick gained a first hand understanding of the development challenges facing Liberia and the efforts being made by the government and its people to promote growth, overcome poverty, and improve their standard of living during a two-day visit to the country.
“This visit has given me an opportunity to listen and learn about the challenges facing Liberia” said Mr. Zoellick. “The hard work of the people and government of Liberia that I witnessed offers great encouragement and inspiration for development partners like the World Bank Group in helping ensure the peace and democracy enjoyed by Liberia translates into tangible socio-economic benefits for all Liberians.”
At a roundtable on post-conflict reconstruction, Zoellick met with the Ministers of Finance of Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Togo to discuss the Bank’s approach to post-conflict countries and share the lessons learned in Liberia. The meeting was attended by other development partners, including the European Commission, the United States, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations.
During a meeting with the private sector, Mr. Zoellick discussed the growing role in Liberia of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Bank Group’s private sector arm,, and the services it can offer. He also attended a regional Poverty Reduction Strategy Stakeholders’ Consultation in Kakata town in the Margibi County. The consultation was attended by President Johnson-Sirleaf and other government officials, local government representatives and civil society, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General and other UN personnel, the county superintendent, local community members, and women’s groups.
Throughout the visit, the issues of pro-poor growth and the equitable distribution of resources were at the top of Mr. Zoellick’s agenda. Mr. Zoellick was accompanied during this visit by World Bank Vice-President for Africa Obiageli Ezekwesili , as well as other officials of the World Bank Group.
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