2000 | | International events | | Reformists struggle to liberalize Iran, but face opposition from hard-line conservatives. Peruvian President Alberto K. Fujimori resigns after fleeing to Japan following electoral scandals and corruption charges. Former Indonesian president Suharto is arrested on charges of corruption and abuse of power. President of Syria Hafez al-Assad dies suddenly, and is succeeded by his son Bashar al-Assad. Presidents of North and South sign broad accord for peace and unity at summit meeting. Mexico elects Reform President, Vicente Fox Quesada, ending 71 years of rule by Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). G-8 meets in Japan and pledges to end extreme poverty and the spread of infectious diseases, such as AIDS and malaria. Debt relief initiative gains momentum among wealthy nations. International AIDS Conference meets in South Africa. Palestinian peace process fails, and Palestinians and Israelis renew fighting. Hague court convicts Bosnian Croat militiamen for war crimes. Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic is overthrown, and Vojislav Kostunica is sworn in as president. Sierra Leone civil war continues, and UN establishes an international tribunal to investigate war crimes. In Cote d’Ivoire, a military coup overthrows the government, and rival groups struggle for control. Ethiopia and Eritrea sign a cease-fire, ending one of Africa's most enduring wars. The Euro, the European currency struggles against the dollar and the Japanese yen. Mozambique, Bangladesh and India Hit by some of the worst flooding in 100 years. World Health Organization reports blood supplies in two-thirds of the world may be tainted, thereby contributing to the spread of AIDS, hepatitis, and other diseases. Scientists on international panel warn of global warming if the burning of fossil fuels is not curtailed. Computer experts surprised by smooth transition after widespread fears that computers might not adapt to year 2000. |
2000 | January 10 | Wolfensohn Addresses UN Security Council, Calls for a "War on AIDS" | | President Wolfensohn became the first Bank president to speak before the UN Security Council. He called for a "War on AIDS", and asserted that the effort and resources being devoted to the epidemic were grossly inadequate. |
2000 | January 14 | Bank Issues Statement on Yacyretá Hydroelectric Project | | World Bank issued a statement on the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Project (on the Paraná River bordering Argentina and Paraguay). The project, a joint undertaking of Argentina and Paraguay, involved the flooding of a large area, formation of a reservoir, and displacement or resettlement of area residents. The Bank disagreed with the recommendations of the Advisory Panel that the water level of the dam be raised. The Panel was commissioned in September 1998 by the Bank in response to controversy over the social and environmental aspects of the dam. The Bank’s Latin American and Caribbean Vice President David de Ferranti, urged further study before any action is taken. |
2000 | January 18 | Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF) is Launched | | World Bank launched the Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF), a mechanism for eventual lowering of emissions of greenhouse gases. The PCF was the first market-based mechanism to address climate change and promote the transfer of finance and climate-friendly technology to developing countries. |
2000 | January 18 | Appointment of Sarah F. Cliffe is appointed as Head of East Timor Country Office | | World Bank announced the appointment of Sarah F. Cliffe as head of its country office in East Timor. The office was to be responsible for the Bank’s overall lending program in the country. The World Bank was involved with the preparation of several projects to help build local governance capacity. Ms. Cliffe said that an important step toward development was for the donor community to fulfill its pledges of assistance, and that active leadership must be taken by the East Timorese A new office was scheduled to be opened in Dili, East Timor in February 2000. |
2000 | January 21 | Wolfensohn Meets With PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat | | President Wolfensohn met with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat in Washington to discuss enterprise reform and institutional development in the West Bank and Gaza. |
2000 | January 24 | Jemal-ud-din Kassum is appointed Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific | | Senior staff appointment: Jemal-ud-din Kassum was appointed as the Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific, replacing Jean-Michel Severino, who is left the World Bank to return to the French Finance Ministry. |
2000 | January 27 | Indonesia Consultative Group Seminar on Indonesian Forestry | | The Indonesian Consultative Group held a seminar on Indonesian forestry, predicting a bleak future unless improvements are made. World Bank Country Director Mark Baird emphasized the willingness of the donor community to assist in efforts toward the proper management of Indonesia’s forests. |
2000 | January 28 | Forestry Strategy Seminars Held | | World Bank sponsored a series of seminars in Washington D.C. to discuss the effectiveness of the Bank’s Forestry Strategy (which was first issued in 1991). An internal Operations Evaluation Department review of the strategy stated that the 1991 strategy had mixed success, and needed to be adapted to the changing dynamics of the forest sector and the aspirations of developing countries. OED Director Robert Picciotto stated that the seminars demonstrated that the World Bank is a learning organization, intent on drawing lessons from past experience. |
2000 | January 31 | World Bank and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Announce a Joint Initiative | | World Bank and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced a joint initiative entitled Business Ethics and Corporate Responsibility to teach business ethics via an Internet-based educational project in the developing world. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative was part of the Bank’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. |
2000 | February 7 | Senior Staff Appointments | | World Bank senior staff appointments: Jean-Louis Sarbib was appointed Regional Vice President for Middle East and North Africa; Kemal Dervis was appointed Vice President and head of Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network; Callisto Madavo was appointed Regional Vice President for all of Africa (he previously shared responsibility for Africa with Jean-Louis Sarbib). |
2000 | February 8 | Approval of Enhanced HIPC Debt Reduction Package for Bolivia Announced | | World Bank Group approved a debt reduction package for Bolivia under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. IDA contributions were scheduled for US $253 million. |
2000 | February 10 | Approval of Enhanced HIPC Debt Reduction Package for Mauritania Announced | | World Bank Group approved a debt reduction package for Mauritania under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. IDA assistance were scheduled for US$185 million. Resources made available from the debt relief financed social expenditures in Mauritania. |
2000 | February 10 | World Bank’s Trade and Transport Facilitation in Southeast Europe Program Announces Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding Among Six Balkan Countries | | The World Bank’s Trade and Transport Facilitation in Southeast Europe Program announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between six Balkan countries. The program was created to reduce the costs of trade and transport, and to reduce smuggling and corruption at border crossings in Southeast Europe. |
2000 | February 14 | Global Environment Facility Announces Approval of Grant to Mekong River Commission | | The Global Environment Facility announced the approval of an $11 million grant to the Mekong River Commission to improve sustainable water management, protect the environment, aquatic life, and ecological balance of the basin. |
2000 | February 16 | Country Director Mark Baird issues Statement Concerning Use of Bank Funds by Pro-Indonesia Militias in East Timor | | World Bank Country Director Mark Baird issued a statement concerning the use of Bank funds by pro-Indonesia militias in East Timor. He stated that recently published reports which charged that Bank funds were misused in Indonesia were untrue, and he reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to reduce corruption and improve accountability. |
2000 | February 16 | Wolfensohn Begins Tour of Southeast Asia | | President Wolfensohn began a tour of Southeast Asia. He addressed the Tenth Ministerial Meeting of UNCTAD in Bangkok, saying that globalization must have a "human face", and should promote social equity. Trade liberalization was, he said, an important tool for reducing poverty and he called on the international community to give free market access for all the exports of the countries eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Mr. Wolfensohn’s tour also included visits to Indonesia, the Philippines, East Timor, and Vietnam. |
2000 | February 17 | Announcement of Permanent Debarment of 29 Firms From Participation in Bank-Financed Contracts | | The World Bank announced the permanent debarment of 29 firms and seven individuals. In ordering the debarments, World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn acted on the recommendation of the Bank’s Sanctions Committee, which found that the firms and individuals had engaged in corrupt practices as defined by the Bank’s Consultants’ Guidelines. |
2000 | February 25 | Forest Sector Strategy Meeting in Tunisia | | World Bank participated in a meeting with forestry experts in Tunisia to define a new strategy for the forestry sector. |
2000 | March 8 | Meltzer Commission Report Released | | The International Financial Institution Advisory Commission ("Meltzer Commission"), authorized by the US Congress in November 1998, released its report. The report was highly critical of the Bank and Fund, and urged that they be radically reduced and restructured. |
2000 | March 8 | Nicholas Stern Appointed Senior Vice President Development Economics and Chief Economist, Effective Spring 2000 | | World Bank announced that Nicholas Stern has been appointed Senior Vice President Development Economics and Chief Economist, to become effective Spring 2000. |
2000 | March 10 | Plan to Work More Closely With Church Groups in Africa to Fight Poverty and AIDS Announced | | The World Bank announced a plan to work more closely with Church groups in Africa to fight poverty and to "break the conspiracy of silence on AIDS." The Bank hopes to channel development resources through Church programs and to include churches in consultations on economic and social policy issues. Target programs include Women and Assets, Children and Youth, Education and Health, HIV/AIDS, Governance, Leadership and Corruption, Enterprise, Debt and Economic Growth, and Conflict Prevention and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. |
2000 | March 13 | Wolfensohn Responds to the Meltzer Commission Report | | President Wolfensohn responded to the Meltzer Commission report in an article published in the Washington Post. |
2000 | March 14 | Voices of the Poor: Can Anyone Hear Us? Released | | World Bank released Voices of the Poor: Can Anyone Hear Us?, a new study on the causes and effects of global poverty. The book present detailed personal accounts from over 60,000 people in 60 countries about the realities of living with poverty, and what the poor need to improve their lives. |
2000 | March 17 | Vice President Jemal-ud-din Kassum Visits China, ReiteratingBank’s Commitment to Strengthen Its Collaboration With China | | Vice President Jemal-ud-din Kassum visits China, and reiterates the Bank’s commitment to strengthening the Bank’s collaboration with China. He offered assistance to address the issues involved in the development of China’s western provinces, suggesting integrating transport systems, strengthening access to social services and mitigating environmental consequences, and implementing measures to lower investment costs and ensure quality. |
2000 | March 20 | Seminar to Discuss International Experience With Decentralization and Regional Autonomy | | World Bank, IMF, and the University of Indonesia sponsor a seminar to discuss international experience with decentralization and regional autonomy. Indonesia’s plans for decentralization will be evaluated in light of international experience. |
2000 | March 22 | Wolfensohn Addresses Second World Water Forum | | President Wolfensohn addresses the Second World Water Forum in The Hague, stating that lack of access to water is synonymous with poverty throughout the developing world. He pledged the Bank’s support for the conference’s new global initiative to ensure that everyone has water services for health, food, energy, and the environment. He outlined an approach to water management built upon participatory institutions, and technological and financial innovation. |
2000 | March 24 | Operations Evaluation Director General Robert Picciotto Replies to Meltzer Commission Report | | Operations Evaluation Director General Robert Picciotto replies to the recently released US Meltzer Commission report. He stated that the Meltzer Commission misinterpreted and misused OED data, and that the conclusions reached by the Commission were in error. "In effect, the Commission chose to manipulate OED data to support its dismal vision of the future role of the Bank…The Commission chose to ignore [the facts that OED shared with the Commission]. In doing so, they have done a great disservice to our institution and they have damaged the integrity of public debate about development effectiveness." |
2000 | March 24 | Forest Sector Strategy Meeting | | The World Bank convenes a meeting in Washington of forestry experts, environmental activists, industry representatives, government policy-makers, and development agency representatives to examine the World Bank’s forest strategy and to develop ideas for the future role of the Bank in the forest sector. |
2000 | March 28 | Bank Debars One Individual From Participation in Bank-Financed Contracts | | The World Bank debars one individual from participation in Bank-financed contracts due to fraudulent or corrupt practices. The debarment followed the recommendations of the Bank’s Sanctions Committee. |
2000 | March 30 | Report Issued on Mozambique Flood Recovery Aid | | World Bank (in conjunction with the government of Mozambique, USAID and other development partners) issues a report detailing the amount of aid needed for the Government of Mozambique to recover from the recent flooding. The flooding devastated areas in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza, northern Inhambane, Sofala and Manica. The report will be used for the international donors conference to be held in April 2000. |
2000 | April 5 | MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Lao People’s Democratic Republic | | MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Lao People’s Democratic Republic, becoming the 152nd member of MIGA. |
2000 | April 5 | HIPC Debt Relief for Tanzania Approved | | World Bank Group approves a comprehensive debt reduction package for Tanzania under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The assistance provided by IDA (of US$1.2 billion) will be spread over a period of 20 years, covering 69.1 percent of Tanzania's debt-service obligations to IDA. |
2000 | April 6 | Wolfensohn Says the Planned Jubilee 2000 Debt Relief Rally a Welcome Call for Needed Developing World Debt Relief | | World Bank President Wolfensohn stated that the planned Jubilee 2000 Debt Relief rally in Washington was a welcome call for the need for debt relief for the developing world. "I am personally very grateful for the enormous contribution Jubilee 2000 has made to debt relief…While we do not agree with every aspect of how to address this challenge, we salute the coalition for helping to bring this critical issue to the world’s attention." The Spring Meetings were an occasion for protests against the World Bank and its policies. World Bank Press Release, April 6, 2000. |
2000 | April 10 | Jubilee 2000 Rally | | Jubilee 2000, an organization lobbying for international debt relief, holds a protest march in Washington, DC, timed to coincide with the World Bank’s Spring Meetings. Protestors had warned of a "Seattle East" demonstration (referring to the violent protests against the World Trade Organization in Seattle), and World Bank security is reinforced accordingly. |
2000 | April 15 | Bank Announces NGO Letter of Support | | The World Bank announces that it has received a letter of support from twenty-two US based NGOs. The letter was sent to President Wolfensohn, and emphasized that the recent news coverage of NGO protest against the Bank did not represent the entire NGO community. The letter cited the Bank’s work in poverty alleviation, its commitment to a more holistic view of development and transparency in the development process. |
2000 | April 16 | Protest Marches at Spring Meetings | | The Development Committee’s Spring meetings in Washington are marred by protests of thousands demanding an end to globalization. 6,000 – 10,000 demonstrators gathered in Washington to shut down the meetings by tying themselves together using lengths of pipe and chain. Approximately 600 were arrested for various acts of violent or non-violent protest. Washington DC police received assistance from a large number of other police forces and other security agencies. The meetings were conducted in spite of the protests, and the Development Committee renewed its pledge to speed up debt relief and to support the fight against AIDS. |
2000 | April 20 | Consultations on Forestry Policy | | The World Bank held further consultations with forestry experts, environmental activists and industry representatives to examine the World Bank’s forestry policy. The meeting was held in Rajendrapur, Bangladesh. |
2000 | April 21 | Emergency Assistance for Mozambique | | World Bank provides a US$30 million credit in response to the Mozambican government's request for emergency assistance following floods in the country. |
2000 | April 27 | "Fast Track" Plan for Education Announced | | World Bank announces a "fast track" plan to jumpstart governments into providing free basic education for all children by the year 2015. President Wolfensohn told the World Education Forum in Dakar that no country with a viable and sustainable plan for achieving Education for All (EFA) will be unable to implement it for lack of external resources. The World Education Forum convened partners from government, UN agencies, the World Bank, NGOs, and academia to determine the direction education is to take in the new millennium, both in their own countries and around the world. |
2000 | May 1 | Conference on "Globalization, Development and Poverty" | | The World Bank joins with the Panos Institute London to sponsor an electronic conference on development issues – "Globalization, Development and Poverty". The conference consisted of a month-long electronic discussion on the Bank’s Development Forum, and had over 3,000 registrants. |
2000 | May 2 | Uganda to Receive HIPC Debt Relief | | World Bank Group announces that Uganda has met the conditions for its completion point under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and will begin receiving $1.3 billion in debt-service relief. This amount was in addition to $650 million committed to Uganda when it became the first country to complete the original HIPC framework in April 1998. |
2000 | May 9 | Toward an Environment Strategy for the World Bank Group Progress Report/Discussion Draft, April 2000 --New Environment Strategy Announced | | The World Bank Group announced that it is preparing a new environment strategy aimed at integrating environmental concerns into its mainstream poverty alleviation and economic development efforts. Toward an Environment Strategy for the World Bank Group Progress Report/Discussion Draft, April 2000 emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive approach - one based on strong local ownership and a wide range of partnerships. The draft strategy also calls for a fresh look at the Bank's policies on environmental safeguards, guidelines, regional environmental strategies, environmental sector work, and sector strategies such as the forest and water sectors. The central thrust of the proposed strategy is that poverty reduction is possible only if the environment is able to provide the services people depend on, and if natural resources are used in a manner that does not undermine long-term development. The strategy should be finalized by December 2000. |
2000 | May 16 | Readiness of Slovenia for Graduation from IBRD Announced | | World Bank announces that Slovenia is ready for graduation from IBRD, the first of the transition economies to do so. With its good credit rating, Slovenia has ready access to international capital markets, although it can still benefit from the Bank’s technical assistance and advice. |
2000 | May 17 | Bank Issues a Press Release Warning of Fraudulent Investment Schemes Misrepresenting Its Name | | The Bank issues a press release warning of fraudulent investment schemes misrepresenting its name. In one instance individuals, falsely identifying themselves as "World Bank Auditors", had written to member governments requesting fees and/or financial information. The Bank pledged to cooperate with law enforcement officials investigating these schemes. |
2000 | May 18 | Retirement of Vice President and Controller Jules Muis Announced | | World Bank announces that Vice President and Controller Jules Muis is retiring from the Bank, effective August 31, 2000. He was succeeded by Mr. Fayezul Choudhury. |
2000 | May 23 | Staff Informed of Progress in Establishing Conflict Resolution Network | | Staff are informed of the progress made in the establishment of the new Conflict Resolution Network. Staffing, training, evaluation and outreach have been significantly accomplished, and staff rules are being reviewed to ensure that they reflect the design and philosophy of the CRN. |
2000 | May 24 | Wolfensohn, Linn Visit Turkey | | World Bank President James Wolfensohn, accompanied by Vice President Johannes Linn, visits Turkey to review progress on the country’s economic reform. |
2000 | May 30 | Wolfensohn Addresses Second Global Forum on Reinventing Government | | World Bank President Wolfensohn addresses the Second Global Forum on Reinventing Government, a conference being held in Brasilia, Brazil, from Washington. He referred to the recent World Bank publication Voices of the Poor, and stated that good governance was essential for poverty reduction, and that information technology could contribute to better governance. |
2000 | May 31 | Wolfensohn Meets Government Leaders of Czech Republic | | World Bank President Wolfensohn meets with government leaders in the Czech Republic. The meeting was partly in preparation for the World Bank Annual Meetings to be held in September 2000 in Prague. He stated that "there is no single villain and no single hero in the debate over how to reduce poverty. It is a shared responsibility that ultimately devolves on every citizen." World Bank Press Release, May 31, 2000. |
2000 | May 31 | First Bond Issue in Chilean Pesos Announced | | World Bank announces that it is issuing a bond issue in Chilean Pesos. It is the first inflation-indexed security launched by the World Bank This action continues a trend by the World Bank in issuing bonds in emerging market currencies, reinforcing international investor confidence in various currencies. Previous bond issues included transactions in the South African Rand, the Greek drachma, the Czech Crown, the Philippine Peso and the Korean Won. |
2000 | June 2 | Bank and Japan Launch Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) | | World Bank and the Government of Japan launch the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF). The Fund is financed by the Government of Japan, and administered by the World Bank. The Fund was intended to alleviate the damaging social consequences of the 1997 – 1999 global economic and financial crisis by responding directly to the needs of the poor and vulnerable groups. |
2000 | June 5 | Clarification on Bank Policy on Adjustment Lending Issued | | Joanne Salop, Vice President Operations Policy, issues clarification on Bank policy on adjustment lending – lending to provide quick-disbursing policy-based financing to countries with actual or anticipated external financing gaps with balance of payments of fiscal origins. The clarification was in response to questions from staff, clients, and Executive Directors; it did not include any new policy. |
2000 | June 5 | Second International Conference on Social Funds | | Opening of the Second International Conference on Social Funds at World Bank headquarters in Washington, sponsored by the WB Social Protection Team and the World Bank Institute. The conference was to assess the effectiveness of small-scale community interventions. |
2000 | June 6 | Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project Approved | | Executive Directors approve the Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project, despite international debate over the safety of the project. President Wolfensohn states that the project will be improved due to World Bank participation, and that an independent body will monitor the project with attention to environmental and social safeguards. |
2000 | June 6 | Multi-Site Videoconference Workshop on "Current Records Management, Poverty Reduction, and Corruption Control" | | A multi-site videoconference workshop with Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda is conducted on "Current Records Management, Poverty Reduction, and Corruption Control". Sponsors include ISG’s Information Management Unit, World Bank Group Archives, WBI, and the International Records Management Trust (IRMT). |
2000 | June 15 | Announcement That Only Authorized Bank Staff Allowed to Open Bank Accounts for IBRD, IDA, IFC and MIGA | | KIOSK announcement made that only authorized Bank staff are allowed to open bank accounts for IBRD, IDA, IFC and MIGA. Any unauthorized staff opening bank accounts on behalf of these institutions will be subject to disciplinary proceedings. |
2000 | June 16 | Announcement on Departure of Ravi Kanbur From Post of Staff Director of the 2000 World Development Report (WDR) Issued | | Jo Ritzen, Vice President Development Economics, issues a KIOSK announcement on the departure of Ravi Kanbur from the post of Staff Director of the 2000 World Development Report (WDR). Kanbur had expressed his doubts on the objectivity of the report, and felt that the main messages of the report were not likely to emerge. Ritzen asserted that the WDR would be an objective, analytical report, and would reflect the main themes that were in the early drafts circulated by Kanbur. Nora Lustig and Michael Walton managed the WDR following Kanbur’s departure. The World Development Report Attacking Poverty was issued in September, 2000. |
2000 | June 23 | HIPC Debt Relief for Senegal Approved | | World Bank Group approves a comprehensive debt reduction package for Senegal under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Total relief from all of Senegal's creditors is worth around US$800 million. |
2000 | June 26 | Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics in Europe | | Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics in Europe opens in Paris. |
2000 | July 7 | Ukraine Joins ICSID | | Ukraine becomes the 132nd member of ICSID. |
2000 | July 7 | Ian Johnson Appointed Chairman of CGIAR | | Ian Johnson, World Bank Vice President for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, is appointed Chairman of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). |
2000 | July 7 | China Announces Withdrawal of Loan Application for Qinghai Component of China Western Poverty Reduction Project | | The Government of China announces that it was withdrawing its loan application from the Bank, and would use its own resources to implement the Qinghai Component of the China Western Poverty Reduction Project. The controversial $40 million Qinghai component of a wider $160 million Western Poverty Reduction project called for the relocation of 57,000 people into historically Tibetan lands in what is now China's Qinghai province. Backers of the project said it would help impoverished people escape barren lands and would raise living standards. Opponents claimed it would push a destructive tide of Chinese migration into the region and suffocate the Tibetan way of life there. The Bank had approved the loan in 1999, but financing was delayed until the Bank's Inspection Panel investigated objections to the project from pro-Tibetan groups. The panel's report concluded that the Bank had violated seven of 10 internal regulations. In response, World Bank President James Wolfensohn proposed delaying the project by at least a year to allow for deeper environmental review, and promised to spend $2.5 million over the next 15 months to address the concerns of the internal inspection panel. China decried the "politicization" of the lending process, and the Executive Director for China, Zhu Xian stated "It is unacceptable to my authorities that other Bank shareholders would insist on imposing additional conditions on management's recommendations-namely coming back to the board for approval again for a project that was already approved last year…China will therefore turn to its own resources to implement the Qinghai component of the project. We regret that because of political opposition from some shareholders, the World Bank has lost a good opportunity to assist some of the poorest people in China." China blamed the US for blocking the negotiations. |
2000 | July 8 | Bank Pledges US$500 Million to Assist AIDS Prevention and Cure in African Countries | | At the XIIIth International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, the World Bank pledges US$500 million to assist with AIDS prevention and cure in African countries. The fund would be made available to any African country which sets up a national AIDS program. "This program will set aside $500 million from the Bank's soft-loan window, International Development Association (IDA), to fund HIV/AIDS programs," said Callisto Madavo, Vice-President of the World Bank's Africa Region. The Multisectoral AIDS Program, developed in collaboration with the UNAIDS international partnership against HIV/AIDS in Africa, is designed to help countries implement nationwide HIV/AIDS programs. A large share of resources will flow directly to communities to support their own local responses. Funding will be made available for all activities authorized by national plans. However, said Madavo, "Money alone is not the answer.AIDS, is, above all, an issue of commitment. The sobering reality is that AIDS is not a health problem, but a serious development issue. Only where governments show leadership can international support be effective. We are beginning to see an upsurge of such leadership." Bank’s World Today, July 10, 2000. |
2000 | July 10 | HIPC Debt Relief for Honduras Approved | | World Bank Group approves a comprehensive debt reduction package for Honduras under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The debt relief package will save Honduras more than US$900 million in debt service over the coming years, and is equal to US$556 million in net present value (NPV) terms. |
2000 | July 11 | Burkina Faso to Receive HIPC Debt Service Relief | | World Bank Group determines that Burkina Faso has satisfied the requirements to reach its completion point under the original Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, and is thereby eligible to begin receiving around $400 million in debt service relief. Burkina Faso has also qualified for additional assistance under the enhanced framework (adopted in September 1999) amounting to $300 million in debt service relief over time. |
2000 | July 12 | Working Group to Review the Process for Selection of the President Established | | The Executive Directors establish a Working Group to Review the Process for Selection of the President. The Working Group will review the Bank's experience with the nomination, selection, and appointment of the President and will make recommendations on possible improvements to the process. The Working Group will report to the Governors at the 2000 Annual Meetings. |
2000 | July 13 | "Conserving Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Social, Economic and Tourism Development: Learning from Bali Cultural Heritage Conservation and International Experiences" Symposium | | As part of the Bank-sponsored Bali Urban Infrastructure Project, an international symposium on "Conserving Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Social, Economic and Tourism Development: Learning from Bali Cultural Heritage Conservation and International Experiences" is held in Bali. The Bali Cultural Heritage Conservation Project establishes an umbrella program for developing conservation skills, resources and networks as well as strengthening existing cultural institutions and legislative protection. |
2000 | July 18 | HIPC Debt Relief for Benin Approved | | World Bank Group approves a comprehensive debt reduction package for Benin under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Total relief from all of Benin's creditors is worth around US$460 million. "Since the mid-1990s, Benin has been implementing an ambitious program of economic reforms, which has received broad support from the international community. Overall, progress was made in reestablishing financial stability, restoring economic growth, and strengthening the efficiency of the economy. More recently, the government has made further advances in reforming the budget process, refining social sector strategies, and liberalizing the cotton sector. The combination of a sustained increase in per capita income and reforms in social policies resulted in an improvement in social indicators in such areas as primary education, immunization rates, health services, and water quality… Benin's eligibility for debt relief under the enhanced HIPC Initiative is a recognition by the international community of the progress made in implementing an ambitious program of economic reforms. The assistance under the enhanced HIPC Initiative will complement ongoing efforts to combat poverty by improving health and education and build momentum toward the achievement of the International Development Goals. World Bank News Release 2001/013/S. |
2000 | July 21 | Undisbursed Amount for India Coal Sector Rehabilitation Project Cancelled | | " The World Bank, the Government of India and Coal India Ltd. (CIL) have mutually agreed to cancel the undisbursed amount of about USD$250 million of an original loan of US$350 million for the India Coal Sector Rehabilitation Project (CSRP). Following extensive consultations between the Government of India, CIL and the World Bank over the past few months, the Government and the CIL have requested – and the Bank has agreed – that the available balance of the CSRP loan be cancelled. The Bank will continue to monitor the implementation of CSRP and will both support and monitor the implementation of the India Coal Sector Environment and Social Mitigation Project, for which a US$63 million IDA credit was approved in 1996. World Bank News Release, July 21, 2000. |
2000 | July 25 | Bank Agrees to Become Part of Development Gateway Foundation | | World Bank agrees to become a part of the Development Gateway Foundation, an independent entity combining public and private support geared to addressing the digital divide and reducing poverty. The Foundation will fund the Development Gateway Portal, an internet platform providing information on development from donor agencies, governments, universities, companies, and civil society organizations. Other Foundation activities include a network of research and training centers, and a Development Forum for virtual discussions on key information and communication technology issues. |
2000 | August | Former Yugoslavia Dropped from ICSID | | Former Yugoslavia is dropped from ICSID, bringing total ICSID membership to 131. |
2000 | August 8 | Tobacco Control in Developing Countries Issued by Bank and World Health Organization | | World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) issue a joint publication, Tobacco Control in Developing Countries, arguing that curbing tobacco use is a major component of efforts to improve global health conditions. |
2000 | September 1 | Bank publishes Working Together | | Working Together: the World Bank’s partnership with Civil Society is published. The publication described the Bank’s cooperation with civil society organizations, especially the increased emphasis on this cooperation as required by the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF). |
2000 | September 6 | World Bank and IMF Issue Joint Statement on Shared Objectives and Guiding Principles | | Bank President Wolfensohn and IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler issue a joint statement on the shared objectives and guiding principles of the two institutions. |
2000 | September 8 | Uruguay Joins ICSID | | Uruguay becomes the 132nd member of ICSID. |
2000 | September 8 | MIGA Articles of Agreement Signed by Central African Republic | | MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Central African Republic, becoming the 153rd member of MIGA. |
2000 | September 12 | Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP) for Africa Approved | | World Bank approves a Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP) for Africa, representing a region-wide commitment by the institution to strengthen the response to the epidemic. The Board of Directors agreed to commit an initial amount of US$500 million in flexible and rapid funding over the next three years, which will consist of several projects to fight the epidemic in Sub-Saharan African countries. The funds are to be committed to individual HIV/AIDS projects developed by countries, using standard IDA credit agreements. |
2000 | September 12 | Bank Pledges Significantly Increased Support for HIV/AIDS Activities in Caribbean Countries | | The World Bank pledges to significantly increase its support for HIV/AIDS activities in Caribbean countries and plans to request the approval of US$85 million - US$100 million in loans and credits for HIV/AIDS programs in the region. The plan of support was announced at the Caribbean Conference on HIV/AIDS, a high level meeting of country delegations and international organizations, cosponsored by the Government of Barbados, CARICOM, PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS and the World Bank. |
2000 | September 12 | Mali Eligible for HIPC Debt Relief | | World Bank Group determines that Mali is eligible to begin receiving irrevocably $220 million in debt service relief under the original Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. In addition, Mali has qualified for additional assistance under the enhanced framework (adopted in September 1999) amounting to $650 million in debt service relief over time ($401 million in NPV terms). |
2000 | September 20 | Global Fund for Children’s Vaccines Will Give More Than $150 Million Worth of Vaccines and Funding | | The Global Fund for Children’s Vaccines announced that it will give more than $150 million worth of vaccines and funding to improve immunization programs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. |
2000 | September 21 | IBRD Articles of Agreement Signed by the Republic of San Marino | | IBRD Articles of Agreement signed by the Republic of San Marino, becoming the 182nd member of the Bank. |
2000 | September 26 | 2000 Annual Meetings in Prague | | President Wolfensohn opens Annual Meetings in Prague, Czech Republic. The meetings are marred by violence and protests against globalization and the debt relief initiative and close one day earlier than scheduled. Bank and IMF officials declare the meetings successful. |
2000 | October 2 | Bank Places Zimbabwe on Non-Accrual Status | | World Bank places Zimbabwe on Non-accrual status, due to payments on loans and credits being more than six months overdue. |
2000 | October 5 | MIGA Issues $90 Million Guarantee in Brazil | | MIGA issues a $90 million guarantee for the securitization of loan and lease receivables from the financing of medical equipment in Brazil. It was the first capital markets issue supported by MIGA. MIGA Vice President for Guarantees Roger Pruneau stated "We hope this pioneering transaction will open the way for more companies to use this mechanism to raise capital for much-needed investments in other developing countries." Bank’s World Today, October 5, 2000. |
2000 | October 5 | Wolfensohn Begins Visit to Ukraine | | President Wolfensohn begins a two-day official visit to Ukraine, meeting with several NGOs dealing with HIV/AIDS, Ukraine’s Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), and other civil society organizations, as well as with government officials. |
2000 | October 6 | Wolfensohn Has Meetings in Ukraine | | President Wolfensohn visits Ukraine, meeting with NGOs related to HIV/AIDS, participants in the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) discussions, information technology and trade organizations, and government officials. |
2000 | October 11 | Special Presidential Award | | President Wolfensohn presents a Special Presidential Award to Bruce Benton (AFTF3) for his commitment to the elimination of river blindness in Africa. Since 1985, Benton was intensively involved with the Onchocerciasis Control Program (OCP) and its successor African Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC). The Bank’s involvement in the Riverblindness campaign began in 1973. |
2000 | October 16 | HIPC Debt Relief Approved for Cameroon | | World Bank Group approves a comprehensive debt reduction package for Cameroon under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Total debt relief from all of Cameroon's creditors is worth around US$2 billion in nominal terms. The debt relief frees about $100 million per year for the next three years for expenditures on health care, primary education HIV/AIDS prevention, and other critical social services. |
2000 | October 17 | Bank Issues Statement on Allegations of Corruption by Philippine Public Officials | | World Bank issues a statement on allegations of corruption by public officials in the Philippines. "The World Bank has consistently advised its member countries of the serious economic and social consequences of corruption, especially within government…In this context, the World Bank views these allegations of corruption as a serious matter, and we are concerned about their impact on the economy. We note that the Philippines is a democracy; it has a functioning legal system, a free press, an active civil society, and a constitutional procedure for responding to such allegations. We have every hope and expectation that the allegations will be quickly resolved by the mandated Philippine institutions through a due process within the legal system." World Bank press release, October 17, 2000. |
2000 | October 19 | Africare Award for Wolfensohn | | President Wolfensohn is awarded the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award by Africare, a leading private, charitable organization dedicated to assisting African development. |
2000 | October 20 | MIGA Articles of Agreement Signed by Thailand | | MIGA Articles of Agreement signed by Thailand, becoming the 154th member of MIGA. |
2000 | October 21 | Kazakhstan Joins ICSID | | Kazakhstan becomes the 133rd member of ICSID. |
2000 | October 25 | Increased Staff Security Awareness in Europe Urged | | GSD Security issues a KIOSK announcement to all staff urging increased security awareness in Europe, due to the continued protests against the Bank, Fund, WTO, G8, G20, and other international organizations. |
2000 | October 30 | Creation of "Virtual University" in Nonprofit Management for Latin American Institutions Announced | | World Bank Institute, the Nature Conservancy, and TEC de Monterrey announce the creation of a "virtual university" in nonprofit management for Latin American institutions, in which students participate via email, the Internet and satellite television. Courses on nonprofit administration, communications, marketing, financial sustainability, human resources and leadership began in February 2001. |
2000 | November 6 | Wolfensohn Begins Trip to India | | World Bank President Wolfensohn begins a ten day trip to India. |
2000 | November 12 | Bank Issues Statement on Financial Difficulties in Argentina | | The Bank issued a statement on the financial difficulties in Argentina: "The World Bank welcomes the steps announced by President Fernando de la Rua to strengthen the Argentine economy and to accelerate growth. World Bank management and staff are discussing with the Argentine Government a detailed program to enhance structural and social reforms, building on the steps now announced and on the underlying strengths of the Argentine economy. As agreements are reached, Bank management would be prepared to recommend to the Executive Directors that further financial assistance be provided as part of a larger support initiative by the international community, also being announced by the International Monetary Fund and the InterAmerican Development Bank in parallel announcements." World Bank Press Release, November 12, 2000. |
2000 | November 13 | Forty-Four Country Reports on Socio-Economic Differences in Health, Nutrition and Population Released | | World Bank releases forty-four country reports on Socio-Economic Differences in Health, Nutrition and Population, urging governments to ensure that the most needy of their populations receive adequate health care. |
2000 | November 15 | Bank Opens Japanese Language Web Site for Japanese Bond Investors | | World Bank opens a Japanese language web site for Japanese bond investors. The web site supplemented the English language site which opened in January 2000, and was testimony to the longstanding relationship between the Bank and the Japanese investment community. |
2000 | November 16 | Wolfensohn Announces Support for Findings of Report of World Commission on Dams | | President Wolfensohn announced his support for the findings of the report of the World Commission on Dams. The Commission found that dam building can provide economic benefits, but frequently exacted huge costs in the non-economic sphere. Wolfensohn said, "Dams offer huge benefits but sometimes at a large cost. The Bank is currently funding less than 1 percent of dam projects worldwide within strict environmental and social guidelines. Our involvement in large dams has been decreasing and is focusing more on financing dam rehabilitation and safety and much less on financing new dams. This report will help guide our work in the future and I will immediately pass it to the Bank's shareholders. The critical test for us will be whether our borrowing countries and project financiers accept the recommendations of the Commission and want to build on them." Wolfensohn said that he would now carry the report back to Washington so that its conclusions and recommendations could be fully studied. World Bank Press Release, November 16, 2000. |
2000 | November 17 | HIPC Debt Reduction for Guyana Approved | | World Bank Group approves a comprehensive debt reduction package for Guyana under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. This debt relief package was estimated to save Guyana about US$590 million in debt service over the coming years, and was equal to US$329 million in net present value (NPV) terms. This amount was in addition to relief previously committed under the original HIPC Initiative. |
2000 | November 21 | Cities, Seas and Storms: Managing Change in Pacific Island Economies Draft Report Issued | | The World Bank, in association with climate research institutes, releases a draft report entitled Cities, Seas and Storms: Managing Change in Pacific Island Economies. The report warned of potential losses of coastal infrastructure and land, more intense cyclones and droughts, failure of subsistence crops and coastal fisheries, losses in coral reefs, and the spread of malaria and dengue fever. The report concluded that global climate change could have a disastrous effect on Pacific island nations, and should thus be considered a major development challenge. |
2000 | November 23 | Management of East Timor Community Empowerment and Local Governance Project Transferred to an East Timorese Management Team | | The management of the East Timor Community Empowerment and Local Governance Project is transferred to an East Timorese management team. The project was financed by the Trust Fund for East Timor, and was the first project of this fund to be transferred to a fully national project management team. |
2000 | November 27 | Staying Alive 2, Documentary on AIDS Targeted at Young People, Released | | World Bank, UNAIDS, and MTV Music Television release Staying Alive 2, a new documentary on AIDS targeted at young people. |
2000 | December 1 | Transitional Support Strategy of the World Bank Group for East Timor Issued | | World Bank issues its plans for the development of East Timor in its Transitional Support Strategy of the World Bank Group for East Timor. The report outlined five key objectives in its strategy to assist East Timor to become an economically viable and self-sustaining nation. Included were a focus on the basics: protection of the poor and assistance to vulnerable groups and ex-combatants, private sector recovery, and restitution of services in health and education; providing research and capacity building in key policy areas; building local ownership of the development process, fostering effective donor coordination; and sequencing interventions effectively in order to match program implementation with institutional capacity-building and political developments. |
2000 | December 1 | New Internal Mail System Implemented | | The Bank’s Mail and Messenger Services implements a new system for internal mail delivery, utilizing MSN’s (Mail Stop Numbers) instead of room numbers for mail delivery. |
2000 | December 4 | Donors Conference on East Timor | | The World Bank and the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor co-host a donors conference in Brussels to review the reconstruction and development of the new nation. This meeting was a follow-up to previous donor meetings in Tokyo (December 1999) and Lisbon (June 2000) where donors pledged financial support for East Timor and embarked on an international coordinated effort for the reconstruction and development of the country in its transition to full independence. Two trust funds were the tools for that coordination. |
2000 | December 5 | Strategic Partnership for Africa Meeting | | Strategic Partnership for Africa (SPA) met in Paris to discuss the framework for financial support of economic reform in Africa. Fourteen governments and six aid organizations were represented. |
2000 | |
