More Events...

Stressing the Importance of Reforms in Yemen — Feb. 17  Achieving long-term economic stability through policy reforms was one of the themes Mr. Wolfensohn's stressed during meetings with President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen and with civil society groups in the country.

Statement on Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri — Feb. 14 Mr. Wolfensohn expressed condolences and concern, personally and on behalf of the Bank, following the violent death of Mr. Hariri, which he said sets back the cause of peace and social justice in the country.

Praise for Pakistan's Progress — Feb. 8  Pakistan's economic achievements and its bold reform program were cited by Mr. Wolfensohn during his visit to the country. He urged his hosts to avoid the risk of complacency that sets in with success, and emphasized that the challenge now is to sustain reforms.

Decade of Roma Inclusion - 2005-15 — Feb. 2  Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, leaders from eight Central and Southeast European nations and major development agencies pledged to accelerate inclusion and improve the economic and social status of the Roma — often called Gypsies — throughout the region. Mr. Wolfensohn called it an "opportunity to turn the tide of history."

Statement on UN Millennium Development Project Report—  Jan. 17  Mr. Wolfensohn welcomed release of the UN Millennium Project Report, Investing in Development – A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals, saying he agrees with the conclusion that the goals cannot be achieved with “business as usual.”

Response to the Asia Earthquake and Tsunami — Dec. 27 - Jan. 10 Following the December 26 earthquake and destructive tsunami in Asia, Mr. Wolffensohn marshalled the Banks resources, spoke to leaders of the region on recovery and reconstruction plans and visited affected areas in the Sumatran province of  Aceh, the Hambantota district of  Sri Lanka, and the Meemu Atol of the  Maldives.

2004

2004: The Year of Security & Development — Dec. 23 In his annual year in review presentation, Mr. Wolfensohn looks back on the institution’s 60 years of service and declares,“the past year has brought with it signs of hope and progress, but it has also brought signs of concern in the fights against poverty.”

Support Future Generations — Dec. 15 In his keynote address to the Global Forum on Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Mr. Wolfensohn asks delegates to strengthen families, ensure access to education and health care, and raise awareness and advocacy for young people.

Disability and Inclusive Development — Dec. 1 In remarks to some 700 delegates at the World Bank Disability Conference, Mr. Wolfensohn committed the Bank to supporting greater equity for the disabled.

India Key to Global Stability and Prosperity — Nov. 17 Speaking in New Delhi during a two-day official visit, Mr. Wolfensohn said India is central to global stability, peace and economic prosperity. The country's development is not just an issue for Indians, he said, but for the entire planet.

New Partnership with Kazakhstan — Nov. 15 During meetings with President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Mr. Wolfensohn discussed the forging of a new partnership between Kazakhstan and the Bank. He outlined four areas—oil revenue management, health, education and infrastructure—where Kazakhstan and the Bank can work effectively together.

Statement on Palestinian Leader Yassar Arafat  —Nov. 12 Mr. Wolfennsohn expressed his condolences to the family of President Arafat on his death, and said the Bank will continue to support the Palestinian administration in its development efforts.

Visit to Ethiopia — Nov. 5  Mr. Wolfennsohn applauded the government's vision for growth and poverty reduction. He also visited with youth groups, farmers and local councils.

Management Changes — Oct. 21  Upon the departure of Managing Director Jeffrey Goldstein, Mr. Wolfensohn announced plans to carry on Mr. Goldstein's work.

Africa Development Forum —Oct. 14  The issue of governance is central to defeating poverty, Mr. Wolfensohn said during remarks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The "core question," he said, is how African leaders -- at all levels -- use the resources they have in fighting poverty. Winning that fight, he stressed, "will remove one of the fundamental bases of injustice, terror and instability."

Securing the 21st Century — Oct. 3  At the 2004  Annual Meetings, Mr. Wolfensohn pointed to significant achievements since the Bank was formed 60 years ago, and called on the world to view poverty eradication as the key to long-term security and stability everywhere.  Video

Support for the Caribbean— Sept. 15  Mr. Wolfensohn expressed support to the people and countries of the Caribbean region, where thousands were left homeless and infrastructure damage was severe as the result of Hurricane Ivan, one of the worst storms to hit the region in the past decade.

Development and Peace — Sept. 6  In closing remarks at the Youth Development & Peace Conference in Sarajevo, Mr. Wolfensohn explained that the Bank is starting to build a better understanding of young people and youth organizations because, he said, "you cannot ignore the fact that half the world is under 24."  Youth Conference site

An Unbalanced and Dangerous Planet — Sept. 5 Speaking in Frankfurt, Germany, on the occasion of Mr. Friedrich von Metzler being named an honorary citizen of that city, Mr. Wolfensohn examines implications of the growing gap between rich and poor countries. July 19-20 - At the International Donors Conference on Haiti, hosted by the Bank, Mr. Wolfensohn outlined key elements of the Interim Cooperation Framework, which seeks to address economic and social challenges facing the poorest country in the Latin American and Caribbean region. June 25 - Economic Impact of Renewable Markets - Mr. Wolfensohn's remarks on the environment at the Brookings Institution.

June 14 - Mr. Wolfensohn's keynote address at Visions, Voices, Visibility Symposium For Broadcasters on International Development. read speech 

June 7 - Remarks at the Conference de Montreal. read speech

June 4 - Mr.Wolfensohn's article about the importance of the environment appeared in South China Morning Post and Liberation (France)...read Op-ed

June 2-4 - Mr. Wolfensohn visited Russia to attend the first international conference on "Corporate Governance and Economic Growth in Russia" in Moscow, June 3, 2004...more

May 26 - Mr. Wolfensohn's address at the Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction, hosted by the Government of China in Shanghai...view video

May 23 - Speaking at graduation ceremonies at Brandeis University, Mr. Wolfensohn describes an international world that is in sharp contrast to the one he entered when he completed his undergraduate studies...read speech

May 17 - Mr. Wolfensohn met in Rome with Nobel Prize laureates, took part in the Glocal Forum and attended the "We Are the Future" concert to benefit children living in conflict.

May 15 - Mr. Wolfensohn addressed the World Economic Forum in Jordan.

May 13 – In Oslo, Mr. Wolfensohn joined Hilde Johnson, minister for International Development, for meetings with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Nordic and Baltic governors. He was also received by Norway's King Harald V. Later, in London, Mr. Wolfensohn delivered the Greenpeace UK Business Lecture.

May 12 – Mr. Wolfensohn spoke on the "The Future of Southeast Europe" at the annual German Forum, and met with Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs Otto Wiesheu and Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Edmund Stoiber.

May 11 - In Brussels, Mr. Wolfensohn met with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and Minister of Development Cooperation Marc Verwilghen, as well as European Commission president Romano Prodi, and attended the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics.

May 6 - Mr. Wolfensohn met with the Prime Minister of Haiti, H.E. Gérard Latortue.

May 3 - President Wolfensohn welcomed Shirin Ebadi of Iran, a former judge, human rights activist and winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize for Peace, as Presidential Lecturer.

April 24-25- Mr. Wolfensohn took part in Spring Meeting sessions of the IMFC and Development Committee, and joined ministers from the Netherlands, Niger, Norway and United Kingdom in a press conference calling for action on the Education for All initiative.

April 23 - Mr. Wolfensohn met with ministers representing the Group of 24 nations and hosted a G-7 session on private sector development.

April 22 - Mr. Wolfensohn met the media at his 2004 Spring Meeting press conference...read transcript, view

April 15 - Mr. Wolfensohn addressed the U.N. Security Council on "The Role of Business in Conflict Prevention, Peacekeeping, and Post Conflict Peace Building"...read speech.

April 8 - Mr. Wolfensohn keynoted a conference on Financing for Development, hosted by French Minister of Finance Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris.

March 31 - Bank staff led by Managing Director Mamphela Ramphele and Mr. Wolfensohn celebrated International Women's Day.

March 30 - Mr. Wolfensohn delivered the Snowdon Lecture at Trinity Chapel in Washington in honor of the Washington-based Interfaith Conference's 25th anniversary...read speech.

March 22 - Mr. Wolfensohn met with Ghanaian students and youth at the University of Ghana in Accra then attended a round table on economic growth with representatives from the Ghana government and private sector.

March 21 - Mr. Wolfensohn attended a dinner with the Ghana Minister of Finance Yaw Osafo-Maafo.

March 20 - In Ghana, Wolfensohn spoke to leaders of the Economic Community of West African States on their initiative, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, which is working to reduce poverty and promote social equity and peace in West Africa.

March 19 - Mr. Wolfensohn attended a formal dinner with the heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States in Ghana.

March 18 - In Abuja, Nigeria, Mr. Wolfensohn met with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and made remarks to members of the Nigerian House and Senate, and to other government and parliamentary leaders...read more.

March 4 - Mr. Wolfensohn visited California's second oldest public high school, San Jose Academy, met with students and faculty over lunch at the Universit of California, Los Angeles, and discussed "Why Development is Important to the United States" at the University of Southern California...read Op-ed, watch the video (realvideo)

March 3 - Mr. Wolfensohn addressed students at Stanford's Graduate School of Business and gave the keynote speech opening the Third Annual Conference on Global Philanthropy...read article.

March 2 - Mr. Wolfensohn visited CARE headquarters in Atlanta and accepted, on behalf of the Bank, an award for poverty alleviation from the Southern Center for International Studies.

February 24th - H.E. Mikhail Saakashvili, president of the Republic of Georgia, visited Mr. Wolfensohn.

February 17 - Mr. Wolfensohn discussed faith and development with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace.

February 16 - Mr. Wolfensohn was a keynote speaker on "Financing the Monterrey Consensus" at a conference in London on Making Globalization Work for All, convened by UK Chancellor Gordon Brown and Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.

February 5 - Mr. Wolfensohn participated in a Results Roundtable and a meeting of the heads of multilateral banks.

January 9 - Mr. Wolfensohn delivered a speech to the staff of the U.S. Department of State...more.

...more news