Wolfowitz: Time to Deliver

	Beatrice Gakuba and World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. Rwanda

 September 14, 2005 — World Bank President, Paul Wolfowitz, has challenged the international community to deliver on its promises of five years ago to help the world’s developing countries halve poverty and deliver real improvements in the lives of their poorest people by 2015.

Wolfowitz’s call was made in a speech today to the United Nations Summit in New York, the largest gathering of world leaders in history, marking the 60th anniversary of the UN.

The World Bank leader told the gathering of more than 170 heads of government many of the world’s poorest countries- especially in sub-Saharan Africa- would not meet the Millennium Development Goals to fight hunger, poverty and disease.

“Five years ago, a remarkable vision was laid out in this very hall,” Wolfowitz said. “A vision which spelled progress and hope for humanity.  It is time to deliver.”

Wolfowitz said developed countries need to deliver on their promises to boost aid and developing countries should improve their performance.

And as part of the concrete plans to get poorest countries back on track, Wolfowitz also called for a dismantling of trade barriers which “hurt farmers and small businesses”, and for a strengthening of the private sector as well as civil society in developing nations.

One Woman’s Struggle

In his speech, Wolfowitz cited the efforts of one woman in Rwanda, saying her hard work and determination symbolized the talents and dreams of millions of Africans.

“Beatrice Gakuba left a comfortable life in the west to start a flower-growing business in her native Rwanda. Against enormous odds, her small farm grew, creating jobs for nearly 200 rural women,” he said.

Beatrice Gakuba and World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. Rwanda

However Wolfowitz said the biggest obstacle Gakuba faced to try and create more jobs was not a lack of skilled workers or entrepreneurial spirit.

“It is a weak infrastructure that makes electricity unreliable and transportation unaffordable.”

To transform Africa into a continent of hope, Wolfowitz said, people like Beatrice Gakuba need help, not charity, to unlock their potential. (See related photos)

Africa Action Plan

For its part, Wolfowitz said the World Bank’s Board had discussed an Africa Action Plan to help countries accelerate growth and move closer to the MDGs.

“The plan sets forth 25 initiatives over three years with measurable outcomes to be led by African countries. It also sets clear financing goals to achieve free primary education in 15 countries, as well as build roads, power and infrastructure.

But he said the responsibility for doing more and better could not just be left to the developing world.

“It demands more than high profile summits. It demands urgent results.

“Today we have a choice. As we gather here today, let us not forget the Beatrice Gakubas of the world, who stand poised to transform their countries. Today we stand accountable to them.”